OT: Should I buy the Dodge?

[Brad]

I have the oppurtunity to buy a 94 Dodge Intrepid for $800 from my work. Seems like that's a reasonable price according to Ebay, however this one needs work on the transmission and the paint is flaking off, primer still there (I wonder if I could get it repainted on Dodge's dime if it were a recall thing?).
The transmission doesn't always shift into 3rd gear or OD and doesn't always have reverse. I'm assuming I'd have to completely rebuild the tranny. Interior is in awesome shape for the high mileage it has.
This was a fleet vehicle where we'd use it to transport kids for 20 miles one way to school and appt's. It racked up the mileage quick and has about 180, 000 on the clock. I have the ENTIRE vehicle history right down to each oil change and the top end was redone not too long ago. In my book this is worth paying slightly more over a vehicle where you don't know the history.

Soooo, what do you all think?

[Palf70Step]

Might want to ask Krue...since he just has been dealing with all those lovely issues of the 1st gen Intrepid.

[Blazer1970]

Those things are a piece of crap.

[boraxman]

I wouldnt touch it.

[70c10]

I have a fully loaded 94 ES and love the car. It does have the paint starting to flake off the back edge of the roof. The AC clutch just went up Saturday and the power steering rack or pump is starting to leak. I'm not worried about either. It's never nickle and dimed me yet. These cars have their known probs like every other model. I have been getting the urge lately to get something different but this car has been real dependable. Since that car already has known tranny probs you might be better off avoiding that one.

[mrein3]

Your first Dodge is nobody's fault.
Your second Dodge is your own darn fault.

[bpmcgee]

Recent Mopars have a history of bad trannies. Sounds like yours is no different.

Brian

[Don R. Dodson]

Quote from mrein3: "Your first Dodge is nobody's fault. Your second Dodge is your own darn fault."

I guess my First Dodge passes the test then.


My second Dodge was a 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger, and it was my fault that I traded it in on a 1978 Olds.

Coming to a Chevy site to ask questions about MOPAR machines is biased it seems. why not try this site:

http://www.moparts.com

and get another biased answer.

Incidently I also own a 59 348 tri-power straight gear Impala Convertible, and a 1969 Chevy C10 truck so I ain't biased against Chevy's, Only ricers and Phords

~ Don ~

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

The trans will require about a grand to $1500 to replace it. Depending on the engine in the car, they also leaked a lot around the bleed valve in the thermostat cover, no biggie but watch it. They are decent cars but it is a Dodge and Dodge has tranny troubles. I worked at a Chevy/Dodge dealer in the service center and Mopar had the most recall and warranty repairs while Chevy had very little. If it wasnt for Mopar during the slow months, the techs would have been broke. Dodge auto trannies suck, plain and simple. Unless they were the Mitsu trannies they don't last long, even though if you make it past warranty you have a good chance of having it last forever. Seems weird, but the trans were either crap or will last forever. I had to replace about 5 trans in Dodge rams, each truck had less than 500 miles new, one had 100 miles. It took three trans and at least two convertors to get one truck going, the trans from Chrysler itself was bad from the factory, lol. Got a rebuilt trans from Dodge and it finally worked. Ford Tuaruses are also known for bad auto trannies to. I do like Dodge as a whole though, who else is making V8 rear drive cars as much as they are now? At least they are trying to keep performance alive instead of the POS front drive econocars GM(other than the Vette and GTO) thinks are so great. Ford isnt much better. I hope the new Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 series have better quality than the previous versions.

[1969 GMC]

Originally posted by Don R. Dodson
Coming to a Chevy site to ask questions about MOPAR machines is biased it seems.

well yes, and im sure people would say the same thing if you took a Chevy problem to a Mopar site.

also, comparing your cars and a '94 POS Intrepid is like comparing apples and oranges, to use the old expression. Lets face it, newer Mopar automatic transmissions have a high failure rate.

Brad-- I would pass on that.

[dtlilly]

Sounds like a deal to me...a bad deal

[Brad]

Okay, after doing a bunch of research on the tranny and finances and timeline I decided against it. You guys probably saved me a bunch of headaches and $$$! Thanks.

I guess part of the reason I wanted this was because it's a very comfortable/new interior compared to these trucks. A couple months ago one of the younger members bought a newer Buick and it got me thinking about wanting a new/newer car. I've been wanting a new Buick Regal GS or Bonneville SSEi since then. I won't get one now but maybe down the road....

[krue]

I am glad you saved your money. I just replaced the tranny in the wife's car and I every time I turn around there is something else wring with it. I can't wait til she is working full time to ditch it and get a GM product!