First Drive: 2013 Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee

The Dodge Charger served as Dodge's entry in the muscle car market from 1966 to 1978. It was a front engine, rear-wheel drive mid-size two door coupe. In February 2005, Dodge revealed a new full-size sedan to replace the Dodge Intrepid. Dodge decided to bring back the Charger name. With the new Charger comes a Charger SRT-8 powered by a hemi V8. In 2010, the second generation of the Charger came out. Starting in 2012, SRT got its hands on the second generation Charger. I first was the second generation Dodge Charger SRT-8 at the 2012 Houston Auto Show. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I got a change to take one out for a test drive. The version I drove is the 2013 Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee. This was one of two SRT vehicles available for test drives. You have to first drive a non SRT Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, or Fiat before getting into one of the two SRT vehicles.

The Charger SRT-8 Super Bee has an aggressive styling. It starts with the front bumper, grill, and headlights. It looks mean. The is a rear spoiler that does not hinder visibility when looking at the rear view mirror. I have driven some cars where the rear spoiler hinders visibility when looking at the rear view mirror. The yellow paint job with black trapezoids on the hood. The Charger has a sporty interior. No leather seats are in the Super Bee. The seats are covered with an exclusive Z-stripe cloth with the Super Bee logo on the headrests. The are two gauges and a screen behind the steering wheel. I had a good amount of head room and leg room behind the wheel. The seat was comfortable, especially for a performance vehicle.

The Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee is powered by a 6.4L hemi V8, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting mode, that produces 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4,2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 178 mph. The Charger felt fast, for the few seconds I could unleash the Charger. I was behind a very slow driver and every time I gave myself some distance, I caught up. This was frustrating because I wanted to test the power and acceleration of the Super Bee, but I just could never give myself some room because the person test driving the Chevrolet Spark in front of me was driving very slowly. As far as drive quality, the Charger has a smooth ride. The Charger also has responsive handling. It was also very quiet inside the Charger as well. This is a good ride, I just wish I was not behind a very slow driver.

Overall, the Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee is a great muscle car. It is quick, fast, and comfortable. The Dodge Charger is available with a 3.6L V6 engine for people who want a good full-size sedan ideal for everyday driving. For those who want a four-door sedan for both everyday driving and track days, the Super Bee is the ideal car. A Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee will set you back $43,450, but that is a great value for what you get. If you are in the market for a full-size sedan that is practical and fun to drive, give the Super Bee a test drive. There was another SRT vehicle available for test drive, and when I was in that car, I did not have a very slow driver in front of me.


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First Drive: Chrysler 300 SRT-8

The Chrysler 300 has been around since 2005, serving as Chrysler's full-size luxury sedan. So far, there have been two generations of the 300. Chrysler has its own in house tuning company Street and Racing Technology, or SRT for short. SRT took a Chrysler 300 C and turned into the Chrysler 300C SRT-8, replacing the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine found in the standard 300C with a 6.1L Hemi V8 that produces 425 hp. With Chrysler releasing the second generation 300 in 2011, SRT got its hands on the car. At the 2011 New York International Auto Show, Chrysler revealed the next generation Chrysler 300 SRT-8. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I was able to take one out for a test drive. Unlike my test drive with the Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee, I did not have a slow moving car preventing me from unleashing the fury of a SRT vehicle.

On the outside, the 300 SRT-8 looks like a standard Chrysler 300, but there are few minor changes. The chrome trim has been replaced with body color trim, a lower front fascia, larger exhaust tip, and 20" aluminum wheels. The 300 SRT-8 also sits a half-inch lower to the ground than the standard 300, plus the 300 SRT-8 also has a sportier suspension and a Brembo brakes package. The interior is very similar to other Chrysler 300 that I drove. The major difference is that the seat in the SRT-8 is stiffer than the seat in the 300S. I still had good head room and leg room behind the wheel of the 300 SRT-8.

The 300 SRT-8 is powered by a 6.4L Hemi V8, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, that produces 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 175 mph. On the test drive with the 300 SRT-8, I had no cars in front of me, so I was able to unleash the fury of the engine. The 300 SRT-8 is quick. Compared to the 300S, the 300 SRT-8 has a stiffer, sportier ride. It was stiff, but not too stiff for my comfort level. The 300 SRT-8 did not try to kill my back, unlike some other vehicles I have driven. For a car with a big engine, it was quiet inside the 300 SRT-8. This car has good muscle car performance. The Chrysler 300 SRT-8 goes for $47,995, which is over $1,000 more than the Dodge Charger SRT-8. Still, that is not bad for a full-size luxury four-door muscle car.

