1994 Plymouth Acclaim 2.5L Fuel-Injected 4-cylinder from North America

Summary:

Dependable and economical to own

Faults:

Head gasket was showing signs of deterioration.

General Comments:

I bought this car for $1500. It was in great physical and mechanical shape and very clean. The 2.5L engine gave plenty of power and the car gave a comfortable ride. Room for 5 adults (6 in a REAL pinch) and a driver's airbag. Gas mileage was about 22 around town.

This engine, while overall very rugged, has a reputation for suffering from premature head gasket failure. Mine was beginning to show an early sign of failing - wild swings of the temperature gauge - though there was no white exhaust smoke and no perceptible loss of coolant. I drained the radiator and added a can of that stop-leak stuff, following the directions scrupulously, and the problem seemed to go away. Even if the head gasket had needed replacement, that job, like just about everything with this car, is pretty cheap to do.

I moved a while after that and sold the car for $1500 - other than oil changes, it was basically a free car for two years. I'd but another one in a minute if I could find one in nice condition with low miles!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2009

1994 Plymouth Acclaim V.6 engine from North America

Summary:

Its great for the first time driver

Faults:

A/c leaks when I drive more than 5 hours+

Tires wobble after 75mph.

Stopped working after winter.

I thought it needed a starter (102$)

Wasn't the starter some cable under the steering wheel?

(25$)

A/c is hot after my 5 hours+ road trip?

Water pump blew on prev. owners.

General Comments:

This is an awesome first car for me I mean I have gone so far on it's a awesome little whip. and it can go really fast. runs great on E I went 89 miles on E that's when it finally ran out of gas. I love it! but now that's its on 1299867 miles I just use it for work.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th August, 2007

1994 Plymouth Acclaim 3.0 V6 from North America

Summary:

Fun to drive, hard to maintain

Faults:

Water leaked onto my feet from somewhere near the pedals during long drives, then mysteriously stopped one day around 121,000 miles.

Water pump failed at 125,000 miles. $400

Front drive axles replaced at 125,000 miles. $500

Two speakers randomly went out at 128,000 miles.

Radiator had severe leak, replaced at 130,000 miles. $550 for a brand new one.

Exhaust rusted, clamps put on at 135,000 miles.

Transmission serviced for two leaks at 135,000 miles, one repaired, second minor leak was too costly (my mechanic said it'd be as much as replacing the transmission.)

Water pump began leaking minorly at 135,000 miles. Mechanic said it only leaked when he put pressure on it while it was cold, so I didn't have it serviced.

Transmission failed while driving at 140,000 miles ($2,000 to rebuild, $1,250 for a salvage transmission)

Strange odor and mist/smoke from vents when running A/C for prolonged periods of time for duration of owning the vehicle.

General Comments:

The 3.0L V6 engine makes this car incredibly fun to drive. Gives it very fast acceleration, but cuts down on fuel economy.

Comfortable front seats, roomy for a compact sedan. Took it on several road trips without feeling cramped.

If this car hadn't been such a money pit, I would have much better things to say about it. All around performance-wise it was great, but the trick is keeping it running.

I had read somewhere that these cars are great until they hit about 140,000 miles, and that's when the problems begin. My problems finally ended there, when the transmission was the straw that broke the camels back.

Going for an import this time around!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th November, 2006

6th Mar 2007, 09:45

This review was very accurate. Aside from a few details, my Plymouth performed almost exactly the same. So much money has been put into this car (tires, engine repair, paint, brakes, etc) that it would only make sense to buy a brand new Plymouth Acclaim. A used car would just put a person in the "pit of repairs and despair"

18th May 2008, 16:06

I have a 1994 Acclaim 2.5 Flex Fuel, 235,000 kms (146,000 miles) and have had no problems other than an a/c that has not worked for 2 years. Still has the original stainless steel exhaust system and no trans/head gasket problems. lots of wind noise. These cars last a long time if maintained and not over heated. Like most Chrysler products, poor bodies but good mechanics, Simple reliable unsufisicated cars.

1st Sep 2009, 20:23

I'm a lifelong Mopar man: the Acclaim was a great car but now these cars are too old and are maintenance nightmares... wouldn't touch another one even with low miles.

3rd Sep 2009, 07:16

No a four-cylinder 3-spd auto Acclaim with under 100,000 miles would still be a fantastic beater, and there are still a few out there like that (these were sometimes owned by the elderly). But the V-6 and the four speed were nightmares when new and hopeless now.