Anyone test drive or buy a 2013 Dodge Dart?

[66FBCharger]

Has anyone test drove (or bought) a new 2013 Dart yet?
How was it? What model did you buy? If you bought it, are you happy with it?
I am looking for feedback on the car, not opinions on whether it is a Mopar, a Dart, an american car etc.

[Ghoste]

I saw a bunch almost exactly a year ago being transferred from one truck to another at one of our sites and then I haven't even seen one since they were released to the public.  So the question has anybody bought one is a good one.

[66FBCharger]

I've seen a few at the dealers, but I have yet to see any on the road. Most that I have seen have been the Red Rallye Darts.

[Cooter]

Kid test drove one. Said he didn't like it as it was nothing more than a jacked up Mits. Eclipse.

[Ghoste]

I haven't driven one of those either. 

[Ponch ®]

Test drove one (looking at possibly getting a commuter car) about 3 weeks ago. My observations:

It looked a lot better in those promo pics when the car was first announced a year or so ago. It's not an ugly car by any means, it just lacks the "wow" factor that you see in similar cars. The interior, on the other hand, is pretty damn nice - something that's been a problem with cars from the Big 3 for the last 20 or so years. I didn't jump in the backseat, but Mrs Ponch did and she said the FIAT 500 felt roomier . If you're into that sort of thing like I am, the one I drove had a touchscreen radio/media center, USB ports to plug your phone and charge or sync it with the car, bluetoof, and steering wheel buttons. The particular Dart I jumped in was the SE automatic (the dealership was still waiting for the R/T and Rallye models to arrive).

It drove like you would expect a small-to-midsize-ish "grocery getter" / commuter car to drive. Very smooth ride (then again, most new cars drive that way). Power-wise...well, it's hard to say. It felt adequate but isomewhat sluggish. In all fairness, when we swung by the dealership, I had just literally been tooling around town flogging my Predator-tuned, cold air intake and exhaust modded 5.7 HEMI, so my point of reference was a little skewed.

Bottom line: It's a nice little car that can and should compete with Civics and Corollas. It's not bad for about $20K (that's the other thing - it "starts" at about $16K for the bare bones, base model but good luck actually finding one.) If you want something that's gonna be comfortable and good on gas, it's more than adequate.  But that's just it: there was nothing exciting about driving it. I might as well have been driving my mom's Camry. Maybe at some point I'll go back and try out the Rallye and SRT whenever they get them, but it just didn't feel like driver's car, a car guy's car. I had a lot more fun test driving the little FIAT 500, and as of right now, if I do end up getting a 3rd car, that's gonna be it.

[Ghoste]

How is it for room?  Practical room that is not room for an NBA star or a family of elves.

[Ponch ®]

How is it for room?  Practical room that is not room for an NBA star or a family of elves.

It's decent. Think somewhere between a Civic/Corolla and Camry. Big enough for the average grown up in the front; you can fit 3 kids in the backseat, but from what Mrs. Ponch said, 3 adults would be very uncomfortable.

[Dino]

Saw one a week or so ago.  I had to look twice as I thought it was a funny looking Focus.  Haven't driven one though.

[66FBCharger]

I am interested in room also. Could I fit two (smaller) teens and a baby seat in the back?
I would consider the Dart because I need to replace a PT Cruiser soon. I would like something with very good mileage & low price. The Dart seems to fit those requirements. It would be a car for transportation so it doesn't need to be fast or exciting. We have the '69 Charger and the Cuda340 for that.

[Ponch ®]

I am interested in room also. Could I fit two (smaller) teens and a baby seat in the back?
I would consider the Dart because I need to replace a PT Cruiser soon. I would like something with very good mileage & low price. The Dart seems to fit those requirements. It would be a car for transportation so it doesn't need to be fast or exciting. We have the '69 Charger and the Cuda340 for that.

You should be able to. That's just my eyeball estimate, of course. you gotta go to the dealership with the whole family and find out first hand if you're all gonna fit.

Here's the thing though: unless you can actually find the base model dart, you're gonna shell out about $20K for one. At that point, you're not that far off from a v6 Charger, which is a lot roomier. Now, I don't know how much of a deal breaker the gas mileage is for you, but it is for me , which is why that's not an option I could consider. On the other hand, I don't need room, which is why I'm going for max mileage. The Dart, at least in theory, gets about 35 mpg highway and something like 25-27 city (im going off the top of my head here, so I could be off a few). .

[Nacho-RT74]

you mean the new Deon? or Neort ?

[GOTWING]

last real road test i read they got 39 mpg highway with the stick and 16.10 1/4 mile

[1974dodgecharger]

honda civic be better.....

[Todd Wilson]

I didnt test drive the new Dart but got to look it over and sit in one 2 weeks. ago. Very nice getting in and out. I am 6'1 and a fat POS and had more then enough room.  With the drivers seat all the way back I had more then enough room.  In fact I probably coulda pulled the seat up some. The back seat right behind me would have been struggling for room Prolly ok for a kid....................Car felt good over all. I should have drove it................Curious to see what the 1.4 turbo will do with the 6 speed.


Todd

[myk]

Psh.  It's a 4 door, which automatically makes it unacceptable for this forum...

[Ghoste]

Only if they called it Charger.

[Robert96]

 I checked out the Dodge Dart website and they have an exterior color listed that looks similar to Hemi Orange but you can't get it on any model according to the build sheets. Curious? Did I miss something?

[Ponch ®]

I checked out the Dodge Dart website and they have an exterior color listed that looks similar to Hemi Orange but you can't get it on any model according to the build sheets. Curious? Did I miss something?

my guess is that the color will only be for a certain trim level (SRT?) that is not out yet. From what I was told, the SRT won't be out for a few months.

[TexasStroker]

I won't go off on my personal opinions regarding what could/should have been, but I've always felt the brand needed a little car and was sad to see the Neon go with an unfilled void.

I did check one out in person on a trip in Dallas right when the dealers were forced to all pick one up.  It looked much better online than in person.  It just struck me as another sunfire/cavalier for the current generation of young girls.  The inside was considerably nicer than similar cars in the past.

I do think with the right colors and options it would be a solid little commuter.  A body kit, some inexpensive custom touches and it would look pretty good.  If I was in the market for a small eco-car I would definitely consider it with the Civic etc.  The best news is the Dart has a lot of potential to improve.  I think offering an SRT model and incorporating all the latest bells and whistles into the lesser models is the way to go.

The sales guy I got the Challenger from said he hated the car and the performance.  I also had a friend who has a new Avenger test drive it and well...there is a reason she got the Avenger.

Again, if you're in the market for such a car I'd label it a contender...I'd definitely see what the same $ would do with an import though.  Like I said, there is a lot of potential with the Dart, it is just a matter of whether or not Chrysler fulfills it.

If it were me personally in your shoes, if I couldn't get solid feedback from actual drivers I would hold off a year or two.  Any first run issues will be known and hopefully addressed and you might have a better base model and more to pick from etc.