[Jim Hodel]

I have some comments to make regarding which model year is the 'best'. This question is frequently discussed on this board, and my observations are that people generally think that the year of car they own is the superior year. There is lots of talk about which years had the most horsepower, which has lead to the label of 'Creampuff' for later model years, 2000 and above I believe. BTW, these cars do have the smoothest idles and the least neutral gear rattle.

Some people will quote cam statistics to support their view of which year has more horsepower. Other’s have been to dyno days where certain years have shown more horsepower then other years, yet multiple dyno days are not necessarily consistent regarding hp per model year. Dodge hp ratings have been consistent from 1996 to the current model years.

I admit that my opinion is not based on objective analysis, but I think all the model years for Gen II cars are so close in overall specification that the difference is negligible, and that factors other the year are much more important in a buying decision. If I were shopping today, I would pay more attention to mileage, condition, price, modifications, history, and location, then model year, although I do believe that in general Dodge has made changes that improve the cars over the years

Jim