Used 1997 Dodge Stratus Consumer Reviews
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Great ride, for little money.
TuxMan, 10/20/2009
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Bought mine used for $2,000 with 60,000 miles on the motor, 110,000 on the transmission, passed emmissions. Spent less than $1,000 for new tires, brakes, and shocks. Serviced the transmission at 115,000 for less than $150 for new fluid and filter. Starter went out a year later, less than $300 to replace. Overall I've spent less than $3,500 for the car and all repairs.
Dependable and Reliable and Economical
jesse45, 01/09/2015
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Purchaced a 1997 Stratus ES, 2.0, 5 speed manual off ebay for $700. Supposedly needed a fuel pump at 160k. Car had been previously well cared for and was in excellent condition. Had it shipped from Toledo, Oh to Arkansas. When it arrived, the engine was locked up due to someone pouring 2 gallons of water in the gas tank. Long story short, broke the engine free without taking it apart, replaced fuel pump, due to the water, and have put another 40k+ trouble free miles on it. I use it for my beater car, haul engines and parts, and drive long distances back and forth to work weekly. It can sit for months, fire right up, and drive 3-8 hours. Gets 34mpg or better, rides and drives great!
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See all 0 listingsMy Wonderful Green Machine
Dave Perry, 06/20/2008
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased the car new with about 12,000 miles on it. I believe a salesperson from the dealership used it, however, the car drive and looked like brand new when I purchased it. My wife fell in love with it. She worked about 75 miles from our home and drive it 5 days a week which equated to about 150 miles per day and more than 36,000 mile a year. She now has another car (for the sake of a new one) and I now drive it. It has close to 220,000 miles on it and is still running strong. The biggest cost was the head gasket replacement once it passed 55,000 miles at my expense ($1250.00). Other than that, repairs were only routine as with any reliable car. I love this car!! Its part of me.
good car for the money
jeremy, 06/17/2009
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
got the car with 90,0000 but a timeing belt in at 120,0000 and but a water pump at 245,000 and the car now has 260,000 and is still running strong with the origanal moter and tranny car is fun to drive and good on gas
1 of the best cars I've had in 30+ years
Ron, 12/31/2009
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Just had to retire the car today, cracked the transmission case on a pot hole, repair more than the car is worth. It will be missed, it was a very comfortable car that handled well and gave me 24mpg city and just under 32mpg at 70 on highway. Rode like a much bigger car and handled quite well. Had just under 180k on it but didn't drive like it. Good in snow. Had to buy a car today, if not would have looked for another one, maybe a few years newer.
Satisfied
EBacuyag, 12/18/2002
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Overall, I am very pleased with this vehicle.
even some great cars have flaws
dodgeguy, 09/14/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My 1997 Dodge Stratus with a 2.4L engine with DOHC runs pretty well. The problems were it idles too high and the head gasket that everyone has a problem with. The interior is the most comfortable than any car leather or not. The sound system is the best out of the dealership. Acceleration is not bad considering that it is a 4 cylinder. The body durabilty is amazing and safe. I recently hit a deer going about 55 mph and hit it on the front left corner. Looking at the aftermath the car I was shocked to see that all that was wrong was a broken headlight and the fender and hood were bent a little bit.
Dynamo Dodge
peteram360, 09/21/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car has been our family work horse for 6 years and 240,000 miles. Other than routine maint. can only recall having to replace a couple fuel pumps, oxygen sensor and valve seals. Not too much to ask for a car I feel looks and drives better than anything else in it's class. All I can say is thank you Dodge, you've had some great products! And God Bless America!
This car keeps on going and going ......
Eddybauer1, 03/08/2002
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new in 1996, all I have done to it was change the oil, replace tires as needed and put gas in it, during the last few months I had the brakes done, and had the timing belt replaced, and the oil pressure sending unit started leaking oil, all after 130,000 miles, it gets awesome gas mileage, 35 mpg in town and 40 mpg on the highway. The car it handles like it is on rails, alot of fun to drive.
