2007 Dodge Magnum

The station wagon made a triumphant return in 2005 when Dodge introduced its new Magnum. Based on the same platform as the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, the Magnum was slotted as Dodge's top model. Available Hemi power and aggressive wheels make the Magnum look like one cool wagon.

Ok, so the Magnum is a cool car right? Well, if esthetics is all that matters to you, then yes. But if you plan to actually drive it, consider a Saab 9-5 wagon. The Magnum rides too badly to be taken seriously. Just looking at a bump will cause this car to shutter and shake, and the handling doesn't make up for it. R/T models handle curves acceptably, but the ride quality is even worse.

The Hemi provides excellent power and is really fun to drive, on smooth surfaces. But gas mileage and ride quality cancel out its strong points. The 3.5L V6 powered SXT has plenty of power for city driving, but again, it rides like a Yugo with broken shocks. 2.7-liter models shouldn't even be considered given the poor track record of those engines.

It's a shame that engineers didn't give these cars a better suspension. The cargo room is actually quite good, and the novel lift gate makes loading cargo a breeze. Interior quality is good too. Everything feels well put together and the layout of the controls is quite logical. The Magnum is actually a very nice car, until you drive it.

If you do plan on buying one, look for leaks from the transmission, and weak air conditioning.