With the rising gas prices I have to ask this question. I can't find it anywhere. Does the new Hemi run on Regular, Midgrade, or Premium gas? Plus has anyone heard about the "GAS OUT" on May 19th? Supposedly through an e-mailed I received yesterday we're not suppose to buy gas in the US on the 19th. Ok back to the business @ hand. The Magnum is growing on me, but the idea of possibly running premium isn't. All in all a beautiful piece of machinery. Thanks for the info in advance...
that's true...dodge recommends 89 octane for the hemi...but also says that 87 octane is fine. the reason 87 is fine is because the hemi has knock sensors that compensate for lower octane fuel...
Emale reiterates what I've heard. The Hemi is designed to run acceptably on 87 but provides the best performance on 89... Yes I also received a mass email about the Gas Out on May 19th..
For the responses. It's a relief to know about the type of gas with the gouging going on. Thanks again. Also, if in fact the gas out is true. Let's bring the oil companies to their knees. For those of you who have seen the e-mail here it is:
IT HAS BEEN CALCULATED THAT IF EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES DID NOT PURCHASE A DROP OF GASOLINE FOR ONE DAY AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME, THE OIL COMPANIES WOULD CHOKE ON THEIR STOCKPILES. AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HIT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WITH A NET LOSS OF OVER 4.6 BILLION DOLLARS WHICH AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINES OF THE OIL COMPANIES. THEREFORE MAY 19TH HAS BEEN FORMALLY DECLARED "STICK IT UP THEIR BEHIND" DAY AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION SHOULD NOT BUY A SINGLE DROP OF GASOLINE THAT DAY. THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN BE DONE IS IF YOU FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN AND AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN TO GET THE WORD OUT. WAITING ON THIS ADMINISTRATION TO STEP IN AND CONTROL THE PRICES IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL IN PRICES THAT THE ARAB NATIONS PROMISED TWO WEEKS AGO?
REMEMBER ONE THING, NOT ONLY IS THE PRICE OF GASOLINE GOING UP BUT AT THE SAME TIME AIRLINES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES, TRUCKING COMPANIES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES WHICH EFFECTS PRICES ON EVERYTHING THAT IS SHIPPED. THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING, BUILDING MATERIALS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES ETC. WHO PAYS IN THE END? WE DO! WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF THEY DON'T GET THE MESSAGE AFTER ONE DAY, WE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.
SO DO YOUR PART AND SPREAD THE WORD. FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND MAKE MAY 19TH A DAY THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES SAY "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"
Pardon me for being a stick in the mud, however, even if not a single drop of gasoline and diesel was sold in the entire USA on any given day, that just means that more will be sold the day before and/or the day after. In the end I seriously doubt that it would affect the oil companies even a little.
$2.09 to 2.27 a gallon regular Queens, NYC right now!
A hybrid or diesel Magnum would be nice... but g*d forbid they should come out with something like that for us!
I like the Magnum, but there is one glaring design flaw... the roof comes way too far forward, forcing the driver to stop way behind the traffic light in order to see it.
Sorry but this Gas Out day thing simply will not work. This will not bring oil companies to their knees. I can avoid buying gas on the 19th. No Problem! What will happen? I'll just have to put gas in my car on the 18th instead. Big deal!
Yes no one like paying for gas but accept it as the necessary evil it is to enjoy driving the car you want. If you are worried about gas prices then why the heck are you on this board talking about a 5.7l Hemi Dodge Magnum. Go out an buy an eco friendly Prius or Jetta diesel instead.
Personally, I grew up in England when gas is over $5 per gallon (converted litres to US gallons), so I think gas here is cheap. So, stop whinging...
I was watching the Dodge Tour de Georgia on OLN over the weekend. Now this was recorded a couple of weeks ago on my TiVo. One thing I noticed was that Dodge had a couple of Magnums as chase cars to the bikes.
The commentator stated that one was one of only two in existence - well I guess that was wrong, but it was the first time I saw the cars on TV.
