We have seen a few K-car wagons here on Barn Finds over the years and they may seem like throwaway cars but they’re always interesting to see. The seller has this 1988 Dodge Aries wagon posted here on craigslist in the Concord, California area just northeast of San Francisco, and they’re asking $2,500, Thanks to Pat L. for sending in this tip! Here is the original listing.
Seeing these 1980s vehicles always brings me right back to the 1980s which is both a good and a bad thing. Other than my dad dying in 1985, which was not a good memory at all, it was a great decade. I was driving a Dodge van and was a huge Chrysler products fan and I was glad to see them hang on after bankruptcy and then they started thriving with the introduction of the K-car line of vehicles.
The seller is pretty light on photos here, sadly. The photo above is the third and last exterior photo. I know. We don’t see the passenger side at all which is always super disappointing. I really don’t know what a lot of sellers are thinking when they sell a vehicle online when they don’t show big chunks of a vehicle that they’re selling, or trying to sell. You can see what appears to be some rust around the wheel well so maybe that’s what they wanted to show in that one.
The interior looks great, though, and it’s always hard to argue with a red interior for me. There is some fading on some of the bits and pieces but the seats look great. This one has the original stereo with cassette deck which is a nice retro touch.
This is where I’d normally put an engine photo but there isn’t one included in this listing so here’s a pic of the rear cargo area with the cover closed. Thanks, 2022. I believe it has a 2.5L according to the VIN and I’m guessing that it runs fine although they don’t mention that at all. They do say that it recently passed the all-important smog test. Any thoughts on this cheap hauler?
Cheap and rightfully so you are correct in saying these were / are considered throw aways
Not particularly exciting, but compared to the snearing, computer burdened vehicles nowadays, it’s cool. Plus, it’s a wagon, and any wagon made before the mid 90s is cool in my book.
How do I inquire about that Dodge Aries K wagon I’m very interested my numbers 419-206-5036
You learn something new every day. I always thought that Chrysler used their own 4 cylinder (2.2L) and a Mitsubishi 4 cylinder (2.6L). I was not aware of the 2.5 L. Was the 2.5 related to the 2.2 or 2.6?
My 85 Lancer had the same red interior. The exterior was a burgundy red though.
The 2.5 was a 2.5 with a longer stroke. Not as high winding, but an over all better driving engine as it had more useable low end grunt. These with a 5 speed were a very nice engine.
The 2.2-based 2.5 basically replaced the Mitsu-sourced 2.6 in Chrysler-built vehicles. Good point about the 5 speed, when Regular Car Reviews sampled one with an auto he said the torque converter eats so much power it comes back for seconds.
My family owned three Reliants – an ‘84 and ‘87 sedan, and an ‘85 wagon. Slow, boxy, and unexciting…but they were relatively sturdy and easy to fix when something did go wrong. Got between 8 and 14 years out of them without any major breakdowns or failures. Interesting to see one with power door locks too.
While lacking in some aspects such as handling, once they got past issues with the MCA motors and Chrysler components…just never quite clicked…the introduction of the fuel injected 2.2 along with upgraded suspension made for a much more economical and reliable car. The oversteer never got corrected, but for their time and perhaps up to 20 years later… a good value.
That’s down right cheap transportation in today’s crazy high resale car prices.
In some ways it is an ideal car. Minimal money to own and run. Use it for around town and keep your nice car out of the parking lots and away from the scratches and dings. If you get 2 years out of it you’d have no read on to complain. And since it’s an 80s car you can show up at Cars and Coffee too.
Unfortunately it and I are on opposite coasts.
Just re-read my post. “no reason to complain” makes a bit more sense.
These get amazing fuel mileage, 40 to 50 mpg depending how heavy your foot is. With that comfy velour interior you can take it anywhere. Complete dinosaur, but that’s why it’s cool.
With all due respect, junkman, no way did these cars get that kind of gas mileage. That’s VW diesel territory. These cars got lower-30s mpg AT BEST with a 5-speed, mid-20s if you were lucky, with the power-sapping automatic.
