2006 Dodge Magnum SXT 4dr Wagon 100k miles
Hi. I was wondering on your all's thoughts on this magnum engine ~ the V6 3.5L Naturally Aspirated. I've heard mixed reviews on these wagons. Some say they go 250k plus miles, others say they blow up or have tranny problems at 100k. The one I'm looking at was police. What's the difference between this engine and the hemi? Is the hemi much better or is this engine OK? I remember Scotty saying naturally aspirated is always better for longevity.
I would pass. That car is almost 19 years old now, and itwas used by the police, so it's likely been driven the crap out of and idled almost non-stop for 8-hour shifts, if not more.
The hemi is the bigger engine, which would mean it would likely have been abused even more. Chrysler back then was a little more reliable back then than modern ones, but you can't polish a turd, as they say. They look great, but reliability leaves much to be desired.
My father-in-law has a '98 Dodge Ram 2500 turbodiesel, and the radio works when it wants, for example. Chrysler has always had electrical problems as they age; they went bankrupt once in the mid-80s and again in 2008 along with GM. Long story short, they aren't good cars. Back in the mid-80s, the K-car, designed by Lee Iacocca, saved them. Not a good car, but they were stylish for some, and they had all kinds of variations of cars based on that platform. Looks sells.
@justin-shepherd Thanks Justin. I hear you about the idling and all that. I guess the only plus would be that police cars are meticulously serviced. Funny about the electrical. Our van at work has the worst electrical problems as well.
I'll try to pass on the magnum, but I'm tempted to go check it out with my mechanic friend. I might roll the dice if the water pump and timing belt have already been replaced. I can't say I wasn't warned!
That's a typical Chrysler for you!
@justin-shepherd Haha