All too often in the automotive world, we do not seem to look beyond the basics, or take the time to consider that which we are not well aware of. One area where this ideology seems to fit perfectly is for shoppers who considering purchasing a small, sporty coupe. Many drivers simply choose to settle for what everyone else is driving. Yes, the Honda Civic is a great car, but for those looking for a two door coupe that still has the potential to have some fun, it is far from the only choice out there. In fact, it may surprise some to learn that one of the hidden gems of the compact coupe market has actually been produced by Dodge, and is none other than the Stratus R/T.
The outside of the Stratus is definitely impressive. While it may not look as sporty as it could, the large grill and impressively angled headlights add to an overall aggressive stance. The Stratus is very wide, and coupled with the large tires, it looks great. However, there are a few complaints that could be had with the outside. Mainly, the side of the car and the back end just look kind of boring. The tail lights do little to add to the overall appearance, and with a complete lack of fender flares or any kind of side design, the car really only seems to have a personality when looking at from the front. Regardless though, for a car that has a fairly low price on the used market, it is hard to argue with the exterior of the Stratus R/T, it looks nice and is definitely sporty enough for the overall image of the vehicle.
Moving inside the car actually yields a present surprise. Far from the usual array of boring and poor quality American interior, we have something which is smooth, stylish, and definitely seems to be of better quality than normal. Indeed, the interior is taken directly from Mitsubishi, and their design really shows. The rounded vents, smooth center console design, attractive doors and seats, and nicely placed shifter all add to the overall interior. The stock leather seats are very comfortable, although the cloth seats do seem to be a bit of an annoyance on long trips. The backseats are not very roomy, although adults who don’t happen to be over 5’4 or so won’t really have any problems being comfortable in the back. Visibility could be better, although it is acceptable. The speedometer and tach gauges are strangely set very far apart, and some models come with strange blue inserts on the leather seats (which are best to avoid if at all possible). Still though, despite the few minor complaints, the interior of the Stratus is overall very pleasant, and is a place that drivers are going to enjoy spending time.
The area where the Stratus really shines, of course, is when it comes to actually driving it. The R/T model is equipped with Mitsu’s 3.0 SOHC V6 motor, and it puts out right around 205 horse power. Definitely enough to give the coupe some heft, without being overpowering. Handling is nice, although the sport tuned suspension tends to hit the bumps pretty hard. The car handles nicely around corners, although body roll is perhaps a bit more than expected. The acceleration is constant and linear, and the R/T never feels underpowered. The steering feels nicely balanced, and the shifting is very smooth. As long as one stays within their limits, they will find that the R/T is a very fun car to drive. It may not be the fastest or sportiest thing on the road, but it definitely performs right for it’s price range.
The only area where the coupe really seems to suffer a bit is gas mileage, which comes out to be about 20 or 21 miles to the gallon. Couple this with the premium fuel required by the engine, and it makes sense to take it easy on the gas pedal. However, everything about the Stratus R/T really does blend into a solid car. It feels great on the road, looks nice inside and out, and is definitely worthy of a test drive for those looking for a sporty coupe that still has some luxury and refinement.
