Plymouth duster good first car?

Plymouth duster good first car?

I would like to buy a plymouth duster and was just wondering for help. My neighbor is looking at selling a 1978 duster in fair shape. I was wondering if its worth it, how high the insurance will be, and if it is a good car
Also, this would be my first car since i am 16

Asked by: Josh C @ 2009-06-01 13:34:13

Answers ::
78 Duster?

The last year for the Duster was 76. There were "duster" trim packages for the Volare coupe at some point, Turismo, and Sundance, but the actual Duster was 70-76. I had a 76 with a 318 V8 and a three speed stick

My guess is you have the year wrong, it's probably a 75 or 76

Assuming that, it is a good car, although not very sophisticated by today's standards. The 225 "slant six" is nearly bulletproof but not fast, the V8's will be much faster. As to whether it's "worth it", worth what? You give no indication of specific vehicle information nor the price being asked. Insurance shouldn't be too bad, but you should call your agent to know for sure how much it will be.

EDIT - just to clarify, the only real Duster was the Valiant based coupe, built from 70-76. It had a body style that was not used by any other Plymouth (the Dodge Dart Demon was similar). The Volare/Turismo/Sundance "Dusters" were just trim packages on existing cars, not unique models of their own.

PMack

Yes and if you restore it nicely it will be worth a lot of money.The insurance is much lower on a car that old.If it has the slant 6, put a better cam in it, bore the cylinders and put some good rings in it and if it doesn't have the super 6 intake,find one.
If it has the 318, you have more to work with.The 318 was one of the most reliable production engines ever made.I once drove a stock @ 140 mph for about 560 miles and it had close to 200k on it.
Also if you want good fuel economy, put a GM carb on it from maybe a 283 chevy(you'll have to rework a few linkages and vacuum lines.
Last,get an under drive over drive unit,use a 2.73 rear end,you'll have good take off and get great gas mileage and more top end speed.

Joe F

A 78 duster would be a volare body that should be all but rotted away by now.

done wrenching

Get as much resource as you can maybe is one option,however it could be quite time consuming,here http://www.AutoInsuranceFree.info/free-auto-insurance.htm is one resource i have had good experience.

HELEN B

You should also consider that such a car may be expensive to insure. Check your insurance rates before buying one, for example here - carquotes.fateback.com

Man

Chrysler Voyager: How can tell when need new transmission? What is chance of sudden failure/getting stranded?

As of about four months ago the transmission for our Chrysler Mini-Van stopped "feeling right." Like it's in the early stages of slipping, but if we drive it gently we've had no problems for about four months.

How do you know when you need a new transmission?

We want to drive it to/from the beach this weekend (four hours each way)... what is the likelihood it would leave us stranded? Like I said, we noticed a change 4-6 months ago but it doesn't "feel" like it's going to fail immediately. One mechanic said "these transmissions go fast when they start to go out" but that (so far!) hasn't been the case with us.

A new transmission is $4K I hear... or $2K for re-built and we've just been waiting for the right time to plunk down the dough.

Asked by: remoteportal @ 2009-06-02 17:40:35

Answers ::
id go for it, and just drive early or late in the evening when its cool.those trannys can act up bad.like sticking in first etc.but its the beach and i love the beach. im in.

idontgivafork

I would have the tranny cooler checked right away .They are known to let coolant in the tranny from the rad.Possibly need a new rad and finally a new tranny if you keep driving it.. Also if it is the cooler then change the tranny fluid.

the pump guy

More then likely the transmission fluid and filter needs to be changed on it asap.One main thing here to keep in mind is that Dodge uses a special chemical additives that can and will wear out in their transmission fluids.These additives are to prevent slipping or bucking or stuttering and if you've ever over heated the engine or transmission or haven't changed the fluid or filter and the vehicle has high mileage I'd change them asap.

Be careful bec there are many misdiagnoses when it comes to transmissions especially Dodges , one mistake is when ppl find the transmission fluid is brownish or smells like burnt cigars that the transmission is shot.It could be but if the engines been over heated etc or the fluid is quite old etc it could just require the transmission filter and fluid changed.

Another mistake is electrical or electronic circuit faults in the transmission control systems that act much like internal transmission gear etc failers but in fact are bad grounds or bad comps or bad relays or bad sensors or bec the TCM requires a dealership program or flash update.

Another is finding tiny metal particals in the transmission pan etc when changing the fluid etc and this is quite normal and nothing to worry about , unless big particles.

Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way I'am not joking about how many missdiagnoses there are made daily out there regarding Dodge transmissions so do your homework and heres a link that you should check out and read.Just look up your vehicle and please do read these articles their very much eye openers and written by ppl that care.http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html

helpful bob

Let me look into my crystal ball.......I SEE STORM CLOUDS!
No really you can tell a lot by simple checks, Fluid level and condition, visual checks such as linkage sensor connectors, ground straps, etc. The transmission has the ability to store diagnostic codes, that will lead you to a more exact diagnosis. The TCM even stores engineering data, such as clutch volume factor, that tell if the individual clutch packs are worn, or too tight (when a snap ring breaks, it sometimes lodges in between clutch discs, and plates, causing a clutch pack to stick engaged, and quickly disintegrate.
A few simple tests are required, First have a qualified tech with experience with the Chrysler transaxle to retrieve the codes and do the appropriate tests, the trans is easily diagnosed if you are familiar with the function and abilities of the scanner and data available.

