Remember the Dart? Sure, you do. Everyone remembers the A-body, Slant Six compact that soldiered on for years, providing reliable transportation to frugal buyers, librarians and accountants everywhere. What’s more, many a young man bought himself some mini muscle with a 340 Swinger or 1967-69 Dart GTS, so Dodge played with fire a bit by reviving the name for the new Neon subcompact–that is, of course, if the new car tanks. The jury’s still out on that point, but the last thing I’d have expected Dodge to offer is a revived 1975-76 Dart Special Edition!
Yes, the Dart Special Edition (or SE, for you shorthand types) was the Broughamy version, sporting color-keyed wheel covers, velour upholstery, a stand-up hood ornament and extra fake wood inside. However, the SE package kind of strayed from the Dart’s core audience, which valued thrift and engineering over frills, and it (along with the Dart name) disappeared after 1976.
The SE trim level was demoted into near oblivion over the next thirty-five years, right down to being the current Dart base model. As for the Dart name, it returned on the new small Dodge in 2013, thanks to parent Fiat. The Dart, while U.S.-built, is based on a modified Fiat compact platform with a longer wheelbase and slightly wider track.
The Dart got off to a rocky start. After being hyped for months, the cars were nearly ready to go out when a problem was found causing dealership orders to be deferred. As a result, no Darts were seen for months–then, suddenly, it seemed like every dealer had 15 or 20. Today, the supply snafu seems to have been resolved, and now Darts are being seen on the roads with greater frequency.
I knew the Limited model was available, as my brother and I saw it at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. I thought it were pretty plush, with its chrome wheels and leather seats. The one at the show was gunmetal gray with a black interior–quite a common color scheme among 2013 cars, but still a bit bland.
That said, you can imagine my double-take when I spotted this very bright Limited, at a tiny GM/Mopar dealership in Mt. Carroll, IL. Interesting!
The color is Laguna Blue–and if that’s not unique enough for you, it also has the optional white leather seating. Yes, white. Yes, in 2013. Cool!
And for those of you picturing Herb Tarlek stepping out of a Cordoba, this interior is not too white, and its black trim sets off the white seats and door inserts nicely.
This color combination made me think of those Dart Special Editions and Valiant Broughams of yore.
Why, if it had a white vinyl roof, it would look just like your Aunt Nancy’s ’75 Valiant! Unless, of course, Aunt Nancy had a ’70s brown car like the one above. Light blue is not my favorite color, but I think a Dart Limited, in bright red or black with that white leather inside, would look quite nice. Just hold the vinyl roof, please.
Fiat seems to be able to do what no other carmaker cannot – offer a decent range of colour combinations, inside and out. The thought that you can customize your purchase with more permutations on a 500 than a Cadillac XTS is astounding (and shameful for GM).
and Lexus and Bmw and Mercedes.
Oh wait this is the official GM bashing web page I forgot. 🙂
Bet we see lots more Italian style and pizzaz too. Sure is fun. Might get the rest to do more too.
I’d be very wary of Chrysler myself.
I think they offer lots of style, features, colors, etc., especially to appeal to new and/or lady car buyers. But review their long term reputation for quality across all of their lines. It speaks for itself.
I test drove one of these last winter when my local dealer only had the 1.4T/6Ms in stock. Interior struck me as solid relative to the competition. What I really recall was the 2-3 distinctive rattles that revealed themselves on a stretch of freeway with rough concrete. I kept looking.
Actually, Cadillac is now offering a red leather interior on the ATS that is pretty sharp, especially with black or white paint.
I couldn’t understand why a person would want to go from cars like the old darts pictured here into a new econobox. Then came the days of 100 mile commutes across Houston in a 77 impala and 79 Nissan truck. When I was forced to change I went to a 2000 Saturn SL and realized that I could never go back with the performance the 2k cars gave. I cruised as fast and with as much comfort as the impala and did so with almost 40mpg.
I always wonder what would happen if one of the major car companies did a real retro of something besides the mustang or camaro. The Pt cruiser or HHR don’t really count with fwd etc. I think the Panther and 90’s Caprice are actually sort of that. I think they might make a fair amount of sales but not enough for a mainstream car. I think we are where and what we are and you can’t go home.
I fully agree. Given the standards of engineering, refinement and mileage offered in modern cars. I don’t think many people would be prepared go back to the basic transportation nature of the original Dart. Given what people now expect in a car. Even if they offered it at a great price and ensured 200,000 mile longevity. I think a pre-owned Toyota or Honda, would still make a better purchase for most people. Perhaps if a car offering basic transportation, required less maintenance?
