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ST vs Dart?

14K views 59 replies 31 participants last post by  dgc333  
#1 ·
I have seen a few of the new Dodge Darts running around in my area. None have challenged me yet, but I was wondering...has anyone seen these cars as a threat at all. Even if they are upgraded? Anyone run against one?

Win/Loss/Tie, Lemme know.
 
#4 ·
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA no challenge. I win every time.
 
#6 ·
#11 ·
That.
 
#9 ·
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#10 ·
Tuners are getting a little over 200 whp out of the 1.4 turbo, not ST territory but quite a bit more than most any other compact and it will still get 40 mpg.

For 14 the base engine in all but the base stripo model is a 184 HP 2.4 which is 24 more than a non ST Focus and at least that much more than all the other non performance compacts. It won't be on the 10 slowest list anymore.

Comparing an ST to a Dart for performance makes about as much sense as comparing a SRT Challenger to an ST. Different cars intended for different audiences.
 
#12 ·
Definitely a fun little car with bolt ons and a tune (the 1.4t version).

On the street from a roll it doesn't stand a chance. At the local 1/4 mile with a good driver I could see it ripping off some times in the ballpark of stock STs.

My Chevy Sonic has a best of 14.60 in the 1/4 with about 25-30 less WHP than the tuned Darts are putting down (they are substantially heavier though).

Street rolls though like I said, it has no chance.
 
#17 ·
I've driven the 1.4L Turbo Dart with a 6spd manual. Definitely not a performance car. It's more on par with the NA 2.0L in the standard Focus trim levels.

I heard a lot of hype about them and I was severely let down on the initial test drive.
 
#20 ·
Crap I intended to type Fiat Viaggio not the 500

Yes and no.......The Giulietta sits on the C-evo and the dart sits on the D-evo. Yes the D-evo is just a wider version of the C-evo but it was also designed for a 2K lb curb weight not a 3.2k lb car like all the crap Fiat is sticking on it. The new Cherokee feels the same way, fat body on a little chassis. They even changed the engine to accommodate dodge's ****ty oil standards instead of asking dodge to use European spec synthetics. Oh and the suspension has been soccer mom'ed on the dart as we know how Americans love their floaty no road feedback setups.

I've driven both as rentals and company cars and while they share a lot of similarities they don't drive or handle like the cousins they are.
 
#22 ·
^ wells that's depressing seeing as though I've seen walmart power chairs that are faster than the dart.

The SRT would be a huge development. Id love to see dodge put something out that will spark competition. It would likely be fast, but I doubt it could handle remotely as well as the ST
 
#23 ·
I thought the interior of the Dart was nice, very roomy even in the backseat for tall folks. But the performance aspect wasn't there, much as they tried to hype it. IF they do an SRT version of it, they need to keep some of the amenities of the higher end trim level and add performance. The downfall of the Neon SRT-4, was ... well, it was just a Neon.
 
#24 ·
I thought the interior of the Dart was nice, very roomy even in the backseat for tall folks. But the performance aspect wasn't there, much as they tried to hype it. IF they do an SRT version of it, they need to keep some of the amenities of the higher end trim level and add performance. The downfall of the Neon SRT-4, was ... well, it was just a Neon.
So damn true. Fast engine stiff chassis, but DAMN thats an ugly ass car.
 
#33 ·
EFT up old recycled Dodge

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#29 · (Edited)
Anyone remember win on Sunday, sales on Monday? (Reference to NASCAR and a philosophy of Ford back in the day)
 
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#30 ·
It's pretty sad when they compare the Dodge Dart to a dump truck in a race lol
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#31 ·
Fix Or Repaired Daily?
 
#36 ·
This should be in the off topic section