Dodge Stratus coupe is a winner in performance and style
a007apl
01-15-2002, 08:46 AM
Think of sporty domestic coupes and the mind conjures up the likes of Ford's Mustang or Chevrolet's Camaro, fun cars but not terribly refined.
They still have that '60s muscle car thing going. You know, grumbling engine, heavy feel, spine-jarring suspension, utilitarian interior. They are throwbacks and about as subtle as a stick in the eye.
Certainly the domestic car world is ready for something different, and Dodge, which claims to be different with a capital D, has the answer: the 2001 Stratus R/T coupe. Of course, it got a fair amount of help from Mitsubishi.
The former Chrysler Corp., now part of Germany's DaimlerChrysler, and Mitsubishi have been working together for years, sharing engines and platforms. This time, it has paid off big-time for Dodge.
Its new Stratus coupe, which shares a chassis and engine with Mitsubishi's sporty Eclipse, is a hoot to drive. It's light and lively, handles great and has a more than sufficient supply of power mixed with attractive styling, something Dodge and Chrysler need no help with.
The R/T version is its sportiest coupe with a 3.0-liter V-6 that generates 200 horsepower and 205 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a fine five-speed manual transmission. Those 200 horses are up 37 from the 2.5-liter engine in its predecessor, the Dodge Avenger, which the Stratus coupe replaces.
This isn't a coupe for everyone, just folks who value performance and style, but don't need to show off with a rumbling V-8 that sucks gas like a teenager downing Dew.
With the exception of reverse gear, which was a little sticky, the metallic beige test car slickly slipped through all five gears as the car raced up to highway speeds. Being front-wheel drive, the Stratus had good grip on slippery autumn roads and was a blast accelerating from stops and through turns.
That's helped by a fine sport suspension with sway bars front and rear, and the R/T's standard 17-inch performance-rated tires. The car, which features a much stiffer body than the Avenger, corners well with no body roll to speak of and delivers a light, nimble, sporty feel.
Ride is equally nice, on the firm side, but cushioned enough to tolerate railroad tracks and crumbling freeways with aplomb. This would be an equally comfortable car on a long road trip or just blasting around town.
Braking is fine, too, with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes optional for $565.
Amazingly, for a domestic performance-oriented coupe, the Stratus is pleasantly quiet inside. Wind noise is nil while road and engine noise are only minor, much as you'd expect in a Japanese car. But then, that's where Mitsubishi should get most of the credit. It makes the engine and transmission in Japan.
Inside, Dodge offers another of its fine interiors that look good and feel good, too.
There are round air vents on the sporty dash, and the fuel and temperature gauges are deep-set into round openings next to the clearly displayed speedometer and tachometer.
The rotary climate control knobs are easy to use and understand, and the radio, which includes CD and cassette players, has large buttons that are easy to adjust, even while the driver is wearing gloves. However, Dodge continues with its annoying "set" button that must be pressed prior to setting radio stations. Most cars allow you to depress and hold the station button to automatically set the station. This adds another step for no apparent reason.
Dodge puts the cruise control, a standard feature, on a stalk to the right of the wheel and also adds an outside temperature gauge atop the dash's center.
Standard, too, are power windows, locks and mirrors. All work fine, but the mirror setting is on the console between the seats, not my favorite spot. That console also contains two cup holders, but one is covered by the storage box lid, so it's tough to get at, an odd thing to be sure.
However, Dodge thoughtfully gives the car theater lighting that slowly fades after you get into the car, a nice touch, along with lighted visor mirrors.
The test car added a $1,045 leather interior group, beige and black, that gave the car an upscale look and feel. Several people commented on how attractive the car's interior was.
That carried over to the seats, which were highly praised by riders. They have good lateral support top and bottom, plus that option package put six-way power to the driver's seat, making it easy to adjust. Since the height and angle are both adjustable, the car is well-suited to drivers of all sizes.
Head and legroom are good in the Stratus coupe's front seat, but moderate in back. We carried four adults comfortably, though.
Being the R/T, the coupe also came with an optional power sun roof, which was fine, but the sun shade inside was in two pieces and sometimes would stick as the roof was retracting.