In September, I rented a Dodge Dart and a Kia Rio within days of each other, and preferred the Rio. The Rio was quieter, had a better ride and seemed more refined. I don’t know what engine either car had, but the Kia did get better mileage.
I have made this point many times. Old cars are fun to look at and talk about and even drive on occasion, but as daily drivers, they leave much to be desired. My recent journey across the Rockies in a 35 year old car only confirms this.
And yes, a used Toyota or Honda makes a very economical and convenient daily driver.
I had a rental Dart in Edmonton a few weeks ago. Can’t say I liked it very much.
Canuck
What didn’t you like? I’ve never driven one and don’t know anyone who has. Size, looks and specs on paper make it more appealing to me than a Focus, so I’m curious on your take.
It just didn’t work well together. The engine ( a 2.0 litre) was not adequate for the car and the transmission tried to get into hi gear as fast as possible. The steering was numb and the ride but harsh and under-damped at the same time. The Focus is waaaaaaaay better for the money. I actually enjoy driving Foci when I get them. However, the best small car I personally have driven is a 2013 Civic EX, which is an excellent package for the money. I may soon have one.
Canuck – good points as I have yet to drive one. I have seen them up close and in the wilder colors, I like ’em. Your experience with your rental Dart was similar to the one I had with a rental Ford Focus in San Antonio last July; I didn’t care for it and it too seemed to want to jump into the highest gear as soon as possible even with the throttle mashed. I’ve driven late model Fiestas – those are a gas. The ’13 Focus I had . . . not so much.
“Old cars are fun to look at and talk about and even drive on occasion, but as daily drivers, they leave much to be desired.”
IDK, I think it depends on what you consider “old”. Daily driving a ’56 Buick is a lot different than daily driving a ’93 Taurus.
We also don’t all drive across mountain ranges.
I suspect his drive wouldn’t have been much better in a 2010 base Grand Marquis, but would have been much better in a 1977 Caprice with the F41 suspension.
I’m not sure driving an old car would be any worse than driving todays car, if they made cars that are comparable…yes I know that is somewhat contradictive, but most of you get the gist.
A 77 Deville would suit my commute just fine, except for the gas mileage. Unfortunately no one makes anything comparable to a 77 Deville today.
I live in Dodgeland, but I am not seeing these new Darts on the road. Instead I see buyers selecting Avengers. Darts do not have the design language of the other Dodge vehicles and Dodge buyers like the way Dodge looks.
Instead of an aggressive Dodge grille, overstyled Dodge fenders and a chunkified overall Dodge weight to it, the Dart looks like it was imported from the Land of Snooze. Gee Fiat, you bought Dodge, didn’t you respect the brand enough to make look like a Dodge.
Sure, Fiats are attractive too, but if I wanted a Fiat – I wouldn’t go to a Dodge dealer. If I wanted a mild cappuccino, why would I go to a truck stop? Although I’ve never been a Dodge fan, I do respect the brand enough to know what one looks like. The Dart ain’t it.
Good luck with this “Dart”, Fiat.
It would have been cheaper and probably more profitable if you dressed up an Avenger, then sell the Avenger stripper as a Dart. You can take all the big boy mechanics available to the Avenger, then take all the lady-comforts out of it and sell it as a stripper named Dart.
But, that isn’t what you did and now you got this. Dressing up a car that looks like this with a nice interior isn’t going to make it any more noticable for buyers to find. Making it baby blue isn’t going to help either. Dodge tried the Le Femme fifty five years ago and really hasn’t developed it’s feminine side since the Neon. Go the Subaru route and “tom-boy” it up a bit. That would better fit the Dodge image, and perhaps land a specific type of female. One that probably wears combat boots and flannel, with a crew-cut – BUT hey – at least you’ll be doing something that fits the Dodge image, right? It worked for Subaru when it needed a market, so who knows? Maybe Fiat can find it’s alternative lifestyle niche and be fashionable at the same time. Have Ellen sell Darts!
Please stop cringing.
Jeep mades male “trail-blazer” vehicles, and female “mall” vehicles. When the Compass came out, it got that message confused and it didn’t sell. It’s doing better now that it adopted the “mall” Jeep look.
So, I’m suggesting as tactfully as I can, that Fiat needs to butch up the Dart, not feminize it even more.
OK? Now don’t tell Paul to delete me over this, I’m trying to be nice.
I suggest upping the dosage of whatever medication you’re on.
I deal with mentally ill people who are incarcerated on a daily basis, and your comments possess the rambling, conversation-with-yourself style where I can see you working out an idea in print instead of in your head, that I typically only see in handwritten, 20 page complaints about jail food or the AC settings.
