1992-1994 Plymouth Colt Vista Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Plymouth Colt Vista. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Plymouth Colt Vista.

1992-1994 Plymouth Colt Vista Review

Mitsubishi launched an Expo LRV "mini-minivan," for 1992. The Colt Vista was the Plymouth variant; Summit Wagon Eagle's version. Subcompact but tall in profile, the Colt Vista seated five, with a sliding curb-side door and a one-piece liftgate. Base and SE front-wheel-drive models went on sale, along with an AWD model. A 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, rated at 113 horsepower, provided the power for base models. Standard on the Colt Vista SE, optional in other models, was a 2.4-liter four that delivered 116 horsepower. Any model could have either a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic. Antilock braking was optional on all models.

Year to Year Changes

1993 Plymouth Colt Vista: Adding four-valve heads, the 2.4-liter engine got a substantial power boost from 116 horsepower to 136.

1994 Plymouth Colt Vista: A driver-side airbag went into 1994 Colt Vistas, along with a manual 3-point seatbelt and height adjustment. The front passenger still had a motorized shoulder belt with a manual lap belt. The 2.4-liter engine was standard on the Colt Vista SE and AWD models this year.

1992-1994 Plymouth Colt Vista Road Test

Pros	Cons

Optional antilock brakes	Acceleration

Fuel economy	Noise

Passenger and cargo room

All-wheel drive (AWD wagon)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

A manual transmission helps the base engine achieve adequate acceleration, but an automatic makes it feel underpowered. The 2.4-liter engine is a far better choice than the feeble 1.8-liter--especially with the 20 horsepower added for 1993. Compact size, great visibility, and fine low-speed maneuverability makes the Colt Vista an excellent urban vehicle. In fast corners, however, the tall height and narrow track result in plenty of body lean and tire squeal. Grip improves with the AWD model, with its bigger tires. Ride quality is surprisingly supple. Braking feels strong and balanced, even if antilocking is not installed. Base-model Colt Vistas are not well-insulated against engine and wind noise. Low step-in height and the sliding side door make entry/exit easy and inviting. Controls and gauges are logically laid out. Chair-height seats not only are comfortable, but they take advantage of the panoramic greenhouse to give a great view of the surroundings. Cargo space behind the back seat is tight, but the rear bench folds flat and can tumble forward to create a flat load floor from the tailgate forward.

Value for the Money
An "in between" vehicle, the Colt Vista is an ideal choice for a small family on a budget. Not as versatile as a full-size minivan, the Vista is also not as expensive.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Plymouth Colt Vista 2.4-liter auto	Rating

Performance	3

Fuel Economy	6

Ride Quality	4

Steering/Handling/Braking	4

Quietness	4

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	3

Cargo Capacity	6

Value within Class	4

Total:	43

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.

1992-1994 Plymouth Colt Vista Reliability

Trouble Spots

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.

Automatic transmission: The pulse generator often gets installed backward after a transmission rebuild resulting in third-gear starts. (1994)

Automatic transmission: No second gear and/or a loud tapping noise when shifted into or out of any forward range. (1992-94)

Doors: The sliding doors may be hard to open due to a variety of problems including a faulty latch-connecting rod clip, rear door-lock holder, or striker that is out of adjustment. (1992-94)

Engine misfire: Intermittent rough idle and stalling upon acceleration are due to a bad ground connection for the engine-control computer. (1993)

Information stickers/paperwork: Replacement Vehicle Emission Control Information decals should be on top of the original. (1993)

Manual transmission: Hard shifting and gear clash can be eliminated by installing revised synchronizers. (1991)

Suspension noise: The front stabilizer ball joint is prone to premature wear causing a rattling noise while driving. (1992-93)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

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.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$915

Alternator	$770

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$960

Brakes	$260

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$475

Constant Velocity Joints	$710

Exhaust System	$500

Radiator	$390

Shocks and/or Struts	$700

Timing Chain or Belt	$165

NHTSA Recall History

1992-93: Automatic seatbelt system may fail to operate correctly during crash.

1993-94 w/AWD: Lockup of transfer case can occur.

1992-1994 Plymouth Colt Vista Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1992
Colt Vista	$1,000-1,300	$600-800	$100

1993
Colt Vista	$1,100-1,400	$700-900	$100-200

1994
Colt Vista	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200

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.

1992-1994 Plymouth Colt Vista Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	99.2

Overall Length, in.	168.5

Overall Width, in.	66.7

Overall Height, in.	62.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	2723

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	79.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.5

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	40.0

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	40.8

Rear Head Room, in.	38.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.1

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Base-model Colt Vistas used a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with a single-overhead camshaft, producing 113 horsepower. A bigger (2.4-liter) 4-cylinder went into the 1992-94 Colt Vista SE model, and also the '94 AWD. That engine might have been installed in a base Colt Vista, or earlier AWD, as an option. Any model might have either a 5-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed automatic.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc I4	1.8 / 112	113	116	5-speed manual: 24/29 4-speed automatic: 24/29	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 24.3

ohc I4	2.4 / 143	116-136	136/145	5-speed manual: 22/27 4-speed automatic: 20/26	5-speed manual: 25.1 4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1993 Colt Vista

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Japan

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive

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Also in the 1992-1994 Plymouth Colt Vista Review:

Plymouth Colt Vista

Plymouth Colt Vista Road Test

Plymouth Colt Vista Reliability

Plymouth Colt Vista Prices

Plymouth Colt Vista Specs & Safety

Plymouth Colt Vista Photos

Plymouth Colt Vista Full Review