Anybody own a Stratus

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    Author Topic: Anybody own a Stratus  (Read 3325 times)

    Offline js27

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    Anybody own a Stratus
    « on: December 24, 2005 - 12:54:57 PM »
    Hey all,
    As you know my everyday driver is most likely totaled. I was looking at  2004 Dodge Status. One is a standard 4-dr model with a 4-cylinder and  the other is a R/T version 2-dr with a V-6. Anybody have any thing to say about these cars--GOOD or BAD..
    Thanks,
    JS27
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    Offline pandamarie

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #1 on: December 24, 2005 - 01:08:03 PM »
    My Mom owns a 05 4 cylinder stratus and loves it and a good friend has had one for 7 years now and besides oil changes and a new timing belt has had no problems with it, rear brakes(drum) seemed to wear out in about a year and a half.
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    Offline moparnut

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #2 on: December 24, 2005 - 02:50:59 PM »
    I have a 2001 Intrepid,which is basically the same car.Since i am a salesrep I am in it 8-10 hours a day and have put 120k miles on it in the last 2.5 years.I bought the car a couple of years old so i didnt take the depreciation,it was a rental car first.I love the car,very comfortable(stratus wasnt big enuf for me and my work stuff)I get 29mpg on the highway and 23 ish in town,I have the 2.7l engine.I would buy another in a heartbeat, I punish the car severly every day and even go on home builders job site constantly.It has never been in the shop,the only thing they are known for is warping front disc rotors,even worse if you buy the cheap chinese ones,dont let a brake shop do them like i did,I am about to change to the more expensive ones with more Iron content.I am probably harder on my brakes then most since I drive a windy steep country Highway every day to and from my house.I give it 5 thumbs up.After me putting 120k on it it still doesnt burn a drop of oil.
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    Offline JCWCuda

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #3 on: December 24, 2005 - 03:23:02 PM »
    They are very dependable cars ,one thing they had problems with on the early 4 cylinder models was the head gaskets leaking oil out the rear. I do believe they fixed the problem after 98 though
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    Offline JeffAARy

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #4 on: December 24, 2005 - 03:27:23 PM »
    Until 5 months ago I owned an '03 2 door R/T with an AAR stripe and a pistol grip shifter.  I only sold it because I had to have an orange SRT-4.  It had nice power, especially after I put in a short ram air intake.
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    Offline Hopalong

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #5 on: December 24, 2005 - 03:36:17 PM »
    We have a 2001 Stratus SE, four door, though the only thing it's missing is leather seats and a moon roof.  My wife drives it every day and has no complaints at all.  Ours has the 2.7 v6 and auto trans.  Regular maintenance is the key.  The 2.7 has a timing chain for all 4 camshafts with hydralic adjusters.  Sludge is the enemy since it can gum up the adjusters and total the engine.  I switched to Mobil synthetic even though we never had any problems.  I also installed a K&N air filter.  I did the brakes on it once, pads all around, rotors on the front.  It has been a really good car, and the only problem we had when we got it (bought it new, last time I do that), was the heater would blow cold air at stoplights and such.  A door was stuck open, and warranty took care of that.  I highly recommend the 4 door, since it at least is made in north america.  The 2 door is a rebodied mitusbishi.
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    Offline js27

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #6 on: December 24, 2005 - 04:59:26 PM »
    As always I knew I could count on all of you for info.. I took a used 04 out for a test ride today a 4 cylinder auto with 29,000 miles. It rode well and seemed real tight but I noticed the engine was kind of noisy at idle. The dealer want's $13,900. for it but I think I can get him down some. I also found a brand new 04 Stratus R/T, 2-dr-V-6 auto leftover with 14 miles on it. Because it was nevered titled it comes with the complete 3year/36000 bumper to/ bumper and the 7 year/70,000 mile drive train. It is loaded with everything including power moon-roof. It stickered for over $ 25,000.00 but the dealer is very willing to deal and I think I might be able to get it for around $ 15,000.00. What do you think ??
    JS27
    « Last Edit: January 31, 2006 - 02:22:23 PM by Rev-It-Up »
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    Offline 71340RT

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #7 on: December 24, 2005 - 06:20:53 PM »
    I own a 03 Stratus RT 2dr V6 coupe and love the car. The low profile tires ride a little harsh but I can live with that as the car drives and handles great and is a very solid car to drive. I have not had any real problems with mine other than wiper blades replaced and has 24,999 miles on it now. It always gets at least 25 mpg and I have upgraded to a K&N filter for better air flow and will get better than 30 mpg on the highway if I keep my foot out of it. It has not been in for any repairs which is a big plus as I don't like to be bothered taking the car into the dealer for work. I plan on driving this for my everyday car till the new Challenger or Cuda are built by Daimler/Chrysler.
    Jeff
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    Offline moparnut

