Used 2001 Dodge Intrepid Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Great car
I bought that car in January 2001 with only 24k miles and I am now approaching 85k miles. The only thing I have done to the car is a new set of tires, and regular oil changes along the way. THIS IS A GREAT CAR. I have added an oil air filter to the car which has increased the gas mileage by +15%. I am getting about 30 miles/gallon. The ride is nice, the road noise is fine (as far as I'm concerned) I will be looking to get another one when I replace this one.
Intrepid
Great feature such as cruise, power windows, power seats, and electric trunk lid. But, I don't feel like the engine is all that great. Had to install a new timing chain tensioner at a little over 80,000 miles and now at a little over 100,000 miles its doing the same thing. Pretty sure it needs another timing chain tensioner installed. This is definetly not normal. I've been using Sea Foam which seems to be taking care of the problem pretty well but when ever I change the oil I have to add more Sea Foam. Eventually this will not work any more.
good car, great buy
Mine has the 2.7 V-6, I wish it had the 3.2, I miss the power, and driving a FWD for the first time takes getting used to, but this is a great buy, a great car, all things considered, when you look at features versus cost. The nearest thing to it is over $30,000.
Love the Car
I bought this intrepid with 26,000 on it. It was a program car. It has never given me any trouble. I change the oil every 3,000 miles. Have one set of tires other than the originals that were new when I bought it. I have the original battery. The only mechanical repair was replacing the brake pads. It is the most comfortable car. I have taken many long trips and sit in the front and back. It rides like an expensive car. Would buy another intrepid.
Awesome Car!!!
I bought this car to drive to college 215 miles away. I have put almost 5000 miles on the car in the last few months. It runs perfect. It gets great gas mileage for a car this big. I expected 24, but I get a minimum of 26 in all conditions. On the interstate with the cruise at 70 I get 30 mpg, 28-29 with the AC on. I bought this car well below blue book trade in value. It was a company leased car. It has a few scratches and dings, but nothing terrible. The price made up for the problems. It drives great and is really smooth.
Good solid car
Vehicle has been dependable and looks nice. I have driven it in a sales territory. I drive a great deal. Good car.
Love my Intrepid!
The only problem I have had was the cooling fans being replaced at 60,000 miles. I had a 96 and loved it, bought my 2001 with 12,000 miles on it and have had no problems at all. I love the air conditioner - the best- especially in Arizona! I think the gas mileage is horrible! Window has always squeaked - map lights go on and off by themselves while driving. Of course it won't do it for the service dept.
Middle of the Road
The Intrepid I own is a pretty fun car to drive. Have no major issues with it. I would reccomend it to someone who is looking for a good commuter car, but not if you're looking for something sporty.
2001 Intrepid-Great Car!
I traded in a 2001 Stratus R/T 2-door with the 3.0 liter and 5-speed in 12/2003 for this car. Best deal I ever made! The Intrepid (with a 3.2 liter) handles better than the Stratus and has better pickup, not to mention is much roomier and way more comfortable for long trips. I change the oil about every 2000 miles and just had to replace the steering gear at 77,000 miles. Other than that, it's been a remarkably trouble-free car. All I've had to handle is normal wear-and-tear items. I love the looks of this car, but would have been way happier had it been available as a 2- door coupe.
Fun to Drive
A great car that is fun to drive. The performance is fantastic. The leather seats make you feel as if you are a part of the car. I truly feel it is nearly an ideal auto. It has room for 5, a very large trunk and super acceleration and braking(4 wheel disk ABS). It looks great to! The traction control feature is nice to have in a Chicago winter.
