The new Magnum is a great looking automobile which will get your neighbors talking as you rumble around the block. The unique styling of the Magnum will also attract gawkers in the shape of 18-22 year old fellows pointing for their friends to "check that out". And a few people will approach you as you are filling up the gas tank to ask, "Does it really have a Hemi?", with only an obscure idea that it somehow makes the auto better.
The Magnum is offered with many various engine sizes ( either a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder) with your decision of h.p. Output of 190, 250, 340 and 425. The price of the vehicle also corresponds with the engine size beginning at $30,345 to the pricey STR-8 model for $37,320. A huge part of the mystique around this auto is the Hemi engine. The Hemi is short for hemispherical combustion chamber, which creates better fuel burning and allows larger valves for better airflow. Basically, it produces more power than an engine with its displacement would normally produce. (There are flaws to the Hemi, explaining why it's not the sole engine that Chrysler produces).
The interior of the vehicle looks much more costly than you'd expect for the price of the Magnum. Since Mercedes purchased Chrysler, the Dodge autos I have sampled have had a pointy improvement in interior quality. While on the road, the auto is really solid and the seats are comfy even on long road runs.
As much as I like the looks, after driving it a bit I really have to ask the design concept that the Magnum offers. It's a station van built to transport a lot of folks and lots of stuff. But mating this with a robust engine with the taught racing-like suspension is uncomfortable for both. It is like having a Corvette tow a little trailer, and you are in the trailer and the Corvette driver is 15 years-old, pushing the car to its limits. (Only an actual Corvette has a far more comfortable suspension than the Magnum ). Even driving on smooth roads, the steering is extraordinarily darty and difficult to control. And with a big vehicle, all that weaving and road feedback is exaggerated for the passengers and everything you have stored in the back.
I like having a navigation system, but figuring out how to use it with the wheel controls made me frequently refer to the user's manual. Regardless of the high h.p. And low-end torque I played with when starting from a full stop, the RT model I drove averaged 20 Miles per gallon on the higway.
What I presume to be the target audience for this car, those 18-22 year old men that I mentioned, will often love this car. And as much as I love driving sports cars, the darty steering and sharp suspension make it too uncomfortable without any spectacular payoff. The 0-60 sprint is fun for a little while, but I'd pass on buying a Magnum as a daily driving vehicle.
If you find this article interesting, you should also check out thesupercars.org to read about some of the fastest & most expensive sports cars in the world, also visit Dodge Magnum auctions.
