Looking at the AWD

[funone46]

Ok people I am looking at the awd and wondering what problems to look for and expect? I am looking at a 06 R/T awd.
Thanks

[Doctor No]

No problems, great for winter driving,Custom wheels are hard to find and car sits a little higher, thats the minus points , not bad.

[funone46]

Thanks, a little higher is a good thing, And wondering about towing. I only tow a enclosed trailer once a year.
Anyone know what an 06 R/T AWd with 30k miles is worth?

[LowGo]

I agree that there are no major problems that I'm aware of with the AWD other than what afflict any of the LX's. When you get into modding one, some things can be a bit more difficult to find (like wheels and suspension parts).

I've never towed with mine, so I don't have an answer for that. I also don't keep up with what the going price on them is (I'm not selling or buying).

Lastly... they only sit higher with a stock suspension! :wink:

[jfan]

I agree w/ above - great car; minimal problems (70k on our 05 AWD RT - 3 visits to the dealer over 3 yrs.). The slight extra height is a plus for "rural" use - and the car does tow well (make sure you get an 06 with the tow package, as the self-leveling nivomats and add'l cooling capacity are helpful). The depreciation on these seems to be ferocious - you can probably get one fairly cheap; just plan on keeping it for a while!

[funone46]

Thanks, I am looking at an 06, not sure on the tow package yet will find out today. But it is loaded with nav, moonroof and all the usual stuff. It has 30k miles and can get it for around 15k. Sounds like a good deal to me but not sure. I only tow a motorcycle once a year so if it did not have the package it should not be a problem. I can always add nivomats if needed.

[mr.niftie]

I love mine.
Since I go snowmobiling up North, I think of the extra ground clearance as a plus and not a minus.
I'm happy with my mods. Headers, mid's, Borlas, & a superchip tuner. Good enough for me.
One thing is for sure, the AWD's depreciate a lot slower than the RWD's!

[tt_dexter]

I have a '05 SXT (V6) and pulled a heavily loaded 16', tandem axle, enclosed trailer from western Colorado to Delaware on dry roads. The car was not built with any of the trailer towing package options and there were absolutely no problems on the way. I did take a 6 mpg gas mileage hit though (from 22 to 16 mpg) while traveling at the speed limit most of the way.

I installed my own aftermarket Class III, 2" Rcvr, hitch and wiring in my gravel driveway (ouch!) by myself in 2 hours (estimated install time for the hitch was 30 min.). Good ground clearance too btw.

Good luck with your deal...I think you'll find the AWD RT to be a great, versatile car.

[funone46]

Now a 05 sxt awd has popped up. Only has 8k miles and loaded up. What is your normal MPG. and anything with the sxt I need to check on my next test drive?

[done]

Now a 05 sxt awd has popped up. Only has 8k miles and loaded up. What is your normal MPG. and anything with the sxt I need to check on my next test drive?

If you have not driven the RT, then you will like the SXT. There is a difference.

[funone46]

I have driven both and the R/T kicks ass. But it is non- awd. Not sure how it would be in Michigan winters. I am looking at an 05 R/T with 14k miles for 17,000. I also test drove a 05 SXT AWD with 8500 miles. For 16k Both are loaded. The problem on the sxt when I test drove it was right away the engine light was on and the tranny slipped. What a way to start a test drive. But the R/T was great. So now I need to make a decison soon. Any help would be nice

[done]

I have driven both and the R/T kicks ass. But it is non- awd. Not sure how it would be in Michigan winters. I am looking at an 05 R/T with 14k miles for 17,000. I also test drove a 05 SXT AWD with 8500 miles. For 16k Both are loaded. The problem on the sxt when I test drove it was right away the engine light was on and the tranny slipped. What a way to start a test drive. But the R/T was great. So now I need to make a decison soon. Any help would be nice


Well, actually, I was referring to the RT AWD.

[LowGo]

The problem on the sxt when I test drove it was right away the engine light was on and the tranny slipped. What a way to start a test drive. But the R/T was great. So now I need to make a decison soon. Any help would be nice

I guess it depends on what intentions you may have for the car. Is there any chance you'll want to do power adding mods or even drag racing (I didn't even think about that when I got mine... but now I'm kinda having fun with it). I also drove both the SXT and RT when I was looking at them. While the SXT was great, once I drove the RT, there was no going back! :wink:

The only real difference between them is the engine size (and of course, the individual options on the cars you're looking at). The AWD vs RWD is something you'll get a lot of differing views on. You can read many threads here where that has been discussed. All I can suggest is that you take some time and really think about how you'll be using the car. Once you make up your mind, enjoy driving you new LX! :racing:

[Leadfootluke]

Michigan winters + RWD worked quite well.