Stratus ES
pitt1991, 05/26/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The vehicle has been great. No major problems. Needs more head room and better location for cup holders.
Loved my Stratus
Rubes, 04/08/2002
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sorry to say but we are selling one of the most fun cars we have owned. The autostick has proven a lot more fun than I ever thought. We purchased a 100K extended warranty with the car which was a real waste as the car was never in the shop.
Broken
broke, 07/18/2008
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in 2001 at 69,000 miles. I should have left it on the lot! I needed brakes every three months. I thought maybe I was just hard on the brakes but I asked around it seemed to be a common occurrence. I had 5 recalls on my car with in the first year of my ownership of the car. And between the hoses, air conditioner, gaskets, and brakes. I was broke
dodge no more!
dodgenomore, 04/26/2002
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
got on an employee discount, but have paid way more in repairs. tranny leak, head gasket failed twice, water pump failed, blown engine at 102,000. some city driving, mostly highway miles. no relief from company or dealer
First car I paid for
kurtural, 05/04/2002
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This was the most expensive car i could afford on a graduate stipend and it turned out to be the most reliable car I have ever owned. I will keep it for a long while. I wish the interior design was a bit more flashy
Should've been named the Lemon
Lane, 12/30/2008
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Extensive repairs, followed by more broken parts have been the story of my experience with this car. Bought it at 132k miles and had problems immediately. Poor insulation has led to leaks inside the passenger compartment during rain storms. The AC has numerous leaks in the line and has never worked. Still having engine and transmission problems. Do not buy this vehicle unless you can pay 4x it's value in repairs!
Lemon -- Leaks Oil All the Time
LouisvilleKY, 09/08/2002
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is a lemon! Avoid it!!! After replacing the head gasket, valve cover gasket, transmission pan gasket, and the transmission cooler hose lines at 55,000 miles it still leaks fluid.
Stratus has been a good car for me
itprof20012002, 01/09/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new in 1997 (2.4, auto), have 160,000 miles on it right now and still running strong. Had a few repairs along the way but nothing that has ever left me stranded. Had to have head gasket replaced at about 110,000 and front wheel bearings and tie rods at 150,000. My next car purchase will have a better than 90% chance of being another Stratus.
Great little car
DualStratuses, 07/30/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
In my family, we now have two Stratuses, both '97's, both 2.0L and five-speed stick. Mine is Forest Green Metallic and my father's is Light Silver Fern Clearcoat. They are great little cars, cheap, peppy and safe. My father has 230,000 miles on his, and he's only replaced the infamous head gasket, the rear main seal (and consequently the clutch), and a left wheel bearing assembly. His car still gets 35-37 MPG on the highway. I just bought mine today, we'll see if mine turns out as well as his has.
Satisfied
Vitis, 08/05/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This has been an OK car except for the notorious head-gasket for the 4-cyliner engine. But, as a poor graduate student I have no room to complain when I can make it New Orleans from Carbondale on a tank of gas.
bob
bob998877, 09/02/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
good car, no major problems, had some work done, but reliable and am impressed with the american car
Great, Dependable car
Mopar4Life, 08/10/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I got this car from my dad's job at a dodge dealership at a great price and I've been nothing but happy with it. The 2.4L in the car is probably the peppiest 4 cyl. in its class. I had the head gasket changed before I got the car (All 95-99 stratus' needed the new metallic head gasket). I plan on using this car throughout college without it having a bit of trouble. I'm extremely happy with this car, especially with the money i paid for it. GET IT!
AVOID DODGE AT ALL COSTS
ddave, 09/22/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Have owned two Stratus, a 96 and a 97. Both have been complete lemons. The 97 which unfortunately I still own and have owned since new has been a nightmare. The problems are extensive. With only 50,000 miles on the car I have had 3 master cylinders, new head gasket, blown motor, new motor installed. New motor blew valve cover gasket and cam shaft seal. Brakes go to floor. Electrical problems, ecm replaced, bcm needs replaced, O2 sensor failed prematurely. I WILL NEVER EVER AGAIN BY FROM CHRYSLER.
