1997 Dodge Intrepid 3.5 V6 from North America

Summary:

An outstanding value

Faults:

When I first bought the car, there was a skip from 3rd to 4th gear. After a transmission service the car has given me flawless reliability.

General Comments:

Even though the car is quite large for a single 25 year-old, it's reliability and performance has made me quite a fan.

I take long trips through-out the Pacific Northwest and the car never gives me an ounce of trouble.

It is hard to find a better family car for the price.

I would not recommend all Dodge products, but I would anyone looking for a quality car to look at the Intrepid.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st November, 2002

1997 Dodge Intrepid 3.5L from North America

Summary:

A really great buy for anyone because you get it all for the price

Faults:

I have had to replace the rotors twice in the last year, and the pads three times.

General Comments:

I love the speed and handling.

I can only imagine what this car would be like if it had a turbo unit.

Dodge should consider a full stick shift.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th October, 2002

1997 Dodge Intrepid Base 3.5L from North America

Summary:

Never again will I buy one!!

Faults:

OK, where do I start? Acquired the vehicle in 1998 with 37K miles on it. Later on I found out that it had been a rental.

Vehicle ran fine for the six months and then the nightmare started: first, it overheated in the middle of December in Florida!! Turned out to be a defective water pump. Vehicle didn't have 45K miles yet. Cost me about $300.

In 1999, I moved to California. All the way through, the vehicle kept running very hot. Of course, it was the middle of September, so it was still pretty warm, especially in the desert. After getting to California, the overheating problem continued and had a friend mechanic look at it. Once again, the water pump was out. Vehicle had around 55K miles. Again, I shelled out another $300.

Same year, just a couple of months later, the tie rod problem (which apparently is very common) appeared. The part is not very expensive, but because of where it is located, it cost me 6 hours of labor to get this fixed. Another $500.

Throughout this time, the overheating problem continues, even during the cool weather.

Then in 2000, yet another $200 in repair because of an O-ring leak (another common problem).

Late last year, the timing belt had to be replaced and once again, due to the design, almost 9 hours of labor because the engine physically had to be removed to get to the timing chain. Repair cost close to $1000.

Now in 2002, yet another water pump and finally, the car was on its last legs: just last week on our trip to Las Vegas, the engine finally gave up. A rod blew in the engine at 100K miles. Approximate repair cost: $4400. As you can imagine, the car has been sent to a salvage yard. The one thing that hurts even more is that I had just spent $200 on "maintenance fees" (smog check, AC check up, etc.) the week before.

General Comments:

About the only good point on this vehicle is the way it handles--when it ran, it definitely was a smooth ride.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th September, 2002

6th Sep 2002, 04:09

The changing of the belt needs no engine deposit. It should have costed about 300 $ at most and 2 h of labor. You were just ripped off by your dealer.

20th Feb 2003, 16:05

I have nothing but problems with my car. I haven't had for a year yet! I bought the car at 35,000 miles and a year later the timing chain went. This is completely unacceptable for Dodge. My family and I will never buy another one.

1997 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.5L from North America

Summary:

These cars are worth every cent of the purchase price!!

Faults:

I have had no problems whatsoever with this car.

General Comments:

This car has more than enough power. The comfort is great for both long and short distance. This car surpasses any of the Chrysler Mini vans I have previously owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2002

1997 Dodge Intrepid 3.5 liter 24-valve from North America

Summary:

A quick, roomy, BIG car with very original looks

Faults:

Fog light switch broke at around 80,000.

The auto switch for rolling the window down started being flaky around 90,000.

General Comments:

Roomy and spacious - I have had 6 adults seated with little discomfort.

The 3.5L engine moves the Intrepid swiftly!

The ride is smooth and stable.

No problems whatsoever with the car's mechanicals.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th August, 2001

26th Feb 2004, 14:08

I think that my Dodge is awesome. It runs great and until the timing belt went, it drove great too.

1997 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.5 liter from North America

Summary:

A luxury sedan with good power and handling

Faults:

Water pump went out.

Tie rods went bad - caused a wobble in the front end.

Transmission had major shutter problems because I used a small amount (2oz.) of wrong transmission fluid.

General Comments:

DO NOT use any other transmission fluid except what is recommended. TRUST ME!

The power from the 3.5L engine is smooth and constant. If you have slight delays in acceleration when you step on the gas, buy a K&N air filter. It makes a huge difference for only $50.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th October, 2000

1997 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.5L V-6 from North America

Summary:

Got a good thing going with the power, but needs work

Faults:

Water pump failed.

Tie rod ends shot.

Mis-shifts during gradual acceleration @ 50mph.

Slight hesitation during hard acceleration.

General Comments:

The car is too heavy for its suspension.

Has an extremely impressive engine response: 1/4 mile run: 15.75 sec @ 98 MPH (decent for a front drive slug of a sedan). Has an impressive torque curve that remains fairly constant from idle all the way to the redline. Translation: you'll feel acceleration in every gear at the redline (most would severely drop off).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th September, 2000

20th Aug 2001, 15:25

I've got the same car and never heard of it running more than 17 flat in the 1/4. Is yours stick and was everything stock?

9th Jun 2006, 16:47

The feminine engine would be the 2.7L not the 3.3L...

9th Jun 2006, 19:36

Intrepids didn't have a 2.7 liter engine in 1997.