Used 2002 Dodge Stratus Consumer Reviews
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11 years and going strong
I'm sad others have had bad experiences with this car because mine has almost 160k miles on it and it drives like the day I bought it. I've had to do a few minor things, replace the radiator and the brackets that hold the rear shocks rusted through prematurely, but it really has been an awesome car for me. 11 years later I have had no issues at all with the engine or transmission. The only thing I hate about it is that the clip under the front bumper hangs so low that I parked too close to a parking block and broke that plastic piece in half. Operator error.
Perfect car
This is a great little car. The dirty little secret is that the Stratus R/T coupe is built on the Eclipse GTS platform. So you get the American muscle body lines, with the Japanese reliability. I bought this car used at 100K miles, and it now has 210K miles with 0 problems. These are really built rock solid. Performance is also great and the suspension is a lot beefier than the eclipse. Please note, that these cars are completely different from the sedans. Which were built by Dodge. The only downside is that these cars are very rare. If you want a Stratus R/T coupe in manual....you are going to have a hard time finding one, since according to Dodge they built only 750 of these per year.
Good Car....
I bought the car from a friend 4 years ago back in 2006. So far no major problems. Everything works, no paint problems. Small coolant leak noticed a few weeks ago. I drive the car a lot. The gas mileage is great and the drive is pretty smooth too. My only complaint is the plain interior. Changed the rear rotors once. That's the only major work we had to do. Overall, it's a good car to have.
103K and no issues
Gas, tires, oil, brakes and 1 tie rod end. Not sure I even needed the tie rod. My only expenses after 7 years and 103,000 miles.
ASWESOME
Just bought it. i don't know what these babies are complaining about my brother owned it before I did and it never went through all the high numbers these other peoples vehicles have. Maybe if they were to take care of it correctly they wouldn't be throwing away so much money.
Great car
Bought new, 275,000 miles, no squeaks, rattles or recalls. 30 MPG on trips, embarrass a couple Mustang GT (to about 40 mph). Only unusual repair was replaced radiator.
Great car - gonna miss it!
I loved my Dodge Stratus - the reason I say "loved" is because I'm about to sell it to my brother. I'm upgrading to an SUV with 4 wheel drive, but if I wasn't, I would keep my Stratus. I also owned a 98 Dodge Stratus before I was in an accident and totalled it out, but my first choice was again, another Stratus. They are great looking, smooth confortable rides, good fuel economy, great get up and go and overall fun to drive. I never once had any maintenance issues with either Stratus I owned. I only had regular oil changes and that was all I ever had to do - these are great cars!
Love it
This is the second Stratus I have owned and I still love it! My car has 175000 miles on it and it still is running strong. No leaks at all. I bought it used with a little under 150k miles on it. To my knowledge the only major part to be replaced is the clutch. The car doesn't handle the greatest, but then again it isn't a sports car (though I like to drive it like one). I mostly drive short trips around town and I get consistently 25 mpg. When I am traveling I get up to 28 mpg. The trunk space is fantastic! I have a big speaker box, and a wheelchair, and I can still fit all my groceries in there too! This car can hold it's own when it comes to power. If you can shift you can win!
Surprised winner of the Year!!!
It is the surprised winner, didn't think it would be, friend told me to test drive it and has love it since. Will totally surprise you, give it a test-drive.
good car for us
this car has been very good for us so far. We've put 105000 miles on the car since we bought and only one major complaint. We kept losing transmission fluid every few months. Problem was due to bad connectors not made for our seasons in Minnesota (so we were told). After being fixed several times under warranty and the warranty about to expire the dealership replaced the connectors with a different type and we have had no problems since. Gas mileage is not the best but when I step on the pedal I go.
Buyer Beware!!!!!!
I loved this car when I got it. It was used and only 3 years old w/decent mileage. Then I drove it for a while... The transmission slipped in the cold weather, the water pump and alternator went and never mind trying to fix "simple" problems on your own. This car is a total nightmare to work on, very very expensive repair costs. Over the weekend it was stolen and the joke is on them because it was a piece of junk. Don't buy these cars, I have a feeling there are more lemons than reliable builds of this model out there. Save your money and put it into somethign that will last and not break the bank to fix. Water pump alone was over $600 to replace...
100K, little upkeep and running strong
After 100,000 miles this car is running strong and has never needed more than the usual upkeep [oil, brakes, tires, etc]. Car is noisier than original condition but is to be expected after 100k. Car has never overheated. Air conditioner, heater, electronics, power, control - everything is working in great condition. I have to say for the value, this car is well worth it.
