Faults:

Bent engine connecting rods at 189000kms; replaced with engine out of '95 Acclaim with 58000kms on the odometer. With second engine replaced head gasket at 233000kms total vehicle odometer.

Passenger seat back a little loose. Regular maintenance ie. radiator and cooling hoses, tune ups, muffler/exhaust/cat. converter.

A/C died three years ago. I had the freon removed and I removed the compressor and its' related hoses, belt, saving myself $780 (cheapest place that I could get to fix it), 45 pounds of weight and about 10-15hp!

Upgraded to 700 cold cranking amp battery for better winter starts (Canada eh).

General Comments:

Overall I have no major complaints about the car. If you haven't already, install wide mudflaps on the front (for sure!) and some on the rear of the vehicle. The bottom of my doors and jack points are starting to get quite rusty.

I especially like the low end torque. Although the 2.5 is only 100hp, it puts out a nice 135lb ft. of torque at low rpm's to haul 5 adults, a small trailer and a trunk full of camping equipment! Haven't had one problem with the suspension. The dealer installed new rear shocks before I bought the vehicle.

Due to safety reasons and excessive undercarriage rust the car no longer tows, so now I can increase my oil change intervals back up to 4500kms from 4000! right on!

Faults:

Needed an alternator at 100,000 miles.

Paint faded due to sitting outside.

General Comments:

The Spirit is great at fuel economy, and still picks itself up quick on the highway.

The suspension is great and provides a comfortable, quiet ride.

Other than the slight ticking sound of a normal Dodge motor, the car has a real quiet idle.

Faults:

The alternator went out at about 125000 miles.

The fuse box is broken, causing the dome lights to not work. I have a jumper wire from one fuse to the next so the blower motor can get power.

Had an oil leak due to my mothers poor maintenance.

General Comments:

Very fast car for a 3 speed automatic, and 162000 miles. I used Marvel Mystery Oil, and the engine is like new. And I beat my friends 95 MX6 with a V6 5spd!

Very reliable, and easy to work on! Plenty of space under the hood, and oil changes could not be easier.

The handling is the worst part of the car. It has way too much body sway, and needs sway bars!!!

Faults:

Went through 2 alternators.

Had to replace the air conditioning compressor.

Have had to replace the clutch cable 2 times.

General Comments:

I think this is a great car, we have owned it for 10 years and over 200,000 miles that is good reliability. This cars has good acceleration and handles very well. Dodge rules!

Faults:

The fead gasket blew 5 times already - but I knew of this problem on Spirit's from day 1, so it was expected.

Nothing that has been out of the ordinary for a car with this mileage.

General Comments:

I have not had any major problems with my Spirit which I have considered out of the ordinary. With over 340,000 kms, I consider things like mufflers, brakes, timing belts, PCV valves, TPS sensors, oxygen sensors, spark plugs, you name it - all ordinary maintenance items to fix and replace.

I would love to chat with other Spirit owners about their problems and possible fixes, as I have owned this car from day one and have gone through every "maintenance" item that arises out of normal wear.

There is slight rust on the car, so if anyone knows a good private individual in the Toronto, Canada area that could get this problem fixed for me over the weekend or something, please let me know asap!

integra252@yahoo.com