So as its stated I'm looking at buying a stratus. I'm gonna need to get rid of my truck when I'm done with school in May so I need a reliable car with good gas mileage. I'm really leaning towards the r/t's. I like the looks of them and the 5 speed option, but seeing as how all I've ever owned is rams I dont know a thing about them. I knew a guy in highschool that had an r/t not sure what year guessing around 2000 and he broke motor mounts. Is that a common problem? Are there any common problems with these cars. I would really love to buy a 2004ish r/t with a 5speed. Whats a fair price on them? I know I can blue book it but sometimes blue book isn't a realistic price. Any help/ info would be greatly appreciated.

 

In my opinion, the RT would serve you well if you bought it new and got rid of it the second it hit 100k. The RT is not a Dodge, it is a Mitsubishi and I'm not a big fan. My kid has one and all I do is work on it, it has 116k. Just look at the motor and see if you can figure out how to put spark plugs and wires on it, then make your decision. I have a 99 Taurus with 140k that has never broke down. Ever. I had a 68 RT Charger when I was a kid, an old muscle RT would be the only RT I would buy these days. The Stratus RT is sporty enough looking but someone has to work on it.

 

eazytreat is right, if you are first owner and took care of the car, RT stratues coupe is a great car. 2nd handed wise, it is a gamble, like most cars out there. If you can find one with low mileage and not too late to catch up with maintainence, you'll be fine. It is not a dodge, parts and repair cost a little more like other imports.
As for the Sedan, just stay away from the 2.7l engine.

 

I'm with the other responders. I have owned mine now for 10 months and have put $1,100 into it. It has 134,000 Miles. The Consumer Guide Reports for the stratus are pretty good, but after 100,000 miles it goes down hill very fast, and solutions aren't easy to find. I suspect the computer myself...

(I still haven't gotten mine to run well)

 

The 2.7's issues were solved early in life. 02-03. I have an 06 sedan with the 2.7, I maintain it properly and pound the **** out of it and it shows no signs of fault at 106k. The RT as stated is a rebadged eclipse. The 24v 6g72 engine it runs is very torquey, and reliable if taken care of.