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Total tally:
-Car back to the dealer a total of 12 times
-Replaced front left strut 1 time
-Replaced 2 front tires (Michelin MX4 205's)
-Rotated tires 2 times
-Rebalanced wheels 2 times
-Tightened/adjusted??? front-end 2 times
-Pending - Reordered front calipers (rusting/leaking???)
-Pending - repaint inside of doors (summer)
Folks - this car had 7 miles on it when I leased it in January 2001 - it now has 1300 miles on it - what a nightmare...
In both instances my experiences were positive. The first SE had a few more features than my most recent rental--but both were satisfactory. I was impressed with the ride, handling, space and structural feel of both cars. Base stereo was solid--considerably better than the base unit in the Intrepid SE. The stats suggest that the sedan lost about 2 cubic feet of interior space in the redesign. I'm convinced damn near all of it is out of the front headroom--but at 6'3" and a former linebacker, I can't blame the car for my gene pool. The headlights are strong, the climate control worked well. NVH seems much improved. My advice would be to forego the 2.4 DOHC four for the V-6 if possible. It's certainly adequate (I drove mine in Florida with the AC running), but a V-6 I test drove seems better suited. Good trunk space and hauled a few folks in back who commented on the space in back.
Have a close friend with a 1996 Cirrus which is bumping up against 100,000 miles. His experiences have been quite positive with no significant reliability or mechanical problems. His experience is very similar to that of my aunt whose 1998 Stratus is doing well. Fortunately or "un", I can't hop on the "Chrysler sucks" bandwagon so prevalent at some topics. My experiences have been positive--NOT perfect--but positive. My mother's 1994 Intrepid continues to soldier on with no significant problems--though it is garage kept and fairly low mileage. Although very new my 2000 Intrepid ES has been flawless--except for a "skipping" four disc CD changer.
Hope my experiences with the Stratus are helpful for someone contemplating the vehicle. Take care..
I do tend to avoid 1st year cars, regardless of make. My 2000 Intrepid R/T was it's third model year, and the assembly seems quite good.
Good luck, but I can tell you are not thrilled owning this car right now.
What did you think about rearward visibiltiy in the new Stratus? How do you compare the visibilty with your Intrepid? How do you compare it with the older generation JA models your friends/family drive?
As to the second point: I wonder why no R/T version yet?
75K miles and six years! It's an awesome car!
Mark
Speaking of belts, my '95's accessory belts were just beginning to show a little wear at 75K, so I had 'em replaced during a routine intermediate.
Sensors: rear upstream o2 sensor is in a relatively inaccessible location and if it has not already been replaced, will be a $150-$200 fix when it goes. Front upstream and the downstream o2 are an easy fix, though the dealer charges $95 for the part.
Agreed on the four cylinder (two cylinders shy of a REAL engine anyway!), but I believe that only pertains to the 2.0L model and not the 2.4L. The 2.0 was not available on any Cirrus, as far as I know. For the price they fetch now, it would be a mistake to pass up the 2.5L six. Also, the interior in an LXi or an ES is far superior to an LX or an SE.
At 50K miles, the suspension should be fine; by 100K, new front struts are in order. You can replace them all around with Monroe (an upgrade; believe me!) SensaTracs for about $400, when they're on sale, or go with one of the imports for about $800.
I love my car!
Mark
In looking at used, the head gasket issue is a non by the '99 model year. eneth's point is well taken though, and my preference is the V6, not only for all of its characteristics, but also the better trim and amenities that accompany it. Of course, if it isn't a 3800, eneth wouldn't like it anyway!...;-P
Two points:
1. A 2.4L four with a manual will be about on par with the performance of a 2.5L six with an automatic.
2. The six is shoe-horned in there pretty tight, so if you enjoy doing your own work, you may be occasionally frustrated.
loucirrus99: Darned near any mid to upper level replacement strut will be a step up. The major points of definition for the success of this platform vs. the competition were interior space, price/content, styling and HANDLING. The only competitor I ever found out there that had better handling was Contour SVT.
That being said, ChryCo was never known for premium suspension bits in non-premium rides. Thoroughly adequate, yes, but not superior. The Sensa-Trac rides about the same, maybe a little smoother, but creases, ruts and cracks still feel about the same. Hard cornering (and I do a fair amount) is where I've noticed less body roll, better response, more consistent grip and better absorption of surface irregularities without a loss of communication.
