I'm brand new to these boards but it seems like a good place to start with the questions about the Stratus I'm thinking about buying. I currently own a 93 Z28 Camaro, I've done full bolt-ons: Intake, Exhaust, Chip, Pullies etc. As well as some exterior and sound modifications. The car puts down around 315HP at the Rear-Wheels, and has ran in the low 13's 1/4.
But I'm going to be going to college in about a year, and the cost of driving such a care isn't economical anymore. Espicially since it's getting up there in the miles (96k). When you add gas and insurance up you don't really want to drive a high-mileage V8 car to Houston, TX when your going to a racing school. But I want something reliable, and sporty.
Right now I'm looking into buying a 2004 Stratus SXT 4cyl, Auto. It looks like a really nice car, and I'm getting a very good deal on it. But I'm concerned about the performance of the vehicle after driving a Camaro most of my driving years. Of course it has a 4cyl so it doesn't have as much power, but what can I do to make it faster, and more economical? I know the basics's, CAI, Tuning, Exhaust etc. But I can't seem to find anything for the 4 cyl. models. I will probably just buy a cheap intake if I can find one to fit, maybe off the Eclipses? And throw a K&N in place of the filter they provide. I might replace the muffler with something a little more throaty, and I will definitley get some tint on the windows and put a nice system in the car. I just want a little more boost that what it's going to provide, and hope someone can help Me find some parts for it. I love the R/T's but I'm buying the car to keep insurance down with a 4cyl, and gas mileage will bet a bit better.
Thanks in Advance :-).
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Right now I'm looking into buying a 2004 Stratus SXT 4cyl, Auto. It looks like a really nice car, and I'm getting a very good deal on it. But I'm concerned about the performance of the vehicle after driving a Camaro most of my driving years. Of course it has a 4cyl so it doesn't have as much power, but what can I do to make it faster, and more economical? I know the basics's, CAI, Tuning, Exhaust etc. But I can't seem to find anything for the 4 cyl. models. I will probably just buy a cheap intake if I can find one to fit, maybe off the Eclipses? And throw a K&N in place of the filter they provide. I might replace the muffler with something a little more throaty, and I will definitley get some tint on the windows and put a nice system in the car. I just want a little more boost that what it's going to provide, and hope someone can help Me find some parts for it. I love the R/T's but I'm buying the car to keep insurance down with a 4cyl, and gas mileage will bet a bit better.
Thanks in Advance :-).
The gas mileage is about the same between the 4cyl and the v6 believe it or not. I believe the difference is about 1-2mpg at most. I have an R/T and my insurance isnt bad at all. I have an 02 Stratus R/T 5spd. It also gets pretty good gas mileage. I usually use about a 1/4 of a tank for about 115 miles....which is usually my weekly work trip...I took the R/T on a road trip and got 351 miles on 3/4 of a tank of gas....at about 70-75mph...
Edit: As for the 4cyl, it's the 2.4L motor thats in the PT Cruiser and the Stratus sedan. It's also the N/A 2.4L block for the SRT-4. You can find parts, but you wont do much in the way of improving gas mileage.
I just got rid of my "lemon" nissan sentra that nissan bought back to replace it I bought an 05 stratus r/t I was worried about gas mileage and insurance too but to my amazement I get about 28 mpg (only 4mpg lower than my slow ass 4cyl nissan sentra) and my insurance rates actually dropped (only $3 but hey 3 bucks is 3 bucks) I was amazed to say the least.
i had a 2002 stratus sxt and now have a 2005 stratus r/t and their really isnt much difference in gas mileage at all, and insurance was much different, i think maybe like 20 or 30 dollars
Well looks like I might as well opt for a V6 or an R/T model then. That way I won't be disappointed, I'm sure the R/T has the power I'm looking for, it won't be like the old Z28, but it should be peppy and more refined. Now the problem is finding a good car, for what I have to spend, with low miles. Anyone recommend anywhere I could look, I'm going to be on a college Budget so I only have about 8k to spend and want A sunroof if possible. I won't buy a car with over 80,000 miles either, which makes it difficult to find one for a good price. Everything that seems to fall under my categories is either a Manual Transmission, or 1k too high or something. I'm tired of driving a Manual around town, sure it's ok for a Camaro, but I want this car to just be a cruiser with a couple of mods... not an allout performance machine, so I don't really wanna deal with driving a 5 spd. I'm looking for more comfort. Plus even on the drag strips a stalled Automatic is faster than a manual every time.
