1994 Dodge Shadow

Argeo · 12-15-2005, 02:52 PM

HI,

Anyone know about these. I basically need car for commuting 30 miles a day. The one I am looking at has 58K for $1,800. Any thoughts or concerns I should be wary of. He said the car is dent and rust free as well.

Thanks,

David

steve185 · 12-15-2005, 04:06 PM

They are the #1 easiest car in the world to steal, here in east coast Canada the kids grab the top of the drivers door, bend it out, reach in and unlock the car, then pop the ignition. the city where I am a police officer has 3 to 4 reported stolen almost everyday.
If you buy it get teh guy to throw in a "Club".

onewhippedpuppy · 12-15-2005, 04:25 PM

Not much of a car, but I don't know what else you could get better for $1800. Probably enough to get you around.

Argeo · 12-15-2005, 05:36 PM

I am not looking for anything special. With NE winters and being parked in a city parking garage 10-12hrs a day, I really just want something I can leave and cate less about. My main issue was how reliable are they. i am not expecting Honda reliability but something I can use for a year or so until I land a job in the burbs.

Thanks,

David

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

http://www.funnyhub.com/videos/page.cgi/used-dodge-aries

dd74 · 12-15-2005, 05:52 PM

I think Carroll Shelby had a hand in the top of the line Shadows back in their heyday - if they had a heyday.

175 bhp 2.2 IL. Pretty quick car for a FWD econocar.

onewhippedpuppy · 12-15-2005, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cegerer
http://www.funnyhub.com/videos/page.cgi/used-dodge-aries

That's hilarious! Gotta love the K-car, the wonderful vehicle that almost sank Chrysler.

DD, I think you're thinking about the Shelby GLH line of cars (Goes Like Hell). Seems like they had a Charger and Omni that were damn fast for what they were, and very moddable.

bell · bell's Garage

check out my sig

my omni (which i no longer have) would spank my 911 in the 1/4 mile

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

Shadows are great cars. Ive had a few and for what your looking for, they are perfect.

dd74 · 12-15-2005, 08:30 PM

Shelby CSX

http://www.xmission.com/~dempsey/shelby/sheldod6.htm

jkarolyi · 12-15-2005, 09:52 PM

I think they even made a special edition with a variable nozzle Turbo that pumped out 225hp! This is when Mustang 5.0s had the same horsepower. I miss the old pocket rocket hatchback days.

1994 was the last year they made them...I would guess they finally learned how to screw them together since they'd been building them since 1987!

928ram · 12-16-2005, 04:56 AM

All those FWD ChryCo cars are good for basic transportation; parts and upkeep are cheap and easy and they tend to be pretty reliable if not abused or neglected.
The only thing I can think of that's a common big problem is if the 4 cyl versions were run without anti-freeze the headgaskets rot out; probably not a worry in the NE where A-F is required.

legion · 12-16-2005, 05:01 AM

Yep, the last of the K-cars. Great basic transportation, but they rust quickly, from the inside out. If you've found a good example, it's great for basic transportation. Cheaper to maintain than a comparable Civic or Corolla.

notfarnow · 12-16-2005, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
Gotta love the K-car, the wonderful vehicle that almost sank Chrysler.

I thought the K-car saved Chrysler? Did I just believe the hype??

Argeo · 12-19-2005, 05:05 AM

Bought and paid for. Thanks guys for all the advice. So much different than my Accord. Zero power, loose steering and week brakes. It drives just like my Aries K I had in the late eighties.

Love this car,

David

jkarolyi · 12-20-2005, 11:31 AM

It did save Chrysler in 1981 when it debuted, but Iacocca & Co. hung on to the design way too long. Almost all its cars in the early 90s were STILL K-car based! They were almost bankrupt again, and it wasn't until Lutz came aboard and pushed the LH cars and the stratus/cirrus that things turned around for them.

Yep...your '94 shadow has a lot in common with an '81 Aries, sadly enough. It should serve you well for basic transport though.

legion · 12-20-2005, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jkarolyi
it wasn't until Lutz came aboard and pushed the LH cars and the stratus/cirrus that things turned around for them.

And those are just rebadged Mitsubishi Eclipses. All of those are made just a few miles west of where I now sit.

masraum · 12-20-2005, 11:38 AM

I had one for a while, not bad cars. Assuming it's in decent shape mechanically and you keep it maintained it should be decent for what you need.

bell · bell's Garage

if there's rust underneath anywhere the first thing that will fail are the fuel lines, they all go....just a matter of when, they may have already been replaced (can be done on the cheap....and very easy)