A poll for Intrepid owners. Like or dislike

[Jarrett Fan]

I keep reading posts about blown motors. I would like to hear from intrepid owners that might have good stories also. I just bought mine and I hope there are happy owners out there.

[theFREAKnasty82]

I have a 2002 w/ the 2.7, I absolutely love my car. I bought it in January '04 with 37,560 miles on it and it has been the most reliable car that I have ever owned. I get 22 mpg average, it has excellent performance, gets me down the road in no time, very roomy and extremely quiet; I like sitting at a stop light and not hearing the engine idle. It's so smooth, I have to look at the tachometer just to make sure it's still running (it helps when the car has 3 mufflers plus 2 cats). I had one minor issue that occurred in February of this year where my water outlet housing started leaking on me, had to replace it, no biggie quick fix. I take extraordinary care of this car, I change the oil every 3,000 miles and use synthetic, the last owner who had it used synthetic on it since day one, and when I replaced the tranny fluid on my car, I used Mopar ATF +4, make sure you use this fluid only or else you'll have transmission issues. There's only one downside to this great car, the resale value sucks! My '02 w/ 63,000 miles on it is only worth $6000 trade-in! Needless to say, I don't plan on trading this car in any time soon, but I love it and plan on keeping it for as long as I possibly can. If you can, get a K & N filter (about $40) that'll improve mileage and power, not by a great deal, but you'll never have to buy another air filter again when you buy K & N.

[Jarrett Fan]

FREAKNASTY that is the kind of experience I am hpoing to have with my car. This is the quietest, smoothest running car that I personally have ever owned. Great gas mileage for that large of a car also. It rides a family of 5 more comfortable than anything I've ever seen.

[theFREAKnasty82]

if you treat it like a newborn child, it'll be the best car you've ever had. I know a lot of people who hate Chrysler vehicles for the problems they have had. My car before this was a '92 Dodge Spirit and that was another great car. Other than the timing belt breaking, that was an awesome car, only reason why I don't have it anymore was because it met its demise w/ a head-on collision. Just take really good car of your Intrepid and it'll last you a long time. I work for a dealer and most 2.7s I see (for that fact 98% of them) are long-lasting vehicles. The only 2.7 I've seen was b/c a guy went 11,000 miles before he changed his oil. I've seen these engines have as high as 160,000+ miles w/ no major problems, just some blue smoke coming out of the tailpipe b/c of failed valve guide seals. And that's not on all of them.

[cuegt]

I've got a 99 Intrepid with the 2.7 and to this day i've only had one major problem out of it. I'm at 122,000 miles and it starts up faithfully everyday through rain sleet or snow. As of now, my speed sensor just went out, but again, that's no major problem. I replaced my oil pan and keep the oil and coolant changed. I hear alot of people comming down on this car pretty bad, but i gotta say for my money, it's been pretty reliable to me.

[paulson]

My dad's got a 94 3.3L intrepid with 216,000 miles and it runs like it's brand new. The transmission is a little jerky, but it's the original so we don't blame it.

It's a daily driver too... my dad drives it about 30 miles total every day and it doesn't give him any trouble. Very good car.

[Leo2007]

my car haves transmission problems and it only has 89,110 miles!!!!

[paulson]

Ouch... that's the original transmission in my dad's car as well...

[millerrl]

The decision is split in our household.

I have to admit that our 1999 Intrepid is pretty sexy in appearance.

It gets great gas mileage (28.7) measured over 10 tanksfull.

Fluids are easy to check and fill with the 2.7 liter engine.

It handles really good in snow.

Downside: (125K miles)

A/C compressor replaced.
Twin radiator fans smoked and had to be replaced.
CV joints are getting noisy and ready to be replaced.
The electric windows on the passenger side of the car don't operate even though a new master switch was installed. Where is this relay they say is supposed to be there.
Way too much is left in the hands of the computer.
Finally, the transmission has decided to act up.

RM

[tommy989]

Anybody have a problem with their 2.7 Liter Chrysler engines? We have a 99 Intrepid, just bought it, had less than 27 hours altogether and car went from good to knocking, stalling, sputtering, clunking, etc. It's funny... there has been many problems with this style engine, and Chrysler recalls Park locks and Recliner bolts...

[stone_mound_camaro]

my car has only 87k and the problems are endless... stuttering at highway speed, cutting off in the parking lot, and dying electric system(battery/alternator) Now i remember why I alway stuck with chevys

[pittguy]

I have a 2000 and have had no major problems at all. I have about 80K miles on it. The only thing I noticed lately is that my trunk release doesn't work with the trunk in the down position and a couple drops of oil on the garage floor. Not sure what is up with the oil leak. I need to get under there and take a look.

