Dodge Colt
rwgreenberg
Member Posts: 154
Hi. I thought I would give this a shot. Maybe there are others who love this car as much as I. My Colt is in great shape, with 110,000 miles, original clutch, exhaust and very few replacement parts over the years. Well the other day it failed to start for the first time. Had it towed to my mechanic, where it sat overnight, and then started right up for him the next day. He is puzzled as am I. My friend happened to hear a broadcast of CarTalk the other day and suggested that I check out the "fuel pump relay switch". Of course I have no idea where it is, but will pass the info on to my mechanic. So, if there are other Colt owners out there, please say hello.
Rich
Rich
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My only complaint with my particular vehicle is that it is the base model, with vinyl seats, 4-speed stick shift, and no a/c. Heck, it doesn't even have a cigarette lighter (not that I smoke)! Not having a/c was very tough when I was driving it in Texas for three summers (college), especially that one year when we had 30 consecutive days of temperatures passing the 100 degree mark. I was so glad to move back to Detroit and drive it in snowy, sub-zero conditions. I have never had problems starting it in the morning no matter how frigid it was outside, and it performed admirably on roads with over six inches of snow. The Colt's body is virtually impervious to the severe winter conditions in Michigan, what with the chunks of salt peppering the roads six months out of the year. People are always telling me that my car looks brand new.
The reason why this vehicle is so reliable is the Mitsubishi connection. Inside the drivers door, is a metal tag stating its place of origin: Japan. I wouldn't hesitate to buy its Mitsubishi version, the Mirage, if it was still offered in the hatchback configuration. Sadly, only the sedan version is available, and from what I hear, even this is slated to be discontinued in the next year or so. Thus, I have no choice but to drive the Colt as there is really no other economical and roomy hatchback to replace it with...at least for now anyway.
Oh, by the way - I will be relocating to Oklahoma next month, and will once again have to endure the stifling heat of the Southwest "sans" air conditioning during my daily commute. I know people will think that I am crazy, but I think it is crazy to pay over $300/month for a new car just to have a/c for a 10-15 minute drive to work. As long as the Colt runs reliably, I will continue to avail myself of its services no matter what the temperature may be.
After your Colt expires, will you replace it with another hatchback? - if so, which one(s)? I am partial to the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix "sport wagon," which appears to beat the Colt in the category of cargo space. However, I'm sure that it will be priced over $15,000, which will offset its "economy" potential. The same can be said for the Civic Si sport hatchback (17-18K) and the BMW Mini Cooper (19-23K). I have no interest in the Ford Focus ZX3. Perhaps the Kia Rio wagon, slated to hit the dealers in October, will be an option (price expected to be under 13K).
Next to an 85 CRX that I once owned, the Colt was my fave. vehicle ... I can honestly say, that I loved that car ... it was reliable, well built, cheap to own/operate and had a "personality" for sure! Wish they still made/sold those here in Canada ... the new Accent's aren't bad little cars, but they still aren't as good as the Colts of a decade ago.
My only gripe with the Accent is its paltry rear space when the seats are lowered. I think that the Animal Humane Society would go after me if I tried to cram my two large dogs in that vehicle. My Colt, on the other hand, easily accommodates the pooches (I once drove them from Texas to Michigan; they slept most of the time)
The VW Golf is even worse for cargo space. The rear seats lie at a steep angle - almost 45 degrees. This fact coupled with the sticker price keeps me from seriously considering the Golf as my Colt replacement.
Rich - the only reason why I do not consider the ZX3 as a viable substitute for my Colt is because I have GM connections (which means discounts). Thus, if I am to gamble on an American-made vehicle, I would rather invest my GM rebate earnings in the Toyota-designed Pontiac Vibe, though I must confess that the ZX3 has a more appealing visage.
The problem with the new hatchbacks slated for next year is their cost (over 15K) and their modest fuel economy. The prime virtues of the Colt was its low cost, great reliability, excellent MPG, and impressive cargo capacity. Hopefully, the Kia Cinco (Rio wagon) will be a contender to match the Colt in price, utility, and reliability, though not likely in the category of fuel economy.
I personally believe that my '89 Colt (your '88 Colt DL)is superior to today's hatchbacks because it has excellent fuel economy (30-32 city MPG), spacious interior when the seats are folded down (I once loaded a 36-inch TV), and a true economy price tag. I would willingly sacrifice a few ponies and leather seats in order to own a reliable, utilitarian hatch that is priced under 12K. The only manufacturer that comes close to this price is Kia, but reliability would still be an issue. Hopefully, Toyota will offer the Echo in a hatch configuration some day, but then, the price will likely creep up past 12K.
