1987 Dodge Shadow from North America - Comments

My head gasket blew at 180,000 kilometres.

Replaced the thermometer at 180,000 kilometres.

Replaced the motor at 190,000 kilometres, after it died. More trouble with the motor at 195,000 kilometres.

I have spent more money fixing this vehicle than I actually paid for it.

I am curious - please explain what was wrong that the "motor" was replaced 10k after a head gasket replacement? Was there something wrong with the motor before? Sounds like a poor workmanship during the job may have damaged something for you.

I don't know about you, but I usually don't buy cars with over 100k miles on the engine because your just asking for problems when you do that.

I'd purchased an 87 Dodge Shadow for my son less than 1 year

ago and have had nothing but trouble with ever since. We

have dumped approximately $3,000 into this car and it

still isn't running right. We replaced all the electronic

emission stuff under the hood, radiator, water pump, (3)

head gaskets finally having to install a .020 copper shim

under the head, not counting welding the cracks twice, both

front drive axles, heater core, fuel injector rail and am waiting for my (4) new injectors to arrive so I can install

them too. I've got sooo much money involved I can't get rid

of it. Oh, I forgot the new camshaft I had to put in..

Please, someone put me out of my misery!!!

Someday the car might be a driver...

I have had my Shadow for 2 years, and like you have put WAY more into it that I paid for it. HORRIBLE CAR!!! I also have an 88 shadow which seems to be better than the 87 but I am knocking on wood as I say it. In my opinion, STAY AWAY!

When you are buying a 15-20 year old car for $300...what do you expect?

My first car was an '87 Dodge Shadow and I did have to put money into it, HOWEVER, I only paid $500 for it in the first place----it's not the cars fault its old.

Well, I have had my 87 Dodge Shadow for a little over a year, and the only thing I had to do to it is buy a head gasket, I ain't had any more trouble out of it since then, except it needs a paint job, which I'm in the process of doing right now.

By the way I have treated it, me and my dad both didn't think it would last me over 2 months, but I've been driving it nearly a year now.

I paid $500 for my '87 Shadow with turbo over a year ago and have put next to no money into it. I've driven it hard and it has never failed to run. It is the oldest car I've ever seen where the turbo still works efficiently. For a car that was supposed to be temporary, it has certainly done well.

Yes, the dodge shadow was just made to be a city or temporary driver. that is the biggest thing you have to put into consideration. my grandmother had the dodge shadow and it was a daily driver for 20 years and for 10 of those years it was pretty good. but after that, problems kept coming and about 2 years ago it was sentenced to it's grave. but it's always the same problems with them. gaskets, thermometers, emission sensors, transmission (2nd gear), and in ours it also had front ball bearings go out. but I think it did good for a economy car.

I rented one of these new and drove it for a while of course no issues. Nice little car. I agree buying used over 100,000 miles its almost better to buy a new small car with a small monthly payment and new car warranty instead of laying out 3K in repairs.