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #8 on: December 24, 2005 - 06:54:11 PM »
    Quote from: js27 on December 24, 2005 - 04:59:26 PM
    As always I knew I could count on all of you for info.. I took a used 04 out for a test ride today a 4 cylinder auto with 29,000 miles. It rode well and seemed real tight but I noticed the engine was kind of noisy at idle. The dealer want's $13,900. for it but I think I can get him down some. I also found a brand new 04 Stratus R/T, 2-dr-V-6 auto leftover with 14 miles on it. Because it was nevered titled it comes with the complete 3year/36000 bumper to/ bumper and the 7 year/70,000 mile drive train. It is loaded with everything including power moon-roof. It stickered for over $ 25,000.00 but the dealer is very willing to deal and I think I might be able to get it for around $ 15,000.00. What do you think ??
    JS27
    My 01 Intrepid had 20k miles on it when i bought it in 03 for 12,995,its was stickered at 15.995 but the chrysler dealer i had been buying my cars from for many years(sales manager)knew i would be in there for 4 hours beating him up on the price so he gave me his best deal right off(side note,he and i because friends,even went to his daughters birthday parties.He had a nice pumped duster,last year he hit a tree and died,miss him alot and the deals he used to get me,everything has changed at the dealer now)Go for the v6 if you can,much nicer and the mileage isnt much different.I paid for the 100k warrenty but never used it but i make my living behind the wheel,now sure if i would pay for it again since these cars are so reliable
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    Offline 71383bee

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #9 on: December 24, 2005 - 09:32:53 PM »
    I got 2 of them!

    Mine is 2003 2.4L 5 Speed 2 door Coupe that gets 32 MPG highway.  My only complaint is they are a little hard to get in for a tall guy.  Other than that I am very satisfied.  Surprisingly the 4 cylinder has decent power and it has good handling.  The interior is roomy and the back seat folds down to haul quite a bit of stuff if needed.  The drivetrain is from japan, but what isn't now-a-days.

    My wife drives a 2004 auto 2 door coupe.  You are correct about the idle noise.  It also seems a lot more anemic than my 5 speed.  It's fine for the freeway, but the 5 speed coupe is just a lot more peppy and fun.  It also only bests around 27 on the highway.

    In my opinion get a manual if you can.

    Anybody have any luck with some light perfromance mods on their 2.4 L stratus's?
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    Offline JS27N0B

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #10 on: December 24, 2005 - 10:48:23 PM »
    Wow, a lot of coupe guys. Okay from a Canadian perspective the 2dr and 4dr cars are not the same in any way. The 2dr is a Mitsubishi, I would think it would get very costly down the road(japanese parts), we had the sister car to it up here as a Chrysler Sebring coupe.
    The 4dr Sebring(JA body) has been excellent with very good power and mileage but I would want the 2.7 v-6 myself. Make sure all the maintenance has been done in a timely manner if you are looking at used, the engine oil will sludge and cause damage if the mileage intervals have been extended between oil changes.

    Hope this helps,
    BTW if you want me to check any warranty history for you(or anybody for that matter) just supply me with the last 9 digits of the VIN#
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    Offline lime73

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #11 on: December 25, 2005 - 12:23:51 PM »
    my wife drives a 2002 stratus sxt sedan. owned it for 3 1/2 years and havnt had to put a dime into it outside of regular maintanance (knock on wood real hard).  wouldnt recommend anything but if that is the price range your in!! happy and safe holidays to all.
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    Offline moparnut

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #12 on: December 25, 2005 - 01:29:33 PM »
    Quote from: JS27N0B on December 24, 2005 - 10:48:23 PM
    Wow, a lot of coupe guys. Okay from a Canadian perspective the 2dr and 4dr cars are not the same in any way. The 2dr is a Mitsubishi, I would think it would get very costly down the road(japanese parts), we had the sister car to it up here as a Chrysler Sebring coupe.
    The 4dr Sebring(JA body) has been excellent with very good power and mileage but I would want the 2.7 v-6 myself. Make sure all the maintenance has been done in a timely manner if you are looking at used, the engine oil will sludge and cause damage if the mileage intervals have been extended between oil changes.

    Hope this helps,
    BTW if you want me to check any warranty history for you(or anybody for that matter) just supply me with the last 9 digits of the VIN#
    Curious how an engine can be the cause of sludge???Should be the oil like the pennzoil caution years ago.I use straight synthetic anyways to get the most life out of my cars
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    Offline moparnut

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #13 on: December 25, 2005 - 01:33:45 PM »
    Quote from: js27 on December 24, 2005 - 04:59:26 PM
    but I noticed the engine was kind of noisy at idle.
    JS27
    The 2.7 is so quiet people often ask me if my car is running
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    Offline JS27N0B

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    Re: Anybody own a Stratus
    « Reply #14 on: December 25, 2005 - 03:26:47 PM »
    Quote from: moparnut on December 25, 2005 - 01:29:33 PM
    Curious how an engine can be the cause of sludge???Should be the oil like the pennzoil caution years ago.I use straight synthetic anyways to get the most life out of my cars

    A lot of short trips can cause a build-up of moisture in the engine that does not get warm enough to evaporate properly through the PCV system. All engines will sludge under these types of conditions, this is why 3 mo or 3K is the mandatory interval on most manufacturers engines. cheaper oils will sludge quicker than better ones(you always get what you pay for). The very best guideline is to not exceed 80 engine hours, this is the best measurement as the odometer doesn't increment at idle.
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