Topic: Dodge Avenger.....thoughts

[Harpster]

Any thoughts on the Dodge Avenger?  Looking at either a 2013 or 2014 model.  Can't say I have been a Dodge guy but I do like the boxy-look to it.

[Scaerio]

Overall, the Dodge Avenger and its twin, the previous generation Chrysler 200 (not the all new 2015 model) are widely considered to be, among the regulars on this forum at least,  the worst cars sold in Canada in recent years.  Most forum members would steer you toward that 2010 Accord with 55,000km, rather than an almost new 2014 Avenger.

[Harpster]

Overall, the Dodge Avenger and its twin, the previous generation Chrysler 200 (not the all new 2015 model) are widely considered to be, among the regulars on this forum at least,  the worst cars sold in Canada in recent years.  Most forum members would steer you toward that 2010 Accord with 55,000km, rather than an almost new 2014 Avenger.

wow good to know.  Thanks for the heads-up.

[Fobroader]

Scaerio is right....I doubt anyone on here would recommend one. They are a great deal....but you can do MUCH better.

[Harpster]

Scaerio is right....I doubt anyone on here would recommend one. They are a great deal....but you can do MUCH better.

I think the box look kinda drew me to it.  I think every car I am looking at are all looking the same: like a jellybean

[Fobroader]

What about a Mazda 6, they are beautiful



Or a Kia Optima

[tooscoops]

i am one of the few (my job i'm sure is the culprit) who don't hate them.

the avenger is fine. it's just nothing special. the problem is that the generation up to 2011 was brutal... just so rough inside and nothing special in any other area.

2011 and newer, it's actually solid. and due to the previous gen's poor reviews, they are quite inexpensive. you can grab a 2013 sxt with sunroof, bluetooth, power seat and a bunch of other stuff for like 17 grand. i think they are a good deal. new, the blacktop package is the best value, but are in limited supply, so finding one is near impossible.

[Scaerio]

i am one of the few (my job i'm sure is the culprit) who don't hate them.

the avenger is fine. it's just nothing special. the problem is that the generation up to 2011 was brutal... just so rough inside and nothing special in any other area.

2011 and newer, it's actually solid. and due to the previous gen's poor reviews, they are quite inexpensive. you can grab a 2013 sxt with sunroof, bluetooth, power seat and a bunch of other stuff for like 17 grand. i think they are a good deal. new, the blacktop package is the best value, but are in limited supply, so finding one is near impossible.

I'd like to say that while I am no fan of the Avenger's looks, I always thought the re-release of the Sebring as the 200 was a good effort and a nice looking vehicle.  As twoscoops said, both the Avenger and the 200 offer a lot of car for the money.  I posted what I did because it reflects the overall attitude of most forum regulars towards these cars, and after seeing that no one had responded hours after Harpster posted his question, someone had to provide some kind of answer to get the ball rolling on this...

[Northernridge]

I've thought that the old 200 (and Avenger) is potentially the worst car sold in Canada...or at least a strong contender. My SIL bought one and that car hasn't changed my opinion. I don't mean worst value or least reliable just the car among all other cars that I'd least like to drive every day. It's the epitome of a car company letting itself go and not caring whatsoever about the person who has to drive it...the grey sweatpants of the automotive world.

[tooscoops]

so is your sil's the old style or new? just curious.. i still know people who just despise the new ones even.. i differ in opinion on the new, but totally agree on the older ones.

the only car that you'll end up with bruised elbows from the armrests... it's like they found a way to make plastic harder and more uncomfortable than rock, yet less resilient. not an interior to be proud of.

i actually had a used one on my short list to replace the corolla... i ended up spending ten grand more on my jeep and i'm happy... but i don't think i would have been too disappointed in the avenger.

[EV-Light]

While they are supposed to be terrible...they are a bargain with a V6 in the used market. I'd totally take the risk if I was buying one of them used with lots of warranty left on it.
Now if you are buying new, my personal advice is...STAY AWAY, you can do better. I'd recommend a Toyota Camry SE, Toyota is giving 2k off and I'm sure you can negotiate another 2k on top of it. Reliable transportation that will last you forever.

[2JDM]

A family friend has a 2013 Chrysler 200 (sibling of the Dodge Avenger). He bought it brand new, purely based on price. Then again, all of the cars in his stable are cheap cheap domestic metal (Ford F-150 work truck, Dodge Grand Caravan and a Pontiac Sunfire).

[Bubba]

i am one of the few (my job i'm sure is the culprit) who don't hate them.

the avenger is fine. it's just nothing special. the problem is that the generation up to 2011 was brutal... just so rough inside and nothing special in any other area.

2011 and newer, it's actually solid. and due to the previous gen's poor reviews, they are quite inexpensive. you can grab a 2013 sxt with sunroof, bluetooth, power seat and a bunch of other stuff for like 17 grand. i think they are a good deal. new, the blacktop package is the best value, but are in limited supply, so finding one is near impossible.

I agree.  2011 and later models are much improved.  Mid-pack at best, though.  Avoid the four-cylinder at all costs.  With the V6 and six-speed auto, they move pretty well.

[Julie]

Overall, the Dodge Avenger and its twin, the previous generation Chrysler 200 (not the all new 2015 model) are widely considered to be, among the regulars on this forum at least,  the worst cars sold in Canada in recent years.  Most forum members would steer you toward that 2010 Accord with 55,000km, rather than an almost new 2014 Avenger.

Totally agree.

[rrocket]

^^Didn't you accidentally rent one?

[Julie]

^^Didn't you accidentally rent one?

Oh, that was the DODGE CALIBRE. Oh my GOD. That car is the worst of the worst. We turned around and drove it right back to the rental station.

We didn't even do that with the Chrysler 200 (Dodge Avenger twin) we had. But it stood out as being the 2nd worst rental we've experienced.

[SaskSpecV]

^^Didn't you accidentally rent one?

Oh, that was the DODGE CALIBRE. Oh my GOD. That car is the worst of the worst. We turned around and drove it right back to the rental station.

We didn't even do that with the Chrysler 200 (Dodge Avenger twin) we had. But it stood out as being the 2nd worst rental we've experienced.

Rented a 200 last week in Toronto.  Definitely mediocre, though I'm sure it's more interesting with the Pentastar.  Like with the Town & Country we rented at Christmas, it was a full-zoot model - yet it too still didn't feel luxurious in any way.  Yet both of those vehicles were vastly superior to the Nitro I rented a couple years back...now that was TERRIBLE.  Felt like it was going to tip over on the DVP turnoff!

I certainly wouldn't recommend an Avenger (or 200) to anyone looking for a midsize car.  BUT: If a family absolutely needed the space (vs a compact), want a new car warranty and are on a very limited budget, can't argue with buying one at the $16,XXX price tooscoops mentioned a while ago.

[erich]

I rented one in the fall of 2011 for a trip through New England.
It had the new interior and the 4 cyl engine. Regular rental car, not something to take home.