I know our Neons are still running but the end is coming....
- Knightryda
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I know our Neons are still running but the end is coming....
hey guys. I have a 01 RT with 147000 miles on it. I know we all love our cars but they arent going to last forever. I absolutely love my car but since it is used as my work car the miles are getting racked up. Anyways what i am getting at is who here has driven the Dodge Dart and how did they like it? Is it similar to our Neons. I figure i have at least another year and a half before something major could go wrong with my car and it wouldnt be worth dumping money into it. And what car would you guys get once your Neon bites the dust? Are you going to stay Mopar?
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BRR had a Dart for a while so you might find this interesting.
viewtopic.php?p=958091#958091
If I were in the market for a new vehicle, it would definitely be a Dart. My Neon is lucky though- it sleeps most of the year so I'm hoping to still have it when I croak.
viewtopic.php?p=958091#958091
If I were in the market for a new vehicle, it would definitely be a Dart. My Neon is lucky though- it sleeps most of the year so I'm hoping to still have it when I croak.
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- Knightryda
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Yea we'll see what I want to get. It will be used primarily for work I don't think I wanna use my Nissan Frontier for work yet. Considering the resale value on Frontiers is so good and I don't want to trash it by using it as a work vehicle. I mean i paid 25 grand for the truck in 2010 and trade in value is still 21 grand. Otherwise I may just buy a beater car for a couple grand.
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In about a year I figure I'll be in a new car. I'm leaning towards the Mazda6 with a six speed manual. I like the Dart but I think there have been far too many empty promises about it's lack of performance, Mopar's 1.5 million accessories that we've only seen like 10 of, and I don't enjoy the low US/Canada parts content. The Mazda6 is 90% Japan.
I've seen too much of Chrysler products being built with Made In China parts. I don't support China if at all possible. If the Dart got up to the 84% like my two Neons have, I'd consider it. /rant
I've seen too much of Chrysler products being built with Made In China parts. I don't support China if at all possible. If the Dart got up to the 84% like my two Neons have, I'd consider it. /rant
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ram50rocket wrote: I must had been mistaken in thinking that NEONS.ORG was just for neons.
I would not consider the Dart. It is a rebadged Alfa Romeo. The new Cherokee is no better, it is a rebadged Fiat, as well. But, the Dart is being built under license right here in the U.S., at Belvidere. I've had to work on a few of them, and am not impressed.
What is really hurting the Dart was the constant changing of what transmission to put in that went on at launch.
What is really hurting the Dart was the constant changing of what transmission to put in that went on at launch.
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The dart is actually what I was considering as my next car, I like the styling of it. As long as they work out the bugs I'd buy one. The real question is how long will my neon last? It may run for another 10 years, or until they stop making replacement parts for it.
Also, what is this talk about not being able to rev the engine to take off in 1st gear with the dart? Is this only on the turbo models? That would be a deal breaker for me, I should be able to launch the car off the line if I want to.
Also, what is this talk about not being able to rev the engine to take off in 1st gear with the dart? Is this only on the turbo models? That would be a deal breaker for me, I should be able to launch the car off the line if I want to.
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- BlackRoseRacing
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The way the 1.4T is designed is you can not give throttle unless there is some type of load, which means when engaging 1st gear to get rolling, you have to let off the clutch before the gas. If you try to rev it with the clutch engaged, the throttle will not rise.Also, what is this talk about not being able to rev the engine to take off in 1st gear with the dart? Is this only on the turbo models? That would be a deal breaker for me, I should be able to launch the car off the line if I want to.
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That seems like a back asswards way to have the throttle behave. Is that a loophole to keep people from damaging parts or drag racing the car?BlackRoseRacing wrote: The way the 1.4T is designed is you can not give throttle unless there is some type of load, which means when engaging 1st gear to get rolling, you have to let off the clutch before the gas. If you try to rev it with the clutch engaged, the throttle will not rise.
How about the 2.4 engine? That's the one I'd want anyway.
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Seriously?? I wonder if the Power Pedal addresses this issue (or at least fools the computer). I have never heard of a car set up like that.BlackRoseRacing wrote: The way the 1.4T is designed is you can not give throttle unless there is some type of load, which means when engaging 1st gear to get rolling, you have to let off the clutch before the gas. If you try to rev it with the clutch engaged, the throttle will not rise.
