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Gets a Fresh New Look Copley News Service Horsepower, sharp styling and a little more soundproofing go a long way in the freshly redesigned Dodge Stratus sedan. The Stratus is in the mainstream of family sedans, and it comes with such a long list of standard equipment it is difficult to ignore. Not that most shoppers will want to because the exterior styling is one more asset for the plus-column. It looks sort of like a downsized Intrepid, the next step up in the Dodge line, but even then it is different from anything else being offered. The 4-cylinder test car has the determination of a V-6 sedan but for a sticker of $19,010, which included the $575 destination charge, a power driver's seat for $380 and side air bags for $350. Included in the base price of $18,375 is a 4-speed automatic transmission, air conditioning, remote locking, power windows/locks/mirrors and carpeted floor mats. For those who must have the 200 hp 2.7 liter V-6, it can be added for $800. As the dutiful grocery-getter and basic family car, most users will be able to get along quite nicely with the 150 hp 2.4 liter 4 (the same engine used in the PT Cruiser and elsewhere). Moving up to the top line, the ES model adds a 200 hp V-6, 16-inch wheels and access to a range of options not offered for the SE. The 4-cylinder car is no slouch in features or feistiness, though. For two days I drove around thinking the test car had the V-6 engine. The power is that noticeable and usable. The engine has been smoothed and quieted, though it still gets a little wild when you stomp on the accelerator for merging power. Hold tight when the engine goes for a double downshift because the torque sprays out like an elephant sneeze hurtling the car forward with a slug of torque steer at the wheel. A slight recalibration of shift points might ease the abruptness of hard acceleration. The 4-speed auto shifter is an impressive freebie, but it also might need some refining. Downshifts to second gear were sometimes rough, which set off little alarm bells for future problems. A 5-speed manual may be offered next year. Also peculiar in the test car was a rhythmic rub-scrape sound coming from the front end, perhaps a sticking brake caliper; it was only audible with the driver's window open while driving slowly. In basic form, the driving experience is enjoyable and ergonomic but not sporty. Visibility is uncompromised for the driver, and the various switches, controls and cup holders are positioned with attention to comfort. An argument for paying the extra $2,600 for the Stratus ES is access gained to the optional AutoStick shifter and a firmer suspension. The test car liked to go fast, but cornering brought out squeals of alarm from the Goodyear Eagle tires. Noise, vibration and harshness were among the top complaints from owners of the previous generation Stratus. This time around, the engineers tried to address the noise issue with front and side glass, full wheel-well coverings to cut down road noise and foam baffling in various places in the body to further shut out tire and road harshness. In shopping for a midsize car, 80 percent of shoppers consider safety a major consideration, for which the Stratus was given structural strengthening, 3-point belts at all seats and pretensioning for the front belts. It also features three-threshhold air bag deployment, which is computer selected depending on vehicle speed at impact and whether the seat occupant is belted. The test car's basic gray interior was rental-car durable but lacking in back-seat storage (except for two cup holders) or a center armrest. There's a bonanza of leg room in the back seat. A useful standard feature is the split folding seat-back, which increases vehicle utility; it's not such a problem when visiting Home Depot or Costco to bring home ladders, brooms and shelving. It all fits a little easier. Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.maynard(at)uniontrib.com. Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com. News Index | Features Index |
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