I actually just bought this car for my mom. We live in California so it was a 7 hour drive she now owns it. Be happy you didn’t buy the car. The owner wasn’t even the person to sell it he had his friend do it. We showed up theres a dent on the passenger side the passenger mirror was broken they lied about the mileage saying there was 119, 000 when in fact there was 140,000. The tires were so bad and dry roted and dangerous to drive on all are being replaced once the new tirea arrive we bought the car 4 days ago. Its a miracle we made it home even. It needs breaks and new struts as well. Its not in the condition they present. Looks can be deceiving the owner lied to us said the dodge is in good condition I even asked him about the cars tires before we arrived he claimed everything was great. We almost lost two tires on the way home everything wasn’t great on that car. The owner couldn’t be honest and tell us everything wrong. We’re fixing her up and getting her back to new. The car wasn’t worth 2500 dollars trust me its in my driveway. I can share pictures with this group. I just don’t wanna see someone get screwed how my mom and I did which is why I’m sharing our experience. The owner hid the fact that its mirror was bad on the passenger side it had a dent in the passenger side, tires were shot it need breaks and struts. We could see the tire issue dent and mirror. Didnt know struts were bad nor breaks but found out after having the car looked at by two places.
Sorry to hear that. This is a good reminder to always have a car inspected before buying it.
I had an 87 with a automatic. 22-24 around town, 28 Max highway.
My Buddy had a diesel escort at the time, my car was faster, but he got 51mpg on his trips to Duluth.
You want to talk computer burdon Nolan,try to get ecm,ecu,or Brain,as people called back in day,for your 88 Aries SW.
When i used to pump gas ⛽️ id chat up the mechanic from the garage ” hows business.” He responded thank God for front wheel drive Chryslers “
I swear my 85 Lancer helped put several mechanics’ kids through college. LOL
I had one of these. I did NOTHING to it and it was unstoppable. I was late to an event and I had the hammer down. Smoke started pouring out of the dash on the highway. I thought it was dead. I pulled over and all looked good, I never figured out why it did that but it never failed me again. EVER ! And Im a Ford guy
I had one of these. I did NOTHING to it and it was unstoppable. I was late to an event and I had the hammer down. Smoke started pouring out of the dash on the highway. I thought it was dead. I pulled over and all looked good, I never figured out why it did that but it never failed me again. EVER ! And Im a Ford guy
Throw away cars. Check. Always interesting. Not. If I owned it I’d sell it too.
I love old station wagons…even K-car wagons!
Would b great for a teens first car, gutless
Long roofs forever!
This was the Last year for the wagon. Maybe why it is laded with nice options. There are very few of these left anywhere! I had a buddy who bought the five speed version of this new and had great service. Note it has a Dash with even a Tach! and the high end radio option. The Dodge version of the K Lebaron K wagon. Nice antique cruiser / tour car. I bought a first year wagon – 1981 in the late 1980s. Had the stock 4 speed. A Dodge collector friend still has it as he likes first year stuff. The rear spring rates were like marshmallows. I swapped in some Corvair Sedan springs.
Some KYB gas socks and it just looked good and rode good. So this 88 has all the improvements and refinements they did to them, Yeah. I am in Maryland so too far for me.
There is a 4 door sedan k car on BAT with 29k miles showing for $5100 bucks
I love it and the price is right! I’ll try contacting the guy shortly!
I recall the inlaws had these thing’s….The one had hemi badges on it too.
If it wasn’t the other side of the country I would definitely consider it to replace my quickly dying 99 Accord as my winter roller.
They were a great car and saved Chrysler. They are on par with the Beetle or Mini as a cheap semi disposable car. The Mini and Beetle became icons and the K series never got that kind of love. I owned one and thought it a boring stodgy car.
Years later and in reflection it was comfortable reliable and an extremely good value vehicle.
I had a four door sedan model. Comfortable, 25 mpg town, crossed nice on the highway, nice comfortable seats!
Loved it! This would be cool to pull the two dirtbikes and go riding!!!!!
My gfs mom bought us the ever popular light blue Aries. It was an ’86. The first year if the “rounded” off model. It was very cheap to run as I had to drive from St. Catharines to Kitchener every morning for work. And I didn’t have to use my whole paycheck for gas. It was so comfortable I sometimes found myself falling asleep on the 401. Great car!
I hear there is a person named Guy Coulombe that is the K-Car Guru! He says that there are only three of these rare models left in the entire world.
https://jesda.com/2017/09/19/chrysler-k-car-club-president-faces-legal-trouble/
I would be interested in knowing how that claim can be verified, and on what evidence he bases the claim.
And after checking the link, I say the guy needs to be locked up, even if only for his own safety.
This is the first car I ever drove…legally. Same color and all. In my mid-life crisis I want it! Anyone willing to buy and donate it to a disabled guy?
-Scott