Perry F

When was the last time you serviced the transmission? Pull the dip stick is the fluid pink/ red or dark red to black?
Pull trans pan "if trans pan has a half a table spoon of material in it over haul transmission" transmission engineers at Chrysler. If less than that amount, finish service and have torque converter and trans cooler flushed, If the trans cooler in the radiator let go your tranny fluid would look like a strawberry milk shake.
More than likely what you are feeling is the clutch packs slipping and the Trans controller trying to make up for the pressure lose between the plates. The dealer or any shop with guages can do a manual pressure check or anyone with a DRBII can do a system check and you will know, and yes if enough material gets loose it will clog up your trans cooler and over heat trans and you will be stuck, don't take chances with the family or have AAA road side assistance and tow service card in hand

rick b

What's better the Dodge Charger or the Chrysler 300?

Asked by: De Niro @ 2009-06-01 13:03:00

[Best Answer]Same car, slightly different body style. I personally like them both, the 300 is more luxurious and refined, which can be good if you want a fast car that will fool people who think it may be slow.

Chargers are more ferocious looking and less luxurious, either way I think they both cater to kind of a young crowd

Either way they are both bada** cars

By : David A @ 1243925512

Answers ::
The Dodge Charger is much better than the 300.Most thing a 300 is good for is just the look. The Charger comes with everything style and torque!

Mandingo

i wouldnt recommend either of them since the whole chrysler company is declaring bankruptcy, there reliability is very bad and your going to be putting a lot more money into them. i think a chevy camaro is cool if you want a sports car or ford mustang 2010 which was redesigned. if you want a luxury car then the lexus is or if you want something cheaper then a toyota camry or honda accord. the camry and honda get alot better gas mileage too

roadrules15

Its the same car with a different body. So is the Magnum and the Challenger. They all have pretty good reliability too.

emiller1998

Same car, slightly different body style. I personally like them both, the 300 is more luxurious and refined, which can be good if you want a fast car that will fool people who think it may be slow.

Chargers are more ferocious looking and less luxurious, either way I think they both cater to kind of a young crowd

Either way they are both bada** cars

David A

Whistling/squeaking sound from my '08 Chrysler Town and Country?

Hello! I have a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country Touring. Sometimes (but not all the time), when my car is moving I hear a high pitched squeaking sound coming from the engine area. It is loud when I roll my window down. I don't hear it all the time, however. Can anyone tell me what I should tell the dealership I think the problem is? I know when I go in, the sound probably won't get duplicated and they won't do anything. If I could point them in the direction of a belt, etc it would be great!

Thanks!

Asked by: Pat G @ 2009-06-02 10:40:38

Answers ::
I would defiantly mention the belt. In my fiance's car, it made a similar sound but it was his wheel well. Just tell them to do a diagnostic check and that all you are looking to repair is the source of the noise. Don't let them talk you into paying for something you don't think you need. And don't leave unless you think it's fixed. Good luck

Looking4Edward

Have them look at the belt and tentioner ( maybe out of align). And if the a/c compressor is dragging to much, Also look for any contamination in the belt grooves. If you tried to lube the belt in anyway you are kind of S. O. L. on warranty coverage since you basically contaminated the belt and is not a failed part on Chrysler's side of the deal. And ask them to make sure there are no TSB's on this problem and they can show you by running a function 70 at the time of write up on the van , this is free ( the function 70)

rick b

If you really dont know what the cause of the noise is, make an appointment to take your service advisor on a road test so that you can duplicate the sound for them; they can then explain to the technician assigned to your vehicle what to look and listen for.

Christi

1990 Lebaron stalls when we stop or sit idle. What could be going on?

My 1990 Lebaron is stalling when we come to a stop or slow down. It is bad when the gas is blow 1/2 a tank. The lower the gas gets the more easily it happens. We have changed the fuel filter. Does anyone have a direction?
No check engine light.

Asked by: justicesmom @ 2009-06-03 07:04:12

Answers ::
is your check engine on?Oxygen sensor will do that but so will a lot of other things,it needs to be plugged into a computer to pin point the cause

Jim

I had a 94 Lebaron GTC, with the 6 cylinder. Yours is either the 4 cylinder (2.2 or 2.5), the 6 cylinder (3.0 Mitsubishi), or the 4 cylinder turbo (2.2T or 2.5T). There are 3 engines for this car.

The 6 cylinder had some problems with fuel line sludge... easy fix is a product called Berryman B-12 Chem-tool Fuel System Cleaner. It is so effective the car ran like new in 10 minutes. However, ***DO NOT*** get it on your paint. It will bubble the paint immediately and it will come off the vehicle. Also, don't get it on your hands.

This will work for that problem, but you can try the process of elimination and see if that does it. If not, then try replacing your plugs and wires, and last resort, to replace your fuel pump.

phantasticphotog

You can also check the idle solenoid switch,vacum line, there is a idle adjustment screw on the throttle body at the bottom of the screw there is a rubber o-ring it will dry out and crack replace the o-ring

jeepster