From a practical standpoint, the coupe also features a large, 16.3-cubic-foot trunk and split folding rear seats that allow you to expand the cargo area.
Mileage is decent for a sporty coupe. I got 21.7 miles per gallon and I'll confess to a pretty heavy foot in this one. The EPA says to expect 20 mpg city and 28 highway. Only about 20% of my driving was highway miles, but 50% was at about 40 mph or so with up to four aboard.
Price?
Here's some happy news. The R/T starts at $20,705, a very competitive price for this much fun. With its options, the test car came in at $23,585, still a reasonable price.
Mitsubishi's more radical-looking Eclipse, with the same V-6, starts at $20,947 for comparison's sake. A Honda Accord coupe with a 200-horse V-6 and automatic transmission checks in at about $22,400 and doesn't have near the style.
For those happy with good looks and smaller engines, the base Stratus SE coupe begins at $17,810 with a 147-horse, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Adding a V-6 boosts that $850, and automatic transmission - certainly not needed here - adds another $825. The base Stratus sedan is similarly priced, and its midlevel ES version, which packs a 2.7-liter V-6 coupled with an automatic, starts at $20,435.
Maybe it's the Japanese influence, or maybe the German parent's influence, but Dodge's new Stratus feels much more solid and competitive than anything Dodge has delivered in this segment for years. Whatever the influence, let's hope it continues. Stratus is a winner!
They still have that '60s muscle car thing going. You know, grumbling engine, heavy feel, spine-jarring suspension, utilitarian interior. They are throwbacks and about as subtle as a stick in the eye.
Certainly the domestic car world is ready for something different, and Dodge, which claims to be different with a capital D, has the answer: the 2001 Stratus R/T coupe. Of course, it got a fair amount of help from Mitsubishi.
The former Chrysler Corp., now part of Germany's DaimlerChrysler, and Mitsubishi have been working together for years, sharing engines and platforms. This time, it has paid off big-time for Dodge.
Its new Stratus coupe, which shares a chassis and engine with Mitsubishi's sporty Eclipse, is a hoot to drive. It's light and lively, handles great and has a more than sufficient supply of power mixed with attractive styling, something Dodge and Chrysler need no help with.
The R/T version is its sportiest coupe with a 3.0-liter V-6 that generates 200 horsepower and 205 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a fine five-speed manual transmission. Those 200 horses are up 37 from the 2.5-liter engine in its predecessor, the Dodge Avenger, which the Stratus coupe replaces.
This isn't a coupe for everyone, just folks who value performance and style, but don't need to show off with a rumbling V-8 that sucks gas like a teenager downing Dew.
With the exception of reverse gear, which was a little sticky, the metallic beige test car slickly slipped through all five gears as the car raced up to highway speeds. Being front-wheel drive, the Stratus had good grip on slippery autumn roads and was a blast accelerating from stops and through turns.
That's helped by a fine sport suspension with sway bars front and rear, and the R/T's standard 17-inch performance-rated tires. The car, which features a much stiffer body than the Avenger, corners well with no body roll to speak of and delivers a light, nimble, sporty feel.
Ride is equally nice, on the firm side, but cushioned enough to tolerate railroad tracks and crumbling freeways with aplomb. This would be an equally comfortable car on a long road trip or just blasting around town.
Braking is fine, too, with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes optional for $565.
Amazingly, for a domestic performance-oriented coupe, the Stratus is pleasantly quiet inside. Wind noise is nil while road and engine noise are only minor, much as you'd expect in a Japanese car. But then, that's where Mitsubishi should get most of the credit. It makes the engine and transmission in Japan.
Inside, Dodge offers another of its fine interiors that look good and feel good, too.
There are round air vents on the sporty dash, and the fuel and temperature gauges are deep-set into round openings next to the clearly displayed speedometer and tachometer.
The rotary climate control knobs are easy to use and understand, and the radio, which includes CD and cassette players, has large buttons that are easy to adjust, even while the driver is wearing gloves. However, Dodge continues with its annoying "set" button that must be pressed prior to setting radio stations. Most cars allow you to depress and hold the station button to automatically set the station. This adds another step for no apparent reason.
