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CAR REVIEWS AND RATINGS
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| Ratings |
( Maximum score is 100 ) |
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| Overall: |
  ( 80 )
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| Comfort: |
( 100 )
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| Performance: |
( 60 )
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| Quality: |
( 80 )
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| Appearance: |
( 100 )
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| Comments |
Favorite feature: |
Ooooooooooooh, the Styling!!!!!!! |
Least favorite feature: |
The slow-ish responce of the 200 Hp V-6 engine to get the heavy car going. Possibly the gearing? |
Advice to buyer: |
Check out the V-6 stick before you buy. Shop around though for the typical competition. |
Detailed review: |
I first saw the new 2001 Dodge Stratus Coupe in the ‘Road & Track’ Magazine during one of their typical comparisons against a Chevrolet Monte Carlo. I was looking for a new car for myself and I tried to go more practical for the daily commute but the second that I test-drove one, I was hooked!
I ended up with a loaded Red SE V-6 Automatic with everything except leather, the premium sound system and the fog lights. I’m not that big of a fan of the leather so that wasn’t a miss at all. The cloth seats up front are very comfortable even on the longest of rides. I obviously don’t sit in back but people say they are pretty comfy on the shorter rides like any other two door. The raked back window is a bit tight on headroom for the taller types but as long at you don’t hit a lot of bumps, they’re fine. It took some time getting used to the pretty big blind spots in the rear corners due to the somewhat chunky pillars in back.
The sound system is awesome even without the high-end Infiniti system. The interior layout is just right for me with the Gray on black for clean ability. The main cup holder is large enough to swallow the biggest cups that any food chain can muster. I do wish the powered sunroof were a powered moon roof however. A moon roof would make the car feel a bit more refined then just the cheaper pop up sunroof.
I’d appreciate more stowage space though for “normal sized things” like normal sized maps! The door bins are too small to put anything in them except for the smaller stuff. The trunk is huge to say the least and can swallow the big stuff if needed. The performance of the car is a bit mixed to say the least. The car is a pretty heavy vehicle in any respect. So theV-6 is a must if you want some “performance”. Fuel economy ranges from 24 to 27 for me with mixed highway and local traffic. The automatic is picky on it’s shifting and is either guessing or trying to interpret what you want too slowly. The mechanics say that is typical of most automatic engines prior to the merge with Mercedes. The reaction to get that car moving apparently varies on the temperature of the air. It either has issues breathing or the timing of the gearing is a bit off. Needless to say, some days it hauls, but more often it is slow to “spool up the energy” to get it going. The engine people have some homework to do at Chrysler for the Auto. Not to say that it’s bad but it should be re-tuned a bit. I can’t speak on the stick but I’ve heard good things. The designers get an A though for the styling regardless inside and out. Over all, I give the whole car an A.
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Also considered: |
2001 Acura Integra
2001 Chevrolet Impala
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| About This Reviewer... |
Name: |
Ted Zarubaiko |
Location: |
Salem, New Hampshire |
Other vehicles owned: |
None
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Review submitted: |
November 28, 2003 |
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