So I'm looking for something with a real back seat so I can carry both my wife and the kids when for whatever reason we're not using her Camry, and while I prefer a stick shift, I decided to take a look at the Magnum wagons. They're pretty easy to find in my budget ($6500 or less), sometimes even in V8 form. So - what's the deal with them? How well do they hold up, and are there common weak points to look for or other things to beware of when shopping for one?
Do they tow??
dyintorace wrote: Do they tow??
We've got a customer who tows an absolutely deranged turbocharged Lotus Seven inspired hillclimb car with one. (Edit) It appears there was an optional towing package that gave it a 3800 lb tow rating; without it the rating is 2000 lbs.
I test drove a new one in '05 but ended up buying the Mustang. I was a lot more impressed than I thought I'd be with the Hemi version, but it was just a lot heavier car than I wanted at the time. There was a guy in an SRT8 Magnum at the last track day I did. He was being pretty aggro in it but that thing was FAST.
Didn't know you could get these in a manual.
In reply to dankspeed:
You can't.
They are a Chrysler powered Mercedes wagon.
Not too bad to own apparently, but more expensive than similar Chebby wagons, but much better driving.
Good volume to haul stuff, but the liftgate height does limit things a lot. Wife hated the soft and swimmy suspension in out STX 6cyl, made her nauseous at times.
For as aggressive as they can look I really found it to be a bland driver.
My buddy has the magnum with hemi and it's actually pretty fun. Bland interior and a bit piggy but otherwise cool.
They were offered with a 2.7L V6 which from what I read should be avoided.
I have no personal experience.
Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: They are a Chrysler powered Mercedes wagon. Not too bad to own apparently, but more expensive than similar Chebby wagons, but much better driving.
More expensive since Chebby hasn't made a rear wheel drive wagon since 1996? Caddy would be the closest domestic.
The front suspension is a wear item. Pop has had his redone twice, so far, in the ~150k miles he's had his '05, since new. I briefly had an '05, that also had the front end clinks & rattles. I met a guy that had one, as well as his brother. He asked how my front end was, and commented that it was a shame that such a nice car had such a crappy front suspension system, with regard to parts wearing out. His and his brother's had also worn out clunkers.
Other than that, with the Hemi, they're a hoot to put the spurs to! 
JohnRW1621 wrote: They were offered with a 2.7L V6 which from what I read should be avoided. I have no personal experience.
Yes. Not only were they absolute dogs performance-wise, but the 2.7L ain't even worth using as a boat anchor. Troublesome junk. Mention the 2.7L to a Chrysler tech and he gets a blank gaze in his eyes and starts twitching
RossD wrote:Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: They are a Chrysler powered Mercedes wagon. Not too bad to own apparently, but more expensive than similar Chebby wagons, but much better driving.More expensive since Chebby hasn't made a rear wheel drive wagon since 1996? Caddy would be the closest domestic.
I was lumping in their SUVs, since they are the same damned thing, just a bit higher in the air.
I sat in a non-R/T model once. I felt like I was inside of a claustrophobic Rubbermaid tote. Everything was hard plastic, including the steering wheel. I do still kinda like the R/T models. They are a little nicer inside. Avoid the 2.7L V6 at all costs.
RealMiniParker wrote: The front suspension is a wear item. Pop has had his redone twice, so far, in the ~150k miles he's had his '05, since new. I briefly had an '05, that also had the front end clinks & rattles. I met a guy that had one, as well as his brother. He asked how my front end was, and commented that it was a shame that such a nice car had such a crappy front suspension system, with regard to parts wearing out. His and his brother's had also worn out clunkers. Other than that, with the Hemi, they're a hoot to put the spurs to!
You can thank Mercedes for that. Audi and BMW use similar front suspension designs. Its annoying from a maintenance standpoint.
There are aftermarket adjustable and rebuildable versions available, but they aren't cheap. The lowrider/car show folks use them a bit though.
Girlfriend has a R/T AWD hemi, heavy as expected like any LX model, and has the suspension issues mentioned. Surprisingly hers has not had any need to replace the front suspension yet. Sway-Bar bushings go out and can cause a nasty clunk.
There are quite a few TSBs out for them.
In all they're great cruisers and eat up highway miles, quite comfortable and decent space. For its time, it has very good cabin noise and isolation. Anytime in the twisties though you really have to work it, drives like a truck. And eats gas like a truck.
Thanks to all who responded! So I guess they're not quite as bad as I was afraid of, with the main thing being to watch out for shot front suspension and avoid 2.7s. Even on Atlanta Craigslist, when I'm looking for things that have a real back seat and reasonable reliability on a $6500 budget, there aren't that many things that seem truly exciting. Most of what turns up is on the same level as a Honda Accord or Nissan Versa. So when I saw that there's a decent number of Magnum wagons in that price range, I thought it was worth a look. And from the responses I've gotten, it sounds like it is.
Oh, they do have a real back seat. I'm 6'4", with long legs. I don't mind sitting in the back seat, of an LX.
They are a nice place to soak up the miles, but the HEMI does soak up the fuel, as well.
On a related note, looks like Dodge Chargers have been hit by depreciation about as hard as the Magnum if not harder.
What about a Chrysler 300?
That would work too. 300Cs seem a bit more expensive, but not by much.
I once drove around Barber with a SRT8 300, and that was a seriously nice car. Awesome brakes and definitely fast. I'd have one.
Most of the 2.7 hate is pretty irrational. They were pretty much fine by the LX years. I had one up to 115k with no issues other than the ubiquitous coolant-seeping water outlet housing that never got bad enough for me to fix. I actually want another 2.7 Magnum. One thing that is bad to fix on them is the water pump since you have to pull the valve covers and oil pan to get to it.
I like Hemi Magnums well enough but i've actually never thought they were that fast and i've always sort of disliked the 5spd auto. It's a v8 car, but it's not super fast. They run similar times to a new v6 camry or accord and are slower than my 3.5L 4100lb Lexus GS450h. Plenty of mod potential but don't buy one expecting it to be a rocket ship from the get go.
RealMiniParker wrote: In reply to dankspeed: You can't.
but they are built on the same chassis as cars that did have a manual trans option.
i'm not a Chrysler guy, but i've always liked the Magnums. the only thing really wrong with them is the mediocre pickup truck engine that makes ok power but uses a lot of gas- which is something that a swap to an LS something or other backed with a 6 speed would take care of.. that swap would have the added bonus of pissing off a few Mopar purist fanboys..
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