Our used-car database manager rescued the Dodge Intrepid from New York City this month and brought it to his beautiful home state of New Hampshire for the summer. Initial impressions of the car are favorable, with our staffer praising the soft suspension, which delivered a smooth ride over New York's battle-scarred roads, and the crisp handling that made the Intrepid feel like a much smaller car than it is.

The five-hour trip was comfortable and the front seats supportive for our driver, but he was annoyed that in order to set a station on the radio, you have to push two preset buttons at once. Rear visibility is not very good due to the high rear deck, chubby C-pillars and steep angle of the window, but that's the price consumers pay for the sweet style of the car. And the style is certainly sweet. Our Intrepid's aerodynamic nose, cat's-eye headlight clusters, arched roof and sweeping rear window all give the impression that this is a concept vehicle that made it to production without losing its pizzazz. At once sporty, elegant and modern, this Dodge is a treat to behold.

Inside, our staffer found an interior that is both functional and pleasing to the eye--with the exception of the irritating radio controls. Impressive was the word used to describe the car's air conditioning system, which provides cold air at a high blast. The 3.2-liter, 225-horsepower engine that comes standard with the ES trim level packs a solid midrange punch, making passing and merging effortless.

Recently, we noticed a wiggle in the steering wheel when braking, which is often a sign of warped front brake rotors. A recall was also issued for the Intrepid's on-board diagnostic emissions system. We took the Intrepid into the Allen Motors Dodge service shop in Derry, N.H., at the end of the month, where a mechanic confirmed that the wheel shimmy was caused by warped rotors. They were fixed for $80 and the emissions problem was repaired at no charge.

Total Odometer Reading: 21,713
Best Fuel Economy: 24.9 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 23.9 mpg
Body Repair Costs: $0
Maintenance Costs: $80
Problems: Recall for emissions control system, shimmy in steering wheel under braking.