Thoughts on the Dodge Charger? Dodge still crap?

[FuzzyDunlop]

I still cant buy anything Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep.
We have two Dodge Caravans for our company (because of the handyStow-in-go seats) and they both are falling apart so quickly its unbelievable. Just random annoying things that seem like they shouldnt be happening for another 4-5 years of use... like plastics breaking, sliding doors breaking (and not opening), rear hatch breaking (and not clamping closed), one of them had electrical problems which started with the horn randomly honking then the stereo conking out then the dash etc etc.
So I have some recent presonal experience then I also hear all the second hand info about their trucks being the same way.

Just seems like they are cheaply made but are still at the same price level as their competitors.

I refuse to buy a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep for personal vehicle.

 

[LTC8K6]

I still cant buy anything Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep.
We have two Dodge Caravans for our company (because of the handyStow-in-go seats) and they both are falling apart so quickly its unbelievable. Just random annoying things that seem like they shouldnt be happening for another 4-5 years of use... like plastics breaking, sliding doors breaking (and not opening), rear hatch breaking (and not clamping closed), one of them had electrical problems which started with the horn randomly honking then the stereo conking out then the dash etc etc.
So I have some recent presonal experience then I also hear all the second hand info about their trucks being the same way.

Just seems like they are cheaply made but are still at the same price level as their competitors.

I refuse to buy a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep for personal vehicle.

What year are they, though?

 

[LTC8K6]

First I've ever heard of that on any car. Seems like kind of a useless feature if you ask me though. I don't see the point.

I'd never buy a Dodge/Chrysler vehicle though anyway.

It's a mandated safety feature to prevent children from sticking their head out of the window and then activating the window switch with their knee or foot and getting their neck caught in the window.

It's probably cheaper than an auto-reverse system.

That's why we now have flush fitting power window switches, and why many cars now have auto-reverse windows and sunroofs, and why you have "child proof" windows, doors, and sunroofs on cars now.

I posted about the gov't mandated window and sunroof systems earlier.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I kind of like these cars but my only issue is the high/thin window line.

I would never buy a car that makes me feel like I'm sitting in the bath tub.

 

[zoiks]

Rented a 2013 Chrysler 200 about 3 weeks ago and kept it for 10 days. My brother's 2008 Camry felt more refined than the 2013 200. Pluses were good gas mileage and ride. Handling was okay as well. Bad things included a crappy transmission that would produce a nice jolting 'thunk' now and then. The dash looked like someone traced out the odometer on a piece of paper then shone a green light behind it.
Overall the engine might be newer but the tech in it is the same old stuff they had back in the early 2000's. All they did was put lipstick on it.
I'd never buy one for myself even it were reliable. Too many better cars out there.

 

[heymrdj]

Chrysler basically builds two cars. The 300Charger, and the SebringAvengerCaliber.

They fail at both of them.

I've debated the merits of the 'new' GM before...but even I can admit that the brand new GM's are finally feeling like the change that I've heard so much about. Was poking around a Cruze the other day (1.4 turbo) and was outright impressed.

In comparison, I'm baffled that more people don't find Chrysler completely indefensible. To even say that they're the Kia of domestic cars is an unfair jab at Kia.

This post is indefensible... Seriously you just bared your bias and lack of knowledge on the topic for everyone to see.

The sebring and caliber are long gone. The Dart, Chrysler 200, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and Jeep Cherokee share the D-Evo platform. The 300/Lancia Thema solely use the LX platform. The Charger uses the LD platform. Challenger is the LC. The RT/M platform is for the Chrysler T&C, Grand Caravan, and RAM C/V. The RM is also used for the chrysler manufactured VW Routan.

 

[LTC8K6]

Rented a 2013 Chrysler 200 about 3 weeks ago and kept it for 10 days. My brother's 2008 Camry felt more refined than the 2013 200. Pluses were good gas mileage and ride. Handling was okay as well. Bad things included a crappy transmission that would produce a nice jolting 'thunk' now and then. The dash looked like someone traced out the odometer on a piece of paper then shone a green light behind it.
Overall the engine might be newer but the tech in it is the same old stuff they had back in the early 2000's. All they did was put lipstick on it.
I'd never buy one for myself even it were reliable. Too many better cars out there.

IIRC, the 200 hasn't been updated yet. It is still on one of the old platforms. It's still a Sebring.

