25th Jan 2005, 19:46

Interesting that this company (DC) is being heralded as being in the vanguard of the return to rear wheel drive.

It was sometime in the mid to late 80's that I read a quote from whoever was president of Chrysler at that time, which said something to the effect that Chrysler had seen the future and it was in front wheel drive, that all of their development was going to be in fwd cars and that after their only remaining rwd cars, the M-bodies, expired (which happened soon after), there would never be any more rwd Chrysler vehicles except for trucks.

I have to agree with the reviewer, though, there doesn't seem to be anything in the GM or Ford pipeline for the next few years, but fwd cars. The Buick Lucerne, which replaces the Park Ave and LeSabre next year, is still fwd, as is the Cadillac DTS. Ford's Taurus replacement, the Fusion, is also fwd.

The Magnum and all its related models remind me of the cars that Bruce McCall from National Lampoon used to draw as satires of 1950's cars, with their upright grilles, slab sides, and narrow windows. Spinner hubcaps (that really spin) are now in fashion again. Who knows, maybe tailfins will make a comeback too!

19th Sep 2005, 20:58

The 2.7L V6 installed in the Magnum and 300 is a revised version of the troublesome one found in the Intrepid and Concorde. The oil sludge problem has been resolved for the Magnum and 300.

30th Oct 2005, 10:24

I doubt that Chrysler solved the 2.7l engine problems. Chrysler has stated that it fixed out the 2.7L engine problem in the intrepid after 2001. However, there is still people out there with Intrepids from 2002,2003, and 2004, who are still having engine failures, even though Chrysler supposedly claims fixed the defect with the water pump, timing belt, and oils passages that have plagued the 2.7L engine. Don't believe everything you hear!

26th Jan 2006, 16:00

The 2.7 litre engine is an amazing engine. You have to get your oil changed religiously every 5 thousand k, if not sooner. As long as that is done the engine will last forever. Most people with the 2.7 engine problems result because of a lack of attention to regular maintenance.

26th Jan 2006, 21:11

The 2.7L engine is the worst engine on the current market. I used to own a 1998 dodge intrepid, with the 2.7 engine, changed the oil every 2000 miles with Mobil 1. I still had engine failure, and had to get rid of the car. I checked out some of the new 300C's and Magnums, and big surprise the 2.7L engine is still in production. Chrysler charges over $8,000 to replace the 2.7L engine. Well why not keep it in production with newer models, they can still make a profit over a faulty product they introduced in the vehicles.

11th Mar 2006, 08:11

Well you can't be too sure anymore. I live in Michigan and they have unveiled a new breed of police cars introducing magnums and chargers in black and white!! watch out!! if you don't believe me do a google search for magnum police. I wouldn't even try to outrun these guys.

15th Sep 2006, 16:07

"Return of the American RWD sedan?" The Magnum is built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, in an ex American Motors/Renault plant, but I guess Canada is still technically (North) America.

15th Sep 2006, 20:00

Brampton?

Isn't that the old AMC plant where they made such "classics" like the Eagle Premier and Renault Alliance?

Let's hope the quality control there is a little better nowadays.

16th Sep 2006, 12:42

I thought the Eagle and the Alliance were built in the Kenosha plant?

6th Oct 2006, 07:45

I am the proud owner of a 2004 Intrepid SE. The car has been good to me overall. It has plenty of room for rear passengers and a huge trunk. I like the design and think it's the best looking sedan in its price range. It handles nicely with adequate acceleration. My MPG has ranged from 20-28 which is good. I believe the overall value of this car is one of the best you can find if you are looking for a family sedan. It is also a good commuter car.

No major problems yet. Cross my fingers.

2nd Feb 2007, 17:37

I had a 2001 Intrepid with the 2.7 I used Mobil 1 10W-30 every 3000 miles. I had to have a new water pump put in at 100k... that's it. And I drove it HARD. When they opened the front cover to put the water pump in... no sludge was found. More 2.7's were made for the Intrepid than the 3.2, 3.3, or 3.5... so of course there are more engine failures. But for every engine failure, there are like 10 others that have gotten over 100k with no problems. Until I see actual numbers on how many engines failed vs. how many engines lasted well over 100k, it's just a bunch of media hype to me.

2nd Feb 2007, 18:13

But had you used non mobile 1 oil a tow truck would have to escort you wherever you went. This is the story with thousands of people who do not use the right oil...

7th Mar 2008, 10:05

The 2.7L engine is junk.

My mechanic tells me he's starting to get a couple of Magnums and 300s with 2.7L engines with sludge right on schedule for the new "improved" engines. Chrysler's telling them the same thing they told all the Sebring, Intrepid and Concorde owners -- sludge means no warranty repairs!

Chrysler is being completely dishonest with this problem. First, they proclaim that there's no problem with the 2.7 and that the engine failures are due to "poor maintenance" -- as though Chrysler owners with 2.7s are idiots compared to every other car model owner when it comes to maintenance.

Then their enthusiasts and dealers claim that this engine "which has no problems" has been "fixed" in 2001.

Then, after lots of failures in LH cars and Sebring/Stratus models after 2001, they claim the problem has "really, truly" been fixed in the latest revision 2.7 that goes into the LX sedans.

And now, right on schedule, those vehicles are starting to have engine failures as well.

The reality is that the Chrysler 2.7L engine is JUNK. Even if you religiously change your oil, switch to synthetic oil, and baby your car, your chances of having a catastrophic failure with the 2.7L is much higher than with engines from the competition, and Chrysler dealers will blame YOU when the engine dies.

20th Sep 2008, 17:27

To the person who changed Mobil 1 every 2,000 miles and had engine failure... sounds strange.. who would change oil at 2,000 miles? Let alone Mobil 1 synthetic. Look at how many very high mileage Intrepids are on the road... it would be cheaper for Chrysler to produce only 3.5 motors if there was a real problem... can't wait to own my second Intrepid, 1st one was fabulous...