i'm looking at a 00dodge stratus for$2500 and only 47000mi. on it. I don't know anything about a stratus

Sounds like a good deal if the seats aren't ripped, got new tires and regular maintenance has been performed with a trail of documentation- I'd say go for it, sounds pretty sweet, just have it inspected. there are at least 12 critical areas should be inspected at this point in the life of the vehicle...be prepared to get new belts and hoses, possibly a timing belt, would have to check, anyways maybe was done already, look at your paperwork.

I would look at the following website for reviews and engine types, specs, and reliability scores: http://www.edmunds.com/dodge/stratus/2000/ Hope this helped :)