trinacriabob

While I’ve posted about Dodge Chargers quite a bit, I’ve never reviewed one. I once reviewed a Chrysler 300 because I rented one for a day for an abnormally low price. I’ve had Chargers as rentals. The last rented Charger featured the current roofline, but had the last bulbous Ram-like grille. Just recently, I had drove a 2020 Charger for 6 days via an upgrade. I was supposed to get a Hyundai Elantra (or similar). They didn’t have intermediates, so I was directed to the full-size aisle. The Dodge Charger is often one step up from full-sizes in rental fleets. So I asked the Cuban gentleman working on the lot if I could have the one Charger in the full-size row and he told me to help myself! With the bags already in the trunk, an approaching elderly couple was eyeing it. Get out of here ... take one of the Altimas or Camrys. The car was white with a black leather interior. I was not looking forward to leather seats in a hot climate, but the A/C was very effective in quickly cooling down the interior. It had the base 3.6 L Pentastar V6 making 292 horses, an 8 speed Torqueflite automatic transmission, and rear wheel drive. It also had a more compact shift lever I’ve not seen before. I’ve come to like the Dodge Charger more and more. At first, I didn’t like the new, more horizontal grille because it was shared with less expensive Dodge products. Now, I think it works well, especially with the adjacent headlamps. Similarly, I like this last thinner and curved rear light assembly that seems to show some “camber.” As you drive off, the initial feel at low speeds may seem floaty and overassisted. I’m comparing this to my car, in that GM W-bodies with hydraulic power steering require more effort in parking lots and at slow speeds. However, the Charger’s apparent speed sensitive electric power steering is actually convenient and it’s great at highway speeds, where maneuvers are agile yet still communicative. Tire thum and wind noise are also minimal, as is engine noise under normal throttle and particularly when on the interstate. The Pentastar V6 moves this 4,000 pound car well in all speed ranges. The 8 speed automatic transmission changes gears smoothly and quietly. Beyond the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, the subsequent ones are almost imperceptible. As for the Charger interior, the cabin features a nice cabin environment. I really liked the articulation of the bucket seats, meaning they’re nice to look at. The bolsters are comfortably shaped, the lumbar area feels right, and the front headrests sort of slot in as opposed to popping up way above. The same goes for the rear seats. The headrests are integral. With the rake of the C-pillar and the integral headrests, visibility is good and a combination of turning one’s head and using the mirrors makes lane changes easy. (The last-gen Impala, albeit with a similar roofline, had marginal rear visibility because of its thicker pillar and more obtrusive rear headrests.) The Charger also has a wide stance and feels very stable. In my car, I can reach and open the passenger door manually. In the Charger, I could not. The dashboard is nicely shaped, with an integral infotainment center that is housed under the cowl. This looks more appealing than the “laptop left open” look now often seen in domestic and import vehicles. The controls for the audio and climate control systems are logically laid out and easy to use. The steering wheel control buttons are sensibly sized, with information functions to the left and cruise control settings to the right. Once a person gets used to them, they are easy to toggle through and show a lot of useful information. The main instrument panel dials have orange accents but are principally white. (That’s a good thing because I never cared for Pontiac’s orange illumination phase.) The compact shifter, instead of a gate, is nice to the touch and the shifter itself lights up with which gear it’s in. The are two cup holders, a big bin In the console, and air vents and USB ports at the rear of the console for rear seat passengers. The air conditioning vents up front are nicely positioned and distribute conditioned air effectively. While it all sounds good, there are a few demerits. Compared to the version prior to this last refresh, the cluster between the two main IP gauges is less user friendly in some ways. The transmission gear display is stacked right atop the fuel gauge, almost running into each other. It used to be that round analog gauges were inset at the bottom of the larger speedo and tach and that freed up that central square info area. On the plus side, right below the D indicator is the number of the gear you are in. Now that’s cool! Another oversight is that, unless I missed something in the settings, the clock is not displayed unless the infotainment system is on. However, the outside temperature is always displayed in the main instrument cluster and, when turned on, in the infotainment screen as well. Additionally, the digital clock display is smallish. Even an old fashioned chronometer would be nice, as long as the time is continuously displayed somewhere. The biggest negative is the lack of a remote fuel door release latch. If the base Hyundai Accent has an interior fuel release door, so should a Dodge Charger ... no “ifs, ors, ands, or buts” about it. Previous Chargers had the release in the driver’s door, near the map pocket slots. Initially, I thought I had missed it. As I walked outside the car, I casually pushed on the fuel door and it opened. Surprise. There are a few more things to mention about the driving experience. While the base 3.6 L V6 moves the car well, if one is already at highway speeds and wants to pass, flooring the gas pedal causes to RPMs to spool highly and quickly and, then, with a slight lag, the car moves quickly to the task. One past review over the years somewhere complained the car is too quiet. I think that’s a plus, especially in the more conventional and/or luxury oriented base models. While the transmission works well, between 55 mph and 65 mph, I noticed that the gear indicator between the main IP dials showed that it hunted for a gear at times. One would prefer to be in gear 8 at those speeds but, sometimes, it stayed in 7 until it either sensed more speed or that that speed would be held. Part of it is that an electronic chip is doing the thinking. With the talk of highway speeds and gears comes a discussion of gas mileage. The car gets commendable gas mileage, more so for mixed highway-urban than city driving. On a pure highway jaunt, the mileage is excellent. In the 8th gear and at about 65 mph, the V6 spins at a very low 1,400 rpm. In one point to point - pancake flat - cruise control - light traffic - gas station to gas station jaunt of over 100 miles, I got about 35 mpg. If old Impalas with 3400 V6s and 4 speed automatics could pull in 33 or 34 mpg on the highway, this is credible. Clearly, the conditions had to have been optimal. Many are wondering what the next Charger will bring. The current one has so many good features and aspects, and is well liked. I suspect the next one will be marginally smaller, lighter, and more nimble. I hope they fix some of the readouts that are fussy, cramped, and/or not shown. And that, irrespective of the tight capless fuel system, an interior fuel door release returns. And, true to its muscular and imposing Charger stance, please keep the infotainment system under the cowl rather than the “laptop left open” style that looks fragile and is not appealing. The best thing about the 2020 Dodge Charger is its mixing of the best of old school greatness we miss and the currents norms in automotive technology. Not only that, rear wheel drive makes the car feel more balanced and planted. The driving experience is commanding, comfortable, and inspires confidence. I wanted to take the car home with me.

