Newer Mopar engines - experiences

All in All modern (Mid 80s + designs) mopar engines are an order of magnitude more reliable and longer lasting than the older stuff.

My first FWD mopar was an 85 turbo Daytona I bought new. I put 220,000 miles on that car and my son another 25,000 (he totaled it). Replaced a head gasket at 50K (was still under warranty but is was $20 for the gasket to do it my self verse $100 deductable at the dealer). Timing belts were swapped at 90K, 170K and again at 220 before I gave it to my son. No other internal engine or turbo issues.

This car was replaced with an 89 Shelby Daytona in 92 (car had a little over 20k when I got it). Sold it in 03 with just shy of 180k miles when I want to thin out the herd but wished I still had it. Replaced head gasket around 150k with timing belts at 90k and 150k. Only other issue was I ran over something and dented the oil pan around 130k. Took it off to knock the dent out and figured i would treat the car to a new oil pump. Didn't notice that there was an edge that kept the new Melling unit from sitting flat and it resulted in the intermediate shaft gear being wiped (should folowed the don't fix it if it ain't broke rule).

89 Dakota 4x4 3.9l v6 / A500. Sold this as part of the herd thinning in 03 with 256k miles and never had a lick of a problem with the engine or tranny. Was starting to rust badly when sold but it did spend a lot of time on the beach.

97 Avenger 2.5 Mitsubishi v6 and mopar auto. Stone reliable car, just not enough power to be entertaining. It was my wifes and she wanted a PT so I kept for my self but sold it in 03 with 130k miles as part of the thining of the herd.

99 Dakota 4x4 3.9 magnum / 44RE auto. This replaced the 89 Dakota in 03 and had 60k when I got it. It currently has 180k miles and I have had to replace a speed sensor on the axle and the govenor pressure solenoid in the tranny (would stick from time to time causing the truck to start in second gear). Other than those two items and a brake line that chaffed through it has been stone reliable.

03 PT Cruiser GT Turbo / 41TE tranny. We have 80K miles on it now. Had an intake manifold gasket replaced under warranty. Recently replaced the tranny fluid and filter and the tranny developed a harsh down shift from 4 to 3 that requires a reflash and quick learn at the dealer to fix. Cheap though, $42. Also, the car had an appetite for spark plugs, had to change them every 10K (even with the recomended reduced gap) or the engine would develop a miss. At 50K swapped the coil pak for an MSD unit and replaced the wires with MSD 8.5mm ones and have gone 30k miles so far on the same plugs.

Also, had an 87 Ford Tempo we bought new and I gave it to my daughter with 150k miles on it which she promtly totaled. Never a like of a problem with this car either.