Yeah, I've heard that before, I have driven honda civics and corollas before and they don't ride any better

 

Link?

 

My bad, I meant to copy the link into my first post but forgot. I'll edit it and add it.

 

so typical trash the dart and sing praise to the ones over the big pond. I know the dart isn't perfect but as good if not better than some of it's fellow eco GT's out there!!!

 

I think they got a bum rear-view camera. Mine looks great at nighttime.

 

I really sometimes wonder if these guys actually drive them. The GT has a beautiful and smooth ride, all the Darts do for that matter. Yes it's a little 'harder', but it is in no way how he described it. Maybe he took it off-road and drove over boulders? There is a bias out there and it is like no one wants to say what great vehicles Dodge actually makes. They will gush over RAM's and Jeeps but when it comes to Dodge there is a definite bias.

Dodge just needs to keep kicking out awesome cars and the media will soon have to dump this charade. Actual owners are not buying it anymore.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

^This. I'm an avid car enthusiast and I scour magazines and the internet daily about all cars not just the ones i'm interested in, and it's insane how biased they are. I told a friend of mine recently about my interest in a Dart(VW owner), and of course his instant response was "isn't that basically a Neon?" When I explained that no, it in fact is closer to an Alfa Romeo than anything else he was surprised. I think most people have no idea of the huge turn around and benefit that has come of Dodge being owned by Fiat. I honestly was blown away by the ride quality in the GT when I drove it. This review is just plain mind bogglingly false in my opinion.

 

Wow...they act like the Dart GT rides like a 1 ton truck...I am really getting irritated with all these biased reviews of the Dart. It's a new vehicle, yes it needs some refinement, and yes Dodge could do more to better advertise it's new car! That being said I wouldn't trade it for a Corolla or Civic any day!!! Growing pains are normal....still love my car!!!

 

I don't understand these 0-60 times, I've seen it listed anywhere from mid 7s to low 8s, for both manual and automatic... How did he get 8.7s? That being said I am a little nervous about the Hyundai transmission... I wish I knew how to drive a manual but at last I don't, got the automatic instead.

 

I can get close to 8.7 in my 2.0. They suck at driving apparently.

 

I have to completely disagree with him on the bumpy ride (and just about everything else really..) I have no idea where he got that from...I travel every day to work on a very bumpy road with stones, bumps and potholes and I keep thinking to myself how comfortable it feels in my Dart! I don't know about the Dart he test drove but mine feels VERY comfortable and luxurious.

 

I don't have high hopes, but I hope other major car mags do a review soon with a different outcome. And for God's sake with a manual transmission. I really want to buy one of these but i'm already concerned about low sales figures, and if these negative reviews gain any traction it will only get worse.

 

I'm sick and tired of these reviews! I wont be reading this one, this thread alone has told me its trash. I cant stand it, why is the entire car industry against the Dart? Even going to other Dodge forums I see nothing but negative reviews from people(Who have never even owned one no less)

We cant win....why would your average consumer even consider the Dart when not a single outlet they go to has anything positive to say, hell I was made fun of up and down when I announced I was getting my Dart, it was only after they saw it in person did they realize they were wrong.

I'm so sick of it, the Dart is going to continue to plummet in sales and we can kiss any Mopar aftermarket parts goodbye as it is lost cause on this so called "failure" until the Dart is pulled from the rack and shelved for good because Dodge hasn't a SINGLE idea how to market this car.

 

they scared the dart will turn over the crappy civic and corolla reputation and show that american cars are better. the darts performance, suspension, and space inside is leagues over anything in its segment and they dont want real buyers to see this. foreign cars makers pay off these rags in most cases and im sure Chrysler refuses to pay the price for good reviews.

 

I have the exact same concerns zuiquan1. My VW Rabbit was a great car, but I was disappointed that there was zero aftermarket minus expensive turbo kits but I wanted to do all motor. I'm really gunning for an aftermarket for this car, and if I buy it and nothing happens because of all this negative press on a wonderful car i'm going to be irate. I know there are other choices if I want a good aftermarket, but I don't want them, I want a Dart GT lol.

 

I drove the





I drove the GT man. and SXT auto before buying. I chose the SXT because I liked the auto, better ride and mpg. I did not think the GT ride was as bad as reported and my backup camera works good at night. GT buyers don't mind the ride expecting a firmer ride and are also a subgroup of buyers with there own perspective that is different than most Dart owners and they love their GT. I'm still waiting for a 2.4 auto test that should shine a positive light on great compact car.

 

They did test a 6-speed automatic GT.

 

i did a 1/4 mile in my GT and in three hours i carved down from a 17.8 to a 16.4@88mph. with that speed i know if i learn how to launch id get a 16.0 easy.

the 16.4 was because i short shifted 1st to 2nd and didnt rev out to 6150rpm.

 

Do we have a dyno of the 2.4 yet? I would be interested to see the power curve.

 

Ya, I stopped reading these major mag reviews of most Dodge vehicles some time ago. I've owned 4 Neons as a hint of how long it's been since I put any weight at all on what these mags have to say about ANY vehicle. For them to praise a Corolla, then turn around and write this garbage about the Dart... makes me question their decision to even be involved in the automotive press field.

 

I 100% agree with their opinion of the ride. I have owned Corvettes with the Z51 performance suspension and they road much better then my GT. This car is hands down the worse and most uncomfortable riding car I have ever been in. I have had my car for 2 weeks and I get either sick to my stomach or a headache or both from the ride at least half the time when I drive it. I have never gotten a headache or sick from a car in my life. Then again maybe I'm getting old and my body is more sensitive. I am curious if anyone has purchased a set of coil overs and got a better ride.

 

I have no idea what a set of coil overs are so obviously I don't have them. I have had my GT for almost 4 months now and I love it. It did take some time to get used to the low profile tires and good driving to miss all the pot holes. But the nice comfortable leather seats and the heat for my old back makes me still enjoy the ride. All I know is that my wife complains about her head hitting the head rest every time I take off from a red light if no one is ahead of me, I am waiting at the next light while people come across the one I just left. I love the take off from this Dart---no, not the power or speed I had from my 69 Chevelle 396 but going 80 between lights today would get you landed in jail. (not that I ever did that). Anyhow, when I get old I might feel more pain from the ride but don't now. Heck, I am only 71.

 

I used to subscribe to Motor Trend, but let my subscription run out after some badly written pieces and I didn't agree with their reviews. Car & Driver and Road & Track are much better. But if you want excellent automotive journalism and reviews, The Truth About Cars is the way to go.

Sent from my iPhone using DodgeDart

 

GT has red stitching, red door handles, and red prefferated nappa leather seats, along with the exterior closely matching the Rallye. It stands on its own as its own class and I think its the best looking one of the bunch!

 

^^Guess the complainers are all coming over from the vaunted Civic.

OP--Yeah the Dart's DCCT sucks! And that's why the EXACT same transmission is coming over on the new Alpha Romeo 4C. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

it may be the same trans, but i bet you they wont let their precious car have the same problems the dart has suffered.

 

Motor Trend? Who reads that anymore?? I know many don't trust any of the mags anymore... Dart delivering on all of promises and more -- a great ride!

 

I took a 2,000 mile road trip last month. The Dart traveled fantastically and was extremely comfortable.

 

I'm just proud my transmission is going to be in a car that's going for $70,000 (first 500 to America), when I only paid $19,2XX. Maybe another entry level compact car can say that?