Me too. The SXT with the 2.4 looks like a nice package. I've only driven the 1.4/6-speed so far. I wish there was a way to try out the 2.4/6-speed without a dealer calling me 3 times a day for the following two weeks. Maybe if I just walk in and clearly say that I am not interested in buying this car, only driving it, they'll appreciate the honesty enough to let me take it for a ride.Donkeypuncher wrote:How about the 2.4 engine? That's the one I'd want anyway.
Jon J.
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I've been shopping for cars for many years ... if you find one that doesn't call daily for many weeks after a test drive, tell us about it.jonnymopar wrote:Me too. The SXT with the 2.4 looks like a nice package. I've only driven the 1.4/6-speed so far. I wish there was a way to try out the 2.4/6-speed without a dealer calling me 3 times a day for the following two weeks. Maybe if I just walk in and clearly say that I am not interested in buying this car, only driving it, they'll appreciate the honesty enough to let me take it for a ride.Donkeypuncher wrote:How about the 2.4 engine? That's the one I'd want anyway.
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That means no rev matching either.... yeah i'm out. whats the point of buying a manual if you can't even drive it like a manual. no wonder they arn't making an SRT model.BlackRoseRacing wrote:The way the 1.4T is designed is you can not give throttle unless there is some type of load, which means when engaging 1st gear to get rolling, you have to let off the clutch before the gas. If you try to rev it with the clutch engaged, the throttle will not rise.Also, what is this talk about not being able to rev the engine to take off in 1st gear with the dart? Is this only on the turbo models? That would be a deal breaker for me, I should be able to launch the car off the line if I want to.
BTW whoever mentioned the 6spd mazda. its a freakin deal $14-16K with lots of options and great mpg. A friend at the gym just picked one up. Id be in the fiesta/focus ST for the next DD.
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-Kevin
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In 2004 and 2005, Mazda put on an event called Zoom Zoom Live. One of the locations was an out-of-commission air force base about 30 miles from me. They set up 5 mini autocross tracks and they had different cars at each track. One was for the RX8, one was for the Miata, one was the 3, one had the Speed6, and so on. Every car was brand new, you signed a two-page waiver when you walked in, and the whole damn thing was FREE to attend! No phonecalls afterwards, and the only emails you saw were your track times and a photo at the finish line of the Miata track.theColonel wrote: I've been shopping for cars for many years ... if you find one that doesn't call daily for many weeks after a test drive, tell us about it.
Guess what's sitting next to my Neon in my garage every night: a Mazda3 that I adore.
And yet, as someone who has spent the last quarter million miles of my driving life behind the wheel of a Dodge, I can't go test drive a brand new Dart without a freaking hassle afterwards, regardless of the fact that I'm honestly considering it for my next car.
I digress. Back on topic: even with the half-assed job on the programming for the earlier NGC vehicles, I really hope Chrysler did the code for the 2.0/2.4 Darts and not Fiat. If that's the way they're going to approach PCM programming, I'm all set with that.
Jon J.
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^^^^^ Let's face it, the Dodge dealers are desperate, and the automotive journalists go along with all of FCA's lame excuses,
like "Avenger discounts hurt Dart sales". Bullshit, the Dart is a poor product ... Avenger discounts haven't hurt the sale of Ford
Focus or Chevrolet Cruze.
I've driven the 1.4T manual, and the 2.0 6-speed auto Darts ... the cars are loaded with too many "gee whiz options", plus
they're too heavy for a 160 hp engine. I don't think the 184 hp 2.4 will make a magic difference.
I don't know why, but even the Fiat 500 sells better than the Dodge Dart in Corpus Christi - I wouldn't buy either one.
The only new Mopars I'd consider would have the 3.6 liter Pentastar engine, like the Charger or Chrysler 200.
like "Avenger discounts hurt Dart sales". Bullshit, the Dart is a poor product ... Avenger discounts haven't hurt the sale of Ford
Focus or Chevrolet Cruze.
I've driven the 1.4T manual, and the 2.0 6-speed auto Darts ... the cars are loaded with too many "gee whiz options", plus
they're too heavy for a 160 hp engine. I don't think the 184 hp 2.4 will make a magic difference.
