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Dodge Intrepid
3457 messages, Last post on Oct 08, 2012 at 5:35 PM
You are in the Dodge Intrepid Forum.What is this discussion about? Dodge Intrepid, Sedan
#726 of 3457 tbachman by abbanat
May 21, 2001 (11:55 am)
I own a '96 Intrepid ES configured the same way except without leather. We are approaching 80k miles. Here's what has gone wrong with our car:1.) Transmission failure at 60k miles. New transmission at $2000.
2.) Replaced tie rod bushings because the steering was really loose. Not an expensive repair (~ $150) but many mechanics will tell you that you need a new steering rack at over $1000.
3.) I am now having problems with my radio, I think the antenna plug to the back of my radio is loose so my reception keeps popping in and out, but my CD player always works.
4.) O2 sensor malfunction (and subsequent "check engine" light). Not an expensive repair, but not trivial either.
I have not had to replace my water pump nor have I had any air conditioning problems. A few rattles here and there but overall I am quite pleased with the vehicle, especially the power, handling and comfort. I spent the last week driving a '97 Dodge Stratus ES and I was grateful to be back into my Intrepid. We use it to tow a good sized tent trailer and installed a large auxiliary transmission cooler. You may want to consider doing the same even if you don't tow.
Expect about 21-22 mpg in mixed driving, less if mostly city and you can get up to 26-27 mpg on the highway. Good luck, it is a nice, comfortable car, except driver's leg room is somewhat lacking.
#727 of 3457 abbanat... by andre1969
May 21, 2001 (4:02 pm)
...funny you'd mention legroom being lacking, because that's exactly my biggest complaint about my 2000 Intrepid! On the few times I've ridden in my car as a passenger, though, I think it's even worse on that side!I don't remember how the '93-97 Intrepid was, but on the '98-00, the footwell on the passenger side only extends as far forward as the dead pedal on the driver's side.
I think it's kinda funny that they tout "cab forward" styling and space efficiency and yadda-yadda-yadda, but I swear my Intrepid has less legroom than either my '89 Gran Fury or even my '68 Dart! Don't get me wrong, overall I'm still happy with the car.
I have noticed though, that I'm more comfortable in LH cars with a power driver's seat. I'm guessing your '96 has power, if it's an ES. So it's still a little tight, even with the seat adjusted all the way back?
-Andre
#728 of 3457 Andre by abbanat
May 21, 2001 (6:54 pm)
Yeah, the dead pedal is all the legroom I get in the '96 ES. In contrast, the Stratus I used to own (my parents now own it) and which I drove this past week, has tons of legroom behind the brake, so when I squeeze my foot behind it, I can stretch my leg all the way. Very helpful on a long drive like the one I just did from Sac to LA and back. I do have the power driver's seat and legroom is okay if I push the seat all the way back, but then my arms are too far from the steering wheel. Oh well. My favorite solution is to tilt the front of the seat up, so that lifts my legs, provides lower thigh support and let's me stretch my legs a little bit. Without the power seat I would be in trouble. I don't really have very long legs (long torso and headroom is usually the problem) but you're right on about the cab forward design. I think the back seat passengers get better treatment than those in front! I had a hell of a time trying to find a place to install my electronic brake controller (We tow a popup) that didn't scrape up against my legs. Great car, though...when everything is working properly.Andre, what type of mixed driving fuel economy do you get with your 2.7? Was telling my wife that after we get a minivan I may want a second car that gets better fuel economy than the Intrepid and it will be pretty high up there in mileage by that time as well. If the 2.7 gets decent fuel economy I may consider it, but if not, then we will probably look at a 4-cylinder Accord, 4-cylinder Saturn L series, or maybe the new Jetta wagon. Also, how are the front seats in the 2.7? You mentioned you had the base model, correct?
