My wife has 5 payments left on the lease of her Stratus. We have been discussing what she wants to replace it with, and went out looking last night just to get ideas. I told her she can get whatever car she wants since I got to pick out my Avenger, but with 3 conditions - 1. Domestic only, I have her trained on that one 2. Within our budget, obviously 3. Not a huge gas guzzler, I am not saying it needs to be a 35 mpg car, but not a truck that gets like 10mpg. So, she thinks she has it narrowed down.

She LOVES the 2 door Jeeps with a soft top. They have some really nice ones with very nice rims and tires put on already that is within our budget. They say they get 19mpg highway. Keep in mind she only drives about 5 min. max to work, so that isn't too bad. I like em too, so I can't blame her on wanting one.

Second, she likes the Chargers. I told her we cannot afford a new R/T Charger, so if she wants one with many options, either look at an SXT or lower, or look at a used one. There was a used SXT with leather and power everything with only 7k miles what was within our budget. We will keep looking.

Anyways, just thought I would share what we are thinking, and see what everyone's opinions were. Sorry for being long winded. lol

The charger R/T's have the hemi's in em :P I think they were like 12/18...lol

You can't go wrong with either, in my opinion. I would love to have a 4 door wrangler, or a new liberty, but with 2k miles a month clicking onto my odometer, I couldn't possibly feed either one. So if she gets a Jeep, I'll be jealous!!! My dream Jeep, for what it's worth, is the newer Grand Cherokee CRD with 3.0L diesel. It gets mid-upper 20s for mileage, but diesel is super expensive now. But it's different, and I love diesels.

I like the Liberty's now. My wife had one, and she misses it every day. lol.

My car before the Avenger was a Liberty Limited Edit., and I loved it. It was silver with chrome grille, chrome side steps, chrome tail light guards, tinted windows, and loaded inside. She thought about getting another one of those, but I doubt she will.

The jeep is nice but usually is over priced for what you get. It is nice if you off-road and you need a solid axle front and rear but if you don't, it just makes it ride rough. Also, the soft top gives it a high risk for break-ins. They can simple slide the top and steal whatever is inside.

The used Charger is nice but does the SXT have enough power to move that vehicle? I know the 3.5L has around 250hp or so but is it enough for all that weight?

Whatever you choose, I am sure she is going to love it.

The 3.5 moves it fine. She doesn't plan on driving it fast anyways, so that isn't a concern. I didn't think about the soft top on the Jeep. I guess she could get the removable 3 piece hard top. As far as a smooth ride, neither of us are that picky. You know what you are getting when you get a Jeep.

You know what you are getting when you get a Jeep.

True that! A hard ride, sucky gas mileage and the road handling of a cinder block. But it's a Jeep. Like I said before, if I wasn't burning a tank a week or more, I'd be shopping for a 4 door Wrangler. My dad's had a couple of wranglers over the years. We loved them all!

Yeah, I'd rather her go with the Charger, just for being more practical. She also like the 300, and they have several nice ones that are in our price range.

I'll be replacing my taurus with a Magnum SXT either this fall or next spring. You can't go wrong with the LX cars... One thing though. I test drove one with a 4 speed not too long ago, and the trans was really not very impressive. If you can find a 3.5L 5 speed, they are supposed to be more responsive. All of the AWDs have 5 speeds, and I've read that some of the RWDs do too.

As long as you keep it American, you won't go wrong! Haha!

What hobbies/interests do you guys have?

The wrangler would be great for - beach trips - no top, some beaches you can drive on and get away from crowds. Also, there's a ton of aftermarket parts, mostly 4x4 and off road related.

Charger - bigger than avenger, about same fuel economy, seats more people. R/T has alot of aftermarket options.

- Dan M

Oh that has definately come up about how nice it would be to drive topless in the summertime. There are definately alot of parts out there for them. All we would probably do is add some side tubes, maybe some tail light covers, and something to complement all of that up front. Like I said, they already have nice aftermarket rims and tires put on them that look very nice, and it sits up pretty high.

We can't afford the R/T Charger, so that is out. She isn't really looking for alot of power, but does want alot of the other options like leather, heated seats, etc. if she gets a Charger or 300.

I like the charger choice myself also. If she likes the Jeep Liberty, look at a Nitro. It's the same basic vehicle, same assembly line, but has that Dodge look.

She hates the look of the Nitro, and I don't care for it much myself. The top of her list is the Jeep, with the Charger a close second. I was looking at a local dealers webpage today and they have a used (or "pre-owned" as they all say now) R/T Charger with like 20k miles for about 23k. Had leather and all of the power options and was red. Big drawback with that is - no lifetime powertrain warranty. Decisions decisions.

She hates the look of the Nitro, and I don't care for it much myself. The top of her list is the Jeep, with the Charger a close second. I was looking at a local dealers webpage today and they have a used (or "pre-owned" as they all say now) R/T Charger with like 20k miles for about 23k. Had leather and all of the power options and was red. Big drawback with that is - no lifetime powertrain warranty. Decisions decisions.

Markio if you are looking to buy, your best deal is going to be used. If you are looking to lease, new would be best. You can get really good deals on Journeys/Nitro's at the moment if you want to lease. Also most people don't like the look of Nitro's, I didn't myself...Until I drove next to an R/T. They look pretty sweet and it has more power than our avenger's LOL and compared to the new Liberty's I would take a Nitro over a Liberty.

http://www-5.dodge.com/vehsuite/vimg/us/eal/eal_images/37/CC08_KA5P74_2TL_PRH_APA_XXX_XXX.jpg

http://www-5.jeep.com/vehsuite/vimg/us/eal/eal_images/62/CC08_KKJP74_2TF_PRH_APA_XXX_XXX.jpg

I got a call this morning from one of the salesman that work at the large Dodge dealership in town this morning. I didn't buy my Avenger from him, but he obviously took good notes because he knew we would be looking soon. He told us to come down and take some test drives and that they have many specials going on with the Chargers. They also have an SRT4 Caliber that I might have to try out.

