Just got me a 03 Stratus
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Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 542
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Just got me a 03 Stratus
Hey guys, I'm not new to the forums but new to this section. Just bought a ($5000 dealer special) 03 stratus se sedan and thought I'd introduce myself. With the price I got it for I'm sure you'll all know me well soon because stuff always goes bad right after you buy it as-is haha.
I've been attempting to keep my Durango alive but enough was enough and just gave up on for this car.
Is there anything I need to watch out for or top secret tricks of the trade on this car or need to pay attention to anything? I know on the durango it was failing ball joints and little things like bad clocksprings and the usual stuff.
Thanks
I've been attempting to keep my Durango alive but enough was enough and just gave up on for this car.
Is there anything I need to watch out for or top secret tricks of the trade on this car or need to pay attention to anything? I know on the durango it was failing ball joints and little things like bad clocksprings and the usual stuff.
Thanks
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 270
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From: South Dakota
Evon you will like the fuel mileage compared to the D.
I have a 2000 D and my daughter has a 2000 Stratus.
What eng do you have? The only problems we have had with the Stratus is A/C compressor and valve cover gasket. Replaced the timing belt and water pump at 100k.
I have a 2000 D and my daughter has a 2000 Stratus.
What eng do you have? The only problems we have had with the Stratus is A/C compressor and valve cover gasket. Replaced the timing belt and water pump at 100k.
Last edited by dolittle; Mar 26, 2011 at 08:22 PM.
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Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 542
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
I have the 2.4L. I'll never give up my D though it's the best car I ever drove. But I deffinetly can't afford the gas it eats up. The Stratus will start racking up the miles fast and so far is very impressive with gas mileage. My D has almost 200k on it because I do a ton of driving.
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Ya the 2.4 is what the daughter has. The biggest problems I have heard about it is that the water pump will freeze up and brake the timing belt. I would recommended changing both at about 100k.
For a 2.4L it sure is a snappy little engine.
PS I love my D too.
For a 2.4L it sure is a snappy little engine.
PS I love my D too.
Thread Starter
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Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 542
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Good stuff to know, breaking a timing belt is not fun at all. I just did a complete engine rebuild on my 5.2 D engine, but I have yet to work on a transverse engine layout.
The car has about 137K on it when I got it. The 2.4L doesn't bite as hard mostly because of the weight of the vechicle but it pulls you up to speed real fast. I'm also impressed with the tranny, very smooth, except OD has a pretty low gear ratio. I have the SE trim, but eventually I'll be scrounging salvage yards for the higher trim parts, like power mirrors and deffinetly an overhead console if that was an option on these cars as well.
The car has about 137K on it when I got it. The 2.4L doesn't bite as hard mostly because of the weight of the vechicle but it pulls you up to speed real fast. I'm also impressed with the tranny, very smooth, except OD has a pretty low gear ratio. I have the SE trim, but eventually I'll be scrounging salvage yards for the higher trim parts, like power mirrors and deffinetly an overhead console if that was an option on these cars as well.