Dodge Intrepid - First car, what do you think?

[CompactTractorFan]

Yes, I'm thinking about getting my first car... :cloud9:

I have the opportunity to buy a 2000 Dodge Intrepid from my uncle. It has 130,000k miles. Still waiting to find out what engine is in it. He's asking $1,600.

Do you think it's a good deal? Do you think the Intrepid is a decent car???

 

[Alan L.]

Yes, I'm thinking about getting my first car... :cloud9:

I have the opportunity to buy a 2000 Dodge Intrepid from my uncle. It has 130,000k miles. Still waiting to find out what engine is in it. He's asking $1,600.

Do you think it's a good deal? Do you think the Intrepid is a decent car???

If it runs thats should be fair. I know a guy who had one and got a lot of miles out of it. It probably has a V6 but not sure.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Cant go wrong at that price.

I think a lot of them had Mitsubishi motors. They made a good combo with Dodge back then.

Chris

 

[dodge man]

Its most likely got a 3.5 V6 in it, which is a good engine. It could also have what I think is a 2.7 V6 in it, which isn't as good a motor, but if the oil was changed on a regular basis, it would be O.K. also. They are pretty good solid cars. I'm pretty sure they didn't put any Mitsubushi motors in them.

 

[LD1]

Its most likely got a 3.5 V6 in it, which is a good engine. It could also have what I think is a 2.7 V6 in it, which isn't as good a motor, but if the oil was changed on a regular basis, it would be O.K. also. They are pretty good solid cars. I'm pretty sure they didn't put any Mitsubushi motors in them.

Yep.
2.7.....Not so good
3.5.....Much better:thumbsup:

 

[gengine]

Maybe it's the businessman part of me, but offer him $1000 and try to settle around $1300. Although $1600 is a good price if the car was taken care of. When the engine is running do you hear any taps, or is there any air coming out of the oil filler neck? A little bit of air is fine, almost unnoticeable. When driving are there any rattles? How about when you hit a bump in the road? Go to a parking lot, go slow and turn as sharp as you can and listen. Other than the tire squeal which isn't necessarily a bad thing, can you hear any other funny noises?
You don't have to answer any of these questions for us, but it's ammo for you when you go and haggle with your uncle. All these things can be indicators of things to come. I don't know what a hub on a intrepid costs, but they are $180 bucks a piece on a dodge magnum.
In all, I think any running drivable car is worth at least $1000, and the nicer it is, the more you pay. I think it will be a great first car for you, and insurance should be easy on the pocket book. Congrats!

 

[Dmace]

Thats a big car don't expect great fuel mileage but is a typical reliable Chrysler product. There were early problems with sludge when not maintained properly so make sure the oil is changed regularly and stick with good oil and filters. The V6 3.2l and 3.5l are the engines of choice but don't let the 2.7l scare you.

You should easily get 200k out of that car with regular maintenance but don't use it as a race car. Plenty of room for friends though unlike my first car, a Honda Prelude...

I bet it's gold colored, that was the color of choice then.

 

[dodge man]

Having owned some of these in the past, I would almost expect the front end to rattle. These cars eat front end parts. I've replaced sway bar end links on the cars of the same vintage I owned. It never really hurt the function of the car, they just ratttled. These cars also aren't that bad to work on for a young new car owner that wants to do some of the stuff himself. I'd also think junkyards would have some of these cars around as a source of cheap parts.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I'll keep you all updated...

 

[Bird]

Our younger daughter had one, and I think it was a 2000 model. I kept it a few days once while she was in the hospital. I don't know what engine it had, but it was peppy car and I really liked it. Unfortunately, daughter crashed when it was only a couple of years old.