Looking for an AWD that is fun to drive

**CJREX** · 11-29-2013, 08:26 AM

Maybe the newer ones are better, but any Dodge car built before the Fiat takeover IS going to have transmission issues. Not a question of will it, IT WILL. Adding AWD to the mix would be like adding Mentos to Diet Coke.

Common first post on a Dodge forum: Where is the cheapest place to get a transmission? The first and second replacements were way too expensive.

**GTP231** · 11-29-2013, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by goof4080

what about an awd charger or equivalent.? that 390 hp hemi cooks...

He wanted something reliable. Hemis are good at cooking themselves. Don't get me started on the rest of the car either.

5.0 odd mine was solid have yet to have an issue with the wife's other than she hit some pot holes and bent a couple wheels. My brother is a Subaru tech and has no horror stories outside of some severe abuse...

**black04gto** · 11-29-2013, 08:55 AM

Subbies ReaLly Get BeAt On Just Like A Lot Of The LS Cars. When You Launch A Car While Bouncing Off The Limiter Something Will Eventually Break. I Personally LikeThem But I Don't Foresee MyselfOwning One Just Because I LoveA Good V8

**98TransAmWs-6** · 11-29-2013, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by GTP231

Originally Posted by goof4080

what about an awd charger or equivalent.? that 390 hp hemi cooks...

He wanted something reliable. Hemis are good at cooking themselves. Don't get me started on the rest of the car either.

5.0 odd mine was solid have yet to have an issue with the wife's other than she hit some pot holes and bent a couple wheels. My brother is a Subaru tech and has no horror stories outside of some severe abuse...

My hemi has had absolutely no issues. Maybe mine is one of the good ones? Bottom line all cars have some sort of issue for the most part.

**theorangeguy** · 11-29-2013, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

My hemi has had absolutely no issues. Maybe mine is one of the good ones? Bottom line all cars have some sort of issue for the most part.

I've owned an 06 and a 2010 hemi...my dad has owned 2 300C's "all were bought new like my trucks" and he currently has the brand new SRT 300...no issues. I put right at 105,000 miles on my 06 and my 2010 has 71,XXX on it right now. We both take care of our vehicles, but we dont drive them like a grandma either...basic maintenance and drive it like you stole it.

5 out of 5 aint bad...?

**GTP231** · 11-29-2013, 09:35 AM

The 5.7 intake manifold is rarely off back order. You must replace them in the event of catastrophic engine failure. What more do you need to know for reliability of one?

**theorangeguy** · 11-29-2013, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by GTP231

The 5.7 intake manifold is rarely off back order. You must replace them in the event of catastrophic engine failure. What more do you need to know for reliability of one?

what has been causing the "catastrophic" failure...? is it the same weak link that has never been changed or just random stuff? Im curious because like I said...we've had a minimum of 5 in my family for the last 8-10years and I havent seen what you are talking about...that doesnt mean I dont believe you...In fact, it worries me...

you sound like you know your stuff...is this something the standard warranty and/or power train warranty is covering...?

**GTP231** · 11-29-2013, 09:49 AM

Seen them bend and throw rods. Seen head gaskets leak and lead to hydro lock. Also seen them over heat and drop valve seats.

**theorangeguy** · 11-29-2013, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by GTP231

Seen them bend and throw rods. Seen head gaskets leak and lead to hydro lock. Also seen them over heat and drop valve seats.

that sounds like warranty stuff...or high mileage stuff...

**GTP231** · 11-29-2013, 09:58 AM

I was working at a dealer seeing it so I saw it under warranty for shit hours. Parts department was usually trying to fjnd them for other shops just as often. What does warranty vs high mileage have to do with it? Its all stuff that can happen nust as easily either or

**theorangeguy** · 11-29-2013, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by GTP231

I was working at a dealer seeing it so I saw it under warranty for shit hours. Parts department was usually trying to fjnd them for other shops just as often. What does warranty vs high mileage have to do with it? Its all stuff that can happen nust as easily either or

I asked specifically if it was stuff that was covered under warranty 2 posts ago and you didnt really answer the question...I was simply throwing out there that it sounds like high mileage stuff to me. You weren't very specific...what years are the ones you are referring too...? 04-08 models...? 2010 to current...? The hemi hasnt been out that long but its already had like 3gens of engines...or was it all of the above? I have heard of people using something other than 5w20 which messes with the MDS which can eventually cause issues...for the record, I hate MDS...It should have never been invented.

**GTP231** · 11-29-2013, 03:30 PM

It was warranty work since Chrysler had a spineless rep for covering stuff out of warranty

**5.0THIS** · 11-30-2013, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by CJREX

Yes. FD=Flawed Design, though my turbos had the sequential vacuum hose nightmare removed.