The Chrysler 300 SRT-8 has been featured in Breaking Bad. The Chrysler 300 SRT-8 is playable in Forza Motorsport 4, Car Town, and Car Town EX.

Overall, the Chrysler 300 SRT-8 is a fun car to drive. It is a quick full-size four door door sedan. It has a few minor differences on the exterior compared to the other versions of the Chrysler 300. It still feels luxurious on the inside, even with the stiffer ride. When I was in the Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee, I was not able to test out the acceleration of the car since I had a slow moving car in front of me. It was a different story with the Chrysler 300 SRT-8. I had nothing in front of me when I was on the roads in the 300 SRT-8 and I could just nail it. I could feel my heart beat fast when I was in this car. The 300 SRT-8 has a sporty ride, but I was still comfortable behind the wheel. If you want a muscle car with four doors, then check out the Chrysler 300 SRT-8. If you want a slightly softer ride from SRT, then go with the 300 SRT-8 over the Charger SRT-8. But if you want a slightly sportier ride, then go with the Charger SRT-8. Both are very good four-door muscle cars. But if you want an American full-size sedan with a softer ride, then go with the Charger or 300 that was not tuned by SRT, or go with the Cadillac XTS. SRT cars are for people who want to go quick.

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First Drive: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Chevrolet discontinued production of the Camaro in 2002. In March of 2009, Chevrolet started production on a new Camaro. The new Camaro is a very popular pony car/muscle car. I see Camaros everyday on Houston roads and highways. Both old and new Camaros are on display at the various car shows in Houston. At the Houston Auto Show, General Motors/Chevrolet brings a Camaro SS available for test drives. Since moving back to Houston after graduating college in 2010, I have attended the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Houston Auto Shows. I did not test drive any cars in 2011. I attended the 2012 Houston Auto Show with my dad and we test drove five cars. Unfortunately, there was a line for Camaro, so we went in the Chevrolet Volt. During the fall of 2012, I test drove a Camaro RS, which is powered by a 3.6L V6. At the 2013, Houston Auto Show, I finally got behind the wheel of a Camaro SS. But in order to drive the Camaro SS, I had to first drive another General Motors car that was not a Cadillac. I test drove the Chevrolet Spark before I was able to test drive the Camaro. However there was a line, so I drove the Buick Enclave and hope that the line shortened for the Camaro. After driving the Enclave, I had to wait behind five other people before I got my chance behind the wheel of the Camaro SS. The version of the Camaro I drove was the Camaro 2SS, which is the upscale trim level for the Camaro SS.

The Camaro has a retro sporty styling, which I like. The Camaro has a low roof line, which minimizes head room. The is a SS insignia on the corner of the grill. The Camaro has a great side profile. The Camaro has a sporty interior. There is not much head room in the Camaro, especially for rear passengers. The Camaro has a 2+2 seating arrangement, but adults would not be comfortable sitting in the back. The seat itself is comfortable. I had good leg room behind the wheel. The Camaro 2SS comes with a rear camera and a 7: touchscreen. 

The Camaro SS I drove is powered by a 6.2L V8, paired with six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, that produces 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 157 mph. The Camaro SS is a quick car. It has really good power distribution throughout the rpm spectrum. Gear shifts were smooth when using the paddle shifters. The car drove smoothly on the Houston roads. Steering is responsive. For a car with a 6.2L V8, it was quiet inside the Camaro. Prices for the Camaro SS starts at $33,535. The version I drove, the Camaro 2SS, starts at $37,035, which is not bad for a performance car. 

Overall, the Chevrolet Camaro SS has great performance at a reasonable price. The Camaro also has a sporty retro styling. The Camaro lacks in the head room department. The low roof line minimizes head room. Since this is a sports coupe, there is very little leg room for rear passengers. If you are looking for a performance car at a reasonable price, give the Camaro SS a test drive. If you want a family car, then the Camaro is not for you. So after passing up the opportunity to drive a Camaro SS two years in a row, I was glad that I finally drove one. The Camaro SS is a fun car to drive, even if it is lacking in head room.

