2000DodgeAvengerDodge Avenger2000 Dodge Avenger BaseCoupeCoupeFWDNormal, ILBase Avengers get new standard equipment, including the 2.5-liter V6 and automatic transmission from the uplevel ES, new cloth fabric on the seats and standard 16-inch wheels with luxury wheelcovers. A sport package is newly optional. A power leather-trimmed driver's seat is included with ES trim for 2000. Two key fobs come with the remote keyless-entry system this year, and two new colors are available. The Avenger will be completely redesigned for 2001.Good looks, roomy back seat, low price.Weak and thrashy V6, automatic transmission only.Nobody misses the Dodge Daytona. You will recall that the Daytona was a front-wheel-drive sport coupe based on the K-Car chassis. After a decade on the market with minimal changes, Chrysler mercifully pulled the plug on the Daytona, replacing it with the Mitsubishi Galant-based Avenger in 1995. Avenger competes with the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Pontiac Grand Prix, whereas the Daytona was marketed as an alternative to the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. Smaller, lighter and less powerful than the GP or the Monte, Dodge has managed to squeeze nearly as much interior space but not as much performance into the smoothly styled Avenger. Base and ES flavors are available. For 2000, Dodge has dropped the four-cylinder engine and manual transmission, making a wheezy 163-horsepower, 2.5-liter Mitsubishi V6 hooked to a four-speed automatic the only powertrain choice. So equipped, the Avenger is woefully inadequate in terms of performance compared to the Grand Prix GT and Monte Carlo SS. Refinement is not the Avenger's trump card, either. Both the Honda Accord Coupe and Toyota Camry Solara are better assembled and constructed of higher-quality materials. But, of course, you pay for perfection, and this sporty Dodge costs thousands less than competing models from Japan. Other changes for 2000 include revised cloth seats and larger wheels and tires for the Base model. ES versions get a standard power driver's seat and leather upholstery. Ice Silver and Ruby Red paint colors debut. Next year, an all-new Avenger arrives and is expected to be larger, structurally stiffer, and powered by heartier four- and six-cylinder engines. Overall, the 2000 Avenger is high on practicality and style but low on power and refinement. An accommodating coupe, the Avenger's only real shortcoming is its weak engine. If you're looking for performance, shop elsewhere. But with prices for the top-of-the-line Avenger ES on par with base editions of competing products, and substantial rebates sure to be a mainstay to move 2000 models off the lots, the Avenger is a tempting piece indeed. Chevrolet Monte CarloHonda AccordPontiac Grand AmToyota Camry Solara336,000336,000336,0005100,0009.5 sec.139 ft.0.8062.5 litersV6163 hp @ 5500 rpm170 ft-lbs. @ 4350 rpm190.2 in.69.1 in.53 in.2879 lbs.103.7 in.39.2 in.36.5 in.53.1 in.55.1 in.55.1 in.49.6 in.43.3 in.35 in.13.1 cu.ft.Not AvailableStandardNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Very GoodRating = Very GoodNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested15.9 gal.19 mpg / 27 mpg302 mi. / 429 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$17,405$19,0457.35%$575N/A3% of the Total MSRPBASE (4A): 2.5L V6 SOHC SMPI 24-valve engine; 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 525 amp battery; 90 amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 3.2 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with chrome tip; touring ride suspension, front independent double wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent double wishbone suspension with rear coil springs; power rack-and-pinion steering with vehicle speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel disc brakes; 15.9 gal. capacity fuel tank; rear lip spoiler, side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding; monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's manual remote black outside mirrors; 16" x 5.5" steel wheels; P205/55HR16 performance A/S BSW tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan, cassette player, 6 speakers, and fixed antenna; cruise control; power door locks, remotetrunk release, remote fuel release; 1 power accessory outlet, driver's foot rest, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar, trunk ajar, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags; panic alarm; tinted windows, power windows with driver's 1-touch down; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 6-way adjustment, passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment, easy entry; 60/40 folding rear bench seat with fixed headrests; front height adjustable seatbelts; cloth seats, vinyl door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights; steering wheel with tilt adjustment;vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box with light, front cupholder, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo net, cargo light; black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.
ES (4A) (in addition to or instead of BASE (4A) equipment): Sport ride suspension, rear independent double wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; 17" x 6.5" silver alloy wheels; P215/50HR17 performance A/S BSW tires; AM/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan, cassette player, single CD player, 6 speakers, and fixed antenna; garage door opener; remote keyless entry, panic alarm, security system; driver's seat includes 8-way adjustment, lumbar support; leather seats, cloth door trim insert; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment and dual illuminated vanity mirrors.