Dodge Avenger

[daves87rs]

Okay I have a neighbor who just bought a 2013 with the Pentastar. Now another one of my neighbors is eyeballing one as well. She's looking for simple cheap, and decent on gas (she has an old V6 Escape).

With both the Av and the 200 fleeting quite a bit here, they tend to go for cheap(er) She was told she could pick up a base SE for around 13-14 grand after discounts. Downside is that you get a 4 speed auto instead of the 6.


With over 200k trouble free miles with her escape (neighborhood kid will be buying that if she buys), what are her chances with the Avenger? She takes good care of her cars, and keeps them up to a T. She was even planning on a set of aftermarket rims for it! (She is fun for car talk.)

So before she heads to the dealership to look a one of these, any good advice I can give her? (related to the car, like the 2.4 or the trans)

 

[dishdude]

I think they're pretty decent cars, and bargains when you consider what you can buy them for. I wasn't a fan of the interior in the 2008-2010 models, but the mid cycle refresh addressed those issues.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

The gas mileage is kind of iffy for a 4-cyl in this day and age.

 

[SteveSRT8]

And we all know that fuel is but one of the many costs associated with car/truck operation, eh?

For the dollar cost these are decent, and the average commuter will find them serviceable. Chrysler has really addressed the interiors, they are downright sharp at the price point.

 

[QuietPortage]

It's an average and boring rental car. I've put a few thousand miles on those. The gas mileage is iffy and the ride and handling is typical cheap rental car. Don't forget about Chrysler's consistently poor reliability rankings.

I'd suggest they test drive some alternatives.

 

[Chris142]

I just did a major ac job on an 08. The compressor is always on. There is no clutch! So when the compressor goes bad you can't turn it off. It just keeps going round and round and spitting metal through the ac system.

This is untill the compressor locks up and stalls the engine... the orifice tube is in the high side line that's part of the whole high and low manifold assembly.

$1700 to fix that mess.

 

[Eosyn]

Originally Posted By: Bandito440
Don't forget about Chrysler's consistently poor reliability rankings.

I'd suggest they test drive some alternatives.


+1. IMO, the best advice you can give her is to have her avoid Chrysler products.

 

[Rolla07]

I hate to continue the hate on this car but after driving one it wouldnt be a consideration. The 4 cylinder feels weak and mileage is awful. My friend got better gas mileage on his buick century. Inside cheap plastics, and typical dodge interior. But have her test drive with the 4 and 6 cylinder. If she likes it still she will likely go for the 6.. car feels too heavy for that 4. Its cheap, but i dont see much benefit besides that. Pay a bit more, get something better and dont regret buying one.

 

[Rolla07]

I averaged 20mpg on it. The v6 will get you 18-20...

 

[Nick R]

The newer, refreshed ones are pretty darn nice. They aren't the best cars, but again they go pretty cheap, so they are a pretty good value. Especially with the Pentastar. It's a bargain with that engine.

Originally Posted By: Chris142
I just did a major ac job on an 08. The compressor is always on. There is no clutch! So when the compressor goes bad you can't turn it off. It just keeps going round and round and spitting metal through the ac system.

This is untill the compressor locks up and stalls the engine... the orifice tube is in the high side line that's part of the whole high and low manifold assembly.

$1700 to fix that mess.


there is no clutch because it's something called a I think the term is variable compressor? A lot of modern cars have them. There is no clutch. The Cruze eco has one as well. It helps save weight.

 

[bigt61]

The Dart is pretty nice in the Dodge line up and is big for a compact. (3200 lbs) They aren't selling that well and you might be able to get a deal on one - 2.0L and 6 spd auto gets good mileage. I think Chevy has some solid incentives on the Cruze now too.

 

[Tdbo]

The Avenger (and the Chrysler 200's) interiors look much better after the redo.
However to say they are long in the tooth, is an understatement.
To move them around here, between factory rebate/dealer discounts, there is at least 7K put on the windshield of each one.
If resale value is not a priority for someone, this is their automobile. However, it is a cheap NEW car.
I think that for someone who wants a NEW car but can only afford a USED car, this is probably the ticket.

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
The compressor is always on. There is no clutch! So when the compressor goes bad you can't turn it off.


Makes you wonder what other parts they skimped on. Having the compressor always on is enough to make me look at something else. Good advice in this thread from everyone. If she does get it I'd recommend she forego the nicer wheels. Unless she can get the dealer to include some nicer oem alloys at a small upcharge. Paying $600-700 + would be better spent on a repair slush fund.

Also if one of those wheels is ever damaged she'll be paying hundreds to fix it. Compared to $50-60 for a new steel rim.

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
The newer, refreshed ones are pretty darn nice. They aren't the best cars, but again they go pretty cheap, so they are a pretty good value. Especially with the Pentastar. It's a bargain with that engine.


Uh Oh, I see a new thread coming. Traded in the 13 Focus for a new Avenger! You're about due. Those threads are always fun. Ok, just kidding stay away from the Dodge/Chrysler dealer.

 

[dishdude]

Let's keep is simple -

Class leading? No

Reliablity? Average

A brand new base model midsize selling for $13-$14k? = a great deal and a great alternative to a used car.

 

[Hermann]

These are Old Chrysler with a new layer of makeup. There are better options out there. I would go 1-2 year old Fusion, Mazda6 ect. over a Avenger. Had one as a rental once, felt worn out with 2K on the Odometer.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
Originally Posted By: Nick R
The newer, refreshed ones are pretty darn nice. They aren't the best cars, but again they go pretty cheap, so they are a pretty good value. Especially with the Pentastar. It's a bargain with that engine.


Uh Oh, I see a new thread coming. Traded in the 13 Focus for a new Avenger! You're about due. Those threads are always fun. Ok, just kidding stay away from the Dodge/Chrysler dealer.

Nah. I am going to pay off my focus, and in a few years see where things lie. Maybe after 3/4 years I'll look into a pre-owned Cruze TDI. ;D

But it's a moot point I've already said I'm keeping this car a while, and I plan to stick to that.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Hermann
These are Old Chrysler with a new layer of makeup. There are better options out there. I would go 1-2 year old Fusion, Mazda6 ect. over a Avenger. Had one as a rental once, felt worn out with 2K on the Odometer.


Sure, but most of the big problems were fixed. The interior is pretty nice on these now, the powertrains are quite good (especially the Pentastar V6 which makes this thing a rocket on the cheap)

 

[QuietPortage]

It'll be hard to find a better quality new car of that size for that price. The car is cheap and so is the price.

A CPO Fusion, Accord, or Sonata.

A new (although slightly smaller) Elantra, 2014 Forte, Focus, Civic, etc.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: Eosyn
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
Don't forget about Chrysler's consistently poor reliability rankings.

I'd suggest they test drive some alternatives.


+1. IMO, the best advice you can give her is to have her avoid Chrysler products.


BULL to both posts. ( re: Chrysler making poor vehicles )