1993-1996 Eagle Summit Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

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

1993-1996 Eagle Summit Review

Summits are nearly identical to the Dodge/Plymouth Colt and the Mitsubishi Mirage, and all three were redesigned for 1993. A 2-door notchback body style replaced the prior hatchback, augmented by a 4-door notchback. Wheelbases grew by two inches, and the new 2-door was a foot longer than its predecessor. Head room and rear leg room shrunk slightly. DL and ES editions were marketed by Jeep-Eagle dealers. Two engines were available: a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder and an optional 113-horsepower, 1.8-liter four (standard in the top 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 as an option on upper (ES) 4-doors. All Summits were equipped with motorized front shoulder belts.

Year to Year Changes

1994 Eagle Summit: A driver-side airbag went into 1994 models, but front passengers retained a motorized seatbelt. The 1.8-liter engine was now standard in both the LX and ES sedan, and newly optional in the ES 2-door. Power steering became standard on all 4-door sedans, but it was part of an option package for the ES 2-door.

1995 Eagle Summit: A passenger-side airbag joined in 1995, with a manual 3-point seatbelt. Base DL 2-doors came only with the 1.5-liter engine and 5-speed manual shift. The ESi (formerly ES) 2-door offered an optional 3-speed automatic transmission with its 1.5-liter engine. The available 113-horsepower, 1.8-liter four could have either 5-speed manual shift or 4-speed automatic.

1996 Eagle Summit: Little change was evident, except for new colors and interior fabrics.

1993-1996 Eagle Summit Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Rear-seat room

Maneuverability	Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)

Antilock brakes (optional, some models)	Engine and road noise

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

You get a supple ride for a subcompact, but for handling proficiency you need a model with 14-inch wheels and tires (which were standard on the ES 4-door, and optional on other models). Interior space is about on par for the subcompact class. That means roomy enough up front, but fairly cramped in the backseat. These notchbacks are less noisy and feel more solid. However, cargo space was better with the old hatchback. Also, the lightweight construction filters out little road and engine noise. Acceleration with the base 1.5-liter engine is modest, even with manual shift. Passing power with an automatic transmission is meager. The 1.8-liter 4-doors are quicker with either transmission, and their wider tires deliver better control. Later coupes might also have that bigger engine, and are worth looking for. The addition of airbags in 1994 and '95 was considered an important safety advance, but antilock braking was available only on top sedans.

Value for the Money
Summits and their Colt/Mirage mates might not match the refinement of a Honda Civic or Geo Prizm, but they cost markedly less as secondhand automobiles. For that reason alone, they're worth a look.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Eagle Summit ES 2-door 1.5-liter	Rating

Performance	3

Fuel Economy	7

Ride Quality	4

Steering/Handling/Braking	3

Quietness	3

Controls/Materials	4

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	2

Cargo Capacity	3

Value within Class	4

Total:	37

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.

1993-1996 Eagle Summit 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: Hard shifting and gear clash can be eliminated by installing revised synchronizer components. (1993)

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)

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)

Fuel pump: The filter in the fuel tank is prone to clogging. (1993-95)

Hard starting: Hard starting caused by neutral safety switch for the transmission that goes out of adjustment. (1993-94)

Suspension noise: Front springs make popping noise due to spring vibrations. (1993-94)

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	$835

Alternator	$685

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$960

Brakes	$260

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$475

Constant Velocity Joints	$750

Exhaust System	$390

Radiator	$415

Shocks and/or Struts	$745

Timing Chain or Belt	$250

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.

1993-96: Transfer case can lock up due to insufficient lubrication.

1993-1996 Eagle Summit Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

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

1994
Summit	$1,100-1,500	$700-900	$100-200

1995
Summit	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200

1996
Summit	$1,400-1,800	$900-1,200	$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.

1993-1996 Eagle Summit 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	38.4

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

Base models and many upper-level Summits carried a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, rated at 92 horsepower. A 1.8-liter four, developing 113 horsepower, was optional in the DL 4-door and standard in the ES 4-door. By 1994, the larger engine also was optional in the ESi coupe, and standard in both sedans, with either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic. The 3-speed automatic was used only for the 1.5-liter base 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: 27.1

ohc I4	1.8 / 112	113	166	5-speed manual: 26/33 4-speed automatic: 26/33	5-speed manual: 28.5 4-speed automatic: --

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

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1996 Summit

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	3

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 1993-1996 Eagle Summit Review:

Eagle Summit

Eagle Summit Road Test

Eagle Summit Reliability

Eagle Summit Prices

Eagle Summit Specs & Safety

Eagle Summit Photos

Eagle Summit Full Review