I don't know why, but even the Fiat 500 sells better than the Dodge Dart in Corpus Christi - I wouldn't buy either one.
The only new Mopars I'd consider would have the 3.6 liter Pentastar engine, like the Charger or Chrysler 200.
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I remember that event. They had one of those 20 minutes away from me on a retired air base. I auto-crossed a Mazda 3 when I went. The wait times for the RX8 was just too ridiculous so I did not even try.jonnymopar wrote: In 2004 and 2005, Mazda put on an event called Zoom Zoom Live. One of the locations was an out-of-commission air force base about 30 miles from me. They set up 5 mini autocross tracks and they had different cars at each track. One was for the RX8, one was for the Miata, one was the 3, one had the Speed6, and so on. Every car was brand new, you signed a two-page waiver when you walked in, and the whole damn thing was FREE to attend! No phonecalls afterwards, and the only emails you saw were your track times and a photo at the finish line of the Miata track.
They did not bug me too much afterward either. They only sent me invitations to test drive their cars via mail and offered to pay me $15 if I test drove one.
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I totally forgot about the Mazda 3. I really like that car and from the sound it you guys are all saying that the Dart is garbage. After thinking about it, i guess if i had to get a compact car again i would go with either a Focus or the Mazda 3. And whats this that they ARENT going to make a SRT Dart? I thought they already planned on it and the concept car pics i saw on here were awesome. I hope they change their mind.
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I would buy a Dart over the Cruze any day of the week. A friend had a Cruze, for about a month and she couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Can't say it really did much for me either.theColonel wrote: Bullshit, the Dart is a poor product ... Avenger discounts haven't hurt the sale of Ford
Focus or Chevrolet Cruze.
I would say the Avenger has hurt sales due to it being more attractive to loyal Mopar owners. A ford or chevy guy probably wouldn't buy either Dart or the Avenger.
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theColonel wrote:Let's face it, the Dodge dealers are desperate, and the automotive journalists go along with all of FCA's lame excuses, like "Avenger discounts hurt Dart sales". Bull****, the Dart is a poor product ...
Avenger discounts have hurt Dart sales; any time that you have an older model, the dies and tooling has been paid off (cheaper to build them thus lower price and more profit) and the automaker usually slaps a lot of goodies on the cars to move them since the buying public knows how old the designs are.
Naturally! Chrysler shoppers want a Chrysler product so the discounted Avenger cannibalizes sales from prospective Dart buyers.theColonel wrote:...Avenger discounts haven't hurt the sale of Ford Focus or Chevrolet Cruze.
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^^^^^^I realize you think you're making points with the audience, but let me remind of a few facts.
I own a 2009 Dodge Avenger, and there are 3 Dodge Neons in my family. I've been driving Chrysler vehicles since 1958.
The Neons and the Avenger aren't interchangeable. I will never buy a "new Dodge Dart".
I firmly believe that FCA is making a huge mistake by discontinuing the Dodge Avenger. Let the flaming begin.
I own a 2009 Dodge Avenger, and there are 3 Dodge Neons in my family. I've been driving Chrysler vehicles since 1958.
The Neons and the Avenger aren't interchangeable. I will never buy a "new Dodge Dart".
I firmly believe that FCA is making a huge mistake by discontinuing the Dodge Avenger. Let the flaming begin.
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No, just pointing out facts. Unless you have a vehicle like the original VW Beetle, you can't keep selling an old design forever. The Avenger had been ready for retirement (along with all of the other remaining Daimler-era designs- 300, Charger, Challenger, Compass). Chrysler Group has been building up the corporate kitty to pay for new designs that will soon be phased in to replace these vehicles.theColonel wrote:I realize you think you're making points with the audience...
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viewtopic.php?t=61707&postdays=0&postor ... &start=120#Midnight_Rider wrote:No, just pointing out facts. Unless you have a vehicle like the original VW Beetle, you can't keep selling an old design forever. The Avenger had been ready for retirement (along with all of the other remaining Daimler-era designs- 300, Charger, Challenger, Compass). Chrysler Group has been building up the corporate kitty to pay for new designs that will soon be phased in to replace these vehicles.theColonel wrote:I realize you think you're making points with the audience...
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