Favorite Car
MBV, 01/12/2005
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have never ben more satisfied with any other car. Never had to take the car to the shop for any reason other then a tune up or to fix something I did to it. Has 132k miles on it and hopefully will last another 100K. Ideal car for small people though. Could use more leg/head room for driver. Very comfortable on long trips too.
Pleasantly Pleased
Nik @ Nights, 11/04/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought this car as a demo, with 12000 miles on it. We didn't have any problems with it until we hit 80,000, (of course the month before our last car payment!) we had a $1500 bill for the head gasket..which seems to be a common problem. We now have a problem with a vaccum seal leak. Hopefully that will not cost an arm & a leg. Overall it has been a good little car.
Biggest Mistake
Ameena, 01/01/2004
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After buying this vehicle I had problems almost immediately. Hoses, alternators, ect. finally leading up to the damn thing catching on fire over an hour after being parked. My biggest mistake was not carrying full coverage on this piece of junk! Come to find out from a co-worker she had the same thing happen to her Stratus as well. Beware!
My airport car
canad, 02/25/2004
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had mine for about a year. It needed brakes when I bought it, and the A/C was not working after the second week (a dealership issue not a car issue.) Its peppy, handles well in all conditions including rain and snow (autostick.)
great car
xasan, 04/18/2004
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I believe dodge stratus is one of the most valualbe american cars. its nice and comfortable car, i love it
Great car for singles and couples
Ady, 07/11/2004
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My experience with my beautiful white dodge stratus has been great!
Disappointed
Thomas Palmer, 04/03/2006
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A/C drive shaft broke at 60,000 miles. $758 repair. Timing gears, bellt and tensioner broke at 79,321. Head gasket blown at 79,321 miles. Transmission kaput at 79,321 miles. Cranshaft oil seals leaaking at 60,000 miles. Est $4200 to repair. Will junk this car because Blue Book is only $1200. Very, very disappointed with the drivetrain of this lemon.
Gas mileage champ
CEB, 04/18/2006
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car with 150K on it. Had to do some minor repairs to it. I have the 2.5v-6 in it. I can't believe the mileage I"m getting 31-32MPG for the power & acceleration it has. Only major repair was a $300 fuel pump. Has been real reliable. Comfortable & sporty looking. Will get another one when this one dies. Has a 190K now and still going strong!
Got my money's worth
Steve Pavkov, 08/16/2006
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
For the low price of just over $13k, I feel the car performed well over the years. There were numerous "little" problems with it, such as electronic issues. I also had a fuel injection problem with it costing me $1K. When the car reached seven years, interior stuff like seats and plastics started to fall apart.
Nice
Jason, 10/11/2006
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car with 100,000 miles on it, and its still going strong. I have had numerous compliments on my car. And 9 times out of 10, its because of how fast it is. This is the most reliable car I have ever owned, and its never been to the shop for anything besides tune ups, and oil changes, and brakes. Drives well in snow. Vehicle also looks very sporty, and drives like a sports car.
Solid used vehicle...
billwfriend, 04/01/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Picked up used in 8/01 w/ 42K miles. Now at 67K and running good. Did recently have to replace power brake booster $230 and repaced factory warped rotors with new aftermarket $100. Had car in for 60K service $150. Only other issue is with sub-zero cold starts in Wisconsin winters. Car needs a little gas and a couple of minutes to get the shivers worked out. But that's to be expected with a 6 yr. old vehicle.
Nice American Option
greenroom1988, 09/02/2007
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Stratus is a nice car and is the family beater until my sister gets her license. We got it for a cheap 1,500 and it has 160,000 miles on it yet it pulls almost as hard as my Integra did. All the features work and they car held up to abuse from the previous owner.
