Is this old Dodge Spirit worth 700 bucks?

[55Test]

I looked at a low mileage 94 Spirit yesterday. 60452 original kilometers, only 2 owners with some original sales documentation. It's a 2.5, 3 speed automatic. The paint is faded on the roof, hood and trunklid. AC doesn't kick in, it's got a code 22 and the tach seems to come and go. There is no rust on the body but what looks like a soft spot underneath near where the driver's feet sit. It needs the front part of the parking brake cable replaced and a transmission seal where the axle shaft goes into the transmission leaks. It's not currently registered or inspected. What do you think it's worth? I am strongly considering trying to sell my 98 Civic (382000 kms) and buying the Spirit, I've had 3 and I just simply love them.


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Infinitrium/spirit1.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Infinitrium/spirit2.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Infinitrium/spirit3-1.jpg

 

[UNC017]

I've never been a big fan of the K-derivatives, but I know plenty of people who are. The 2.5/3-speed combo is just about bulletproof. The down side is that its slightly faster than the speed of smell. ;-)

AC may just need a recharge, and the tach may just need the instrument cluster pulled, connections cleaned, and re-installed. I don't really know the degree of difficulty on replacing the transaxle seal- never had one leak before (and that makes me wonder if the seal is the only problem). The only thing that really worries me is the "soft spot" you mention. If it needs floor pans, then its probably going to be a money pit. Drop to the ground and give it a good look before parting with $$$, but for only $700 its hard to go too wrong. You could probably get around half of that back even if you had to scrap it.

 

[55Test]

Even with that soft spot, it's in better shape than my 98 Civic. The Civic also has a soft spot on the rocker panel back by the left rear jack point and the bottoms of the rear doors are staring to flake away. Plus the Civic has a bit over 5 times the mileage on it (currently 381500 kms), but it still runs good and gets great fuel mileage.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I love those old Spirits. I think you could get them with the Mitsubishi 3.0L V-6 there for a while; they were fun little runners with that engine.

I second the notion to inspect the floorboards carefully for rust. Offer 500 bucks.

 

[55Test]

I'd pass on a Spirit with a V6, unless it was hooked up to the 3 speed transmission.

 

[NHGUY]

Offer $500-600.Use the repairs as arguments for the dickering.The front part of the drivers floorpan is a popular place to rust.Its where the moisture sits and where the junk gets thrown from the front wheel.These are hard to find now,I would definitely persue it,and hound the owner to take the lower price.The one thing that worries me,is the balance shafts on the 2.5,when those wear they internally leak oil pressure and goodbye engine.With the low mileage,I dont think you will have to worry about that.

 

[addyguy]

It's relatively easy to do an 'simple' patch on a floor with fibreglass, that will be nearly as strong as metal, at a fraction of the cost and effort of a floor re-weld.

With how clean the body is, I'd say that $700 is a steal! I'd snap it up in a heartbeat!

 

[NHGUY]

Code 22 is coolant temp sensor.

 

[daves87rs]

It looks good, anyways....

 

[The_Jeff]

Man that paint looks nice! Back when they were allowed VOC's! My 91 dakota BC/CC looked great for decades.

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
It's relatively easy to do an 'simple' patch on a floor with fibreglass, that will be nearly as strong as metal, at a fraction of the cost and effort of a floor re-weld.

With how clean the body is, I'd say that $700 is a steal! I'd snap it up in a heartbeat!


As long as you can do some of the work or have a good reasonable mecbanic I would go for it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[The_Jeff]

Who patches a floor with fiberglass? I cut old computer cases up and either weld them or shoot self tapping screws through.

Depends mostly on laziness and how much tar I have to scrape up and how an undercoating fire could affect other things under there.

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I love those old Spirits. I think you could get them with the Mitsubishi 3.0L V-6 there for a while; they were fun little runners with that engine.


They were decent runners indeed, nearly bought a LeBaron GT so equipped around 1991. Glad I didn't, though, because quick as they were the 3.0 still couldn't outrun the fog of blue smoke it left behind. :-(

The 2.5/3-speed auto is by far the most reliable drivetrain in those cars. The 3.0/4-speed auto is the worst. Maybe of all time.

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
The one thing that worries me,is the balance shafts on the 2.5,when those wear they internally leak oil pressure and goodbye engine.With the low mileage,I dont think you will have to worry about that.


I've heard of that on the Mitsubishi 2.6, but not on the 2.5 The later 2.0/2.4 engine family actually used the same balance shaft module (which bolts below the main bearing caps) as the 2.5 did. One of Bill Weertman's clever patents to avoid enlarging the block casting itself for balance shafts as Mitsubishi did in the 2.6.

 

[addyguy]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Who patches a floor with fiberglass? I cut old computer cases up and either weld them or shoot self tapping screws through.

Depends mostly on laziness and how much tar I have to scrape up and how an undercoating fire could affect other things under there.


My dad, in the late 1970's, on a 1967 Mustang.

 

[ls1mike]

I have had a bunch of the 2.2/2.5 turbo version. They were always good runners and easy to wrench on. 700 bucks is not too bad, but 5 or 600 would be awesome. You can still get parts for them and they will run a long time.

 

[Dakota1820]

ehhhh.... for 700 bucks its not bad. if its not a money pit. i would try for 500 though. who knows what all itll need. and the 2.2 and 2.5 dont have the best reputation.....

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Who patches a floor with fiberglass? I cut old computer cases up and either weld them or shoot self tapping screws through.

Depends mostly on laziness and how much tar I have to scrape up and how an undercoating fire could affect other things under there.


My dad, in the late 1970's, on a 1967 Mustang.


That I understand. Not as many surplus computers then!!

I use fiberglass too but in akward places. The oddly shaped sidesaddle in my grand marquis trunk where the jack sits needed rust help, as they all do.

 

[antonmnster]

That price is dirt cheap.

 

[VNTS]

Good running cars.

I had one a 2.5 T1 413. Sold it back in 04. Had over 200K on it.

Easy car to work on, simple and designed to be serviced.