I got a call this morning from one of the salesman that work at the large Dodge dealership in town this morning. I didn't buy my Avenger from him, but he obviously took good notes because he knew we would be looking soon. He told us to come down and take some test drives and that they have many specials going on with the Chargers. They also have an SRT4 Caliber that I might have to try out.


Aww man, please don't get the SRT4, I will be so jealous! LOL

That is what I originally wanted but they didn't have any back then. Then I looked hard at Avengers and loved it. I would love for my wife to get it, but unfortunately she doesn't like the look of Calibers either. Picky woman! I asked her even with the better rims, hood, etc. that the SRT comes with if it made it any better. She said it was better, but still don't like it. Who knows, maybe after a test drive she will have a change of heart.

That is what I originally wanted but they didn't have any back then. Then I looked hard at Avengers and loved it. I would love for my wife to get it, but unfortunately she doesn't like the look of Calibers either. Picky woman! I asked her even with the better rims, hood, etc. that the SRT comes with if it made it any better. She said it was better, but still don't like it. Who knows, maybe after a test drive she will have a change of heart.

Yeah women are like that - mine hates it too lol but I don't care what it looks it. If she does a lot of city driving she will hate the stick though

She had a stick before, so that doesn't bother her too much. When we first got married 9 years ago my dad and I went out looking for a new car that was good on gas. I came home that night with a Stratus that was a manual. She was ticked cause she had never driven one before. Well, our other car was a Mustang so we traded cars each day and she basically had to learn. I told her this time though if she has a choice, maily with the Jeep, just get an automatic for the convenience of it. It sucks when you get a cell call or something like that.

She actually even suggested that she wouldn't mind another Liberty, but only the first body style. She doesn't like the newer ones. I told her they can have a really cool panoramic top, but that's not enough.

If they had offered a stick in the R/T, my wife would have it for sure! Not all ladies like autos... Haha!

Well, we just got back from the dealer about an hour ago, and guess what...they are holding a car for us. We MIGHT, but probably will, get an 07 Charger R/T tomorrow. It is Magnesium in color (dark greyish) and already had 20" aftermarket rims with Toyo low profile tires. They are NICE rims. It has leather, power everything, adj. pedals, dual climate control, sunroof, spoiler, driver info, compass, and more. It doesn't have Nav/Mygig or any dvd. It looks brand new inside and out, and even had the beautiful 5.7L HEMI detailed. Needless to say we are stoked.

Well, we just got back from the dealer about an hour ago, and guess what...they are holding a car for us. We MIGHT, but probably will, get an 07 Charger R/T tomorrow. It is Magnesium in color (dark greyish) and already had 20" aftermarket rims with Toyo low profile tires. They are NICE rims. It has leather, power everything, adj. pedals, dual climate control, sunroof, spoiler, driver info, compass, and more. It doesn't have Nav/Mygig or any dvd. It looks brand new inside and out, and even had the beautiful 5.7L HEMI detailed. Needless to say we are stoked.

Ummmmmmmm it only gets 12mpg city LOL however, if you want to talk to FRI (company) - they can sell you a manifold or something don't remember exactly what, but it gives you 3mpg guaranteed...plus HP of course lol

She only drives a few min. to work so it's not too big a deal. It says it get 23 highway.

She only drives a few min. to work so it's not too big a deal. It says it get 23 highway.

Ah right right...it should be cool then...just throw a cheapie intake on it so she doesn't have to step on the gas as much lol

Screw that!! We are putting a nice intake on it and daddy is taking it at least 2 times a week!! lol Oh, the thoughts of what I will do to this car. Tint next week, hood or hood scoop someday, exhaust, and lord knows what else. lol

Screw that!! We are putting a nice intake on it and daddy is taking it at least 2 times a week!! lol Oh, the thoughts of what I will do to this car. Tint next week, hood or hood scoop someday, exhaust, and lord knows what else. lol

LMAO Heck ya :) Funny me and you are very alike...we drive our avengers, wives drive the chargers..except my charger is a 6 lol

I am a hugh fan of the new wranglers, I really like the 4 door unlimited. My suggestion would be the wrangler. Nice in the summer with the soft top, tons of mods out there and good gas mileage.

Well, we got it at 5pm today. She was totally excited, and I was pretty fired up too. It is super nice. We decided to get the 7 yr, 85k mile extended warranty just in case. What do you think?

Very nice looking car. I like the rims. Some tint would really make it look nice. Very nice purchase!!!

You need to change the date on your camera though......:4-dontknow:

Very nice looking car. I like the rims. Some tint would really make it look nice. Very nice purchase!!!

You need to change the date on your camera though......:4-dontknow:

Yeah, I keep forgetting that.

Yeah, I keep forgetting that.


I always forget mine too. I just took that feature off. You have a nice car there though. I am jealous. There are SO many more mods out there for the Charger. You picked a nice color too.

Thanks. Yeah, I have some plans for it. Intake soon and tint next week. She wants to tint the tail lights and get those star leds. Maybe a new grille, and down the road maybe a new exhaust and hood. As is though, this baby SCOOTS!! We are going to be fightin on who takes what to work. lol

Very Nice! I feel for you on that V8 and having to use premium gas on it.

Very nice Markio! Glad you went with the Charger! I hope the gas prices don't frustrate you.

Very Nice! I feel for you on that V8 and having to use premium gas on it.


Mid grade is recommended, and 87 grade is acceptable. It doesn't get much worse gas mileage than my Avenger, and only gets 1 mpg worse than the V6 Charger.