Chrysler Corp's cab forward design really gives me a lot of interior room. I am kinda tall at 6'3" and the four of us (my family) fits quite nicely. I can sit in the back sit with no problem at all. We don't fit into a comparable GM product like the Bonneville or LeSabre.

[unofgod]

I just recently purchased a 1999 Dodge Intrepid for $3,900, it has 84,000 miles on it, the interior is great except for a crack in the crease of the front passenger side dash. The body has two small dents on the hood, and two 3 inch scratches with some rust in them. My car was running very ruff during idling making a light clicking sound, along with a high pitch engine strain noise. So I recently took the vehicle to the auto doctor for a diagnostic check and I was told that the front seal has a leak (to fix: $800); the Coolant Hose is leaking (to fix: $300); the Water Pump is squealing (to fix: $500); the car puffs out a whitish blue smoke when pressing the gas when idling from a stop, the mechanic recommends a Valve Job (to fix $1200). The repairs total $2,800; Should I sell my dear Intrepid or should I nurse my vehicle back to health with a cheaper hospital bill estimate? The car has a nice modern body design for its 1999 age, and is very roomy, with nice acostics. My girl friend has a 2002 model that she purchased brand new for $24,000, she is owes $14,000 on it today, although the retail is only worth $7,500. The only problem she has is a knocking sound when turning corners. I hope I did not fall into a money pit, will you guys offer some advice and could you guys also pray for a speedy recovery of our Intrepids. Thanks for listening!

[russe203]

Originally Posted by unofgod

I just recently purchased a 1999 Dodge Intrepid for $3,900, it has 84,000 miles on it, the interior is great except for a crack in the crease of the front passenger side dash. The body has two small dents on the hood, and two 3 inch scratches with some rust in them. My car was running very ruff during idling making a light clicking sound, along with a high pitch engine strain noise. So I recently took the vehicle to the auto doctor for a diagnostic check and I was told that the front seal has a leak (to fix: $800); the Coolant Hose is leaking (to fix: $300); the Water Pump is squealing (to fix: $500); the car puffs out a whitish blue smoke when pressing the gas when idling from a stop, the mechanic recommends a Valve Job (to fix $1200). The repairs total $2,800; Should I sell my dear Intrepid or should I nurse my vehicle back to health with a cheaper hospital bill estimate? The car has a nice modern body design for its 1999 age, and is very roomy, with nice acostics. My girl friend has a 2002 model that she purchased brand new for $24,000, she is owes $14,000 on it today, although the retail is only worth $7,500. The only problem she has is a knocking sound when turning corners. I hope I did not fall into a money pit, will you guys offer some advice and could you guys also pray for a speedy recovery of our Intrepids. Thanks for listening!

I don't know how mechanically inclined you are, but you could probably do alot of that yourself. A water pump is not a big deal...take off belt, loosen bolts, and put new pump and gasket in. probably about 60 or 70 bucks. Also I might check a used parts dealer in your area. You may be able to get some low mileage parts for cheap and those places are usually a lot cheaper on labor....i had to have my steering rack replaced for a 98 intrepid and the used parts place was 600 cheaper....although i ended up doing it myself for $35 dollars...it did take 11 hours though. I would never go by those diagnostic places because they want you to spend your money. My 98 intrepid has 175,000 miles on it and is still in pretty good shape even after being in an accident.....only big problem was replacing joints up front in suspension- 1500. other than that good car

[wizardb]

had a 97 3.8 and loved it even when i had to do the head gaskets, very easy car to work on and fast too. would still have it if my soninlaw hadnt wrecked it. i would highly reccomend an trepid and not highly reccomend a sable!!! mercury will never get my buisenss again! we put over 100k on the intrepid and had no probs till our kids started driving it. what a great car.
russe203...get a book on the intrepid and you can do the work yourself , the knocking sound on turning corners is probably a steering control arm bushing, look at back of engine by firewall and can see the main steering controller and two arms most likely one has a bushing gone out. the part runs bout 40 to 50 bucks at napa auto parts and is fairly simple fix. just mark the adjustment nut and put back to same adjustment when reinstalling. 300 for a coolant hose!!!!! wow i am in wrong buisness. 20 bucks max., if you have the 3.8 engine doing water pump is easy but be sure to set timing correctly according to book (chiltons or haynes) if not it will not start but is easy fix too. is it smoke or steam coming out? but neway find another reputable shop those places do want your money and they charge way to much.