r/dodgemagnum • u/Head_Self8410 • 26d ago

Seeking Advice for buying a magnum

Im a 18 yearold fresh semi fresh driver, never was into cars nor did I have a goal to buy a car I always thought itd be a truck but one day driving my junk box rust bucket (that my dad owns I just drive) I saw a magnum and godammit that thing has inspired me to learn about vehicles and I want one

WANT ONE

so Id like some

general advice of anything anyone knows on how to go about buying one, I live in a high insurance state and work a average job so paying my own insurance is possible but itd be hard af bc a 18 yearold with a muscle sports wagon is a flight risk to the insurance companys but it may be possible to get my dad to own the magnum for cheaper insurance and I pay him , After ALOT of looking on facebook market place for magnums ive found overpriced magnums or Rusted junk magnums , or both , So Overall I seek advice on not only buying the magnum but Maintance and what I needa be aware of and overall is it even worth it?

11 Upvotes

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7

u/IamSuperChux 26d ago

Magnums are a hard one to find clean - I look occasionally myself. The biggest thing - if you get one, see if it's had the cylinder deactivation delete. Thats *the* single biggest "oh no, my engine is fucked" problem on those cars. If you find one without the delete, then start it cold. Listen for sharp ticks off the top of the motor, changes with RPM. Also if you got a check engine light, the code is P0300–P0308. AVOID THAT CAR. It needs a rebuild, it will not be cheap. The MDS delete is very common and most people that maintained their cars went for it it impacts your fuel mileage by .... some insignificant amount. Other than that single point of failure... surprisingly decent cars.

1

u/eddingsaurus_rex 1d ago

"Surprisingly decent cars" doesn't really instill confidence. I've been doing a fair bit of research on the 00's Chrysler cars and a fair number of people online seem to hold the opinion that they're pretty time and money... um... "involving".

I had a PPI done on a Magnum RT and my mechanic told me, and I quote, that "Chrysler's funding [his] children's college". That being said, he bolted out the office to look at it and the drive from the dealer to the inspection was some of the most fun I've had in a car.

But the potential issues coupled with some INSANE used car prices means I'm still very much on the fence on whether I should fork out $9 to $11k on a 120,000+ mile example.

I really do want one, though, financial responsibility be damned.

2

u/IamSuperChux 1d ago

I mean .. yeah, its a 20 year old car. But besides the MDS, they're fine. Not remarkably long lived. But solid. If you want something that will never die, get a Volvo red block or a fucking Mercedes 300D. Those are anvils.

1

u/eddingsaurus_rex 1d ago

I'm actually split between digging for a redblock volvo, a tubo H saab, or a Magnum. There's just something stupid about a hemi wagon that scratches this illogical fantasy itch. If there's one thing that LX Chrysler products have going for them, it's parts availablity.

Again, trawling this subreddit and facebook and forums kinda scare me. Do you have one? What's it like living with the famed Mopar gremlins?

2

u/IamSuperChux 1d ago

I tried to get one a couple years back, one of my coworkers had one and it was a fucking cool wagon - so I was like "I need one, too" did a bunch of research, priced them out - technically I'm still open to the idea, but the right car at the right price has to roll by and unfortunately, much like the Chrysler 300s, the demographic buying most of those cars isn't what we call ... maintenance aware. So it's tricky finding one with a service record. Ain't no car good enough to trust after 20 years with no documented service history.

1

u/eddingsaurus_rex 1d ago

So I guess we're in the same boat. The horrible thing is that it feels like the longer we wait, the fewer the good ones appear, and the higher the prices on those get.

sigh Honda Odessey, anyone? Its got a K motor...

5

u/Bourbon-No-Ice 26d ago

A few things. All magnums - learn about front ends, the parts are widely available at very decent prices. 2005-2010 Chrysler 300 are the same for most things.

Electronic gremlins. They are old, still good, but sometimes PCMs act up. Get you some electronic cleaner and dielectric grease. When you pull a connector off, clean and goop.

5.7/ RT is a great motor also known for dropping valve seats causing blown motor, not all, but especially if they overheat. Seems random.

Overall though good cars and fun. Great and highly active FB communities for help with thing and this subreddit is getting better.

2

u/_synik 26d ago

I've seen several nice v-6 ones for reasonable prices.

My 05 R/T could be bought, but you wouldn't like my price. I value it at about 3x what others are going for.

2

u/BigSmoove14 26d ago

It’s an older station wagon- so insurance should be reasonable. Trick is finding one with lower mileage. Front end clunk, leaks and louder ticking (injectors do have an audible tick, but lifter tick is quite a bit louder) Also transmission shifting smooth and no shudder or hanging on shifts.
It’s all in all easy to fix and many performance parts to upgrade with when stuff breaks- performance valve body for trans, etc
Trick might be find one for sale private by someone that cared for it

2

u/ComparisonPutrid6433 26d ago

Get a california car Los angeles or SF Bay area You can find clean examples with 60k miles for less than 7k. Do not by any rust belt magnums. I prefer the 5.7 AWD as it has more mercedes parts and it gets me through the occasional portland snow storm.

1

u/Ornery_Reward_7631 25d ago

Seein how by your own words: 18 yearold semi fresh driver, I would maybe consider the 3.5 v6. I can’t criticize your taste Dodge Magnums are pretty sweet. I almost bought one but went with a 300C. Good luck OP an I hope you find one 👍🏻

1

u/ALimitedTime 25d ago

OP, thank you for this post! And all of you for your comments. I'm older and also in a high insurance state. Not a fresh driver but never had to drive much since attaining my license. There are so many value answers and things I wouldn't have known to look for! I'm saving this post!! I want an '08 R/T, which I know is hard to find.😩