Now there was a red car and a magnesium (I presume). I still do not like the look of the front of this car and would rather have the 300C front end, but I must say the in magnesium if did not look too bad. I think it helps that the grill is the same/similar color as the paint work.
A magazine reporter is hoping to interview buyers of the new Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum who hadn't previously owned Chrysler products, or who moved from an SUV into one of these vehicles. Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com by Wednesday, May 19, 2004 with your recent automotive history and daytime phone number. Thanks! Jeannine Fallon PR Director Edmunds.com
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
(Had to clean this up, I apologize if I offended anyone) Yeah you're a stick in the mud. J/K. I thought about that too. If everybody bought gas the day before or after the greedy oil barons would still get their money. Something has gotta give with these gas prices. 4.5yrs ago when I moved to Atlanta, GA & the prices were like $1.09 I think. I thought I was seeing things. I saw my first $1.99 sign for regular last night. I feel for you Califorians. MAN...
BUT back to the Magnum. Really nice looking. I guess I'll try to go look at one tomorrow. Won't test drive. Don't want to be tempted. Don't want a $500+/mo car payment right now. Just wouldn't make sense for me. I hope everyone else is enjoying theirs though.
The only thing I didn't like about the Magnum was the dash. The plastic just wasn't nice.
But holy cow, it drives like a million bucks! I'm going to get the 300C, because I don't need a wagon, but I strongly believe that Magnum buyers are going to be very happy with their cars.
I'm looking for the Magnum RT as my truck, van, or SUV replacement having capabilities of towing a 19ft boat, yet better economy otherwise. Only info says RT can tow 3,800#, when suitably equipped. I'm wondering what Class (2 or 3) hitch is to be installed. This is not a full framed vehicle (uses unibody w/IRS), so I wonder if this is for real/how it will work, and if rear springing/shocks will be up to the task.
The tow package for an RT includes a class 3 hitch (I think), heavy duty engine cooler and load-leveling rear shocks. The package is not available until fall.
Anyone driven it yet? I bought a Forester XT for its sleeper demeanor, but am having second thoughts after hearing the V-8 in this thing. Plus, you can probably hammer this thing all day long and not have to worry about transmission problems ( the weak link in my XT).
I've test driven two SXTs. Handle great, but not as quick as you would expect from 250 horses. Not enough torque for 4000+ lbs. I ordered and RT. The 390 ft/lbs of torque should solve that problem.
I know this topic is a little stale, but anyone worried about the price of the recommended mid grade fuel is not doing the math. Lets say you drive 20k miles per year (slightly more than average for most folks), and lets say you average 15 mpg in your hemi magnum (hopefully this is conservative). You will burn 1,333 gallons per year. Down here in Georgia, there is about a $0.10 spread between regular and mid grade. That works out to $133 per year, $11 per month, or about 37 cents per day. Pretty reasonable to make sure your machine is running optimally.
If 37 cents per day bothers you, why are you thinking about buying a large, V8 powered wagon for $30,000?
Your analysis fails to take into account that, as a rule, engines designed to run at peak efficiency on any given fuel will run less efficiently on lower grade fuel, and as a result return worse mileage. Based upon the anecdotal and scientific evidence I've seen over the years, the worst case scenario of running the proper grade of fuel is a break even when compared to running the cheaper fuel, meaning that you will most likely get enough of an improvement in your mileage to more than justify the more expensive fuel.
So, instead of spending $133 more per year, in reality you will probably spend maybe $50 per year less.
This matches most of the testing I have done with various cars. With one exception, my wife's Mazda 626ES. Premium fuel recommeded. No noticeable difference in performance with 89 octane, and exactly equal average gas mileage over 10 tanks each. My wife only uses the car to commute to work and back, so the test is fairly controlled.
As for me and my RT when it shows up, I am more than happy to put plus in it. My current vehicle, 2000 Bonneville SSEi, requres premiium due to the supercharger. It runs on lower grades, but performance is lousy.
I will probably try to run some gas mileage and performance comparisons on the various grades at some point, but I may not bother until I start some mods.