2.7 Engine-Watch out
I really did like my Intrepid but as many others have experienced the 2.7 Engine started to flutter when accelerating, then a ping, next a knock, and then advice from my mechanic-after a temporary 300+ fix was to get rid of it ASAP. They said I was one of the lucky ones to get 99K on it but it would not last much longer-these engines have blown at 15k and Dodge blames poor maintenance-BS- and won't cover it-I am amazed no lawsuits have been filed
Just above Average
Haing driven my 2001 Intrepid extensively now, I must say that is is a car that I intend to keep for quite some time. Maintenance & repairs were a concern with the much maligned 2.7 and it's associated "troublesome" transmission, but so far it seems to be practically nonexistant for me. Big car, plenty of room on the interior, decent pickup with the kind of gas mileage I get (mid 20's), I think I'll keep it for awhile. :)
Pleased
It has some pick up and is reliable. I heard so much negative about Dodge but I am very happy and will buy one again.
Nice car
Nice car , fun to drive . Only problem in 40,000 miles is it needed 2 transmissions replaced and a differential. All warranty work but still a pain. Had a 96 Intrepid for 5 yrs was a much better car than the 2001
not stock
Great car, very good performance. I've added oversize TB, exhaust, intake, and it will walk away from 300M specials. Now it has GREAT power and still good MPG. Time to move on to more luxury though.
Good reliable car
I have not had any major problems except for the transmission slipping into neutral off and on when you were driving. After I took it in to get the transmission fluid and filter changed I haven't had any problems since.
Long distance driving only
This is the second Intrepid we've had and will buy another in the future unless Dodge comes up with a more comfortable, better driving car with better performance. We use the car for long distance trips (over 2 hours) because I have ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spinal and large joint arthritis. It has been driven in the Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee mountains and in Florida with equal ease and enjoyment.
Intrepids Are Cool
Purchased mine w/ 25000 miles last Sept. Great driver, base engine has plenty of power, especially at higher rpms (contrary to others that complain of weak power). Lot's interior room, trunk is great for families (huge!). And one of the sharpest full-size cars around. This design will look good for years to come. We are very happy with our Intrepid.
now I'm nervous
I bought this car because it got amazing reviews. I guess I didn't check well enough, because now that I look harder I see stories everywhere about how the 2.7 liter engine fails without any warning. Mine has been running fine, but I'm really nervous. I'm going to have to tell my wife to tell me about any clicking sounds.
I was in love
I bought my Intrepid in November of 2001 and have had a great experience with the car. The ride is compliant but not soft. It handles nice . Has good power. I had done nothing to the car except for maintainance (oil changes, brakes and tires) for 52000 carefree miles. Then then the honeymoon was over. The engine died with some serious knock deep within the block. Spun a rod bearing among some other things. At 52k miles! Ended up replacing the engine. I'm now afraid to drive it but I commute 68 miles daily. The car runs nice now and looks exceptionally nice, but beware of Intrepids with the 2.7l engine. Find and ES or R/T model as they have different motors. I won't buy Chrysler any more!
Lotsa car for little bucks
ES with 3.2 and Autostick. I bought it used with 21K. More car for the money than most. I've put 10K on in 6 months; no problems other than a vibration in the engine compartment on a cold start. Much improved over my '96 Intrepid; quieter, many design improvements. My only real gripe is poor low end torque. You have to get deep into the throttle to make it really go (which it will!).
Be Aware of 2.7 engine
Don't buy this car! There's a defect in the 2.7 engine and Dodge won't acknowledge. After 62,000 miles my timing chain needs replaced, but I can't find a mechanic in my area that will do it. They will only replace the engine and it would cost me overe $6,000 and a 6-8 week wait to find a motor because of the high demand. I had been very pleased with my car up to this point. But now I'm without a vehicle and still owe $8,000 on it.
So far lovin' it.
Got this vehicle with lots of highway miles, which made me worry about the engine but so far I have gotten great mpg... It handles very well... Great power for such a large vehicle with a 2.7L V6. Only goes 115 mph tho, and cruise doesn't work when driving faster than 86 mph. Haven't had any engine trouble. Big back seats and large trunk.
Had some bad luck.
