1996 Dodge Intrepid Reviews

Since getting the car, I've only really had to do routine maintenance. So far, it's been minor stuff - brakes needed to be replaced, tires needed to be replaced, fan belt broke, power locks broke (never was able to fix them). The biggest problem I've had was when the bearings or something in the steering column and the front end went out of whack; basically the car wouldn't stay in a straight line when I drove faster than 15mph (ran me about $750 to fix).

The car has good power and is pretty well on gas. I don't drive much, but still, I only have to refill once every 2-3 weeks. The only problem is it's heavy, so I burn a lot more gas than I'd like while accelerating.

It's a pretty good looking car. One of the nicer looking sedans around in my opinion.

This car is very roomy, and has a very comfortable ride. It handles quite nicely too. Even the trunk is huge.

It's big too, something I definitely feel safe driving in.

It does have a pretty wide turning radius though. I joke that it handles like a boat - it can go in a straight line pretty well, but try to make a quick stop or a sudden turn, and you've got a problem.

I don't think the cruise control has ever worked on this car. I'm the 2nd owner, the guy I got it from said it never worked for him either. It's not a big deal though, since I would probably never use it anyway.

I had to replace the high-pressure power-steering hose, I had to replace a fuel pump, and now it looks like the water-pump. I was really surprised at how cheap the water-pump is.

Other than it being kind of a tight space to work in, it has been fairly easy to do the work myself.

As far as performance goes, I can't complain, being my first Dodge. I am going to college right now at WATC, getting my associates in applied science for auto mechanics degree. I plan on fixing my Intrepid, and will give it to my son, who just turned 16.

This car has been the most reliable automobile I have ever owned.

The water pump was replaced within the first year of ownership, that's 9 years ago.

The brakes seem to last well, always put on the best pads you can afford!

The major problem has been the steering components like tie rod ends, inner and outer, and the hold down bushings for the steering rack. Steering gets a bit wonky when these items get worn out.

The poly cast wheels tend to bend easily, resulting in a shaky ride at high speeds.

The car has been very reliable. I do most of the maintenance.

The oil has been changed every 3 months or 5,000 kms, whichever comes first.

Brakes are easy to replace and the parts are inexpensive.

It does leak a bit of oil, but that has slowed down since I started using high mileage oil with additives to swell the engine seals.

The engine has never failed to start, not once.

The 3.3 is a snappy motor and returns decent mileage, they should have kept making this engine!

The body shows no rust, but the paint on the roof is starting to get thin. If I could find another one of these cars with low mileage, I would buy it.