Items on the list of mods:
Cold Air Kit: This should be easy enough, even if no-one makes an exac fit.
Upgrade CPU: Only I wish for a while.
Exhaust mods: ????
New Tire and Wheels for good weather. The Coontinentals lack a little performance when pushing it.
Anti-Sway bars: Maybe, I know a custom shop in florida, whose owner was a VP for Addco.
chrome or black window film and repeat turn signals on the front fenders. Light up wiper nozzles too. Don't forget an extra long tailpipe extension so when someone walks past the back of your car they get branded!
Having owned a number of Chrysler Dodge products over the years, the one trait that the Benz Boyz really need to reverse is where the rubber really does meet the road. I'd say you're on the right path to have real fun with it.
Every ChryCo product I've owned came off the lot with pretty pathetic rubber and rather heavy wheels. A simple, and not substantial, change in footwear has made huge differences in handling, gripping and stopping. Magnum, even in R/T trim continues this lamentable tradition! A 4100lb wagon running on 225/60 rubber, or worse the 215/65 paws, is going to complain audibly in even moderate maneuvers, and will leave a whole lot of performance potential largely untapped.
So stepping from the 18x7.5 package chunker, which probably weighs in at about 30lbs to something like an 18x8.5 SSR Competition at 16.8lbs would be a huge first step.
The problem, I think, will be matching any kind of real high performance rubber with it. With a diameter of 28.8 inches, the stock set up is in the truck/van range, and most of the best summer ultra-performance tires don't appear to come anywhere close to matching! About as close as you can get, it seems, is 27.7" with a 245/35, which is more acceptable width, but that requires a 21" rim!!! Bling bling. Say bye bye to unsprung weight savings! If you can find a 255/55-18 anywhere in a real perf tire, you'd have a big win.
I think your idea for bars is excellent. I'd imagine Mopar products will be forthcoming very shortly for that fix.
Intake, in the absence of headers and exhaust won't mean much I think. Besides, the beastie seems to pull just fine, so straight-line mods seem a low priority, at least to my mind.
The thing does sit a little high, IMO, and there's just plain scads of wheel well gap that could do with a little shortening, from a purely aesthetic point of view. Since there's likely minimal gain in handling to be gotten from any lowering, that's strictly cosmetic, and maybe not worth the hit in ride or (possibly) handling.
I like the thought of beefing the brakes, if in fact you do anything else. Most over-looked improvement, IMO...
Anyone else taken a test drive? I thought it handled pretty damn well with lots of low end and great stability. Interior was clean and simple, not fancy but thats part of the appeal. Why try to compete with the SUV bling battles when the important thing is out performing and out looking all them hulking battleships out there. Keeping the design inside clean looking is part of the point. And if you want a totally decked out interior and performance in the same package you'd have to spend 20 grand more and look for a European wrapper. The Magnum seems just right to me although better rubber would seem to make sense. I'm buying!
Numerous dealers in the area have SXT's but I saw my first RT yesterday. Dark Blue, loaded, rather more attractive in person than in print. Hope to test drive at some point..
i saw my first magnum last night...an SXT. not bad! i'm still not sure i like the headlight treatment...but the rest of the car looked good. really wish they would have kept the more projector like lenses from the show car, but i digress. let us know how the test drive goes...
...for Premiere Night - June 17 from 6p-10p. Don't know if I'll be able to make it - have an eye exam that day and hopefully won't be sitting in a dark room all day from dilation
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About a month after going to the 300 premiere, I got a $500 rebate coupon in the mail good for purchases through August (exclusive of the new convertibles). Maybe Dodge will do the same...
(For that reason I'd also register at the event....)
