Used 2006 Dodge Stratus Consumer Reviews
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My evaluation GSW
It would be nice to have a deeper and longer trunk area, a telescopic stearing wheel, and electric front seats. The dashboard controls, gear shift, and emergency brake are very user friendly. The night lighting on the dash is very easy on the eyes, and not distracting. Front seating is confortable and tapered nicely. Back seats a confortable, but could use a little bit mor leg room;mainly for long drives. The vehicle handles extremely well and is very responsive. Brakes are strong. Gear shifting is nice and smooth. Noise level (outside) is very good. The ride and suspension are smooth and enjoyable. I feel we got a very well made, solidly built sedan that meets our needs.
I Still Don't Regret This Purchase
I bought this car with 24,000 miles on it, I was the second owner and I must say that 2 years and 55,000 miles later, I really don't have any complaints. I used to commute out of town for work (about 65 miles a day) and I have gone on many out of town and out of state trips on this car. I have not had any problems out of my stratus except for the driver side window motor has gone out. Yes the windshield does have a few spots but nothing worth complaining over. Overall I must say that I love this car and it was probably the best purchase I have made, if they still made them I'd probably get another one
Crankshaft endplay
bought this car with 25 miles on it in 2006 at the dealer. drove car daily to work with and do not hot rod it. after at around 40,000 miles i noticed oil leaking from the passenger side and it was the front crankshaft seal, i replaced it and the oil-pump thinking there a blockage somewhere . 5,000 miles later i have had to replace the seal at least 6 times knowing my engine has failed me. i am no rocket scientist but i know its my main thrust bearing is bad and the crank is rundown with at least 1/10 to 2/10 of end play. i have at lest $10,000 to owe on it and i parked it in my back yard with my 1938 ford pickup. hope this helps other hard working Americans to do something about this issue.
The best car in town
This car is nice and sporty, also it is very roomy in the back and has lots of power. I would recommend this car. It has everything that any other car has except for heated seats and navigation system, but that's ok because who needs all that. I just want the speed and the look because it's a sporty car and fast. It is a woman's car for sure.
Great car for the money!
I have owned this car for about a month now, and it is great! I have really no complaints about it. I have had many cars in my day, but this one take the cake so far. It is a smooth ride, handles nice, and lloks good. Even the SXT looks sporty, and it is very nicely equipped for the money you pay. The only gripe I have is the weird shift it has every once in a while, but no car is ever perfect.
Not too bad....but dont trust it
I bought this car with the intention of paying it off very fast and using it as a spare. Well, 6 years later I just paid it off and its been my only for 105k miles. It was previously a rental and I'm imagining it got dogged out before I bought it because a head gasket blew within 6 months. The used car warranty covered it and I've been rolling ever since. Ive had minor issues such as sensors having to be replaced, brakes, lights, and the auto window went out, but other than that I cannot complain. Still picks up well between 50-80 mph and is decent on gas. The paint on the passenger side is oxidized, but hey, its 6 yrs old.
Classy Ride
My Dodge Stratus is a very classy looking car. I like the body style and the way it handles. I'm very happy with it.
Not very happy with this car
I bought this car used in August of 2006, it had 14,000 miles on it then. I am having to replace the head gasket now. When they were removing the parts to redo the head gasket, the front motor mount broke in half, we found that it was made from very thin aluminum instead of steel. We also discovered that this wasn't the first time that this vehicle has had Major work done on it, had to have been before it reached 14,000 miles. I am kind of leary of this vehicle now, and think that I will soon be looking for a new one.
It's an OK car
I had the car two years and it was a OK car for what i gave for it. It sits low so its a bit odd to get in and out of. I have a thermostat housing crack (made of plastic) and it was under and back side of the engine so it was very hard to change out. Then the timing chain went out and they replaced two of them but they had to pull the cam shaft pulleys to get to it ($1,300). so if you have to work on it it sucks. It was quick and great gas mileage. Bottom line is don't pay a lot for the car. someone hit me and i got more for the car than i payed so it worked out for me.
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Love My Stratus!!!
