1989 Plymouth Reliant Reviews - Page 3 of 3

I just replaced the front and rear brake linings, drums and rotors. The whole job cost less than $190.

The pulse wipers quit recently, went to a wrecker and got another module for $2.

This is the third K car I have owned and this one is just as reliable, cheap to fix and as cheap to run as the first one I bought in 1991. (That one, an '87 by the way, is still running, a friend of mine bought it from me 3 years ago.)

The middle car, also an '89 was written off in an accident. (The other vehicle was a Ford F-250) My wife and child were in the car with me at the time. Not a scratch on any of us. The body absorbed the impact perfectly.

Half shafts and heater core replaced at 85,000.

Timing belt failed in the driveway at 110,000.

Front strut mounts rotted and started clunking around 110,000.

Clear coat was peeling when I bought it (50,000).

The most reliable car I have ever owned. Made many trips (800+ miles) and many commutes. Average 320 miles per tank on highway. Bench seat not big on comfort. Torquey 2.5 liter motor in light car (2317 lbs.) means great acceleration. Hit concrete wall on freeway (ice) twice, only a dent. Goes offroad for firewood hunting while camping. Repairs easy and parts cheap. Insurance extremely cheap. Original starter and alternator never failed.

The fuel pump, completely corroded, died at 140,000 miles.

The paint on the engine hood, top of the car, and trunk has almost completely faded from its original sky blue color to pale blotches.

I have had to replace both front wheel bearings in the past month.

Without improper usage, the factory speakers are blown up front and scratchy-sounding in the rear of the car.

The transmission and engine mounts are torn, which causes jerks and lag during shifting, if it even shifts at all.

A spring came loose in the driver's seat, causing me to fail inspection!

I've replaced seven tires so far, and it handles VERY poorly around turns, regardless of the brand of tire.

This car was supposedly produced to economically transport up to six people, but I am utterly uncomfortable and feel cramped with even one passenger.

My dad owned the car before me, and he bought it new: it has lasted thirteen years and 150,000 miles, while the expected lifespan of a Reliant is about 100,000.

It has exceptional pickup for a four-cylinder economy car: occasionally I'll feel like I'm driving a six-cylinder.

Gas mileage is still pretty good for such an old car as I get about 325 miles to a full tank.

With a moderate load of tools, books, or whatever one might transport in bulk, however, the amount of mileage can be reduced to only 190 per tank!

With no ability to recline the front seats and limited trunk and back-seat space, I would not at all recommend this car as a family vacation vehicle.

I've had a 500 watt amp, extra speakers, and a fifteen inch sub woofer installed for about four months now, and I have never had a problem with the battery or alternator.

The fuel pump died at 99K.

Both wheel cylinders for the rear brakes started leaking at 100K.

One of the cylinder heads cracked at 101K.

The water pump broke at 102K.

The heater broke 3 times in less than a month (this was December in Massachusetts, mind you).

I bought it only because the price was right and I desperately needed a car (my '72 LTD died after 169,000 miles... RIP).

I knew Ks had a bad reputation, but this is insane. As soon as I can afford something nicer, I'm dumping this piece of garbage.