 

[PricklyPete]

The interiors, aesthetics, and powertrains in Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep/Ram have definitely improved. I'm still not convinced the reliability has totally come around. It really has only been 3-4 years since the new direction has really taken hold... And to me that is not enough time to get the engineering right. The biggest plus in my mind is that they gave up trying to make transmissions (which they were horrible at). That alone was tempting me toward the Grand Cherokee... But I just wasn't willing to take a chance on the longevity of the vehicle (electronics specifically). That being said, it seems the charger is a steal in its segment.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's a mandated safety feature to prevent children from sticking their head out of the window and then activating the window switch with their knee or foot and getting their neck caught in the window.

It's probably cheaper than an auto-reverse system.

That's why we now have flush fitting power window switches, and why many cars now have auto-reverse windows and sunroofs, and why you have "child proof" windows, doors, and sunroofs on cars now.

I posted about the gov't mandated window and sunroof systems earlier.

Isn't that what parents are for? And aren't kids supposed to be buckled in while driving anyway? I can't see how this is even possible and even if you're parked with the engine running, just flip the window lock switch on the driver's door to keep the rug rats from opening the rear windows.

I've always noticed that in some cars the rear windows roll all the way down and some don't. Never have I seen anything that stated it was a safety feature or that it could be over-ridden nor have I seen it referred to in the owners manual but then I've never actually read the entire owners manual for any car I've owned either.

 

[LTC8K6]

Isn't that what parents are for? And aren't kids supposed to be buckled in while driving anyway? I can't see how this is even possible and even if you're parked with the engine running, just flip the window lock switch on the driver's door to keep the rug rats from opening the rear windows.

I've always noticed that in some cars the rear windows roll all the way down and some don't. Never have I seen anything that stated it was a safety feature or that it could be over-ridden nor have I seen it referred to in the owners manual but then I've never actually read the entire owners manual for any car I've owned either.

I didn't see the safety feature in the owner's manual for the Charger, either. But Nerp owns one and I assumed he knew what he was talking about.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/safety_switch/SaferSwitchesFinalRule.html

 

[JulesMaximus]

I didn't see the safety feature in the owner's manual for the Charger, either. But Nerp owns one and I assumed he knew what he was talking about.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/safety_switch/SaferSwitchesFinalRule.html

Maybe it's an "undocumented feature." :biggrin:

My car has power window switches that have to be pulled up to raise the windows. Both rear windows roll all the way down but there is no safety switch or any other safety device to limit how far the rear windows can roll down. I'm reasonably sure my Maxima had no such safety "feature" either but the rear windows would only retract halfway.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Dodge has improved, but they are still crap. Especially compared to GM and Ford. They aren't even close in quality, or fit and finish yet.

 

[BoberFett]

Chrysler basically builds two cars. The 300Charger, and the SebringAvengerCaliber.

They fail at both of them.

I've debated the merits of the 'new' GM before...but even I can admit that the brand new GM's are finally feeling like the change that I've heard so much about. Was poking around a Cruze the other day (1.4 turbo) and was outright impressed.

In comparison, I'm baffled that more people don't find Chrysler completely indefensible. To even say that they're the Kia of domestic cars is an unfair jab at Kia.

Before I bought my Camry the Dart had just come out. I went and drove one and while it seemed like a decent little car, it was overpriced IMO.

 

[LTC8K6]

Maybe it's an "undocumented feature." :biggrin:

My car has power window switches that have to be pulled up to raise the windows. Both rear windows roll all the way down but there is no safety switch or any other safety device to limit how far the rear windows can roll down. I'm reasonably sure my Maxima had no such safety "feature" either but the rear windows would only retract halfway.

Those switches are the most obvious redesign related to that mandate.

 

[IGemini]

I got to drive a V6 Charger of the last two generations. I had one as a rental for two weeks when my car got wrecked (2013 SE RWD), it's definitely head-and-shoulders above the previous gen. The basic radio array is the most claustrophobic I've ever seen in a new car, but otherwise I actually preferred it over the V6 Challenger. It's not lacking for power and handles pretty well. Problem is that they're more expensive than most competitor V6 sport cars.

 

[MagickMan]

AWD drops the 8 speed 3.6L Charger to 18/21/27 mpg.

This. I'd wait for the new Mustang, if you can. Or, put in the extra cash and get a 3-4 y/o Caddie CTS-V. Something about the Chrysler/Fiat merger that bugs me, and I've always been cautious about Dodge anyway.

