1986 Plymouth Reliant Reviews

Power steering pump blew (my fault), exhaust fell off (again my fault).

Right front tire was pushed into wheel well (my fault).

General maintenance to keep it going.

Sending unit in gas tank went for about three weeks.

My dad gave me the car as a field car so that's the reason for all the things going bad.

I would take it off jumps and that caused the tire to move backwards.

This car was unstoppable in the snow I only got the car stuck once by driving into a snow drift in my backyard. The sending unit did not work after this for some reason, but we got it going again.

I eventually tore the CV joint out of it and it had to go to the junkyard or else I would probably still have it to drive around in.

Headliner has fallen down.

Timing slipped and needed reset.

Replaced wheel bearings.

Several rust spots have appeared.

The Reliant is a cheap, solid, reliable car. It averages 26mpg city and 32mpg highway. It has the comfort of a larger car, and the price of an economy car. Maintenance is cheap and parts are reasonable and plentiful.

The engine is a tad doggish from a stop, but gives good acceleration and reasonable power for a 4 cylinder. Transmission shifts smoothly, but winds up quick and only has 3 gears.

Interior is very spacious, with front bucket seats, center console, and a large rear bench, it seats 5 comfortably. Recliners on the front seats and good padding make for a comfortable ride.

Extra options are nice touches such as cruise, tilt steering, and air conditioning. Lack of power windows (or even availability) is a down point, but is livable.

So far nothing has gone wrong with this car. There's a slight noise while turning right, but that may be a later problem. So far, so good.

This car rides like a much bigger one and handles turns with ease.

Though the accceleration leaves something to be desired, it does make it's way to top speed without embarrassment.

Braking is great with no pulling or vibration even after all the miles that are on this car.

The K-Series based cars are indestructable tanks. Nothing has ever gone wrong with this pig.

Engine blew due to lack of lubrication durring the 200 lap (75 miles) Big Cheese Endurance-race at The LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway.

This car is seriously not quick and seriously does handle like its on a rail, due to the weight reduction. Plexiglass side and back windows, no back seat, light weight trunk, (lightened support beams in truck and rear quarters), and last, but not least 15" aluminum wheels.

This is a list of the things my friends and I have done to this car.

I never checked the oil.

I never checked the coolant.

I hydro-locked twice.

I have had all 4 tires leave the ground 3 times.

Boat trick at least 7 times. (This is where you see how far you can drive your car down a boat landing before it stalls out, do not try this at home)

Mud bogging twice.

Garbage can bowling daily.

Mature oak trees taken on, two.

During this 3 month period of hell, I drove the car daily to work and back, with out one malfunction.

It was worth the $200.

My brakes went at about 60,000 miles and I just replaced the pads again at 70,000 miles.

I drive her pretty hard all the time.

I'm working on getting a new radiator.

The timing belt also broke at 65,000 miles.

The car is looking great.

I got new chrome hubcaps for it some fuzzy dice and it is all good.

I also put turbo signs on it from a car I pulled them off a lebaron in the junkyard.

But all the imports see them and want to race.

Had to replace the brakes, drive shaft, and water pump. That's it, and I drive this car pretty hard sometimes!

This car is so very under-rated! People used to scoff at me for driving a K car, once I let them drive it: it's a whole other story! The bench seat is very comfortable, especially for long drives. She corners on a dime, and had a nice accelerating sound. The speedo goes to 140 Km/h, I've pushed it to at least 160 km/h, and there was no shaking the whole way.