1993-1994 Dodge Colt: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1993-1994 Dodge Colt and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Fuel economy
- Antilock brakes (optional 4-doors)
- Maneuverability (some models)
Cons
- Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)
- Road noise
- Engine noise
- Rear-seat room
Vehicle Highlights
Marketed under a trio of names, the Mitsubishi-built subcompact was redesigned for 1993. The Mitsubishi Mirage and Eagle Summit are similar. A 2-door coupe replaced the prior hatchback, augmented by a 4-door sedan. Wheelbases grew two inches. Head and leg room shrunk slightly. Rear leg room in the 2-door was about an inch shorter than before, and an inch longer in the 4-door. Base and GL Colts went on sale. Two overhead-cam 4-cylinder engines were available: a 1.5-liter and a 16-valve, 113-horsepower, 1.8-liter for 4-door models. Five-speed manual shift was standard; 3- or 4-speed automatic either standard or optional depending on model. Antilock brakes now were available, and were an option on GL 4-doors.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Dodge Colt ES 2-door 1.5-liter 5-speed Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 35 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1993-1994 Dodge Colt. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1993-1994 Dodge Colt.
Year to Year Changes
1994 Dodge Colt:
A driver-side airbag went into 1994 Colts, front passengers kept the motorized shoulder belt with a manual lap belt. Two-door models got a new fascia, and the ES 4-door gained monochromatic paint for bumpers and lower body moldings. ES models got the 1.8-liter engine, which was newly optional for the ES 2-door. Dodge/Plymouth dropped the Colt after 1994, to concentrate on the new Neon.
Our road test for the 1993-1994 Dodge Colt includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1993-1994 Dodge Colt and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1993-1994 Dodge Colt is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Acceleration with the 1.5-liter engine is modest, and passing power with an automatic transmission is meager. The 1.8-liter 4-doors are discernibly quicker with either transmission, and their wider tires (optional on 2-door models) deliver better control in turns. You get a supple ride (for a subcompact), but to attain any degree of proficient handling, Colts must have the larger (14-inch) wheels and tires. Power steering was an option in 1993, and standard only on 4-doors in '94. Many drivers will be unhappy without that power assist, because parking can demand quite a bit of muscle with manual steering. Antilock braking is appealing, but was available only on top models. Lightweight construction filters out little road or engine noise. Dashboards are logically arranged, and all controls move with pleasing smoothness. Thin roof pillars allow excellent over-the-shoulder visibility. Cupholders, map pockets, and storage bins provide extra utility. Interior space is right on target for the car's class: good in front, but cramped out back. Access to the back seat is difficult on 2-doors, and sedans suffer small rear-door openings. Trunks are modest in size, but the lid opens wide.
Value for the Money
Friendly in manner and in cost, this Colt is worth a look among the crop of entry-level subcompacts, including the Toyota Tercel and entry-level Saturn.
Friendly in manner and in cost, this Colt is worth a look among the crop of entry-level subcompacts, including the Toyota Tercel and entry-level Saturn.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Dodge Colt ES 2-door 1.5-liter 5-speed Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 35 |
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.
Our reliability study for this generation Dodge Colt includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Dodge Colt .
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:
An accelerator switch that is out of adjustment causes harsh coast-down downshifts. (1994)
Automatic transmission:
The pulse generator often gets installed backwards after a transmission rebuild resulting in third-gear starts. (1994)
Engine misfire:
Intermittent rough idle and stalling upon acceleration due to a bad ground connection for the engine control computer. (1993)
Transmission leak:
The transmission cooler hoses are prone to leaking, which can result in transmission failure. (1993)
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 | $725 |
| Alternator | $685 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $825 |
| Brakes | $215 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $475 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $545 |
| Exhaust System | $405 |
| Radiator | $355 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $565 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $190 |
Our price chart for this generation Dodge Colt details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1994 | |||
| Colt | $1,100-1,400 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1993 | |||
| Colt | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
|
|
|||
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.
Specs for this generation Dodge Colt include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door coupe | 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 96.1 | 98.4 |
| Overall Length, in. | 171.1 | 174.0 |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.1 | 66.1 |
| Overall Height, in. | 51.4 | 51.4 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2085 | 2195 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 13.2 | 13.2 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.6 | 38.6 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.9 | 42.9 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.4 | 36.2 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 31.1 | 33.5 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Colts might have either a 1.5-liter or 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, the latter producing 21 more horsepower. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard (mandatory on 2-doors). Two automatic transmissions were available: a 3-speed for GL 2-doors and base 4-doors, and a 4-speed that was used with the optional 1.8-liter engine.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I4 | 1.5 / 90 | 92 | 93 | 5-speed manual: 32/39 3-speed automatic: 28/32 |
5-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc I4 | 1.8 / 112 | 113 | 116 | 5-speed manual: 26/33 4-speed automatic: 26/33 |
5-speed manual: 27.1 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Dodge Colt include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1993 Colt |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 3 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
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%. Sideimpact 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%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1993-1994 Dodge Colt directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1993:
Excess lubrication can cause rubber door latch switch cover to deform, and switch to malfunction; shoulder-belt anchorage may remain at A-pillar when car door is closed.
1993:
Over time, abrading force on the lower edges of the chamber for the moving cable that controls driver's shoulder belt may be sufficient to allow cable to drop; could cause shoulder-belt anchorage to become stuck.
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