Dodge puts the cruise control, a standard feature, on a stalk to the right of the wheel and also adds an outside temperature gauge atop the dash's center.
Standard, too, are power windows, locks and mirrors. All work fine, but the mirror setting is on the console between the seats, not my favorite spot. That console also contains two cup holders, but one is covered by the storage box lid, so it's tough to get at, an odd thing to be sure.
However, Dodge thoughtfully gives the car theater lighting that slowly fades after you get into the car, a nice touch, along with lighted visor mirrors.
The test car added a $1,045 leather interior group, beige and black, that gave the car an upscale look and feel. Several people commented on how attractive the car's interior was.
That carried over to the seats, which were highly praised by riders. They have good lateral support top and bottom, plus that option package put six-way power to the driver's seat, making it easy to adjust. Since the height and angle are both adjustable, the car is well-suited to drivers of all sizes.
Head and legroom are good in the Stratus coupe's front seat, but moderate in back. We carried four adults comfortably, though.
Being the R/T, the coupe also came with an optional power sun roof, which was fine, but the sun shade inside was in two pieces and sometimes would stick as the roof was retracting.
From a practical standpoint, the coupe also features a large, 16.3-cubic-foot trunk and split folding rear seats that allow you to expand the cargo area.
Mileage is decent for a sporty coupe. I got 21.7 miles per gallon and I'll confess to a pretty heavy foot in this one. The EPA says to expect 20 mpg city and 28 highway. Only about 20% of my driving was highway miles, but 50% was at about 40 mph or so with up to four aboard.
Price?
Here's some happy news. The R/T starts at $20,705, a very competitive price for this much fun. With its options, the test car came in at $23,585, still a reasonable price.
Mitsubishi's more radical-looking Eclipse, with the same V-6, starts at $20,947 for comparison's sake. A Honda Accord coupe with a 200-horse V-6 and automatic transmission checks in at about $22,400 and doesn't have near the style.
For those happy with good looks and smaller engines, the base Stratus SE coupe begins at $17,810 with a 147-horse, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Adding a V-6 boosts that $850, and automatic transmission - certainly not needed here - adds another $825. The base Stratus sedan is similarly priced, and its midlevel ES version, which packs a 2.7-liter V-6 coupled with an automatic, starts at $20,435.
Maybe it's the Japanese influence, or maybe the German parent's influence, but Dodge's new Stratus feels much more solid and competitive than anything Dodge has delivered in this segment for years. Whatever the influence, let's hope it continues. Stratus is a winner!
Polygon
01-15-2002, 12:40 PM
I do love the new Stratus R/T, Intrepid R/T, and Sebring LXi. They are all quite sporty. I was thinking about getting one but I have since changed my mind to the Neon SRT 205HP and 220 Torque and is much lighter than any of those cars.
And I don't know about you but I am a big fan of a loud V8 and cars from the 60's and 70's era. I just wish that Dodge would produce something to compete with the Mustangs and Cameros. They need to make the Charger R/T with that new 360ci Hemi.
And I don't know about you but I am a big fan of a loud V8 and cars from the 60's and 70's era. I just wish that Dodge would produce something to compete with the Mustangs and Cameros. They need to make the Charger R/T with that new 360ci Hemi.
spnx
01-15-2002, 12:49 PM
Originally posted by Polygon
I just wish that Dodge would produce something to compete with the Mustangs and Cameros. They need to make the Charger R/T with that new 360ci Hemi.
Well, compete with the Mustangs, anyway, since the Camaro is going down the tubes.
Kind of makes you think though - if the Camaro is no longer in demand, and they have to discontinue it, does it make sense for Dodge to produce another car in that segment?
Or would it make better financial sense to make another friggin' SUV? (just what the world needs!).
I just wish that Dodge would produce something to compete with the Mustangs and Cameros. They need to make the Charger R/T with that new 360ci Hemi.
Well, compete with the Mustangs, anyway, since the Camaro is going down the tubes.
Kind of makes you think though - if the Camaro is no longer in demand, and they have to discontinue it, does it make sense for Dodge to produce another car in that segment?
Or would it make better financial sense to make another friggin' SUV? (just what the world needs!).
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