Since the merger of Chrysler and Mercedes (Deimler), the quality has really begun to show itself in virtually all models of Chrysler automobiles. Having driven mostly high end cars over the $40,000 price range, I was pleasantly surprised when I took my first ride in a 2004 Dodge Stratus ES. So much so, in fact, that I purchased one used with low mileage. Having the occupation of an investigator, I was pretty impressed when one afternoon I watched an undercover cop in a Stratus run down a late model speeding Porsche on the Ventura Freeway here in Southern California. As the Porsche swerved in and out of lanes at speeds near 100 miles per hour, the Stratus was right there with it. I was so impressed, that I thought, "I have to drive one". So I went to a friend who managed a dealership, drove one and the rest is history. I absolutely loved the car. When I first got in to test drive it, I was somewhat skeptical when I saw a lot of plastic in the interior. But...I noticed that it did not look cheap, the workmanship was good and it was very tightly molded and well-fitted. Expecting any car with plastic parts to rattle and squeek once I hit the road, I was astonished at the tightness of the ride and quietness of the interior as I took it for a spin..deliberately driving on uneven surfaces, striking dips and potholes along the way. It took all of about 2 minutes before I knew I "had to have this car." I now use it for work and for pleasure. It gets lots of looks and, contrary to what I have read in some other reviews here, it handles "very" well. The ES has a sport suspension though, I believe, and perhaps that makes a difference, as this car really hugs the road and takes turns nice and tightly. The 2.7 24 Valve Twin Cam 200 HP V-6 gives this car plenty of power and excelleration and I can tell you as an investigator who has used it for pursuit that the Stratus ES is one fast, high performance automobile. It is no exaggeration to state that this car handles as well, if not better, than several I have owned in the $40,000 price range. The interior of my ES is cloth. The driver seats have electronic positioning controls and a manual lumbar support arm. They are comfortable for long drives. I have spent as much as 14 hours per day in the car for 6 consecutive days without any discomfort and I am a big guy, weighing in excess of 260 lbs. The thing I like about driving the Stratus ES is that you feel like you are an extension of the car itself when you drive it. You get the sense of actually almost being a part of the car itself. You really "drive" this car. I could go into a lot of technical details but I decided to write this review in a simple manner so that the casual reader could just have simple questions answered. Is it a good car? Yes! Kudos for Deimler-Chrysler on this one. Thanks for bringing the Mercedes touch and craftsmanship to this car and other Chryslers. Finally, I think we have an American car we can be proud of. Regarding resale value of the Stratus. Yup...it's a little low. But as the car gains in popularity, don't expect things to stay that way for long. And.....to heck with resale anyway because once you buy this car, my guess is that you won't be thinking of selling it any time soon anyway.
Amount Paid (US$): 17,850.00
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2004
Model and Options: ES, Automatic 4-Speed Trans, Disc Brakes, 2.7 24 Valve Twin Cam V6