1988 Dodge Aries K from North America - Comments

Since when were K-cars "disposable cars"? Many of the Aries and Reliant reviews seem to be very positive, not what I'd expect for a "disposable car". I guess some people are too short-sighted to realize the K-cars are actually pretty good...

My 88 K car is gone to K car heaven. We owned it for 8 wonderful years. CV joint recently went and after being replaced went again. Turned out the new one was a rebuilt and built wrong. It caused some extensive damage that the company said it was better off a write off. We will really miss the old girl.

I just love how people say these cars were "disposible". I think they are just the ones that spent the extra 5k or so and got a Honda at the time or a Ford and are jealous that these were cheap cars that outlasted its competitors. gotta love them K-cars.

I live in England and have 2 K cars, A 1987 estate car or as I think you call them a station wagon, and a 1989 rag top or convertible. Parts over here are not easily found, so the fact that both are used regularly both around town and on long runs must tell the knockers what a good car they are. They both go out over here to Classic car shows along with my old Jaguars Fords Austins and Mercedes and create just as much interest. In some cases more, partly due to the fact that we live in Norfolk close to three US bases. Cheers. Jim.

I really enjoy driving my 84 2-door Dodge Aries around town and seeing the looks and stares I get. No, I'm not paranoid! She is all original and in mint condition. Blue paint with white half v top that the hot South Carolina sun cannot peel. The door open alarm still works as does the cig. lighter and am radio. The heater will blow you out of the car, but unfortunately the ac went last summer. The little old lady that owned it for 22 years kept it garaged and I paid $900 for it. I have put close to $2000 into it for mechanical repairs the last two years, but that beats a monthly car payment any day. She now has 125,000 miles on it and that is after driving it to Boston once and Orlando 10 times and to work everyday. In fact it has never ever stalled on me. I think that says a lot! I plan to buy sport rims and repaint it a less little old lady blue. I also plan to enter her into local car shows. Thanks for letting me share my aries with y'all.

I own 2 K- cars. An 85,88 (both wagons) and believe me it's fun to stomp honda's and mustangs and still get great gas mileage. Oh, did I mention they both have a 3.0 v6 instead of the stock 2.2's :)

I recently gave my son a recycled 88 dodge aires K car as his first car. We drove it fine and then let it sit for about 3 months. Now we can't start it. Got a new battery and replaced the coil. The spark plugs aren't getting fire. It cranks great but doesn't start. HELP! My son just started his first job and needs it to drive.

I don't know of any Aries with V6 engines... the 84 came with a 2.2 or 2.6 which you probably had... and the 88 most likely had a 2.5.

2 things.

I'm considering buying a 87 Aries with original 7,500 miles.

It was bought at an estate sale and had sat for years. The person that bought it had to drop the gas tank, change fuel pump and fuel filter.

He drove it a couple thousand miles. I just looked at it and the body looks real clean. I noticed that the red Engine power loss light comes on. The owner said it comes on and off once in awhile and goes off.

The other thing was that when I shifted to park or reverse, the trans bumped a little.

Suggestions or solution for these problems. Thanks.

I had a 1986 Plymouth Reliant, which is the same car, for 16 years. The car was 20 years old when I got rid of it.

The car thumping from the transmission is kind of normal. Check the motor mount in the middle of the engine.

The power loss light coming on - check to see if your voltage regulator is at normal on the dashboard. This car is equipped to do a self test.

Turn the key on off on off and the power loss light should flash 5 times. Pause then 5 times. If not then it will flash and tell you what the problem could be??

"To the person who posted on 1 January, 2004.

I have some terrible news for you. I'm afraid the engine block is cracked, and the only way to fix that, is with a complete rebuild.

But, on the other hand, it just goes to show you what great little cars these are. A cracked engine block, and still running. Wow!

I would readily recommend these cars to any-one; they knew what they were doing, when they called them, "Reliant".

---Joe."

My first car, a '72 Honda Civic, paid $100 for it when it had 400,000 miles. The engine block cracked at about 230,000. I sold it at 515,000 and it was still running. Smoked a lot on start-up, and used some oil, but NEVER stalled and NEVER left me stranded. Let's just say I've stuck with Honda ever since.