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101 Cars: Dodge Aries
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com   
06/01/2008
Charlotte, North Carolina
 
The Chrysler Life-Saver. (Photo: AbbySenior.com) ยป More Photos

The ads and commercials said, "The K-cars are coming! The K-cars are coming!" And that they did. There are few cars that can save a company; many have tried, most have failed. But the much-anticipated, front-wheel-drive K-car - wonder of mediocrity that it was - did just that. Chrysler was on the brink of financial ruin and needed honest, profitable cars that got good gas mileage. The Aries (and its virtually identical cousin, the Plymouth Reliant) were just that. There was a two-door, a four-door, and a wagon; all were powered by four-cylinder engines, and they represented a return to the honest transportation values established by the Didge Dart and Plymouth Valiant of the 1960s. To drive, they are as boring as hospital food, and build quality was nothing to sing about. But they were inexpensive and sold huge. There was a family in Southern California that bought a dozen of them. The K-car platform ultimately spawned other Dodge, Plymouth, and several Chrysler models, including the compact Omni and Horizon, a convertible, and even a stretch limo. There were turbocharged performance versions too. Had there not been an Aries and Reliant, we might not have a Chrysler around to talk about, Diamler or otherwise.

Specifications
Engine: 2.2-liter inline four
Horsepower: 82 (base engine, 1981)
0–60 mph: 13 seconds
Top Speed: 105 miles per hour
Price New: $5,880
Value Now: $1,000 and up. Nice drivers in the $1,500-$2,000 range.
Dodge Aries Photos




Claim to Fame

Helped Chrysler avoid bankruptcy. Again.


Soundtrack

"Age of Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In" (Aries, get it?) by The Fifth Dimension


Perfect Passenger

Just your family


Behind the Wheel
Many have rusted away. Scour California for them at pocket-change prices.


Did You Know?
There was a K-based Dodge Spirit R/T version sold in 1991 and 1992 that had a turbo, a Lotus cylinder head, and 224 horsepower.


The Perfect Drive
To church and back. No need to get crazy.



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