Article Comments 2008 Dodge Avenger First Drive

34 messages, Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 9:13 AM

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Article comments for First Drive: 2008 Dodge Avenger - The 2008 Dodge Avenger is still living with the burden of an old SNL skit by actor Will Ferrell. Don't believe us? Then say this aloud: "I drive a Dodge Stratus." Now scream it as if your hair were on fire. (more)

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#3 of 34 Didn't Like The Car Before He Drove It? by djp_63 Feb 14, 2007 (10:21 am)
I thought the article had a negative overtone too against Dodge. I hear this all the time about domestics. My personal experience has been good with Dodge and Jeep. However, I have been careful which models to buy and which motors to run. I have owned and driven a lot of cars. I like American style and ride quality. I have owned: 1983 Plymouth Reliant, not pretty, but all I could afford and reliable. Put 88K on it. 1986 Honda Civic. Had it 6 months and traded in on a 1987 Dodge Dakota because I needed a truck. I put over 300K miles on that poor truck. Only changed an AC clutch and water pump and only changed filters, plugs and wires to tune it up. Never touched the carb, starter, muffler or anything. The paint was still good when I sold it 13 years later. 1989 Dodge Shadow. Nice solid car and put 144K on it. 1994 Dodge Spirit. Liked the Shadow a little better, but nice. Drove it167K miles and left with my ex. 1997 Jeep Cherokee. Great truck for 170K. I planned on going for 400K on that Jeep, but needed a 7 passenger vehicle. My favourite vehical ever I think. Sold it and bought a 2004 Dodge Durango. I do prefer Mopar, and have an open mind when I look. In the end, they seem to be the best for my money. I keep them a long time and roll a lot of miles. I am currently thinking between a Caliber, Patriot, Nitro, Avenger, Sebring, Scion XA, Mazda X3. I usually have a while to follow a car a year or so before buying. But I am currently driving my wife's Toyota Echo and feeling very vulnerable on the interstate and want something safer. I just wish there was a track record for the vehicles I like. I am guessing the Patriot may win this contest
#4 of 34 Crickets by djp_63 Mar 28, 2007 (8:42 am)
Nothing but crickets chirping here. Wow, the Avenger has been out a while, and I thought a mini-Charger economy car would generate more activity. I had previously test driven a Sebring and liked it (even with a 4 cylinder). I have since my last post above driven an Avenger. I know they are similar cars, but I think I liked the Sebring better for styling. The Sebring looks like a more expensive car than it is and slightly European looking to me. DJP Replies to this message: barry626 (Mar 28, 2007 2:38 pm)
#5 of 34 Re: Crickets [djp_63] by barry626 Mar 28, 2007 (2:38 pm)
Replying to: djp_63 (Mar 28, 2007 8:42 am) I guess the Avenger is not so popular? Which suits me just fine to have what others don't I ordered RT AWD loaded with every option for $31.650. I got it invoice for $29,647. Will take 6-8 weeks to build. My Dealer let me take car home for the night & I really like it! Can't go wrong for the price for SURE!
#6 of 34 Mini Charger... by chiefload Apr 03, 2007 (6:34 pm)
Went to the Dodge dealer today to test drive a Charger (see impression in the Charger forum). Looked at the Avenger, sat in it and thought it was a nice vehicle, clean, modern inside, nice 'mini-Charger' line (akin to the Nitro being somewhat of a mini-Hummer, but in a positive way..). Haven't driven it (yet), but might just have to give it a spin. Yeah, maybe the Accord and Camry are a favorite in a lot of parts of this country (sure see alot of them here in Northern Virginia) but as Barry said: some of us want to be a bit different (and this comes from a Dodge Intrepid driver who still thinks that the Intrepid was a GREAT car, best ever owned, and was underrated for what it had to offer at the price paid..)
#7 of 34 i'm not suprised by vengerrt08 Apr 06, 2007 (11:06 am)
that edmunds is on the other side of the fence to many dodge fans. my wife and i just ordered our rt yesterday and we are extreamly excited to have it come in. we have driven some comparable models, but to be honest this is the only one that we liked the looks of. i am hoping to start to see some tuner parts to come out for this car. it is plenty snappy enough now, but it never hurts to have... mo powr.
#8 of 34 I love it! by luvavenger Apr 10, 2007 (7:00 am)
It doesnt surprise me on the position of Edmunds...to be honest before I bought my 08 Avenger R\T, I was never a Dodge fan but this car has changed my view! I drive 270 miles a day for work and I love the ride and I have no problem spending 4 hours a day in it. I have back problems and the seats give me great support, I normally have that problem sitting in a car for 4 hours a day. I do agree with edmunds on the lesser engines...the 4 banger and the 2.7 are not all that fun to drive. But the R\T is a blast...it handles much better and rides good for a sporty car. The 6 speed transmission shifts alot but thats to be expected. It stays comfortably in 6th, without down shifting alot, on the highway unless you punch it. When you do punch it....you PLENTY of power to pass. Again lots of hard plastic inside but I have gotten used to it. The interior is very quiet when you traverse down the road, but the R\T suspension is a little stiff when going trough downtown Detroit (bad roads). The looks kick A**. I have gotten alot of comments when driving it around...people love it. I dont think they gave this car a fair shake but then they are the experts.
#9 of 34 Avenger Engines by budone May 06, 2007 (8:17 am)
Are the 2.7 V6 and the 2.4 4cyl. carryovers from the Stratus? I hope that these are new or redesigned and will not repeat the numerous problems noted on the Stratus boards. Any hope out there or are they headed for the same fate? Replies to this message: neteng101 (May 11, 2007 9:01 am)
#10 of 34 Re: Avenger Engines [budone] by neteng101 May 11, 2007 (9:01 am)
Replying to: budone (May 06, 2007 8:17 am) The 2.7 V6 is a rough lumpy block of an engine... decent enough to get around, but otherwise totally unrefined. I had a rental Avenger SXT for 2+ weeks recently. I can't find a totally comfortable position on the seats - too much back lumbar in the seat. You also get the turret effect like sitting down with all that tall sheetmetal surrounding you and short windows.
#11 of 34 finially got our R/T by vengerrt08 May 16, 2007 (9:10 am)
what a nice machine. if you can afford it, get an r/t unless you like 32 MPG. fun to drive and turns alot of heads. the power seats help with the feeling of sitting below the window line in the drivers seat. drive fast.
#12 of 34 Worth Considering by observer22 May 29, 2007 (2:10 pm)
2.7 engine has well-known oil distribution problems and needs 100% synthetic motor oil. Avoid the 2.7 and Chrysler seems to not be selling much of them. Medium sized dealer in my city only had 2.4s. Test drove a Sebring Touring and found it to have a nicer interior than the much lked about Saturn Aura. And the Sebring Touring is only the mid-level model of Sebring. Despite claiming 56 inches of front shoulder room, the Sebring (same car as Avenger) felt just a bit "tight'. Also, small side windows gave the car a much different feel than my five-year-old Taurus which seems larger but is not. Not seeing anybody under 40 in a Avenger/Sebring. Sebring touring selling for $19,000 at a regional dealer known for usually charging high prices. 2.4 engine is a great one, used for about 14 years in Mitsubishi's Galant. Replies to this message: csandste (Jun 02, 2007 9:38 am) observer22 (Jun 07, 2007 11:34 pm)