Now, let's be fair: I just replaced near six-year-old OE struts; it's just possible that I'm feeling new vs. old, and that's clouding my memory a bit. But I don't think so.
I considered Bilstein and KYB as well. The shops did not have good things to say about KYB, and the cost of Bilsteins was more than this particular car is worth, not to mention that I really don't need to firm it up THAT much!
Hope some of this helps.
Mark
I understand some have already been restored, and more may be coming, but there are no promises at this point.
Please accept our sincerest apologies for this situation and trust that every effort is being made to rectify the problem. Thank you for your patience.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
Thanks very much for the insight on the Monroe struts. The information you furnished was very helpful.
Cheers.... Lou
Don't know if you'll find data on failure percentages, but based on those I know with 2.0 and 2.4L Chrysler engines, it's fairly high - just about everyone I've known or met with one had to replace the head gasket by 40-50,000 miles.
Also like Ford, but not usually GM, a little pushing will get about a 50%-75% co-op on the repair.
I would set my sights on '99 and up when looking at the 2.0L and the 2.4L, though I'm not aware of the head gasket issue's persistence past '97.
As I've stated before, if you fancy a used "cloud" car, considering the prices they can be had for, you should really look for either a Cirrus LXi, or a Stratus ES V6. The little 2.5L Mitsu six has proven a reliable little power plant. It also has a fairly satisfying little roar between 4500 and 6600 rpms...
I have replaced two sensors and the high-side A/C switch in my '95 Stratus ES V6, and other than maintenance items and my own upgrades (like my struts and wheels), that's it after 75K miles.
BTW, NEVER rely on ONE person's anecdotal experiences with ONE car!
Mark
1)How does one know when a headgasket needs to be replaced?
2)Is the appeal to DaimlerChrysler to have a non-recall item fixed supposed to take some type of formal procedure or is it determined by one's "power of persuasion" at the dealership?
3)You mentioned a DaimlerChrysler dealership will usually do the repair, does that include a "regular" Chrysler dealership or are they one of the same?
Also, I went back to inspect the car a 2nd time and I noticed a leak on the pavement and the dealer said it was coming from the transmission pan, that they plan on replacing the seal or gasket...Not a big leak. Is the fact that it leaked enough to avoid this car, i.e. related to a bigger problem, or is it normal or nothing to get worked up about? I verified the odometer number with CarFax, 54K, and the tranny fluid is a nice bright red and the dealer sez he hasn't replaced the fluid. The previous owner was a company lease. Thanks again!
Re: Chrysler dealerships, they are all now Daimler Chrysler but they are not all alike. Stick with a 5 star dealer and you will have "fewer" problems.
Personally I would avoid used 4 cylinders. My company used to use them in our fleet but they simply do not hold up. If I were in the market for a used car regardless of make I would stick to a 6 cylinder. The lower rpm's they are normally driven at and designed for makes them as an engine class more durable. Japanese engines are designed for high compression, high horse power (normally relatively low torque for the hp). As such they generally are driven harder. Heat and vibration are the mortal enemies of these aluminum block engines.
Good luck to you in your search. Your wise to spend time before purchasing and to ask questions. Others here may have differing opinions which is good as it gives you more perspective.
If you are noticing a transaxle leak, and have not yet purchased the car, look elsewhere. 50-60,000 miles is about the lifespan of these DaimlerChrysler 4-speed automatics before they require a rebuild or replacement.
How long life time does the stratus have? how many miles before I should expect problems? I've read about the head gaskets and the A/C.
Is 4cyl will manual a better option than automatic?
Thanx,
Caisa
As I've mentioned in my previous posting, if reliability is a concern then look at the 6 cylinder engined cars (compact/midsize cars). Because of their better power to weight ratios the engine and transmissions are subject to less stress over the same number of miles. This means normally all things being equal, the 6 cylinder compact / midsize cars are mechanically usually in better condition.
If your concerned about mileage, there isn't that much difference between a 4 and a 6 cylinder engine in a car the size of the Stratus. When you consider repair costs and durability what you save in gas with the 4 you more then lose here. In otherwords the 6 will cost you less to operate in the long run.
All cars can have problems with head gaskets and AC. I've had a few Hondas and my family and company have had several. Head gasket failure was very common with them also. Fords also have had their share of those problems. Be careful when people talk about things like AC, etc. I would guess that the vast majority of problems are due to improper or poor maintenance, broken lines, etc. Many times the fix is relatively simple. When people start talking compressor failure I have to wonder. That sounds more like a mechanic looking to make big money out of a small problem. I've had 11 cars in my life and my company has has had a few hundred over the past few years. I have never had a compressor failure and my company has only had 2 maybe 3 which works out to less then 1%.
