On this very special episode, we’re going to be talking about a very special car. It’s the star of the New York International Auto Show, a car now old enough to be considered a classic in some states, the pride of Normal, Illinois: the Dodge Stratus Coupe. Beloved by some, dismissed by others, the Stratus Coupe is the sort of car we don’t see anymore, and we’re unlikely to see again. And it’s not an easy car to find for sale these days, let me tell you.
On Friday, I closed out our fourth year together by giving you an opportunity to turn the tables on me, if you so chose. And it appears that you like me! You really like me! Or at least, forty-three percent of you do; you chose the nice, comfy Volvo 940 as the car you’d like to see me drive for a week.
Of course, the number two vote was that sketchy Smart. Most of the votes for that one seem to have been intended as punishment, and that’s cool. I’ve driven worse. Hell, I’ve owned worse.
I’ve owned a lot of cars, in fact. Not nearly as many as some here, but around forty in my name, plus ten or fifteen owned by significant others or family members that I drove regularly. I also, by some rough math, did around 40,000 oil changes in the 1990s on other people’s cars, and in some cases, picked those cars up and delivered them back to their owners.
I’ve serviced and driven a Dodge Dynasty with 300,000 miles on its odometer. The first car I ever made payments on was a Ford Tempo that I drove back and forth between Chicago and Milwaukee every week to visit my girlfriend. I’ve spun out a Cadillac Cimarron on a freeway on-ramp at 60 miles an hour. I’ve had sex in a Chevy Cavalier Z24. I don’t mean for this to sound like a Beetlejuice-style list of qualifications; I’m just pointing out that I come by my appreciation for mundane domestic cars naturally.
Not everybody gets it, I understand. But for those of you who do, like me, I present to you two examples of the car of the hour. The two best examples I could find for sale, actually. Special thanks to the Bishop for spotting one of them for me.
2004 Dodge Stratus SXT – $5,499
Engine/drivetrain: 2.4-liter DOHC inline 4, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Omaha, NE
Odometer reading: 128,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Diamond-Star Motors, the joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi in central Illinois, is best known for the Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, and Plymouth Laser, especially in their fire-breathing turbocharged AWD variants. But the facility that now produces Rivian electric vehicles built a whole lot of other cars. The Dodge Avenger, which in its second generation became the Stratus Coupe, may not have had the performance credentials of its siblings, but it’s more comfortable, thanks to a longer wheelbase and less frantic suspension tuning.
Chrysler’s name game with these cars wrought all sorts of havoc on mechanics and parts-counter clerks, more than once. The original Chrysler Sebring convertible was a derivative of the JA-platform Cirrus sedan, but the Sebring coupe was a completely different car, based on the Mitsubishi Eclipse platform. They used different engines with the same displacement. No parts were interchangeable. As if that wasn’t confusing enough, when the second generation came along, Dodge did the same thing with the Stratus. Basically, if it has two doors and a hard top, it’s a Mitsubishi design; otherwise it’s a Chrysler.
This Stratus coupe is a little scruffy; the dashboard seems to be coming apart, and there’s a tear in the driver’s seat side bolster. I can’t give you any information about its condition other than that, because it’s for sale from a dealership via Autotrader, and they’re more concerned with making a deal than providing transportation. My advice, as always, is to check it out carefully, and if you don’t know what you’re looking at, take someone with you who does.
It has seen some action on the outside, it looks like. The driver’s side front fender has a serious wrinkle, and there’s a dent in the rear quarter panel on that side as well. Red paint is notorious for fading, and this one is no exception. And worst of all, I think I see rust bubbling under the side skirt in front of the rear wheel. There aren’t very many Stratus coupes for sale, so its steep price could be seen as a case of “Oh yeah? Find another one.” Except that I did. Or rather, the Bishop did.
2005 Dodge Stratus SXT – $2,999
Engine/drivetrain: 2.4-liter DOHC inline 4, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Wichita, KS
Odometer reading: 180,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Head south across the border into Kansas, just past the Point of Know Return, and you’ll find this similarly-equipped but much less expensive Stratus coupe. It’s less flashy looking in white paint, but it looks like it’s in considerably better shape. And judging by the price on the windshield, it has already been reduced once. The seller could be in a mood to listen to even lower offers. That’s the other thing about “undesirable” cars: you can sometimes find a good deal by looking beyond the obvious choices.
