Which is better?

"PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power" (petarvn)
12/10/2013 at 22:06 • Filed to: None

I was recently looking at the Dodge dart, and I seriously like it. The amount of tech is surreal for a simple guy like me and it's looks are amazing, and I love the way it looks!

Personally, though, if I do hypothetically wind up buying one, would you guys recommend I go for the 1.4 or the 2.4? The 1.4 has more torque, but the 2.4 is available in the model I like most (The GT) Which do you guys think is better?

Have a classy, old school dart for your troubles!

DISCUSSION (18)

Tom McParland > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
12/10/2013 at 22:09

Drive them both...I did not drive the 2.4 as the 6MT was not available for that motor when I was in the market. While I liked the 1.4T I felt the car was a bit heavy for it.

NoahthePorscheGuy > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
12/10/2013 at 22:11

Prepare for bias but...

Neither.

You want the 1.6

In the Fiesta ST

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
12/10/2013 at 22:22

Get a real one from the 60's. You will be much happier :]

1337HPMustang > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
12/10/2013 at 22:23

Why not a mustang or camaro or challenger or charger or 300 or gto?

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
12/10/2013 at 22:32

If only my parents (who are covering part of my car) cared less for my well being, I could probably pull it off

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > NoahthePorscheGuy
12/10/2013 at 22:34

That is also a viable option, or a Focus ST, even (a few are on sale due to an event at a local dealer for about $19,900!!)
A friend of mine has a normal '14 fiesta, and while I do like it, I had a hard time feeling safe in it. If I lived in Europe, it'd be ideal, but since I don't anymore, I'd like a bit more size...

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > 1337HPMustang
12/10/2013 at 22:35

I'm talking about a new dart here, the sacraligious, 4 cylinder one :D !
I tried selling my parents on a classic, but they feel I need to be safe, and have something that will start every morning

oldirtybootz > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
12/10/2013 at 22:39

Kinja'd!!!

That's mine, a 2013 Aero. The Aeros only come with the 1.4 and your choice of dual dry clutch or manual 6 speeds, I chose the latter. The 1.4 is relegated to just the Aero model for 2014 so if you can't find a 13, I wouldn't count on seeing many 1.4s on lots. Chrysler seems to be playing up the 2.4L now since the car didn't sell well initially due to the botched launch of 1.4L 6MT cars.

All that being said, I love the engine. Yes it's underpowered for the weight if the Dart, yes it has some lag and a sometimes lumpy power delivery. The character of the engine makes up for its deficiencies, IMO. It's still plenty quick, especially blasting down back roads in 3rd gear, and the sound is fantastic.

I've driven the 2.0 and 2.4 Tigersharks. The 2.0 is slow and sounds like a Honda with a fart can. The 2.4 feels a bit better matched to the Dart's heft, but it doesn't feel as special as the 1.4L. After driving the GT, I felt that the preproduction change in name from R/T was fitting. It feels more like a grand tourer than a hot hatch. The Chrysler Tigersharks are definitely more conventional but the car is an Alfa underneath, it's almost a crime to get it with a Chrysler engine rather than the turbo Fiat four.

As for tech, the Aero gets the full infotainment treatment with the Uconnect 8.4 radio and the TFT instrument cluster both standard. I love both and are absolutely worth upgrading to on models without it.

The Aero also gets the signature racetrack taillights standard, which is something you have to double check the window sticker for, as not all of them have it. It makes the exterior of the car.

oldirtybootz > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
12/10/2013 at 22:40

I love mine and it's a practical DD.

NoahthePorscheGuy > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
12/10/2013 at 22:41

My Fiesta got in a fight on saturday with a Volkswagen, and I'd say it won . I'd recommend at least test driving one. It got all 4 or 5 stars on its crash tests, and when all else fails, avoidance is the best protection, and damn is it nimble.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > oldirtybootz
12/10/2013 at 22:57

Yeah, I saw your post about your dart earlier, and it got me thinking!
I haven't driven the darts yet, but I have driven a non abarth 500 turbo, and it was amazing!

The weight of the dart is the only thing holding me back from considering the Aero over the GT (well, than and the leather interior, sports tuned suspension, and alloys), since I do feel a 1.4T might be underpowered for it.

The MPG boost over the 2.4 is significant, though, which wins it some points back in my eyes.

Do you know of any good tunes for the 1.4T? I'd like to see if one with about 180hp and ~200tq...

oldirtybootz > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
12/10/2013 at 23:06

The GT is definitely nice, I just prefer the 1.4 to the 2.4. Mopar has more in store for the 2.4 than the 1.4, and as far as I know there are no 1.4 tunes available but there are some bolt ons.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > oldirtybootz
12/10/2013 at 23:23

ok...
I guess by the time I get serious about buying something (early summer next year) There might be more out there!

oldirtybootz > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
12/11/2013 at 00:17

Hopefully! I'm going to end up trading it on a Mustang, but I'd like to have some fun with it.

1337HPMustang > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
12/11/2013 at 10:47

Or a miata or solstice or supra or s2000 or s-chassis or talon or E46...

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > 1337HPMustang
12/11/2013 at 17:17

Miata: already have plans to purchase and supercharge a 1.8 miata after I buy a DD next summer, as a project
Solstice: Having a good interior makes this not worth it for me.
Supra: HA! there's no way I'm going to find enough money for a good one
S2K: i'll be driving 3 other people almost every day, so I can't DD a 2 seater right now
talon: Too old, not reliable enough. maybe as a project in the future...?
E46: I love the E46, but alas, my parents don't want me piloting a fast German coupe. plus the maintenance would bury my bank account

1337HPMustang > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
12/11/2013 at 18:42

Sounds like you're making every excuse to buy a heavy, wrong wheel drive, pos dodge econobox instead of something cool. Also sounds like you have quite a few misconceptions about cars as well. Last time I checked, an e46 isn't faster than a new dart, mk3 supras are cheap, and decade-old camaros, mustangs, chargers, 300s and gto's aren't classics.

You could also get an rx8 or e90 or wrx or evo or celica or genesis or 350z

Don't buy a new car, you'll never develop a passion for cars if it's a fwd econobox that has a warranty.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > 1337HPMustang
12/11/2013 at 21:11

I know, but parents, and their desires...
ahh....
I don't even know :/ at least I got time to think about it