02 Stratus SE V6
Bought my Stratus SE V6 in Jan. of this year with 18,--- miles on it. Performance is definately more then most people expect it to be, so it's fun getting on the gas. After about a month of owning the car, my interior brake light kept comming on and my brakes made a moaning noise. Took it to the dealership and they said "nothing was wrong". Recently took it back to the dealership and they determined that my rotors needed to be replaced. Also, now my transmission leaks. I still have about 6,000 miles left on my warranty so I'm sure the Dodge dealership will tell me my transmission doesn't leak for another 6,001 miles. Won't buy another used dodge.
Dodge needs some work
I bought this car 05/2006 and when I test drove the car it was flawless. I fell in love! But months down the road, one thing after another happened. First it was the awful windshield complications, then the noisy dashboard which in actuality cracked somehow, the brake rotors I have to constantly get replaced, the rear view mirror wiring is really awful I have to rig it everyday just to get light in my car at night, my radio completely went out had to completely buy a new radio system, motor mount, don't even get me started on engine complications. Too much to detail. Couldn't pay me enough to buy another Dodge. Wouldn't recommend Dodge. Period.
eh
I am very mixed on this car. My father bought the car new, and passed it down to me 9 yrs later. He did all of the routine maintenance and also had nothing but issues , but being I was in college and my truck had crapped out I figured why not. The car finally died at 186,000 miles, when the trans went I dumped it. I had already bought a new car but being i almost rebuilt this one I tried and tried to keep it. I loved the styling of it and how it drove, even to this day, ( it is sitting in my driveway) I still think it looks sharp and especially for its day! however the here goes some of the repair list. at 42,000 miles my father rebuilt the rear end. at 90,000 i had to replace the fuel rail due to a fuel leak. With that I did the injectors. after 100,000 I lost track ,but here goes, I've done the belts ( routine) motor mounts, shocks , 2 ball joints cracked on me while driving 2 separate incidents, both axels , sway bars , hose from radiator cracked and leaked , thermostat , starter , water pump , head gasket , oil pan , and brakes. From my opinion the braking system in that car is terrible. Also the AC had issues, and it had no heat. the Windshield wiper motor was shot , and the oil light would flicker. I know reading this all seems impossible, but my mechanic was my fathers best friend so I rarely paid for anything so no it was not a mechanic having a good time, this car was a mess. the only saving grace that I would consider Dodge again is before this I had a durango and my father had bought the 2006 stratus to replace the 2002 mostly because I needed a car and he loved his 06 and never had any issues.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I LOVE THIS CAR!!!
My dad has purchased this Dodge Stratus '01 and I just can't help looking at it from the outside. The car is very beautiful. By the time my dad parked it outside the house, our neighbors even said, "wow it's beautiful!" This car is very unique and bold, it has a distinct design and you would really know when the DODGE STRATUS is on the road! The car is affordable too which is so unbelievable. I like its outside features, and I love the interior design more. It's very comfortable, and I love driving the car, It's just perfect!
Happy Stratus Cp. Owner
I am totally satisfied with my Stratus Coupe which is very tight and well made. One little known fact to most consumers is that the Status Coupe (2 dr.) and Status Sedan (4 dr.) are two completely different vehicles; the Coupe is Mitsubishi built (an Eclipse/Galant chassis). Even the seats and dashboard are totally different.It bothers me to see this vehicle reviewed and they only test the American 4 dr. which is very average, in my opinion, as compared to the Coupe. This car is Chrysler's best kept secret. The SE can be had for $20K.
Dodge Makes One Great Car
I have a 2 DR SE model and it is awesome! Not only does it turn heads with it's sleek exterior, it has the performance to back it up. (V6, 200 HP). The car handles like a foreign sports car, very nice ride. Definitely recomend.
black stratus
Exactly what it is an affordable sporty car.
Dont' buy one
Worst car I have ever purchased. The car eats batteries and tires, burns a quart or so of oil every month. Replaced the tube that goes into the gas tank, rusted through. Motor on the power window on drivers side had to be replaced, sun roof sticks so you have to push it up to open it while holding the button down. Clear coat on the car is turning white so now I have a black car with big white spots on it. Turning radius? There is none, a semi is easier to turn. The front end needs work constantly & I drive like an old lady. The front end is so low to the ground it constantly bottoms out entering & exiting drives, parking lots, etc. Horrible traction in snow or rain.
Best car I have ever had!!!
I drove approximately 15 new vehicles before deciding on this Stratus SE. The 2.4L 4 cyl. is in fact slow, but is suprisingly refined and quiet - for a 4 cylinder. I might also add that even though the engine lacks the power of the V6, I find that the engine and transmission compliment each other very well. Great ride, no wind/road noise, and excellent build quality - Let me mention that I am a Quality Assurance Supervisor, with over 11 years in my field. I am extremely picky to say the least. This is just a fantastic vehicle.