By the way, I was just telling myself how badly your food does suck and it is never cool enough for me to do my lifting.
Hahaha.
I do agree with the basic points though, aside from your regurgitating 20 year old Subaru stereotypes, about the Dart.
I don’t think it’s a “masculine vs. feminine” thing with the Dart vs. Avenger, it’s the fact that Dodge has one of the most blue collar images of any make sold in the US. Anyone wanting a reasonable, FWD compact car ends up at a Honda/Hyundai/Toyota dealership. Whereas anyone who goes to a Dodge dealer wants the biggest, most attitude infused car for their money, and not the most sophistication for their money. The mini-Charger looks are 100% why the Avenger sells. This is why, despite living in a major metropolitan area in the midwest , I’ve still only seen two Darts on the road, and that’s been at least 2 months ago since I’ve seen one, whereas I see 20 Avengers a day.
I think the reason there are more Avengers on the road are because of the “value added” approach these cars took on post Daimler content-Fisher Price quality/Fiat added upgrades. The biggest draw I think may be price; for about the same (or less) than the Asians, you’re getting a better equipped little package, albeit resale value will suck based upon it’s previous Daimler/Chrysler incarnation. I think the Avenger popularity may be like it was in ’88 and ’89 with the K car Reliant America . . .
Well, not to mention that Avengers are rental darlings. I imagine an ex-rental Avenger can be had quite cheaply, if that sort of thing floats your boat.
I do agree to an extent on the Dart’s styling. The front looks kind of melted, with the tiniest Dodge gunsight grille I’ve ever seen.
A more squared-off variant could have been so much more interesting; think mini-Challenger for under 20K.
How come you seem to be the only person singled out for….gasp….expressing an opinion.
How shocking.
I find lunatics highly entertaining. Keep it coming, I say!
Uh, you forgot a few points:
1. When the Dart’s originally came out, they were virtually all manual transmission models. Of course, being offered something that internet bloggers cry for endlessly was a virtual guarantee that none of them would actually pony up and buy one. And a manual transmission to the ‘car as appliance’ crowd is a total no-go.
2. Check your local Dodge dealer. For some reason (end of model?) they’re selling the Avenger for less money than the Dart. Americans like their cars by the pound for as little money as possible. Which means the Avenger is currently selling, the Dart isn’t.
3. Darts aren’t meant to appeal to the throwbacks who are still crying for the return of the front engine, automatic on the column, bench seat, rear drive, though-shalt-not-handle car.
I also recall reading that none of the engine/transmission combos was all that pleasant to drive. As I recall, one engine was small and peaky, and the other required the automatic which is (again by memory) one of those new multi-clutch designs that seemed to have a lot of rough edges.
I like the car’s look, but everything I have read about it is that it is underwhelming to drive in real life.
It does seem like Chrysler didn’t have an engine on the shelf that was a good fit for this car when they first launched it. By all reports the 2.0 NA is way underpowered for what is a surprisingly big car. The 1.4 turbo is far too peaky and makes around-town driving a chore.. The newly-available 2.4 is supposed to be a much better fit for the car, with plenty of power starting down low, but it also gets horrible MPG for this class. 30 MPG on the highway for the automatic? In a 2013 compact car? No thanks, I’ll keep shopping.
The root cause may be that they decided to separate themselves from the crowd with a car that’s bigger than the competition. But that also makes it the biggest porker in the segment: 3200 lbs., compared to the 2900 lb. Focus, 2700 lb. Civic, 2700 lb. Elantra, etc.
Unfortunately, that’s not too far off from what a compact car can get, with a larger 4 anyhow.
Even a 10 YO Mazda Protege5 with the NA 2.0L gets, at best 32MPG if you go by the old ratings system, highway, 24 city. Under the current ratings, it’s 22/28, with 24 being the combined average when adjusted.
And that is a car that weighs just above 2700# curb weight.
I don’t know how much the new Dart weighs in these days, the smaller Fiat 500 is around 2300 or so pounds itself, and it’s an A segment car, yet it gets 38-40, highway out of the NA 1.4L 4.
I agree with c5karl. The 2013-14 Altima is a much larger car, with a NA 2.5L 4 cyl, no direct injection or turbos, an approximately 3200lb curb weight and a CVT transmission, and it’s rated at 39 hwy. I’ve easily averaged 47 mpg on 100+ mile trips in mine with no “hypermiling”. I agree 30 hwy in a smaller car is unacceptable, hell, doesn’t the new Corvette get 30 on the highway?