The base engine in both the Stratus sedan and coupe displaces 2.4 liters, but the sedan uses a Chrysler engine and Ultradrive transmission. The coupe is powered by a Mitsubishi 4G64 engine and F4A transmission. Performance is six of one and half a dozen of the other, and reliability is similar as well. This car has 180,000 miles on it, and I’m sure it runs and drives just fine. There are no warning lights on the dash, anyway, which is a good sign.
It’s an SXT model, as is the red one, which is Dodge’s mid-range trim for many different models. It includes the most popular options, like power windows and locks, air conditioning, cruise control, and a decent stereo. Despite having more miles, this one looks like it’s in better shape. The dashboard is separating along the top of the instrument panel, same as the red one. That must be a design flaw in these. But besides that, all I see is a little wear here and there.
It’s in better shape outside, too, with no visible sheetmetal damage, no apparent rust, and only some chipped paint on the rear bumper. However, that being said, there is no photo of the driver’s side in the ad. That could be an oversight, or they could be hiding something. Only one way to find out.
I don’t know; maybe if you get to gallivant all around driving this and that for a day or two, you become jaded and suddenly you’re too cool for a car like the Dodge Stratus coupe. And I suppose, compared to a Ferrari, or even a well-equipped Mustang, it’s not all that hot. But millions of people rely on millions of ordinary cars every day, going places, making memories, and enjoying life. That’s what cars are for, after all. If you can’t understand why someone would love a car like this, I feel sorry for you. Thank you for indulging me on my soapbox today, and feel free to make the obvious choice between these two, just to make it official.
Since it’s the same car, I’ll take the white one since it’s in better shape…plus less chance of rust in Kansas
“Owen: I’m to drive you to Wichita to catch a train?
Del : Yeah, we’d appreciate it
Owen : Train don’t run out of Wichita… unlessin’ you’re a hog or a cattle.”
Dodge Gallivant would’ve been an excellent name for these.
These cars are pretty underrated, and I’d say even more so for the actual Mitsu variants (Eclipse, Galant). The 2.4 engine is basic to work on and damn near Toyota 4cyl reliability. The Mitsu variants are overlooked because people just forget about them these days, and the Dodge variants are marred by Chrysler’s otherwise questionable reliability. That said, there’s nothing really exciting about them either but as basic reliable transportation you can do a lot worse. FWIW I’d rather a 3G or 4G eclipse – my wife and I had a 3G eclipse for 10 years and put about 120k trouble free miles on it, absolutely reliable. Oh…I’ll take the white one I guess. I’d rather buy off of some rando on FB then these dealers though.
Wise words, Rockchops. I dig your style.
The 2999 car has please call for financing information, that may not be a cash price. The dealer website had 4999 crossed out and 2999 in its place, seems shady. Going Red.
These are both $1000 cars in a sane world.
Just for the record, I’m now at 11 years of daily driving service from my $220 Stratus Coupe without any major repairs needed. Big thanks to Mark for the hyperlink to the 2nd piece I ever wrote on this site, 4 years ago!
The Stratus Coupe really is such a underrated, reliable, affordable, attractive car that I find to be wicked awesome.
Each day The Showdown is exceptionally well-planned, well-written and expertly executed, yet today’s is especially so. Mark Tucker is a blessing upon The Great Realm Of Autopia.
Is there that much room in a Cavalier Z24?!
SWG, I’m frankly appalled that it took you three hours to comment on a Showdown that seems like it was written specifially for you.
It’s been a heck of a Monday over here! The back-and-forth that I’ve been having with Jalopnik about them trashing this fine automobile has caused a disturbance in The Force. Mark valiantly got my back with this piece regarding that kerfuffle – he’s a solid dude.
I will walk with my people.
But not drive
“with Jalopnic”?
Is this a veiled insult?
I was personally insulted by their take on such a fine automobile, yes. True atonement has not been reached at this point.
No one at Jalopnik likes cars or knows cars like they used to. It has suffered and needs put out of our misery
There’s room in anything for that if there needs to be. It all depends on how . . . pressing the matter is.
Amazing run for your Stratus! If more people had the philosophy of “buy what you need, not what you want”, we wouldn’t have so many people in this country upside down on their loans.