My husband and I bought this as a family car back in '05. We've driven it clear across the country and back several times, and racked up a lot of mileage that way but didn't pay much for gas! I Love the amount of trunk space and interior space it has! We made several cross country trips with 2 adults, 2 small kids and 2 large dogs, and all our stuff in the car (luggage,food, and strollers) and still had plenty of room. It's 2010, I've had this car for at least 4 years now and I still love it! Best car I've ever owned!
Do Not Buy This Car!!!
I bought this car in july of '06,had to have the front seal replaced in december of'06 at 14,000 miles. Here I am 2 and a half years later at 70,000 miles and have to have the front seal replaced again!!! It was a fairly good car otherwise, but don't waste your money. It will nickel and dime you death.
My favorite car ever!
Hello. I bought this car to be my "family" car and I have been very happy with it. I have already been on some long trips and a lot of city driving and it just does everything for me. I have only had a few problems, but I plan on keeping it for a long time.
*no*more*chrysler*or*dodge
This car is OK to look at. Nothing special. But I drive high miles for my job so it's more for function. But this car is junk. In 2 years I have replaced all the headlights & taillights twice. When I turn, a warning comes on & the "brake" light comes on. ??? The interior/dash lights flash constantly. AND WHAT'S WITH THE WINDSHIELD?? I've been through probably a dozen sets of wipers & none work. The windshield has spots that none of the wipers touch! And I've had the windshield replaced due to a rock busting the old one. It was replaced with the same Dodge window.& the same thing. Wipers don't touch half of it. It's clearly a design flaw. And a big one.& one of my windows quit for no reason..
Done with Dodge/Chrysler
I bought a 2004 Dodge Stratus SE almost new and paid $11,500, well below what I would have paid for an equivalent Japanese make. I was willing to look past its relatively outdated powertrain and somewhat sluggish performance in stop and go traffic until I hit 57k miles on the odometer. After that, I was taking this car in for costly repairs on a regular basis. For instance, I was replacing brakepads every 10k miles, the shocks needed replacement every 20k. After coughing up about $13,000 in repairs & maintenance in six years, I had enough. I'm back driving a Toyota Camry with no issues. My advice: invest a little more money in a Toyota, Honda and save yourself time and money down the road.
Nice, but MPG is really bad
Bought a 2006 Stratus SXT for my girlfriend. The car looks nice, rides really comfy. For a car that's a 4cylinder, the miles-per-gallon is really bad. It has worse gas mileage than my '03 Silverado V8 with 7" lift kit. The Stratus only does 16mpg in the city. Took it back to the dealer to have it checked and couldn't find anything wrong. Service guy told me that 16mpg is not out of the norm on this car. Even people from Dodge forums say the same about gas mileage on this vehicle. Will trade this car in soon for something that's not a Dodge
Worst Car Ever..
Please please do not buy this unless you are extremely well off and can afford to replace everything! I have had nothing but problems since I got it 2 years ago. It has 70,000 miles and has had a new timing belt, housing unit, magnetic cam sensor, computer and more that i cannot remember now....and it still is not working. The dodge dealer can't figure it out! Do not buy this car. Spend a little more and get something reliable that works.
Has been a good vehicle for me =)
Bought my 2006 Stratus last summer and I'm glad I did. I have had no problems with it yet *knock on wood* and it's been a very enjoyable car. I recently went on a road trip and I didn't even need to fill up the entire way there and back! It's amazing the gas mileage you can get with this car. I definitely don't waste time at the pump aha! The 4 cyl engine is good, but I can see why the V-6 would be better for the size of this vehicle. It didn't handle amazingly well last winter (in NY) but considering I live up on a huge hill, what can you really expect from a car? I can't really complain about it, I've had a good experience with this car, and it makes me want to buy Dodge again.
Really Like !
I recently acquired my Dodge as a gift from my children, It is gunmetal grey,which is nice as it appears to change colors, depends on weather conditions,looks nice on the road. Gas mileage is ok but not as good as we had hoped, and I do not put my foot to the metal.Like the way it handles.
Good "First" New Car
This is a great car if you're new to the "new car" market. Easy to drive, has what you need, and nice safety features as well. Back seat is spacious and the flip down seat is nice as well. Overall, the Stratus is a good sturdy car for the just-out-of- college buyer (like me).
Love My "Goldie"!!!
