Hundreds of 2013 Dodge Dart’s Drive Away From Texas Motor Speedway

[twoodcc]

thanks Wayne! i've been reading a lot of reviews on this forum, and will also read some that you've provided that i missed.

the problem with me getting a kia or hyundai is that there is a dealer near me, they don't have any with manuals. so for me to test drive, i'll have to drive 100 miles or so. which is worth it to me, but only after i've tested all the ones in my area first.

i will test the civic and mazda 3i.

there is still a chance that we go with a midsize car, but not likely. the main purpose is just driving back and forth to work. i am married with 1 child currently and 2 big dogs. so we are at least considering a mid-size like kia optima.

would you recommend any of VW's TDI models?

[xcel]

Hi twoodcc:

The only VW TDI I like currently is the 2012 VW Passat TDI. In the midsize segment, it and the two Hybrids from Hyundai (Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima) would be my top choices for a highway warrior. Expect some large maintenance costs on the Passat TDI after your warranty runs out however.

Kia Motors and CleanMPG unite for a Guinness record attempt

CleanMPG Previews the All-New 2012 VW Passat TDI

CleanMPG Previews the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

If you were a more city driver, the 2012 Camry Hybrid would sit smack dab on the top of the mid-size list with the wild card 2013 Fusion Hybrid being the car I am very much looking forward too later this fall.

The mid-size offerings are pretty expensive compared to the B and C-Segment fuel misers including the hyper efficient Prius c but they are more comfortable.

Wayne

[twoodcc]

thanks again Wayne for answering all my questions! i really appreciate you taking the time! i may also try to test drive the local TDIs (golf, jetta, and passat). however finding a passat with a 6-speed manual is very difficult. but if i'm able to find one, that may just be the car to get!

[herm]

Originally Posted by xcel

The only VW TDI I like currently is the 2012 VW Passat TDI.

What do you think of the current Jetta TDI?.. its a compact and diesel

[xcel]

Hi Herm:

Its regenerating Lean NOx Trap (LNT) vs. the fuel economy allowed by the 12 Passat TDI's SCR with DEF would make me think long and hard before I would place a Jetta TDI in my drive before the 12 Passat TDI. Lower FE and a lot of possible problems way down the road.

Wayne

[xcel]

Hi All:

While driving back from CA, Dodge let loose another 300 or so Darts from Chicago's Soldier Field yesterday.

Nearly 300 Belvidere, Illinois-built Dodge Darts drove away from Chicago's Soldier Field to dealerships across the Midwest yesterday.

On Wednesday, the Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn, joined Reid Bigland, Dodge Brand President & CEO and Head of U.S. Sales, and nearly 600 dealership personnel from the Midwest Business Center at Soldier Field in downtown Chicago for a celebratory "driveaway" of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart to approximately 300 dealerships across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Missouri.

Reid Bigland:

"With the Dart now enroute to 2400 Dodge dealers across the country, including nearly 300 in the Mid-West, customers can now personally experience all that it has to offer."

The Dodge Dart is built at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois in which the Chrysler Group has recently invested more than $600 million to support production of the all-new Dart.

The Chicago Dodge Dart driveaway event at Soldier Field is one of several “Dealer Drive Away” programs taking place across the United States during June. The previous two events are posted above.

Wayne

[bethomas463]

Well that explains why I saw so many of them on 90 last night on my way home from work

[aca2983]

My friend took delivery of her Dart on Friday, and showed it to me and let me drive it last night. I just did a few miles of in-town driving and didn't get it to highway speed, but overall, its extremely nice. Probably not a fair comparison because of differing trim levels, but it made the Cruze rental car I rode in a few weeks back seem quite dowdy.

I don't know what trim level it is, but its loaded, so probably the "Limited". It is a dark blue/gray color, with a stunning white leather interior. The first thing I noticed was the nice stitching and texture of the leather, and also the stitching on the dashboard. I'm still not sure if I would want a touch screen in my own car, but this one had it, and its beautiful. Very clear graphics and seems easy enough to use but of course I did not spend time with it. It has nav, Sirius radio, blue tooth, blind spot detection, dual climate, moonroof, etc. It has the 6spd automatic, and I don't know what engine it has. It shifted smoothly and quickly, and the car seemed quiet. The ride seemed on the firm side, which is fine by me. Don't know about mileage, but she said she is getting 34 so far on the display, on a car with only 200 miles on it.

Only a very brief impression, but aesthetically at least, it pushes the right buttons for me. The interior is really nice and would not be a bad place at all to spend time.

[2RR2NV]

was behind one otw home for lunch. looks pretty sweet. need to test drive one. i know it goes against the grain of this website, but i would love to see a Dart with the 3.6 v6 in it. now THAT's an R/T or maybe even an SRT-6. of course with a new 8sp AT.

[EdwinTheMagnificent]

Who sits in their car admiring the interior ? When I am in the car I am DRIVING , and I have more important things to do than look at the interior or worry about what my neighbours will think of it.

Sorry about that.