I was just recently in northern Georgia to visit my in-laws, a trip I know routinely make by car a few times each year. Somewhere south of Richmond, there’s a small farmstead near the highway with two Aires wagons and at least two more sedans parked on the property. It’s clear someone there was a big fan of the classic K-car, even if it looks like they haven’t moved in years. This clean 1988 Dodge Aires Wagon is in a far better state, having been actively used by the seller’s 100-year-old mother until recently. Find it here on craigslist for $6,500.
The Aires is located near Cumming, Georgia, and thanks goes out to Barn Finds reader SD-KC for the find. The Aires was always a bit of a joke in the movies and on sitcoms, but truth be told, it was a truly decent car that played a significant role in Chrysler’s fortunes during some very dark days. The platform offered the company a truly versatile mid-sized sedan that while not known for being exceptional at any one thing, was a solid all-rounder. In wagon form like this one, it was an excellent commuter that could actually haul a thing or two.
The seller’s mother clearly had pride in ownership, because the Aires looks fantastic inside and out. The navy blue upholstery and carpeting shows surprisingly few flaws, and it reminded me of my own mother’s car, a 1997 Honda CRV, that has a near-perfect interior just like this. The seller reports that the Aires is a one-family-owned car and that’s it’s never been driven in winter conditions or anywhere up north, so you won’t find any ugly corrosion underneath. The A/C works and benefits from a new compressor and drier.
The Dodge’s thrifty four-cylinder engine is said to run well, and the same goes for the automatic transmission. The seller reports no issues with accelerating up to highway speeds, and includes a video link that proves as much. The engine bay is nicely detailed, although the seller contends the carpets could stand to be shampooed. New hatch struts were recently installed, and the rear seats fold with ease for extra cargo space. There aren’t too many Aires wagons left like this, and this one looks like one of the best unrestored examples we’ve seen.
Let the K car trashing begin,,,not from me, however. I, and millions of others, thought the K car, and all it’s variations, was as important as the Model T, it changed transportation of the masses forever. After the old man burned out his Pinto rebuilders, the K cars became his next choice. They too, like the Pinto, were a dime a dozen and good sellers. While he didn’t do near as many K cars and vans as Pintos, he did a few, and rebuilt a lightly damaged Aries wagon( always front end damage and quickly totaled) like this was one. I took my family to Fl. ( from Wis) in it and it performed flawlessly. Got great mileage, relatively comfortable, it did a great job. The K car had big shoes to fill in a changing American scene, but I think, they got everything right, and kicked the imports square in the gut, Iacoccas plan all along. I swear, that guy should have run for president. Super find here, they were great cars that few kept.
Love it! Pricey for what it is, but if you want a clean and original car from your youth that looks like it will not need much work maybe it’s close to a good deal.
Sold already? The posting is gone.
It’s probably the LAST ONE, FOLKS. so it should be crushed 🤣
Not so fast. :) We have one! A1989 Aries LE sedan, medium blue. I don’t know why people trash the car that, along with its sister the Plymouth Reliant, helped save Chrysler. Over the years, we’ve had compliments from people in parking lots, waiters, cowboys, mechanics whenever we took it in for service. Bright-eyed, happy faces, like seeing an old friend, and usually a story ending with: “Wish I’d kept it,” Not every valuable car is a sports model or a PU. Life and family happen and our K car was there every time. So proud of her.
About a year ago I saw one identical to this one in
Salem,VA.Caught my eye as you rarely see them in this
condition anymore.
Aries, not aires
Buenos Aires!
The astrological name for the Ram, a recurring theme from Dodge since the Red Ram engine of the 1950s.
A few years ago, I tried to buy one at an auction. I figured it could go as far as $1500 (no safety, sold under a red light for an undeclared issue). Ended up at $3500 and the buyer would have gone higher (remember, this was an almost 30 yr old car). The wagons always seemed to retain a good percentage on resale (relative to the sedans). Not spectacular or flashy but a sensible pair of shoes.
We had a four door Plymouth Reliant. It went 180,000 miles with minimal repairs. The paint scabbed over early on and Chrysler would not fix it. It was still a product of the 55 MPH speed limit era. My mom got it up to 90 once that was a SCARY ride…..
The CL ad has been pulled.
If not that it is a wagon, it looks like the Mercedes 190 on this email…..LOL
When I took drivers education in high school this is what they had for the instructor vehicle. The only modification was the instructor had a brake pedal on the drinker side. I can remember 4 of us being in the car going up a hill and the instructor saying more power more power and my foot was to the floor.Now you crest the hill and you’re going to fast.
I never thought of the passenger being on the drinker side,but it is a good one. We have one out back in maroon color . With the mitisbushi (I was only guessing the spelling) motor in it. . The rubber hoses should be check all the time for leaks.Going to the carb. They will crack and cause a fire. Happened to mom and sisters. Luck would have it.The fire department was just down the road a little ways. I did have to replace all the hoses.This is a nice little car.
I had this Aries wagon in 1985 put a ton of miles on it the engine was very reliable, however, the brakes were weak.
Back in the day did fly to Calif., rented a car, got one of these. Drove it for over aa week, when I turned it in needed the brakes adjusted. It was comforable, got great milage, had enought leg room for me. Nice veicle
The K cars were very significant. The platform ushered in the modern minivan which despite the soccer mom stigma is still one of the best ways to haul people and stuff.
Considering GM’s flop of the X cars these were truely trendesetting.
remember with K Cars there would have been no Shelby’s in the 80’s and maybe none after, and those cars hauled for that time period, they helped keep the hot hatch movement going too.
The Shelby Charger and GLH were great examples of parts bin engineering. Suspension, struts, brakes etc. were all K-car. When I met him in 89, he said that the GLH was more the successor to the original Shelby Mustang than any other car because it was built like a hot rod. No unobtainium, just find a better part as cheaply as you can that fits.
Once my father retired and quit getting fancy Chrysler’s from the company, he scored one of the early wagons. This was the plain Jane super striped model with a 2.4 (I think) and a 4 speed floor shift with a bench seat. He drove this car as his 60 miles a day route car. He loved it, am radio and all. It got great mileage and never left him stranded. I’ve been a Volvo wagon guy for 50+ years and to me, it looked just like a scaled up 145, and later a 745. All three solid wagons that we both enjoyed.
Had a 1989 Aries that I called my super-car. During a snow storm in upstate NY, I had to pick up my daughter from work at the grocery store.The snow plows gave up plowing because it was coming down faster then they could keep up with the snow. I left the house and was pushing snow up to the top of the hood, but I got to the store and returned back home with no problem. the next day at work I opened the hood and all you could see was the fan belt turning. Yet the car ran w/o any problems.Give me an Aries anyday. That car was amazing.
I gave my (now) wife one of the first production models off our fleet to drive to Montreal in the winter. Half way there, something in the engine froze up (probably a buildup of slush/snow) leaving her and a few elderly relatives stranded overnight. Next day, it was fine and we never had a similar problem with any 2.2 powered car..
It has Chrysler’s logo!
Not the one of Dodge!