1999 Dodge Intrepid

This old car really holds up

By DetAdMan (MI) on Tuesday, April 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 98,000

Pros: "Decent mileage, dependable, good handling"

Cons: "Poor badging, short-lived brakes"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"Unlike some reviewers who have over 200,000 miles on their car and seem to be surprised that they need to replace parts on a 12 year old car, I'm a bit more pragmatic. Given the way I drive it - 70% city and 30% highway - over the length of time I've had it, the Intrepid has been a solid performer. The 3.2 has more than enough power to enter the freeway without screaming, and the mileage is decent for a car its size: 25 mpg highway and 22 city. A few things stand out: the badging fell off long ago. I stopped having it replaced at the dealer after a few times. Just not worth the trouble. The original brakes were typical Chrysler brakes: they only lasted 30,000 miles. I haven't had a problem with the replacements from an aftermarket store. On the other hand, the heating system is also typical Chrysler: it warms up fast and you can roast a turkey in the cabin if you want. Great for using during a Michigan winter. Otherwise, I've had nary a problem that wouldn't be expected in an old car that's used in Michigan weather. I'll probably be selling it soon; the newer cars offer more features and better mileage. But I'll definitely be looking at another Dodge. If you're realistic in your expectations, Dodge seems to make a decent vehicle."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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never own another one

By Kdawg84 (NC) on Wednesday, March 27, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: my wallet got light - My approximate mileage is 197

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"this dodge is the biggest pale of junk i will never own another dodge again i but a used engine thing but $1000.00 under the hood to get it on the road then drove it for two weeks then the cat went out so their goes more money into it that was another $500.00 then drove it for a year the the alt. went out after another $300.00 then something elce was going out did not know what it was so i sold the hunk of junk then sold the person told me the trans went out then they put another trans in it then the motor went so they junked it i will never own another dodge long as i am sucking air this car made me thank different of dodge all together now i now why my parents never owned a dodge i thank more of a chevy then i do dodge i am a ford man was ford and dodge now ford and chevy man"

1 person out of 6 found this review helpful

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a very solid vehicle

By kotajoe (MI) on Tuesday, March 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 216,000

Pros: "gas mileage(for heavy car),build quality,looks"

Cons: "reliability for 2.7, hydroplanes on wet highway"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"My mother bought the car used with 60,000 miles in 2006 and drove it 80 miles round trip for 5 years and she loved it until the day they gave it to me. Yes we've had to replace the transmission twice now but it still is a very lovely driver. I am out of high school and I have worked the same distance my mother has driven it and it performed flawlessly. I love to go around curves because it squats right down and its quite enjoyable. Everyone who has ever ridden in the car loves the ride because it is so comfortable! I love my car and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I do recommend this car for a particular group! but I would get the 3.2 or 3.5! I have the 2.7 and it's not a strong performer, yeah it gets good gas mileage for a big whale, but its got plenty of weak points. I have to fight my mom off from the intrepid because she still loves it. She drives an 08 avenger and she hates it compared to the intrepid! what does that tell you? it stinks that they had to discontinue it, it was really a good car! good thing I got the last year for them!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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2002 Dodge Intrepid R/T 3.5 L HO engine

By happydriver (IA) on Saturday, February 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 99,010

Pros: "sleek good looks, sporty drive, comfortable ride"

Cons: "nowhere to plug iPod, but has radio & 4-CD player"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought my red Intrepid R/T a little over a year ago, which comes standard with the High Output 3.5 Liter, same engine used in the upperclass Chrysler 300M of the same era. The Intrepid had fairly low miles (79,000) for a 10 year old car. It now has 99,000 miles and is performing very strongly. The previous owner took terrific care of this car and now I'm a happy second owner. As others have written here, the Intrepid is a sleek, sporty, 4 door large sedan to enjoy as a driver, but also as basic transportation. It's roomy up front and I'm a tall 6'2" guy. The rear seating is spacious for adults and kids alike. It is child-seat friendly for little ones as well. Inside, everything is at your fingertips and easy to use. The trunk is cavernous and much more when seats are folded down. The 3.5 engine is powerful, but can also achieve great mileage for having 244 horsepower and for its age. I've managed average mileage between 23.0 mpg up to 28.0 mpg combined (80% hwy/20% city), depending on weather/seasons. Since my car is an R/T, it's got a crisper handling package, but produces a little more intrusive cabin noise on hard surfaces. I just started to use synthetic oil and plan to use it from here on out (I hope to drive it another 10 years and 300,000 miles). I'd highly recommend this car to anyone, if you can find one that has been well taken care of and contains low miles. The exterior design still looks fresh even 11 years later and the interior appointments aren't cluttered with too many buttons, screens, and gadgets found on today's cars. It's a cheaper way to go, then spending 10 thousands more on a brand new car that will require higher yearly insurance costs, higher yearly registration fees, and the mpg is still comparable for this size of car!"

6 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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Best car i ever owned!

By Betsy on Thursday, January 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 146,000

Pros: "stereo, good ride, handles well, gas mileage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"2002 Intrepid se with the 2.7 litre. I bought it brand new. Uses about a quart of oil every 3000 miles. Its been GREAT! Minor fixes like altenator at 144,000. Never had any trouble with the engine whatsoever! i change the oil every 3,000.HUGE TRUNK!"

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Avoid the 3.5L 2002 SXT model.

By ma8115 (NJ) on Thursday, December 27, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 89,500

Pros: "cup holders, rear ac vents"

Cons: "reliabilty"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"This 2002 car is Listed under "Vehicles to avoid" in the annual Consumer Reports guide. The listing came out a year after I bought this hunk of junk. This 89.500-mile fiasco is a mechanic's nightmare because of where engine components and parts are located. (The battery is located behind the tire.) The result is increased labor costs to be paid by the customer. Had so, so many problems with this thing and oil changes were made every 3,000-3,500 miles. Evap. cannister went in 2009, oil drained out of engine suddenly in 2011 (no warning light ever went on), 3.5L intake had to be replaced also in 2011 [a $600 plastic part by itself (not even metal] and excluding labor, water pump went in 2010 and 2012, radiator shot and coolant reservoir leak this past Sept., and fuel pump, coils, and spark plugs shot now ($1200 total). I'm getting rid of this car and not paying the $1200. This is a horrible, horrible Dodge product. None of the things listed are even maintenance related, which is even scarier."

10 people out of 13 found this review helpful

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