I got my Stratus back in '07 from Enterprise Rentals. Only major problem I've had was a crankshaft issue and that was after having it for 7 years. I've done some changes like different chrome rims for something sportier (including wheel adapters), a rear spoiler, fog lights (yellow strobes), a muffler system that allows more air exhaust (and sound), new shocks and a better stereo system. Planning on hunting down a supercharger for it (keep hearing the police used to use this model)...otherwise, my baby's a creampuff! Be careful on doing electrical work, for it'll seem like you'll lose your battery charge, but the way Dodge builds their cars, it's a lil tricky but manageable as long as you're careful. Pretty good on gas and currently researching the pros and cons of changing gas type from the low end to at least mid-grade. Just take of it and it'll take care of you.
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Needs a little work
I love this car. Very sporty but still a family car. The only problem is my car had only a little over 14,000 miles on it and the block cracked. It's something that is happening to a lot of them.
Dodge-it Not a good buy!!
Bought this car with 16,000 miles on it for wife to drive back and forth to work ( about 60 miles daily round trip). At 38,000 miles the radiator cooling fan went bad and Dodge would not help with that repair (bad electronics). 40,000 miles later; 78,000 miles, the lower ball joints failed. There was a recall on certain SXT models for the same failure but not on mine according to Dodge--cheap parts. The car now has 92,000 miles on it and the upper control arms and traction bar are bad and another score for cheap parts. Will be getting a new vehicle and it will not be anything MOPAR builds--am looking at Nissan. Stay away from Dodge products is the best money saving advise I can give you !!! UP DATE---Have sold this vehicle and not looked at another Dodge or MOPAR product. Bought a 2014 Nissan and have put 55,000 miles on it and have done nothing but routine maint. on this vehicle. There will never be another Dodge in my garage. Not sure if I were given a MOPAR vehicle that I would keep it.
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Fun car
I really have been enjoying this car. We bought this car as a fixer for our credit, and had a choice between this and a Dodge Neon, no comparison. I am the primary driver for this car and have found that I make excuses to do things just so that I can drive it. It's a blast to drive and seems pretty sporty for a 4 cylinder.
Pure Awesomeness
This case has a rear spoiler and is SO sporty looking for a sedan. I am in college and wanted a car that was reliable, roomy, and good on gas. Didn't want a coupe! So sporty, smooth ride, and UNBELIEVABLY cheap. Great car, would suggest!
Happy I found this car
I bought this car in December of 06 and have been happy ever since. The mileage on the highway is incredible. If I keep the tires correctly inflated and use cruise-control I get over 30 mpg. In town is another story. The mileage plunges. I used to think poorly of Dodge until I owned this. It is very comfortable for me, though it isn't as refined as a more expensive luxury car. But for the price I am willing to overlook some small drawbacks such as cheap dashboard plastic. The interior is ergonomically perfect, not too flashy and not too sparse. Overall this has been perfect for me. One more thing, Dodge made it very easy to perform the maintenance on this car and save money.
SXT (4dr Sedan 2.7-DOHC-V6
I was impressed on how quiet the engine is with the amount of house power(200); ample for city driving and quick accleration to merge on any highway. Interior is good and instrument panel and gadgets user friendly and well laid out....I wish it would have standard feature such as power seats, fog lights and more leg room for rear passengers; being 6', I find it little cramped. For a V-6, the gas milage is good (22mpg average city/highway). The styling is attracive with a sporty look. I previously owned a 2000 SE and it was very reliable with little maintenance required. I would recommend this car to anyone that wants good value and quality for thier money. You will not be dissapointed.
mystratus
This Stratus needs a little more get up and go otherwise I am very pleased with this car.
I love my Stratus
I have a metallic black, with brindle interior, SXT and it looks great. I added gold pin stripes and it really sets it off. The 2.4L DOHC 4cyl is a good, reliable engine, however it lacks power when the car is loaded with people and luggage. Especially going up hill with the A/C on. The V6 is a much better idea. My mileage is 22-24 avg. in the city and 30 to 31 hwy. I'm a 6'1" male and find I need a power drivers seat or my head hits the ceiling. After several back and neck surgeries I have problems riding in many cars but the power drivers seat fits me well and w/o the lumbar support it's very comfortable. It has a nice ride, the handling is great as is the visibility.
