You’re All Little Freaks For The Dodge Stratus R/T Coupe – Jalopnik

I just lately printed what I assumed could be a reasonably innocuous weblog about seeing an image of a Dodge Stratus R/T Coupe on the 2026 New York International Auto Show and being surprised about its presence on the occasion. Sure, I ribbed the largely forgotten “sports” coupe a bit in my story, however from the responses I acquired in return, you’d suppose I informed every particular person reader that their mom and their first born youngster deserved to be eaten by a pack of canine. Never in my life if as a Car Take Guy have been met with such a fervent protection of a automotive that was barely okay when it got here out 23 years in the past.

I used to be accused of hating vehicles, punching down and being bizarre, to call a couple of issues — all of which might have possibly been honest if the Stratus R/T Coupe wasn’t an enormous heap of junk. As it seems, you guys are only a bunch of little freaks for this reasonably priced Japanese-American coupe from the flip of the millennium.

Since I so clearly struck a chord with you individuals, I made a decision it will be greatest if I made amends with the Stratus Coupe group, and that is why I’ve determined to focus on a few of my favourite feedback of ardour in regards to the Stratus Coupe, together with over a dozen pictures of the automotive so that you can do with as you please. Just ensure that nobody is round, you nasty ass canine.

I hope we are able to go ahead within the spirit of peace and concord, and if we won’t, I hope your insurance coverage is sweet sufficient to get you the correct medical care you should take care of Stratus R/T Coupe Derangement Syndrome.

This take couldn’t be extra mistaken.

The Stratus Coupe is a blessing upon this world and is sort of a well-built, reasonably priced, good-looking automotive. Easily attainable Sporty Coupes are usually not one thing that actually exist outdoors of the used market at this time, so those who stay shouldn’t be disparaged.

I’ve loved each mile and second spent with my 176K mile (a testomony to its construct high quality) 2003 Stratus Coupe that I’ve each day pushed for the previous 11 years. They got here with a enjoyable V6, 2 doorways, a guide transmission and had been reasonably priced 20+ years in the past (and are much more so at this time). You’d suppose an affordable, enjoyable (guide transmission) automotive just like the Stratus Coupe could be appreciated for what it’s.

Let’s have a good time vehicles, not tear them down.

Submitted by: Stephen Walter Gossin

Hey man, it is actually ugly.

Say what you’ll in regards to the automotive, but it surely seemed OK, and it makes me miss the time we may decide from a bunch of sporty coupes from a bunch of various producers.

Submitted by: GreenN_Gold

Manual and two doorways doesn’t suggest sporty.

“Jalopnik Hates Cars”

The Stratus wasn’t that unhealthy, I preferred it when it got here out, and it is nonetheless a part of their historical past. Just just like the Mustang II is a part of Ford History…and the Ok vehicles saved the corporate. My brother and I’ve been making enjoyable of the Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries for many years 

Submitted by: RustyJunkyardClassicFanatic

I do not hate vehicles. I do not even hate this automotive. It simply sucks ass.

I dunno, man…it was a handsome, reasonably priced two-door with an American nameplate (even when it actually wasn’t very American, and all of us miss the sooner variations of the Eclipse, Talon and Laser, cuz what’s mistaken with Mitsubishi bones, I ask you?), an obtainable 5-speed guide and a V6. I’d have thought that such a mix would have been unavailable, however the Neutral Drop guys acquired their arms on one and beat the holy Jesus out of it. It was really tough to look at it scream its guts out proper earlier than it acquired despatched to The Crusher. Where can any individual discover one thing like that now, outdoors of the Mustang? These positive weren’t meant to be collectors’ objects, however I do not suppose they had been the automotive Kryptonite this text makes them out to be.

Submitted by: ChironRocket3

It is smart that there is nothing like this automotive out now… as a result of it was unhealthy. Bad vehicles do not normally stick round.

Wow. Talk about punching down. It was an honest automotive, not nice, however an honest automotive for its day. I at all times considered this automotive and it is Avenger predecessor as a stretched out Eclipse for many who need a cozy trip and extra legroom. Nothing extra.

Submitted by: Autobot

Won’t any individual consider Daimler-Chrysler and Stellantis? The former of which contributed the the monetary destroy of the late 2000s and the latter of which is like two seconds away from dropping a coloration known as “These Colors Don’t Run, They Reload Red.”

The Stratus Coupe was effective. We put like 300k miles on our 2nd gen. Worse factor it ever did was begin ingesting a quart of oil each 3,000 miles, however may you blame it? As lengthy as you left 4ft in entrance of you on the cease line you would even inform when lights modified from pink to inexperienced. What’s to hate on right here?

Submitted by: Hesse Shaffer

Everything is to hate on.

So i needed to lookup “jump scare” and I don’t suppose its the proper phrase for the headline.

“Dodge Stratus RT art shows up at the NY Auto Show”, “Dodge Stratus RT on display at the NY Auto Show”

TMI– I misplaced my virginity in a gen 1 Stratus Sedan 

Submitted by: Pilot Zulu

Dawg, respectfully, what?

This ire appears slightly misplaced- wasn’t this a DiamondStar (Mitsubishi/Chrysler three way partnership) product? I assumed C/D and R/T each preferred it as a fairly priced, dependable GT(ish) coupe. I do know i kinda preferred them and would have cherished one with a guide.

Submitted by: Sunrfire

That’s really such a great level, the magazines have by no means performed any insane factor as soon as of their total runs. Never, ever. Not as soon as.

Weird factor to put in writing a whole article about.. lol

Submitted by: Someone Else

Wild that they paid me to do it, too.

The Stratus was a modern-day Supra..constructed by one other model however nonetheless cherished. No one hated the Stratus. Bringing present stellantis hate into the 2000s is a foul transfer.

Submitted by: EPTDY

This has me involved, brother.

Weird take. The stratus coupe was a pleasant wanting, respectable dealing with coupe with okay efficiency that may now be had on a budget even in good situation and normally is not painful to personal. Everything jalops ought to like. Hell, when it was new street and observe rated it forward of the mustang acquired of the time. I’d argue they’re undervalued.

Also, the manumatic function on the auto was a bit enjoyable.

Submitted by: beege222

I’m not so positive.