Motor Vehicle Tips

Back in the 1950s thru the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced many cars that were out and out “muscle” automobiles. These kinds of automobiles shared the same characteristics: they were two door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an assertive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel prices and changing tastes ultimately limited sales to the point where only a few models were produced beyond that time period. Today, muscle vehicle mania is back, notwithstanding even higher gas costs. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a smaller extent to sedan and wagon models from Dodge, there’s new interest in a class long given up. The future is bright for the muscle car segment as one more manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of times past, the Camaro.

Besides the Ford Mustang there were a whole host of vehicles produced that at one previous point or another could have been considered a muscle auto. As well as the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane 500 and Ford Torino did duty ; the Mercury Montego was another model ; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Tempest; Olds the 442; American Motors’ had its Javelin ; Plymouth had the ‘Cuda, and Dodge produced the Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the Mustang and Corvette survives though the Dodge Charger has returned as a four door muscle vehicle together with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.

Interestedly, it took Ford’s redoing of the Mustang for the 2005 model year to stir the current muscle automobile time craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the present Mustang embraces a retro look while incorporating latest technology. The result has been that the Mustang currently sells its whole 150,000 model capacity without incentives.

The Mustang has been inspiring DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept auto, popping up at automobile shows across the USA, has been a massive hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model back in 2009. Additionally, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another car also making the rounds of the States automobile show circuit.

So, isn’t it silly to bring back such gas hogs? Back in the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle cars averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon around town and fifteen or sixteen m.p.g on the highway. Thanks to PC technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a very respectable 28 miles to the gallon the road. So, though fuel mileage will definitely be lower than lots of other models, the new group of muscle automobiles will still better the prior generation vehicles with fuel mileage 80% or more above the autos from the 1970s.

Fortunately, we live in a fairly free country and what the consumer wants, the buyer gets. So, V8 powered muscle vehicles paired to 6 speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel usage will likely appeal to several. No, they will not be actual copies of yesterday’s muscle autos, but they’re going to provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!.

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Blogs, car shows have been hyping up the tenet Dodge Challenger to the point at which you would think the auto is nearly prepared to roll off a DCX production line. To assert that the prototype is being well received is an understatement — quite honestly if the Challenger was available for sale today the list would be many months long. Such is the clamor for a retro vehicle that takes its styling cues right from the ’71 Challenger.

As it now stands, the car will be built as DaimlerChrysler has given its blessing to the new Challenger. Still, the Challenger is more than 3 years from being manufactured as it is certain to be released some time during 2009 as a 2010 model. Yes, the wait will be hard for most but if the hype equals the performance, then the wait will certainly be worth your while.

Some folk are against the whole retro vehicle revolution. Citing that Detroit must reach back in time to make relevant cars is an affidavit to the each automaker’s woes. On the contrary, I suspect the many revived models now being planned or already on our streets is a clear affidavit to Detroit finally listening to its customers: we need vehicles that are uniquely styled and we’d like them to perform precisely the way you may say they’re going to perform. No fake hood scoops, no heralded model name slapped on a car that pales compared to the first. No, we don’t want you to build the first model we need you to build the original model better. Take the styling cues and run with them and incorporate modern technology to improve on the original design. That is all we ask.

So, just what can enthusiasts expect when they take delivery of their Challenger? Well, like I announced the car is still in the planning stages, but what I have gleaned from assorted sites is the following information:

Modified Platform — If you like the Mercedes based LX platform now used to run the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, and Dodge Charger then the LY platform will suit you too. DCX is intending to change the LX platform for its next generation of autos and the LY based Challenger will be one of many autos built on it. Some have advised the LY will be the LX on steroids, whatever that means.

Did Someone Say Hemi? — Every Mopar product of importance will have optional Hemi power and the Challenger is not an exception. Expect a V6 to be standard with the optional Hemi V8 for performance versions of the auto. Some have suggested the the 425 h.p. SRT 6.1L V8 will also be made available for the Challenger.

Ragtop Regalia — Chrysler asserts the Sebring will be its only convertible offering, but that leaves Dodge dealers without a soft top car to market [other than the Viper, of course]. Despite this bit of info, look for a Challenger convertible to show up 1 or 2 years after the car’s debut. Heck, if DCX does not want to build one then O.E.M coach builders will do the job for them. You can bet that Dodge dealers will make these arrangements if DCX doesn’t.

Yes, the Challenger won’t be in new car showrooms any time shortly. For those among us waiting with “baited breath” we’re going to have to console ourselves with the numerous blogs, sites, and auto shows hyping the car. Apart from that, just imagine your shiny new Challenger stopped at a traffic light with a Mustang on one side and a Camaro on the other side….

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The new Magnum is a great looking car that may get your neighbors talking as you rumble around the block. The unique styling of the Magnum will also attract gawkers in the shape of 18-22 years old fellows pointing for their friends to “check that out”. And a few people will approach you as you are filling up the gas tank to ask, “Does it actually have a Hemi?”, with only an imprecise idea that it somehow makes the auto better.

The Magnum is offered with many various engine sizes (either a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder ) with your decision of h.p. Output of 190, 250, 340 and 425. The cost of the vehicle also corresponds with the engine size starting at $30,345 to the pricey STR-8 model for $37,320. A huge part of the mystique around this auto is the Hemi engine. The Hemi is short for hemispherical combustion chamber, which creates better fuel burning and allows larger valves for better airflow. Fundamentally , it produces more power than an engine with its displacement would routinely produce. ( there also are also drawbacks to the Hemi, and is why it’s not the sole engine that Chrysler produces).

The interior of the automobile looks much dearer than you’d be expecting for the cost of the Magnum. Since Mercedes bought Chrysler, the Dodge vehicles I’ve sampled have had a pointy improvement in interior quality. While on the road, the auto is very solid and the seats are comfy even on long highway runs.

As much as I like the looks, after driving it a bit I really have to question the design concept that the Magnum offers. It’s a station lorry built to move plenty of people and a large amount of stuff. But mating this with a robust engine with the taught racing-like suspension is uncomfortable for both. It is like having a Corvette tow a little trailer, and you are in the trailer and the Corvette driver is 15 years-old, pushing the auto to its limits. (Only an actual Corvette has a way more cushty suspension than the Magnum ). Even driving on smooth roads, the steering is very darty and tough to control. And with a large car, all that weaving and road feedback is exaggerated for the passengers and everything you have stored in the back.

I like having a navigation system, but figuring out how to use it with the wheel controls made me frequently refer to the user’s manual. In spite of the high h.p. and low-end torque I played with when starting from a full stop, the RT model I drove averaged 20 Miles per gallon on the higway.

What I presume to be the target audience for this auto, those 18-22 year-old guys that I discussed, will likely love this automobile. And as much as I love driving sports cars, the darty steering and pointy suspension make it too uncomfortable without any impressive payoff. The 0-60 sprint is fun for a little while, but I’d pass on buying a Magnum as a daily driving vehicle.

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