Addicting

sandwich

I've read a fair number of articles on consumer behavior and being good with money. Believe it or not, buying things on sale to stock up TOO OFTEN can become problematic. Usually, if I find a unique salad dressing flavor, good soups, Coast or Irish Spring body wash, or something like that at a deep discount, I'll buy a handful of them and keep them around. Some supermarkets, like a discount one I go to, has a bargain basement section and there is some good stuff in there ... cheap. Last winter, I put Bosch windshield wipers on my car. Today, I found these cool night lights for about $1.50, so I bought two of them but, most of all, I found some unknown brand windshield wipers for $1.99 each! I bought two. Let's see how it goes. Even if I get half the typical life cycle, I did well.

sophomore (slump)

Here are some photos of the area from somewhere between Thanksgiving and Christmas, about 5 to 7 years ago ... Lincoln City - possibly that lake, on the inboard side of US 101 from that beach with the big parking lot and the seagulls that love people ... and it's easy to figure out why they love people: Depoe Bay area:

I did not know that. And I once lived there. (One or two communities over from you!) Any idea when this law was enacted ... more or less? Not a good idea to be driving up and down a stop and go I-5 or I-405 with flip flops, sandals, or the like.

Yes. Please don't drive in them. At the most, 2 or 3 blocks at lower speeds to pick up some groceries at the market. Some countries, and possibly some states, have laws about driving while wearing footwear that is not held in place with a strap. Not completely sure. And, if they don't, these sorts of laws might be a good idea, though hard to enforce. Not at all a "don't tread on me" issue but a public safety issue.

I saw another one a few days ago. I'm liking this car. The mid-engine look is interesting and makes it look "balanced." Some article was released and it was considered one of the best 10 cars of 2020. They went as far as to say that, in base form, it's a bargain for what it is. I know the base engine is a 6.2 L V8. I've seen that engine on specs every now and then. I believe it's about 368 c.i. I'm wondering why they couldn't have kept the venerable 5.7 L. Maybe the 5.7 label is too long in the tooth and signals no innovation. - - - - - During the first week of August, I was at a gas station in FL and saw an immaculate mid-90s Cutlass Supreme (SL trim) coupe in white with burgundy buckets and alloy wheels. As the guy was gassing up, I learned it was a '95 (which I had guessed), it had a 3.1 V6 (which I had guessed), and had about 160,000 miles. He couldn't believe I knew so much about it. The guy was originally from England (looked like he could have been related to Australian Paul Hogan) and said he loved the car - its reliability, comfort, and mostly how economical it was in using fuel. This car was 25 years old and it must have been tight! Would have taken a photo but the situation just wasn't right for that. It's like being put into a time tunnel when you see something with burgundy cloth bucket seats.

