When Dodge first unveiled the Stratus line in 1995, the company showed off a distinctive mid-size with a room-y interior.
Today's Stratus - now the flagship car of the Dodge line-up - was given an overhaul in 2001, sharing a platform with the Mitsubishi Eclipse and an interior /dash package that bests most others in its category.
I own a 2002 Stratus SE - so that's what I'll base my e-pinion on. We've been together for 18 months, and 35,000 miles now, so I like to think I have a pretty good feel for the car - both good and bad.
On the inside, it's room-y and comfortable. I'm on the road alot and my gray interior hides dirt well (a must for any car I drive).
Stratus sedans come with an AM/FM/CD, and the coupes have optional Infinity and 4-disc changer upgrades.
The instrument package looks good. The Sporty, white tachometer, odometer, fuel gauges illuminate the inside of the car.
Under the hood, your engine depends on what your driving.
Mine has the 4-cyl., 247 horsepower engine and it has suited me fine. The car accelerates well and it moves - a big difference to my previous car - a 1995 Neon, which started to rattle a bit at 80 mph.
I've also driven the 2.7 V-6 model.... and, obviously, you'll notice a difference, especially going up-hill.
Engines
2.4L 142 hp 4
2.4L 147 hp 4
2.4L 150 hp 4
3.0L 198 hp V6
2.7L 200 hp V6
3.0L 200 hp V6
Transmissions 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive
5-Speed Manual Overdrive.
The car's exterior is what hooked me. It's sleek and stylish, in traditional Dodge form, and certainly looks different than it's typically "more box-y" competitors. Rather than say anymore, Google search the Stratus and compare for yourself.
Overall, I've been pleased with the car. minus a few small problems.
1. The alignment is fine, but the car seems to eat tires. People tell me "some cars are just better on them than others" and maybe they are right. But I've bought new ones twice already... and w/ 205 hr60/16 the standard on most sedans, they aren't cheap.
2. I've already noticed a little rust around the trunk... semingly a small discrepency but in my opinion, something that should still be a few years away, seeings how this in a 2002. My car is Almond-colored, so it hides it well, but give Stratus's a good look-over if your buying used.
Amount Paid (US$): 11,000
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2002
Model and Options: 2002 Stratus SE plus
