I've been blown away by the new Dodge's lately (and Chryslers, and the updates on current Jeeps). The new Durango looks amazing, the new Charger is greatly improved over the previous. It seems Fiat has been breathing some life back into Dodge. A brand that used to be known for FisherPrice interiors. But here is the new Dodge Dart.



I don't doubt the car itself. But I'm puzzled by the styling. The car is based off the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and it clearly shows. I doubt people will know it is based off a Alfa, but I find it hard to believe that people won't question what the car is based off of. It looks like they just slapped some Dodge styling. Most of the key cues that now define Dodge are new too. I think it just makes for a weird mix. I'm sure it will be a great car, but I don't like it. The styling is enough scare me away (maybe the size too).

It looks decent. Good from the front, but not good from behind. I think Dodge is doing great right now. Interiors and exteriors. And that's coming from a guy who has had a deep seeded hatred for all modern Dodge/Chrysler products (Aside from the Cummins pickups and the Viper) for many years.

These new ones are very nice. I'd buy a 300 SRT8 in a heartbeat. (If they give it the 8-speed auto)

Perhaps it just looks a bit weird because they are making a sedan from a hatchback. I know it is an American thing to not like hatchbacks and make even the tiniest car (Fiesta) with a trunk but styling always seem to suffer when that is done.

Originally Posted by Frank Wulfers

Perhaps it just looks a bit weird because they are making a sedan from a hatchback. I know it is an American thing to not like hatchbacks and make even the tiniest car (Fiesta) with a trunk but styling always seem to suffer when that is done.

Yeah, what's up with that? They did it with the Focus too. The Fiesta and the Focus look fantastic as hatches, but awful as sedans. Plus, think of the more space in the hatch!

I'm the same way. I find the sedan version's of those small cars to have awkward lines and proportions. Most of the times I'd rather have the hatch anyways, even if the sedan is good looking to (Golf vs previous generation Jetta, WRX...).

8 Speed Auto? More like a 6 speed stick. Amazingly Porsche now has a 7 speed stick... crazy.

Back to Dodge's though. I'm excitedly waiting for the Avenger. Even with the better interior by Fiat, it's still a pretty crummy car. Same goes for the "new" 200. Changing the name from Sebring to 200 didn't do a damn thing.

Originally Posted by Shazam

8 Speed Auto? More like a 6 speed stick. Amazingly Porsche now has a 7 speed stick... crazy.

I hear it's supposed to be pretty good. M5 good if it had it. A stick would be sweet though.

Originally Posted by Shazam

Back to Dodge's though. I'm excitedly waiting for the Avenger. Even with the better interior by Fiat, it's still a pretty crummy car. Same goes for the "new" 200. Changing the name from Sebring to 200 didn't do a damn thing.

There's a new Avenger coming? I know they did a slight redesign, but didn't change much. It's a nice looking car, but like you said, still bad.

I think a new Caliber would be cool. It's a nice sized car. A friend of mine bought one new, and I have to say, the interior is terrible. In every way. It's ugly, cheap, terrible ergonomics. I think an updated Caliber with an all new interior would be awesome. Especially in Turbo SRT4 form.

I have no idea if they are making one. I was just assuming that it must eventually be redesigned, and I would hope Fiat is pushing to get it out soon.

Originally Posted by J-Rod

Yeah, what's up with that? They did it with the Focus too. The Fiesta and the Focus look fantastic as hatches, but awful as sedans. Plus, think of the more space in the hatch!

Originally Posted by Frank Wulfers

Perhaps it just looks a bit weird because they are making a sedan from a hatchback. I know it is an American thing to not like hatchbacks and make even the tiniest car (Fiesta) with a trunk but styling always seem to suffer when that is done.

Same thing happened to the 9000CD/CDE (big irony here is FIAT was also involved at the time as joint partner) that was "evolved" from the hatchback version:




And the sedan's trunk never looked totally "right":



But with the CS-body redesign, Saab actually made the hatchback look more "sedan-like" in side profile to appease both hatchback and sedan camps, and I think they did a fantastic job:





Gad I miss my 9000 !

Originally Posted by SaabKen

But with the CS-body redesign, Saab actually made the hatchback look more "sedan-like" in side profile to appease both hatchback and sedan camps, and I think they did a fantastic job:





Gad I miss my 9000 !

Yes. I think that was a fantastic design. And it's true. I like hatches (as well as sedans) and my dad is a sedan-only kind of guy for the most part and he loves the 9000 design. Considered getting a 9k Aero before deciding he wanted a truck more.

The classic Saab 9000 sedans were based off of the Alfa 164 right? Or was the 75? I can't remember since both were similar, but the 164 was less "boxy" than the 75. I'd honestly rather spend more money and buy the Alfa than buy the Dodge spin off. The few thousand more dollars that you would pay for the Alfa is basically paying for a name...and the FANTASTIC Alfa head lights!

Originally Posted by mySaab900

...and the FANTASTIC Alfa head lights!

Um, yeah, they're great !!

Originally Posted by SaabKen

Um, yeah, they're great !!

Yeah, can't take my eyes off the... headlights.

Originally Posted by Shazam

Yeah, can't take my eyes off the... headlights.

One's got high beams on, the other got low beams

Dodge has designed some really good looking cars recently. The Charger, Magnum and 300 are great looking cars. The 200 is still a Sebring. The Challenger is great for what it is, a throwback muscle car thats really fast in straight line. I test drove a Magnum in 04 and it seemed OK, but I've been burned twice by Chrysler products.

I don't know how I feel about the Dart being brought back from the dead. I have bad memories of slant 6's leaking oil and transmissions that slip. That and never being able to pick girls in a friends Dart.

It's just yet another jelly bean, like everything else, but I'd buy it. The interior looks attractive, and that's what counts if you have a traveling job... When/if my company takes me on full-time, they'll pay for it, and at a starting price of $16k and 40+mpg, it sounds promising. I like the idea of knowing that it has Alfa underpinnings but doesn't have their classic womanhood grille, which I've never been fond of. Think they'll use Chrysler steel? Here, in Ohio, a Chrysler product starts seriously rotting out when they reach about 5 years old.

No, these headlights on the Brera! Hahaha

Originally Posted by Hirsch

I don't know how I feel about the Dart being brought back from the dead. I have bad memories of slant 6's leaking oil and transmissions that slip. That and never being able to pick girls in a friends Dart.

What about the Scamp coming back ?

Oh wait, that was a Plymouth. Plymouth ..... what's a Plymouth ?!?

Can they use the Aero name? I thought Saab and/or GM would have some rights to that name.

Dodge will also introduce a Dodge Dart "Aero" model

Dodge Dart will hit 41 MPG with available Aero Package

Originally Posted by Frank Wulfers

Can they use the Aero name? I thought Saab and/or GM would have some rights to that name.



Dodge Dart will hit 41 MPG with available Aero Package

Morgan also uses the Aero name in its Aero 8 variants

I too like what Fiat has been doing with Chrysler and their products. For a few years the only American brands I cared for were Ford and Jeep. I tolerated Dodge and Chrysler, and always hated Chevy. With the current line up I am seriously starting to like Chrysler/Dodge more, they are taking the right steps. I am not sure about making a bunch of new different brands (Ram, SRT...) as that seems like General Morons move, but I hope they succeed.

And yeah, what's up with sedan versions of hatchbacks? They sure don't look good!