1998 dodge stratus, reliable?

[dougs3.0L98]

my grandma has a status with the 2.4L haha. i think it only has around 50,000 miles but she got it new in 1998 and the only thing it's had is new plugs and plug wires. i wear it out every chance i get, good on gas of course.

 

[chittybangbang]

Buy a honda civic or toyota corolla.Sounds like the status is trouble
Click on this link
http://www.edmunds.com/dodge/stratus/1998/consumerreview.html

 

[lilredtruck]

10 year old civics and corolla's are still going for nearly half what they were new. 10 year old stratus's are going for $2000-$3000. You can buy two stratus's for the price of one Civic/Corolla... I'm not one to jump on the "Import Glory" band wagon... they're nice cars sure, but I'm sorry, I'm not going to shell out $7k for a 10 year old grocery getter. Take care of a car and it will last, neglect it and it will not. Simple. If I bought a new car would I buy a status? No way. Honda for the win.

As stated, check for the metal tab between cylinders 1 & 2 signifying the MLS headgasket. If it has it you shouldn't have problems. Rear main seals can leak on anything, generally caused by overfilling them with oil. CV axles are cheap and a cakewalk to replace, and I haven't even heard of them going out often. I would not be afraid to buy a stratus if it appears to be in good condition and well cared for.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Jason]

Even the head gasket is easy. The boys at my dealership used a jack under the exhaust. It's a lift and slide to change that gasket since they use a metal shim gasket instead of multi-layer.

 

[aggoodin]

It seems to me that 2.4 is a Mitsubishi engine.....

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It seems to me that 2.4 is a Mitsubishi engine.....

They did alot of trading back then, the Seibring had alot of Eclipse parts in it too.

 

[ZMan]

The rockers and the rear doors are common rust areas on them, they usually rot out within the first few years. Any dealer will replace them within the warranty period, but a 1998 is going to be far out of the warranty obviously.

The 2-door stratus' are Mitsubishi built, not sure if it goes that far back though. If you look at the body part tags or even on the door sticker it says manufactured by mitsubishi right on it.

The 4-door is dodge built.

 

[lilredtruck]

Even the head gasket is easy. The boys at my dealership used a jack under the exhaust. It's a lift and slide to change that gasket since they use a metal shim gasket instead of multi-layer.

Use the standard headgasket and you'll end up replacing it in another 60,000-80,000 miles. Use the MLS (Multi-Layer Steel) headgasket and you'll be good to go (assuming you install it properly). 2.0L and 2.4L engines came with the MLS headgasket from the factory after mid '98. This is why I keep stressing to look for the metal tab between cylinders 1 & 2.

It seems to me that 2.4 is a Mitsubishi engine.....

2.4L SOHC is mitsubishi's engine. The 2.4L DOHC is completely different. Its the 4DRE (2.0L DOHC) with a longer stroke and 1" taller deck. Similar to comparing the 302 with the 351W if I recall. The "4DRE" title isn't widely known, but 420A may ring a bell for some people (non-turbo 1st and 2nd Gen eclipse/talon). The 420A uses the same bottom end with a different head, positioning the exhaust valves on the front side and the intake valves on the back side.