1987 Dodge Colt from North America - Comments

Everything imaginable went wrong with this car. The day after we left the dealership it died. Turned out to be the starter. On the way home from the service dept. it died again. That time it was the carburetor. This car spent more time on tow trucks than it did in our driveway.

All said in the 4 years we owned it we had to repair:

3 carburetors.

8 brake jobs including rotors, pistons, drums. It never needed just pads. It was a total rebuild every 6 months!

2 starters.

3 or 4 fuel pumps.

2 valve covers.

New tires every 12000 miles.

Distributor system, not just the cap, but the entire workings.

Windows all leaked, including windshield as well as doors and hatch.

Countless hoses, belts, & wires.

The engine blew at 87000 miles, and we danced for joy right there alongside the expressway where it took it's own life.

As for integrity, every part imaginable hardware part broke inside the car. This included:

Gear shift.

Sun visors.

Seat belt locks.

Door handles.

Seat release.

Speakers.

Locks.

If you look in the dictionary under "lemon" you see this cars picture.

I honestly cannot think of a worst car or experience I have ever had.

It was small, uncomfortable, and notoriously broke down whenever we would need it the most.

It always stalled on left hand turns, or whenever you'd push down the gas pedal at a traffic light or stop sign.

I felt guilty for donating the carcass to charity.

I agree with this review. I had a similar experience with my Dodge Colt as well. I believe it had less that 20,000 miles on it when the entire fuel system needed replacement.

I remember, too, that the seat belts never worked correctly. Knobs easily fell of things like the radio and heater controls. The dashboard split wide open on a sunny day.

I definitely have to agree that Dodge Colts are not worth it.

I have a 1987 dodge colt and the only thing I've done to it as far as repair is rebuild the carb, install new clutch kit, and c.v. joints and it has 200,000+ on it... i think it was a good deal for$200.00!

My 89 dodge colt has exactly 278546 miles on it and the only thing that has ever had to be replaced on it is the alternator the car gets 43 miles to the gallon and has great power. I wouldn't trade this car for a brand new vette. I think you guys just got some lemons.

WOW! Sounds like you had bad "but typical" dealership experience. I have an 87 Dodge Colt E that has been abused and neglected in the previous 13 years... by the previous owner. Now I have it and spent so far about 25 labor hours cleaning and pulling the dents out. I bought it for $300.00 this May in 2006 because I learned that even though it looked ugly the engine and trans had been taken care of and the dents were caused by drunks trying to find there way out of the casino parking lot. Tires and brakes were also new when I bought it. My 1987 Dodge Colt E is starting to look like a gem with some low cost TLC. The only time I had a lemon was from a dealer and without checking the vehicles history...87 F.O.R.D. Taurus. It's important to have your mechanic take a look at it AND have a vehicle history report before you make that important purchase. oh yeah... I ALSO LOVE MY 1997 DODGE STRATUS!!