Dodge isn't sick of your orders, but it may decide to cut off the order process for 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8's in just 19 days. Here's what you need to know: Since Chrysler began taking orders on December 3rd, 85% of their dealerships have taken order(s) for the Challenger.There have already been more than 7,000 orders placed. Dodge will be offering the initial SRT8's in Hemi Orange, Brilliant Black, and Bright Silver. So far, more than half the orders have been for Hemi Orange.eBay has played host to multiple auctions for "payment over and above" the MSRP. 
So what's next? First, Dodge builds these cars. Then it builds Challenger's with a lower price tag and less powerful engines. Then Chevrolet starts selling the new Camaro. Meanwhile, Ford Mustang sales are down 19% this year. During November, Ford watched Mustang sales fall 30% lower than November of 2006.
The Associated Press has collected some info on the past and present vehicles of presidential candidates. It's easy to find the car lovers amongst them - those who don't know an inline-4 from a V8 - and those who must have at least modicum of taste. Hillary first drove a '62 Olds Cutlass. Sneak a peek or more thru Bill or Hillary's autobiographies, and you soon discover that they either love cars or remember them well. Mrs. Clinton is now, of course, driven in many'a Secret Service vehicle, although she makes note of a "Ford hybrid." As does John Edwards, in addition to an '04 Chrysler Pacifica (indiciating the value of John's vehicle is equivalent to the price of one haircut) and a 13-year old GMC pickup. John's first car was a Plymouth Duster. Bill Richardson drove a used Mustang in a former day, but enjoys his Jeep Wrangler now. Barack Obama makes use of a Chrysler 300C, but once "extensively" used his grandfather's Ford Granada.Giuliani? "I don't drive. I navigate." Sure, Rudolph. He drove a used Dodge whilst newly licensed. A little more specificity, please.John McCain knows where it's at. The Arizona Senator drove a 1958 Corvette but has a Cadillac CTS now. Good job, John. Mitt Romney drove a 2-year old American Motors Rambler Classic in 1965 when he went to college. Mitt, who was involved in a head-on crash in France while driving a Citroen DS in 1968, has possession of an '05 Ford Mustang Convertible and a '62 Rambler American.Fred Thompson speaks about an old red pickup. Fred hasn't elaborated yet. Mike Huckabee used to be the driver of a Mercury Montego but makes use of two Chevrolet's now: an '07 Tahoe and a '95 Silverado.
What have we learned? Unless some of these cars are using base V6's instead of the implied V8's, the candidate's vehicles likely contribute to an average of 16/21mpg, city/highway.
Keep talking, guys. Gimme all that ethanol and biofuel and dependency on foreign oil stuff.
Just noticed a review of Volkswagen's Golf/Rabbit GTI in the Gleaner. That's a Kingston newspaper, for those of you who don't follow Caribbean media. You've read countless test drive stories of Volkswagen's hot-hatch, but you may've forgotten to hear it told with a proper accent. Mario James is the writer, here's the link. That GTI is a sweet car, mon. Cool Runnings, indeed.
Scheduling for the 2009 World Rally Championship is sure to raise eyebrows and drop jaws. February of '09 sees rallies in Ireland and Norway followed by Cyprus in March; Portugal and Argentine in April; Italy in May; Greece and Poland in June; Finland in August; Australia in September; and ending with Spain and then Great Britain in October. Something's missing, say ye. Aye, 'tis indeed a mystery. Monte Carlo, home to many a racing driver; many a playboy; many a Rolls-Royce; and many a yacht, is not on the 2009 WRC schedule.
Fast forward to January 24th of 2010. That'd be day 1 of the Monte Carlo rally, the first WRC phase in 2010. Sweden, Mexico, Jordan, Turkey, New Zealand, Indonesia, Russia, Bulgaria, Germany, Japan, and France follow the rally among the rich. The 2008 season by one race - to 15 - and as you counted, '09 and '10 feature just twelve.If you can't afford to roll amongst the high-roller but enjoy a view of the town, tune in next May 25th. Formula 1 never leaves Monaco.
The Saints (5-7) head to Atlanta tonight to face the Falcons (3-9) in hopes of regaining some respect after their team revitalized New Orleans in last year's playoff run. (Hey, I know this is a car site, but what's more appealing than football and cars? You can't tailgate without a vehicle, after all.) Watch the game with WMP here or TVU this'a'way.
It was a little over two years ago that Sewell Cadillac Chevrolet suffered the loss of 200 vehicles after Katrina. That's right - after the hurricane. 97 of their vehicles were commandeered by the NOPD.
Carl Sewell still owns car dealerships, but the Caddy/Chevy dealer on Baronne Street has since closed its doors, whilst employees were offered positions in Dallas, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Plano, and San Antonio. One Sewell billboard ad seen after the hurricane read, "New Orleans Finest Drive Sewell."
The NOPD was claiming these vehicles at a time when many of their own vehicles had been flooded and safety was being compromised when officers were siphoning gas from abandoned vehicles. On the other hand, not many of the 97 were Cobalt's or Aveo's. The officers apparently preferred Cadillac Escalade's.
Back then, police superintendent Warren Riley said, "Those cars were not stolen. We recovered I believe 90-something Cadillacs. We recovered some of those that were stolen. We warehoused those cars. We still have those cars. We have obtained the keys for those cars and they are in a safe place for the owner." Unfortunately, most vehicles returned to the Sewell dealership were seriously damaged and freed of the air in their tires.
As for Atlanta's natural disaster + car connection, Governor Sonny Perdue asked that people consider their dirty cars a 'badge of honour'. There ain't enough water to go 'round, said he. Nevertheless, after edict went forth several state employees used their government purchase card to pay for car washes. The list of offenders includes educators from state universities.
Perhaps we should just watch the football game. The Media Player and TVU links are above, here's a TVAnts link.
At one point will Lada just be a Russian Renault? Who knows.... but there is now a chance that AvtoVAZ's most infamous brand could be on the up-and-up. Renault just took hold of a 25% stake in the Russian group.Why the interest from the French? Russia will be Europe's most lucrative market come next decade. Combine Renault with tag team partner Nissan and the new member of the family, and you've got 40% of the market share tied up. Nation-wide sales growth + 40% marketshare at present makes for plenty of money in the future. Renault pumped out some other major news today in F1 circles, too. Oh, by the way, the brand of car I first drove? That'd be Lada. I was 3 years old, unable to reach the pedals. Steering was a bit lifeless and not terribly accurate, as I recall.
586 gallons of fuel were bought at a Wisconsin gas station where the pump attendant accidentally set the price at ¢33. During the 105 minutes of the "BIG SALE", 42 people stopped in to swipe their cards at the pay-at-the-pump system.
The fuel was supposed to cost $3.299, but without that final 9, the price became $0.329. The kind owner let the offending employee off the hook. Knowing that gas station owners frequently cut back on the cheques of employees who suffered leave-without-paying customers, this Minocqua owner must be commended.