1997 Dodge Stratus; 4 cylinder manual
Dan in Maine, 06/06/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car has been a good basic car. The fuel mileage has been great as I get an average of 37 MPG in summer and 31 MPG in winter with my 4 cylinder standard. I had to replace a head gasket at 90,000.
big mistake
matt, 04/16/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
the more people i come across the more i see the same problems with this car head gasket front end parts and the head i have spent over 3500 just to keep it running the first year and a half i had it and i did find out other people had the same problem
Up in smoke
vanishpoint, 06/05/2003
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought new in 1996 and we loved driving it. Great interior. Liked everything about it. Then the problems started. Water pump & head gasket (at only 50,000 miles!). Yesterday the fiancee and I met with the florist for wedding flowers; someone asked if that was our silver car with the steam coming out. Yep. Except it was smoke. Two firetrucks later and a completely burned out front end, we're waiting on the insurance. Still, it looks great from behind and the interior remains beautiful -- at least the firewall works.
'97 ES
jc, 03/18/2002
1997 Dodge Stratus ES 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great bang for the buck. Large interior is very comfortable.
A Lemon! Avoid this Car!!!
Brian C, 03/26/2002
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is a lemon. Avoid it at all costs. At 40k the transmission leaked. 50k miles, head gasket failed. 54k the engine leaked oil again. 57k the valve cover gasket leaked. This car is poorly assembled.
Not what I expected
tdilf, 03/31/2002
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
At 70,000 miles I have had numerous problems: squeeky doors that no one will fix stereo speakers don't work- one does brakes replaced twice head gasket replaced (warranty because I whined) oxygen sensor replaced oil leak tires, of course tie rods replaced
The Dodge Stratus
Jeremy , 08/08/2020
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
As you know most people tend to bash the “Cloud cars” from Chrysler. Then you have the famous lines from a SNL skit “I drive a Dodge Stratus.” I bought my car a year ago for $800 and it only needed a fuel pump since it sat for years. I went ahead and replaced the water pump, timing belt, and tensioner as it was all a kit. It now has 150,000 miles on the clock, it did have 136,000 miles. I change my oil every 3k miles, and I haven’t had a single mechanical failure from the car. I drive it everyday, and it keeps on trucking. No, I haven’t had any transmission issues. I actually serviced the filter and changed fluid. Just follow the owner’s manual for your maintenance. The car handles very well around the curves here. It does have great traction in the winter as well, which it all depends on your acceleration. I have always had Cooper or Douglas mud and snow tires on it. The battery is located in the wheel well on the car. I haven’t had to remove the wheel to access it, just turn the wheel all the way to the right and remove the splash shield and there ya go! These are very comfortable cars considering I drove a truck before. They have plenty of legroom for your passengers as well. There is also plenty of trunk space which I love! I forgot I also had to replace the factory radio, which wasn’t really a big deal. I would highly recommend this car to anyone. I haven’t had issues with the head gasket either. My car did come with all of the maintenance records, and was very well maintained throughout the years. The interiors also hold up very well overtime, there isn’t a single crack on the dash. This car came from South Carolina. I forgot to mention the car has the 2.4L DOHC with the automatic(41TE/“Ultradrive”). I wish you the best of luck!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
A Dangerous Vehicle
shel, 12/19/2008
1997 Dodge Stratus 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I can not believe this car is legal to sell. The first week I got it, there was a pin in the transmission that was coming out and caused the car to only go in reverse and it cost me 1,000 dollars to have it welded back in. 3 weeks after that my brakes fell off! I have two kids that I transport in this car. My brakes literally fell off the car. The whole brake system had to be redone. So far I have put 4,800 dollars into this car. By the time I am done repairing it, it will be brand new. Oh, wait , no it won't because I am junking it. Did I mention how the steering just went out. I will never buy a car even resembling a Stratus.