If you are dead set on a 4 cylinder car look at the Saturns. They have what is perhaps the best automatic for a 4 cylinder engine of any company. Their engines are low horsepower high torque which means they tend to operate at lower rpm's. This translates into less wear and tear per miles driven. These cars have a well earned reputation for reliability and durability.
Good luck to you in your search.
Especially about the V6 and the A/C compressor. It's amazing what you can accomplish when someone tells you the compressor needs replacing, and you get a second opinion.
Having owned a '93 Saturn SL2 automatic, I have to agree with xmann on that one too. GM may have no clue when it comes to switchgear or interior presentation (except maybe Caddy), but their A/Ts are beyond reproach...
Best of luck!
There is an intermittent bad smell - they've sprayed it with the spray, they've replaced some hoses, even replaced the evaporator etc - been in the shop at least 6 times for AC problems - only had the car 2 years!
Apart from that its a solid car.
I spoke to the chrysler rep and they said that chrysler did have problems with the AC on several of their cars.
So be warned about the AC on these cars - and for those of you who say that an AC problem is a case of bad maintenance - gimme a break!! Exactly what maintenance do you do for your AC on a car with onyl 40,000km? There is NO scheduled maintenance for an AC system - either it works or it doesn't ...period!
If you go through posts on Chrysler/Dodge boards you will note that many owners have an AC problem.
Bad smell means there is mold / mildew in A/C system. It grows if the system is always wet. Either because the drain is plugged, or because you are using the recirculate mode too much, or both (mildew plugs the drain itself).
Given the car was at shop several times, the recirculation reason is much more probable. A/C is not designed to be run is this mode continousely, only for several minutes when starting (or when driving behind a diesel).
Teo from Impala forum explained what to do with the mildew last summer. It have to be "roasted", i.e. killed by high temperature. This takes about 30-40 minutes. If I remember it right:
With engine already hot (e.g. after returning from work), put car on park, with engine idling. Open all windows. Than put A/C on recirculation mode, maximal hot. Walk around for 20-30 minutes. The mold will be killed.
Than, with A/C still on maximal hot, turn it to the normal mode and run for another 5-10 minutes. This is to blow out the remains of killed mold from the system.
In case of a stubborn mold, or just to be sure, repeat the same two or three times, with interval of a week to month. If there is a mold in system, it will grow - so repeat this every year, or twice a year.
Of course, it is possible to do the same while driving - if you do not mind the heat torture.
Dodge Stratus ES. I started out looking for
Dodge Dakota Trucks but after gas prices jumped, I opted for a car instead.
I was going to buy a Dodge Stratus SE 4 cylinder, but happened across this board and decided to take a look at the ES 6 cylinder.
The 2000 SE 4-cylinder was going to be $10,995. I got the 2000 ES with 18,000 miles for $12,200 and took the 7 year, 100,000 mile warranty for $1300 after reading about some concerns about reliability, I thought maybe it'd be a good idea. I hope I keep the car that long and enjoy it.
This one has the autostick which i will admit i know nothing about. I enjoyed it on the test drive. Does anyone have this feature? What real world use is there besides fun? I guess it'd be good like in snow, etc because you can control the power etc.
I wanted to thank all of your for your posts and for taking the time to let others know your experiences. It sure helps...I'll contribue once i get possesion of the car (it's dark green, i'd of preferred maroon and it doesn't have a sunroof). I sure wouldn't mind one but oh well.
Thanks again,
cheers.
"Dodge has created a highly likeable alternative to the mega-powers who control the family sedan segment ... It's roomier and more powerful than its American brethren, and thousands less than comparatively equipped Japanese sedans."
Read the entire review by following the link in the Additional Resources box on the left sidebar of this page. Let us know what you think.Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
I am having a litte buyer's remorse, not with the car so much as with the extended warranty for some reason. Maybe because I have no idea if i'll keep the car that long? I got that mixed in with the car loan at the point of sale, i'm not sure if that was smart or not. Time will tell.
A couple of minor things to note, my windshield mister isn't working (this is a used vehicle) so i need to get that fixed. Certainly no biggy.
Everything else is in good order it seems. ES comes in leather (I got it for the V6 engine). I live in NM, leather isn't going to work for me in the hot summer, so i'm off to an auto parts store to get a cloth seat cover, at least until fall.
