Article Comments 2008 Dodge Avenger First Drive

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

You are in the Dodge Avenger Forum. Your Host is claires

What is this discussion about? Dodge Avenger, Sedan

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)

Outline

Messages Page 2 of 4: 1; 2; 3; 4; Prev; Next; Last

#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)
#13 of 34 Re: Worth Considering [observer22] by csandste Jun 02, 2007 (9:38 am)
Replying to: observer22 (May 29, 2007 2:10 pm) The Avenger wasn't out yet when I bought my wife an 07 Kia Optima, but we did look at the Sebring. Hyundai, Chrysler and Mitsu jointly developed the new 2.4 Global Engine, but somehow Chrysler's version feels far different and a lot cruder than Hyundai's. The recent IFCAR mega-comparo had the Avenger and Sebring near the bottom of a 20+ car list and the Optima and Sonata at the top. http://ifcar.net/reviews.comparisons.inexpensivefamilysedans.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Engine_Manufacturing_Alliance The two reasons given were interior quality (what is Chrysler smoking?) and the engine. I called IFCAR on that point on the C&D forum and he said that even though the engines were jointly engineered the NVH differences were night and day. Having driven both the Sebring, Optima and Sonata, I have to agree with him. Maybe Chrysler will do better apart from Mercedes. I always read their recent cars as something that a German might picture as being "typically American". I personally really liked the first generation of "cloud" cars, the second generation was boring, and I don't understand these things at all. Unlike most of the reviewers, I do like the Avenger better than the Charger, though. Replies to this message: observer22 (Jun 07, 2007 11:34 pm)
#14 of 34 My Classic R/T by kjc5 Jun 07, 2007 (5:25 pm)
My R/T Rocks! This is a once in a lifetime Car guys and gals, so take good care of them. Maybe someday it will become a classic like the 66 Mustang or a 64 Chevy. My R/T is loaded and I am having the time of my life driving it. One thing though, trying to keep my foot from putting the pedal to the floorboard is like giving candy to a baby, just a little won't be enough.LOL!!! Replies to this message: tele0507 (Jan 16, 2008 2:58 pm) joleneisgreat (Mar 24, 2008 10:08 am)
#15 of 34 Re: Worth Considering [csandste] by observer22 Jun 07, 2007 (11:34 pm)
Replying to: csandste (Jun 02, 2007 9:38 am) Optima has benefitted from several positive reviews however it is a slow seller where I live. Perhaps one should look upon it as being a car one should keep a minimum of 5 years if purchased new. Appears the 2.7 offered in Avenger/Sebring is an all-new engine totally different than the flawed 2.7 the Intrepid/Stratus etc. suffered with in the late 90s and up until 2004 or so. Not a good sign when the avenger thread (not this one) has not had a post in 6 months!
#16 of 34 Avenger RT production delays. by fenderman2 Jun 13, 2007 (1:35 am)
Hey, Does anyone know what the cause is for the prodction delays of the RT. I ordered an rt with nav and esc 2 months ago and its not being built due to some delay. I cannot get any more details. Seems like dodge is trying to hide something.
#17 of 34 Avenger by wejj90 Jun 30, 2007 (7:14 pm)
Well I bought my 2008 Dodge Avenger R/T AWD today and love it. When I was shopping I was looking at only AWD cars for snow and tested some cars that were significantly more expensive as a result. I have to say this is one of the most well rounded cars I tested, especially for its price point. This car may have some hard plastic but it doesn't look particularly terrible. With the Mygig system it makes the car look especially cool. I suggest keeping the spoiler on, it adds character. So I guess I just don't get why Edmunds criticizes the car so much. Besides the blind spots I have trouble finding fault with my Avenger.