Professional Mechanics I have a Query!!!

71ChargerRT

71ChargerRT

Well-known member
We're getting a newish car, '06-'08 and I'm down to a Charger, but with a 3.5 :huh: or a Fusion/Milan with a V6 :toot:. It has to be somewhat economical, which is why I went with the 3.5 instead of Hemi...

Is there any cars that should be added to this list? :hmmm:

I really, reallly, REALLY want an SRT8, but not enough to give up the '71:dgt:
 
Just be aware that the 3.5's like to eat a lot of oil. I am on the DodgeAvvengers website a lot now that I have an Avenger with the 2.7 and that is a fairly common complaint that I see there. Have you looked at a Charger with a 2.7? DCF could give you some insites, as I believe that is what he has.
 
I've never heard a complaint about the 3.5L using oil. Though the 2.7L is based on the 3.5L, there's quite a few differences between them.
 
I have an 04 Intrepid with a 3.5. I realize that it's a fwd vs the Charger rwd, but it is essentially the same motor. I'm approaching the 100k mile mark and still go 4,000 miles without using a drop of oil.

Now the pre-98 3.5's were a different story. Their main issue was with head gaskets, and these issues usually didn't show up until they acquired 100k + miles and many times could be blamed on neglect or abuse. And, as stated, the issues with the 2.7 are infamous. Many times at a lot less miles. They were designed with a crankcase ventilation problem built-in. But, these also pertain primarily to the pre-98's. Mopar realized problems and re-designed both for the 98 model year.

Economy-wise, I have reached the 30mpg mark, but that was maintaing 65mph without the air. Cruising @ 75-80 with the air it dropped to 27mpg.

I don't know if a 3.5 charger would return the same numbers due to aerodynamics and the power loss of rwd. I'm sure there must be someone here more familiar with newer models. :hmmm:
 
As far as I know, 2.7's probably still have the oil drainback problem that only the 2.7's have. They like to lock up if the oil changes aren't done ridiculously frequently. Apparently they put too-small oil drainback holes in the heads, so the slightest thing would cause them to plug up and trap the oil topside. I don't know that they still are this way, but I haven't heard about the problem being fixed.
 
The newer 2.7's don't have the coaking problems like the older ones. I have never seen any oil burining issues in the 3.5's As far as I'm conserned it's one of the best v6's out there. Just be sure to change the timming belt and water pump (at the same time. ALWAYS!) and the tensioner pully when sugested. As far as stone reliable and good gas milage.... As much as I hate to admit it, you can't beat a G.M. 3.8. I think 06 is the last year for it. My wifes dally driver is a 2000 LaSabre with a 3.8. We get 32MPG on the Highway and around 28 in town. It has 190,000 miles on it. I see cars with that engine in our shop all the time and tons of them with 300,000+ on them.
 
Newer Dodge Avenger with a 2.4L 4 banger. Old lady has one and it's an AWESOME little car 40-45MPG when you drive like a white man. Cheap to fix too and in my opinion a very well put together little car.
 
I am going by what is being reported on the Dodge Avengers webboard and the people with the R/T and 3.5. Very few of them have not had the problem and these are the 2008+ versions. The early 2.7's definitly had problems but in the 2008+ ones in the Avengers are not seeing any major problems since the redesign. DCF's Charger has the 2.7 and I haven't heard him speak of any issues.
 
I have a bunch, maybe its a herd perhaps a gaggle of kids, 3 that live with me all the time and 2 more in the summer. One in a booster and one in a carrier so a 4 door is required.

She wants a Challenger, but we'll wait til the oldest here is driving, and no he isn't borrowing it!
 
The whole problem with the 2.7L was insufficient EGR flow on the 1999-'02 models. This allowed combustion temps to get quite high, which caused oil coking in the cylinder heads, blocking the drain passages and starving the engine for oil. The EGR system was redesigned for 2003, and I've not heard of problematic later models. The sales rep for our former engine remanufacturer had over 300,000 miles on a 2001 Intrepid. He said the two keys to making them live is change the oil at the good 'ol 3-month/3,000-mile mark (rather than the 7,000-mile interval in the owner's manual) and use semi-synthetic or full synthetic oil. He ran "store-brand" semi-synthetic that was (at the time) about $2.25/quart.

A lot of the early 2.7s blew up before ever getting to that first 7,000-mile oil change, and they're expensive as hell to rebuild. Price out a full timing set for one. :doh:

Seriously, this is the first complaint I've heard about the 3.5L. Most of my experience is with the early iron-block versions, which are 300K-mile engines and as a bonus, non-interference.
 
yeah you need a minivan if your hauling kidlets..remember they only get bigger and your only going to need the van more and more
 
I'd take the 3.8 over the 3.3 in a hart beat in the mini van. My dad had a '97 caravan with a 3.8 it was awesome for all of the 300,000 miles on it when he sold it. I still work on it once in a while when it comes into the shop. The guy that bought it loves it. My Mom and Dad have a 03 now with the 3.3. It runs good but the gas milage sucks (only about 16) and it's awefull short on power. Especially when you have the family and all your gear piled in it for a road trip.
 
Everyone wants to drive something cool, but I'll tell you a minivan is the way to go. Personally, as a gearhead car guy, I've never seen the "soccer Mom" stigma associated with a minivan. Extremely useful, generally good fuel economy, tons of space compared to a similar-sized SUV, and anonymity. Stretch may have not gotten particularly great mileage in the loaded-down 3.3 van he drove, but he also had a ton of problems on that particular journey including replacing a fuel pump and the entire exhaust system... and it still did at least 2MPG better than his wife's old S10 Blazer with much less room. It was likely quieter, too, since we all know that S10-based anything means rattle-trap.
 
True, but I still have my truck! Hopefully this summer I'll have a nice small block powered ratty looking '71 Charger to drive :dance:

Plus I now have a Jetta that's looking for a new heart, a nice 2.5 turbo III motor would be cool but, I'll settle for a low mileage VW 8v 1.8 :doubt:

And I KNOW they'll all be much safer and in a MUCH more reliable vehicle :2thumbs: see
 
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