1984 Dodge Colt GTS Turbo 1.6 turbo from North America

Summary:

Wish I still had this great little Hot Hatch

Faults:

Wheel bearings at 38K miles were the only major problem I had. The interior was cheap and the fabric began to separate from the vinyl. Otherwise was a fantastic car.

General Comments:

My first new car, and it was a winner to me. This little puppy had AC, power mirrors and ran like a striped ape.

The 4X2 transmission gave 8 forward gears and 2 reverse, rowing it through all 8 gears was fun. I took the car with me to the UK and loved it there. It was the right size, got excellent gas mileage and though the handling took some getting used to, I could take it on twisty British country roads with no fear. Upon my return to the States, It was quite the light to light champ. It had the dark blue exterior with the light blue interior and looked very well compared to the burgundy or the black that I saw on other cars like it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th March, 2008

1984 Dodge Colt GTS Turbo 1.6 from North America

Summary:

Why can't anyone build it now?

Faults:

The transmission case broke, but the dealer fixed it. Other than that, it was a great car.

General Comments:

I had one of these cars between June of 1984 and July of 1987. I have time slips of 15.7 with factory 165-70-13 tires when the car was bone stock. The two best things about the car were the power and the economy. After a year, I installed slightly larger tires; a 2.25” exhaust system and the Direct Connection boost kit. My buddy had a stock 1983 Trans-Am with the 5-liter mated to an automatic. He finally talked me into racing him on Capitol Expressway and the Colt beat him badly from 0-100. My best ET was around 15.0, maybe 14.8 or 14.9, but I had to install larger front tires in order to get sufficient traction for launches. As for economy, we had 55 mph speed limits then, so I used to cruise at 61 or 62 mph on Interstates, but economy was 35 mpg on freeways. Why is it that someone cannot build a similar car now? I think that the car cost me $7500.00 w/o A/C.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th June, 2006

15th Jun 2006, 10:13

This is a real-world update of my earlier post.

Stock ET was 15.9

Best ET was 15.2

I didn’t trust my numbers so I dug up the time slips.

14th Oct 2007, 10:19

I was wondering if you would know where to purchase a fuel injector for a 1984 dodge colt / 1.6 motor turbo throttle body? It's a 2 door hatchback... Don't know if you need more info than that? My husband has gone too many places in the area and doesn't seem to be able to find one. If possible please email me at kitten513@earthlink.net

Thank You, Sincerely.

18th Dec 2007, 13:40

The reason they can't build 'em like this anymore is because this car weighed 1800 pounds. Today most cars weigh almost twice that.

8th Mar 2008, 10:48

Mar 8, 2008

We bought a pea green Dodge Colt in 1980; that was the best car that we have ever owned when it came to fuel economy and fun to drive. We drove that little car on a Star Mail route, to church and shopping and finally towed it behind our small motor home when we traveled to the south west. Most of the time we averaged over 40 miles per gallon. This morning crude oil was over 104 dollars per barrel, gas is expected to reach $4,00 per gallon.

Any dealer that had new ones for sale would be swamped. Why don't the manufacturers of cars take a second look at these small cars.

We finally gave the car to our grandson when he was in auto mechanics school. They put a new catalytic convertor on it, but being young and foolish he traded it off and bought a gas guzzling Ford pickup. I think he thought that girls would be more likely to go out with him. I bet he wished that he had kept that Dodge Colt now. I know that my wife and I loved that car and probably should have kept it.

Anyone got one for sale? Don M.