1993-1994 Plymouth Colt Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

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

1993-1994 Plymouth Colt Review

Built by Mitsubishi in Japan, the Plymouth version was virtually identical to the Colt sold at Dodge dealers, and were related to the Mitsubishi Mirage and the Eagle Summit.The front-drive Colt now came in 2- and 4-door notchback body styles. Each body style came in base or GL trim. Standard engine for the 2-door notchback and the base-model 4-door sedan was a 92-horsepower, 1.5-liter 4-cylinder. Optional on base sedans and standard on GL sedans was a 113-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder. Base coupes came only with 5-speed manual, but others could have a 3-speed automatic with the smaller engine, or a 4-speed unit with the 1.8-liter engine. Antilock disc brakes were optional, but only on the GL 4-door sedan.

Year to Year Changes

1994 Plymouth Colt: A driver-side airbag went into 1994 Colts. That revision also included the addition of a manual 3-point seatbelt and a height adjustment for the driver. A motorized shoulder belt with a manual lap belt remained for the front passenger. The 1.8-liter engine was now an option for the 2-door Colt GL, and standard in all 4-door sedans.

1993-1994 Plymouth Colt Road Test

Pros	Cons

Optional antilock brakes	Rear-seat room

Fuel economy	Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Acceleration with the 1.5-liter engine is modest. Passing power with the automatic transmission is rather meager as well. With either transmission, the 1.8-liter 4-doors are discernably quicker. Also, their wider tires (which were optional on 2-doors) provide better control through turns. Dashboards are logically laid out, and all controls move with a satisfying smoothness. Thin roof pillars permit excellent visibility. Welcome conveniences include cup holders, map pockets, and storage bins. As for interior space, 6-footers can expect just enough head clearance. Space is sufficient for adult-sized feet in the back, but rear head and knee room is tight. The trunk is modest in size, but has a useful cubic shape. Although the trunklid opens wide, the intrusive taillights and high rear fascia make loading a bit of a burden.

Value for the Money
Friendly both in everyday manner and in price, Colts should be considered by anyone shopping for an older subcompact. Differences between the two Colts and their Mitsubishi/Eagle relatives are mostly negligible, apart from engine availability.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Plymouth Colt GL 2-door 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 Plymouth 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 backward 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)

Automatic transmission: No second gear and/or a loud tapping noise when shifted into or out of any forward range. (1993-94)

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: Due to abrasion of cable, driver's shoulder-belt anchorage could become stuck.

1993: Shoulder-belt anchorage may remain at A-pillar when car door is closed.

1993-1994 Plymouth Colt Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1993
Colt	$1,000-1,300	$600-800	$100

1994
Colt	$1,100-1,400	$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 Plymouth 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

Two engines were available in Colts: a 1.5-liter 4 cylinder that produced 92 horsepower, and a 1.8-liter that developed 113 horsepower. The larger engine went into 4-door GL models in 1993 (all 4-doors in '94), and could be installed in the 2-door GL in 1994. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard; 3-speed automatic optional (except on base coupes) with the smaller engine; 4-speed automatic available with the 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: 33.1

ohc I4	1.8 / 112	113	116	5-speed manual: 26/33 4-speed automatic: 26/33	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 24.3

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

< 1993-1994 Plymouth Colt Photos

1993-1994 Plymouth Colt Local Listings >

Also in the 1993-1994 Plymouth Colt Review:

Plymouth Colt

Plymouth Colt Road Test

Plymouth Colt Reliability

Plymouth Colt Prices

Plymouth Colt Specs & Safety

Plymouth Colt Photos

Plymouth Colt Full Review