The Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon were the first subcompacts built by Chrysler in the U.S. Before the L-platform was developed, Chrysler relied on rebadged imports to do the job. Using front-wheel drive, which was also the first for Chrysler, some 2.5 million copies were built from 1978 to 1990. The seller’s Omni is from the last model year and looks like a decent survivor priced in “cheap wheels” territory. Located in Ewing, Kentucky, this latter-day Mopar is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $2,950. Our thanks go to Barn Finder “Sam61” for this econobox tip.
Lee Iacocca took over the helm at Chrysler not long after the “L-cars” were introduced. But he would get credited with the next innovation for Chrysler, the “K-cars” were compacts derived from the Omni/Horizon pairing. Together, these cars kept Chrysler afloat as they had suffered through the 1970s when the larger, gas-guzzling automobiles they sold went against the changing culture at the time. Both the Omni and Horizon used transversely mounted inline-4 engines and FWD.
We don’t know the history of this pint-sized Omni, but its indicated odometer reading of below 40,000 miles is not accurate (per CarFax). So, we don’t know if this was a little old Grandma car or something else. The 2.2-liter 4-banger should be easy on gas, but the car won’t be a rocket ship with its automatic transmission. We’re told It runs well and comes with air conditioning.
Perhaps all this Dodge needs is a little detailing to serve as a nice second or third car. When was the last time you saw a $3,000 car that was a daily driver? Considering how many of these vehicles were built, you rarely see one on the road anymore. This is a cash-only deal with no trades considered.
Used to see alot of these on the road. As Bob would say, it was a bread 🍞 and butter 🧈 model for the Dodge and Plymouth brass.
We had 3 of these. An ’83 Omni with the 1.6 and a 4 speed, and one each of a ’90 Omni and ’90 Horizon, both with 5 speeds. Some of the best cars we ever had. The ’83 was a little hard to get used to after our big ’67 Chrysler, it was kind of anemic but got 35-40 mpg on a trip. The 2 ’90’s we had were like rocketships compared to the ’83. Sadly our family outgrew the Omni’s and we then had some Caravans and Jeeps. Plus a losing battle with a Cadillac 4100.
But just a week ago I got my first PT Cruiser with a 2.4 and a 5speed. I think it’ll be just as much fun as the Omnis
A buddy of mine ( few years older than me) bought a brand new ice blue one with a 5 speed when I was in my late teens. We had a blast driving it around. These were fun cars to drive ( for an economy car) in their day. Especially with the 2.2 in the later models with a 5 speed. I’m impressed with the condition of this one, although I’m puzzed by the newer air bag steering wheel. IT’S a shame they mostly got used up and scrapped.
For 1990 only they had the airbag. My parents had an 82 w/4 speed & 90 w/5 speed. Loved the cars great when I was in college both lasted well in the 150 mile range
It’s definitely an L platform, a major L to use as a daily in 2025. Lots of better choices for a daily like an ’03-05 Honda Accord for $3k as an example. You’d have a car with 4 wheel disc brakes, better gas mileage, more HP, curtain airbags, heated seats, leather, sunroof, quiet and way more refined with its bulletproof 2.4. The Honda has a timing chain and i think these are a belt. Thats another $1.2k you’ll need to sink into this. Decent for its time but designed 50 years ago on the cheap no less. No thanks.
Honda timing chain goes you end up with bent valves and damaged pistons. 2.2 timing belt goes you replace the belt with an hour or two of labor and your good to go.
These 2 engines are not even in the same ballpark. The Honda K24 engines are extremely long lasting an durable. They are the Chevy 350 of the import world, and are even used in Indy cars. Can be tuned and take turbos. Honda makes the best for the price engines sold in the US
nothing screams im a real man like tooling around in a 4 door throwaway $hitbox
Obviously, you have never been in a pumped up Omni GLH or GLHS. I can guarantee I could get you to your destination well before you finished your rosary.
Odometer has rolled at least once and its had the front fenders replaced this would make a good little car to teach your teenagers how to drive and not rely on technology my opinion driver’s are getting worse because they are depending on the technology in the car.
I drove one of these for years with kids… great cheap ride!!
This is a lot like our ’88 America. 1990 was the only year for the airbag dashboard and steering wheel as well as the rectangular outside mirror.
Thanks for clarifying the steering wheel. I never realized they had air bags in 1990 only. I always just picture them with the 4 spoke steering wheel.
Sold them new. We had Horizon’s come in that had Omni markings on one side and Horizon on the other! Heromni’s!!
Wouldn’t be a “Horizomni” or an “Omnizon?”
The red looks nice. The 2.2 Chrysler built automatic combo was popular and an upgrade over the 1.7 offering in the early years of the model. Red dresses up the car. Air conditioning that actually works is another plus. These cars were extremely practical with their European hatchback design, good head room and small exterior to be nimble parking and driving. It was a breakthrough affordable American FWD car that helped with traction with no shade intended to the Toronado and Eldorado that popularized the setup in luxury models. What concerns me is that the mileage and provenance could not be proven.
Awesome looking car! I remember cars like this Dodge Omni and the Plymouth Horizon.
I had the exact car but was a Plymouth Horizon. Nice comfortable car for its size. The only problem was the powertrain which was V.W. that I had constant problems. The rest of it was no problems. If the powertrain would of been Plymouth then it would of had no problems at all.
Bought my wife one with the Volks engine and had no problems at all. Chrysler put their carburetor on it. The car wouldn’t quit until our daughter rear ended a Chrysler. I had to replace the brake light on the Chrysler.
A fellow named Farney had one of these when we were stationed at Ft. Lee VA in ’84. I dont remember much about the car except it had some kind of pull up handle between the front seats. He called it a power/economy handle. When pulled up it felt like it changed the gear ratio to give the car more “power”. Placed in the down position it supposedly increased the economy. Has anyone else seen one of these? I may be remembering it wrong. Could have been a button. But I believe it was a handle similar to an ebrake handle.
Right feature. Wrong car. What you recall is a twin-stick in a Dodge Colt and Plymouth Champ. Gave the transaxle two speeds, high and low, and effectively 8 speeds.
Remember the Horizon/Omni very well. Decent little cars for the money. Excellent mpg. My mom had a ’87. Friend of mine had a “two stick” Colt. Both kinda fun to bomb around in. I’d buy that one for a work commuter car, fair price
Had a ’79 Dodge Omni; great little car for 44,000 miles; threw a rod, and became scrap junk! Started my buying non-American cars.
I had one when I was a youngster I had a Plymouth Horizon 1.7 With a 4-Speed I ran it hard and it held up well The dealer said that I was the only one that they had to replace the clutch. They put a new one in and I drove that car for a long time with no other problems it took my abuse as a youngster. I now have a 1967 Plymouth GTX with 4-Speed that I baby
Yep, scrapped one of these myself. Got taken by a little old lady who was taking care of her very sick brother (met him). She swore she would send me the title when she got back to her home state after selling me this car that was in a storage lot. Never heard from her again. Was never able to obtain a title due to a lien. No good deed goes unpunished.
Yep dirty deeds done dirt cheap
Any Corolla or Civic was light years better than a Omni, Escort etc. Build quality not even comparable, but all of the crap back then evaporated in the rust belt states , worked on all of those and don’t miss any of it.
If this car has fuel injection then it would be a great car to have. I had an ’84 Horizon with the carbuerator and it never ran right – idled roughly and often stalled at stop lights. No amount of “tuning” could fix it.
Designed by Simca in the late 70s when Chrysler owned them.
i love the car alot use to have one in our family same color just the year was an 1988 omni