I've looked on Autotrader and all the local dealerships, as well as Ebay and all the usuals... cars.com etc. And I can't seem to find anything that meets the criteria so any recommendation would be great... checked the classifieds here as well.
Well looks like I might as well opt for a V6 or an R/T model then. That way I won't be disappointed, I'm sure the R/T has the power I'm looking for, it won't be like the old Z28, but it should be peppy and more refined. Now the problem is finding a good car, for what I have to spend, with low miles. Anyone recommend anywhere I could look, I'm going to be on a college Budget so I only have about 8k to spend and want A sunroof if possible. I won't buy a car with over 80,000 miles either, which makes it difficult to find one for a good price. Everything that seems to fall under my categories is either a Manual Transmission, or 1k too high or something. I'm tired of driving a Manual around town, sure it's ok for a Camaro, but I want this car to just be a cruiser with a couple of mods... not an allout performance machine, so I don't really wanna deal with driving a 5 spd. I'm looking for more comfort. Plus even on the drag strips a stalled Automatic is faster than a manual every time.
I've looked on Autotrader and all the local dealerships, as well as Ebay and all the usuals... cars.com etc. And I can't seem to find anything that meets the criteria so any recommendation would be great... checked the classifieds here as well.
Sometimes you need to look at other places....try www.cars.com and put in your zipcode within a 50 mile radius...also....contact your insurance provider and ask...it never hurts to know the difference in costs between two models.
I have the 5spd and the autostick is slower then the 5spd in the Stratus R/T. I can understand your desire to just have a cruising vehicle, and this is definitely one you can cruise in.
Right now I'm looking into buying a 2004 Stratus SXT 4cyl, Auto. It looks like a really nice car, and I'm getting a very good deal on it. But I'm concerned about the performance of the vehicle after driving a Camaro most of my driving years. Of course it has a 4cyl so it doesn't have as much power, but what can I do to make it faster, and more economical? I know the basics's, CAI, Tuning, Exhaust etc. But I can't seem to find anything for the 4 cyl. models. I will probably just buy a cheap intake if I can find one to fit, maybe off the Eclipses? And throw a K&N in place of the filter they provide. I might replace the muffler with something a little more throaty, and I will definitley get some tint on the windows and put a nice system in the car. I just want a little more boost that what it's going to provide, and hope someone can help Me find some parts for it. I love the R/T's but I'm buying the car to keep insurance down with a 4cyl, and gas mileage will bet a bit better.
Thanks in Advance :-).
The gas mileage is about the same between the 4cyl and the v6 believe it or not. I believe the difference is about 1-2mpg at most. I have an R/T and my insurance isnt bad at all. I have an 02 Stratus R/T 5spd. It also gets pretty good gas mileage. I usually use about a 1/4 of a tank for about 115 miles....which is usually my weekly work trip...I took the R/T on a road trip and got 351 miles on 3/4 of a tank of gas....at about 70-75mph...
Edit: As for the 4cyl, it's the 2.4L motor thats in the PT Cruiser and the Stratus sedan. It's also the N/A 2.4L block for the SRT-4. You can find parts, but you wont do much in the way of improving gas mileage.
It's not the same 2.4 as you stated. It's a Mitubishi engine.
__________________
Robert
My rides
http://www.cardomain.com/id/rare_ram
Hellraiser, I know what you mean as I'm a proud owner of a 95 Z28. My Z28 has a full SLP exhaust and intake, Granatelli MAF sensor, pullies, computer program, built trans with a stall converter/shift kit, full MSD setup. But you have to look at it several ways. This is not your fast car. You already have that. The performance in the 2.4L is good enough for a nice reliable daily driver. The 6 cylinder isn't all that fast anyways. Yeah it's definitely faster but still a low 16 second car. And regardless, if you pull up to another LT1 with either motor (2.4 or 2.7) you're going to get spanked. The 2.4L stratus sedans are very very nice, and very very cheap. My 2004 last year was about 9,000 bucks with 30k on the odometer. This isnt my race car but my family car and I'd recommend it to anyone. I dont give a crap about the insurance difference or the gas mileage. My main concern was price and it is a good value for the price.
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04 Dodge Stratus SE sedan (the family car)
95 Chevy Camaro Z28 5.7L 350 HP/ 380 Ft/lbs. Every bolt on, "built" trans, stall. 18' Z06 rims (the weekend car!)
Stratus SXT Performance Questions?
