The Official Dodge Dart Problem-Free/Positive Experience Thread!

[UN4GTBL]

The Official Problem-Free/Positive Experience Thread

This is the official Dodge-Dart.org Problem-Free/Positive thread that members can check into every now and post up about how problem-free their Dodge Dart has been operating for them (Please keep problems out of this thread) or features that they have found that they can no longer live without. The majority of people are doing more and more research online before making their purchases. However, online is where you will mainly find people with problems, as people rarely will post up online to say that their vehicle/TV/Computer/etc is working perfectly.

I thought it would be nice to have a "positive" thread for the benefit of those doing research and anybody else so interested.

When posting, please provide the following details:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Current mileage
• Driving style
• Type of driving (Highway vs. City vs. Country)

Please note that this thread will be moderated to keep it on topic.

[kunigit]

Love it! Let's present a more representative sample to forum-goers.

• 1.4L Turbo
• manual transmission
• 30-31 mpg so far after ~1000 miles
• usually pretty relaxed, but approaching on-ramps I give it the beans
• mostly city driving with a ~10 mile highway commute (each way)

My first car in college was the cheapest bare-bones plastic Saturn SL with a hamster-wheel engine that got up to 40 mpg on long drives. My second car was a beefy Infiniti G35 coupe with grunt, spunk, all the fun stuff. This car feels like a good balance between the two. Four-door practicality, fuel efficiency, and still fun to drive. (I wouldn't try to call it "powerful" but it's enough to be fun.) Feature-wise, I went from manual everything (doors, windows, etc) to basic conveniences like remote locks, automatic windows, etc. Now I have built-in nav, push-button start, back-up camera, digital instrument panel, etc. You can get these features on other cars, but not on one that's under $27k.

So yeah, the feature I like most and can't live without is the careful balance of everything.

[bgullicksen]

Engine - 1.4L Turbo
Transmission - DDCT
Current Mileage - 2,249
Driving Style - Highway - left lane as fast as the car in front of me permits. No slouching, but I do watch the current MPG and try to max when I can, but not afraid to step on it frequently! City - Ah, I have to invoke my 5th admendment rights as to not incriminate myself!
MPG - 32 Average, Highest tank 34.8

Dart has not seen the service dept yet except to pick up parts for cosmetic changes! Factory gets a grade of A+.

[Old Dart]

Engine - 1.4 turbo
Transmission - 6 speed manual
Miles - 2000
Driving style - - two lane blacktop, running thru the gears
I haven't drivin the dart all week, my wife has been taking it to work, 50 miles round trip, and she's been averaging 32.9 mpg.
I've taken a couple of longer trips in it and was able to average over 40 mpg @ 70 mph.

[dodgelover]

I have the 1.4 turbo with manual Limited. I drive all city and love it. No issue with car at all. Miles 2400

[kylej1050]

Love her to death!!!

• 1.4T
• DDCT Auto
• 900miles
• Mostly calm driving but I let the gas pedal kiss the floor a few times a day.
• Lots of rush hour highway and some city. Averaging about 30-31 so far. All open highway gets 44-46.
• Limited with Premium Group and Technology Group; No Nav or Sat radio

I haven't had any issues with the car and enjoy driving it daily. Seats are comfy and the Alpine upgrade was more than worth the $500 price tag in my opinion. Extremely happy with the car. Not remembering when I last filled the tank is a new feeling for me too which I'm kinda enjoying.

[Nepo]

1.4T
3600+ miles
6 speed

This car is the SHIZNIT!! (Can I say that?)

Usually drive it nice and easy, but there is a BRAND NEW TWO LANE ON RAMP that's probably a quarter mile long where I get on the highway every morning. It's rather fun.

No problems other than the fact that I don't get paid to drive it.

[phantomdog]

Engine: 1.4turbo multiair
Transmission: 6 speed manual
Rallye - Love the Black insets
Current mileage: 3029
Driving style: Fast as the car in front of me or faster then the car next to me at a stop light
Type of driving: Work in City live in township


Love this car have had no problems. Have a smile on my face while driving - 21 year old son and myself fight over who gets to drive. I usually win but I have to give in once in a while. I think it has great get up and go, everything is in the right place. Love the lighted cup holders for my coffee in the morning. Absolutely love my touchscreen navigator 8.4, dont use the sirus radio too much because when I get in all my music starts playing from my iphone. I never have to dig out my phone out of my bag, it just connects automatically. I can have the music as loud as I want and don't have to worry about missing a phone call from the kids, because the music will stop and my ringtone will come over the speakers. Love the feel, love the look, love the turbo -- I am hooked (sorry got a little carried away)

Gas mileage is great averaging about 30mpg. The backup camera is awesome. Haven't had one problem except a little noise in the dash and it was a pen in my glove box in the cute little pen holder and the garage door opener on my visor. So A+ to chrysler so far. Had a May 2012 build date so I think it was pretty early production and I am sure it will only get better from here. I am hoping to see a big difference in how much I spend it gas. It gets double the mileage of my last car (Chrysler Pacifica and I loved it too), but I can't quit driving the Dart, so I am driving twice as much (or even a little more) so I was a little nervous going from a big wagon to a small car, but I absolutely have no regrets! DART Wins! Go with the TURBO!

Racetrack tail lights and short shifter will be my mods when I get my income tax refund!

[oldionus]

I have the 1.4T with DDCT (not part of recall, apparently), had it a couple of months, and only 900 miles. I don't drive to work (live in a city with some usable public transportation (L.A., despite its reputation), so it's mostly just around town and occasional weekend getaways. Mostly suburban city type driving.

It took me 2 days to get used to the way the DDCT works. It's not quite like an auto. You do have to punch the gas just a bit to get it to move out. But once you acquire that habit, it's great, and actually quite responsive; perfectly adequate even at low torque.

There are very few Darts on the road out here in the Far West so far, but I get men (so far no women) sometimes pretty obviously scoping out the looks of this car they've not seen before.

I find it comfortable, well designed from an ergonomic point of view (I have the 1.4 screen but not the full display dash... my ony complaint in fact is that the speedometer isn't very well designed graphically. I use the digital display for mph).

Gas mileage has been slightly below what I expected, but that's probably because I drive mostly very short trips. When I drive it 20 miles on the freeway it does quite well >30. I don't really expect more than that, because I drive it relatively aggressively.

I wonder if equipped like my car this car may be too pricey for this class, but I suspect anyone who plunks down the cash for this car, instead of quite a bit more for something like a Jetta or even an A-4, will not be disappointed.

[coolchris]

no probs yet exept its a pian in the ass to find wheels for it grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr