Bells and whistles or plain jane

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

ram_man

Joined
Mar 15, 2013
Messages
4,023
So I'm having an inner conflict. On my quest to find a Dodge dart in a manual transmission I have found a few base models hubcaps and all. I don't want that. So then I found a couple limited darts that have everything under the sun. Leather touch screen back up camera heated seats dual climate control ect. The limited has the engine I want (the turbo). But then the practical side of me worries with the turbo and the extra frills it's more stuff to break. I'm a mechanic so fixing it's not an issue but it's not like I want to be fixing it either.
How do you guys proceed with options vs reliability? Is it a tug of war in your mind as well?
 
Last edited:
I'd go plain jane because you're in over your head money-wise and you got real prissy when your Focus needed work under warranty.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I'd go plain jane because you're in over your head money-wise and you got real prissy when your Focus needed work under warranty.


The focus was a base model.....And I got aggravated because it was in 25 times in one year and was never fixed.....Kinda seems reasonable I think.
 
The Dart has been discontinued after only four years and received poor ratings during that entire time. Seems to me that if you want reliability you should look elsewhere.

On the plus side, though, they should be cheap used - like the Fiats.
 
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
The Dart has been discontinued after only four years and received poor ratings during that entire time. Seems to me that if you want reliability you should look elsewhere.


+1

The Dart was only a glorified Neon anyway.
 
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
The Dart has been discontinued after only four years and received poor ratings during that entire time. Seems to me that if you want reliability you should look elsewhere.


You know the group of dart enthusiasts I am in we really don't see a lot of issues. I do not really understand the hate for dart. I'm at the point where I think the automotive media just loves to hate Chrysler. It's the only thing I can come up with.
 
Last edited:
In all honesty, options don't seem to really increase failure rates much these days. If its within budget, I'd probably go for the nicer car, not the one I'm going to look at and hate a little bit every time I used it.

Its a shame the Dart/200 didn't sell better, I've had several for rentals and they're extremely nice vehicles for the price point. I know a lot of Mopar faithful really cheered the return of the "Dart" name, but I think it was a mistake. Most people don't have fond memories of Darts- they remember the under-powered pea-green 4-door Dart Custom their grandmother had, not the 340-powered GT and Demon models that the faithful remember. "Charger" and "Challenger" are nothing but positive as a retro names, but "Dart" was a mixed bag. It would have been the same had they brought back 'Coronet' instead of 'Charger.' Yeah, the Coronet R/T and Superbee were legendary, but MOST people would again remember their grandpa's 4-door, copper-brown, tan bench seat, 318-powered Coronet sedan. Similarly, they should have broken with the "200" name, since the immediately previous Chrysler 200 was not a particularly great platform. Too much bad imagery carried over to the new platform, because most buyers only know model names, not what changes are made under the skin.
 
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
The Dart has been discontinued after only four years and received poor ratings during that entire time. Seems to me that if you want reliability you should look elsewhere.


You know the group of dart enthusiasts I am in we really don't see a lot of issues. I do not really understand the hate for dart. I'm at the point where I think the automotive media just loves to hate Chrysler. It's the only thing I can come up with.
It's not because it's a Chrysler, it's because it's the cheapest car they make. Like the Chevy Aveo or a Mitsubishi Mirage.
 
Typically when I am dreaming I just want everything. When I start thinking about actually paying for it I get more realistic...

Gap insurance has gotten you out of what would have been a mess, If it were me, I would be looking to buy something I did not need gap on...
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Typically when I am dreaming I just want everything. When I start thinking about actually paying for it I get more realistic...

Gap insurance has gotten you out of what would have been a mess, If it were me, I would be looking to buy something I did not need gap on...



That's the plan but what I am noticing atleast around me is buying a decent car for what it's worth or under and by that I mean what the insurance will pay for the car is hard. They valued my dart at 11,300 you can't hardly find one used in good shape low miles for that amount. It's kinda crazy what they think a car is worth vs what they are selling for....The dart is also the only car in its class that I really like . You can get a stick in any trim level, they look nice drive nice ect. No other small car does all that in my opinion.
 
Which can you buy cash with no debt?

You need to deal with a lot of other stuff right now; you dont need to be wasting money on niceties, IMO.

Two kids, fainting, possibly medical bills... Possible new job/career... You need to be saving money and minimizing outlay.

Other than headlights, I really like the darts Ive driven. But you need to look out for family first. Once youre convinced that all your situations are fully covered, then buy as nice as you like, cash.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
The Dart has been discontinued after only four years and received poor ratings during that entire time. Seems to me that if you want reliability you should look elsewhere.


You know the group of dart enthusiasts I am in we really don't see a lot of issues. I do not really understand the hate for dart. I'm at the point where I think the automotive media just loves to hate Chrysler. It's the only thing I can come up with.
It's not because it's a Chrysler, it's because it's the cheapest car they make. Like the Chevy Aveo or a Mitsubishi Mirage.


Have you ever driven a dart? The outside is nice looking the interior is very nice for the class it's in. They have good driving dynamics . The only down side they have is the 2.4 fuel mileage they are about 500lbs to heavy and they only came with a 6sp automatic..... They are nice cars to drive. Perfect no not at all. But felt alot nicer than any Japanese compact I've been in. The Corolla and civic are so god awful nowadays . Finding either of them decently equipped with a stick is also impossible.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: ram_man
The dart is also the only car in its class that I really like . You can get a stick in any trim level, they look nice drive nice ect. No other small car does all that in my opinion.

Golf?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

rstsco
Out with the Audi & In with a Pilot
2 3 4
Replies
72
Views
4K
rstsco
shortyb
Took a 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo for a spin (almost)
Replies
16
Views
2K
Number_35
M
1 Week Review - 2025 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Limited
4 5 6
Replies
101
Views
36K
buster
R
My 10,000 mile review of the 2024 Tahoe
2
Replies
26
Views
15K
redhat
dja4260
2024 RAM 2500 quick review
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
20K
meep
Back
Top Bottom