1992 Plymouth Sundance 2.2 liter from North America

Summary:

Good car, bad engine

Faults:

Timing belt/chain went out around 40,000.

Fuel pump went out somewhere in the 100,000s.

Brakes have been replaced.

Shocks/struts have been replaced.

The original engine lasted until 100,000 miles, and I was losing compression. Since I still owed on the car, had a rebuilt engine put in. Got that paid for just in time to need another engine around 160,000. Car is at 240,000 miles now, and will need a new engine anytime (when it runs, it feels very "tired"). Compression loss seems to be the repeated engine complaint.

Car would nearly overheat on hot days or stop-and-go driving conditions until a lower-temperature thermostat was put in it.

Headliner is falling down (I stapled it back up).

Flat tires galore (my fault).

Have a rust-hole beginning underneath the driver's side door (also my fault/fault of driving conditions).

General Comments:

Car had no problems that couldn't be diagnosed until recently. Has been cutting out during driving, and I no longer consider the car dependable.

I have yet to accurately diagnose what this latest problem is. Have replaced the distributor, distributor cap, rotor, plugs, wires, some relays, fuel filter, fuel pump, and done a compression test on it. Car is getting spark, enough compression and fuel (most of the time). Car runs intermittently and fails more often when it is hot, so we have come to the conclusion that perhaps the computer is bad. Fuel pump fails at will, but only recently (we replaced the fuel pump thinking it was at fault, but the new one fails too, so it's problem must be a result of other problems).

On the good side, the car is fuel-efficient, comfortable, quick, and has been very reliable until recently. I am stubborn and determined to get as much use from this car as humanly possible, so will continue to try to locate the problem/s.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd August, 2002

3rd Nov 2002, 13:22

I also had the "pleasure" of owning a 1992 Plymouth Sundance. I bought the car at 101,000 miles and had problems with it from the beginning. The bottom of the driver side door became unwelded and making left turns was heart stopping. Got a new door. Then the transmission went. I've had the car for 2 months and put 6,000 miles on it. Now it's trash and I refuse to put up the money for a new transmission. Needless to say, that's the last time I will buy Plymouth ever again.

1992 Plymouth Sundance 4 door hb 2.5 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Great for beginners

Faults:

I had no problems with the car except a head gasket (common apparently) and a flat tire, but that was my own ignorance. Any other problems came after side swiping an Intrepid and writing it off (it is durable).

General Comments:

I like the car a lot, it is my first car, and it is well worth the money. Sure I get teased from the guys at work that I drive a K Car, but I don't care, if maintained the 2.5 has a lot of guts to it, and I had it topping out at 170 km/h. I guess I shouldn't be saying stuff like that.

The car is good and efficient when working properly, and is well matched with even some of the newer cars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th January, 2002

1992 Plymouth Sundance Base 2.2 from North America

Summary:

Good project car for mechanics

Faults:

The car was completely trashed when I purchased it. So in that case I would consider the car to be in much better condition then ever before. Although the thermostat is shot.

General Comments:

This is the best piece of junk, anyone could own. It's ugly, slow, and very uncomfortable. Yet for the price, it's unbeatable. I have looked around, and there is a lot you can do to this car. Many upgrades are available. I feel if you take care of your car, it will take care of you.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th July, 2001

29th Sep 2003, 02:32

It's not ugly, or slow, and certainly not a piece of junk. If you buy a beat on 10 year old Honda you'll come up with the same thing, if not worse.

SK.

1992 Plymouth Sundance America 2.2 Liter 4 Cylinder from North America

Summary:

Fun Economical Car

Faults:

I bought it with a blown Head Gasket and I replaced it with Limited Experience and Basic Tools.

General Comments:

Quick with only a Driver.

Starts quickly even after sitting in a snow bank with a broken head gasket for 3 months.

Inexpensive to maintain.

Fun to drive.

Comfortable Seats.

Enough headroom for me, and I'm 6'4" tall.

Very nimble handling.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th June, 2001

29th Sep 2003, 02:34

Reliability is solid if it was maintained well. I'll be the first to admit head gaskets, and fuel pumps are common replacements, but the 2.X series is proven in many different models and variations, as are both the manual and automatic transaxle.

SK