Dodge Magnum

sebring95

One thing about frozen lakes, is they're FLAT! Throw some hills into the mix, and RWD, wide tires, and tons of power, sucks even with advanced traction control. The only hope would be dedicated snow tires. Neighbors E-class is no-go in the snow around here, even with the fancy traction control. Probably be a lot better with snow tires, but they have other poor weather vehicles to drive, as I do the same. Where I live, I would likely put snow tires on the Magnum AWD if we were using it as a daily driver. I've gotten caught a couple times in my AWD Audi in some bad weather and with sporty tires, it's just marginal. Performance tires will not go in the snow, even on an AWD vehicle.

hardhawk

My dealer has YET to receive a single Magnum RT! They have had them on order for months. It is unbelievable to me. They have gotten less than 5 300C's as well, including customer orders.

jglackin

Wow, must be a small dealership. Interesting to see that you mentioned in the past that folks locally could order these two vehicles at "close to invoice." Dealers know what kind of allocation they have...I wonder if they figured that they would just write the orders knowing the buyer's would go cold, refund deposits, and sell the vehicles when they come in at higher prices. Could be an interesting strategy just to say, "sure...$500 over invoice" knowing the car is 5 months or more away. That price may not matter. I'll bet that half or more of their pre-sold customers have gotten refunds.

foureyes3

So, is the tires, rwd, or the awd? Or are you trying to say awd and change the tires to know tires for the winter? So I assume you have more than a few snow storms. Are you going wait till spring to drive your magnum awd? What's wrong with all weather tires? Aren't they meant for the snow?

iowabigguy

I have a Ram 1500 Quad cab 2wd with the Hemi and 5 speed auto. The truck came with 3.92 limited slip rear end and 20" tires. I live in Iowa near Omaha Nebraska. Our winters can be severe and the above truck was terrible in the snow. I put on a set of 17" rims and dedicated snow tires and it makes a world of difference. I didn't have any problems even on 10" of unplowed snow although too much throttle would induce large amounts off wheel spin. The snow tires even improved the performance of the 4 wheel antilock brakes. I suspect a Magnum RT with 2wd would show a similar improvement in snow performance with 4 wheel snow tires.

BobsGT235

Does anyone know for sure that the Magnum RT comes with a limited slip differential? I can't find it in print anywhere.

BobsGT235

My local dealer said that to factory order a Magnum RT would take from 6-8 weeks. Anyone know if thats accurate? Thanks

BobsGT235

What have most of you who own or have on order a Magnum RT paid for the car?

hardhawk

The interesting thing is that all the other dealers in a 75 mile radius have had the same supply problems. I don't think they are doing a bait & switch tactic, I think they just can't get the cars. I observe that they are just as frustrated about it as the customers. They had the same issue when the PT Cruisers came out, they couldn't get the orders filled. I really do not understand Chrysler's distribution system. It seems to me that a FIFO approach is the fairest to all dealers and customers, with the sold orders getting priority over stock. Maybe that is what the problem is, that there are so many sold orders that the stock vehicles are getting pushed back. Sad thing is that in the long run it will cost Chrysler sales.

sebring95

Some model allocations are determined by prior sales of particular models. The dealers are given advance notice that the allocation of a new model will be based on sales of some other model (usually the out-going model the new car is replacing). I know the history of one of our local dealers, and they're not an aggressive sales lot and never get allocation of new hot models. Any new vehicle hitting the streets will not find its way into this dealership early on. In fact, they've only had one Magnum SXT that I've seen, and no RT's. The dealer I use (about 30 miles away) is very aggresive and sells on a no-haggle couple hundred over invoice on all their models, all the time. They've had at least a dozen RT's, a couple Ram SRT-10's, and at least three Vipers that I know of this year. They've already told me they'll sell me an RT for $300 over invoice, same as I've bought my last two diesel trucks from them.

tlk

In my case my leasing agent placed the order in the first week of August. Delivery is scheduled for Oct 15. Guess that makes about 10 weeks or so.....

emale

8 to 10 weeks seems to be pretty accurate...

slam2

I paid 32.5K for my magnum. It has everything on it outside of AWD, Nav system and Towing package. I wouldn't pay over 2% more than invoice.

