1987 Plymouth Reliant Reviews - Page 3 of 5

Front struts are very poor quality.

Starter died 200,000.

Brakes replaced 5 times.

A/C repaired twice.

Power steering pump replaced.

Rear shocks replaced.

Fuel line repaired.

Excellent cars.

Great ride for minimal repairs.

2.2L engine is noisy, but will never quit.

Drive-train combo is wonderful - the transmission is just as strong as the motor.

Comfortable.

Tons of leg room in the front.

Always starts +35 or -35 and never needs to be plugged in - ever.

Single point fuel injection system is very reliable.

Nothing. Just routine maintenance since it was new.

I bought this Reliant in late 1986. It s a 4 door sedan that is a red metallic color with a tan fake convertible top & red interior. This car has a lot of nice features on it like power windows, seat, locks, map lights, AM/FM cassette stereo, cruise control, tilt wheel, painted pinstripes (Tan in color), and wire wheel covers. There is also a luggage carrier on the trunk. This car has many features that most reliants of the era didn't. It is very luxurious and has a nice ride, it even looks like a much more expensive car than it is. Still runs like a top, and gets great gas mileage. I will keep this one until it drops. There is nothing new out there that is built as well as this car was. New cars just fall apart, and don't hold up like these beasts did. My only gripe is that this car doesn't have the greatest pickup, other than that, this is a high quality well built, extremely luxurious, great classic cruiser.

Many MAP sensors; I kept spares in the trunk

Fuel pump at 190,000 miles.

CV joints at 170,000 miles.

Water pump/alternator at 160,000 miles.

Radiator at 210,000 miles.

Throttle position sensor, 180,000 miles.

Front brake calipers at 150,000 miles.

Catalytic converter replaced twice.

All other items (belts/shocks/struts/hoses/brakes/etc.) were replaced on a schedule.

A great cheap car to own. If Maytag made a car, this would be it. Everything is easy to reach, inexpensive to buy, and most parts are reliable. Just don't let the engine overheat, and the head should last like mine did.

Handles well if you put performance tires on it; use metallic brakes for fade resistance.

Front bench seat was horrible; I replaced mine with power leather seats from a wrecked New Yorker-they bolt right in)

Items Replaced and year:

Fuel pump - 2004

MAP sensor - 2004

Rear brake cylinders - 2004

Transmission fluid filter - 2004

Rear shocks - 2004

Block heater installed - 2004

Rear springs - 2003

CD player installed - 2002

Temp/compass/auto dimming rearview mirror installed - 2002.

We purchased the car in 2000 for $150. Since then it has been driven fairly heavily, and we have had virtually no problems with it at all. In the spring of 2004 we had the first problems. The fuel pump and MAP sensor went out within 1 month of each other. Total cost to fix was under $200.

Other than normal routine maintenance, and upgrades that we have done to the car, it has been a very reliable and low cost car to operate, which is good as I am a full time college student.