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Wagons Dodge Magnum Dodge Magnum Test Drive - What Did You Think?
30 messages, Last post on Apr 05, 2008 at 11:45 AM
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Replying to: foureyes3 (Oct 24, 2004 5:57 pm) |
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Replying to: tlk (Oct 25, 2004 6:09 am)
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Replying to: foureyes3 (Oct 25, 2004 11:22 am) |
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Replying to: foureyes3 (Oct 25, 2004 11:22 am)
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Replying to: elviswhite (Oct 26, 2004 12:05 pm) |
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I'm in the market for a wagon, minivan, or midsize SUV to replace my 15-yr old Chevy Caprice wagon. Unlike a lot of people on this board, I'm not into cars for performance or sexiness; only for comfort, driveability, (seldom-used) cargo capacity, and long term economy. The Magnum looked great at the dealership and was very nice on the short dealer test ride. So I arranged to rent one from Enterprise at Dulles airport (not easy to find one; even harder to reserve one). Drove it 250 miles over every kind of road from interstate to mountain gravel with hairpin curves. With my lady driving, I tried out the passenger and rear seats. Here is my take on it. Model: SE with 2.7L engine and few options. Mileage: 15,000 Me: 6'-2"; 35" inseam; 180lbs. Seating comfort: sit high. Lumbar support is great. Leg room is fantastic on pass side, vg on driver side even w/o adj peds. Driving comfort: excellent w tilt / telescope wheel. (I consider this feature the best engineering idea ever developed for long legged drivers). Steering/Handling: Firm, very controlable around gravel curves. But car tended to drift to right on pavement (no matter how road crown sloped). Could indicate alignment was needed (or is it a Chrysler thing--I had same experience with Grand Caravan last week). Feedback appreciated! Engine/Trans: Amazing--plenty of power (for me) with this "tiny" engine. If I buy it will probably be the 3.5L, but not because I need it! Floor shift (Mercedes style) is good, but takes getting used to. Fuel economy (after 260 miles 70% open road max 70 mph; mostly economy driving behavior) approx 22 MPG Controls: Convenient (radio controls better than Caravan, but not as good as Taurus). Stereo: OK; not as good as Taurus (which has speakers at chest level at front of door windows). Check out 6-speaker option. Driver visibility: rear and rear/side visibility is poorest of any car I've ever driven. This was also voluntarily commented on by two Dodge dealership employees (a salesman and a parts guy). At a minimum, it will take getting used to. In dusty conditions, when the rear window gets dirty, the extremely small wiper/washer clears only a tine area in the already too-small window. Cargo space: since it is not comparable with either existing Caprice wagon or Grand Caravan, compared it to Ford Taurus, which is my lady's car and which I like): Length (w driver seat all the way back): 75" (Taurus 76.5). Width  rear door handles: 54.5" (Taurus 53.75). Width narrowest section of cargo area: 40.75" (Taurus 37.75). Height of tailgate opening: 1" less than Taurus Overall, about as big or bigger than similar wagons, except for height. Golf clubs fit athwartships better than Taurus. But length is way smaller than my Caprice. Cruise control: Poor ergonomic engineering. Located where you can't see labeling (too small; partially hidden by wheel). Also can't use it when left arm is resting on armrest. No "Resume". Sensitivity is good in both "Accl" and "Coast". Reclining seats: Great. Front seats recline ALL the way; in passenger seat I can stretch out FULLY extended. Fit and finish: Leaves a lot to be desired. - removeable/reversible cargo area floor is a nice idea but execution is a joke (a really bad joke). Floor is made of cheap, flimsy, fibreboard and cheap material, which is starting to come off of fibreboard. Will look terrible at 35,000 miles. - no solid floor at back of folded down back seats; cargo will "disappear" into crevice. - car had light gray cloth upholstery. Showed lots of stains and dirt. Anyone with kids in back and/or mildly "dirty" cargo will suffer. Conclusion: OK, they don't make what I would really like. This car is definitely in the running; but it is a compromise. Would appreciate feedback from owners on any and all points; but especially on the "Steering" (drifting) observation.
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Replying to: functionfirst (Nov 30, 2004 6:16 am) The Hemi engine goes without saying with respect to power and response, yet I still have averaged almost 24 MPG on the highway and it is not fully broken in yet. The cruise control does have resume (tap it up) and is very easy to use once you learn the movements. I don't need to see the writing on it as it is very intuitive to operate once you have learned it. The leather interior in the medium gray is excellent and does not show dirt, etc., but I feel the light graystone would. The headrests actually support your head! I agree that the rear visibility is not as good as it could be but have adjusted to that well. The upgraded stereo system and dual zone climate controls are wonderful, as are all of the car's electronic features, stabilty control, ABS, traction control, etc. I have the cargo area upgrade with the divided cargo organizer and it works well. I keep the carpeted side of the cargo floor up but would agree that if this was used roughly and excessively it could wear prematurely. The overall fit and finish is on par with other vehicles of this price range. I got the Magnum RT over the 300C for the cargo area and so I am pleased with it making that comparison, but it does not have near the cargo capacity of the Chrysler Town & Country that it replaced. I did get the slush rubber floormats, the molded splash guards and the rear bumper top scuff pad. I love the Magnum for all the reasons that you don't require, that is the intoxicating Hemi power, the sexy and "bad boy" custom look of the car, and the overall practicality compared to the 300C. It is the best combination of fun and practicality that I have ever owned. My wife and 10 & 7 year old sons love it. Would buy again in a heartbeat. My advice is to get the mid level SXT with the 3.5 V-6 and the upgraded stereo, leather interior, and better climate control if you plan to keep it for a long time, as those features really make for a nicer driving experience. The Hemi is certainly overkill, but I have to admit that I love it.
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Replying to: hardhawk (Nov 30, 2004 9:07 am) 6000 miles on my Mineral Grey RT... I think the dodge dealerships are terriable at best (norhtern chicagoland). They don't have courtesy cars available thats my biggest problem with them. I assume everyone got the 2 recall notices? If I rememer one is the coolent level and the other is about a radiator something-or-another. So now my complaints. * at 3000 miles my oil pump failed - not good engine didn't cease up but you cant tell me I just lost a few thousand miles. I had about 3 miles from the time the light went on to the time it sounded like I was driving a jet airplane. * 1.5 days after getting the car back from the dealer about the oil pump my steering hose burst... * My brakes started squeeling something fierce, dealer said this is normal. * now that it is cold I am getting a lot of "rattles" anyone else experiencing this?
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Replying to: ppug (Dec 14, 2004 1:56 pm)
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Replying to: rgdawson (Dec 14, 2004 7:04 pm)
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