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Dodge Stratus

489 messages,  Last post on Oct 02, 2012 at 3:25 PM

You are in the Dodge Stratus Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Stratus, Sedan

Messages Page 10 of 50

#85 of 489 stratus ES by nmchop

May 10, 2001 (9:32 pm)

I am in the process tonight of buying the 2000
Dodge Stratus ES. I started out looking for
Dodge Dakota Trucks but after gas prices jumped, I opted for a car instead.
 
I was going to buy a Dodge Stratus SE 4 cylinder, but happened across this board and decided to take a look at the ES 6 cylinder.
 
The 2000 SE 4-cylinder was going to be $10,995. I got the 2000 ES with 18,000 miles for $12,200 and took the 7 year, 100,000 mile warranty for $1300 after reading about some concerns about reliability, I thought maybe it'd be a good idea. I hope I keep the car that long and enjoy it.
 
This one has the autostick which i will admit i know nothing about. I enjoyed it on the test drive. Does anyone have this feature? What real world use is there besides fun? I guess it'd be good like in snow, etc because you can control the power etc.
 
I wanted to thank all of your for your posts and for taking the time to let others know your experiences. It sure helps...I'll contribue once i get possesion of the car (it's dark green, i'd of preferred maroon and it doesn't have a sunroof). I sure wouldn't mind one but oh well.
 
Thanks again,
cheers.

#86 of 489 by eneth

May 11, 2001 (4:39 pm)

By 2000, the Cirrus/Stratus had a decent repair record - DaimlerChrysler had solved the head gasket problems with the 4-cylinder (2.0 and 2.4) engines. And in this model line, the 4-speed automatic hasn't been as troublesome as it has in the other, larger models (leading one to perhaps conclude that it's underengineered for duty in large vehicles like minivans and Intrepids, but OK for smaller ones where it's under a lot less stress).

#87 of 489 Just posted by pat

May 12, 2001 (1:57 pm)

in the reviews section of Edmunds.com is a Road Test of the 2001 Dodge Stratus. Here is an excerpt from editor Liz Kim's report:

    "Dodge has created a highly likeable alternative to the mega-powers who control the family sedan segment ... It's roomier and more powerful than its American brethren, and thousands less than comparatively equipped Japanese sedans."

 
Read the entire review by following the link in the Additional Resources box on the left sidebar of this page. Let us know what you think.
 
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards

#88 of 489 Re: Just posted by vlis

May 12, 2001 (5:15 pm)

A rather lukewarm review, sad to say. Too bad about the source of all those rattles. With nearly 6K on the clock, my '01 Sebring LXi sedan has been blessedly free of such annoyances. These cars deserve better.

#90 of 489 2000 stratus by nmchop

May 13, 2001 (12:20 am)

I've now got the 2000 stratus ES, i picked it up yesterday. I do miss my truck but this is a good ride. I don't have creaks and rattles which have been eluded too in that review. They also kind of layed into the radio a little, for a factory radio, i like it. I was going to get an aftermarket radio, but i've decided against it.
 
I am having a litte buyer's remorse, not with the car so much as with the extended warranty for some reason. Maybe because I have no idea if i'll keep the car that long? I got that mixed in with the car loan at the point of sale, i'm not sure if that was smart or not. Time will tell.
 
A couple of minor things to note, my windshield mister isn't working (this is a used vehicle) so i need to get that fixed. Certainly no biggy.
 
Everything else is in good order it seems. ES comes in leather (I got it for the V6 engine). I live in NM, leather isn't going to work for me in the hot summer, so i'm off to an auto parts store to get a cloth seat cover, at least until fall.
 
My back has been sore the last couple of days, i've noticed the lumbar support seems to be bothering me on the drivers side seat and doesn't seem to have an adjustment...I think my chevy truck had no to very little lumbar support and i got used to that. I've been playing with the power seat trying to get comfy.
 
Overall, this car is a looker. I like the way it performs. My issues with it have nothing to do with the car, but the fact i'm coming out of a truck and used to the view up there haha. It's going to take some time getting used to the view. I wish somehow, i could've gotten cloth interior with the V6 but i'll fix that with a $30 seat cover I guess at Autozone. Any advice on that front?
 
One other thing...on moving from a truck to the stratus. I drove it today and the gas needle never moved! YESSSSS. goal #1 accomplished.

#92 of 489 I've got six... by sp01

May 18, 2001 (10:48 am)

years and 76K miles on my ES V6, and never had an A/C stink.
 
I had an issue with my '87 Acura Legend, but that's the only car I've ever had with an A/C odor.
 
Kind of funny you mention A/Cs and extended warranties. My high-side switch went out at 72K miles. Not an expensive repair, but an annoying one timing-wise. Went out on the very day I had to make a six-hour round trip to the central valley in 100+ heat! Of course! My co-worker's Accord A/C quit at 82K, and his wife's Camry A/C went at 89K, while my sister's Accord lost it at 68K. My father's XJ6 A/C lasted 'til 124K (miracles DO happen).
 
I think it's reasonable to assume repairs will be necessary to most vehicles approching the 100K mark. Just make sure that your "warranty" doesn't exclude parts of the HVAC system!!!

#93 of 489 Head Gasket? by jrypka

May 21, 2001 (2:53 pm)

OK, so I've seen lots of people with head gasket problems, and I think mine may be going out too. People have also seemed to have some luck getting the dealership or chrysler to pay for part of the repairs. My question is, how do you go about that? I have called two dealerships, and both say that unless I have extended warranty, they won't/can't reduce the cost. What can I do?

#94 of 489 jrypka...Call a "5-Star" dealer... by phatride01

May 21, 2001 (8:11 pm)

Once you call a 5-star dealer, they should know, and if the car is within that model year, for which they "knew" about the head gaskets, they will replace it for free. A friend of mine recently had this done, after I told him about that.
 
Seems to work, lemme know what happens after calling them. Otherwise, I will ask my friend what he did to have his car's situation resolved.
 
Later,
phatride01

Messages Page 10 of 50

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