I managed to get a test drive in last friday (the 21st), went by the dealership after work and saw a red RT sitting in the entrance to the parking lot (they'd only arrived a few hours before I got there). The dealership had gotten in 3 red RT's, and 2 SXT's (one black, one magnesium). None of the RT's were the right color for me nor did they have the options I wanted, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from test driving one (I've been waiting 15 months already for the chance). I thought it was a pretty good driver, nice and quick when the opportunity presented itself, but still quite a bit different from what I'm used to. I have a '97 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport that I'm looking to replace. Compared to my Impreza, the Magnum feels bigger from the inside (doesn't look a whole lot bigger, just a bit longer from the outside), and when driving it is obvious the Magnum is a much heavier car (4000lb vs 2800), but it has the power to make it move. I took the Magnum through the local congested suburb streets during rush hour, so I didn't have a lot of room to run. Despite that, I found some nice twisty curves to go through, and was impressed with the suspension. Body roll was not noticeably different from my Impreza (nice and firm), the engine was always willing to give power when asked, and the traction control ready to keep the car moving properly. Did a test launch from a stop, and chirped the wheels briefly, but it gripped and took off without complaining. When cornering is where the full momentum of the extra bulk is most obviously felt, especially if trying to carry any speed through the turn. This took me a bit by surprise the first time I encountered it, as I'm used to how my Impreza will rip through turns and launch out of them quite nicely, albeit a bit more noisily. Speaking of noise levels, I found the Magnum engine didn't seem to be half as loud as the 2.2l engine my Impreza at the same speeds, despite having 2.5 times the power (MUCH nicer sound dampening in the cabin). The added power, less noise and same gas mileage are looking good to me. The seating position in the Magnum is a bit taller than most other cars, but not as tall as regular trucks/SUV's, and the driver's seat isn't as 'cozy' as in my Impreza, which isn't a bad thing. The view out is remarkably good, though the pillars do feel a bit bulky (a-pillar especially). It would take a bit more time than I had on the short testdrive to get used to the different size feel from my small Impreza wagon to the larger Magnum. On the other side, the Magnum does have an oddly semi-claustrophobic feel to the interior -- there is tons of space inside (unless you're stuck in the middle of the back seat), but the short, heavily tinted windows and large roof overhangs made it almost feel like I was in a cave, even though I was in the front with the windows and sunroof open on a bright sunny day. The back seats would be even worse than this. (Not an issue to me, but sun-worshippers might wish to steer clear) All in all, I rate it as a worthwhile upgrade from my '97 Impreza wagon, even though they're not quite the same type of car (sport wagon to more of a touring car). I was impressed enough to place an order for one with the proper options and colors to suit my tastes. I'm looking to have it keep me driving comfortably for the next several years. Maybe in a couple years I'll have to see what GM's done with the Kappa architecture to see if I can get a sporty compliment to my Magnum.
As for upgrades to the Magnum, I'm hoping Dodge comes out with HID headlights that can be swapped for the regular ones. They'd probably get tons of owners or potential owners to jump at that if they offered it. Maybe next year when the SRT-8 Magnum comes out.
I'm also curious if it would be possible to retro-fit the tow package to a Magnum when it becomes available, and how much it would cost. I don't see myself needing to tow anything immediately, so I don't plan to wait until late fall to buy the car, but it is something I might want in the future.
I found the interior to be fairly nice on the Magnum, not cluttered with shiny bits (and appropriately without the increased price tag those usually bring), my only complaint about the dash is that it is HUGE! I've seen tables that are smaller than that! But that's just one of the compromizes given for the exterior styling, and I'm willing to accept that. As for the exterior styling itself, for those out there who fear Dodge/Chrysler will do to all their cars what they've done with the Magnum/300, you can relax. Autoline Detroit last sunday had one of the designers from DCX on, and he commented that the 300 and Magnum in particular were more design experiments, and pushed to the absolute limits as to where they were willing to go with that theme. High belt lines, chopped windows/low roofs and slab-sided feel will not progress beyond what we are now getting, and will be significantly toned down for other vehicles. He also mentioned that "cab forward" is NOT dead, they just wanted to try something different with the Magnum/300's. So for anyone fearing what the rumored Charger will look like, you can breathe a bit easier knowing that it probably won't be as far out there as the Magnum is, though we'll likely have to wait until January to find out for sure.