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First Drive: 2013 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 Coupe

The Ford Mustang was first released in 1964 and it started the pony car wars. It beat out its rivals, the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro. Starting in 1969 until 1973, the Mustang was available with a 302 cubic inch (4.95L) V8. The 302 engine was available in the second generation Mustang starting in 1975. 1975 marked the year when Ford first used the "5.0" moniker for the Mustang. The 4.95L V8 was brought over  to the third generation Mustang. Due to an oil crisis, the 4.95L V8 was replaced for a 4.2L V8 for the 1980 and 1981. In 1982, Mustangs regained the 4,.95L V8. All third generation Mustangs with the 4.95L V8 carried the "5.0" moniker. When Ford released the fourth generation in 1994, Ford brought over the 4.95L V8 and kept it in the Mustang for the 1995 model year. In 1996, Ford replaced the 4.95L V8 with a 4.6L V8. In 2005, Ford came out with the fifth generation Mustang, and the 4.95L V8 was not included with the initial release of the fifth generation Mustang. When the fifth generation got a styling update in 2010, the 4.95L V8 was still not available. The 302 cubic inch V8 made its return to the Ford Mustang in 2011, replacing the 4.6L V8 engines found in the Mustang GTs. Starting in 2011, Ford Mustang GTs gained the "5.0" moniker. In 2012 and 2013, Ford released the Mustang Boss 302. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, the Ford Mustang 5.0 was available for test drive, but there was a long line just to drive one and Ford allowed you to only drive in the parking lot. I decided not to drive the Mustang at the auto show. There is a Ford dealership close to where I live and I stopped by to test drive the Mustang 5.0. The Ford Mustang is a front engine, rear-wheel drive, two-door sports car with a 2+2 seating arrangement.

The Mustang GT 5.0 has a sporty, aggressive styling. It has the classic front grill and a sporty profile. I really like the taillights on the Mustang. The Mustang I drove had a simple interior. There is no touch screen in the Mustang I drove. I was comfortable behind the wheel. I had a good amount of head space and leg space. This is a sports coupe, there is not much room in the back for adult passengers. The Mustang I drove also came with Brembo brakes, which improve the Mustang's stopping power.

The Ford Mustang GT 5.0 I drove is powered by a 5.0L V8, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, that produces 420 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 146 mph. The Mustang 5.0 is also available with a six-speed manual transmission. The Mustang 5.0 has great acceleration. It felt quick behind the wheel. For a sports car, the Mustang 5.0 has a smooth ride. It was quiet inside the Mustang 5.0, even with a V8 engine.The Mustang has responsive handling and the car responded well when pressed the accelerator and brake pedals. This is a solid muscle car and I had fun test behind the wheel. Prices for the Mustang GT Coupe start at $30,750. Prices for the Ford Mustang GT Premium start at $34,750.

Overall, the Mustang GT 5.0 is a great muscle car. The Mustang has great performance at a very reasonable price. I have driven the Chevrolet Camaro SS, yet I had more fun in the Mustang GT 5.0 than I did in the Camaro SS. I have also driven the Mustang V6. The Mustang V6 is good for everyday driving. But if you want a car you can live with everyday and want to use on track days, the Mustang GT 5.0 is the way to go. Since there is not much room in the back, the Mustang should not be used as a family car. If you want a great performing car for under $40,000, give the Mustang GT 5.0 a test drive.

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First Impression: Chevrolet Camaro Breast Cancer Awareness Pace Car

During the month of October, it is all about Halloween. It is all about costumes, candy, horror, and the macabre during the month October. But, Halloween is just one day in the month. October is known for something else besides Halloween, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I watch my beloved Houston Texans and I see players with pink gloves and pink cleats. I watch WWE and see a pink middle rope in the ring as well as wrestlers wearing pink wrestling merchandise. As someone who has lost female family members to cancer, including an aunt to breast cancer, I admire when car companies donate money to the American Cancer Society. A pink Chevrolet Camaro SS was used as the pace car for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Advocare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Chevrolet would donate $200 to the American Cancer Society for every caution lap, which there were 64 caution laps during that race. Chevrolet ended up donating $12,800 to the ACS. Chevrolet has made several pink Camaros for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Also, this is my 250th article, so what better way than to celebrate with a car dedicated to a cause I support, especially with my family history.