Also note that, in smaller towns, many Mopar dealers sell all three domestic brands – Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep – out of the same showroom. (This is the case with the dealers in both my hometown, and the town about 15 miles down the road.)
The Dart is thus not only competing with the cheap Avenger, but the spiffed-up Chrysler 200. When Chrysler rolled out the 200, I was surprised at how popular it turned out to be around here.
The combined dealers are not just in small towns anymore. I believe that every Mopar dealer in the Indianapolis vicinity sells all brands except Fiat, which seems to be setting out on its own (for reasons I fail to understand).
Concur, Geeber and that includes the Aloha State where all the Mopar Brands are sold under the same roof . . . which is why the Darts being sent here are showing up in the Orange, electric Lime colors. Chrysler 200’s becoming quite popular (and NOT rentals either!)
I think the combined dealers are everywhere. They certainly are here in suburban Washington, D.C. (with the exception of Fiat, as noted by jpc). That’s why Marchionne’s roadmap weeds out all the twins like 200/Avenger and Grand Caravan/Town & Country as they are replaced with new models.
Yes, the combined dealers are everywhere now. I think it’s a good move, as you go to one retailer for all of your Mopar needs. I think that GM could have done something similar, which may have allowed Pontiac and Hummer to have survived in the post Great Financial Crisis (GFC) period.
Imagine a GM dealership, with a full line of Chevys for example. You want a hot four door sedan? Let me show you the Pontiac Grand Prix. Too uh, downmarket? Let me show you a Buick LaCrosse. Or a Cadillac CTS… How about a nice SUV? I’ve got a nice selection of Traverses, Yukons, and Escalades. Or a car that’s good on fuel. Here’s a Sonic. Or an Astra… You get the idea…
I don’t know if the combined Mopar dealers cross shop their own inventory that way (Charger vs. 300?), but having been a salesperson, it never hurts to have MORE stuff to sell, rather than less.
> I live in Dodgeland, but I am not seeing these new Darts on the road. Instead I see buyers selecting Avengers. Darts do not have the design language of the other Dodge vehicles and Dodge buyers like the way Dodge looks.
I believe that Chevy had the same problem selling the Impala and updated Malibu not that long ago. They basically competed against each other, but the Impala was older and basically the tooling was paid-for so Chevy was selling it cheap. They wanted to discontinue it, but people kept buying Impalas (and shunning the Malibu) because they were buying on price, and the Impala was a better value. You’ll surely find a similar dynamic happening between the Avenger and Dart.
As for the styling, the Caliber had exactly the chunky truck-like styling that you say sells, yet was generally derided as an ugly car. Officially, a big reason that Marchionne separated the pickups from Dodge into RAM was so they weren’t stuck sharing the same “design language”. (IMO I don’t know why Dodge trucks and cars had to share their looks in the first place, but whatever. If I bought a new RAM truck I would add my own Dodge decals to it.)
I would agree with BOC (Blue Oyster Cult?) that the Avenger is one of the factors killing Dart sales. I can’t say that I live in Dodge country, but I’m Dodge country adjacent and I swear I still see more Calibers than I do Darts.
It’s been well over a year after the initial release; I thought for sure by now we’d see a lot more Darts on the road. Of course, I was gauging this by using the amount of time between the release of the Cruze and the time I saw them in numbers on the roads. It was about a year. But no such luck for the Dart.
Did the Caliber really ruin the small Dodge legacy in the minds of the public that nothing smaller than the Avenger is considered? Or has Dodge become the “Charger” and Ram Truck company?
Before Cerberus and the Fiat envelopment, Dodge had a few cool little concepts floating around, one of which was the Hornet. (Hudson and AMC guys line up over there for the outrage over the name…) I think there were plans at one time to produce this with Chery of China car manufacturing fame, but it never came to be.
Something like this is what could be the spark that Dodge needs. Make it closer in size to the xB and Fit cars, have a plebian, old folks special and a turbo’d SRT version for fun on the (relatively) cheap. I’d bet there’s a Fiat platform that would work for this, they’d have to dress it like a Dodge…
et voila!
I agree that the Hornet would have been much more in keeping with the existing established Dodge design language and attitude. The Dart is too generic.
I would have loved something like this to haul my drum kit around in. As much as I admire the Journey (as an alternative to the CRV/Equinox/Santa Fe crowd), for my personal tastes, it’s a tad too big. The Compass is a decent size, but the Hornet had just the right amount of attitude that the Nitro could never successfully do. I think between an xB and a Compass in size would have been perfect… Ah well…
I think the Dart’s styling is one of its greatest strengths. Its not supposed to look like the Dodge’s of the pervious era. I think the Avenger is a bit uninspired. The Sebring reborn as the 200 is a perfect example of bland/cheap Chrysler group styling.
