Not Magnum's car but just as quick.
The days of the good old American cars are making a huge comeback. This means that rear-wheel drive platforms and big V8 engines will soon reappear and become commonplace. The 2005 Dodge Magnum is the wagon version of the popular 300 sedans from Chrysler, which replaces the Dodge Intrepid and Chrysler Concorde. The Magnum is a modern reproduction of the American family hauler of yore but with heavy German influence; Mercedes and Chrysler are one after all. The 1996 to 2002 Mercedes E-Class chassis serves as the basis for these cars. This is not the first nor will it be the last Chrysler that inherits Mercedes hand-me-downs. This may sound harsh but it really is not a bad thing as the Crossfire, 300 and Magnum have shown to be quite the driver's cars. The tester is a Magnum R/T, and unmistakably, is equipped with the Hemi. The price range for the Magnum is between 27 995$ and 48 500$. The tested rear-wheel drive R/T retails for 42 700$.
Exterior styling
When I first saw pictures of the Magnum, I thought th
at Chrysler had really done it this time: an exciting road warrior for the whole family. The first Magnum that I saw in person was a black R/T at the New York auto show. I was shocked at how much it really did look like a hearse, especially with the tinted rear windows. When I took the keys to my Inferno red crystal pearl coat coloured Magnum, all of that changed. The car's presence commands respect, as it seems to want to chew up asphalt given the opportunity. The high belt line, wide track, large Ram-styled grill makes it look almost menacing. Chrysler has often rolled beautiful cars of the assembly line but this one may be one of the most tempting and practical ever. The body panels showed some gaps, especially between the grill and hood, but overall the gaps were kept to a minimum.
Interior styling
The dash is very well finished with choice quality plastics and the assembly is done with care. There are certain aspects of the car that are of impressive quality: the HVAC controls have an almost textured feel with just the right amount of resistance and texture...very Mercedes. The steering wheel is very big though, almost cumbersome. To accentuate a sportier look and feel, the wheel should be smaller. Also, the Magnum inherits the Mercedes cruise control lever. I may be too "new style" but I cannot accept the fact that the controls are not on the steering wheel where they belong. As well, on a couple of occasions, I mistook the cruise control for the turn signal arm. Speaking of turn signals, the "1 flick, 3 clicks" of the arm is a nice, very useful touch for those that do not use the signals often enough. The front seats are comfortable but they lack lateral support. A relaxing driving position is easily attained thanks to the multiple adjustments that include power-adjustable pedals.
Forward corner visibility is partially blocked by the large "A" pillars. The low roofline and side-view mirrors combine to create a good-sized blind spot. The cabin is quiet but wind and tire noise still penetrate. The interior volume is cavernous for both front and rear passengers. There were a few dash rattles, which I would not have expected, given the roots of the car.
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Exterior styling
When I first saw pictures of the Magnum, I thought th
at Chrysler had really done it this time: an exciting road warrior for the whole family. The first Magnum that I saw in person was a black R/T at the New York auto show. I was shocked at how much it really did look like a hearse, especially with the tinted rear windows. When I took the keys to my Inferno red crystal pearl coat coloured Magnum, all of that changed. The car's presence commands respect, as it seems to want to chew up asphalt given the opportunity. The high belt line, wide track, large Ram-styled grill makes it look almost menacing. Chrysler has often rolled beautiful cars of the assembly line but this one may be one of the most tempting and practical ever. The body panels showed some gaps, especially between the grill and hood, but overall the gaps were kept to a minimum.Interior styling
The dash is very well finished with choice quality plastics and the assembly is done with care. There are certain aspects of the car that are of impressive quality: the HVAC controls have an almost textured feel with just the right amount of resistance and texture...very Mercedes. The steering wheel is very big though, almost cumbersome. To accentuate a sportier look and feel, the wheel should be smaller. Also, the Magnum inherits the Mercedes cruise control lever. I may be too "new style" but I cannot accept the fact that the controls are not on the steering wheel where they belong. As well, on a couple of occasions, I mistook the cruise control for the turn signal arm. Speaking of turn signals, the "1 flick, 3 clicks" of the arm is a nice, very useful touch for those that do not use the signals often enough. The front seats are comfortable but they lack lateral support. A relaxing driving position is easily attained thanks to the multiple adjustments that include power-adjustable pedals.
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