Thanks for reading!
Which car would be a more reliable choice for long distance trips, in your opinions?
The Intrepid is an ES which I read is a much better engine than the 2.7 liter that came on the standard version. 157,000 Miles, did not work for a year, while various things were replaced, like computer & relays. Once it started working, it wouldn’t start after driving, until it cooled off. This was solved by keeping the fuel tank above 1/2 full. The transmission slips going up a fair incline, but I don’t notice it otherwise. I hear that the transmissions are usually what kills these cars. The fluid is full and clear reddish, so that’s not the issue.
Also, the check engine light came on briefly when I was going pretty quick on an hour trip. I slowed down, and it went off. I have not taken the car to get the computer checked.
My Mom just got a new car, and now I have her '96 Civic with 257,000 miles, manual, and wonder which I should keep.
I want a reliable car for highway traveling, I have an intown gas guzzler already.
The Civic has been meticulously maintained by my mom, and it got to the point where she has spent more than the car was worth trying to fix a hesitation issue, so she got a new car.
The car will kind of “gasp” or hesitate when you are accelerating at low rpms, maybe 1 or 2 times per trip, for short trips. When the car is warm, it doesn’t, and maybe 1 out of 200 times driving on the highway, it will, in 5th gear, but at low RPM. In the cold weather, the issue seems to be significantly reduced.
It doesn’t bother me to drive, but I don’t know if this is an impending sign of engine failure, or just an issue that will always be there.
Guess work done to try and fix the issue are:
New Wires, Alternator, Cap, Valve Adjustment. I also put some seafoam in the vacuum line, and it seemed like it fixed it for a drive, but then it was back.
The Honda Dealership mechanic told her to get a new car because the next area they would check was to take apart the fuel system, which was expensive. He also told her that ethanol levels may have damaged the car over time and caused this issue.
He said that he couldn’t find anything wrong with the car, but stopped short of telling me that the car would not break down because of the issue if I took it cross country or something.
So, I guess with these details, which car would you guys take if you wanted a reliable and efficient long trip (more than 1 hour) car?
Thanks very much for your help. The car that I don’t keep will be given to the wife’s dad who will use it to haul tools around town, and do landlord stuff to rental properties.
- Patrick