I sat in a Magnum on Sat. after getting excited from the Magazine coverage, (I am a long time Wagon Guy, and it looks so Koooool!). But I was disappointed to find that Lumbar Support in the drivers seat is not included at any level. What are they thinking???
Local dealer has a red SXT on the lot. I did the sit down and walk around. Quite a few people looking at it, but no one asking for a drive. Possibly, like me, without the Hemi they'd rather not!
It's a big damn car! For all that size and heft, my impression is that the interior space is somewhat inefficient. Big on the outside, but not on the inside. Very much like the Pacifica in that regard.
It is a comfortable and pleasing interior, if a little forgetable. I don't care for the massive vertical appearance of the dash, though.
I wish they hadn't taken a complete and total 180 from Cab Forward, frankly. The back 3/4s of the car is very sleek, but the boxy, very long nose would have been well served by a sexier rake to the windshield and a touch (just a touch now) of rounding on the nose.
Neat beast overall, but not for me. Just too big for the kind of fun I like best... ;-)
Does anyone know what the availability of the all-wheel drive version of the Magnum will be? I keep seeing "fall" but that's as detailed a description as I find. I am coming out of a lease on October 1st and am wondering if I have time to wait for the all-wheel version? Thanks for any help.
Thanks - I hope you are right, Edmunds says RT has it. My info was based on the Salesperson at local dealer, the SXT I sat in, and the Dodge brochure, not the best way to get info. Since I drive 25K a year or so I sure do like a good lumbar support. Keeping my fingers crossed the RT has it.
In both "sports tourer" (Magnum) and sedan (300C) form, the LX cars are shorter than the LH cars yet have more interior room. The 300C does have a slightly smaller trunk than it's LH forebears but overall passenger room is up. It is, most certainly, an "illusion" that you experience them as too big on the outside and too small on the inside. Although relative to, say, a Neon-they will no doubt look "big". Perhaps you're responding to the decrease in glass and raised sills of the greenhouse. Why Chrysler thinks that this makes us feel "protected" is beyond me. Especially those of us who are over 6 ft and 200 pounds..
Oh, I don't doubt it for a minute, Jason. Believe me, I wasn't suggesting that Cab Forward allowed for efficiencies in interior volume. Quite the opposite (from experience).
But CF had a delightful way of making a big car look more athletic (IMO) and far, far less hefty, very much the opposite of the current styling genre.
So I stand by my impression: what you see (or rather I see) on the outside leads you to believe there is much more on the inside than there is.
What I had heard from a source at Dodge HQ was AWD in November. But that date was tentative. I assume that would be the delivery date which would back up ordering date into maybe Sept. I am waiting for that option too before I place my order.
On that we agree.. Perhaps we should call the styling debate "bricks versus wedges"?? While showing her age a bit--I still marvel at the 3/4 view of my Steel Blue Intrepid ES when the sun sets behind her. I often wonder if folks realize that the Magnum/300C outweigh the LH's by 500 (or more) pounds. As I've said before; I'd like to see what a 2005 Intrepid could have been with a redesigned FWD platform, thorough update of the engines, and increased space efficiency..... (Sigh...)..
My biggest problem with cab forward design is that I cannot see stop lights. I am taller than average have have my seat all the way back. The windshield angle doesn't work for me as the roof comes too far forward.
Comments
What color?
I'll post a detailed review of the RT after I get it. If no-one else does first.
Plus has anyone heard about the "GAS OUT" on May 19th? Supposedly through an e-mailed I received yesterday we're not suppose to buy gas in the US on the 19th. Ok back to the business @ hand. The Magnum is growing on me, but the idea of possibly running premium isn't. All in all a beautiful piece of machinery. Thanks for the info in advance...
