Dodge Avenger #05

The new 2012 Dodge Avenger is the latest version of Dodge's successful sporty sedan. It combines the rugged styling of an American muscle car of old with comfortable seating and convenient options that can be paired with one of two reliable, strong power options. If you are looking for a practical car with stand-out styling, then the new 2012 Dodge Avenger is exactly what you want.

The Dodge Avenger for 2012 continues with the same basic styling that has brought accolades to past models of this vehicle. The rugged curves and sporty indentations that make the Avenger stand out among other sedans in its class and price range remain the centerpiece of the exterior design for this year's Dodge Avenger. While previous interiors were more than attractive and comfortable when compared to those of their competitors, this year's design focus has been on improving the interior of the Charger even further.

Interior design improvements are seen on the dashboard as well as on the various system control buttons, which are easier to use than their predecessors in earlier model Avengers. The ample head and leg room that characterized previous models also remains a major feature of the 2012 Dodge Avenger.

Last year, Dodge made their vaunted 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 available on the Avenger, and this is the recommended power plant for 2012 as well. Its 286 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque make it perfect for highway driving, whereas the smaller 2.4 liter engine is best only if the car is to be driven mostly in stop-and-go traffic. The larger engine gives practically the same gas mileage as the smaller one, with the difference being a mere one or two miles per gallon for both city or highway depending upon the actual configuration of the car.

The 2012 Dodge Avenger is available in three basic trim packages. As it includes the 2.4 liter engine, the basic SE trim package is ideal for drivers who will use their Dodge Avengers for city driving. The SXT replaces the basic four-speed transmission with a six-speed but retains the basic engine. The trim packages that include the powerful, yet practical Pentastar power plant are the SXT Plus and a limited availability luxury package. Even the standard packages allow for top-level options such as audiophile entertainment systems to be purchased separately.

No discussion of a sedan is complete without discussing its safety record, and the 2012 Dodge Avenger has much to be proud of when it comes to safety. Every trim package includes the expected complement of air bags, and the design of the chassis and suspension earned the Avenger a top rating and recommendation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

If you do not want to compromise on styling when it comes to your everyday car, the new 2012 Dodge Avenger should be your first choice among this year's crop of new cars. Its exterior design is unique in its class, and it has everything you want both inside and under the hood.

Dodge Avenger #04

The latest 2009 launched Dodge Avenger is offered in three variants, namely the sporty R/T, well equipped SXT and the base SE. The SE model is facilitated with cruise control, air conditioning, an auxiliary audio jack, satellite radio, four speaker audio system, a cooled front storage compartment, full power accessories, a tilt and telescoping steering wheels and 16-inch steel wheels.

In the SXT model, some extra features are added, which are steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, eight way power driver seats, six CD changer and six speakers for the audio system, fog lights, 17-inch steel wheels and a rear spoiler.

On the other hand, the Avenger R/T is facilitated with an auto dimming rear-view mirror, single zone automatic climate control, heated side mirrors, automatic head lights, firmer suspension tuning and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The 2009 Dodge Avenger initially came with an engine power of up to 173 hp and a torque up to 166 lb-ft. Later on, this engine power was increased up to 186 hp and torque up to 191 lb-ft, but the engine power of Avenger SXT was boosted up to 235 hp and its torque to 232 lb-ft. The 3.5 liter v6 power R/T takes about 7.7 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph.

From safety point of view, full-length head curtain airbags and front seat air bags are added to the car. Standard anti-lock brakes are also available with the R/T and V6 models. The trunk capacity of Avenger is about 13.4 cubic feet.

Dodge Avenger #03

The 2010 Dodge Avenger is closely related to the Chrysler Sebring, however its appearance and unique styling differentiates it from its sibling. It comes along with popular creases designed at the rear fenders. It is an impressive compact sedan. Even though it's a minivan, the Dodge Avenger has a plenty of standard equipment and sporty features found in upper class vehicles.

Many reviewers of the 2010 Avenger are saying that it has arrived as a sensation in the segment of mid-size sedans. The new Avenger is provided in two versions: the R/T and the SXT. There are few differences of external styling between R/T and the SXT, but these two models have many similar features as well.

A standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is deployed in these two versioned sedans that produces 173 hp. And also, both versions use a four-speed automatic transmission. One more optional 2.7-liter V6 engine is also offered to both versions, whereas the R/T has a basic 3.5-liter V6 engine (at 189 hp) with a six-speed overdrive automatic transmission. A security system, tire pressure monitoring, anti-lock brakes, active head restraints, and six airbags are included as a standard safety services.

The cabin of the 2010 Dodge Avenger carries the angular and chunky theme, which sets it apart from its rivals. Some experts claim that it fixes every sort of target for styling in the segment, while the rest don't really appreciate the fancy style of the new Avenger. Let's wait and watch what kind of response does the 2010 Avenger receive from the crowd.

Dodge Avenger #02

With an amazing combination of the most powerful engine in its class and the best fuel economy statistics for cars of its type, the 2011 Dodge Avenger is clearly a top choice as far as affordable midsized cars are concerned. It combines the agility and grace of a muscle car with the reliability of a car that you can use for errands and family outings, and the Dodge Avenger is available at a very reasonable price.

Starting from the distinctive exterior for which the Dodge Avenger has been known for many a model year, the car clearly gets attention and stands out among other cars of its type. The contoured rear and original grille are reminiscent of cars that cost three to four times as much as the economical Avenger.

