The official brand message that Dodge wants to get across to its customers is one of excellence, functionality and aggressive styling. If ever there were two Dodge models that exemplified these ideas perfectly, they are the Dodge Charger SRT8 and the Dodge Challenger SRT8. These two Dodge models have been staples of the muscle car world and for good reason. Both are able to represent what is really great about American muscle car design. They demonstrate amazing power, eye-catching looks, precision handling, and cutting-edge technology, and those four characteristics are what made muscle cars so dominant during the classic era of muscle car culture.

Dodge has plenty to offer outside of the muscle car category as well. They have strong offerings in the family and SUV vehicle categories. In fact, to many family car buyers, Dodge is the brand name they trust for a family car that is roomy enough for all of the activities of a busy family and dependable so they do not have deal with having the family car in the shop so often.

Within the Chrysler family, the Dodge brand name has plenty of respect. The hot-selling Dodge models that are making the brand name earn their spot in the Chrysler family are the Dodge Journey and the Dodge Caliber. Each of these models has taken a spot in the top five sellers for Chrysler, which means that we can expect that Dodge will continue to be a force in the automotive world and continue to make cars that live up to the brand name values of excitement, reliable functionality and styling that will turn heads on the muscle car circuit, at the race track, or at the supermarket.

The 2011 Dodge Durango is a great vehicle for a versatile lifestyle. You can use it for your daily commute to work, running errands and grocery shopping, taking the kids to their activities, and even off-road adventures. The vehicle handles very well in both good weather and adverse conditions.

One of the common complaints with SUVs is that their gas mileage leaves a great deal to be desired. However, the 2011 Dodge Durango offers very decent gas mileage and that is something that consumers are happy about. With the prices at the pumps always rising, it can be tough to swallow the purchase of an SUV that is a gas guzzler.

Riding in the 2011 Dodge Durango is quiet and smooth. It offers a great way to relax in comfort and style as you go around town or even on a long trip. You will find that the interior has been completely redone for this particular year and it is gorgeous. There are cubbies for storage and the ability to fold down the third row seats.

It will be simple to stay organized in this vehicle. It is also possible to carry around different types of cargo that you may need to from time to time. Once you explore what the 2011 Dodge Durango offers, you will agree that it stands apart from its competitors.

The Dodge 340 cam engine is one that offers a muscle car lots of roar so that it can be tough and sound tough. That is one of the iconic elements of a great muscle car and also what often turns heads so that people can notice it. The performance of this engine was very substantial during the period of time in which it was introduced.

The average performance was capable of taking a vehicle from zero to sixty in about 7 seconds. In terms of the higher power of later muscle cars that is quite slow, but you have to remember that back in the late ‘60s this was very impressive. The Barracuda was considered one of the most powerful vehicles at that time. It was due in part to the 340 Cam engine in it, though that reputation also came from the sleek physical look of the Barracuda. For racing, this engine allowed for the quarter mile to be completed in about 14 or 15 seconds. That was at a speed of around 95 miles per hour.

In 1973, the production of the Dodge 340 cam engine was discontinued. However, you can buy them today in order to restore an older muscle car or to make enhancements. There are specifications you can check out for this engine so that you will be able to see if it is right for you. It is important to note that it can only perform well with premium fuel. However, for an engine that delivers good power and gives you the satisfaction of running a genuine classic muscle car engine, the Dodge 340 cam engine is a great choice.

The Dodge Caliber offers plenty of comfort inside of the vehicle. It has sufficient room in the front as well as in the backseat. The hatchback also offers room for storage and that is a great value when this is being used as a family sedan. Many experts feel it is a great commuter vehicle, one for a road trip when you want to save on fuel, and also makes a great first car for those going off to college.

There are plenty of amazing safety features on the Dodge Caliber, too. They include driver and passenger air bags as well as side-impact air bags. It also offers all-wheel drive and anti-skid elements. This makes the vehicle one that can be driven in all types of weather. Since we can’t control Mother Nature, we certainly have to be prepared for what she brings our way.

You do have to be careful about what you get, though. The base model of the Dodge Caliber is bare bones for about $14,000. This is a very reasonable price, but keep in mind that this model excludes air conditioning. While you may be able to do without the power windows on this model, many people need to have air conditioning for those hot summer months. Still, the upgraded models aren’t too much more and overall the Dodge Caliber does have plenty to offer consumers.

The auto industry as a whole has been hit hard by the negative economy. There are fewer people out there able to indulge in the luxury of buying a Dodge Viper. They don’t come with a small price tag, that is for sure. However, many experts believe that part of the downfall in the sales of this particular sports car has to do with the many other options consumers have.

In the past several years, many of the muscle cars from days gone by have been back on the market. This includes the Dodge Charger and the Chevy Camaro. They have a retro body style, plenty of speed, and all of the modern perks of vehicles that people want, such as disc brakes and comfort.

For those that are looking for speed, they may be bypassing the Dodge Viper for one of these other sporty-looking cars which are also more affordable. If cost is a barrier, then the consumer may be going that route to ensure they can really afford to have such a wonderful car to call their own.

Don’t write off the Dodge Viper just yet, though. Plans are in the works to offer a revamped model that may be on the market before you know it. While many of the plans are being kept secret, a few have been leaked out. They include a new gearbox and stability control. With that in mind, it seems that right now the classic Dodge Viper is only on hold and not on the chopping block.

There are a lot of factors to consider when you go out into the classic car market to buy a car. The first thing to do is to narrow down exactly what you are looking for when you buy a classic Dodge car. You have narrowed down the make, but there are a lot of classic Dodge muscle cars to choose from. During the muscle car era, Dodge put some magnificent models on the street, including the Challenger and the Coronet.

Along with the type of classic Dodge car you want, there are customizations to consider. What kind of options do you require and how much power does the engine need to have to fit your needs? There is no reason to spend a lot of money on a very powerful car if you are going to use it as a show car to drive slowly around for the admiring glances or to show at classic car gatherings. You should learn what year to focus on as the muscle car era spanned several decades. Even little things like color and how much you are willing to pay should be decided up front so that you know what you are looking for when you get out there in the classic muscle car market.

While you are learning about what to look for in a classic Dodge car, learn all you can about shopping for a vintage vehicle, what kinds of things influence price and how to tell a good classic Dodge car from one that is not worth the money. You do not have to be an expert mechanic to know how to look in specific locations for rust or how to evaluate the car for unusual wear and tear or to determine if it has been properly taken care of. All of this preparation will pay you back handsomely when you start looking at classic Dodge cars with an eye for making a purchase.

With that much preliminary work done, finding classic Dodge cars in your vicinity is the next step. Yes, you can use the Internet to find cars from anywhere in the country or the world, but buying local eliminates the problem of relocation of the vehicle and of verifying that you are getting what you think you are buying. The local newspaper and localized sections of classic muscle car auction sites can help you pinpoint a variety of cars to look at.

Don’t overlook local experts in the area of the classic Dodge car market. Those experts will include dealerships. You should also become a regular at local and regional classic car expos and shows where you can find classic Dodge cars that may be for sale.

The art of the deal is what remains. There is some negotiation that will be a part of the purchase process. By knowing how to evaluate a classic Dodge car, you can work to get that price down. You can pay what the seller is asking for, but bargaining is part of the fun of buying a classic car, so enter in and have some fun with the process. In the end, you will own the classic Dodge car of your dreams, because you took the time to conduct your search properly to get just the right classic muscle car for you.