Remember when calculators first came out? They were very expensive, but now, you can find them as prizes in cereal boxes. Technological advances brought down their price. Why hasn't this happened with economy cars? Perhaps we are being offered unnecessary standard features, too many "bells and whistles," that are terribly overpriced.
I have browsed through the Prizm message board and have heard a similar sentiment regarding the older Nova/Prizms. The general impression there is that the newer Prizms are not as nice as the older ones, even though the new models have increased horsepower and amenities. Somehow, that characteristic tight Prizm build has been lost. I use to drive my parents' '85 Nova, and can remember the solid feel that was so impressive in such an inexpensive vehicle. I feel the same way about my Colt and hope that when the time comes, I can find a comparable hatchback to replace it with. As of now, the current selection is not very appealing in that the automakers focus more on horsepower and other luxury features. As I've said before, I would much rather have the old reliable 1.5 liter Mitsubishi or Toyota engine in a car with considerably less horsepower and Spartan amenities than the newer, more powerful 1.8 liter Prizm or 2.0(?) liter Mazda Protege/Hyundai Elantra hatchback (with standard leather seats).
But alas, my definition of "economy vehicles" is different from that of the auto makers. I define this group as an inexpensive class of vehicle offering very basic amenities and 30 MPG or more in the city. But to the auto manufacturers, "economy" refers to any vehicle that costs less than a mid-size luxury sedan. I think that the average consumer who wants more features in their vehicles than what traditional economy cars have offered, are demanding a new category of "economy" vehicles priced under 20K yet offering all the bells and whistles found in the luxury vehicles. This is why today's hatchbacks are quasi-luxury in orientation.
I could say the same thing about 80's Civics. They were remarkably clever cars, especially the two wagons which were on the short list of vehicles I always wanted but never owned. The new ones are bland and less sophisticated than the previous generation.
I also have fond memories of a 1982 Colt hatchback, nice straightforward car.
Have never driven a second generation Accent hatch, but Hyundai's build quality is rapidly improving. That's a pretty basic, uncomplicated car, although availability as a 5 door would probably be appreciated.
I must say, however, that driving the Elantra has made me appreciate remote locking, cruise, a decent air conditioner and all of the other things missing in my Nova.
Remember when digital clocks were first introduced? Some companies made cardboard digital assemblies that mechanically flipped numbers. I always wondered whether the cost of the mechanical units were greater than the cost of an electronic unit, but that "new" corrolated with expensive.
Same with digital displays for clocks and radios, mid-eighties radios were analog on the low end, digital on the high end. What was the cost of that mechanical tuning assembly at that point?
I wonder if the same thing applies today. Do power windows, mirrors and locks really cost a lot more than their mechanical counterparts? Obviously, both have mechanical mechanisms, but can small motors affect a simpler assembly than a crank mechanism. If this is the case, then a lot of the nostalgia is for basics that may never return, especially if the market dictates that doodads are really simpler to sell en masse.
For example, the toaster I grew up with as a kid was from the early '60s, and it could brown toast in 20 seconds or less. My new toaster requires almost two minutes to produce the same effect. However, though this plastic appliance was surely cheaper to manufacture en masse than the stainless steel toasters of old, I would not consider this to be "progress" in toaster manufacturing. Same thing with the 80s Japanese economy vehicles (Colt/Mirage, Nova, Civic). I'm sure these older vehicles have some impractical hardware compared to today's models, yet, like that stainless steel toaster, I still prefer their build/material quality.
I've got to tell you that as simple and direct as those cars of the eighties were, that the new Elantra is much, much better. Including (as far as I can tell at this point) build quality.
One troubling point in car quality in the last twenty years. During the eighties, Japanese cars were far ahead of American in build quality and creativity. Koreans (as witness the Hyundai Excel) generally stunk, although one of my favorite cars of all time was an 88 Ford Festiva.
In purchasing the Elantra, I was struck by the fact that during the late nineties, both the quality and creativity of Japanese cars was actually decreasing. IMHO the last generation of Corolla/Prizm was far better than the present one. I test drove a Corolla S model before buying the Elantra and it wasn't even close. Same with a last generation Sentra that I drove for a week while my Elantra was having slight hail damage corrected--a competent but boring car. The newest generation Civic is also a step backward from the previous.