Bought as a "program" car with 27K miles. Kept up all routine maintenance. At 103K I had to replace the engine, found a 70K mile engine and had it installed. The timing chain failed at 126K, with 23K on second engine. I have heard from 2 different mechanics that the 2.7 liter engine is not a reliable model. It was a good car until the problems began. I would not recommend this car to buyers looking at used cars.
Above expectations since purchased
The Intrepid was purchased to replace my European car used in multi-state selling. I was leary of the 2.7 engine not being strong enough to withstand long sustained trips but I was surprised. The car (loaded with 200 # of brouchures and tools)is excellent in any road conditions, any time of year. Balanced mileage is over 22mpg, on freeway alone I usually record 28 or 29 mpg with over 105,000 miles. Usual freeway speeds are 75. Biggest surprise is firmness on ice and the way the body style cuts through head winds. Road noise is more than I like when the surface is chewed up from studs. The 3.5 engine would be better for quickness from start but this one does all I ask and more.
I love my car
Bought this car in 2002 and have been very happy with it. Kids were still little and with all the storage room, it was the perfect family vehicle. Also handy that you can fit a full size bicycle in the trunk! Now kids are both 6' with long legs and all that leg room in the back is a bonus. No complaints from backseaters even with the front seats reclined. I drive this car everywhere, city and long highway. I haven't had this much fun driving a car since I owned my '67 Camaro. Husband does all the mantainence and the engine is a dream to get to. I wish they were still making this particular styling, only with the better motor. We have the 2.7 and sadly, it is now going.
Roll of the Dice
I bought this car used in Spring 2006 and wish I would have checked on Edmunds first before buying my Intrepid. I didn't realize that the 2.7L engine was a lemon. The A/C didnt work either. It started to leak oil last month so I traded it in for a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix with the 3800 series engine and now I sleep a lot better at night. I really liked the design of the Intrepid but didn't want to roll the dice for when the engine would go. Interior also was nicer than my Grand Prix. If you are going to buy a used Intrepid be sure it has the 3.2L or 3.5L engine in it. DaimlerChrysler has known for quite a while that the 2.7L engine had problems with oil sludge build up but did nothing.
Dodge Intrepid
I used to own an '01 SE intrepid with the 2.7L and I didn't have any issues with the engine at all. I did have to replace the tranny at 95,000 miles but other than that it was the perfect car. It got totaled by a drunk driver at 125,000 miles and I decided to replace it with another Intrepid. which I have now and it is even better. It is an '01 ES with the 3.2L fully loaded which i would recommend to anyone, the ride is so smooth and the size is great. The only advice I have if you are thinking about getting an 1998-2004 Intrepid is even though had no issues at with with my 2.7L engine, you should look for an Intrepid with 3.2L,3.5,or 3.5HO engine.
Nice ride, but utterly unreliable
The car handles well, looks nice, and gets good mileage but is a maintenance nightmare. I was stranded twice by the electrical system while under warranty. In the last 6 months, the car has needed a new oil tray and oil pump ($600) a new timing chain and tensioner ($1200) a new water pump ($800) and a new ais motor and pcv valve with odds and ends for $700. All these repairs were needed between 50,000 and 58,000 miles! Although all cars have problems, having this many on a car this young is completely unacceptable. Aside from the financial hardship, this vehicle's lack of reliability forced me to miss two job interviews and a vacation.
50/50 Chance
The Dodge Intrepid with the 2.7L engine seems to be a coin toss. If you get the good engine, the size and style of the car make up for its other shortcomings which include a higher level of maintenance issues. If you do get the lemon engine, the car is worthless past the magic 60K mark. I had been crossing my fingers, but sure enough, at 65K, my engine died. My mechanic said even if I wanted to fix they wouldn't do the job because the engine is so unreliable and hard to find because of the demand for replacements. Avoid this car at all cost. Buying an auto shouldn't come with such a high level of risk.
2001 Intrepid ES
Major problem with a bad valve spring. Fixed now.
THIS CAR IS AWESOME, A PERFECT 10!!!
