Domestic Cars

by tgriffith

Dodge Demon Danger: Can’t Buy It Without a Waiver

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

There aren’t many cars that require the buyer to sign a waiver before driving it off the lot. In fact, there might be only one.

The Dodge Demon, which is actually a Challenger in SRT Demon dress, might look close enough to a standard-issue Challenger to fool the non-initiated, but make no mistake, the Demon is a devil just waiting to prove how delightfully dastardly it can be.

While the Challenger, especially in Hellcat guise, is a perfectly capable performance car, the Demon is a deceptively dangerous track car that’s been approved to freely roam the streets. This isn’t a car for just anyone, though. There’s enough potential danger lurking under the hood (and in the tires), that buyers must sign a waiver before actually buying one. Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

Regular Cars That Cost as Much as Luxury Cars

Barring the stratospheric price of the Ford GT, the Blue Oval isn’t exactly known for high-priced luxury. That could be about to change, as an $80,000 Ford family hauler is now a reality.

Cars that cost upward of $60,000 and approach $80,000 used to be the realm of ultimate luxury and performance. We’re talking top-end BMWs and Jaguars that blend plush driving pleasure with spirited performance, not to mention a certain brand panache that justifies the price tag.

Today, the $80,000 price point is starting to encroach on mass-market brands. While we are not likely to see an $80,000 Taurus anytime soon, another Ford is dangerously close to breaking that not-so-budget-friendly milestone. Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

Honda Civic Type R Priced, Proves Demand for Performance

2018 Honda Civic Type R

Dire predictions of an entire generation having zero emotion toward cars have fueled predictions of an unprecedented “buyers strike” in America.

That’s probably not going to happen.

A love, and a need, for cars will continue to dominate the landscape, even as younger folks grow into mature, car-buying adults.

I reference the ferocious new Honda Civic Type R as proof. Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

Tesla Remains Perfect, Audi Hopes to Follow Its Lead

Safety is quickly becoming a trademark quality for Tesla. The California-based electric carmaker builds the Model S sedan, which achieved the best safety rating of any car ever tested back in 2013.

Now it can lay claim to something else no other automaker has ever been able to accomplish: a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) perfect score for an SUV in its 5-star crash-testing system.

Yes, the Tesla Model X is now the safest SUV ever tested by the government agency. Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

Should You Be Worried About Replacing a Used EV’s Batteries?

2017 Chevy Bolt

One of the benefits of owning an electric car is not needing to buy gasoline. The cost savings add up year after year, even when you include the cost of electrons to recharge the batteries.

Two of the biggest concerns since the advent of hybrid and EV technology are electric range and potential cost of replacing battery packs.

Range anxiety has mostly been solved as EV range steadily increases to over 200 miles per charge. Replacing battery packs has, so far, proven to be a non-issue, but it’s bound to become one as the earliest EVs continue to age. How much should people expect to pay once the inevitable happens?

About half of what the car cost new, at least according to Chevrolet. Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

Ram Readying for a Come-from-Behind Sales Victory

2017 Ram 1500 Rebel

I grew up with a staunch adversity to Chrysler products. It stemmed from my dad, who had a bad experience with a Chrysler Le Baron. And by “bad experience,” I mean an engine blowout before the 60,000-mile mark.

Since that day, mentioning Chrysler in conversation was akin to discussing poor bathing habits or certain political parties. It was simply not to be done in polite company.

I took that perspective into adulthood, but now that I’m older and considering a truck purchase, I’m re-thinking my attitude toward the company formerly known as Chrysler.

So, it seems, are thousands of other truck buyers in the United States. Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

How to Travel for a Great Deal on Your Next Car

Would you drive 500 miles if someone paid you $2,000?

Most of us would say yes to that without any hesitation, yet when we search for a new or used car, we typically keep our searches narrowed to cars available within 25 miles or so. Expanding your search to other cities could save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars.

Car prices can fluctuate depending on the market. A 4WD Ford Excursion, for example, may cost less in Phoenix than it does in Minnesota. Here’s how expanding your search can help you find the best deal. Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

Dodge Demon Pricing Revealed: $85K and $1 Options

Official pricing for the most maniacal and unhinged production car ever built has officially been released.

Starting MSRP of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, more commonly referred to simply as the Dodge Demon, is $84,995. Add a horsepower boost from 808 to 840, and the price jumps to $84,996.

Yes, in perhaps the best cost-to-horsepower-ratio on the planet, the Demon can gain 32 ponies for just a buck. Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

Wrangler Pickup Will Challenge Conventional Compacts

Will you want a Wrangler truck if it looks like this?

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most desired off-road machines ever built and has retained its iconic shape for decades. The long-rumored and highly anticipated truck version would likely keep the Wrangler’s design cues but sacrifice some of its ability to crawl over boulder-strewn trails. What the truck would lose in off-road prowess, though, it would gain in hauling capability.

We know for sure that a Wrangler truck will debut in the United States sometime in the next couple of years. Our money is on a 2019 model year, but Jeep isn’t talking specifics just yet. Continue reading >>>

by tgriffith

Chevy Camaro: Better Get Used to Second Place

Camaro versus Mustang.

It’s a rivalry on the same level as Bears versus Lions, Yankees versus Red Sox, and Chicago Deep Dish versus New York pizza.

The Mustang and Camaro have been trading the top sales spot for a number of years now, with the Mustang clearly in the lead for the last three years. It’s the Camaro, though, that gained the most new owners last month.

Sales victories are rare for the Camaro these days, and with a refreshed Mustang on the way for 2018, Chevy might have to get used to second place. Continue reading >>>