1996 Dodge Stratus Review

Love my car

Written by: tylerpalti on 09/28/2004

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I have had my car for nearly six years now. The car has remained very responsive over the years, and reliable. I have been able to to most work on it myself although it has been extremely tight under the hood at times. I love my car, and I would and have recommended it to anyone who will listen.

Favorite Features

I only wish I had gotten it in a manual tranny. I love power that the 2.4 actually has, drives like a 6 cylindar, but i know that the manual would greatly increase performance.

Suggested Improvements

i think that it would have benefited from a slightly larger engine compartment. The car is PERFECT for me.

Report inappropriate post

96 stratus good car

Written by: jennig on 07/15/2004

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

This car so far for me has bee pretty good. I bought it with 107000 miles and it now has 113000. I have had no major problems with it execpt normal age/miles related problems (tires, brakes).

Favorite Features

I like the interior it is nice and roomy.

Suggested Improvements

Report inappropriate post

El Junk Mobile

Written by: sam t on 07/01/2004

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr ES Sedan

Review

The Stratus was my dad's first car. At about 3-,--- miles it needed a new head gasket, needed another head gasket at 66,000. nearly everything started needing replacement at 60,000. It is noisy. We had the 2.4l and it only got 20city/29 high. that's pretty bad. There is a lot of torque in the engine and so so horsepower, 150 to be exact. The catalytic converter went bad at 66,000. steering column and wheel bearings needed replacement at around 64,000. iterior plastics were hard and cheap. steering wheel vibrated when idling.

Favorite Features

cabin space, and good engine power and good stereo

Suggested Improvements

build quality, material quality, and reliability that can match Honda and Toyota?

Report inappropriate post

Decent family transportation

Written by: Pete_S4 on 06/11/2004

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr ES Sedan

Review

I had this car from 1996 to 2000 and put about 65,000 miles on it in that time. The motor and transmission were trouble free for the entire time I owned the car. The steering rack was replaced under warranty along with the tie rod ends. I also had to have the interior control module replaced under warranty due to a failed dome light. This car was basically fun to drive, but I do wish I had bought the VR6 GTI I had also been looking at.

Favorite Features

Autostick (manual mode automatic), Large interior in a small car, decent ride and handling, large trunk

Suggested Improvements

Brakes; the rotors/pads wear easily and the brake's stopping power is mediocre. ABS kicked in way too early. Motor was a little under powered for a V6, the 2.4L I4 offers similar performance.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

It kind of works, but keeps breaking dow

Written by: FIrstnicecar on 05/15/2004

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Bought it in 98' with 24,000 miles. It's been fairly reliable, except we've had to replace the Steering Rack 3 times, yes 3 times. And everytime we do that, you need a new Steering Pump, as well as Ti-rods. Car has now about 120,000 miles and we just put the 3rd Steering rack in February, and it's started making a funny noise that may be the struts or the steering. Just waiting for something major to happen, and this car is done for.

Favorite Features

Nice looking car, engine is fast. (2.4L)

Suggested Improvements

Reliable. Also, engine is noisy, car is noisy on the highway and it's not the smoothest of rides, very bumpy.

Report inappropriate post