When we bought my mother’s Dart the salesmen tried to talk us into a 200
“If she doesn’t like the handling of the Dart, she might try the 200.”
Ummm…no sir….please don’t pawn your lot full of 200’s on my family. The dealer I went to was stuffed with 200’s sulking.
If you want Dodge to go back to making the models you enjoy, then you should be praying for the Dart’s success.
Moparmen and Alfisti’s unite!
Well put.
This car is a driver’s car for the masses. It’s pretty, and handles well.
I didn’t mean to say that the Dart is poorly styled, I’m trying to figure out why it seems to have little traction in the market, at least according to most sources I’ve seen.
I went off on a tangent about the Hornet, but I think that Dodge needs a small car that’s practical but with attitude. Not necessarily to replace the Dart, but possibly supplement it. It doesn’t have anything below it as a cheap and cheerful alternative.
But maybe that’s the idea behind some of the Fiat models.
My own theory about car color is that oleagineous, rounded shapes like this Dart need a metallic shade, perhaps dark grey or silver, to give them definition and presence. Exuberant gloss colors belong on sharp edged designs like Seventies broughams to moderate the basic severity of the style. Certainly the interior of this car looks rich for the price with that pleasing charcoal/white chiaroscuro. I really don’t know a thing about the new Dart, but I hope it proves a success for Chrysler.
I’m glad they’re inspiring controversy, however minimal, in the automotive blogosphere. Playing it safe is easy. Especially when anyone with a Gmail address can, with wit and cleverness, second guess your ideas. And always with the benefit of hindsight. There is a reason they’re called “Monday morning quarterbacks”. It also warms my ancient heart that these cross-breed franchises with grass lots haven’t all been shown the door. Planning potential of less than 100, I thought, had gone the way of the dodo.
You’re forgetting the one other requirement of that crowd: An absolute refusal to actually go out and BUY (with one’s own money) that selfsame car one spends hours typing into blogs demanding that it be made.
New, of course, not used. As in, believe in what you blog enough to actually take the financial hit of ownership.
Syke – My retirement imposed financial limit for cars is that it has to be paid for with available cash and self-maintained. Therefore, to keep the happy wife happy, she gets her hearts desire and warranty and I get to putter with my toys. I am a long time veteran of the retail wars, and know the internal disputes between the creatives, the engineers, the bean counters and the production guys. I don’t think I was any more qualified to dictate policy after 35 years than after year one. But I am smart enough now to let someone else absorb the first hit of depreciation. I would never castigate simply because of an opinion. We all have one. Some are worth more than others – like mine. 🙂
Of course, this is the problem the American makers face. They actually do make pretty good cars now. Problem is, anyone with to corpuscles to rub together knows that said cars from the “Big Three” will be worth 40% less than retail after two years, so many buyers wait. This is because of the huge volume of fleet sales they do.
Smart car makers pay zero attention to buff-rags, which in my experience tend to be read by people who no money to buy the cars they so passionately espouse.
I’m not sure your numbers are correct anymore. The American cars haven’t been taking a hit like that for quite a long time, or they comparable foreign brands have been taking the same hit as the domestics.
Smart buyers listen to buff rags for one reason, a car guys opinion. Much like I asked your opinion of the Dart (thank you for that too), I have also driven a Civic EX and did not think it was as solid and refined (except for engine nvh…well vh anyway) as my Cruze.
Phil, one of my employees recently bought a laded 2011 Cruz LS for $17,000. A new one retails for $28,000. It is definitely a better buy used. Indeed the Cruz is solid. It has a lot more metal in it than its competition.
In these parts, a new Civic EX-L runs about $26,000. A 2011 goes for $21,000. New is a better buy.
They are both good packages but the Civic has a lower TCO.
Canuck, a Cruze LS sells for $17,000.00 new here in the states.
NADA lists the top of the line 2011 Cruze LTZ as being worth $17500.00 used
A comparatively equipped /condition 2011 Civic EX-L is worth $16500.00 according to NADA.
I understand you live in a different country on a different coast but…
I stand corrected, it was an RS, the top model. In general, Honda products hold very high resale in this market.
I know I’m going to come off as an ass, but I really am just curious.
I looked at the Canadian Black Book prices for zip code T2A6P9 and looked up comparably equipped Cruze vz Civic.