I saw a Breast Cancer Awareness Camaro at the 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This Camaro has pink with white in the middle. There is a big pink ribbon on the hood. Also, the Chevrolet emblem is pink. There is "CHEVROLET" going across the top of the windshield. There are even pink ribbons in on the rear sides of the vehicle. I applaud Chevrolet for making this type of custom car for Breast Cancer Awareness..

The powertrain for the Breast Cancer Camaro is the same as a Camaro SS. The Camaro SS is powered by a 6.2L V8 that produces 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 159 mph. Even with the pink and white paint job that includes pink ribbons, this vehicle still has power and performance. A SS Camaro coupe normally starts at $32,750 for the 1SS and $36,350 for the 2SS. I have not seen one of these pink Camaros go on sale at an auction.

Final thoughts: I admire Chevrolet for building these pink Camaros for a great cause. My family has been affected by cancer. I have lost two grandmothers and an aunt to cancer. I am all for any company that does something special and donates the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. These pink Camaros would make a great addition for Chevrolet car collections and pace car collections. I wish Chevrolet would auction a few of these pink Camaros and donate the money to cancer research. Still, I applaud Chevrolet for making this car and donating money to the American Cancer Society. As for me personally, I could see myself with a Camaro at some point, just not pink.

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First Drive: 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T

The Dodge Challenger first went into production in 1969 as a mid-size pony car. It was designed to compete against the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang. Production run of the original Challenger ended in 1974. The Challenger name came back in 1978 as a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant Lambda. Its production run ended in 1983. On February 6, 2008, Chrysler debuted the Dodge Challenger SRT8, which was powered by a 6.1L Hemi V8 engine. For the 2009 model year, the Challenger lineup was expanded to include a V6 engine and a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine. One thing lacking for the Challenger was technology. At the 2014 New York International Auto Show, Dodge unveiled the 2015 Dodge Challenger and the 2015 Dodge Charger. On September 1, 2014, I was able to get behind the wheel of a 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T. The one I drove came with the all new eight-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission is available on all Hemi powered Challengers.

The 2015 Dodge Challenger got a styling update from the previous model year. The 2015 Challenger features a new grille with design cues from 1970-1974 model, quad LED "Halo Ring" head lights, LED tail lights, and a functional hood intake on all Hemi models. The interior is redesigned as well. Available is an 8.4" touchscreen, retro styled gauge cluster, ventilated seats, and a 7" TFT display. Also available for the Challenger is blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and a reverse camera. The Challenger I drove was the Challenger R/T that had a 5.0" touchscreen, a reverse camera, projector fog lamps, high performance brakes, performance steering, 20" hyper black aluminum wheels, rear body-color spoiler, and steering wheel paddle shifters.

The 2015 Dodge Challenger is powered by a 5.7L Hemi V8 that produces 372 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Challenger R/T is a quick vehicle. It also has good steering response, braking response, and throttle response. Turning on sport mode improves the overall driving experience. Compared to the previous model year, the 2015 Challenger is more comfortable to drive. Dodge improved the seat comfort. The addition of the eight-speed transmission greatly improves the ride quality. The shifts are smoother, which help give the 2015 Challenger R/T a smoother ride. Prices for the 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T start at $32,490. Adding the eight-speed automatic transmission increases the price by $1,400. The version I drove has an MSRP of $34,585. The Challenger is reasonably priced. It has performance and comfort.

Overall, the 2015 Dodge Challenger is a huge step up for the previous Challengers. Changing the lights to LEDs helps with the styling. The interior is greatly improved. Going with the Uconnect 5.0/Uconnect 8.4AN instead of the 130/430N/730N infotainment systems helps with user friendliness. Plus the eight-speed automatic transmission greatly improves the ride quality. I love how smoothly the transmission shifts. The 2015 Challenger is also available with a reverse camera and blind spot monitoring system, which is needed in a sports car. The one issue with the Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger is blind spots. Adding the blind spot monitoring system will help make the Challenger safer on the roads and freeways. If you need more performance, there is still the Challenger R/T Scat Pack and the Challenger SRT, both with a 6.4L Hemi V8 engine that produces 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. Available in 2015 will be the Challenger SRT Hellcat, which gets 707 hp for a supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8 engine.

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