Stratus Coupe, the Four Cylinder Kind
Edmund's reviews mention two things that attract young buyers: low price, high performance. The same things also attract not-so-young buyers (me). The four-cylinder has acceptable power, and the five-speed enhances the driving experience.
I love my Stratus
I absolutely love my Stratus. It is beautiful! I get compliments on it almost daily. And it is one of the most fun to drive cars I've ever had.
My bad experience
I would never buy a dodge as long as i live. This car has had way too many transmission problems. It went in over 20 times for the transmission. Plus, when other things go wrong, you have to buy from Dodge directly. They also lied to me at the dealership. Was suppose to have a five year loan, have a six year. Never buy this car. Huge mistake.
dodge stratus 2001
competent performer for its tier - main complaint is poor rear visibility and uncomfortable front seats even with power seats - not a car to take on the road for a long trip
Don't waste your money!
I bought the car because I loved the look, and it seemed great durning the test drive It's had issues since I bought it! The steering wheel mysteriously locks up, then releases it's self, the brakes and rotors have been changed many times, by different people, so the constant squeaking and grinding I know has to be a problem with the car. The dash board rattles, the road noise is horrible, the windshield wipers are a joke (not the blades, the bolt holding them on, the part that squirts the cleaner, etc) And now the tranny's going out. There's so much more to complain about but I'll just leave it as I'll never buy another and highly suggest no one else does either!
cool car
For the most part I have never had any problems with this car. I just never really enjoyed the ride and handling, especially for this to be a sport coupe. This car is not a great handler.
Slamming R/T
Great car and blast to drive and didn't cost a mint!
Get the most
I love being able to get the engine to respond when I need to move quickly or just show off what an R/T is all about, but you've gotta get the manual, that auto-stick thing is a joke. I was considering an Eclipse as well, but once I realized all my friend actually HAVE legs, I thought it'd be nicer to get the extra 4" in the back. Plus, being a young adult, I researched car insurance and found that the rates are much higher for the Eclipse.
Dodge Stratus R/T
Great performer, not much for comfort. Cluch,and transmission not what expeted. Otherwise great car.
OK then Died at 115K
I gambled when I bought this car. My brother works for Chrysler so I thought that I would keep him employed. Frequent brake replacements, Car ok til 70K major repairs= $2500 Luckily I had 7 year 100K drivetrain warranty. This year the engine over heated cost me 2K,(mistake) then the engine blew about 2 months later. Figured tranny next so I junked it. If I would have bought Toyota it would have still been running and worth money. DON'T buy a used one unless you have a death wish!
Exceptional & Really Fun to Drive
In one word "Exceptional". I decided on the ES package when purchasing my new Stratus. I opted for cloth instead of leather seats but made up for it with a power moon roof, CD changer & chrome rims. Besides it's sleak yet sporty looks this car makes you feel like you're floating when cruising down a country road with the moon roof open and windows down. But punch the gas to the floor and hang on. The 200 HP engine races from 50 to 100 in what seems like a few seconds. All in all exceptional handling, supreme power, sleak yet sporty looks & an exceptional sound system make this car the greatest I've ever owned.
Excelent Car for the price
I just bought this car about a month ago and absolutely love it. Blind spots a bit more difficult than I am used to, but not too bad. Other than that no complaints yet.
2002 Dodge Stratus SE Plus
It is not my vehicle but my brother owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus SE Plus! I love this car. Doing 60 on the highway feels more like 30! It has great fuel economy. He has it in Stone White with Dark Slate Gray Cloth. The back seat is comfortable enough for 2 adults and a 5 feet tall 12 year old. Perfect legroom in front and back!
lemon
I bought this Stratus rt new in 02,Since then I have spent a small fortune keeping this thing on the road.I had a third radiator put in this summer.Went thru 5 batteries.Two starters,alternator.The brake rotors last about 7k miles and then warp.It uses a quart of oil a week.now the egr valve is shot.This car was the biggest mistake I ever made in my life.
02 Stratus
Bought the V6 2.7L 2002 Stratus SE. Love its powerful engine and acceleration. Its AT is not as smooth as my GM car. The paint job is poor. The plastic interior looks cheap. The battery is at a very odd position (not viewable under the hood). The work room under the hood is very tight, which makes many maintenance job more difficult. The headroom for the front folks is too small, regarding the size of this vehicle. It has a huge blind spot at the drive side. Have to be very careful when change lanes. Fuel economy is about 21-22 mpg for mostly highway driving. The trunk is narrow, but quite deep. Reliability: after 8000 miles, no any problem so far.
