Brief Review: 2008 Dodge Avenger SXT, 4-Cylinder
 

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

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...20148629-E.jpg

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
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Interior: "Sea of Grey"

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...20148625-E.jpg

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

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

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...20112823-E.jpg
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

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.

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

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

LOL -- I did say that I liked the Stereo :D

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 :thumbup:

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 :p

RH77

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

I think it looks like Red Bull:

http://zedequalszee.files.wordpress....11/redbull.jpg

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

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.

You seriously need some gas log data...

Did the build that thing out of lead? My Previa minivan is 3700lbs. Way better EPA tho. mine's 15/20

They must be "avenging" the poor downtrodden oil companies.

Chrysler is like that.

I have a Dynasty and at around 3000lbs it's porky for it's size.

Of course now even the itty bitty cars weigh tons due to all the crap loaded into 'em. :mad:

I looked at yours and I think I can get that done sometime this week (working homework).

Yes, I told my wife her car is going on a diet. My goal is 10%. We'll see.

Blue has been in storage for over a year.

I have complete logs for what I'm currently driving, but elsewhere. No need to duplicate them... yet.

Despite what this post says, in my experience atleast, they're a quick little car.

I drive a 2009 SXT with a 2.4L Dual VVT and I have no problem with the power. Pushes 180(KM/h) easily, and there should be no need to go any quicker than 150 off the track. Acceleration is quick. I mean, don't expect to sit there and smoke your tires, but they spin if you try. It's peppy. As for the weight, it's meant to be like a compact muscle car. It's got good handling at any speed, and is very responsive. The stock speakers sound better than half the aftermarket crap my buddies throw in their cars. Odometer is at 63,372KM and I haven't had a single issue with it to date. Only thing I've had to do so far is Synthetic Oil Changes and just recently had to change brake pads. As for the fuel mileage, it's been pretty good to me so far.

That's my mini review. If you're thinking about buying one, test it first, don't just go by the reviews as everyone is going to have their own opinions.

As for mine, I love it!

I still think they should've made a RWD version with a bigger 6 or a small 8. Would've been siiiicckk. Despite gas mileage.

And for those of you that don't know, I believe it's this year or 2013, Chrysler is retiring the Dodge Avenger and the 200 is taking it over.

First, welcome to EcoModder!

I have changed my stance on the Avenger since the review. After getting to know it better, I found myself choosing to rent it more and more. The seating position improved, as did the FE -- things like satellite radio and that extra space proved to be useful in toting passengers. It has generally been the most fuel efficient option among mid and full-sized fleet sedans on my list of choices -- and is just refreshingly simple.

Speaking of the 200, it's "OK" -- I expected more, but it seems like a warmed-over Sebring. Nothing remarkable.

I'm going to catch some flack here, but I really like the redesigned Charger. The base 2.7L is finally gone. A new, almost 300-HP "Pentastar V6" is now standard. The new plant is smooth and responsive, which swiftly propels the stylish, new "modern retro" sheetmetal with plenty of extra punch. Add to that a touchscreen control unit for the radio and HVAC, and the good looks now match inside and out.

Highway FE is close to 30 mpg, but drive it around town, and that number drops significantly, especially when driven aggressively (which is hard to resist)

Best FE to ya, and welcome...

RH77