Dodge Aries K or Plymouth Horizon?

Question

My grandfather currently owns a 1984 Dodge Aries K 2 door. It has 54,000 miles. It has a blown head gasket, which is a decent sized repair. I started buying some parts for it, but it seems like such a daunting task. I am at the same time looking at a 1990 Plymouth Horizon. It is rust free (the Aries has a fair amount of rust), but needs struts all around, a speedometer servo, and a horn relay. Has some new tires. The car is $500. The head gasket parts cost about $200. What is anyone's opinion on what I should do? I am probably going to go with the Aries since it's been in the family for its entire life, but the Horizon is tempting!

Answer 1

Neither is up there with a Ferrari or anything, but my dad had an Aries that he put over 150,000 mi. on and did nothing more than change the oil. ( every 10,000, btw)  An acquaintence of mine had a horizon that lasted 45,000 before it started falling apart.  Given the two, the Areis. After all, the K car is what saved Chrysler way back when.

Answer 2

wow, not much to choose from there, both cars were horrid.

I'd take the Horizon

Answer 3

Well, you might get a lot of teasing on here, but I can tell you that they are both decent cars for their purpose. I would absolutely choose the Horizon though. It was a well built innovative car and can be quite fun to drive. Definitely worth fixing. It may need a few more things repaired after you get it running, but I like them a lot. They caused a sensation when they came out.  

Answer 4

I had 3 horizions , if i could find another for $500 I would buy it , mine got almost 400 miles a tank everytime , and they ran forever  

Answer 5

I guess either beats walking.....are you familiar with replacing a head gasket?