Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Opinions on 2005 Dodge Magnum?

i would take both wagon and the chrysler sadan...

Well... I'm not very impressed by the 300 or the Magnum. Saying a vehicle has a Hemi is about as impressive to me as the 3800 V6... it's a engine with a history that is now outdated technology. Although the Displacement on Demand may fix the Hemi issue of very poor fuel economy, I would be leery of its reliability until proven.

I hope vomit bags are standard, because the Chrysler 300 is the frontrunner for my 2005 Aztek Award. This car lives up to the tradition of being extremely ugly in a spectacular way.

Inside, I felt closed in. The narrow windows create large blind spots. Front seat room is good, the rear seat is too tight for this class of car. Head and legroom are lacking, and the small high windows are reminiscent of a jail cell. Ergonomics seem quite substandard with controls and displays designed for fashion over function.

I have not driven this car, but I have my doubts of a car of this size and sheer bulk handling well. The Hemi version is over 4000 pounds, and it's smaller than a Taurus!

I guess if you can't own a Sherman Tank, drive a car that looks like one.

My vote is there are better options.

And the Autoweek has the old Magnum wrong. It was a coupe, twinned to the Chrysler Cordoba that ended production in 1979 and was based off the Fury/Monaco. The "Valiant" (actually Aspen/Volare) based "sedan" was another coupe called the Mirada, again twinned to a redesigned Cordoba, and was sold through 1983. It was the last vehicle available with the slant 6 engine.

Realy, James? The GM3800 has twin spark plugs per cylinder? Whatever the name engine means to anyone (good, bad, indiferent), it is a strong motor by today's V8 standards. Specific power, especially in the LX cars, is about as high as any other motor I can think of without variable valve timing or 4 valves per cylinder. GM3800 N/A is far below the Hemi.

The fuel economy is achieved with a tall differential gear, and the displacement on demand. We'll see how that latter works, but GM is doing it for all their Vortec V8 truck models in 2005 as well.

Now, if you don't like the style, fine. But, reserve your handling jugement for a test drive. The rear suspension design is taken from the Merc E Class IIRC, which is not exactly a light vehcile but manages some fine handling characteristics. Like I siad, I know a DCX test engineer at the proving grounds. They hamdle on par with the 5-Series.

I said I have doubts on it's handling... meaning this car will need to prove itself to me when I drive it, not that I have made a decision on how it handles.

I will freely admit I am not a new adopter of technologies, especially with the miles I put on a car. I can't afford to be wrong.

I was not looking at the 3800 as an engine I am impressed with. I was using it as another example of an engine that is touted beyond its worth. Exempting variable valve timing and four valves per cylinder is not realistic for judgement. The marketplace abounds with them, and I believe an engine not having 4 valves per cylinder is behind the times.

I see no reason to buy this car over an Acura TL, especially with the $3000 price premium.

Both cars are based off the 96-2003 MB e-class which accounts for their weight, but also means chassis rigidity should be high. It's nice to see an American car with RWD that is practical as well. As far as mileage goes if people are cross-shopping the magnum with other "family vehicles" (SUV's) the mileage will be the same at worse.

-Pete

Just because the 3800 works does not mean it's good or competitive. It's mediocre in the modern world. They are coarse and rough in comparison to modern V6s, need forced induction to run with smaller engines, and if the engine is cheap, the cars pricetags don't reflect the savings.

I think the autobuying public deserves a lot more than "good enough".

Having flogged a TL, I found torque steer to be minimal, and easily managed. Much easier to manage than the surprise uncommunicated rear swinging 90 degrees I get on RWD cars.

You prefer the attributes of RWD, I prefer the attributes of FWD, but they are equal in the ability to produce performance.

Just because the BM3800 is cheap, does not mean the vehicles GM puts it have to be. Compare dealer or junkyard prices between a Nissan VQ and a GM3800. I know two people close to me (one family member and another good friend) than have a GM with the 3.8L. I have driven them both, one on a 1500 mile trip. There is no competitor (mid-large sedan) that can compare in terms of drivetrain. It isn't an enthusiast motor, but I'd like to hear what powerplant compares. I think your comemnt would be more accurate if you state that GM has to supercharge it to make it enthusiastically competitive. Regarding NVH wise, even "Ward's 10 Best Engines" Nissan VQ is get harsh comments from the press.

I didn't say the motor was good enough. I said it works, and quite well.

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Having flogged a TL, I found torque steer to be minimal, and easily managed.

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The press disagrees. But if you don't mind it, then fine. It's a great car.

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Much easier to manage than the surprise uncommunicated rear swinging 90 degrees I get on RWD cars.

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If such an event occured, you have serious driving leasons to learn, depending on the vehicle. I have been driving RWD vehicles since I was 12 and I drive about the same amount of miles as you do per year, amoung a few different vehicles. Only once has RWD surprised/scared me.

Ahh, I remember know. You have a second gen pig. Not known for its handling capabilities. 1st and 3rd are much better.

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You prefer the attributes of RWD, I prefer the attributes of FWD,

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True

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but they are equal in the ability to produce performance.

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False. I don't mean that FWD cannot be tuned for performance limits beyond what most people need, but I argue that it can be made to the same performance capability given a standardized size/weight/suspension design.

We definitely have different criteria for rating the quality of cars which creates opposing opinions.

A GM3800 is an appliance. When I say it needs supercharging to be competitive, I mean exactly that. I think a car can and needs to be more, especially with other cars offering more.

I can't think of another powerplant in its class that doesn't function at least as well, except the old Vulcan V6.

I was exaggerating my RWD characteristics like the mainstream press exaggerates FWD ones. A little tug and they say "huge torque steer". I look at the automotive press as a source of statistics and high blood pressure. They wouldn't know a good car if it bit them.

I will allow size and basic weight, though any weight savings of FWD or RWD is fair, and suspension cost. It won't be the drivetrain giving out the difference first within any reasonable price scale.

The rating criteria make all the difference in the world.