My fiancee and I just purchased a new 2001 Dodge Intrepid SE, and let me be the first to say what a wonderful choice we made! Not only is the car gorgeous, it handles like a sports car, pulls like a truck, runs like a dream, and definitely catches people's eyes! We are sooooooo happy with this vehicle.
Engine oil sludge problem
The salesman pushed this car on me. Said I was getting a great deal. My Intrepid is beautiful, nice ride, and nice to drive; however, shortly after I purchased it, the water pump went. All has been downhill since then. Because access was so difficult to replace the water pump, I spent over $600 on labor. My mechanic said he has seen this problem many times with this particular car. He recommended that I get rid of it ASAP. I am so disappointed because I love everything else about the car.
What problems?
I was weary about buying a Dodge due to rumors of tranny issues. But when I went looking I found mine, well within my price range and with only 36k miles on it. And I have to say - this car has been a God-send! It's now at just under 100k miles and in all this time, I have had one issue - at 80,500 miles, the transmission controller module went out. Cost nearly $1000 to fix (it was 500 miles outside the part warranty), but considering the many years without literally any issue, this was the best vehicular purchase I've ever made. I am a Dodge lover now!
Intrepid SE base
Big interior, wierd exterior. Base v6 adaquet, could use more power. Handles well. Lots of road noise, Nice ergos, nicely shaped front seats for tall people. huge trunk, low beams weak, HVAC fan noisey. 20k miles and no problems. Hope it holds together.
2001 Dodge Intrepid SE
I love my Intrepid. The most important thing that attracted me to the Intrepid was the fact that it stood out from the crowd and did not look like every other car on the road. It is a great full-size sports car for the money and lots of fun to drive.
Sorry to lose this vehicle but medical
This has been a very reliable auto and am sorry to have to sell but medical reasons insist and there is no one to drive it. It has been well kept and is very comfortable. Hope to find a good owner.
And It Keeps Going...
My husband and I have had our Intrepid for 7 years now and we have enjoyed it thoroughly. It is a 3.2 L and we have not (thank the Lord) had an expensive maintenance record. It is the only car on the road that we have seen still on the road, besides the VW bug. The paint job isn't my favorite, but I love, love, love the trunk size and the room it provides me with four of us.
Dodge intepid es (3.2 Liter engine)
I love this car it is a great car although I have spend a lot lot of money to maintain the car like tires, battery, starter, timing belt, oil pump etc. But I hope my car last me a long time I just love this car and also it seems that its different from other es Intrepids most say 2.7 liter mine is 3.2. Does any one else have one that is the same please let me no. If you can do that on this site.
Best Car I have Ever Had
I bought my Intrepid ES new in January of 2001. It now has 143,000 miles on it and have had to put only $1,000 into it -about a month ago. I love my Intrepid and wish they still made them! Would buy another one in 1/2 a heartbeat! Mine still has a good 30K- 40K miles left in it. My original goal was to get 150K miles. My secret has been this: Firestone! I purchased the lifetime tire rotation and lifetime alignment along with their tire protection plan. About $500. Each time oil is changed - tires rotated and aligned. Firestone is great about letting you know what maintenance is due when!
recommended!
We bought this car for my wife to drive, and after nearly two years, she will still gush about how much she loves this car. This is coming from a woman who is very particular, so that is no small feat. The Intrepid is roomy, comfortable, and reliable with good looks, power, handling, versatility, and economy. It is not a sports car, but it is very competent in the city and on the highway, offering the stability of a large car with the nimble and quick characteristics of something much smaller. After almost 30,000 miles, I have done nothing but change the oil and put gas in it.
My love Intrepid
I bought this car nine month ago when I came to USA. At a first look, I was fascinated by its beautiful style. On the test drive, this car showed me smooth and powerful ride. Still I keep this feeling. During the highway drive, it shows tis real value. Smooth, good performance in uphill satisfied me. No repair cost at all except regular maintenance fee.