Great Family car
We have owned this car for a few months and absolutly love it! We had been looking for a toyota or Honda, but decided on the '06 Stratus instead because of the space and price. Since we were buying a used car, it was an added bonus that the car still had a factory warranty! We have a 2 year old boy and the car is big enough that we can haul all his stuff around and still have plenty of room for the three of us and a guest or two. My husband and I are both above average build and the front seats are very comfortable for us as well. The longest trip we've taken was a four hour drive through Kansas and the car handled well and we had no spacial complants as well. Great car!
Solid Build Great Car
I am a cross country sales rep and drive an average of 30-40k a year. I recently sold my '02 Dodge Stratus with 194,550 miles with no problems whatsoever. I change the oil every 3- 5k and it gets me where i want to go. Solid car. My 2006 SXT has 55k on it already and has been just as reliable. How can someone buy a Camry for 4-6k more? I havent yet figured that out. I owned an Accord before my Stratus and lost the vtec engine at 100k. Pretty bad I'd say. For the price and reliability you can't beat a used domestic.
Dodge Stratus #1
The car is a pleasure to drive, it handles very well, it feels light and nimble. It getts good fuel mileage. I have been getting 28mpg week in and week out. I am happy with the performance, it is a 150 hp 4 cylinder and it feels very strong off the line.
Satisfied
I just purchased this car about 3 weeks ago and so far so good. We went from a 2000 Cougar which we loved to this. Although the Cougar was more sporty and smaller this still allows us to have the fun factor while felling safer with our child in the car. I was suprised that this 4cyl pushed out 150 hp and seems to be getting decent mpg. My daughter loves the fact she now can sit in the middle and see everything where with the cougar the bucket seats did not allow that. On the outside it seems as though it's a avg mid size car but inside there is more room then my first apt. I like the stock stereo and all the little compartments. I have managed to pop a tire already but can't figure out how.
I Love this Car!
My husband and I bought this car about a month ago. We were looking for something roomy enough to fit our 1 year old car seat comfortably as well as me who is 6'1. Well, we found it. This car is awesome. My husband loves the fact of how sporty the car looks even thought it is a mid-size 4 door. The compartments are great and the car gets awesome gas milegage. Roomy and just a nice overall interior. Could not ask for a better car.
Great Bang for the Buck
This is totally fun car to drive. After a few months and changing to performance tires with my 2006 SXT, there have been no problems of any kind. The power of the 4cyl engine is great, and it comes off the line as spirited as a 6cyl engine. The interior and trunk room is outstanding, and the ride is firm and comfortable. My wife loved it so much after a few trips behind the wheel, she threatened not to let me have it back. It's a good, solid and fun car for the price. Great second car!
Better than my 96 Cirrus
I've just purchased this vehicle last week and it is a significant upgrade over my 96 Cirrus. It seems to have a lot more interior space and a bigger trunk. I was leaning toward a 4 cylinder for gas mileage, and this has it I like the fact it has the LATCH system for car seats for the children and working AC (especially for Florida). The interior is simple and not an eyesore. Controls are easily accessible and understandable. Acceleration tends be loud, but it is a 4 cylinder and not a 6. This vehicle is a welcome addition to my family of 4.
Disappointed
I've had this car for 8 months now and have been disappointed. I got it as a replacement for an aging '91 Maxima and I hate admitting that the 16 year old car had a smoother quieter more fuel efficient engine along with a quieter interior. I am very displeased with the fuel mileage for this car in the city. If you're lucky you might get 17 mpg. That number jumps to near 30 on the highway. I think Dodge really missed the transmission gear ratios here. The Stratus isn't a bad car, it just lacks a lot of refinement. I expected to have a much better car after losing the maxima. Instead, I end up with on that is merely adequate transportation.
Gas mileage
Unreal low gas mileage. It changes on almost every tank, can't count on what you will get. the 4 cyl. is too small for size of car.the power does not match the 4 cyl that I owned before which are 2 of the 4 cyl. i stay busy filling up with gas. I hear I cannot depend on the Dodge transmillsions.They do no hold up. What cvan I do.
Good car and easy on the buget
i got this car as a credit builder. now that my credit is much better, im considering a newer vehicle, however I'm not gonna trade my stratus, i really like this car and I'm gonna keep it.
