Opinions on 05 Dodge Stratus

[TWilkening]

I'll be starting a new job next week that's about 45 miles away. So I'm looking for a good car to save on fuel. Our local Dodge store has an 05 Stratus SXT for sale. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these, good or bad. I tried out an 05 Neon. I thought it was a decent car, but not enough leg room for me, as I'm 6 foot tall. Any and all opinions are appreciated.



Rüber und heraus



TW

 

[OKish]

i woul personally stay away from dodge auto's. try out the toyota, nissan, or honda dealer.

 

[scootergmc]

We have a Stratus at work. It's a pile. But it's a little older than an '05. Get yourself a good Japanese auto...

 

[TWilkening]

The only problem with a Japanese car is that I have to drive an hour and a half to get parts for the dumb thing. There is a Dodge and a Ford dealer real close, and I definitely ain't buying a Ford. What kind of transmission problems do these cars have? I was raised GM, but I've heard to newer GM cars having transmission problems.

 

[RustyJC]

The only problem with a Japanese car is that I have to drive an hour and a half to get parts for the dumb thing.

I've owned two Hondas - actually a Honda Civic Si and an Acura 3. 2TL-S. Don't worry about buying parts. Other than filters, I've never had to buy a part for either one. :-laf



Rusty

 

[scootergmc]

I've had a Civic and a Corolla. The only things you need are oil and air filters.

 

[wcaldwell]

We've had a 99 Stratus V6 for 6+ years now. Dealer replaced heater blower motor and front transmission seal under warranty. I replaced the power steering belt, serpentine belt, brakes, tires, and alternator. Car has more than 160k on it and still has the original shocks and runs fantastic. Daughter has it now and loves it. Other than that one front seal, we've never had any transmission problems. If the newer ones are as good as this one was, I'd buy another one.



Wayne

 

[1stgen4evr]

Question for wcaldwell. Is the v6 by any chance the 2. 7?



I am currently working on several Intrepids that have that engine. There are a lot of problems showing up with the 2. 7s. My first connection with the 2. 7 was when my sons 99 Intrepid died an early death. He repaired it with me looking over his shoulder and drove it on a good while. In fact it will still run and will most likely be the grand daughters first car. Since then I have bought one for my wife and have bought three more off eBay for near nothing price. They can be maintained and driven for a long time and there will never be a cheaper car to own than what you can get by repairing a dead one. If you are a good mechanic and want the challange, you can have a nice car for 2 grand that will run 100k miles. BUT!!!!!!! Don't jump on one without doing your homework first.



Prior to owning the 98 and up Intrepids, I have driven the older Intrepids with 3. 3 engines. 180k miles plus and minor problems. And a fraction of the cost of Jap cars.



James

 

[TWilkening]

The one I'm looking at has a 4 banger in it.

 

[Alphacowboy]

I had a 98 Stratus, had it for 1 yr or more, never had a lick of problems with it. Ran very well, and never had any warranty work on it. Only reason I dumped it was for a Pickup

 

[wcaldwell]

Ours has the 2. 5 Mitsubishi V6. That little thing screams and will really scoot. I really would like to find another one and adapt that V6 to a Dakota transmission and mount them both in my '36 Hudson Terraplane. The Stratus weighs around 3k as does my Hudson. Would make a great combination.



Wayne