Klute,
Not stirring things up... It's your choice, there are no options available on the RT that are not offered with the SXT Special Edition, except the Hemi. But then that's like drinking Decaffinated Coffee, why bother? Better to pony up the extra dough for the RT and be happy, rather than to get the SXT and constantly wonder, "what if I got the Hemi?" Every STX Owner I've met on the Street like's their STX, it's a very VERY nice car, but they like the RT better... [sm=burnout.gif]

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So it sounds like the power foot pedals are the only thing not available on the SXT??

 

Wow this sounds familar! I also traded in my '02 Ram 1500. Got tired of the 11/15mpg. I have an SXT and got 30.89mpg on a round trip from Omaha to Chicago and average 20 around town(lots of short trips). Plenty of power with the 3.5L. Other than the Hemi(which is enough for the hott rodders), base leather and wheels, I cant think of any reason to go with the RT. IMO, for an overall balanced all around good car the SXT is the way to go. Esp with the price of gas nowdays. It depends on what you are looking for.

My only regret was that the limted or performance package wasnt not avail back in June. I am keeping my eyes open for someone around here that is paying $2000-$3000 for 20"+ rims and tires, I prefer the meatier tire than rubber bands haha. There is aleast one company (JET) that has a piggy back computer module.

Eibach has lowering springs for both SXT and RT for around $280(probably lower). There is a company, AIM, that is also marketing lowering springs for $140. I have used those guys in the past and was very pleased with the quality.

One word though, if you are planning any kind of stereo upgrades, get the base 4 speaker system. All the adapters and such for the '04 Durango fits the Magnumn. If you can live the Boston Acoustics premium stereo then it a good way to go. I am not into the sat radio or Nav systems. Plus the steering wheel controls are not usable with aftermarket radios.

Also if you hate the way the roof rack looks, get one without. I took mine off and just got it painted for $530.

Also to let everyone know, I had the windshield replaced and State Farm gave $600 allowance.

For exhaust upgrades, I've seem a guy locally used a Flowmaster system for the RT and just cut an opening on the left rear of the bumper cover. I had a Dynomax Ultra Flo installed in place of the muffler and cut out the resonators.

 

And the navigation system and trailer tow package.

 

I just turned in a RT Loaner while the dealership was working on my SXT, so I have comments fresh in my mind.

There is no doubt the Hemi screams. Here are some of my observations though if you are trying decide between the RT and the SXT.

The RT has a 5sp automatic, and unless you get the AWD or wait for the 06, the SXT is a 4 speed. The wheels, tires, and brakes on the RT are larger, and the suspension is much more taunt than the SXT. In the interior, there is a lot of chrome trim around the ***** and a brushed aluminum piece on the console where as the SXT are all black. The RT has a cute little door that covers the cup holders, but in reality, a big gulp drink would not fit because of that door.

The Special Edition SXT includes some very nice cargo management pieces, including a waterproof liner between the reversable cargo floor and the tire/battery area, along with a comparment that holds grocery bags very securely. This is optional on all but the Special Edition SXT.

I think someone mentioned the adjustable foot pedals not being available on the SXT, mine has them.

Here is the real kicker though. On my 2 day experience with the Hemi, driving the same 54 mile roundtip (mixed highway and surface)commute, the same way I drive my SXT, my mileage (calculated not using the computer) was 14.5. I routinely get 19-23 mpg on the SXT, and with very few exceptions, it has more than enough power with the 250hp HO 3.5L.

For me, the Hemi is cool, but I can buy a lot of cool for the $5k+ sticker price(My SXT SE was $29085, the RT Loaner was $34385) difference between the SXT Special Edition and the RT Hemi. I like the overall ride of the SXT much better than the RT. I felt every change in the pavement with the RT.

 

Also another small point for those planning long term ownership. The Hemi, just because it is the Hemi RT, will bring a higher resale /trade in value in the end which will offset most if not all the initial money paid up front.

 

Steve S,
Hilarious! I have almost the exact same story about my Magnum as you have posted, except backwards. Took my RT in earlier this year for service and they gave me an STX loaner car. Boy, I could hardly wait to get my RT back. I'm not slamming the STX by any way. I, too, thought it had a lot of Pep. (it was the first Magnum I test drove last year, as there were no RT's around) But at $31,500 On-Line Price with all Options except Sun Roof, Navigation System and Sirus Radio, how was I supposed to bring myself to pay $27,000 for an STX?

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My last two trips over the same route of 85 miles I got 28.2 and 28.3 respectively in my RT. Conditions were 2500-3000 ft. elevation in rolling hills, about 45-60 degrees, driving 60-70 mph. Only mod. is my home made insulated CAI and K and N filter, and I run 40 PSI in the tires. With my CAI my intake air temp. runs right on outside ambient temperature at highway cruising speeds. It runs 0-8 degrees above ambient around town. I have about 4800 miles, 190 hours on the RT. In town I consistently get 15-18 mpg, depending on how much stop and go driving is involved. I also use nothing but 87 octane regular and have found that I get about 1 mpg better than I did with 89 octane with no apparent difference in performance. I only hod rod it when I need to charge my batteries, otherwise I drive with and egg between my foot and the pedal. I also have installed an MDS "on" indicator light which helps adjust the driving to keep the MDS on longer. I, too, had an SXT loaner for a week when mine was being worked on. Except for the looks, they are totally different vehicles...my preference, of course is the RT. The SXT is no slouch though. I'd say if most of your driving is in town the SXT may be a better choice. I also think the resale on the RT may stay higher, longer than it would with the SXT.

 

Having driven my RT like I stole it for the first month, I got the sort of mileage you heard about above. Awwwful. But hey, I was having fun. I've settled down quite a bit since then. I found that Just mellowing out your driving helps your mpg a little, but not by so much after you've been blasting down the road like an ICBM on wheels.... until you give the system some time to adapt to your less-extreme driving style. You get to a point where suddenly you realize you are getting WAY better mileage than you were. It took me a couple of weeks but now I'm getting killer mileage on the highway when I want to.

I test-drove the SXT myself (same story as others... no RT's to see for miles) for about 15 miles, where I was allowed to pretty much have my way with it on straightaways and sharp curves. At 0-85mph WOT I was impressed that a 4000 lb station wagon could equal my fast v6 Camry in pickup-and-go. The acceleration curve seemed identical. But the bottom line was I wasn't going to buy a bigger Camry that said 'Dodge' on it, and put me into debt for another 20 grand. No slight meant to the SXT owners but that was my exact impression, and I told the salesman those precise words when I got out of the car and said "no".

When I got the R/T I was frankly surprised at how small the difference in ride quality was. I had been very worried about the 'sport tuning' on the suspension, and having been cradled for the last five years by a Lexus suspension I felt I wound up with the same level of ride quality.

Lastly, hemi power isn't just a toy. You can arguably use power to get yourself out of as much as you can get yourself into. Accelerating past some drunken jackass while he weaves up a steep incline, for example. I can be around and away from that guy so fast that trying to race me never even becomes a factor as the race was lost before the sot even realized he was in one. Power can be power on demand. Doesn't have to be power on constantly.