Jerking needs to stop
I have problems with car. It wants to jerk when engaging gears. Other then that car is reliable and great to drive
Crank Shaft/Crank seal out at 43,000 mil
I bought this car 8 months ago and at 43,000 miles we are needing to replace a crank shaft and crank seal to the tune of $2,400 with the possibility that the short block will also need to be replaced which will add another $2,000. When we spoke to Chrysler they said too bad it is out of the 3yr/3,600 mile warranty. I have always owned Dodge cars but this will be my last!
Beyond excellent
The only thing you need to know is where your car is going, because you will definitely enjoy the ride in this highly comfortable and relaxing vehicle. My 3.7 V6 Dodge Stratus has the power and start equal or better than any in the class. Bought used in 2008, my 06 has 185+k miles and I expect it to go strong for a long time to come. A couple (not my fault-really) accidents have left her battled and bloody, and the country pack rats have been a chore, but I am just now (January 2019) having what I think is an ignition problem, which most probably is just a worn out key. I will say , since maybe year 4 (?), that every summer gas fumes overcome the vehicle to beyond safe levels, but even in 110 degrees heat, it's bearable with the windows down. Albeit not safe. I am looking for another car, merely as backup, and, lo and behold, I've found another 06 Dodge Stratus! No special technology, but classic lines and superb performance that will last a lifetime....hopefully more, since I want to donate it/them to someone(s) upon my demise, knowing they will be in safe hands for years to come. Thank you, Dodge ! I'll be a Mopar 'girl' for life. But I do wish you (the manufacturer-not dealer) would fix the gas fume problem for me.
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276,000 miles and still runs
This is an excellent vehicle! Just be sure to get the timing belt changed at 100,000 miles. I commute to work 100 miles each day. This car was very dependable.
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2.7 liter engine equals trouble
This car has provided transportation for my son for the past 4 years. Considerable work has been needed to keep it running and to maintain the wiring in the vehicle. Water pump and timing chain replaced (major problem). Electric windows have very cheap wiring and switches that have required many interventions. Have not had to tow the car so far. Somewhat diasppointed at the lack of concern for the quality and reliability of the materials used in construction of the vehicle.
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So far so good
Got the car from a good friend who takes care of his vehicles. Got it for $550 because someone hit the car on the driver's side so the doors are denied. When I got it it had 193,211 it now has 197,500 the only thing I've done to the motor was change the oil and spark plugs. Needs an oil change again. It does idle a bit ruff until it warms up and it does need the oil pressure sensor. But still runs just fine
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diamond in the rough
I have a 2006 sxt with the 2.4 sport package. It performs awesomely. For a four cylinder, slow off the line but great power after 30 mph. To help further my mpg I got a cold air and it jumped my 150 horsepower to a whopping 175. Also I put in a tornado fuel saver and it jumped my hp up to 180. It keeps up with my sisters grand am gt. Great car care equals great performance and reliability. The front and rear sway bar provide great handling. The tight steering responds great. Fuel mileage is great after cold air and tornado, 28 in tow and 35 on the freeway doing 80. The only thing I can say is car care 100%
My car
I like this car. I can't say im in love with it, but I have very high expectations. (I'm a Lexus/ BMWgirl) Other than that it is a great car, never have had any major problems ever. The only thing that bothered me was the fact when I wrecked at 45 mph the air bags didn't deploy. But then I am not sure what speed you have to be going for them to. And that everytime you hit your brakes hard the back seats open and everything from your trunk is now in the cab. But other than that it is a good car to get from a to b so I can't complain. I plan on having this car for a long time.
New trans!
My wife and I bought the Stratus with 34,000 miles on it in 11/07. We traded in a Chrysler 300 that was very unreliable. What a mistake buying a Dodge. The car now has 45,000 and we have to totally replace the transmission! What a joke. I will never buy a Dodge again.
I've driven better
For my 17th birthday I got a 2006 Stratus and I can not wait to trade it in. It's slow and the inside is boring. My mom got a 08 VW Passat and it has a V6 and it flies. My Stratus has nothing, no heated seats, no GPS, no sunroof. I would recommend getting a different car if you're looking at this one.