Mostly, I get a kick of this newer vernacular of soccer slides and white socks. You can't be a white person and pull it off. When I was growing up, you wore white socks ... and maybe - BIG maybe - white ankle socks with tennis shoes, most of which were mainly white. If you wore dark socks with tennis shoes, you were out of style, nerdy, or possibly a German or Scandinavian tourist. Now, and especially in Europe, you wear dark socks with tennis shoes, which tend to be of many colors, and that includes dark ankle socks. I wish I could "get the memo" on these things on a timely basis. Therefore, it's easier to wear flip flops and avoid socks altogether when the weather is good. You won't be making any "mistakes" that way.

Here's an early August sighting in the subtropics. He knew I took this photo. He told me it was a 2005 with about 160,000 original miles. Those tires and wheels are a MUST. LOL.

One of my childhood friends has a sister who shares a profile with Chief Pontiac. She ultimately grew into it.

If it can carry the space shuttle, then it can carry this

I saw one of these and thought I could use one: You don't want one, eh? Graduate of Wazza Matta U?

The new Elantra is just around the bend and it stylistically follows in the footsteps of the new Sonata. That's a thumbs down. It looks like they're trying to reinvent their design vocabulary and niche. The exterior views are consistent but the interior views are not. I've seen two renditions of their interiors and dashboards. One is better than the other. I see the Accent going away. Too bad. The Accent is being discontinued for the Canadian market. I'm not sure if we (the U.S.A.) are included in this. There are very few of them on the lots, while Elantras, the current one, are plentiful. I surprisingly enjoyed how nicely two rentals drove and sipped fuel. The only heartburn I have is that it went from a 6-speed automatic to a CVT. Yep, CVTs and "laptop left open" infotainment centers give me heartburn.

I'm part of the way with you on this. I do not get the appeal of Krispy Kreme at all. It's their glazing and slickness that I don't like. I only go during National Donut Day or if someone else really wants to go. I much prefer Dunkin Donuts because their donuts are "normal" in consistency, frosting, etc. So are the donuts of some indie shops. A good croissant does trump a donut, either filled with jam or turned into a small sandwich.

And Edsel made its own engines? What powered their cars - cylinders, c.i.? I don't know anything about them except that Kathleen Turner made a comment about an Edsel in one particular movie. So sad to see Pontiac shelved. With few exceptions, always the best styled of BOP + C(h). Compared to the rear of the '59 Impala, the '60 (and '58) almost pale. ... few tail lamp assemblies have been that uniquely and oddly styled.

Here are some classics don't fit into the monthly spotting threads ... all of them seen in California. Here's a Chevy wagon of some sort (year and model unknown) in a rest area along US 101 in the vicinity of Hearst Castle. Here's a real treat. I don't recall if and when I've seen one before. I kept looking at it in this shopping center parking lot, trying to figure out what is was, and it was an EDSEL! (rear light panel looks "slightly" old Impala like)

If it's that trashed outside, it's probably fairly scruffy inside. That looks like a '79. Probably a beautiful car in its day. I think I spot the little square emblem on the landau roof indicating it's a Brougham.

You guys were on this like flies on sh*t. I had edited it out quickly. My God. Next Monday, August 17, is National Vanilla Custard Day. If you have a Culver's near you, things with vanilla custard are half off. Check. And, raise your custard treat as a "cheers" to Robert DeNiro's birthday. I think it's on the 17th. I have a friend, a "paesano," with a b-day on the 18th who told me that.

Never mind. - - - - - Also, yes, riviera74, I agree. The Chinese president's car has an ominous Gotham City quality.

Money does not buy class. It's one tacky ride. Also, I see tattoos showing up by his sleeves. Many people, including many celebrities, are clueless and should be getting rid of them before age, and what it does to the skin, creeps up on them.

This sled has existed for a while but, today, I saw it on line for the very first time. I was trying to figure out if Mercedes or Bentley built it for the Chinese president and other VIPs. Turns out it's made by an expensive niche Chinese auto manufacturer and these cars cost about $ 1 M (US equivalent) each. It looks more like a butt ugly and expensive cross between an early '60s Rambler and a late '60s Toyota on steroids.

@oldshurst442 Two things: 1) That's exactly what I was thinking. If a great white shark can swim up to Maine (a very sad situation), there's nothing stopping it from swimming up to Nova Scotia (Halifax, etc.) 2) The could have been me in that photo except that my rented Alero was a coupe, burgundy, and on the Trans-Canada Highway in AB near the Continental Divide. The moose was also a lot farther ahead of the car ... thankfully. But who can forget that?

Nice exterior color, indeed. However, I've got to say that, for their trucks/SUVs/CUVs, GM seems to make more attractive instrument panels and interiors than other car makers ... nice lines, contours, etc. Enjoy!