1991 Dodge Shadow Convertible 2.5 L from North America

Summary:

Fun, good running, inexpensive dependable little car

Faults:

Electric window motors replaced.

Needed to rebuild the transmission @ 90000 miles.

Stuck butterfly valve in the throttle.

Normal mechanical needs: shocks, muffler, exhaust, tires, etc.

Replaced the front speakers.

General Comments:

Has been very dependable and reliant; always fires right up.

For a 4 cylinder, the car has adequate pick up and sufficient high end.

Solid and responsive handling.

Runs well and economic to maintain and run.

Convertible leaks only very little in heavy rain, carwash or going uphill.

Car looks good with top or down, can be considered the successor to the Darts/Valients of the 1960's.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th April, 2001

15th Jan 2004, 08:34

Any car with 90,000 miles will have transmission problems, you should be greatful it lasted that long and quit your complaining.

3rd Apr 2005, 22:02

I didn't think it sounded like he was complaining. He was just stating what he had done to the car. It's not necessarily true that a car will lose a trans by 90K either. I've had quite a few that never lost trans. or clutch. It's all in how you drive it and maintain it. These are a tough little car, and (besides a weak head gasket) very reliable as well.

1991 Dodge Shadow Highline 2.5 L from North America

Summary:

Low cost, reliable and convertible too!

Faults:

Excluding routine (battery, tires, etc.):

New O2 sensor - 88,000 miles.

New fuel filter - 87,000 miles.

New shifter cable - 81,000 miles.

New (and upgraded) rear coil springs - 62,000 miles.

New engine computer - 30,000 miles (replaced under warranty at no cost).

Clutch and head gasket still good at 88,000 miles and the car uses less than 1 quart between oil changes (as always).

General Comments:

Ten years of reliable transportation.

Only failed to run once in all that time (the engine computer quit and was replaced under warranty). Decent acceleration with manual transmission.

Paint still very shiny (it is garaged).

Convertible looks better than coupes even with the top up (in my opinion).

Replacing items such as O2 sensors, head gaskets, clutches, etc. is par for the course with ANY 10 year old car, so I felt some complaints in other posts were not warranted.

However, I will say that the factory rear coil springs were inadequate for the extra weight of the convertible models,and it is common to see old Shadow convertibles 'dragging their rears'.

I had heavier-duty rear springs installed in 1997 and that solved the problem on mine.

Nowadays a well-cared-for Shadow convertible would be a great "cheap car buy", cheap to buy, cheap parts, fairly easy to work on, and top-down fun to boot. Some have wanted to buy mine lately, in fact, but it's still serving me well and I have no interest in selling it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th March, 2001

29th Aug 2005, 15:01

I recently purchased a 1991 Dodge Shadow Convertible, with speedometer reading of 164,400+, at a very low price and have now replaced exhaust system, alternator, front struts, rear shocks belts, and 4 new tires, and alignment. Paint (white) is sad, needs replace and passenger side (??) rocker sill is next thing (I hope) to replace. Driver side rocker showing minor rust. This is 4 cylinder with Automatic and runs very well for above mileage. Car new, had A/C which I am not gong to repair. Top (white) is good, but needs coating or replacing as color is bad. Upholstery very good for 14 year convertible. It is a keeper, unless some one with lots of green really wants.

1991 Dodge Shadow Highline 2.5 from North America

Summary:

Gracie is great

Faults:

Nothing major has gone wrong.

General Comments:

Great little car.

It is quick, but it will not kill you fast.

Handles well, but needs poly bushings at all 4 corners.

Easy car to do minor to moderate repairs to for the do-it-yourself type person.

Parts for repairs and option upgrades are easy to get in junk yards and parts stores.

Was so impressed by my 1993 Sundance, (RIP Myrtle) I just had to have another Sundance or Shadow.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th February, 2001

24th Aug 2001, 17:07

I'm back to report that Gracie now has 172,000 miles on her. No problems so far.