Comments: 1-15, 16-30
Sluggush on morning start up.
Needed rear shocks.
Needed some exhaust work.
The interior is mint.
Once the engine is warmed up, it is very quick.
Handles very well.
Wish it had a trunk light.
Looks by who? People mistaking it for a taxicab?
These "looks" peolpe are giving your Diplomat are likely looks of confusion mixed with disgust. Simply put, they are probably aware of the less than winning track record of these cars. I must admit to also being fooled into buying one these sad autos.
You see. I was starting my own auto parts delivery business here in town. I needed a cheap, but "reliable" vehicle to deliver the auto parts. Little did I know, I would lose my profits just trying to keep this excuse for a car running.
For some unknown reason, a lot of people become attached to these low-end Dodges. I can't be mad at them if they know no different. After all, one mans Pinto is another mans Rolls Royce. One mans Edsel is another mans Lexus. However, save your hard earned money and buy a vehicle with a better track record for reliability such as a Chevy Caprice or Ford Crown Vic.
We owned a 1986 Diplomat with the venerable 318 and torqueflite 3 speed auto. The styling only appeals to a certain age group (like my folks who owned it at the time).
The rundown was 11 years of bullet proof service, 11 new england winters without one single paint blister. Not the fastest car in the world especially at higher RPM's in the sedate civilian tune.
My dad was a mechanic and bought the car for the reasons stated above. As far as Ford Crown Vics go, they don't hold a candle to the old Mopar harware for long term reliablility. The GM's are closer, and both share a power advantage over the Dodge of the same period.
Wow someone two comments up is certainly bitter about these cars. Personally I have had four total "M" body cars and have loved them all. One 1986 Diplomat police package had 343,000 when I sold it, all it needed was a new carbuerator to function properly. I now own two. These are cheap cars to buy, affordable to maintain, and reliable to drive. How many other 16-28 year old cars can make that claim? I believe this is testimony to the quality of these fine automobiles.
To the guy with the second post: so a chevy 305 in a caprice is reliable?
Maybe you need to research that more, those engines are junk.
Check the other posts, most people love these cars. Everybody that owns one and takes care of it loves these cars. Maybe you should check who destroyed car before you bought it.
Low-end dodge? what the heck was the omni then? nothing low-end come with leather seats. Just because you got suckered into buying a lemon doesn't mean anybody else will.
As for the looks comment, I suppose you think people don't laugh at that useless silly wing on your honda? Or those goofy neon lights you tape everywhere? People like a good looking old car, not a glorified lawnmower with 1000lbs of ground effects.
Maybe he's referring the Oldsmobile 307, a very reliable V-8 (I prefer the Chrysler 318 myself)
I own one owned one and it is a great car with lots of class.
I am 20 years old.
The other day I went to look for a old school car such as a Caprice or Caddy and I came across a ‘96 Dodge Diplomat. I feel in love with it. The car is beautiful and it was in good shape and there is not one problem with it. I’m buying it today.
I started it up, man you can not even hear the engine. Never thought I would ever like a car like that.
And the car I am bout to buy will most defiantly turn some heads.
Right, except that there is no such thing as a '96 Diplomat.
You mean 86 Diplomat, I assume. Does your car have the 318 or the ol' slant 6?
It has to be the 318 because Dodge did not use the slant six in passenger cars after 1983, though it continued to be available in pickup trucks for a while after that.
I love my 86 dodge diplomat police package
still running strong with 343000 miles on the only problem with this car is when they put those crappy gm 4 barrels carbrator on them in 86 & 87
the gm carberator went bad car still runs good, but need a new carberator
if they would have left the carter or holly on them like the earlyer models this car would run 500ooo miles
right now I'm seaching for a replacement equal to a holly or carter... i tryed an older gm 4 barrel carberator, but I had to change the base from my carberator to the older one it makes the engine rpm's too high can't lower it, but i'll find a replacement.
I owned the brother, the Chrysler Fifth Avenue new in 86; a great car and very very reliable. I have always owned older cars and like the older styling, be it if it is square.
So what, the drivetrain combos in these cars are very bullet proof and very streetable. Any fool can have a car payment or buy new, but not everyone sees beauty in what the cars potential is, and you don't need a cheesy wing or Naaaaz as you ricers call it to be cool and hotrodded. Plus as you get a tad older, the four doors come in handy for most anything. Want to share ideas pics etc of your cars. Email me at ghostinktat@yahoo.com
Don't buy Diplomats they are crap. The front suspentions systems bend at the shock towers and the K members crack if the cars are driven hard. The only good thing about these cars is the 318 V8 and slant 6 thats it.
"Don't buy Diplomats, they are crap."
Seems like everybody else who has one disagrees with you. If you want to drive it through the cornfield, what do you expect to happen to the front suspension?