Dodge Magnum RT 2006 Car Review
The new Magnum is a great looking car that may get your neighbors talking as you rumble around the block. The unique styling of the Magnum will also attract gawkers in the shape of 18-22 years old fellows pointing for their chums to “check that out”. And a few people will approach you as you are filling up the gas tank to ask, “Does it really have a Hemi?”, with only an imprecise idea that it somehow makes the car better.
The Magnum is offered with many various engine sizes ( either a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder) with your selection of horsepower output of 190, 250, 340 and 425. The price of the vehicle also corresponds with the engine size starting at $30,345 to the pricey STR-8 model for $37,320. A large part of the mystique around this auto is the Hemi engine. The Hemi is short for hemispherical combustion chamber, which creates more efficient fuel burning and allows bigger valves for better airflow. Basically, it produces more power than an engine with its displacement would usually produce. ( there also are flaws to the Hemi, explaining why it’s not the sole engine that Chrysler produces).
The interior of the vehicle looks much more expensive than you’d be expecting for the cost of the Magnum. Since Mercedes bought Chrysler, the Dodge automobiles I’ve sampled have had a pointy improvement in interior quality. While on the road, the car is very solid and the seats are cushty even on long highway runs.
As much as I like the looks, after driving it a bit I really have to ask the design concept that the Magnum offers. It’s a station wagon built to move plenty of folks and lots of stuff. But mating this with a powerful engine with the taught racing-like suspension is uncomfortable for both. It is like having a Corvette tow a little trailer, and you are in the trailer and the Corvette driver is 15 years-old, pushing the auto to its limits. (Only an actual Corvette has a much more comfortable suspension than the Magnum). Even driving on smooth roads, the steering is very darty and tough to control. And with a big vehicle, all that weaving and road feedback is exaggerated for the passengers and everything you have stored in the back.
I like having a navigation system, but working out how to use it with the wheel controls made me often refer to the user’s manual. Regardless of the high horsepower and low-end torque I played with when starting from a full stop, the RT model I drove averaged 20 Miles per gallon on the higway.
What I presume to be the target market for this auto, those 18-22 year old fellows that I discussed, will likely love this car. And as much as I like driving sports cars, the darty steering and sharp suspension make it too uncomfortable without any spectacular payoff. The 0-60 sprint is fun for a little while, but I’d pass on buying a Magnum as a daily driving vehicle.
For more reviews about sports cars, visit thesupercars.org and while you are at it, you might also want to have a look at Dodge Stealth used car.
