Dodge Dart

[MendoDave]

I heard about this on car talk today. I figured it would look something like the old Dart, but it looks more like an updated Neon.

http://www.dodge.com/en/2013/dart/

[Randimus Maximus]

There's a bunch of chatter about it in this thread:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25129.msg997918#msg997918

I'd say a Fiat Neon is a fairly accurate description.

[MendoDave]

There is no MPG rating on the Dodge website about it.

Seems like MPG in general takes a backseat to HP when it comes to MoPar stuff.

[Kopfjäger]

There is no MPG rating on the Dodge website about it.

Seems like MPG in general takes a backseat to HP when it comes to MoPar stuff.

As it should.

[Randimus Maximus]

The "yeah, it's got a HEMI" campaigns really hurt them.

Most people associate them with big HP, but not with MPG.

[MendoDave]

Well the MPG came to mind when I noticed that all three engines were inline 4's and one of them was a 1.4L turbo. But yet No MPG rating. maybe they should offer the 3.6 in that thing too.

[Randimus Maximus]

They are claiming up to 40MPG as reported here:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/marchionne-2013-dodge-dart-will-have-optional-9-speed-auto-hit/

But, they are having issues with the Hyundai sourced 9spd slushbox:

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/dodge-dart-to-use-transmission-from-hyundai/

[MendoDave]

Have you noticed that these slush boxes aren't as slush as they used to be?

[Randimus Maximus]

Have you noticed that these slush boxes aren't as slush as they used to be?

Have you driven a Hyundai lately?  Or a Ford?  Or a Nissan

All kidding aside, most are getting much better.

I was really disappointed in the '12 Ford Fiesta that I drove last week, however.

[MendoDave]

yea I haven't driven those. Mazda 3, Chrysler 300, GMC Acadia and my Mercedes E320 (which is going on 12 years old now) are the most recent ones I have driven. They have tight transmissions. I guess I figured it was the new way of doing things.

[bigiain]

Not the Dart! The Goggomobile!





big

[Speedbag]

Meh. 

I recall reading in some auto industry column that the new Dart is Alfa-based. If true, that's one way to make a hideous Alfa Romeo.....

[red baron]

Have you driven a Hyundai lately?  Or a Ford?  Or a Nissan

All kidding aside, most are getting much better.

I was really disappointed in the '12 Ford Fiesta that I drove last week, however.

I was in a Ford Fusion rental and was quite impressed by the slushbox. Although the one in my 12 Chevrolet Malibu is a POS for sure.

[ducatiz]

There is no MPG rating on the Dodge website about it.

Seems like MPG in general takes a backseat to HP when it comes to MoPar stuff.

They don't have it yet.

When the MPG ratings are finalized, they are posted on fueleconomy.gov -- nothing for 2013 yet.

[Le Pirate]

Let me start this by saying:

I will NOT be buying one.


Now that I've got that out of the way, I'll say that this is a much better successor to the Neon than the Caliber ever was. A friend of mine bought a new neon in college...round 05 or so, and it was an excellent car...for her.  It was cheap, drove decently...had everything a economy car should, plus some. I heard the SRT neon was a hoot to drive...never got in one myself though

I think the Dart will do a great job as a replacement for that 

P.S.--while it isn't exactly pretty, I'm glad to see dodge is finally starting to add a little design sense