#729 of 3457 Abbanat... by andre1969
May 22, 2001 (6:12 am)
yeah, I have the base model with the 2.7. The front seats aren't bad, but I just wish there was more legroom. I'm 6'3", and a diproportionate amount of that is in my legs, so to me legroom is critical.Normally, in a car with power seats, I'll put the seat back as far as it will go, raise the front, and drop the back, which gives a bit better thigh support. Still, even though my car doesn't have power seats, they're pretty comfortable. I drove almost non-stop from DC to Houston back in January, and my rear-end wasn't hurting THAT bad! In comparison, the Malibu rental car I had down in Florida a few weeks ago hurt my butt after about 20 minutes.
As for mileage, I've gotten anywhere from just under 20 mpg to just over 30 mpg. I used to deliver pizzas though, which probably skewed the city #'s down. Last time I filled up, I think I got about 23 mpg to the tank, which was mainly driving to and from work, getting stuck in traffic on the DC Beltway, and just goofing around in general.
I think it gets great mileage, but then I would...my previous daily driver, my '89 Gran Fury, only got about 13 mpg, and would just break 20 on a trip.
It hasn't been a perfect car, but considering that for over a year I was racking up about 350 miles a week just delivering pizzas, I'd say it's proven to be a pretty tough car. I'm about to hit 45,000 miles, in just over 18 months of ownership.
I'd recommend the car, but if I had to do it over again, I'd get one with a power driver's seat!
-Andre
#730 of 3457 J.D powers results -Intrepid top North American car by ottowrkr
May 22, 2001 (10:35 am)
The Intrepid was the top placing North American car in the J.D Powers Quality survey. It placed 14 with 99 defects per 100 cars. The LHS placed 15 with 101 defects per 100 cars. Then the Concorde was 27 with 111 defects per 100 cars .Last was the 300 M way down in 92 place with 149 defects per 100 cars. Very strange the gap between the cars as they are all built on the same line, by the same people. Makes you wonder how accurate this stuff is.#731 of 3457 AC / heater problems by mmackenzie1
May 22, 2001 (10:39 am)
with my 93 intrepid es. Now has a mind of its own. Typically blows hot air through defrost vents, even if I set the temp at 60. Typical problem? Can it be fixed?#732 of 3457 tranny probs by wilsoncj6
May 22, 2001 (5:21 pm)
I had a 96 intrepid as and loved it, but with baby #3 on the way had to get a, I hate to say it, mini van! we went and bought a 97 ply mouth grand voyager as with the 3.3 that I had in my intrepid. after a test drive I was hooked! already took it to florid and had a MUCH better drive than when we used to drive the intrepid. but I do miss her a little!!! i had her for 2 1/2 years and the only prob i ever had was when the a/c belt broke. i read about tranny probs in this discussion and the chrysler van discussion, and i have a question. do i have the same tranny in both vehicles? i hope so because i have nothing but love for the intrepid tranny! thanks!#733 of 3457 tranny probs by wilsoncj6
May 22, 2001 (5:22 pm)
i had a 96 intrepid es and loved it, but with baby #3 on the way had to get a, i hate to say it, minivan! we went and bought a 97 plymouth grand voyager es with the 3.3 that i had in my intrepid. after a test drive i was hooked! already took it to florida and had a MUCH better drive than when we used to drive the intrepid. but i do miss her a little!!! i had her for 2 1/2 years and the only prob i ever had was when the a/c belt broke. i read about tranny probs in this discussion and the chrysler van discussion, and i have a question. do i have the same tranny in both vehicles? i hope so because i have nothing but love for the intrepid tranny! thanks!#734 of 3457 dumb spell check! by wilsoncj6
May 22, 2001 (5:23 pm)
i had to repost that last one after not reading the spell check instructions!#735 of 3457 by emale
May 22, 2001 (8:01 pm)
yep,the tranny in the minivan is basically the same as the one in the intrepid, except for the differential parts/logitudinal vs transverse layout. the diff in the intrepid is much more durable than the one in the minivan. however, in late 99 or 2000 the differential in the minivan was significantly upgraded. this all according to my chrysler service tech friend.
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