2003 Dodge Stratus Ratings
Getting firsthand information from an actual car owner is one sure way to get an idea of car performance once it leaves the lot. Autobytel features real consumer reviews that give the unbiased experience of a car.
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2003 Dodge Stratus
Good overall
Pros: Radio
Cons: Rear view window
Very reliable vehicle- Recommend this vehicle to a friend? Yes
- How long have you owned this vehicle? 4 years
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2003 Dodge Stratus - SE Coupe
Pros: Sexy Car
Cons: Poor Handling
Advice: Forget it
I fell in love with this car instantly, then after about 20,000 miles the front end started feeling funny… Do not buy this car unless you drive like a grandma, it can't handle it! Also NEVER drive it in the rain, there is no control in the rain at all. -
2003 Dodge Stratus - R/T Sedan
Pros: Autostick shifter
Cons: No T-Tops
Advice: A Buick Roadmaster it is not
I have a 2003 Stratus R/T Sedan with the 2.7L V6 with the autostick automatic transmission and I love it. The car handles like my old 98 Z28 and it came standard with 17 inch wheels, much nicer looking than the 16's that came on my Z. As for as the ride quality, yes it's a firm ride (sports car like)but not a cheap or jittery ride. It does not feel like a poorly built vehicle, for instance the doors close with a nice tight feel without using much force it makes a nice air tight seal. As for looks and power the car with make the front tires screech if you autostick it into second, cool! Best of all, I drive my car aggressively and it responds in a very perdictable positive manner, again it feels like the car was built very well. I love mine and I would recommend it for a person who still has hotrod attitude and occasionally requires a car seat, and oh yeah needs to get 28 MPG. -
2003 Dodge Stratus - SE Sedan
Pros: Confort and quiet ride at highway speeds.
Cons: Manual mirrors. Had electric ones in Breeze
Advice: Test drive 4 cylinder first-Get extended warrenty for peace of mind.
I bought this car from a dealer with 14,000 miles on it. I traded in a 99 Breeze which had 95,000 on it-great car. Did not spend a red cent for repairs! Just regular oil changes. The 4 cylinder engine is noiser than I like than the one( 4 cylinder) in my Breeze and I will consider the 6 cylinder in the future. Otherwise, the engine had plently of power. Minor problems early on but all was covered under 36,000 mile warrenty. I now have 47,000 miles and no complaints. Gets good MPG: 20-22 city and 28-33 highway. Just added 4 Goodyear assurance tires. Improved ride, handling and quieter than factory tires(Goodyear Eagle) I also bought extended warrenty-100,000 miles-major componets for extra peace of mind. Has alot of benefits. -
2003 Dodge Stratus - SE Sedan
Pros: Remote Start, Sirius Radio
Cons: Performance during rain & wet roads.
Advice: Would not recommend this vehicle. Do your research.
Loved the vehicle at first. Then after 10K miles noticed all problems. Transmission slips. Don't attempt to go up a hill in the rain. Transmission will jerk, jump, and front tires feel like they accelerate at different speeds, causing shift. Not good in rain. Sent to two separate dealers. Neither can diagnose problem. Instrument panel light burned out after 30K. Driver seat not designed for a large person and long drives. -
2003 Dodge Stratus - SE Sedan
Pros: Sporty Look
Cons: front cup holders... can't place larger cups in it! but i guess that is what the back ones are for
Advice: Test drive! you'll fall in love!!
This is my 2nd Stratus! I love the way the car handles, and feels! I totaled out my other stratus and wanted a car that held up just as good so i got another one!! I got the SE with the 4-cylinder but it has just as much power as my 1997 v6 did!! -
2003 Dodge Stratus - R/T Sedan
Pros: Styling
Cons: Bumpy ride and poor instrument lighting
Advice: Try other vehicles before deciding on this one...should have bought the Chrysler Sebring
Have always driven sporty cars and the Stratus R/T had the looks I wanted. Got it in the 5 speed manual version which is fun to drive. Should have tried other cars before buying this one. The sport-tuned suspension gives a very stiff, bumpy ride. The lights on the instrument cluster are difficult to read at night, not very large and are not back-lit. Has a very large turning radius making it difficult to swing into my garage without backing up first. The interior gives you a feeling of being cramped. Seating for three in the back seat but only two can fit comfortably. Have owned the car 9 months and am planning to trade it in this summer on a car with softer road ride and more maneuverability. If you like stiff-riding cars and can take the bumps, by all means buy it.