IT HAS BEEN CALCULATED THAT IF EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES DID NOT
PURCHASE A DROP OF GASOLINE FOR ONE DAY AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME, THE
OIL COMPANIES WOULD CHOKE ON THEIR STOCKPILES. AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HIT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WITH A NET LOSS OF OVER 4.6 BILLION DOLLARS WHICH AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINES OF THE OIL COMPANIES. THEREFORE MAY 19TH HAS BEEN FORMALLY DECLARED "STICK IT UP THEIR BEHIND" DAY AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION SHOULD NOT BUY A SINGLE DROP OF GASOLINE THAT DAY. THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN BE DONE IS IF YOU FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN AND AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN TO GET THE WORD OUT. WAITING ON THIS ADMINISTRATION TO STEP IN AND CONTROL THE PRICES IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL IN PRICES THAT THE ARAB NATIONS PROMISED TWO WEEKS AGO?
REMEMBER ONE THING, NOT ONLY IS THE PRICE OF GASOLINE GOING UP BUT AT THE SAME TIME AIRLINES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES, TRUCKING COMPANIES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES WHICH EFFECTS PRICES ON EVERYTHING THAT IS SHIPPED. THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING, BUILDING MATERIALS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES ETC. WHO PAYS IN THE END? WE DO! WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF THEY DON'T GET THE MESSAGE AFTER ONE DAY, WE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.
SO DO YOUR PART AND SPREAD THE WORD. FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE
YOU KNOW. MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND MAKE MAY 19TH A DAY THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES SAY "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"
Best Regards,
Shipo
A hybrid or diesel Magnum would be nice... but g*d forbid they should come out with something like that for us!
I like the Magnum, but there is one glaring design flaw... the roof comes way too far forward, forcing the driver to stop way behind the traffic light in order to see it.
Sorry but this Gas Out day thing simply will not work. This will not bring oil companies to their knees. I can avoid buying gas on the 19th. No Problem! What will happen? I'll just have to put gas in my car on the 18th instead. Big deal!
Yes no one like paying for gas but accept it as the necessary evil it is to enjoy driving the car you want. If you are worried about gas prices then why the heck are you on this board talking about a 5.7l Hemi Dodge Magnum. Go out an buy an eco friendly Prius or Jetta diesel instead.
Personally, I grew up in England when gas is over $5 per gallon (converted litres to US gallons), so I think gas here is cheap. So, stop whinging...
The commentator stated that one was one of only two in existence - well I guess that was wrong, but it was the first time I saw the cars on TV.
Now there was a red car and a magnesium (I presume). I still do not like the look of the front of this car and would rather have the 300C front end, but I must say the in magnesium if did not look too bad. I think it helps that the grill is the same/similar color as the paint work.
The car is still growing on me...
Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com by Wednesday, May 19, 2004 with your recent automotive history and daytime phone number.
Thanks!
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Now if everyone in the states rode a bike or took a bus. for one day.....NOW THAT would do something!!!
Yeah you're a stick in the mud. J/K. I thought about that too. If everybody bought gas the day before or after the greedy oil barons would still get their money. Something has gotta give with these gas prices. 4.5yrs ago when I moved to Atlanta, GA & the prices were like $1.09 I think. I thought I was seeing things. I saw my first $1.99 sign for regular last night. I feel for you Califorians. MAN...
BUT back to the Magnum. Really nice looking. I guess I'll try to go look at one tomorrow. Won't test drive. Don't want to be tempted. Don't want a $500+/mo car payment right now. Just wouldn't make sense for me. I hope everyone else is enjoying theirs though.
But holy cow, it drives like a million bucks! I'm going to get the 300C, because I don't need a wagon, but I strongly believe that Magnum buyers are going to be very happy with their cars.
I'm wondering what Class (2 or 3) hitch is to be installed. This is not a full framed vehicle (uses unibody w/IRS), so I wonder if this is for real/how it will work, and if rear springing/shocks will be up to the task.
If 37 cents per day bothers you, why are you thinking about buying a large, V8 powered wagon for $30,000?
So, instead of spending $133 more per year, in reality you will probably spend maybe $50 per year less.
Best Regards,
Shipo
As for me and my RT when it shows up, I am more than happy to put plus in it. My current vehicle, 2000 Bonneville SSEi, requres premiium due to the supercharger. It runs on lower grades, but performance is lousy.