The Cruze @ $19000.00 was said to command a $3700.00 higher trade in value than the Civic $15290.00. Now optioned new they are about $3800.00 apart (the Cruze being 30K while the Civic is $27K)
Looks like things have changed more in favor of the domestic cars than you realize.
A CRUISE!
The new Cobalt!?
I bought a Cobalt new in 2005, worst car I have ever owned. And one of the reasons I will never buy another GM or American car. Even if my next car is a POS I will be happy knowning my money did not go to GM.
You have researched Alberta. Due to the harsh climate, used car values are different than on the coast. The market is very different here and North American brands are not in high demand. They are, however, much more popular on the prairies.
It seems you are very happy with your Cruze and that is great.
I think we can agree that other than your very small part of the world, where I didn’t research, your perception that domestic cars take a larger hit in resale than foreign competition, is largely outdated.
Things are changing Canuck. Your bias against domestics is getting to be just as irrelevant as someone’s bias against foreign cars outside of person preference.
This Dart puzzles me. If I want a nice, leather, multi-colored interior which smacks of luxury, I’d want a bit more on the exterior styling side, not on a car that to me, looks like a Focus or Fiesta.
Still, this car is ‘way too fancy for the type of car it is.
Having said that, the Dart appears to be a rather nice car, and I do see more of them on the road. I also find it funny that the Avenger resembles the 1970’s Dart more than the new one, in looks as well as content!
Finally, I may have just negated almost everything I said, as my 1976 Dart Lite – bought in 1983 – was rather well-appointed: Root beer reddish-brown, charcoal-and-white interior – white vinyl bucket seats and panel inserts, 4-on-the-floor, A/C, PS, PB, 225 slant-six. I did have to add my own cassette player, though…
People spend a lot of time inside their cars. Pundits have been saying for years that the big-3 lose small car sales to the Asian imports because the import brands offer small cars with better interior accoutrements. This looks like a decent effort to buck that trend.
“this car is ‘way too fancy for the type of car it is.”
I doubt that. “Compact” cars have grown to be big enough to carry adults in sufficient comfort in the rear and have enough performance and refinement on the highway to satisfy the 80-90% urban driver that is a large, silent part of the market. In effect they are the old mid-size car from 20 years ago. The smaller car is easier to park and on fuel, cheaper to buy (a major part of ownership costs of course), but they don’t want to give up the toys or interior quality.
Tom
did you get to drive it too?
Nope; it was close to closing. Actually, it didn’t even occur to me!
Haven’t driven one yet, but the current Dart seems a bit closer to my 2001 Focus than the current Focus does (if that makes any sense) when replacement time comes I will definately check the Dart against the Focus.
I like that blue color, but not on that car. Maybe a TR3 or a Renault Dauphine..
I drove a rental Dodge Dart last month and was really quite surprised at the lack of refinement. I don’t know if they offer an upgrade on the dash, but mine was hard plastic. Unless it had a great reliability track record, I couldn’t recommend it to someone.
Daniel,
That explains it, it’s a rental, what would you expect (from any car for that matter?), they generally aren’t always as well appointed as the one you actually buy at the dealer.
I suspect my late mother’s ’04 Dodge Stratus was originally a rental as the dash was rather basic in its finish (all single toned beige with black accents), and non nondescript beige cloth seats.
It was, however fairly reliable with the 2.4L inline 4 though.
With all due respect I completely agree ciddyguy. I rented a Kia Rio immediately after I rented the Dodge Dart. Hard dashboard on the Dart aside, the Kia left me with a better impression of overall refinement, quietness, ride, performance and obtained better mileage. Not knowing what engine was in either car. After renting both models, I felt more assured with the Kia Rio. If I was considering either for a new car purchase. The Dart wasn’t that bad, but the Rio seemed like a better choice.
( I commented further in other posts.)
I believe that for some time, it has been Chrysler’s business model to invest more into showroom appeal than long term engineering and durability. Their cars offer many features and model choices, and competitive styling compared to other makers. But they cut costs by offering lower quality parts and engineering for the long term. I somewhat wish Chrysler would perhaps offer less content, but far better quality to allow them to continue competing on price. Perhaps that would be a modern way of recreating the good will generated by the original Dart. I think cars like the Acclaim/Spirit/Shadow/Sundance came closest recently to offering less bling and better honest value in the vein of the classic Dart. Even if they are not class-leading or considered the more popular/modern in their class.
I like the Dart, and while I wouldn’t choose baby blue for myself, I’d like it if some of these colors would catch on and add some interest to some very dull parking lots.
