The new Magnum is a great looking car that may get your neighbors speaking as you rumble around the block. The unique styling of the Magnum will also attract gawkers in the shape of 18-22 year old blokes pointing for their chums to “check that out”. And some folks will approach you as you are filling up the gas tank to ask, “Does it actually have a Hemi?”, with only a vague notion that it somehow makes the auto better.
The Magnum is offered with many different engine sizes (either a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder ) with your choice of horsepower Output of 190, 250, 340 and 425. The cost of the automobile 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 car is the Hemi engine. The Hemi is short for hemispherical combustion chamber, which creates more efficient fuel burning and allows bigger valves for better airflow. Fundamentally , it produces more power than an engine with its displacement would routinely produce. (There are also drawbacks to the Hemi, and is why it isn’t the sole engine that Chrysler produces).
The interior of the automobile looks much more expensive than you would be expecting for the price of the Magnum. Since Mercedes bought Chrysler, the Dodge automobiles I’ve sampled have had a sharp improvement in interior quality. While on the road, the auto is very solid and the seats are comfy even on long highway runs.
As much as I like the looks, after driving it some time I really have to ask the design idea the Magnum offers. It’s a station wagon built to move plenty of folks and a lot 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 fifteen years-old, pushing the car to its limits. (Only an actual Corvette has a much more cosy suspension than the Magnum). Even driving on smooth roads, the steering is very darty and hard to control. And with a huge 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 working out how to use it with the steering wheel controls made me often refer to the user’s manual. In spite of the high h.p. And low-end torque I played with when beginning from a full stop, the RT model I drove averaged 20 Miles per gallon on the higway.
What I presume to be the target market for this automobile, those 18-22 year old men that I discussed, will often love this automobile. And as much as I love driving sports cars, the darty steering and pointy suspension make it too uncomfortable without any impressive payoff. The 0-60 sprint is fun for a little while, but I’d pass on buying a Magnum as a daily driving vehicle.
To read more about cars and see some of the most expensive cars in the world, visit thesupercars.org and along the way, have a look at preowned Dodge Magnum.