My back has been sore the last couple of days, i've noticed the lumbar support seems to be bothering me on the drivers side seat and doesn't seem to have an adjustment...I think my chevy truck had no to very little lumbar support and i got used to that. I've been playing with the power seat trying to get comfy.
Overall, this car is a looker. I like the way it performs. My issues with it have nothing to do with the car, but the fact i'm coming out of a truck and used to the view up there haha. It's going to take some time getting used to the view. I wish somehow, i could've gotten cloth interior with the V6 but i'll fix that with a $30 seat cover I guess at Autozone. Any advice on that front?
One other thing...on moving from a truck to the stratus. I drove it today and the gas needle never moved! YESSSSS. goal #1 accomplished.
I had an issue with my '87 Acura Legend, but that's the only car I've ever had with an A/C odor.
Kind of funny you mention A/Cs and extended warranties. My high-side switch went out at 72K miles. Not an expensive repair, but an annoying one timing-wise. Went out on the very day I had to make a six-hour round trip to the central valley in 100+ heat! Of course! My co-worker's Accord A/C quit at 82K, and his wife's Camry A/C went at 89K, while my sister's Accord lost it at 68K. My father's XJ6 A/C lasted 'til 124K (miracles DO happen).
I think it's reasonable to assume repairs will be necessary to most vehicles approching the 100K mark. Just make sure that your "warranty" doesn't exclude parts of the HVAC system!!!
Seems to work, lemme know what happens after calling them. Otherwise, I will ask my friend what he did to have his car's situation resolved.
Later,
phatride01
Thanks!
jrypka
Of course, his answers to this were "YES" as he could see the oil spewing from the head. As a result, he took the car into the dealer, they fixed the head gasket, and the timing belt (which he requested them to do) and ended up paying the whole of $206 (mainly for the head gasket, and the timing belt (i.e. the parts)).
At this point, if you are nowhere near Connecticut, I would ask the dealer that you went to, to contact Scap Motors, with regards to your situation, and I am sure that Scap would be willing to pass along the information. Contact them yourself first, that way, you have the upper hand.
Other than that, you could probably try and get in contact with the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic and Safety Admin.) and check their site for any such recalls. If they are listed, then the dealer has to have them fixed for "free", if not, you can take other measures of having the car fixed, or following the legal route.
Hope this has helped.
Later,
phatride01.
1. Head Gasket replaced 2x
2. Plugs replaced 3x (shudders and almost stalls when plugs burn out)
3. Electrical replaced 1x (was shorting out plugs and dashboard)
4. Oil Pan replaced 1x (developed a leak)
5. replaced Michelin's with Goodyear Eagle GTII at 36k
6. Heater/AC Fan replaced 1x
7. Dashboard Lights replaced 1x
8. Dashboard Speaker Mounts reclamped down 1x (you get an annoying rattle while driving)
9. Steering column replaced 1x (started cracking as I was turning wheel)
10. Exhaust system 1x (had to be rebent, started to rattle under car)
11. Power Steering Fluid Pump 1x
General Repairs
1. Shocks 1x
2. Brakes 1x
I am now waiting for a 2001 Escape which I've traded the stratus on.
I been hoping a Deer would run out in front of me and total the car... But they seem to be running away from it (me chasing them through the fields is probably why (just kidding))
Odie
I said hello to an '01 Sebring LXi coupe. Esto es vivir!
PS
I love the car:
Stratus ES - Deep Sapphire Blue
Sunroof
4 Disc Changer
ABS
Working perfectly!
Problem is that he is looking for a base Stratus with safety options like side air bags and AS brakes. This does not seem to exist in any dealer inventory. We've searched a six state area of the southwest and also Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. The car doesn't exist. It appears that we'll have to order a 2002 to get what he wants.
We would like to know anyone's experience with the 2001 4 cylinder engine as far as city mileage is concerned. Thanks for your input.
Mopar Mikey, Las Vegas
I had no problem with the safety options. Maybe you should look at the Sebring versions, as availability might be better in your area under that badge.
Looking at this board the complaints seem to be far fewer in regards to the V6 equiped versions. This has been the experience of my company also with its fleet vehicles. The V6 is going to work less to achieve more performance in a car of this class. This translates into improved long term durability. In this case what is not being said in regards to the V6 versions would seem to be as important as what is being said about the 4 cylinder versions.