Slam2

foureyes3

Wow, that's a great deal! That's about how much I want to pay for mine. Have you taking any trips in it yet? If so how was the mileage,ride, and were there any problems on the road?

jglackin

And, yes, Chrysler does pick sold orders for build over stock orders - but this does not have an effect on the national scale. For instance, a dealer with allocation for 5 cars who has 3 sold orders will get the sold orders and 2 stock cars, but it will not effect the dealer 10 miles away or in the next state. Their allocation is usually based on pervious sales of a similar vehicle (Intepid, in this case), and, in part, their size.

slam2

We picked up our car on the 19th of September. and so far other than it being a little low on brake fluid, we've enjoyed it a lot. We ahven't taken any long rides but it is a sweet car. Runs well and looks great.

As for ordering a car, find a dealer who has an RT on order, tell him you'd like that car and then have the dealer make modifications to the order. Once that is done, tell him to put your name on it and it should move through the system and to the top of the list for build.

I spoke to dealers in Charlotte NC, Charleston SC and Chicago Il and each of them were willing to sell a loaded RT for 2% over invoice. The dealer in Chicago was even willing to deliver it to Va, if I paid for a plane ticket home for him. You can make some deals out there.

Slam2

paisan

There is no LSDs in the Magnum nor 300c, unfortunately they depend on the traction control (where it applies the brakes) to achieve a pseudo LSD effect. Sames as on the AMG Version of the E-class, unfortunately if you track the car, this will cause the brake fluid to overheat (did that on the E55 AMG at Pocono) which kinda sux

-mike

BobsGT235

So when you do a burnout with the RT, it will only put down one tire mark?

paisan

I'm pretty sure, not to mention if you "burnout" enough it'll switch from side to side since the "slipping" wheel will be braked and the power shifted to the other side. If you turn off the Traction Control you will have only 1 wheel burnout yes.

-mike

BobsGT235

I could have sworn that when I saw the road tests on Motor Trend and Car and Driver on Speed TV on the 300C and the Magnum, they both put down 2 tire burnouts? Maybe I'm wrong. But I don't plan on doing any burnouts when I do get a Magnum. Just curious.

paisan

Actually you can do a 2 wheel burnout w/o an LSD. For one thing you'll get some torque transfer from side to side if the surface is similar and also you'll get some side to side residual power transfer as well. It's not uncommon to have 2 smoking wheels on a non-LSD car burnout IIRC. However w/o the LSD you won't get true side to side power transfer for cornering as you'd get from an LSD.

-mike

BobsGT235

Does anyone know of any Magnum/300C websites or bbs? Thanks

foureyes3

I think I will check out there. The plane ticket was a little too much about that salesman. These must be real big dealerships in north and south carolina. Well I hope you keep on enjoying your magnum. It wll probably be great on road trips. I do love deals.

KCRam

Sorry, but we do not allow the linking of other forums in Town Hall

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dekester

How many times do you just want to put something small in the back but not need to open the entire tailgate?

Just thinkin' of an improvement for DCX...

Deke

foureyes3

It's an idea that's workable.I would like a power remote for the trunk.

hardhawk

The window is too small to mess with having it open. All it does is give more to leak and rattle like in a lot of SUV's. Power rear gate would be sweet, however.

BobsGT235

I was at my local dealer yesterday test riding the RT and liked the car enough to order one. Turns out that they have a Midnight Blue with just about everything on order since August 4 and it looks like it was shipped on 10/5. I have yet to see one in Midhight Blue so I hope I like the color. The car lists for $36,030 and I'll pay $33,500 after the rebate. Wonder how long it will take to get to central NY State?

sebring95

I've seen the midnight blue up close and loved it. A lot of metallic in the paint for a domestic, I was very impressed. Now if you could get midnight blue with tan leather, I'd be even more interested. I'm not crazy about the darker/grey interiors. My wifes Lexus is a color similar to the midnight blue and has Ivory leather, which looks great together. Anyone heard if Dodge is going to expand the interior colors?

foureyes3

It's supposed to have that drab sports car interior look somewhat like the viper. It's not really a glamour vehicle like the Lexus. The magnum is meant for driving primarily.The lexus is meant more for luxury. The midnight blue is a nice color. It has nice sporty business type look. Sebring,I thought you already had your R/T.

dekester

I don't know why the big change to grey interiors lately. The Mineral Green would look nice with tan guts...The Cool Vanilla with ANY color!

When I bought my 98 Intrigue (SilerMist) the only interior choice was grey! I got the cloth, so there's three shades of grey (seats and two toned dash/door panels). The leather came in ONE shade!

Bring back blue!