I will probably try to run some gas mileage and performance comparisons on the various grades at some point, but I may not bother until I start some mods.
Items on the list of mods:
Cold Air Kit: This should be easy enough, even if no-one makes an exac fit.
Upgrade CPU: Only I wish for a while.
Exhaust mods: ????
New Tire and Wheels for good weather. The Coontinentals lack a little performance when pushing it.
Anti-Sway bars: Maybe, I know a custom shop in florida, whose owner was a VP for Addco.
New plugs and coils: Should boost the low-end.
Any other thoughts on mods?
Every ChryCo product I've owned came off the lot with pretty pathetic rubber and rather heavy wheels. A simple, and not substantial, change in footwear has made huge differences in handling, gripping and stopping. Magnum, even in R/T trim continues this lamentable tradition! A 4100lb wagon running on 225/60 rubber, or worse the 215/65 paws, is going to complain audibly in even moderate maneuvers, and will leave a whole lot of performance potential largely untapped.
So stepping from the 18x7.5 package chunker, which probably weighs in at about 30lbs to something like an 18x8.5 SSR Competition at 16.8lbs would be a huge first step.
The problem, I think, will be matching any kind of real high performance rubber with it. With a diameter of 28.8 inches, the stock set up is in the truck/van range, and most of the best summer ultra-performance tires don't appear to come anywhere close to matching! About as close as you can get, it seems, is 27.7" with a 245/35, which is more acceptable width, but that requires a 21" rim!!! Bling bling. Say bye bye to unsprung weight savings! If you can find a 255/55-18 anywhere in a real perf tire, you'd have a big win.
I think your idea for bars is excellent. I'd imagine Mopar products will be forthcoming very shortly for that fix.
Intake, in the absence of headers and exhaust won't mean much I think. Besides, the beastie seems to pull just fine, so straight-line mods seem a low priority, at least to my mind.
The thing does sit a little high, IMO, and there's just plain scads of wheel well gap that could do with a little shortening, from a purely aesthetic point of view. Since there's likely minimal gain in handling to be gotten from any lowering, that's strictly cosmetic, and maybe not worth the hit in ride or (possibly) handling.
I like the thought of beefing the brakes, if in fact you do anything else. Most over-looked improvement, IMO...
I did a quick search, and you can go with G-Force T/A KDW2s in 255/55-60 for a scant $134 a paw!
This ol' boy says go for it! I'd order them pre-mounted now!
;-)
i saw my first magnum last night...an SXT. not bad! i'm still not sure i like the headlight treatment...but the rest of the car looked good. really wish they would have kept the more projector like lenses from the show car, but i digress. let us know how the test drive goes...
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Smart Shopper and Wagons Message Boards
(For that reason I'd also register at the event....)
I thought it was a pretty good driver, nice and quick when the opportunity presented itself, but still quite a bit different from what I'm used to. I have a '97 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport that I'm looking to replace. Compared to my Impreza, the Magnum feels bigger from the inside (doesn't look a whole lot bigger, just a bit longer from the outside), and when driving it is obvious the Magnum is a much heavier car (4000lb vs 2800), but it has the power to make it move. I took the Magnum through the local congested suburb streets during rush hour, so I didn't have a lot of room to run. Despite that, I found some nice twisty curves to go through, and was impressed with the suspension. Body roll was not noticeably different from my Impreza (nice and firm), the engine was always willing to give power when asked, and the traction control ready to keep the car moving properly. Did a test launch from a stop, and chirped the wheels briefly, but it gripped and took off without complaining. When cornering is where the full momentum of the extra bulk is most obviously felt, especially if trying to carry any speed through the turn. This took me a bit by surprise the first time I encountered it, as I'm used to how my Impreza will rip through turns and launch out of them quite nicely, albeit a bit more noisily. Speaking of noise levels, I found the Magnum engine didn't seem to be half as loud as the 2.2l engine my Impreza at the same speeds, despite having 2.5 times the power (MUCH nicer sound dampening in the cabin). The added power, less noise and same gas mileage are looking good to me.
