1997 Dodge Intrepid 4-door ES 3.5 liter 24 valve from North America

Summary:

Best first car EVAH

Faults:

In the past year and a half that I've had this car, I've had very few problems with it until recently, and I drive it quite a bit. The car wouldn't start for some reason one day, and we found it to be the crank sensor. Because of this, the car has a new battery, spark plugs, computer, and coils. All but the computer were in severe need of replacing; however, I don't think it's a big concern, since we're pretty sure they were all original parts or had only been replaced once. After 144k miles, that's pretty intense.

Only complaints are that the windshield design is LAME; no matter how new my wipers are, they never seem to get the job done on such a wide, slanted windshield. The brakes need replacing (and probably frequent replacing) because this car just wants to fly everywhere. The weather strips on the inside aren't properly sealed, and there are some defects with the paint job on this year.

General Comments:

Despite its mistakes and the frequent need for brakes, this car is awesome. It gets 21-24 mpg city and about 29-31 highway, making it very fuel efficient. There's tons of space in the trunk and for passengers, and even so, the Intrepid handles like a small sportscar with turns and acceleration. With added snow tires, it is also fairly safe in mild to moderate snow conditions (thankfully). The standard speakers are also very good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 2008

25th May 2008, 10:25

How the heck do you get 29-31 mpg highway? I can only dream! Do you Sea Foam it?

1997 Dodge Intrepid Base 3.3 liter from North America

Summary:

Though it's had a few problems, it's the best car I've owned, and I've had seven

Faults:

Within a year of purchasing car, a problem with overheating started. Replaced the water pump.

A year later, I had the radiator flushed and the thermostat replaced.

Not too long after the thermostat, I had to have the brake calipers replaced.

Car was still running hot pretty often at this point, but no one could figure out why.

Stereo started making strange sounds even when it was turned off. Tuner card went out and had the whole stereo unit replaced.

Had one of the main radiator hoses burst while driving down the interstate. No reason, just blew.

Car still running hot, and again, no ones knows why.

Tie rod on driver's side went out, had both replaced.

Recently had water pump replaced again.

Replaced main belt once.

It seems that I have had to replace the spark plugs every six months or so.

Also the brakes seem to wear pretty quickly and need replacing often.

Car still running hot and can't figure out why.

Had another hose burst the other day, and I'm now considering getting a new car due the high mileage.

General Comments:

First of all, this car has been handling and preforming exceptionally well ever since I got it.

The first night I had it, I got it up to 122mph on the interstate. Thankfully, it was a Trooper friend of mine who stopped me instead of someone else.

I used this car to commute to college for two years, running 32 miles in each direction.

The road noise is minimal, though when the brakes are needing repairing, there is considerable pop and clank that comes through.

The car has always had an immense amount of power, making me think the my engine was actually marked wrong at the factory. It has outperformed many cars which were smaller and had stronger engines. Once I beat a Mustang in a street race.

The comfort level has always been good, never great, but it is a comfortable car to drive cross-country in.

The factory speakers still sound great to this day, even garnering remarks from other riders.

The paint job has faded over the years, and now is in desperate need of replacing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th January, 2008

15th Jan 2008, 15:59

Keeps running hot and spark plugs only last 6 months?? I would bet you have a head gasket issue, may be small, but I bet that is the problem. Get a compression check. Also flush all coolant.