2000 Dodge Intrepid Base review from North America

I have not experienced the common power windows and power locks problems that most people seem to be describing, but the weather stripping on the sides of the door started to peal right off... now I am left with a really bad gloppy looking glue stuff where they used to stick. Windows do however tick, but power locks are timed fine even with remote.

Now for the problems.

Engine knock supposedly in lifters that eventually went away... had me scared to drive it, but I'll say it was a bad tank of gas.

No sludge in oil...yet...

Car strut bent at 90 degree angle when sliding in snow at 20 miles per hour. Shows how weak and cheap the quality of this part was. Bought a new one for 125 and installed it for 50, and now I am having trouble with it lining up with the other one despite how it was made for that car. Got to love aftermarket...

Radiator fan just blew at 54000...started squeaking loudly and then ceased. My engine started overheating so I stopped before I thrashed my headers or blew a radiator. Had to tow it home for fear of blowing engine due to pushing it too hard at overheating.

Car is dead silent when on. Can't even tell it is on when radio is at a very low level.

Very nice speaker system... must have been customized by previous owner, infinite brand speakers. Works in tandem with my JVC head unit (cd player).

I bought extended, or 'added care' warranty, and have already been through a single warranty battle with the dealer/chrysler over my alignment which has been out since I bought the car, steering wheel crooked and tires wearing unevenly. Dealer offered 3000 mile/3 month all covered warranty and would not fix problem.

Dealer has been OK on handling issues with it that I've brought to their attention... not too much hassle other than alignment.

Warranty offers towing up to 100 miles in contract. What they fail to mention is that this 100 miles is only to the nearest dodge dealer to get fixed... like as if only dodge mechanics are qualified to work on their cars or something. This fumed me when I was 5 miles from home, had a flat tire (stupid cheap space saver spare blew after 2 miles at 30 mph) and needed to get home... they wanted to haul it in the opposite direction to a dealer 10 miles away and leave me hanging for a ride.

They have twice honored the portion of the warranty agreement where they will unlock your car for you should you lock your keys inside... however the second time they called a garage from a city 80 miles south of my location when there was a 24 hour garage they had called before who could have been there easily in 5 minutes. I almost got a citation for loitering at the convenience store where I locked my keys in.

Seats too firm... but tolerably comfortable (able to nap in car for hours between jobs if necessary)

Have put the car to the test, gradually increasing to increments of 100+ and car handled amazingly well out of alignment...haven't tried it since it's realignment.

Car is amazingly sturdy for something so new. Older Chryslers crunch like a cereal box, but I hit a deer with my Intrepid so hard it knocked a small fawn right out of her. I think I needed a bumper cover, fender, and headlight. Door totally held it's own on that one. I have dubbed the car 'Intrepicide'. And I have pictures to back my claim of both damage and the deer.