Outside of the Charger based “track” taillights and Dodge crosshair grill, this car falls in with the current Sonata, Fusion, Impala theme. The 3/4 view really shows this.
I’ve sat in a few Darts and the rear seat is cramped compared to the cars I’ve mentioned and I understand it has a harder time hitting its mileage targets than most.
So, it would have to hit a low price / high equipment value target for me to consider it.
My understanding is that its launch was fumbled on several levels, including too many manuals in the mix, and some fairly high equipment levels / price points.
After a slow start, I’m seeing more on the road, but nothing like the Fusion explosion when the restyle came out after the Dart.
I have driven a Dart in the last month. It looks really good in the showroom,
and offers lots features and colour choices, etc. But you need to drive one for a day or two… and drive a Focus or a Kia Rio, as I did. Then you’ll have a better idea.
I highly recommend renting a car for a few days before buying a new car.
I preferred the Kia Rio and a Kia Forte over the Dart I rented.
Unless the Dart had a great reliability reputation, which it has not established.
In ’79 I had to wait for a bus to school a block from my house. The corner house where I stood had a Dart SE, brown with tan top.
In ’75 Ford was catching big car buyers still moving down with its popular Granada / Monarch. The SE gave Dodge a way to catch some of those sales with minimal development, and probably some of the best margins they got on Darts. About 14,000 out of 164,000 ’75 Darts were SE models. The base price of an SE sedan was $4149 vs. $3,444 for the volume Custom, a nice 20% increase.
Chevy came up with the Nova LN for ’75 – color keyed wheels covers as well! It seems the big three product planners were all huddled under the same blanket in fall ’73 when things were looking pretty bleak.
I drove one if these this summer. It was a brand new rental (65km on the clock). It was fine as a rental, and might be a good choice if you’re looking for cheap transportation. NA manufacturers need to get on the ball with their crappy 3 yr warranties though, or the Koreans will continue to eat their lunch.
I too rented one several months ago, and was underwhelmed, particularly with the engine / transmission combo. While the car ‘darted’ nicely, it just couldn’t find a happy gearing.
Using my portable GPS, the car also displayed the widest variation of indicated vs. sat. speed I have ever seen on a modern car. The speedo was anywhere from 5 to 10 miles off from what the unit was showing. Made me wonder what else was off.
And thanks for the Cincinatti reference! Long Live Dr. Johnny and Venus Flytrap!!
I like the baby blue/white interior,just not too practical with kids blowing chunks or spilling a Big Mac and ketchup on it.
Beautiful car.
I wonder if the trend of “loaded” small cars will continue? I could go for a Cruze LTZ with extra cost dark green paint and a light colored leather interior. Or a Focus with the highest trim and manual trans.
A fair number of people I know are moving down to smaller cars, in response to high gasoline prices and tighter budgets, but still want all of the luxuries. So I bet that “loaded” small cars will only increase in popularity.
Lee Iacocca ordered the development of the Mustang II and Granada almost 40 years ago to address similar trends…the more things change…
The local paper had a Mercedes A200 vs BMW 1?? vs Audi A3 hatchback comparison, base prices were around $35k (which would be perhaps $25-27k in US market terms) which is not that much above a top-of-the-range Holden/Ford/Toyota which can be ~$32k- or at least that is what the Germans will be hoping. Mind you the mainstream brands will probably have more equipment so it will be tempting to spend more on a cheap M-B…
I would love to renew my lapsed Mopar Homer card. This is not the car to do it. It seems like Neon 3.0, neither a new direction nor a return to past dorky-but-sturdy-and-lovable Dart glory.
I like the looks of the 2nd-gen “new” 300. I suspect, though, that I’d be happier owning a new Avalon hybrid if I was buying a full-size.
why would you make the assumption that you’d prefer a Avalon over anything else in the class? From what I’ve read, and yes only read, is that the Avalon isn’t a comfy cruiser like others in the segment. So why walk into it with that bias?
Not a bias, brother, I’m quite sure I read a positive review. Plus I’m cheap about gas, my namesake notwithstanding.
fair enough boss. just curious.
Given the multitude of problems with the car reported on Edmunds and other automotive publications, it appears the Dart is one of the very few genuine lemons available for sale today.
The Dart could be a modern version of the Granada… it’s has all the visual and styling cues that make it *look* like a winner. But you need to test drive it along with the competition. I thought it spoke for itself.
Plus, the long term durability is a whole other variable to form a basis for comparison.
I think some manufacturers count on buyers buying with their hearts and not their heads.