YIIIIPPPPEEEEE
Ilove this car. My fiance has a ram 1500 and I had to put it in the shop and they gave me a stratus on loaner. I fell in love with the car, I didnt want a car because I didnt think they would have enough room for my two kids but this one was. I went back the next week to look more into it....well I ended up leaving with a 2002 black sxt with a sunroof...this car is excellent and fast and cute!!
Awesome Car
This is my first new car. Its so much fun to drive and the speakers handle awesome. Its a fun and easy to drive car !
Great looking and performing car!
I bought my 2002 Stratus R/T Coupe in October 2001 because I loved its looks, performance, and value compared to some competing models. I've had it for almost a year now and have no real complaints about it. The 3.0L V6 is a great performer although I think Dodge should have upped the horsepower slightly for the R/T model. I could get a plain SE Coupe with the same engine if I wanted. The R/T badge has always been on the top performance vehicles at Dodge. I get tons of looks and great comments from other people when I drive the car. I'm very happy with my decision to purchase this car.
Stratus Coupe RT
The Stratus Coupe is a fun car to drive. Power, style and comfort are all a plus. The sleak, low to the ground design helps it performance at high speeds. I would recomend this car.
A mere 8
The stratus coupe handles nicely, yet it's missing something, it tends to hestitate when you kick it down. It handles great around corners and is very quite inside. The four disk CD stero has anice sound system.
This car is HOT!!
I just bought this car in July. It was first pick car and let me tell you, I love it. It's silver w/ leather, sunroof, cd/cassette/equalizer, 7 infinity speakers, chrome 17 inch wheels. It's a good value. I love the exhaust sound and it's quick.
Fun Fun Fun
I bought my 2002 Caffe Latte R/T because of the heritage that comes with the R/T badge. Realizing of course it is not of the same true muscle car blood of the 60's and 70's . The styling is what got my attention first, then the options that came along. My R/T has all the options. I am 6 ft. two inches tall and found it to be rather difficult to get use to at first as I also own a Ram 1500 SWB SLT 1500. BUT for what it is I find this car to be worth the money and tons of fun to drive on any highway here in North Florida. The performance I must say , is nothing like the 340 Dusters or 6pack Cuda's. But quick and responsive for a V/6 . I
R/T
I didn't expect much when I got the car, it reminded me of an intrepid and I figured it would drive like one. However, this R/T is powerful, and has the potential to be a sports car when it wants to be, and at the same time can be a comfortable ride around town. I've had no problems with my R/T, and no real complaints. I'm extremely happy with my car.
TIMELESS FUN
THE BEST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED!
LoveMyCar!
Since the re-design, I have been an admirer of the Stratus R/T. A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to purchase a new car. With three different models in mind, I test drove the R/T and my search was over! I finally purchased my dream car and I absolutely LOVE it! Very fun car to drive. I purchased the 2002 Stratus R/T. Black with 17 inch polished crome rims, automatic sunroof, 4 disc changer, grey leather and tinted windows. A lot of car for little money!
Unbelievable!!!
I bought this car after owning a 97 Avenger ES Coupe. I thought that car was great. This one is 10 times better than that one. It has a very fast 2.7L V6 Magnum engine. The handling is the best I have driven in a car (and that includes the BMW 3 Series). There is plenty of room in the trunk and in the interior. Great styling and an awesome ride all for under $25K.
Awesome Car!
Great car, fun to drive, yet functional with a toddler. A lot of trunk room too. I've had the car one year, and there are no rattles or squeeks of any kind. I haven't had one bit of trouble with anything.
Ups and DOWNS
When I bought this car, I would have said it was a 10. It had looks, smooth ride, low noise, roomy interior, and power. About 8 months and only 5,000 miles later, it developed a vibration and growling noise. After five visits to the dealer (who really didn't want to work on it) and a letter to Chrysler (who said if I didn't like the dealer, take it somewhere else), the possible cause was the transmission. With some research I found out that this troublesome transmission was the same one used in prior years only to be renamed. Would I buy this car again even though it has looks, comfort, power, etc..? NO! Maybe I just got the lemon of the bunch.
Love this car
Embarassed a Mustang, when he caught up I was suprised to se the GT on the rear. Have got 30 MPG on a 75 MPH trip, regularely get over 25 even with kayak and/or bike on top. Have received unsolicited comments from passengers on comfort. Not the best at any on thing but the best combination of features, comfort and performance. 50,000 miles and no squeeks, rattles or any other problems.