[dolfan]

I(we) are planning on getting a car bc our 2001 Durango is a gas hog. I would like to get info on these cars please. I like the 2nd gen better but should get a better price on the 1st gen.I have been told that the motors are not good both the 2.7 and 3.5.What should i look for when i find one and what kind of problems etc do they have. What kind of mpg do they avg. My wife and kids(3) will use the car so i need a safe car that gets good mpg . What are good/bad things on these carsThanks

[beeblebrox82]

If you got little kids get a 2002+ so you get LATCH in the back. Steer clear of the 2.7L, they have problems if not meticulously maintained... and since you didn't own it last... crap shoot. Most 2.7L failures are catastrophic. Sounds like you're talking to mopar haters, the 3.2/3.5L is a good motor. Needs timing belt and WP every 100K/7yrs, that's gonna be the largest expense with that motor. Lots of used cars in that range now so expect to have that expense come up first thing, make sure it's either done or get it knocked off the pricetag. First gen 3.3s are absolutely bulletproof, 3.5s there aren't bad either.

On the 2nd gens, check the suspension real close for worn parts, loose steering clunking etc, they're big cars and fairly hard on suspension/steering, nothing terrible though, just a good bargaining chip when you're buying.

I tote two kids around in my trep every day, huge trunk, good family car.

[dolfan]

How is the transmission? Is that the same one used in these cars with all of the motors?

[beeblebrox82]

same trans on all cars. few sensor issues maybe, solenoid packs... usually these transmissions don't fail hard.

[Daytrepper]

Agree with the above posts. I have a 3.2, and I average 23-29 mpg depending on city or hwy. Pretty good for a big family sedan IMO. Lots of room inside, still has its good looks, overall nice car to drive. Sporty and functional.

Get a 3.5 engine, they are bulletproof, other than replacing the timing belt/water pump every 100K miles. It is needed for maintenance, and the engine will last forever if you keep that timing belt new.

Transmission failures/problems are quite rare, usually if there is a problem, its the input/output speed sensors, ($50 fix) or in rarer cases, a solenoid pack.

Whoever you talked to obviously knows little about these cars. The 2.7 can be extremely reliable too with meticulous maintenance, they are prone for water pump problems above 80K miles, which is an expensive fix, ($1000), but little else goes wrong with them.

Keep in mind, 10 year old cars with 100K miles or more are going to have issues no matter what the make/model. Struts, suspension/steering components and others are likely to be worn, or close to needing replacement.

[dolfan]

I have found some Intrepid and a Concorde. The Intrepids are a 1996 with 3.5 165,000miles for $1700-1800.00 It is blue/green and has a scratch on pass doors,front bumper faded and some other deep scratches and inside looks nice needs tires bad at a car lot. Also same place has a 2001 Intrepid gold for $2995.00 maybe less with 150,000 miles and a 2.7. I like the 2nd gen better but not the motor. Another lot has a 97 Intrepid with with a 3.5 but not sure about the miles just been paint blue/green for $3000.00 i believe. A person is selling a 95 Concorde with a 3.3 blue/green owned by his mother and then him says it is nice newer tires etc. I believe he wants $3000.00 Hoping to try to look at them this weekend

[99WhiteTrepES]

Here's a '97 in the Pittsburgh area with very low miles to use as a comparison: http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...d&cardist=5695.

I have owned a '95 Intrepid with the 3.3 (totaled at 108k miles), a '99 LHS (traded at 118k)with the 3.5, a '99 Intrepid with the 3.2 (has about 120k) and now a 2004 300M (98k) with the 3.5. By far, my best mileage was with the '99 with the 3.2L engine. That car averages (my son still has it) over 25 MPG with about 50/50 driving (more city, if anything).

Second gen has some better features, but just stay away from the 2.7. Good luck!