Overview & Reviews

The 2003 Stratus coupe gains revisions to its front and rear styling and an updated instrument panel and center console. The SE coupe is dropped in a sense; it will only be available to fleet buyers, such as rental car agencies. Sedans continue as before except the SE Plus is subtracted and the V6 engine (with the automatic transmission) is now flexible fuel-rated, meaning it can run on ethanol as well as gasoline.

• Exceptional value, attractive shape, fun to drive.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 77.00

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  2003 Dodge Stratus Coupe - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By Rodrigo de la Vega - November 21 - 1:59 pm

  I bougth a eclipse with a stratus costume, it was in very bad conditions, with a large list of missing parts, doing its service a large truck spark plug appeared, the water pump was broken, one belt missing, radiator leaking, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera, after severe repairs incredibly still working, and used it on highway constantly, good luck or a complete mystery, bought by 700 bucks, repairs for a cost of 300 bucks

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  2003 Dodge Stratus RT 5 speed - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By Sean - November 21 - 10:26 am

  I love this car which I purchased used with around 19k miles in 2005 for about $14k. Ten years later with 196529 Miles its still purring. Replaced clutch only once few thousand miles ago and little to no repairs... mostly just usual and simple maintenence. This car is simple as it has no ABS or any high tech which I actually prefer I have a removable gps and CD player with blutooth which is all I need no expensive electronics to break and worry about spending lots of money on. The dashboard has curled up years ago from sun exposure but whatever... No big deal anymore. My suspension went and its a rough ride and rattles and shakes on rough roads, as something went, but I cant exactly pin it down and its not in my opinion worth the money or headache to repair. I can deal with it as I have gotten used to it and its not that bad. Ive had this car ten years @ one third of my life so that says a lot about how much I like the car, its dependability and me not wanting to buy another as I purchased it in full @ about $14k and never had car payments... Who wants car payments? Also, the cloth driver seat is in rough shape but that is to be expected with all these Miles. It burns a some oil too which is pretty typical for an old car with this many miles not worth fixing now as Ill just cheap oil. I drive this car for work very hard and with this manual transmission Ive never had any real issues, repairs or anything go wrong which would go wrong with an automatic. Im forever staying with manual transmissions. Great vehicle

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  Looks good, decent mpg, cheap to keep and simple - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By nadylynn - October 13 - 8:45 pm

  Bought the 03 Stratus with 56000 miles a corp lease well maintained records, 136000 now, only repairs were rear shocks and brakes, did timing belt service at 115000, its been very cheap to keep. Not very fast but the iron block 4 cyl engine keeps going no leaks or oil usage between oil changes. Trans serviced every 35000 miles still shifts smoothly. So far so good our 03 Altima bought new only has 80000 and has had about 7 repairs so far 2 no starts, mostly engine elec.

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  Low cost to own and fun to drive as 4 cyl. eco cars go - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By billman2 - February 13 - 4:34 pm

  Bought new in 03 4 cyl auto good value and to our surprize its cost to operate has been lower than our japanese car our mother drives, not as well refined but still fun to drive and quieter ride. No issues yet with 140,000 miles except rear struts were replaced. 4 cyl engine not real fast but simple to service and reliable.

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  this car is garbage worst investment ever - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By whitesoxman61 - June 8 - 4:46 pm

  this car has been nothing but a nightmare to own i am a person that likes to do maintenance on my own but thats pretty much impossible. the water pump is on the inside of the engine and costed me $800 to get replaced, the thermostat is on the bottom of the engine and requires you to remove the alternator, battery is located inside the wheel well and you have to remove the tire and splash guard to get to it, just about anything you work on with this car will take 2 times longer than a normal car it was built A$$ backwards i would not tell anyone to buy this car unless they have a LOT of time and money on their hands to fix it.

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  206,000 miles a good solid car - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By mopar350 - October 25 - 10:22 pm

  I bought this car with 50,000 miles on it six years ago. so far I have only done some normal maintance. changed timing belt twice and front brake pads once. now at 206,000 mile mark i have had to change one front wheel bearing. and the transmission is slipping. would have lasted longer if i had changed the fluid and filter like i should have. i have beat this car into the ground and it is still going. i put 36,000 to 40,000 miles a year on this car for the last three years. so i will be putting a transmission in it and keep on driveing it. and i plan on driveing it till the body rusts away. i live in south carolina and there is no rust on it yet so i will be driveing this car for a long time

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  1st new car, worst car I ever owned - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By sharky65 - June 16 - 1:39 pm

  This car was built cheaply. Here is all the things that have gone wrong with it in the 8 years and 89,000 miles. year 2 new brakes and rotors year 3 drivers side window came off the track $300 year 4 new brakes and rotors, gas gauge stopped working causing $300 bill to replace gas pump, heater fan will only work on high year 5 engine blew up, I had oil change every 3 months, it was under warranty year 6 new brakes and rotors, all windows rattle inside doors year 7 transmission had to be rebuilt year 8 rear strut mounts totally disintergrated because they were made out of cheap aluminum, new brakes and rotors I can finally get rid of it this year. My wife and I alternate buying cars.

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  I miss my Stratus - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By abby258 - February 1 - 6:51 pm

  I purchased my 2003 stratus brand new.. I loved it, the only reason I no longer own it is because I traded it for an SUV, becuse 3rd baby was not going to fit in the stratus.. I NEVER had any problems with the vehicle, beside normal wear and tear, and regular maintenance. I HATE the BUICK RENDEZVOUS I ended upo trading in for... My review for that is up too! I am thinking about purchasing another stratus, 2006 model. I loved the stratus!!!

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  Kira the Killer - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By Cody - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used because it was such a great deal compared to other cars. It has been very dependable, and is overall a wonderful car to own. This is the 2.4 liter SXT model. I would really recommend this car to anyone on a budget. Just remember to buy from a private party.

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  Car shuts down on freeway - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By sarahleigh - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had my stratus for four years. I have had to replace the cold air intake, transmission parts, fuses, water pump, timing belt, and starter. Every few months something else is wrong with this car. The latest episode was the car engine shut off in the middle of th freeway going 70 leaving me without power steering or braking. My car did not give any warning signs before this. no smells, sounds or rough handling. Not only did this car almost kill me but has often left me stranded.