Dodge Dart Pricing Out

Here's the pricing:

Dodge Dart SE $15,995 Dodge Dart SXT $17,995 Dodge Dart Rallye $18,995 Dodge Dart Limited $19,995 Dodge Dart R/T $22,495 (available Q3 2012)

From a stripper with no A/C to a decked out Luxo model, I don't see that this pricing is that irrational. People seem to be making a big deal out of it, but I don't see why. Some are complaining that it's not enough horsepower for the price, others are complaining they could get a V6 Mustang for the same price, even though it's not even the same class of car.

The SE/SXT get a 2.0L with 160 hp, the Rallye/Limited are available with a 1.4L Turbo that has 160 hp, but with 184 ft-lbs of torque. The top of the the line R/T gets a 2.4L with 184 hp. Every model is available with a 6-speed manual.

Also, this is what you get standard:

SE: 10 airbags, a seats clad in "denim" cloth, power windows, LED taillights, a CD player with MP3 hookup and projector headlights.

SXT: 17-inch alloys, power door locks, keyless entry, split rear seat, a security system and upgraded sound system. Options: navigation, backup camera, sunroof and a 506-watt sound system.

Rallye: Same as SXT with sportier body trim and more interior colors.

Limited: Seven-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster display, fog lamps, active grille shutters and premium accent stitching. Options: Leather Seating

R/T: Same as Limited with18-inch alloys, sport suspension, more aggressive front fascia, dual exhaust, unique seat leather and a heated steering wheel.

I feel that it's very comparable to the other cars in its class. I know there are going to be haters, but what can you do?

Where's the SRT version? Boo.

Looks promising everything the Caliber should have been and failed miserably at and a solid looking entry into that compact segment. It grows on me every time I see it.

Seems the price for the RT undercuts the Focus Titanium by quite a bit. And it has 24 more HP and imo its a damn sexy sedan. Can't wait to start hearing reviews...I have high hopes.

<From a stripper with no A/C to a decked out Luxo model, I don't see that this pricing is that irrational. People seem to be making a big deal out of it, but I don't see why. Some are complaining that it's not enough horsepower for the price, others are complaining they could get a V6 Mustang for the same price, even though it's not even the same class of car.

when it comes to HP vs price.. the Mustang always seems to be the benchmark where people start to complain. I really doubt that anybody is going to be cross shopping the dart with the stang.

mad_machine wrote: <From a stripper with no A/C to a decked out Luxo model, I don't see that this pricing is that irrational. People seem to be making a big deal out of it, but I don't see why. Some are complaining that it's not enough horsepower for the price, others are complaining they could get a V6 Mustang for the same price, even though it's not even the same class of car. when it comes to HP vs price.. the Mustang always seems to be the benchmark where people start to complain. I really doubt that anybody is going to be cross shopping the dart with the stang.

I made that point on one of the autoweblogniks because who is cross-shopping a FWD 4-Door Compact Sedan with a RWD 2-door Sport Coupe?

Well, anybody that's not on this forum.

Good looking compact, IMHO.

But I think I'll always be weary of Dodge products.

exactly... the focus seems more like where it is aimed.. or even the fusion

It's going to take a generation or two before people start to trust that dodge isn't making a piece of E36 M3 car. Read all you want, look at pictures all you want, Dodge still has two decades of bad cars to overcome and it's going to take a lot of real people sitting in real seats to do it.

In reply to mazdeuce:

Maybe for older car owners, but I think Dodge is going after a younger market with the Dart. They could definitely pull in people who haven't owned a Chrysler vehicle before.

And also ChryCo as a whole had QC issues across the board, but I'm pretty sure people who have been paying attention, have noticed that ChryCo has turned over a new leaf. If they choose to be weary, that's understandable, but people still buy their products regardless of what has happened in the last two decades.

z31maniac wrote: Good looking compact, IMHO. But I think I'll always be weary of Fiat products.

Fixed it for you

I drove a production model today. While I wasn't hammering on it, I was very impressed. Seemed very controlled (body that is) and aside from what I thought was a light clutch pedal, I was very impressed. That interior is killer too.
Speaking of that, the 300 range has been getting serious awards and accolades for interiors lately. THAT from Dodge??? I really have high hopes now that Chrysler is post-rape and post "what do you do with a car company" ownership.

In case you guys aren't aware, Dodge/Chrysler sells the most vehicles out of any manufacturer in Canada. How or why, I don't know, cause they haven't sold anything in a long time that's interested me.

Those prices look resonable when compared to a Focus or Cruze. I hope Dodge / Fiat has a winner here. Best looking compact sedan ANYONE has made in a long time. Make a 2 door model please!

It seems decently priced to me. Also decent looking. Would have been better if they had of left of Dodge's styling language from the grill.

I agree there... I would have left it an alfa

Its sharp looking. We'll see.

Not digging it. Maybe b/c I've seen the Alfa that it was based on.

amg_rx7 wrote: Not digging it. Maybe b/c I've seen the Alfa that it was based on.

I agree, but until we can get Alfa's here again, this could be a good step.

The new Dart doesn't fit my criteria for a vehicle, but Chrysler really needs a decent small car, and there's no way that this can be worse than the Calber.

That Alfa has a really ugly front end, IMO. I know we've discussed it before and I'm in the minority, but the Dodge looks better than the Alfa.

For those who have driven it, how does the engine sound? I recently read an article on the design of the new "Tigershark" engine they're using where they claimed it was a clean slate design that was intended to sound and feel unlike any four cylinder Chrysler ever built, more like the Camry / Scion TC motor, only revvier. I'm wondering if they hit that mark.

Given that the interior is very unlike the cheap designs on previous Dodges, and the engine is supposed to be totally different, this one's going to be interesting. Even if it doesn't end up taking a huge bite out of Civic sales, I suspect at the very least VW is going to regret cheapening out and softening up the Jetta.

I just found out I could get Chrysler employee pricing! Makes me almost want to try one.

love the way they look, personally. and it brings some joy to my heart that they're giving it some paint choices besides mauve, black, silver, grey silver, and white.

like with the sonic, i'm interested to see what they can pull out of the turbo mill with some programming and maybe a few bolt-ons.

grafmiata wrote:

amg_rx7 wrote: Not digging it. Maybe b/c I've seen the Alfa that it was based on.

I agree, but until we can get Alfa's here again, this could be a good step. The new Dart doesn't fit my criteria for a vehicle, but Chrysler really needs a decent small car, and there's no way that this can be worse than the Calber.

um.. walking is better than the caliber. I really do not know what they were smoking when they decided to kill the neon for that thing.. but it was not good E36 M3

MadScientistMatt wrote: For those who have driven it, how does the engine sound? I recently read an article on the design of the new "Tigershark" engine they're using where they claimed it was a clean slate design that was intended to sound and feel unlike any four cylinder Chrysler ever built, more like the Camry / Scion TC motor, only revvier. I'm wondering if they hit that mark. Given that the interior is very unlike the cheap designs on previous Dodges, and the engine is supposed to be totally different, this one's going to be interesting. Even if it doesn't end up taking a huge bite out of Civic sales, I suspect at the very least VW is going to regret cheapening out and softening up the Jetta.

I thought it sounded pretty good, but like I said, I wasn't able to get on it. The buzzy-ness seems to be gone to me, and it only sounds better as it revs. Now, I've only driven the 2.0L, not the 1.4L turbo or the 2.4L turbo. Well, I did drive the 1.4L turbo in the 500. That sounded VERY good.

Glad to hear they seem to have hit the mark. The 2.0 and 2.4 are the Tigershark motors; the 1.4 is a FIAT motor.