How many miles is too many for a Dodge Stratus (2001)?

Question

I want to get a 2001 Stratus, the only problem is it has 105,700 miles on it. Is that too much? They're asking for $1,900..

Answer 1

Hmmm, $1900 sounds pretty low. Did you get the car checked out by a mechanic?

For what it's worth, Consumer Reports has been down on the Stratus for most of the time the model has been around. The '02 version and the '97 version are both on its "do not buy" list.

Here is what CR says in general about the Stratus:

"We were unimpressed with the V6 version of the Chrysler Sebring (a twin of the Stratus) when we tested the redesign in 2001. In this test the rough four-cylinder Stratus scored even lower overall. It has a noisy engine that is neither powerful nor fuel-efficient. The ride is very stiff and bouncy, and road noise is pronounced.

While handling is secure, the Stratus isn't very agile. We also found that cabin access is hindered by the low roofline, interior fit and finish is subpar, and the low rear bench seat is uncomfortable. Reliability has been average."

Maybe you don't care that much about noise and ride and fuel economy and just want to go from Point A to Point B. But you definitely should get the car checked out by a neutral mechanic to make sure that you are not looking at big repair bills.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Properly maintained, there is no such thing as too many miles. There is a 1969 VW in Northwestern Europe with a little over 2 million miles on it. It all goes to maintenance. If not maintained, then 10 miles is too many. That is not a joke. These are extreme circumstances. You'd be well off having a mechanic inspect the vehicle before making a decision.

Answer 3

If they have kept up the maintenance on it that's not a bad price!

(Timing belt, water pump, coolant and transmission fluids, power steering fluid, oil changes and such)

If not, I would barter them down as much as I could and then go have all the above checked out.

I have a 2000 Dodge Neon (4 cylinder, your Staratus may have a 6 cyl, but if ti has a 4, it's the same motor as my Neon) but it has 120K miles on it.

I am a mech, do all the scheduled maintenance. I use Mobil1 oil every 6K miles (book says 3K for conventional oil but I double it since I am using synthetic motor oil, and it runs fine.

My wife drives it everyday, and she doesn't baby the thing. It has held up really well.

Answer 4

i own a repair shop,and we own a 98 model stratus also ,our has 111,000 miles on it so figure it from there that's a lot for the year of it but the price of it is real good,and the mileage doesn't hurt these cars that much either ours still runs as good as it did the day we bought it and its very dependable also,and for the money on this one if its really nice your getting a real good deal ,and id say you can probably get it for a little less also ,id try getting it for less and see what happens,it doesn't hurt to try,but even at that price that is a good deal if the car is really nice,and well maintained,good luck with it hope this helps.

Answer 5

I know you don't want to, but trading it in is your best bet BTW - buying a minivan now is the way to go - they are really dealing!

Answer 6

it is six yrs old ....100k miles is not a big deal now days..the price is fine.....think about it...we usually put 20k on on cars now days per year...take that by six years and you get 120k...this car is under that many miles..go for it....buy the car hon.......