CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,444
- United States
The Dart should have been the Neon replacement in the first place.
Dodge Dart: DEAD?
- Thread starter CodeRedR51
- 624 comments
- 68,349 views
- 24,719
- Anoka, MN
I don't think that really played a part since most people I see buying compact cars are people in their 20's and 30's that probably don't even know there was a car with the "Dart" name 40+ years ago.
- 41,075
It also was never as good as it was originally promised to be. Remember the 9 speed transmission that was going to revolutionize the fuel economy and performance compared to the other vehicles in its segment, but they just missed the release window for it so it would arrive for the 2013 model year instead? Or the R/T, which was supposed to take the fight directly to the sporty-ish competitors in the segment just like the Neon R/T of old, but then they realized that the last minute that what they had put together wasn't good enough for how much they wanted to charge so they scrapped it and released it as the GT instead?
The Avenger already made life for the Dart miserable enough, but then the 200C came out and made it pointless.
The Avenger already made life for the Dart miserable enough, but then the 200C came out and made it pointless.
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,444
- United States
Joey D
Premium
- 47,742
- Lakes of the North, MI
- GTP_Joey
- GTP Joey
What did it have to live up to? The original Dart was a relatively cheap compact/mid-sized vehicle...much like the modern day Dart.
Being FWD had nothing to do with it, every modern day compact car is FWD because it makes sense and offers more room in a smaller package, plus it weighs less and typically has less moving parts.
Also, there is no way Dodge would have ever put out a Hellcat Dart. Not only was there no market for that I don't even think it would be possible to make the Dart platform remotely drivable with that big ass engine in it. A turbo four in an SRT spec Dart would have been perfect.
- 19,821
- Alabamamania
The Avenger's been dead for over a year now...
Oh, must have missed that.
You know I'm out of tune with the industry when I had a Dodge Journey as a rental car a few months back; which puzzled me, because I thought it never made it past the 2010 model year.
Outside of a few thousand enthusiasts, I don't think a car made for a segment aged 16-34 cared (or even knew) there was once a 1960s-1970s Dart. Dodge recycles names, and so as long as "Volare" isn't one of them, that's okay.
- 24,719
- Anoka, MN
They are still cranking out those blobs of boringness as they seem to sell well for some reason (They are all over the place here).
On a semi-related note, Dodge is really going to have to change up their marketing since once the Dart and Viper are gone their lineup will mostly consist of cars aimed at soccer moms.
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,444
- United States
- 22,551
- Arizona
- HamiltonMP427
We did it reddit, I wont miss the Dart.
- 6,143
- Texas
I am surprised the Dart is dead, because the little bastards are all over North Central Texas. It effectively has replaced many of the remaining Neons here. I saw 12 today alone.
And if those numbers are to be believed, and others like them, Jeep is now becoming FCA's cash cow. Was it not that long ago that Jeep wasn't all that relevant? Or is it Texas being screwy again?
And if those numbers are to be believed, and others like them, Jeep is now becoming FCA's cash cow. Was it not that long ago that Jeep wasn't all that relevant? Or is it Texas being screwy again?
- 41,075
Jeep has always been the most valuable brand Chrysler has had since they bought AMC. Everything the brand sold until the second generation Grand Cherokee had been developed and/or paid for by AMC before the buyout, so the only money Chrysler had to spend was to build them. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Jeep has been selling more cars than Chrysler or Dodge by themselves since the Fiat buyout; and Jeep has always tended to be the exception to the incentive heavy wheeling and dealing domestic automakers deal with. They sold 250,000 Wranglers last year, for example; and no doubt each one with a wider profit margin than anything normally encountered in a Dodge showroom other than maybe the Challenger.
- 7,664
- Pasadena, MD
- Minty TS
I read the title and assumed they were killing off the Dart in favor of the 200. They've been talking up the 200 and dropping a pretty meaty V6 in it while leaving the Dart to sit as a pretend sports car, so I figured the Dart's demise was inevitable. Kind of surprised about the 200, but with the Cherokee getting only slightly worse fuel economy while being significantly more practical I can at least see where the sales are being lost.
I could see it as a move to bring something like the Giulietta into the US market, but the plan to expand their US lineup has apparently been pushed back to 2020, so it probably is as simple as sales.
I could see it as a move to bring something like the Giulietta into the US market, but the plan to expand their US lineup has apparently been pushed back to 2020, so it probably is as simple as sales.