The seating position in the Magnum is a bit taller than most other cars, but not as tall as regular trucks/SUV's, and the driver's seat isn't as 'cozy' as in my Impreza, which isn't a bad thing. The view out is remarkably good, though the pillars do feel a bit bulky (a-pillar especially). It would take a bit more time than I had on the short testdrive to get used to the different size feel from my small Impreza wagon to the larger Magnum.
On the other side, the Magnum does have an oddly semi-claustrophobic feel to the interior -- there is tons of space inside (unless you're stuck in the middle of the back seat), but the short, heavily tinted windows and large roof overhangs made it almost feel like I was in a cave, even though I was in the front with the windows and sunroof open on a bright sunny day. The back seats would be even worse than this. (Not an issue to me, but sun-worshippers might wish to steer clear)
All in all, I rate it as a worthwhile upgrade from my '97 Impreza wagon, even though they're not quite the same type of car (sport wagon to more of a touring car). I was impressed enough to place an order for one with the proper options and colors to suit my tastes. I'm looking to have it keep me driving comfortably for the next several years. Maybe in a couple years I'll have to see what GM's done with the Kappa architecture to see if I can get a sporty compliment to my Magnum.
I'm also curious if it would be possible to retro-fit the tow package to a Magnum when it becomes available, and how much it would cost. I don't see myself needing to tow anything immediately, so I don't plan to wait until late fall to buy the car, but it is something I might want in the future.
I found the interior to be fairly nice on the Magnum, not cluttered with shiny bits (and appropriately without the increased price tag those usually bring), my only complaint about the dash is that it is HUGE! I've seen tables that are smaller than that! But that's just one of the compromizes given for the exterior styling, and I'm willing to accept that.
As for the exterior styling itself, for those out there who fear Dodge/Chrysler will do to all their cars what they've done with the Magnum/300, you can relax. Autoline Detroit last sunday had one of the designers from DCX on, and he commented that the 300 and Magnum in particular were more design experiments, and pushed to the absolute limits as to where they were willing to go with that theme. High belt lines, chopped windows/low roofs and slab-sided feel will not progress beyond what we are now getting, and will be significantly toned down for other vehicles. He also mentioned that "cab forward" is NOT dead, they just wanted to try something different with the Magnum/300's.
So for anyone fearing what the rumored Charger will look like, you can breathe a bit easier knowing that it probably won't be as far out there as the Magnum is, though we'll likely have to wait until January to find out for sure.
Depending on what you are planning on towing, you can get a 3800 lbs hitch and the wiring harness now. Check out http://www.leeauto.com/parts/magnum.html
Without the loadleveling shocks and coller the towing is limited to 2000 lbs.
But I was disappointed to find that Lumbar Support in the drivers seat is not included at any level. What are they thinking???
It's a big damn car! For all that size and heft, my impression is that the interior space is somewhat inefficient. Big on the outside, but not on the inside. Very much like the Pacifica in that regard.
It is a comfortable and pleasing interior, if a little forgetable. I don't care for the massive vertical appearance of the dash, though.
I wish they hadn't taken a complete and total 180 from Cab Forward, frankly. The back 3/4s of the car is very sleek, but the boxy, very long nose would have been well served by a sexier rake to the windshield and a touch (just a touch now) of rounding on the nose.
Neat beast overall, but not for me. Just too big for the kind of fun I like best... ;-)
But CF had a delightful way of making a big car look more athletic (IMO) and far, far less hefty, very much the opposite of the current styling genre.
So I stand by my impression: what you see (or rather I see) on the outside leads you to believe there is much more on the inside than there is.
It's still a big damn car!!!
;-)
I often wonder if folks realize that the Magnum/300C outweigh the LH's by 500 (or more) pounds. As I've said before; I'd like to see what a 2005 Intrepid could have been with a redesigned FWD platform, thorough update of the engines, and increased space efficiency..... (Sigh...)..