In the spirit of hypocrisy, it’s a both day for me. I’m going to weld them side-by-side and link their steering wheels and pedals.
If you’re young and limber enough, yes. Only just.
I once did the dirty deed in the back seat of a VW bug.
Apparently she was a gymnast or something.
As you drive so many cars I think miles instead of years driven is a better measure of reliability
“There are no warning lights on the dash, anyway, which is a good sign”
… that the dealer plugged in a scanner and cleared them for now!
If all cars were like these I wouldn’t be a car enthusiast. These cars are so generic, boring, and awful that I don’t even think it is worth my time to mock them. I picked the cheap one.
I was starting to feel bad about voting for the Smart last Friday. Now I don’t.
The Stratus-fear is too high for me.
I guess I’d rather light $3k on fire than 5.5k.
It occurs to me that for $5500 I could rent an old red Cadillac convertible, book a decent house/cabin in Vegas, buy some alcohol and plenty of drugs for the weekend do a Hunter S Thompson weekend and have a majority of people here think it was a better idea than buying either of these.
Obligatory Will Ferrell gif:
https://tenor.com/view/dodge-stratus-will-ferrell-gif-9626735
Came here for this
Was surprised not to see it in the article! Especially with the other pop culture references.
LOL you could’ve at least found a Sebring coupe to put against the Stratus 😛
The early ’00s Sebring coupe was actually a pretty handsome car in a trying-to-look-like-an-Aston-Martin kind of way. Its late ’90s predecessor was also a looker and was quite popular at the time.
Amen to that! Well-put.
The oddball round driving lights did it for me. Always thought it managed to, gasp that Chrysler did it right, look more grown up compared to its sporty brother.
Yeah I’m not sure how anyone would pay more for a car in worse condition.
Since I already have two cheap transportation cars, this would be some sort of Lemons/Rally X/Auto X missile for a few years. To that end I’d go through the suspension/brakes/fluids to give it the best chance of living on the ragged edge after a life of pedestrian driving; and then a set of new tires/wheels which will invariably cost more than the car. At least I can sell the wheels when something important grenades at the track.
Gas can and match kinda day. They may be good A to B cars, but neither of those are really worth maintaining at this point. I imagine finding parts will be more work than it’s worth.
Owned a Stratus 4 door of this era, and it was a decent car. I needed to get to work, haul kids, etc, and it worked fine. Went white car because it’s cheaper and at this price I’d be looking for basic transportation, not reliving memories. Of course the memories would be someone barfed, there’s melted crayons behind the car seat, 8 million Cheerio’s and goldfish encrusted into the seats, etc.
Hey those are some good memories!
The white one. They’re both unappealing but at least the white one is inexpensive about it.
No manual… I went white ’cause it is cheaper.
Ohhh the perfect machines to channel my inner Stephen Walter Gossin!
Whatever he says, for he’s the one who knows.
Otherwise, the white one seems in a better shape.
The Stratus Coupe is an awesome car.
I chose the white one and thanks for the shout-out, my Argetinian friend!
TMI, Mark. Just kidding. I laughed so keep the jokes coming.
I didn’t see a claim that anyone was with him in the cavalier
Dude…
Just to point out that both of these feature the redesigned interior, which takes all the fun out of them.
The original is classic domestic sport coupe (check out the bizarre-cool separated gauge binnacles), while these feature what happens when companies try to chase “premium” with non-premium budgets. It’d be tough to stare at this constantly.
It’s a perfect example of a botched refresh; they wanted it to look trendy and new, but ended up with cheap and generic, inside and out. The original taillights were really cool IMO.
Great call on the taillights! I’d forgotten just how good the originals looked, so sleek and connected to the car’s styling, only to be replaced with the dowdy looking ones here.
I’ll take “chance of body damage” over “absolutely has body damage.” And then probably use it as a loaner/salt collector.
White for me.
If you look at these with rose colored glasses, they’re the same car…
My judgment is not clouded here. I’ll take the white Stratus.
Just wanted to let you know your underrated comment is recognized. 😉
Is there really a choice? I guess the white one because it’s cheaper.
Gotta say Go Red! My second favorite car color and nowadays every time I see a white vehicle I look for flaking paint…
I like red, because red is best.