2003 Dodge Stratus Review
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Dodge offers a stylish and sprightly alternative to the mainstream models in this segment.
Pros
Exceptional value, attractive shape, fun to drive.
Cons
Doesn't have the build quality or reliability reputation of Japanese competition.
What's New for 2003
The 2003 Stratus coupe gains revisions to its front and rear styling and an updated instrument panel and center console. The SE coupe is dropped in a sense; it will only be available to fleet buyers, such as rental car agencies. Sedans continue as before except the SE Plus is subtracted and the V6 engine (with the automatic transmission) is now flexible fuel-rated, meaning it can run on ethanol as well as gasoline.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Patrick's R/T
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Stratus R/T 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my Stratus R/T a few days before Mother's Day and have loved driving it ever since! The car only had 19,426 original on it, not bad at all for a five year old car. My deep red baby drives like a champ and the sport suspension keeps me firmly on the road with no worries. The black leather looks great and is pretty comfortable on long drives. The automatic shifts with ease and the exhaust note sounds awesome (just loud enough not to be ricer). The trunk is surprisingly large and the cargo net is a nice touch.
Favorite Features
Handling, stereo controls are behind the wheel, sunroof, sporty looks with a sexy profile
Suggested Improvements
Turning radius needs to be A LOT tighter, not too crazy with the faux carbon fiber inserts inside, wish i had the auto-stick
Fun but a lot of problems
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Stratus R/T 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
I bought the car new and had nothing but problems.They did not give me a new car. They rewired the whole thing and it just wouldn't run.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Love the car, but a few complaints.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Stratus R/T 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Since I got my stratus in March of 2006 I've put about 20,000 miles on it, so far it has caused me no problems. It's a lot of fun to drive, but sometimes it feels like the transmission slips when I accelerate. When I bought my car the dealership sold it to us telling us it had ABS, after about 6 months of driving it I noticed it actually had no ABS. The car actually handles really nice in the snow... Surprising for a sports car!
Favorite Features
I love the looks of my car, it has a great stereo system and accelerates quickly.
Suggested Improvements
It would be nice to have a tighter turning radius, ABS should be standard, and my dash is peeling away at the top by the windshield. There's quite a few rattles when I go over bumps in the road.
I would love to have mine back!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Stratus SXT 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I absolutely loved this car! Had no problems what so ever. Took it to the mechanic only for oil changes and check ups. I bought the car one year old with 38k miles on it and just recently was in an accident that totaled it with 102K. My accident involved 2 Semi trucks and me and my passenger walked away without even a scratch or an ache! Would recommend this car in a heart beat. Only negatives: turning radius, hard to see out back window, lack of space in back seat.
Favorite Features
4 disc CD changer, appearance, great gas mileage
Suggested Improvements
Turning radius
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Buy It!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Stratus R/T 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Bought the car on Labor Day weekend '06 and have never regretted it. It's a four-door with the R/T package, deep metallic red, looks great, runs great, roomy, comfortable, great gas mileage, has all the bells and whistles (leather, 6-disc cd changer, sunroof, etc.), just an all- around great car. The perfomance is definitely suprising. Ours has the automatic with Autostick and can pass pretty much anything you want to (it can do over 110 in third!). It can at least run with 3 Series Beemers with ease:). Definitely get the V6 if you are considering one, they're suprising powerful and get good gas mileage (we average at least 30-32). And we always get compliments on the styling. Great car.
Favorite Features
Everything.
Suggested Improvements
Nothing.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2006 Dodge Stratus
- 2005 Dodge Stratus
- 2004 Dodge Stratus
- 2003 Dodge Stratus
- 2002 Dodge Stratus
- 2001 Dodge Stratus
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