RideLust

Thumbs Up: May be the perfect American muscle sedan.

Thumbs Down: Thirsty when driven hard (as you’d expect).

Buy This Car If: Your idea of a weekend get away involves multiple time zones.

There are very few perfect things in life. Take enough pictures, and maybe you’ll eventually snag the perfect shot (hey, it worked for Ansel Adams). Try hard enough and you may concoct the perfect breakfast sandwich, to unseat McDonald’s Egg McMuffin (although we doubt that very much). Drive a particular track long enough in the same car, and you may eventually find the perfect line. Read More…

Remember back in 2005 when the redesigned Dodge Charger came out? Mopar purists went completely bat-shit because Chrysler decided to give it four doors instead of two, which for some, was shear blasphemy. But what if back in the day the original Charger came with 4-doors? I mean that would have relegated it to family truckster status right from the get go and thus there wouldn’t have been any controversy. The same can be said for the Plymouth Barracuda, a car that is arguably one of the most iconic muscle cars ever built. They’re styling is timeless, their reputations at the drag strips are legendary, and way back when you could order one up with everything from a slant-6 to a fire breathing 426 HEMI. I found this rendering online of a four-door version and figured I’d post it up to get some opinions. So, whatcha’ think – good, bad or indifferent?

I always find it amusing when the racing drivers of today climb behind the wheel of vintage automobiles as their comments range from the amusing to the absurd. Justin Bell for example has won the 24 Hours of LeMans and was a GT 2 World Champion, so seeing him behind the wheel of a vintage Dodge Charger was well, kind of interesting. Understand that this is a guy who has no problem slinging a modern race car into a turn at 130 mph, however once behind the wheel of a 44 year-old Dodge Charger he seems to get all flustered. Granted, these cars are not for the faint of heart, but jeeze, I figured he’d be more comfortable then this video portrays. Yes the stock steering sucks, and yes drum brakes aren’t in fashion anymore, but hell man… just relax and enjoy what is arguably one of the coolest muscle cars ever created.

Source: Youtube.com

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It would’ve been so much easier if I was just into video games or something because there are times when being a car guy totally sucks. You see I don’t just like cars, I love them. In fact every aspect of my life revolves around them. I write about them, build them, race them, film them… hell, they encompass everything I do. Who knew that back in the day when I was playing with Matchbox and remote control cars that it would turn into an obsession that has taken over my life. The problem is this; I want everything, but the fatal combination of a writers salary and lack of space prevent this from happening. Sure being in the industry helps, as we get to drive press cars and go to different automotive related events, but still, that doesn’t change the fact that I jones for something different in the garage on a daily basis. Take this near perfect 1972 Ford Galaxie 500 that I spied recently on eBay. Folks, if I had the money this sucker would be in my garage tomorrow. Sure it’s big and cumbersome, but it’s a classic piece of American iron that I would love to use as a daily driver. Maybe it’s because it’s different, or maybe its because cars like this remind me of my childhood growing up in the 1970′s. Whatever the reason though, road yachts like this always get my blood pumping.

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Jeff Dunham came onto the scene a few years ago with his hilarious ventriloquist act that included none other than Achmed, the dead terrorist. His comedic timing and raw sense of humor has not only made him super famous, but has also enhanced his bank account quite a bit. I have a feeling that most of us, myself included, had no idea that Dunham was a car guy. In fact not only is he an enthusiast, but he’s managed to build one of the wildest old school hot rods the world has ever seen. He’s also dubbed it the Achmed-mobile, and for good reason. Hell, just check out the crazy hood ornament that sits atop that massive Chrysler HEMI. Those headers aren’t too shabby either…

Source: Youtube.com
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You’ve got to hand it to Chrysler as they’ve really been putting their time in on the advertising front. This is their new add for the 2012 Chrysler 300, and it’s not only well done, but it evokes a passion for good old American hard work and know-how. Well done Chrysler, well done…

Source: Youtube.com
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If you’re talking about value for dollar then you’d be hard pressed to find something that gives you the flat-out OOMPH of Chrysler’s new 300 SRT8. It’s 6.4-liter HEMI packs 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. That means 0-60 mph in under 5-seconds, a top speed of 175 mph and an interior that’s well… really, really nice and all for under $50k. Where the old Chrysler 300 SRT8 was more of a brick-ish brute, this new one has been smoothed and refined. It’s exterior is now that of a sexy plus-size model and the engine growl, although muted at first, lets you know that there is a commanding presence under the hood. Quite honestly, the only downside is the carryover of the 5-speed automatic transmission that’s been used since 2005 as this car desperately needs a 6th, or even a 7th gear. I currently have a 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8, a vehicle that I truly love. However if Chrysler decides to drop a new transmission in the 300 SRT8, well then, I may just be going for a trade-in.

Source: Road and Track
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Chrysler’s original “Imported From Detroit” TV ad was pretty bleak. Filmed in the gritty urban heart of Detroit, the commercial was more about surviving that it was about succeeding, and I seriously doubt it inspired anyone to pick up stakes and move to Detroit. Their latest ad, for the 2012 Chrysler 300, shows a kinder and gentler side to the Motor City. The commercial may start out in the city, complete with gray, overcast skies, but it soon wanders into the upscale suburbs of Detroit. Read More…

Thumbs Up: Blends luxury with practicality; exponentially better than the previous model

Thumbs Down: Damn, that’s a lot of chrome; least user-friendly infotainment interface

Buy This Car If: You really want a Chrysler 300, but have 5 kids to haul around

In 1984, Dodge introduced a vehicle called the Caravan, followed by a similar model from Plymouth called the Voyager. No one knew it at the time, but we were witnessing the birth of an entirely new segment (in North America, at least) called the “minivan.” At a time when Baby Boomers were cranking out offspring like hormone-dosed rabbits, Chrysler found a way to blend value and versatility into a single package, creating the ideal vehicle for the growing family. Minivans could carry up to seven passengers, or they could be configured to haul an impressive amount of swag, making them the darlings of the Saturday-morning garage sale set. Read More…

Thumbs Up: A vast improvement over the old Sebring, in every way.

Thumbs Down: Handling compromised by plush ride quality, lots of chrome.

Buy This Car If: You want a made-in-America midsize sedan with style and personality.

Calling the 2011 Chrysler 200 better than the outgoing Chrysler Sebring is damning the new car by faint praise. While both cars share the same platform, the Chrysler 200 is improved in every conceivable way; the exterior styling is fresh and distinctive, the 200’s interior is now-class-leading and even the optional Pentastar V-6 engine returns better fuel economy while producing more horsepower. The old Sebring was the quintessential rental car, and one you’d begrudgingly accept only if the last Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion or Mitsubishi Galant was gone from the rental fleet inventory. Read More…