1989 Plymouth Voyager SE 2.5 from North America

Summary:

It has exceeded my expectations

Faults:

Steering rack leaked at 70,000 miles.

Three of 4 CV boots have been replaced.

AC clutch replaced once.

Broken motor mount at 152,000 miles.

General Comments:

Overall, the car has been very good. I replace oil every 2000 miles and manual transmission oil every 30,000 miles. No engine or transmission trouble. Easily passes air quality tests. Still gets 25-27 MPG on highway.

Paint is still good (garaged for first 12 years). No electrical problems. Original clutch.

Under-powered. I pull a tent trailer or utility trailer much of the time -- passing is a challenge.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd October, 2005

1989 Plymouth Voyager LE 6 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Do not even consider buying this vehicle

Faults:

By 100,000 it was on its 4th transmission, which cost about $1900 each time to replace.

The electrical system gave many problems. At 125,000, starting the vehicle caused the back windshield wiper to come on.

Brakes needed frequent repair.

Something went wrong with the suspension such that the vehicle leaned at a 15 degree angle. It was like this when I bought it.

The false wood trim on the sides became loose and peeled.

The turn signal housing became loose, and would have been very expensive to repair because of the difficulty in removing the adjustable steering wheel, so I didn't repair it.

The water pump failed, and was very expensive to repair ($1200)

General Comments:

This is the worse vehicle I've ever owned in terms of things going wrong.

I bought it because Consumer Reports said it was reliable, easy to work on, and parts were inexpensive. I found it was generally unreliable, parts were VERY expensive, and it was extremely difficult to work on. My mechanic eventually refused to work on it. To replace the water pump, the engine had to be removed.

It appears the transmission is designed to fail every 30 or 40 thousand miles because of its design.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th July, 2005

1989 Plymouth Voyager LXE 2.5 TBI from North America

Summary:

Great minivan for the long haul, especially if you are mechanically inclined!

Faults:

Radiator replaced.

Struts replaced.

Brakes rebuilt.

Muffler replaced.

Catalytic converter replaced.

EGR valve replaced.

Clutch replaced.

Fuel Pump replaced.

Rear Shocks replaced (dampeners)

Power steering rack replaced.

Front engine mount broke at 153,000 miles.

General Comments:

I know it looks like a lot of replacing, but I really consider most of them minor maintenance items on a car with over 200,00 miles on it. I know some people claim they have never had to do anything to their minivans, but I am a little skeptical.

Replacement parts are very inexpensive and easy to obtain at NAPA and other lower price (read than non-MOPAR) sources. The vehicle is so easy to work on, especially with the 2.5L engine which is so easy to do all the maintenance stuff with.

Fuel economy is OK, wish it were better, but 25MPG on the highway is OK.

Acceleration with the 5 speed manual transmission is pretty good unless the vehicle is really loaded down. Cruises great at 75MPH all day long on the interstate. Easy to drive and great in the snow. It is a very stable ride.

One word of advice though - do not take your Voyager out on an old dirt road that takes you 10 miles from the nearest real road up in the mountains of Maine where 4x4's and SUV's rarely even venture. You might break a CV joint and be stranded overnight far from a place where your cel phone works.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 16th February, 2005

1989 Plymouth Voyager LE 3.0 from North America

Summary:

Good solid work horse for it's model

Faults:

After owning the Van for several years the Transmission started bucking, a little research was performed to find out that the standard transmission fluid recommended for the model is actually wrong, even thought it's on the dip stick. What is needed is 7176 fluid.

Replaced old fluid with this cost is $1.43 for old to $9.00 for new fluid (per QT).

Transmission problems went away. Transmission was retrained in the process.

Replaced radiator, and hoses.

Replaced alternator.

CV bearings replaced on front.

Paint of course is coming off.

General Comments:

The VAN does have good pick up provided you keep your engine regularly tuned.

I use Duralube with Valvoline extended mileage oil during changes.

While this does not help with the engine smoke problems related too bad designed valves, I do get pretty good gas mileage for as old as the van is.

The Van is good at carrying heavy loads during transport, it's crossed the country from east to west five times.

While I may or may not buy another of this type, I certainly will keep the van till it finally dies. I drive it because of the heavy loads it can take for equipment transports or outings.

If you are having problems do a little research into the problem and find out what may be needed instead of what the dealer book recommends.

I highly recommend getting your transmission flushed every two years if you have high mileage, its done wonders for me, still running on the original transmission.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd May, 2004