car or suv?

[MagnumR/T]

is the magnum going to be considered a suv or a car. caue, i plan on tiniting the windows, but i need to know the legal restrictions

[DSMLVR]

I don't believe it will get the same designation as the PACIFICA. I believe it is listed as a car.

[DMAG]

It is actully designated as a truck to give DC credits for their truck line with CAFE.

The FAQs section should hopefully be back up today or tomorrow. I have a pretty good sized write up about it there.

[DSMLVR]

Thanks, I will check it out.

[DMAG]

OK, Vehicle FAQs (http://www.dodgemagnum.net/phpBB2/vehiclefaqs.php) is back up. You can check out some info on CAFE there.

[Warlord187]

If you go to the Dodge website, the Magnum will be listed under trucks.

[Glazeworld]

According to Motor Trend Magazine, the EPA designates the Magnum as a truck due to it's flat load-in surface in the back.

Here's a quote FROM Motor Trend May 2004, Page 103:
Dodge calls this modern wagon bodystyle a "sports tourer," but the EPA classifies it as a truck because of the flat LOAD floor, which designers insisted upon to give the car maximum function............The "truck" designation also allows Dodge to offer dark-tinted rear and rear-side windows."

I hope this helps answer the question. It's a great little article that is nestled in a nice review of the 300.

[E55 KEV]

is the magnum going to be considered a suv or a car. caue, i plan on tiniting the windows, but i need to know the legal restrictions

About Tinting. If you get a Magnum RT it will have "Sunscreen Glass" (SG) standard and the only glass to tint will be the front drivers and passenger windows. This SG is like the "privacy glass" found on most SUV's. The SG is optional on the Magnum SE and SXT for $300 and also found in an option package.

The standard window glass is called "Solar-Control Glass" (SCG) which is standard on the SE and SXT.

The Black Magnum SE has Solar Control Glass all around and the White Magnum RT has Sunscreen Glass in the rear:

http://www.e55amg.homestead.com/dodgeMagnum/DSC00008.JPG

[E55 KEV]

This FROM May 2004 issue of Motor Trend along with short review:

" The "truck" designation also allows Dodge to offer dark-tinted rear and rear-side windows."

www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0405_300c/index4.html

[thehemi]

So I guess the answer to the question is... SUV. :)

What are the requirements to place a vehicle into
the truck category instead of cars? Must not be too
easy or other manufacturers would be doing it, too.

[DMAG]

I think its the flat LOAD floor. (as per article above and previous ones). Plus that's what gave the PT the same designation.

Sneaky! ;)

[E55 KEV]

We know If it looks, walks and sounds like a duke, it is a duck? Yes the Magnum is "classified" as a Truck just like the PT Crusier. SUV? NO!

Is the Chrysler 300C a Truck, they are built on the same chassis. There is nothing Truck about the Magnum. If they want to classify it as a Truck due to the Flat Floor be my guest but the Magnum does not have anything else in common with a Truck. No Truck Frame or Chassis, No truck parts, no truck suspension system.

At first I was questioning the Truck classification, but now I am happy because we get the really dark privacy glass in the rear and that make it look cool.

[BlackMagnum]

Agreed. All this SUV/Truck talk was making me ill. ;)

Can't a car company make a wagon or hatchback without HAVING to make excuses?

We know If it looks, walks and sounds like a duke, it is a duck? Yes the Magnum is "classified" as a Truck just like the PT Crusier. SUV? NO!

Is the Chrysler 300C a Truck, they are built on the same chassis. There is nothing Truck about the Magnum. If they want to classify it as a Truck due to the Flat Floor be my guest but the Magnum does not have anything else in common with a Truck. No Truck Frame or Chassis, No truck parts, no truck suspension system.

At first I was questioning the Truck classification, but now I am happy because we get the really dark privacy glass in the rear and that make it look cool.

[E55 KEV]

The Truck classification can and may be a blessing in disguise. Without it we would not have the rear dark privacy glass option. Without it the Magnum RT and the upcoming Magnum SRT-8 may have had a gas guzzler tax.

I also speculate the Truck classification may help in aftermarket parts and customization. The PT Cruiser with it's Truck Classification is tuned by Truck Nuts as well as Car Nuts. Customized PT's are routinely found in Custom Truck magazines.

[mopar30]

but i like performance wagon!

[hemi_is_fast]

Yes it's classified as a truck, like what was mentioned before it helps with the CAFE ratings. Actually since the PT gets decent mileage it "looks good on their part for selling "fuel sipping" trucks. But IMO it's a car and always will be :)