Hopefully the new ties between Nissan and Renault will foster some really interesting Japanese cars, the new Altima certainly looks nice as does the new Mitsubishi Lancer. Europe also gets cars that we don't including interesting looking Corollas. Maybe an increased interest in hatchbacks will open the market a bit.
As for the Festiva previously mentioned ... as far as I know, they were manufactured by Kia, based on Mazda engineering and sold by Ford. Small and basic they may be, but I've heard they're very reliable (and inexpensive to own and operate).
Now things have flipped with the Koreans. Daewoo's quality was actually a bit above Hyundai until the last year or two. What's going on at this point I couldn't tell you because at least in the St. Louis area Daewoo's selling so poorly that they have damn few '01's in stock. I drove a Leganza and could have probably purchased one for less than the cost of my Elantra but who wants an orphan car?
Hyundai's getting better and better, and Kia (with the exception of the Optima) has been bad as to quality. Hopefully Hyundai will continue to increase quality of the existing lines--I think the brake problems on the Sephia have lessened in the last year or so. My assumption is that the next generation will share platforms like the Optima/Sonata with the Kia taking the low cost end of the spectrum.
Why the Festiva remained so good is a mystery. Perhaps it's the Mazda 121 engineering, perhaps Ford just insisted on a certain amount of quality. I doubt the latter because I owned an 86 Tempo and an 87 Mustang which essentially stunk. Unlike the Festiva, the Nova and the Colt, those are two cars that I DON'T feel any nostalgia for.
I am totally regretting the lack of a/c in my '89 Colt (back then, a/c was an optional feature offered by American auto manufacturers). The temps here have been in the 100s.
Csandste - that is interesting to hear that you believe the build quality of the Hyundai Elantra is better than the Colt and Nova. I have never test-driven Hyundai vehicles, so I cannot dispute of confirm your opinion. My one dissatisfaction with the Elantra GT (hatchback) is that it is a bit pricey for what I expect in an economical vehicle. Personally, I have no need for leather seats for a car in this category, but I must be in the minority.
BTW-- I saw the new Mitsu. Lancer on the lot, but didn't drive it. Very nice car. Japanese regressed during the late nineties as they tried to meet price points. Maybe things are turning around and more interesting cars are on the way.
I was reading through the posts here, and completely agree with all of you. I went out and looked for a replacement in the Protege5, Elantra GT, and drooled over the Vibe. The Golf is hardly a replacement and the Forrester and similar models are way too overpriced for the value. If they still made these in the States, I would have bought another.
So what did I get? Couldn't wait for the Vibe (but I still want one), so I gave up the gas mileage and got an Aztek. They are practically giving them away and I got a loaded one for less than a Forrester (really like the Forrester BTW, just didn't see paying that much). Aztek has same config as the Vista (hatch, removeable back seat, etc), just a bigger scale and, ahem, "bolder" styling. And, it will pull a boat where my Vista will not.
Mine is the 1.8L, with auto and air. Has rear defog, rear wiper, power mirrors, and CD. Live in Columbus, OH and am asking $3,000.
Best of luck to the rest of you owners, may yours bring you the same reliability and utility mine has.
Can anyone give me some info on this vehicle as far as reliability and economy. How is the ease of maintenance, etc..?
I did have a 1986 Colt E sedan about two years ago until the tranny froze-up and now regret junking it (cheap transportation). are the two similar?
After the Colt, I got an '83 Escort (blechhhh, worst car I ever drove), then finally an '88 Corolla FX hatchback, a GREAT car. I drove it for 9 years. If I weren't looking for a carpooler car now (probably a minivan, sigh), I might be looking at one of the Saab or Subaru 4-door hatchbacks.
By pulling the lever in fourth you got the equivilent of an overdrive. If it had been a real good idea it would have probably caught on. As it was it was just kind of a clumsy five speed. I usually just kept mine in economy mode. I don't remember a huge difference in output between the two. It was the equivilent of an eight speed forward, two backward transmission, however.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
bottom-of-the-line, that it lacks a day-night rear view mirror, has five speeds indicated on the shifter (but only has 4). No cigarette lighter installed.
The seats are starting to tear a bit. The dash is very brittle (a rather large piece that surrounds the emergency blinker button broke off when I was wiping it clean...but the blinker still works). The plastic covering that is behind and outside of the door broke off (I wish I could get another one, but fear that they are hard to find). Eats no oil. Body still in great shape. Still great mileage (I think...haven't really checked in a while).
I agree that the design is first rate with plenty of room.