 

[nerp]

I got to drive a V6 Charger of the last two generations. I had one as a rental for two weeks when my car got wrecked (2013 SE RWD), it's definitely head-and-shoulders above the previous gen. The basic radio array is the most claustrophobic I've ever seen in a new car, but otherwise I actually preferred it over the V6 Challenger. It's not lacking for power and handles pretty well. Problem is that they're more expensive than most competitor V6 sport cars.

Thing is, the Charger is not a sports car. It's a family sedan. It competes against 4-door sedans.

 

[SearchMaster]

Isn't that what parents are for? And aren't kids supposed to be buckled in while driving anyway? I can't see how this is even possible and even if you're parked with the engine running, just flip the window lock switch on the driver's door to keep the rug rats from opening the rear windows.

I've always noticed that in some cars the rear windows roll all the way down and some don't. Never have I seen anything that stated it was a safety feature or that it could be over-ridden nor have I seen it referred to in the owners manual but then I've never actually read the entire owners manual for any car I've owned either.

You're new to this country right? 😀

 

[Topweasel]

I am with SearchMaster on this. A.) Govment has been given carte blanche on raising our kids because parents can't be bothered. B.) I haven't driven or seen a car without child safety locks for the windows or the doors since the 80's when I was a kid opening a door while the car was still moving.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I am with SearchMaster on this. A.) Govment has been given carte blanche on raising our kids because parents can't be bothered. B.) I haven't driven or seen a car without child safety locks for the windows or the doors since the 80's when I was a kid opening a door while the car was still moving.

I'm just talking about rear windows that won't roll down all the way. It isn't a child safety thing, it's a limitation of the size of the glass and the design of the rear door thing. There just isn't enough room inside the rear door to retract the glass all the way in some cars. I've NEVER seen a car in which you could selectively roll the rear windows down all the way by flipping a switch. They either go all the way down or they don't.

Of course, all cars with power windows have a lockout switch on the driver's door that prevents any of the other switches from working the windows and all cars have child safety locks that prevent opening the rear doors from the inside. That's not what I'm talking about though.

 

[LTC8K6]

I have heard of the door lock thing for children. That has been around forever.

I have never heard of a door window setting that limits window travel to protect children, and prevents full window opening.

I would like to see some demonstration or documentation of this feature, in case I come across it and need to explain it or turn it off or on for a relative or friend.

 

[nerp]

Maybe I'm confusing the door lock with windows. Maybe your buddy's window is broken. I can post a video of my windows going up and down all the way to demonstrate that the rear windows do in fact go all the way down. Jules seems to keep thinking it's designed not to go down all the way and that's just wrong.

 

[LTC8K6]

Maybe I'm confusing the door lock with windows. Maybe your buddy's window is broken. I can post a video of my windows going up and down all the way to demonstrate that the rear windows do in fact go all the way down. Jules seems to keep thinking it's designed not to go down all the way and that's just wrong.

One poster claimed the Charger's rear windows didn't go all the way down.

I believe you responded that your Charger's rear windows do indeed go all the way down, and I believe you said the windows could be set up either way.

I'm already certain that a Charger's rear windows will indeed go all the way down.

I'm also certain that some 4 door vehicles do not have room in the rear doors for the rear windows to go all the way down.

It's the concept of a setting for the rear windows that is in question, but I think you just erased it. There is no setting for the rear windows.

 

[Kaido]

Talked to some local owners of newer models. General consensus is stuff breaks and can be expensive to repair. Maybe I'll go back to Kia 😀

 

[nerp]

One poster claimed the Charger's rear windows didn't go all the way down.

I believe you responded that your Charger's rear windows do indeed go all the way down, and I believe you said the windows could be set up either way.

I'm already certain that a Charger's rear windows will indeed go all the way down.

I'm also certain that some 4 door vehicles do not have room in the rear doors for the rear windows to go all the way down.

It's the concept of a setting for the rear windows that is in question, but I think you just erased it. There is no setting for the rear windows.

HEre's a thought that I think might resolve this confusion. Does your friend have a police spec charger? That would mean there is hardware installed to prevent the windows from going down far enough for a prisoner to escape. Your friend would also have a much lower-grade interior, different internal materials, performance suspension, just the older 5-speed transmission, less carpeting, etc. If it's a pre-2011 police spec charger, he might as well be driving a Triumph.