1989 Dodge Raider review from North America
"The best vehicle I have ever met"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Replaced clutch at 145,000
(and it's making a weird sound now, like a card in the spokes of a bike wheel - am having that checked by a dealer on 7/18/02
Replaced brakes at about 135,000,
replaced A/C switch at about 125,000
and after replacing the windshield wiper assembly, I found out that the only thing needed to be done there was to have the connectors for the windshield wiper power cable cleaned.
Otherwise, it has an oil leak, which I will have fixed this year;
it needs new shocks;
need to fix or replace the driver-side recipient seat belt assembly (the part that the belt 'clicks' into) (been using the passenger side clasp)
need to get a new driver-side window crank (the "knob" is stripped and keeps falling off)
General comments?
EVERYTHING went wrong with the Achieva.
LEAST DEPENDABLE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED.
Shucked it and replaced it with the Raider:
BEST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED.
MOST DEPENDABLE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER KNOWN, let alone owned - of all cars I've ever come into contact with. Including my heart's car, the 1963 Pontiac Tempest.
Car has excellent visibility; I can see everything and EVERYONE can see this vehicle (it's bright yellow!)
I will never sell or trade this vehicle. It is not a question of whether or not it's worth it to me to fix everything rather than get a new vehicle; NOTHING can compare to its dependability - in all types of weather.
Even when the clutch was going out it kept trying to get me where I needed to go - the spirit of the vehicle's "go power" is amazing.
Recommended reviews
| The Raider is a classic looking SUV that can last you a long time |
| I wouldn't drive anything else - a great rig!! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1989 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.0 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 103000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 151000 miles |
| Previous car | Oldsmobile Achieva |
| Date of Entry | 14th July, 2002 |