2002 Dodge Intrepid

One of the best

By Bo (MI) on Wednesday, June 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 142,000

Pros: "Great value, still looks good after 14 years"

Cons: "More HP for 2.7 engine"

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

"I have owned this 2000 Intrepid since the fall of 1999. It has been one of the most dependable cars I have ever owned. The 2.7 liter engine has had nothing but synthetic oil after the first 10,000 miles. It still does not use oil and I only change the oil once or twice a year. The Intrepid's trunk is big and the front and back seats offer lots of room. I have replaced the brakes and rotors at 60,000 miles and the replacement pads still have plenty of wear left. Living in Michigan and using this car as the "winter driver"; it is amazing that the body and paint has held its finish and resisted rust. With the right tires, this car has provided great traction on snow and ice. The only drive line problem came at 135,000 miles when the permanent magnets on the transmission speed sensor lost their magnetism. $20 replacement magnets were installed and we were back in high speed drive mode. I have always drained the antifreeze and transmission fluids at 50,000 miles intervals. Like most 2.7's, the gas mileage ranges from low 20's for city driving to almost 30 mpg on the highway. The suspension is still holding up very well, but I did replace the rubber bushings on the front sway bar for a quiet ride. The spark plugs were replaced at 95,000 mile and can be done by anyone with simple hand tools. If I could buy a 2013 Intrepid, I would buy it and keep the old Intrepid for continued winter use. Driving dynamics are still great after all these years."

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One of the best

By Bo (MI) on Wednesday, June 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 142,000

Pros: "Great value, still looks good after 14 years"

Cons: "More HP for 2.7 engine"

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

"I have owned this 2000 Intrepid since the fall of 1999. It has been one of the most dependable cars I have ever owned. The 2.7 liter engine has had nothing but synthetic oil after the first 10,000 miles. It still does not use oil and I only change the oil once or twice a year. The Intrepid's trunk is big and the front and back seats offer lots of room. I have replaced the brakes and rotors at 60,000 miles and the replacement pads still have plenty of wear left. Living in Michigan and using this car as the "winter driver"; it is amazing that the body and paint has held its finish and resisted rust. With the right tires, this car has provided great traction on snow and ice. The only drive line problem came at 135,000 miles when the permanent magnets on the transmission speed sensor lost their magnetism. $20 replacement magnets were installed and we were back in high speed drive mode. I have always drained the antifreeze and transmission fluids at 50,000 miles intervals. Like most 2.7's, the gas mileage ranges from low 20's for city driving to almost 30 mpg on the highway. The suspension is still holding up very well, but I did replace the rubber bushings on the front sway bar for a quiet ride. The spark plugs were replaced at 95,000 mile and can be done by anyone with simple hand tools. If I could buy a 2013 Intrepid, I would buy it and keep the old Intrepid for continued winter use. Driving dynamics are still great after all these years."

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One of the best

By Bo (MI) on Wednesday, June 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 142,000

Pros: "Great value, still looks good after 14 years"

Cons: "More HP for 2.7 engine"

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

"I have owned this 2000 Intrepid since the fall of 1999. It has been one of the most dependable cars I have ever owned. The 2.7 liter engine has had nothing but synthetic oil after the first 10,000 miles. It still does not use oil and I only change the oil once or twice a year. The Intrepid's trunk is big and the front and back seats offer lots of room. I have replaced the brakes and rotors at 60,000 miles and the replacement pads still have plenty of wear left. Living in Michigan and using this car as the "winter driver"; it is amazing that the body and paint has held its finish and resisted rust. With the right tires, this car has provided great traction on snow and ice. The only drive line problem came at 135,000 miles when the permanent magnets on the transmission speed sensor lost their magnetism. $20 replacement magnets were installed and we were back in high speed drive mode. I have always drained the antifreeze and transmission fluids at 50,000 miles intervals. Like most 2.7's, the gas mileage ranges from low 20's for city driving to almost 30 mpg on the highway. The suspension is still holding up very well, but I did replace the rubber bushings on the front sway bar for a quiet ride. The spark plugs were replaced at 95,000 mile and can be done by anyone with simple hand tools. If I could buy a 2013 Intrepid, I would buy it and keep the old Intrepid for continued winter use. Driving dynamics are still great after all these years."

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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."

4 people out of 4 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"

2 people out of 8 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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