1993-1994 Dodge Colt Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

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

1993-1994 Dodge Colt Review

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.

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.

1993-1994 Dodge Colt Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Rear-seat room

Maneuverability (some models)	Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)

Antilock brakes (optional 4-doors)	Road noise

	Engine noise

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.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

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:	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.

1993-1994 Dodge Colt 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 backwards after a transmission rebuild resulting in third-gear starts. (1994)

Automatic transmission: An accelerator switch that is out of adjustment causes harsh coast-down downshifts. (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

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.

1993-1994 Dodge Colt Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1993
Colt	$1,000-1,400	$600-800	$100

1994
Colt	$1,100-1,500	$700-900	$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.

1993-1994 Dodge Colt Specs & Safety

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	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	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.

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%. 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-wheel drive

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Also in the 1993-1994 Dodge Colt Review:

Dodge Colt

Dodge Colt Road Test

Dodge Colt Reliability

Dodge Colt Prices

Dodge Colt Specs & Safety

Dodge Colt Photos

Dodge Colt Full Review