Deke

sebring95

Nope. Just shopping a replacement for my Audi A6.

foureyes3

so where's the r/t magnum on your list? I am shopping for a replacement for my car. It's a dodge avenger. Family outgrew it. Is the audi a wagon? This would be my first wagon if I get it. The magnum is pretty good for the money. I am more of a sedan person than a suv person. This wagon fits that in between area. So have you seen an awd r/t yet?

BobsGT235

If anyone knows of a 2005 Dodge Magnum forum/bbs, can you email it to me? Thanks

foureyes3

Is this an awd or rwd?

shakeyfitter

in late september i got my midnight blue magnum and its a head turner and i dont think there are alot of them out there right now.if there are i sure havent seen them yet. there appears to be alot of the redish colored ones.its worth the wait , trust me..

KCRam

If you wish to find other such forums, please do an internet search. It is impolite to ask others to do this for you, nor is solicitation allowed in these discussions.

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BobsGT235

Thanks but I already found it elsewhere. And exactly why is it rude to ask if someone else knows of another bbs? Worried about a little competition?

KCRam

It's something you agree to when you register.

From the Membership Agreement:
Promotions and Solicitations

You agree that, except with Edmunds.com's prior consent, you will not (either in your Postings or in your profile) solicit or promote any products or services, self-promote, or implore readers to take actions that are intended to further a personal purpose. You agree you will not use information supplied within Town Hall to do any of the foregoing, via email or any other method. You agree to not gather public email addresses from member profiles for any purpose. You agree not to promote, link to or encourage others to visit auto sites that provide message boards, forums or chats.

It's not that we're afraid of competition - we feel that we provide the best opportunity for information among members, and prefer that it be shared here

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foureyes3

do you have an pictures of your midnight blue?

BobsGT235

Its funny but I've only seen one Magnum on the road and it was an RT in black. Did look good though because it was all shined up. The one I'm getting is RWD.

paisan

Actually the problem is not that they think they are the best. There were folks coming in here and just getting folks to join their forum rather than actually be contributing members of this forum. Hence the hosts have been cracking down on all links to outside forums, thanks to a few folks who took advantage of it.

-mike

jglackin

Which is why I think that the Hosts should also not allow members to mention specific dealerships. I, for instance, have worked at one for years and have never mentioned it - but I have access to reliable data that some members find helpful. There are times when I have just mentioned an affiliation with a dealership, w/o a name, my entries have been deleted.

trippster

I was wondering if one of you Magnum RT Owners could tell me if the HEMI is using synthetic oil and if so what brand (e.g. Mobil One)?

slam2

I own an RT and you bet I'll bet using Synthetic Oil. There is no recommendation but in my mind, put the best in it and take care of it. They tell you to change the synthetic oil every 5K, I just change it every 3K like regular Oil.

KCRam

If you have a direct affiliation with a dealer, that falls under the same section of the Membership Agreement I posted above - you can not make posts that directly benefit yourself or your employer. In our Prices Paid board, customers can only mention the dealership name and city/state. They may not mention any employees or contact information.

If you have further comments or questions regarding policy in our forums, please post them in our Ask the Town Hall Hosts discussion.

And now back to the Dodge Magnum

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nosirrahg

I've got an opportunity to rent a car for a quick out-of-state trip this weekend, and was contemplating renting a Magnum - while I'm sure Thrifty isn't renting the RT, does anyone know if the Magnums they're renting are SXTs or SEs?

Obviously I'd rather take an SXT on such an extended test drive...if they're only renting SEs, it might not be worth the effort. Anybody know?

paisan

Probably special models for rental car agencies. Often times a manufacturer will build cars that have more options but a smaller engine for rental fleets. I believe enterprise is renting the RTs, at least the place where my buddy works has the RTs and 300M v6 models.

-mike

sebring95

I was in Boston recently, and the agency next to Hertz had some SE's backed up against the fence. I think it will be hit/miss as to what trim a rental agency has. I'd find out in advance if possible! If you're doing it as an extended test-drive, an SE will at least give you a good feel for the car and controls. More HP, suspension, etc. certainly wouldn't be worse!

From what I gathered from Automotive News articles, a large portion of the first Magnums/300's were destined to fleets and were base models.

foureyes3

I don't know about the SE being that much of a representation for the magnum. The sxt will probably be a better representation. If you want to get a true feel of the magnum then the Rt really lets you know how good the car can move and the power. I try to rent an RT if I could for the experience. That is if the rental place really had an RT. I have read some reviews where people have rented SXTs. Personally, I don't really think the SE is good way to test drive magnum. It's too slow and lacks too many features.