Buy Some Damn Darts Already

[Goehner 240]

http://jalopnik.com/people-are-getting-laid-off-because-you-arent-buying-d-1536081590

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140304/AUTO0101/303040062/Poor-Dodge-Dart-sales-lead-325-layoffs-Illinois-plant

Belvidere, Ill. — Poor sales of the new Dodge Dart have pushed Chrysler to temporarily lay off 325 employees at the Belvidere assembly plant that produces the compact sedans in northern Illinois.

Chrysler Group LLC confirmed the layoffs Monday, hours after releasing February sales figures showing a 37 percent decline for the Dart, the Rockford Register Star reported. The layoffs will last through the rest of the week and affect employees on all of the plant’s three shifts.

Overall sales for the company rose 11 percent last month from February of last year, but the Dart has failed to keep up with long-established competitors in the compact sedan market since its debut in 2012.

In a written statement, Chrysler said the layoffs were necessary to “to balance vehicle supply with current sales demand.”

Production of the Dart helped revitalize the Belvidere plant, the area’s main employer, and it was launched with great fanfare in events attended by Gov. Pat Quinn.

Besides competition from rival automakers, the Dart faces another obstacle: It has to go up against other Chrysler models made more attractive by dealership incentives, the Register Star reports.

“What’s going on now with the Dart is that when buyers go into a Dodge showroom they are getting such great incentives on the Dodge Avenger that buyers are choosing the larger car,” said Dave Sullivan, an auto analyst for AutoPacific of Troy, Mich.

The carmaker has ended production of the Avenger, a midsize sedan, and is offering a $3,500 cash incentive to clear inventory. That puts a midlevel 2014 Avenger at under $20,000. A midlevel Dart costs $18,495.

“It’s going to be several months before the Avenger is sold out, then we’ll get a better sense where the interest is in the Dart,” Sullivan told the newspaper.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140304/AUTO0101/303040062#ixzz2v5uV634L

[RT6SPD 6]

Not until they make a 2 door model.

Chrysler will not listen to peoples wants and needs. That is why they fail. I will never drive a 4 door baby mobile. It goes against everything I stand for.

[sharkcohen 60]

I love my Dart.

[Speedlogix Sales 22]

Darts are great little cars. I looked into one...but I decided to go in the complete opposite direction with a big V10 SUV

Some dealers have markups on their Darts which makes NO sense. Shouldn't have to haggle to get a "market adjustment" off a base Dart IMO.

[sharkcohen 60]

I got my Aero for invoice minus holdback plus rebate. Not sure why a dealer would want to mark up a Dart.

[Kyle M 0]

The rollout of the dart with various engines, packages, etc was a freaking disaster. They have since switched what they call each trim level which only leads to further confusion. The car is a nice automobile. Had dodge rolled it out correctly and allowed you do get what you want in the car with the engine of your choice I think it would be selling better.

I went last summer to look at one for my Mom. About everything I thought I knew about the car, trim, engines had changed. Quite a pain in the ass really.

[TA340 20]

Got my daughter a Dart SXT and she loves it. We drove that car from Michigan to Arizona this past summer pulling a UHaul trailer when we moved her out there and car did not miss a beat. Is a really nice car for the money and is a pretty cool looking car. Can never understand why some cars in this segment sell well and others struggle.

[CaptRon 19]

Needs a turbo charged 3.6 V6 in it!!!!

[Sybil 22]

Needs a V8 in it!!!!

Fixed

[BayouTiger 88]

I looked at them when I bought the Fiat. Seemed decent enough, but it's in a sector that is hard to gain traction in and there's some stiff competition. The people in that "automotive" appliance section love the imports. I don't see many of the small Ford Focuses (Foci?) or Chevy Cobalts either down here. Lots of Corollas, Civics, and Elantras though.

[CaptRon 19]

Fixed

Thanks!!! I stand corrected!!

[DonP 0]

I had one as a rental. I really wanted to like it. I need a small quick econo car (40 miles to work).

The power sucked, The gas mileage sucked. I think I'd be better off with a 3.6 Charger and an 8 speed.

In the end I went back to a 1999 Saturn but I plan on upgrading someday.

If someone can recommend a quick, 35mpg+ car that's fun to drive with a stick, and not to pricey, please let me know.

[BayouTiger 88]

Our Fiat 500 Abarth fills that bill nicely!!!

[Lashlarue 0]

I bought a Chrysler 200lx for my daughter in January. Heckofadeal.283 Hp 24v V6, 6speed auto and all the bells and whistles less than 21k out the door.Arent they made on the same line.

[sharkcohen 60]

I had one as a rental. I really wanted to like it. I need a small quick econo car (40 miles to work).

The power sucked, The gas mileage sucked. I think I'd be better off with a 3.6 Charger and an 8 speed.

In the end I went back to a 1999 Saturn but I plan on upgrading someday.

If someone can recommend a quick, 35mpg+ car that's fun to drive with a stick, and not to pricey, please let me know.

Did your rental have the 1.4L turbo? I'm very happy with mine for my daily driver.

[Gotanks0407 0]

Did your rental have the 1.4L turbo? I'm very happy with mine for my daily driver.

And the manual makes the turbo engines twice as fun, and spools much better for sportier driving.

And you can't judge a car by a rental. The rentals are always lame.

Drive a real dart

http://modernmoparforum.com/topic/12114-new-car-again-mopar-13/

[mjf6866 1]

And the manual makes the turbo engines twice as fun, and spools much better for sportier driving.

And you can't judge a car by a rental. The rentals are always lame.

Drive a real dart

http://modernmoparforum.com/topic/12114-new-car-again-mopar-13/

i agree 100%. the manual is a must for this car. my buddy has an auto and compared to my 6 speed 1.4, its got terrible lag and feels flat. the dart is the first daily driving gas sipper that i've owned that i get excited about driving. of course not the same as the challenger, but its got enough juice to make it fun zipping to and from work on back roads. i just couldnt see myself feeling the same way with the auto. the 1.4 likes to be revved, but can also be babied to get the milage. its really a shame that its not selling better because it really is a great car. really refined quiet interior, feels solid on beat up roads, and has a great raspy little growl to it! i'm at 24,000 miles into a year and a half of ownership and have had zero problems. i live in pittsburgh, pa and this winter has been rough, but she takes to the snow quite well with all season tires. we've had MANY sub zero mornings and this thing never once sounded like it was struggling to start. i got the upgraded sound system with the touch screen and its awesome.

the dual clutch auto is having some problems from what i hear. 6-speed w/ 1.4 turbo is the way to go for sure.