Under the hood, the picture is even more attractive as the optional Pentastar 283 horsepower V6 gives the car the power it needs for highway driving with the fuel economy today's drivers demand in the city. Its gas mileage ratings of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway are clearly outstanding for a car that is equipped with a high-performance 3.6 liter engine. Even the standard engine is a respectable 2.4 liter DOHC power plant that delivers a reliable 173 horsepower, making it a perfect choice for drivers who plan to use their Avenger mainly for local driving.

The Avenger phenomenon continues inside the car. New materials and a new design mark the interior layout of the 2011 Dodge Avenger model, and the cockpit is designed for convenience just as the seats are designed for durable comfort. Attention to detail is apparent in such features as a floor console with a sliding armrest that is standard on all models, and the leather-covered chrome shift knob on six-speed manual transmission models.

Dodge has not forgotten performance and safety when it designed and launched the 2011 incarnation of its flagship Avenger. Performance features include a touring suspension, electronic stability control, and traction control. All models of the Avenger include anti-lock 4-wheel disc brakes for fast braking response and the ultimate in safety. A full complement of airbag protection, including advanced multistage front airbags, supplemental front-seat mounted airbags and side curtain airbags, ensures the safety of the driver and all passengers even in the event of a high-speed crash.

The Dodge Avenger is a clear winner among mid-size sedans, as it combines top design and comfort with fuel economy, performance and safety. It is available with four different trim packages, ranging from the standard package with a four-speed manual transmission to the Avenger Heat package with the 3.6 liter V6 engine and an automatic transmission. Even the Heat is reasonably priced, and Dodge invites drivers to create their own combination of options, colors and trim for their very own personalized driving experience.

Dodge has always represented an outstanding synthesis of value, design and performance, and the 2011 Dodge Avenger clearly continues in the Dodge tradition.

Jeep Liberty #05

Well, now that I sold my 06 Jeep Liberty Limited at auction, I'll be happy to tell you that when I drove it to St. Louis from Springfield Missouri it just about bankrupted me in gas fees. You would think a small SUV like that would not be any big deal on gas, but if you combine automatic, 4 wheel drive, V6 and heater blowing it adds up quick. I've taken that trip a hundred times (literally) and I never gave gas prices a second thought. I have the receipts but I must have spent $60 there and back.

I guess it was the fact that it was such a small vehicle that really set me off about it. I could understand if I was driving a Yukon or Navigator, you would at least expect it then. But what a surprise this was.

While I'm on the subject of Liberties, have you ever driven a 5 speed liberty? It kind of reminds me of driving a 3 wheeler for the first time. It has a very strange feel to it, just not natural. I'm mentioning this because a friend of mine just bought one to resell. It turned out to be a 5 speed with 2 wheel drive. I'll have to ask him about the gas mileage on it...

We did some work on it for him when he got it at the auto auction. So, I drove it to my shop and in the middle of the drive I had to call and warn him of the vehicles strange feel on the road. He said I was imagining things. He was at the sale the next week trying to dump the thing. "Nobody is ever gonna buy this heap after they drive it!" he says.

Well, I don't like slamming other peoples products, but in this case they are a frustrating little truck. Jeep has made some great ones over the years, but this one has missed its mark.

Jeep Liberty #04

Some people purchase cars simply to get from here to there. They may want to spend extra money for the most comfortable ride, but they do so knowing full well that the most adventurous trip they will probably take with their cars is a trip of a few hours' length to a quiet vacation spot that is barely across state lines.

Then, there are the adventurers. Whether for career or business reasons or simply for enjoyment, they look for vehicles that they can rely upon when driving in the far-less-than-ideal conditions that they not only have to deal with on a regular basis, but actually seek out and enjoy dealing with.

The 2010 Jeep Liberty is the car that sets the adventurer in you free. It is for the weekend warrior who also relishes a roadway challenge during the week, whether that challenge is a drive to inspect a solar panel installation in a new factory complex that doesn't yet have paved roads surrounding it, or an impromptu drive with a group of friends to check out a new fishing hole that just became open to those who are avid enough fishermen that they are ready to plunk down money for a permit that lets them fish in the kind of muddy waters where they know they can catch the most and the best striped bass.

It is a true off-road vehicle, a Jeep that carries on the heritage of military Jeeps but is still practical for use as an everyday vehicle when its owner needs to go no further than the local lumberyard or bait-and-tackle store. The exterior of the 2010 Jeep Liberty does proclaim its "Jeepness," but it does so in a way that the vehicle remains attractive enough to leave on a school parking lot without proclaiming that it is its owner's hobby or business vehicle. Inside, it is straight, flat and to-the-point - the Liberty does not have a soft, cushy luxury interior by any means but its seats are comfortable enough for long family drives.

Performance is indeed geared toward off-road use, but its 3.7-liter V-6 engine that delivers 210 horsepower and a more-than-respectable amount of torque also gives decent performance in day-to-day driving. Handling and suspension details have been upgraded for 2010, making the Jeep Liberty a more practical choice than it ever was for urban and suburban driving as well as for the highway. Safety is also paramount in the Liberty design for 2010, as it has improved rollover prevention that has merited an increased Federal safety rating.

Most Liberty drivers would choose from the three available four-wheel drive trim packages, but either of the two rear-wheel drive packages also showcases a top off-road vehicle that is versatile and comfortable enough for day-to-day driving when necessary. Still, its main purpose is to set you free as you venture into uncharted territory and winding dirt roads, anywhere from suburban construction sites to mountain wilderness retreats. It is a true expression of the Jeep heritage of rugged off-road performance.