I only changed the engine once in the time I had it.

But as I frequently tell people, that car was like a bad girlfriend. On the days it ran right it was an absolute thrill to drive with power, handling, and braking that were incredible.

On the other days it was a spiteful bitch that you wanted to push off a cliff.

Even though I've lived the nightmare, I still sometimes find myself perusing used ones with an LS1 swap devil sitting on my shoulder.

Neat cars though. Buddy of mine had one, that he kept a close eye on, and it ran great. One little misstep with those motors though and boom!

Originally Posted by theorangeguy

I know 2 guys who own one and both claim that the motors are the issue after 100,XXX miles but the drive train and suspension holds up really well. Thats only 2 people though so it could be better if you look at the over all group

Transmissions seem to be the failure point in STis.

Originally Posted by GTP231

He wanted something reliable. Hemis are good at cooking themselves. Don't get me started on the rest of the car either.

It's funny. I quite often attend auctions which feature (in part) used city and state vehicles. All of the crown vics, police impalas, police Camaros all have high miles on them, but typically run pretty well, even with over 100,000 miles. The chargers, on the other hand, they tend to get rid of at like 70-90k miles, and half of them have blown motors.

The hemi runs great, but it isn't the stoutest of motors.

**NicksTA** · 12-01-2013, 07:22 PM

Thanks for all of the feedback!

I was heavily leaning towards the Audi S6, but ive heard some horror stories, both online and from some friends.

Looks are important to me, and no offense to any one but I am not a big fan of the STI's appearance.

I am now consisting a CTS V with a nice set of snow tires. I've heard some great things about the Vs, both on dry pavement and in snow.

Can any body share experiences with a similar setup?

Thanks again for all of the great feedback! !

**LS1FirehawkWS6** · 12-01-2013, 07:36 PM

Just out of curiosity, why does the Trans Am have to go?

**NicksTA** · 12-01-2013, 07:42 PM

Car seat wont fit in the back... choice is to either get a $8k truck and keep TA or sell TA and get something I can drive year round. Love my TA but getting something 10 years newer with added safety features seams to be the smart choice. If I can do that and still have some fun, I think its the best of both worlds...

**LS1FirehawkWS6** · 12-01-2013, 08:10 PM

I know you've already put a lot of thought into this, but the truck sounds like a great idea. It makes the time you get to drive the Trans Am that much greater. Alas, it's your decision to make, but a few people on this board have already stated remorse for selling their Trans Am when they really didn't have to. 8 grand wont get you late model, but it will get you a decent 4 wheel drive for the snowy months. Again, just my opinion...

**Zinergy** · 12-02-2013, 05:30 AM

Originally Posted by 5.0THIS

Neat cars though. Buddy of mine had one, that he kept a close eye on, and it ran great. One little misstep with those motors though and boom!

Transmissions seem to be the failure point in STis.

It's funny. I quite often attend auctions which feature (in part) used city and state vehicles. All of the crown vics, police impalas, police Camaros all have high miles on them, but typically run pretty well, even with over 100,000 miles. The chargers, on the other hand, they tend to get rid of at like 70-90k miles, and half of them have blown motors.

The hemi runs great, but it isn't the stoutest of motors.

Transmissions are not a problem on the STIs. I spent a lot of time on multiple subaru forums/ subie meets/ friends with subies and came across very few stock or close to stocks cases of the 6 speed breaking. The old WRX 5 speeds sure but the newer 6 speeds have handled 500-600hp in many cases. There have been some ring isues with subarus but the issues almost always show up at very low mileage and are replaced under warranty. I had my subie from 30-100k and other than tires, brakes, fluids I only ever change a wheel bearing and mine was not stock.

**SMWS6TA** · 12-02-2013, 08:16 AM

In this day and age I still don't understand why is 100,000 still consider "high mileage"

Many drive trains built these days go well beyond and have warranties far past that number.

Maybe because the rest of the car goes to crap

**Zinergy** · 12-02-2013, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

In this day and age I still don't understand why is 100,000 still consider "high mileage"

Many drive trains built these days go well beyond and have warranties far past that number.

Maybe because the rest of the car goes to crap

Because old habits are hard to kick. Until the 80s 100k was high mileage and they just never stopped using it as the high mileage mark. Many cars last well past 100k.

Just like trucks, why are 150s/1500s half tons and so on? 150s/1500s have been able to hold well over a half ton since the 70s. My 02 Silverado has a payload of over 2,000lbs or more than a full ton. So really it should be considered a 1 ton truck but they still call the 350s/3500s 1 tons even though they can carry 2tons+ some even 3tons+ depending on the model.