1996 Dodge Stratus Consumer Reviews

meh

Written by: hoeun on 03/25/2004

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

got it brand new back in 96. ive been driving this car for 4 years. my mom had it before me. before i started driving, it was taken goodcare of and was driven very softly (never over 3000 rpm). when i took over, i abused the 2.4lt engine. i put it throught alot of tests and trials. i do give it regualr oil changes, but my average peak rpm when im accelerating is 4500. i get bad gas milage only due to my driving style. we had to replace the head gasket, transmission twice, and whole lot of brake jobs. but considering my driving style, it was reasonable. right now it has little ove 150000miles, and its still going strong.

Favorite Features

ergonomics, every controll is inuitive, and easy to use.

Suggested Improvements

ditto with all other reviews

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courier's car

Written by: jthull on 03/03/2004

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I purchased this car in 96 and rarely used it until 98 when I started to use it for work. I have the 2.0 sohc base model 5 speed manual. At 65000 it did need a new headgasket. The only other major expenses have been the front bearings or hub assembly. (part is a lot). replaced alternator once. fixed ac unit once but after 52000 miles it started to leak again THIS CAR HAS THE ORIGINAL ENGINE AND THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH!!!! LAST FRIDAY 2/27/04 MY STRATUS TURNED OVER 300000 MILES AND STILL GETS 31 MILES TO THE GALLON. I DRIVE ABOUT 200 MILES A DAY AROUND 52000 MILES A YEAR. THE SIZE OF THE CAR IN CONNECTION WITH THE MPG,LOVE IT

Favorite Features

The standard options stearing wheel cruise control good handling smooth manual shifting

Suggested Improvements

make the seat back sturdier. position of battery is a pain. needs better more durable door latches.

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my junk car

Written by: lokie on 12/25/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr ES Sedan

Review

I bought this car used with 112,000 miles on it, I had only driven it 3,000 miles when the trans went on it. and then serious of other problems with the engine, and service lights that would come on and off followed. I was really disappointed in this car for being a dodge I expected more.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

DEPENDABLE !!!

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$675 TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR & BATTERY?!?!

Written by: CATAJE on 08/25/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr ES Sedan

Review

We bought this car w/ 44,000 miles on it In 01/2000 I loved this little car, summer of '01 had to replace A/C parts, $635.00, have had replace about 4 relays switch, $50. Dec '02 car had 92,000 miles on it, waterpump went out, $600.00 to fix, june '03 Alternator and battery replaced, $675!!!! $300 tune up!! This car is so expensive to work on!! It is too expensive for me to keep, all this $ into it, and it now needs a Fuel pump, God only knows what that will cost.... Sitting in driveway waiting to get be gotten rid of!!!! I am scared to death to drive it, it seems to cost me about $600 everytime I've touched it in the last couple of years

Favorite Features

I loved the style, and power. Everything about the little car was great

Suggested Improvements

a more reliable car would be nice, some chg to design, so I could work on it myself, w/out having to pay someone $70 in labor to just switch out my battery A little stupid that my car has to be put up on lift, the tire removed to replaced a stupid battery

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Multiple repairs

Written by: jmcg on 07/30/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I purchased this vehicle in 1999 as a 3 y/o with 36K. I have since replaced the head gasket (at 37K), power steering rack (at 56K) and now the AC at (57K). Not to mention little stuff like the interior trunk release doesn't work and the display on the radio went out at 40K. Overall a disappointment in reliability. I am unlikely to own another Chrysler product based on this experience.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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good car in the city

Written by: todd recker on 06/11/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

i've had this car for a year and have not had one problem. i am the second owner and i bought it w/ 65,000 miles and have 78,000 on it now. the paint quality is awesome with no rust spots. the car still has the original battery after 7yrs. the car is beautiful inside and outside. the 1st owner only had regular maintence plus a new A/C UNIT put on it and a steering pump. NO HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AT ALL!!!!! the only two problems i have is that the door rattles everytime i hit a bump and the tires stink too.

Favorite Features

style inside and outside, good power for a 4 cyl. very cold air conditioner

Suggested Improvements

15 inch tires, you feel every bump with those 14 inch ones and better built doors that won't wear out like it did. the darn battery location where you would have to remove the driver side front tire to get to it.

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Great car for the money

Written by: bfulmer on 06/09/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr ES Sedan

Review

I've had my Stratus ES for almost 4 years now and I absolutely love it. Even though I had to put a new tranny in it at 115K, it's been extremely reliable. I put at least 25K on it a year driving from MD to Cape Cod several times a year plus to clients as far as 150 mi. per day. It's strong, great in the snow and the Auto Shift is awesome. Very spacious inside, room enough for 5. I have 171K on it now and it's still going.

Favorite Features

Auto Shift, interior space, rear folding seats!

Suggested Improvements

Trunk design needs a larger opening. Cup holders are perfect for small coffee's and can soda's but not for 20oz drinks.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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it's been good to me

Written by: from the rocks on 05/22/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

i bought this car a year ago and so far no problems and i use for city driving about 8,ooo per year and it's at 77,000miles. it's not very smooth as it has 14 inch tires and you feel every bump plus the door pins wore out which causes the door to rattle with annoying noises. the car is great on gas, about 24 miles per gallon in city. air condtioner very cold,heater blows with force, seats are very comfortable. OK POWER for a 4 cyl. A year from now i will post more.

Favorite Features

air conditioner,good on gas, beautiful body and style on car

Suggested Improvements

NEED 15 INCH tires,a transmission that shifts smoothly, more power WITH V6 instead of 4 cyl.

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Stratus 96 2.4L

Written by: asdfjkl on 02/01/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Overall car is good. Love the look and interior space.

Favorite Features

trunk size, interior space

Suggested Improvements

new cup holders

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FRobyne

Written by: FRobyne on 12/31/2002

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Stratus 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I am the first registered owner of this vehicle. I have been very pleased with the ride and styling. I expected better gas mileage. At 50000 the head gasket began leaking on the 2.4 ltr engine. I know of four other owners who have experienced this same problem with the same size engine. The other vehicles were 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Favorite Features

Sporty ride and feel.

Suggested Improvements

Install better quality head gasket.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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