Most popular Dodge Intrepid for sale

I have experienced two Intrepids, the 1997 I have now and the 1996 my wife had last year. Both of them were well cared for by the first owner and then neglected by subsequent owners until we got them. The 1996 required brake and cooling system work and the 1997 had two blown head gaskets. I repaired the head gaskets myself on the 1997 and the car runs terrific. If you're looking for one of these, here's what to keep in mind:

Even the OBDII (96-97) models allow you to pull "check engine" codes by turning the key on off on off on and not starting the engine. The "check engine" light will blink and you can look up the codes online. It's not as detailed as a code reader can give you with Pxxxx codes, but it gives you an idea of what to check out.

The 3.3L engine is plenty powerful and is light years easier to work on than the 3.5L engine. 3.3L equipped cars will have a T or a U for the 8th digit of the VIN and 3.5L equipped cars have a VIN code of F.

The brakes are simple to work on but keep in mind this is a Chrysler product so the calipers can be weak. I would recommend new front calipers on any Intrepid with over 150,000 miles.

The cooling system in these cars is known for trouble but that is because when working properly, it is a VERY efficient system. All air must be bled from the system, a 17lb radiator cap must be installed, and both cooling fans must work on both speeds for everything to be right. When I bought my 1997, the head gaskets were already blown because there was air in the system, a 16lb radiator cap, and the fan wiring had been hacked up. In fact, the fans were hard-wired to each other and not even connected to power or ground. When checking over the cooling system, take note of all the radiator hoses and clamps, be sure none are leaking, especially the bypass hose that runs from the water pump to the water outlet. Also check the passenger frame rail under the hood for powdery or rusty discolorations indicating that the overflow bottle has been puking coolant all over the frame.

Many people have transmission issues in Chrysler products but by 1993, most of the bugs had been worked out. The most common cause of failure in a Chrysler overdrive is use of incorrect fluid. You MUST use ATF+4. There are no additives, no friction modifiers, no substitutes, and no universal fluids for these units. USE ATF+4!!! As for other transmission issues, solenoid packs can get gummed up (ALSO from using the wrong fluid or not changing the fluid at all), the transmission computer can fail, and seals can leak. Be sure the fluid level is correct by checking it with a warm engine, after driving at least 15-20 miles, parked on level ground, set the parking brake and put the transmission in each selector position (R, N, @, 3, L, then P) for a few seconds. Then keep the engine running while you check the fluid level.

I love it when people don't take care of their cars and then I buy them cheap (paid $800 for this 1997 model and spent $450 in parts to repair it...$1250 for a clean car with cold AC and no body damage is a good deal!), fix them, use them, and resell them either even or at a profit. When this Intrepid sells I will likely buy another with issues since I am so familiar with them now.

I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDED EXHAUST WORK BUT RUN AND DROVE GOOD. THE SELLER DIDNT MENTION THE CAR SMOKED LIKE AN OLD FRIEGHT TRAIN .AND SOLD ME THE CAR I GOT A TITLE THAT CAME WITH A DEALER RE ASSIGNMENT . I TOWED THE CAR OVER 95 MILES HOME .WENT 2 MVA AND WAS TOLD THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE GIVEN ME A POWER OF ATTOURNEY WITH IT BUT HE DID NOT.I CONTACT THIS DEALER HE SAYS HES LOST IT BUT HE WOULD HAVE ME MAIL ALL MY PAPER WORK TITLE ETC. PRIORITY MAIL AND HE WOULD GO 2 MVA IN WEST VIRGINIA AND GET ME A CLEAN TITLE AND I WOULD HAVE IT IN A FEW DAYS.OVER A WEEK GOES BY I HEAR NOTHING .I CONTACT HIM AND HE EMAILS ME THAT HE HAD 2 LET HIS TITLE CLERK GO AND IN ANOTHER WEEK HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT .I TELL HIM ITS NOT WHAT THE DEAL WAS AND I NEEDED THE TITLE RIGHT AWAY AND THAT WAS IN DEC . I STILL HAVE NO TITLE I HAD 2 BUY ANOTHER CAR 2 DRIVE AND HAD 2 PUT THIS CAR IN STORAGE ITS COSTING ME 75.00 DOLLARS A MONTH AND I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH EBAY AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING ELSE. EBAY PUT A HOLD ON THE 200.00 DOLLAR DEPOSIT THAT I PAID THRU PAYPAL.I NOW WANT MY MONEY BACK PLUS STORAGE FEES FROM THIS SO CALLED BUSINESS MAN .WHAT A JOKE MEN HONOR THEIR WORD AND BUSINESS DEALS UNLIKE THIS BOY. VERY BAD EBAYER AND SORRY EXCUSE FOR A BUSINESS MAN.I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS DEAL 2 BE OVER. O.BRADFORD

i really like that car. the breaks are squealing sometimes when breaking but that's ok. the air conditioning is really nice and fast to start working. it eats a lot of gas but its fast.