94 Intrepid - Is it an exception or norm?

I bought it brand new and intended to drive it to the ground

I always put synthetic in winter time (Toronto) and 80% highway
mileage

Just before warranty expiry, the engine gasket leak replaced

100K KM the two headlight casing brackets need replacement (I just
taped up both) as it cost $500 to replace two pieces of plaster holder

180K KM the transmission was rebuilt, new a/c condenser

2-3 minor replacement under $300 since then

Lately new key switch around $200

Now the mileage stands at 285K KM and of course with a lot of
original parts still around

The wife is driving another accord on the recommendation of my
mechanic who has been scratching his head over the Intrepid

Overall I think the car gives good value with inexpensive parts

Daniel
Toronto

 

The mechanic (if he was the one working on it) should be patting himself on
the back rather than trying to disalluusion you.There is no trick to
longevity. Good maintenance is the key and the most important is fluids and
filters. My 93 T&C is still running strong at just over 200k (miles) and the
only thing I think will get it is rust. It certainly isn't worn out.
Larry

 

About the same:
95 Intrepid ES, 175k miles, Castrol oil every 3k (miles).

Transmission at 130k (miles), AC at 120k, right wheel bearing hub at 140k.
No oil consumption...

Alex

 

'93 Vision TSi, 210,000 miles. No oil consumption, engine all original,
transmission at 150,000 miles, A/C evaporator, A/C compressor, water
pump, struts at 190,000 miles, a few other things

Dividing those repairs out over the total mileage, it winds up being the
best car I've ever owned. I doubt that an Accord would still be
maintainable at 200k miles.

 

Thank you Steve for your posting. All we usually hear is complaining
and bad mouthing. Sounds like your doing fine.

 

Problems with my '94 Intrepid 3.5 - Fuel rail problem at about 50,000.
Water pump at 70,000. AC compressor at about 80,000. Inner tie rod bushings
at 90,000. Cheap original brake rotors (warped). Flaking paint. Ignition
switch.

Currently at 145,000 with original engine and transmission. No oil
comsumption. All in all, it's been a good car, although I was tempted to
dump it when the fuel rail was dumping raw gas all over the (hot) engine.

 

The fuel rail was a recall item and should be reimbursable.

 

Yes. I was reimbursed. However, raw gas spraying over a hot engine was a
pretty severe defect. I was surprised that it took Chrysler years to issue
that recall after the problem was known. I had the problem repaired in 96,
and reported the problem to the NHTSA. The recall was issued in late 98.

If I was responsible for manufacturing a product that sprayed gasoline over
a hot engine, I probably would recall the product on my own initiative,
rather than wait for the government to force me to do it.

 

Not so sure about that.

I've had much worse problems with a 97 Intrepid.

On the other hand I have a friend who got 350,000 Kms from a 89 Suzuki Swift
with the 3 cylinder 1L engine. She drives like a maniac, lots of speeding
tickets. She did regular oil changes, timing belts, brakes etc. The only
none wear item that failed was the alternator.

I've seen lots of high mileage Accords on the road.

James Linn

 

I believe it was a voluntary (though slow) recall. Took a long time
for them to develop new parts. You should make sure you have the new
ones otherwise problem may happen again.

 

..

I've never seen one pass 200k, but maybe they do. Seems like they don't
need to have the hood opened for about 100k, need a few repairs by 120k,
and then suffer massive simultaneous organ failure by 150k, with the
whole car basically falling apart. And quite a few of them snap a timing
belt in there, and on a Honda that's guaranteed massive destruction
(interference engines).

 

For my 84 Accord it was more like 60K and the everything fell apart by
80K including the top end (needed a new cam and all of the rocker arms).


Matt

 

Not on my friends early 90s Civic - he lost a timing belt and had it
replaced - no problems.

James