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SDave
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2008
13:17:53
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 Subject: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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Which small car and engine that Dodge builds would you recommend for a second car? Stratus? Neon? Other? I am primarily looking for something with gas mileage in mind, but overall dependabilty is important also. Is the double overhead cam 2.0 more desireable than the SOHC 2.0? Or is the 3.0 Stratrus the way to go? I know it is a very good engine. Thanks.
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na
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2008
15:48:59
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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neither of them were know to have good engines
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2008
19:46:39
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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stratus r/t
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2008
21:08:27
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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if you're not stuck on having a DC product, i'll put in a plug for the 2 gas misers in my household. both of which are very frugal and low maintenance.
1st - my son's '93 saturn sl2. 1.9 liter DOHC. this car is loaded with power everything has over 210k on the clock and knocks down an avg of 35mpg combined. in the 4 yrs we've had it i've had to change the waterpump, radiator and tstat. it uses a little oil and he's run it low on several occasions and it refuses to die.
2nd- wife's '00 mazda protege'. power everything also. averages 33mpg combined. 115k on it uses or leaks no oil. we've had it just over 4 yrs. changed brakes, radiator and a tune up. it's small but a blast to drive. 1.8 liter DOHC pulls hard from 2500 to 6500.
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yeah
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2008
22:17:36
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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saturn is making a good car
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brianj
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2008
23:59:27
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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keep up on maint and fluids and youll have a dependable car.
either 2.0 is better than the 3.0. ive seen this from personal exp. at my shop.
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Yo
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2008
14:30:46
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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Geo Metro
40+ MPG.
Cheap to own
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2008
17:32:34
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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A friend of mine had a neon she loved. The only reason she got rid of it was that someone hit her and totaled it. She said she'd buy another one.
A I know a few people that have SRT-4 and have nothing bad to say about them.
- Dan M
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brianj
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2008
17:48:19
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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i would buy an srt4 if i was into that kind of ricer stuff. i gotta admit the car is fun to drive.
but yea, pretty much anything with a 4 banger is a safe bet for gas milage.
but if your commute isnt that far ir dont mind drivinig a scooter, like a 150 or something.
i recently bought one. and i like it especialy the 5 dollar fill-ups and you can go 120 miles:)
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SDave
Dodge Dakota
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5/22/2008
12:13:24
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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Well, I hope the 3.0 is not too bad of an engine. My girlfriend has a 2003
Eclipse with the 3.0 V-6. Got to last her a few more years before I can replace it. I was wondering if there was a significant difference in power and economy between the 2.0 SOHC and the 2.0 DOHC. Like I think the DOHC has more power but how is it on gas compared to a SOHC? Yea, I am kinda partial to DC products. I know what I am getting when I buy one for the most part. And I can use some of the same hop-up tricks I know for a Dakota will work on other vehicles that will help improve most importantly gas mileage and performance. Don't know how well this mods would work on other makes. I am sure they would. Just know what to expect up to a point with a Dodge. Would be kinda curious to see what I could get a 2.0 Neon to do performance and gas mileage wise. But thought there might be a better choice to go with. That is why I was asking for everyones opinion. THe more opinions you have the more knowledge you have to draw a conclusion from. Thought I might hear that people thought a Stratus or Avenger or whateever was just a better car to start with. And I would change my mind about a Neon or Stratus.
I agree that Saturn and Mazda make a very good car. One thing with a Dodge for the most part is they are easy to work on compared to the nightmare other front drive cars present. I would think that Saturn and Mazda would be also, but I don't know that to be a fact.
THought about finding an old turbo car to fix up and see what kind of gas mileage I could get it to get as well as power. I think that if I didn't get too crazy with it, I would do alright. Have a friend that bought a Shawdow with a 2.2 turbo motor. He races it at the local outlaw dirt track here where I live. Not many rules to speak of in some classes. They have a stock 4-banger class and the extent of the rules is that it has to have 4 spark plugs. He modified it to the point that they finally kicked him out of the the class and he now races against the classes that run modified 4 cylinders with the fiberglass bodies etc. His brother races a Dodge Colt with a twin shift. Regularly win with this car since the turbo car was ousted.
I see these Dodge Neons for sale all the time. Early 90's with blown head gaskets. Some for as little as 500-1000 dollars. I know a guy that bought one and he fixed the head gaket and it runs great. I am wondering if I can pull something like that off with my luck. Supposedly they came up with a replacement gasket now that gives no problems. Only other issue that I am aware of with these engines is of the oil leak that can occur at the back of the engine. But that is supposed to be a relatively easy fix.
Is there any other cars that you would recommend DC products or otherwise? I am going to be looking arouund for something and if I happen up on a car mentioned here I will give it a hard look.
Thought about a trike actually. Was wondering if I could find a canopy that was enclosed. Haven't seen anything on the internet like what I was thinking about. Got your basic two seater, but no top. Thought if it had a top with roll down windows it would be cool as hell to drive. Thought if I could find something (just a canopy) to use I could get my cousin to build it. He can fabricate pretty much anything he puts his mind to do.
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N5
Dodge Dakota
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5/22/2008
17:03:22
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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Go to the off-topick board.
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go
Dodge Dakota
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5/23/2008
10:30:37
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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just buy a 4 cyl already dude! its just a beater!
your making this sooooo much more complicated than it has to be!
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dakota49
Dodge Dakota
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5/23/2008
23:02:20
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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Sdave, it sounds like you have done your home work, if you buy a car that needs a head gasket, I would either check it to see if its warped,(the head) or have a shop check it and if it is, have it milled just enough to get it flat.
Other than that go for it. I had a 1990 Dodge Omni, it had a 2.2, got good gas mileage about 36 highway with a 3 speed auto. Not much for power, but it was good transportation.
Good Luck
Dakota49
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dakota49
Dodge Dakota
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5/23/2008
23:05:21
| RE: Stratus or Neon - Second car
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I just want to add, I now have a 98 Chrysler Concord, 2.7 V6, its got 155000 miles runs good, 25 miles per gallon city, 30-32 highway.
Dakota49
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