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
The thing with the Dart, at least from me, is that it never really seemed like Chrysler was behind it at any point in time. The car launched largely without the 2.4L and the 9-speed auto, leaving review units to the 1.4T with the atrocious twin-clutch auto. Models hit the showroom floor loaded to the teeth, and were rarely what would sell best. Reviews were tepid at best - Wide acknowledgement that the chassis was capable, if heavy, but the car lacked the final polish to bring the fight to Ford and GM. Things didn't get much better as they realigned the options lists, but even Chrysler admitted that stuff was messed up in what people were able to get for the right price.
The 200, on the other hand, was a great car that sadly faced down far too many competitors that were as good or better for the same amount of money. Sure, it is absolutely one of the best-looking cars in its class, but the powertrains aren't there in the way it needs to be. Marchionne can complain all he wants about the back seat entrance, that doesn't kill a car like this.
Here's hoping that Fiat picks up the slack on the sedan front, whether it is a hatchback, wagon, or whatever. I'd love to see the Punto come across the pond, but that may be wishful thinking. Either way, it isn't a huge loss. But, I have to wonder what this will do to the sales of the Dart and 200 going forward. Incentives galore!
The 200, on the other hand, was a great car that sadly faced down far too many competitors that were as good or better for the same amount of money. Sure, it is absolutely one of the best-looking cars in its class, but the powertrains aren't there in the way it needs to be. Marchionne can complain all he wants about the back seat entrance, that doesn't kill a car like this.
Here's hoping that Fiat picks up the slack on the sedan front, whether it is a hatchback, wagon, or whatever. I'd love to see the Punto come across the pond, but that may be wishful thinking. Either way, it isn't a huge loss. But, I have to wonder what this will do to the sales of the Dart and 200 going forward. Incentives galore!
- 7,664
- Pasadena, MD
- Minty TS
I actually enjoyed the DCT for the time I had one, but every time I stepped on the pedal it felt like my carrier pigeon was struggling to reach the engine itself, and then its carrier pigeon fell asleep on its way to tell the transmission to drop a few gears. Like it was a quick transmission brought down by terrible programming. I say quick because when it did decide to change up or down, it did so smoothly and with almost no loss of power.
The 1.4 was never going to be fast in a car its weight, but it was at least fun(or had the potential to be), efficient as hell, and had a nice sound. But by the time the engine realises you've pressed the gas pedal you've already arrived at your destination, did what you came to do, and arrived home.
Funny thing is, even when I bought my Limited in 2013, they were shoveling incentives, "dealer discounts" and "we don't care if you even have a credit score" promotions at me like they almost wanted to give the things away. And in hindsight I should have seen it as a red flag, but it was comfy, performed well on the test drive, and was packed with features, so I bit. I enjoyed it for 10 months, spent the next two researching, and then bought a BRZ after learning the ride was weirdly more forgiving than the Dart's(and only just as harsh after getting sport springs).
- 758
- Bandhead4life
SM said they will "Run They Course" meaning they will run in its current Generation as is with mechanical updates. it takes about 5 years just for a Mid Cycle refresh people. the 200 only been around for 1.5 years and have yet to get its MCR. it would be untill 2022 min. for the next replacement. the Dart since 2013 could last till 2020.
- 5,065
- Fort Worth
- That_sneaky_azN
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,444
- United States
Yeah Nissan is typically ~3-4 years.
- 5,065
- Fort Worth
- That_sneaky_azN
Most brands are usually 2-4 years or so. The Mazda 6 underwent a mid-cycle refresh for the 2016 MY when it came out 2 or 3 years ago.
- 41,075
It can take five years for a mid cycle refresh for cars that are leading the market, or cars that GM makes that they don't really care if they are any good. CamCords have occasionally lasted that long. The Corolla and Civic can usually last that long. The 200 and especially the Dart are not class leading cars, and they can't just leave them (again, especially the Dart) on the market indefinitely and try to squeeze pennies on them like a W-body Impala when they aren't cheap to make and the plant capacity could better be used elsewhere.
CAMAROBOY69
Premium
- 18,567
- Michigan
- CAMAROBOY69
Bummer I actually liked that car quite a lot. Was even looking at getting one a couple years ago.Well you can forget about your Dart SRT because the Dart itself is dead along with the Chrysler 200 because Trucks and SUV's FTW.
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/01/27/dodge-dart-chrysler-200-dead-confirmed/
I see those Jeep Cherokees EVERYWHERE on the road. At least 7-8 every day on my way to and from work (15 mile drive). Someone where I work actually owns one too. 99% of the people I see driving these are women. Seriously. I think I have only seen 1 man drive one of those new Cherokees. No joke at all. I still don't care much for them. Clearly someone does if they are selling as many as they are.
Last edited:
