1988 Plymouth Reliant K from North America - Comments

I've owned an 88 Reliant since new and the car has always been trustworthy. It has 140,000 miles on it and the rear spindle has a crack in the weld on the driver's side and it made noise for awhile and now the noise has subsided. I don't know how dangerous it is to drive this way. I've learned that this spindle problem was recognized by Plymouth as a flaw and they have redesigned the replacement, but it will cost $850 for a shop to purchase and install.

I've also learned that if you take it to a decent shop, they will either weld it or replace with junkyard part for under $100. You must look around.

The radiator and head gasket were replaced 2 years ago, brakes redone a couple times. Not bad for 16 years.

The worst part is the noisy ride and squeaky springs and dash, the door seals are bad, were replaced and went bad again.

Otherwise, the car is a tank.

Oh, and for those who have problems (noticed in other posts), make sure you check the computer codes when the problem is occurring. Here is a great web link which tells you what to look for and how to check the codes. What a great car - it will even tell you what is wrong, if you just ask it!!

http://www.allpar.com/fix/stall.html.

I was recently in an accident and the claims adjuster wanted to total the car. I pleaded with him and was able to convince him not to, by getting a lower estimate from a shop. Frankly the car is worth more on the road, than crushed for metal. I couldn't bear to see her decommissioned while still in her prime!

FYI: if they had totaled it, I would have gotten a $1300 check. Paid $9600 tax and tags when new and can still get $1300 16 years later. What a car!!!

Well I got the 1988 Reliant K car a couple weeks ago for free! A family was moving away and they needed to get rid of it, but they decided to just bless someone with it for no charge. The car needed a wheel alignment bad... it was swerving to the left if you let go of the wheel. So I got that done for about $60.00... We got new brakes on it, got the engine steam cleaned, and now were considering a fresh paint job on it and also knock out some dents and dinks. That's gonna cost in the ballpark of over $500.00 with the best package, warranty, extra shine, and the metallic indigo blue paint. The car runs great, even people that ride Hondas and newer class cars say it runs great! Only flaw right now is the engine squealing when you start which has to do with the belts and were gonna get those replaced for $50-60 at Pep Boys... The gas mileage is not the best. Seems like as soon as I fill it, almost after about 10-15 minutes of just average driving the gas meter is noticeably decreased. On top of that the gas meter fluctuates on accelerations or fast turns, but it goes back after a while. Most people are kind of exaggerating on mentioning that the car is UGLY. If you keep it cleaned inside and out... Fix rusts, flaws, scratches, and give it a good wax, it can be a great looking car. I think it's a great car to start off with.

Regarding the post made on 5th Mar 2003:

Try replacing your fuel filter, or the fuel pump. I had exactly the same problem, and that was the cause.

Hope this helps.

---Joe.

I recived a relient K as my first car... it was my grandmas and they drove it all over LA. they gave it to me a while back and it has about 150,000 miles... I think it can still drive for twenty years or moce it is in very good condition and has only 2 new parts a sufficant radio and a pair of new shocks... it is a haas.

To whomever had a problem with the car shutting down and then re-starting after 10 minutes, my brother had the same problem. There is a problem with some kind of sensor or chip in the car. If I recall correctly it wasn't too expensive, as with all Reliant parts.

We called ours "Proud Mary", best car I ever had, wish they would make more of them.

I drive a 1988 Plymouth Reliant K-car daily. It has the larger (2.5 liter) engine in it. Paid $250 for it 4 YEARS AGO and all we have done to it during that time is 3 oil changes and front brakes. I'll admit that the rear shocks are toast, but hey... talk about saving money!?!?

Just bought a 1988 Reliant K wagon that looks like it came out of a TIME MACHINE. I bought it from an 85 year old woman who was the original owner. It has 33,000 ORIGINAL miles on it. I had had an Aires K sedan back in 1982 and put 100k miles on it, sold it to my mother and she put 50k on it before selling it to someone.

This wagon had the original fuel filter, plugs and air filter in it. Same with the belts. Only problem is the A/C condenser is shot so I'll have to have it retro-fitted for new coolant.

This car is AMAZING. Cost $1,500.00 and worth EVERY PENNY.

My Mother's 1988 Plymouth Reliant is still going strong, even after 20 years & one timing belt! Regular maintenance has been done (overseen by me) & I hope to inherit it at some point. (I personally drove a cousin of this car, a 1990 Acclaim, for 80,000 miles & found it to have been built like an aircraft carrier. It shared the 2.5 liter I-4 with my mom's car.) Without exaggerating, the Reliants were built like tanks!

A friend of mine sold me a Plymouth Reliant for 250. I was hesitant because of the look, not the coolest lookin car, but I needed one desperately!

The owners were a little sad to see it leave... we love this car now; we named it Jack Lalaine. 90,000 and still kickin... the car also came with chrome rims, looks hilarious. Just developed a Flintstone hole on drivers side LOL.

This car is like the energizer bunny. It just keeps going & going & going. All you have to do is put a little oil, a little water and some tranny fluid about every 3 months or so. It starts every time. It just won't die.

Actually I've owned 2, the first one was a 1983 version. Basically the same car. I rolled it over 3 times (all in one single accident); no one else in the car with me, and no other cars involved. All I had to do was put the spare tire on the right front, she started right up and drove away. Of course the roof was smashed down, windshield broken, back window popped out, and only the driver side rear door would open, BUT I still drove it about 12 miles to get home. Sold it to a junkyard for $150. BTW I wasn't wearing my seatbelt and came out with only a couple scratches and a light case of whiplash. A tank indeed!!!