Brief Review: 2008 Dodge Avenger SXT, 4-Cylinder

[RH77]

Long story short, with the headwinds, it felt as if I was pushing a Ford LTD down the highway.



2008 Dodge Avenger SXT
Engine: 2.4L, DOHC Inline-4, with Variable Valve Timing -- rated at 173 hp and 166 ft-lbs torque
Driveline: FWD, Automatic
Class: Mid-Size Sedan
EPA Rating: 21/30

Eco-Modder Testing:
Driving Style: Highway Cruise -- avg. 5-15 under limit of 65-75 (consistent headwinds)
____________
29.1 MPG
53 MPH Average Speed
1006 Miles
18.9 Hours
34.5 Gallons
--------------

Interior: "Sea of Grey"



The Sirius Sat Radio was a nice touch -- as was the stereo (sounded decent)

BTW, this "Cooler Thing" did absolutely nothing...


What a second, is that Bud Light?

It did keep some maps and the driving stats+pen at a frigid 60 Degrees (not perfect for beverages).

Conclusion: Don't bother. The thing's an anvil with "ACME" written all over it.

RH77

[Daox]

Nice short review. I wondered how well that cooler worked. I have a simlar portable cooler that claims to cool up to 40°F below ambient. It rarely stays 10°F below though, even with icepacks in it.

[bhazard]

For a 2.4L those hp and tq numbers seem pretty low for these days. The SXT 4 cyl weighs in at 3,405 lbs. Thats absolutely fat for a smaller car like that. Not enough torque to move it along. The AWD R/T comes in at 3,738 lbs. WOW.

This is Chryslers most fuel efficient car right now isnt it? The caliber replaced the neon and only is rated 29 highway, Neons were what, 38 or so?

[RH77]

Originally Posted by bhazard

For a 2.4L those hp and tq numbers seem pretty low for these days. The SXT 4 cyl weighs in at 3,405 lbs. Thats absolutely fat for a smaller car like that. Not enough torque to move it along. The AWD R/T comes in at 3,738 lbs. WOW.

This is Chryslers most fuel efficient car right now isnt it? The caliber replaced the neon and only is rated 29 highway, Neons were what, 38 or so?

The Caliber edges out the Avenger/Sebring in the city category.

Not replacing the Neon with something similar was a gigantic error on Chrysler's part. A 1.8L in either transmission would be a great combo for the little sedan. So, for the populace (since most drive automatics), the 1.8 isn't available for the Caliber automatic...

The old numbers were in the high 30's. Adjusted for the new EPA testing, here are the numbers for the old Neon (City/Highway; Combined Cycle):

2.0L Manual_____25/33; Combined = 28
2.0L Automatic___22/29; Combined = 25

Caliber 2WD --
1.8L Manual____24/29; Combined = 26
2.4L Manual____23/29; Combined = 25
2.0L Automatic__23/27; Combined = 24
2.4L Automatic__21/25; Combined = 23

RH77

[Lazarus]

Gee Rick but how did you really feel about the car.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Gee Rick but how did you really feel about the car.

LOL -- I did say that I liked the Stereo

It was just frustrating to add a lot of time to my trip by driving 55, and the darn thing downshifted on moderate grades.

Further, the transmission felt "mushy" and the radio controls were wonky.

Otherwise, the handling was pretty good. There ya go

Bottom line: there are better options, even Domestically.

I'm waiting intently for your review of the Sebring "Mechanically identical" according to the industry. Yours is the luxury model, tho

RH77

[tjts1]

I know Mercedes was stingy with its parts bin and development money when they owned Chrysler but did they ever bother pushing this thing into a wind tunnel?

I had a base 95 neon for a few years. It was a real punishment box compared to anything else on the road but with a 130hp 2.0 engine, it could touch 40mpg even with my 70-80mph habit. Even in city traffic it rarely fell under 30mpg. Back in the day Dodge quoted the Cd at .33 for that car. I don't think they even bother releasing those kinds of specs anymore. Devolution at its best.

EDIT
Dodge avenger has drag coefficient of .326
http://www.carfolio.com/specificatio...tomobile-Dodge
They've come a long way from 13 years ago...lol

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by RH77

What a second, is that Bud Light?

I think it looks like Red Bull:

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by RH77

LOL --

I'm waiting intently for your review of the Sebring "Mechanically identical" according to the industry. Yours is the luxury model, tho

RH77

Here's my review. I would add the cruise control works nice.

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by bhazard

For a 2.4L those hp and tq numbers seem pretty low for these days. The SXT 4 cyl weighs in at 3,405 lbs. Thats absolutely fat for a smaller car like that. Not enough torque to move it along. The AWD R/T comes in at 3,738 lbs. WOW.

This is Chryslers most fuel efficient car right now isnt it? The caliber replaced the neon and only is rated 29 highway, Neons were what, 38 or so?

Yep, I agree with you. I did not know this car was so heavy when we bought ours. We got the SXT with a 2.4L, 17 in alloys, Uconnect, Boston Acoustics speakers (sound very good), a 4sp dogomatic tranny. The dash cooler is okay, but does seem to be more of a novelty. There is a second 12v power plug in the armrest, which has come in handy. Factory tires are too mushy, and so is the suspension when you try to corner at the limit. I suppose dropping some pounds would help there.
I did open up the intake on my wife's car, put AMSOIL in the crankcase, and it will now get 36.9 mpg on the highway (at 65 mph). We did this driving from Ogden, UT to Winnemucca, NV earlier this year.