Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Air conditioner: If the air conditioner gradually stops cooling and/or the air flow from the vents decreases, the computer (PCM) may not be sending a signal to the compressor-clutch relay to cycle off, which causes the A/C evaporator to freeze up. (1991-95)

Alternator belt: Deep snow could knock the serpentine belt off the pulleys of 3.0-liter engines. Installing a shield will remedy the problem. (1991-95)

Automatic transmission: If the transmission shudders under light to moderate acceleration, the transmission front pump could be leaking due to a worn bushing. (1990-95)

Automatic transmission: 41TE or 42LE automatic transaxles could take several seconds to engage at startup because of a problem with the valve body. (1993-95)

Automatic transmission: Bad seals in the transmission lead to premature friction-component wear, which causes shudder when starting from a stop, a bump when coasting to a stop, and slipping between gears. (1993-95)

Engine mounts: The motor mount on the left side of the engine tends to break. (1992-93)

Oil consumption and exhaust smoke: High oil consumption and smoke from the exhaust at idle and deceleration on 3.0-liter engines is caused by exhaust-valve guides that slide out of the heads. (1990-93)

Rough idle: 2.2- or 2.5-liter engines may idle rough or stumble when first started unless a revised intake manifold (with an "X" cast into the number 1 runner) was installed (1992), or a revised computer (PCM) was installed (1992-93), or the computer was reprogrammed (1994).

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.

1990: Oil may leak from engine valve-cover gasket.

1991: Both airbag-system front-impact sensors may not be secured to mounting brackets, so airbag would not deploy.

1991: Front disc brake caliper-guide pin bolts may not be adequately tightened and could loosen.

1991: Front-outboard seatbelt may become difficult to latch; latch may open in sudden stop or accident.

1992: Zinc plating of some upper steering-column shaft-coupling bolts caused hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt.

1994: Seatbelt assembly on small number of cars may fail in accident, increasing risk of injury.

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

Chrysler's 2.5-liter 4-cylinder comes standard on the Acclaim, paired with either a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic. It produces 100 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 135 pound-feet of torque at 2800 rpm. The optional engine for the two lower models in 1989 was a turbocharged version of the same 2.5-liter engine, paired with the same two transmissions. Output from the turbocharged engine is 150 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 180 pound-feet of torque at 2000 rpm. Available for the LX model (1989-90) is Mitsubishi's 3.0-liter V6, paired with a 4-speed automatic. It delivers 141 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 171 pounds-feet of torque at 2000 rpm. Chrysler dropped the turbocharged engine from the option list in 1991 and added the low-cost 3-speed automatic to the 3.0-liter Mitsubishi engine for 1992. For a couple of years (1993-94), Chrysler offered Acclaims equipped with 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engines adapted to run on unleaded gasoline or a blend of gas and methanol, containing up to 85-percent methanol. Using the "M85" blended fuel, the engine produces 106 horsepower and delivers 145 pound-feet of torque at 2400 rpm, compared to only 135 pound-feet for the standard gas version. The flex-fuel engine disappears in 1995, along with the 4-speed automatic transmission.