Thinking about buying a Dodge

[bishir]

Yup, I've fallen a victim of the HEMI marketing campaign.

Actually, we're set to have our first child and the wife would like to have a 4-door vehicle that has plenty of room for her needs. After much consideration, I went to check out the new Hemi Powered Dodge Magnum RT and 300c. Very nice! I must say Mercedes is probably the best thing to ever happen to Dodge and Chrysler. Some very impressive cars. Anyone else had a chance to check them out?

Not too far from the performance of a stock GN. Plus, the fit and finish of both cars is great with the 300c being a little more luxurious.


James

 

[MistaScott]

Get the SRT-10 so you can really haul a$s

 

[TurboDave]

I saw several truck loads of Dodge Magnums along the highway on my return from Detroit last weekend.

I must say, they actually look better in real life than they do on TV.

 

[ross87t]

The 300C is very nice!

 

[UNGN]

I keep thinking I'll trade my '99 300M in on a new magnum, but the damn 300 is still good. If detroit still made crappy cars like the bad old days, I'd be driving a new magnum now.

I have to be real careful about what I buy because I'll probably end up keeping it for 10 years+.

 

[SIXBANGR]

SRTforums.com

Lots of good info there. I will have a Magnum by summers end.

 

[Lee_Burough]

I saw the Magnum the other day

Its built on a Mercedes platform (M-3 or M-5?). The 3.5L engine would be just fine for power and fuel economy. I had that 3.5L (a V-6 Hemi) in an LHS and still AVERAGED 26 mpg on the highway after 135,000 miles.

I WILL get one of those as a used car in a couple years

I'm not crazy about the German share of the profits though.

 

[DKREDT]

I would be carefull buying a first year Chrysler anything. Chances are they will be offering a $8k rebate a year from now and you will be in over your head in what you paid for it vs what it is worth.

Of course, if $$ are not a concern for you... go for it!!

my $.02

 

[TurboJim]

I work on a lot of cars and trucks. The one with the most repairs are Fords, ones with the least are Chrysler/Dodge. I do a lot of fleet and have to say I dont see anything REALLY bad with Chryslers. Only thing I saw was a run of ball joints in 2500's and diff's in Dakotas.

For this reason I bought my wife a 99 Grand Cherokee. It has the MB derived 4.7 OHC V8 which has an incredeible amount of balls on tap, is verfy comfortable, and the finish is excellent.

I say go for it.

 

[krom]

I love my truck.

 

[SIXBANGR]

dodgetalk.com

here is another forum for the Magnum.

 

[bishir]

The 5.7 Hemi in the 300c and Magnum has the Multi Displacement feature that shuts off 4 of the cylinders during cruising. That results in a 25mpg cruiser that gets 340hp and 390ft lbs. Not bad! From the reviews I've read it's impossible to tell when the system is activated or not.

I'm going to wait because the SRT-8 version is due out with the 6.1 and 425hp. However, I probably won't be able to afford that one.

 

[fitz3820]

Originally posted by lburou
I saw the Magnum the other day

Its built on a Mercedes platform (M-3 or M-5?).

It is NOT built on a Mercedes platform but on a Chrysler specific LX platform. The rear suspension is Mercedes like but has different part numbers.

BTW the M-3 and M-5 are BMW's not Mercedes.

I just hope the overall quality is there on this car. Mercedes have had many quality issues recently and Chryslers are usually one of the worst vehicles quality wise in anyone's survey.

 

[Lee_Burough]

You are obviously right about the BMW reference. Don't remember what I was smoking when I wrote that

The Dodge salesman (I realize sometimes you take things with a grain of salt) described the Magnum to me, and definitely included a statement that the Magnum was built on a Mercedes platform.

My LHS ran 135k without a failure and never to the dealer except for a safety belt and fuel rail recall....Reliable enough for me.

 

[cwelk87gn]

I would definately buy a Magnum. They are cool looking and you won't be driving an SUV like everyone else.

 

[BlackBuick84]

The only problem w/ Dodge/Chrysler/Jeeps is that they use proprietary parts..........$$$$$!!!!!! My 50k Stratus had the distibutor and fuel pump go out. According to the service manager they were around $800 each. Could've been lying but it was under warranty so I didnt care. Then I got new plugs and wires......$300.
Not saying they arent good cars...my dad has two Voyagers and I have my Stratus. They're very nice, just expensive to fix when something goes wrong. I'm not trying to discourage anyone, just giving my experiences.

PS--the Magnum looks freakin awesome!

 

[bishir]

Magnum comes standard with 7 year 70k mile warrenty so I'm not going to worry about parts cost. Probably won't have it that long....