Actually, the Granada sold like the proverbial hotcakes. It was an appealing car in the showroom and on the test drive as well. It just didn’t stand up to normal use that well. The Dart looks good, but I have by now heard so many stories about how it does not present well on a test drive or on a weekend rental. This makes the Dart seem to me more like the 1980 Thunderbird with the 255 V8.
Agreed completely. As Geeber has stated in another thread, people have so many avenues today (Internet reviews, blogs, Consumer Reports, etc.) to research a car before buying it, that it really makes it less of a risk as it was back in the days of the Volare or Citation.
But even back in the 1970s or 1980s, I probably wouldn’t risk buying a first year car, however appealing it was.
” Darts are being seen on the roads with greater frequency.”
Funny, I live thirty miles from the Chrysler Plant that builds these and I never see them
Well, “greater frequency” means seeing a few on the road, rather than none. Earlier this year the only ones I saw were at Dodge dealerships.
Too strange-
There can’t be more than 5 Darts in that color nationwide, and I took this picture just last week (here in Torrance, CA).
Wow, I did not know this car came in this color. A similar shade of blue is used on the 500L from Fiat, but uses a different name, though I think it’s a tad lighter in shade, though I’ve not seen it in the flesh (only in videos on Youtube recently) so can’t say for certain. Non the less, I love non metallic light blues like this very much, and would love to see more of this, even in other colors outside of say, yellow, red and occasionally, black (and white of course).
That said, I WAS interested in this car, until it became clear that it’d only come in a 4 door sedan. No thank you. I won’t do sedans ever again, after having several (and it’s 2 door stablemates) in the past. They just aren’t good at hauling bulky items like a wagon, or hatchback, even if small like a subcompact. I’ll never forget the day my parents came to pick myself, and 4 other kids, ranging from me, at 11, to the youngest at 5 YO from the local theater in a ’76 Honda Accord hatchback with a brand new 19″ table top TV in box in the back, and we all fit in, with the hatch closed (this being in January of ’77, in time for Superbowl that year).
However, I’d buy the Fiat 500L Easy in the light blue with manual at that if I could right now and had to replace my current car.
I like the new Dart. In my eyes (and we don’t get them here, so I’m going by internet pics and C&D), they’re handsome inside and out and different from the mostly-Japanese competition. Currently the only Dodge sold here new is the Journey, I think the Dart would look good in the showrooms. Of course we get Fiats and Alfas new, so the Dart may never happen.
I just encouraged my mother to buy a new Dart Limited, she too has the white leather interior but a less retina seering blue. I liked the distant Alfa Romeo connection and it is very well equipped for its class.
Having driven it several times I can say that the 2.0 Tigershark engine and the 6-speed Auto (non Dual Clutch) is a bit of a clunky combination. I’m used to driving turbocharged cars so I personally would have gotten the Multi Air turbo, but considering we traded my mom’s 1990 Plymouth Sundance for the Dart I don’t think she’s whining.
Handling seems crisp, if not a bit on the soft side for my taste. The Dart does well in city traffic and long distance cruising.
I don’t really think it compares to anything from Dodge’s distance past though…
EVen though it’s the Neon’s replacement, I think its a far cry from it.
“Frugal buyers, librarians and accountants everywhere” plus a whole lot of other folks who still value the virtues of the original Mopar A bodies already own their spiritual successor. It’s called “Corolla”.
The Italian counterpart (same platform) of the Dart is the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
The top model, the 1750 TBi QV, has a 235 hp 1,742 cc turbo engine.
This engine isn’t available in the Dart I believe.
This is the only current Alfa Romeo I like.
If you want a brougham version you have to go to China
That looks like a mixture between the Fiat Bravo (a hatchback) and the Dodge Dart.
I’ve seen more Volts on the road than Darts. I’ve read from multiple (reputable) sources there isn’t a satisfactory powertrain combo. The Dart is a good looker but if I were in the small car market, I’m pretty sure it would be a Mazda3 hatch.
The problem I have with the Dart is two fold. One, no engine/transmission combo seems all that great. Two, cold start problem, if you live somewhere where it gets below freezing, they do not like to start. It is nice looking and fairly comfortable, I just have no interest.
I love the color combination on this car! I realize it’s not the most “masculine” color combination, but there is something about that shade of blue. I also kind of like the white leather. It’s kind of striking.
I bought a new car last January. I would have considered a Dart; however, my son and father-in-law are both over six feet tall. I saw a Dart at a car show even before I started looking, and I couldn’t imagine either my son or father-in-law riding comfortably in the car.
I did not read any of the comments or anything else that was posted. I just think that the Dart pictured is different and kind of cool.