We managed, with horrible tires nonetheless.

Check out www.clublxom.com and see some of the rides. There are several Members there who drive thier cars in the winter and they would be able to give some suggestions.

[funone46]

Sorry I did know that. But the R/t awd are rare

[funone46]

Thanks Leadfoot. I see I live just around the corner. "Jamestown"

[funone46]

Thanks for the link. Looks like when I get one we will be near each other. " Jamestown"

[Pigman 440]

Love our AWD R/T but if you are concerned about gas mileage you might opt for the SXT. Some report good mileage averages but my experience driving in town and mostly easy driving with mine returns less than 12 mpg average. Could be a big factor if you drive a lot which I don't thankfully.

[Big Jon]

Sorry I did know that. But the R/t awd are rare

Rare? Maybe but do your homework and they can be found. I finally found one 200 miles from home.

[Magnum Power]

Most of the problems Ive had are because of the incompetent service at the dealer. I went through a wheel bearing every 3K until some one from Chrysler came to tell me the contis were shot. They never rotate my tires even after I ask them again. Ive since gone else were for service. Overall, Ive had no problems that have had it in the shop for more than a day. Being a daily driver I am getting about 18-20 MPG with mixed driving conditions and only a K&N drop in air filter. The traction in the snow is the best part of this car, it never has gotten stuck, spun, or wasnt able to go.

[Darthvader]

Mine just got all detailed up today. Hopefully no mo snow. AWD is tops. Especially after lowering it. Handling is sick

[Ron380]

I love my AWD! I just took an advance defensive driving course yesterday, and my AWD did GREAT! It never broke loose through the slaloms and there was surprisingly little body roll. (Turns out the AWD suspension is a little stiffer than the stock, R/T suspension). Also handles snow better than my Subaru Baja did. I highly recommend the LX-AWD cars!

[F1fan]

AWD.......nothing better.
Both cars in our stable are AWD.

I've just truned 33K on my 05.

Not a lick of trouble with it.
Security, handling, and still get 20mpg.

......oh and another cool feature.....RWD's have no chance against you in the snow. :thumbs_u:

[TTMR]

Love my AWD and wouldn't consider swapping for a RWD!

[funone46]

Thanks, Great info. Just a little nervous about the tranny slipping on a test drive. And the car only has 8k miles

[stanekjp]

I have 52,000 on my RT AWD, and about a month ago hooked it to my new 3,400 pound travel trailer. It tows like a beast! My previous vehicles were a Ford Excursion and a Dodge Dakota, and I can honestly say that the Magnum RT with the tow group out performs them both when near it's max towing ability of 3,800. I do have the Nivomats and a weight distributing (Equalizer brand) hitch with sway control. I did a 400 mile round trip to the Chesapeake from NJ and it towed smooth as silk. No bottoming, no sway, just smooth confident towing. Oh yeah, MDS is non-existant while towing like this, even downhill. I averaged 11 MPG, down from about 23-24 MPG without a trailer on the highway. I LOVE my AWD!!

[madtownmag]

I live in Madison, WI. We had over 100" snow (usually get 48") this past winter. My 2006 AWD RT drove through it all OK. Including a couple of big snowstorms when I drove my RT during the storm (1-2" snow falling per hour) over unplowed roads with over 8" of snow on them, to retrieve kids and bring them home. I love my AWD RT!

[CEV]

Thanks, I am looking at an 06, not sure on the tow package yet will find out today. But it is loaded with nav, moonroof and all the usual stuff. It has 30k miles and can get it for around 15k. Sounds like a good deal to me but not sure. I only tow a motorcycle once a year so if it did not have the package it should not be a problem. I can always add nivomats if needed.

WOW!!! I'm in the process of looking for one as well and theres one about 45 minutes away and the dealer is asking $22,900. That is a huge difference. Only about 4k difference in mileage.

[nikdfish]

About the sxt - I believe the towing capacity is quite a bit less than with the hemi (2,000 lb?). You may want to check that. Additional expense on the AWD is the periodic change of the transfer case fluid ($120?). I think that is done somewhere around 30-40K miles.

My AWD R/T has 55K miles now and has had no mechanical issues at all. Only real problems (othere than the tranny cable grommet replacement) have been related to electrical control issues (A/C, window motors & sun roof motor). Mixed driving mpg tends to be around 17-18 mpg with 23 mpg on long trips (numbers are down 1- 1.5 mpg since switching to the slightly wider KDWS tires). Tow's like a dream. Great in bad weather & less than optimal road conditions.

Nick