If you have have not already read my impression of the 2011 Buick Lucerne I rented, please go read that before this, if for nothing else the contrast that will be drawn.
As you may have read, I returned the Buick Lucerne two days after renting it. I waited in the rental office and noted a slick black 2011 Chevrolet Malibu with a spoiler and marked that as my next car rental in my head.
Well, just because I marked it down doesn’t mean the rental agency noted my psychic reservation and they promptly assigned the car to the people in front me. Dangnabit all!
I was all set to downgrade from the luxury class Buick because they had no other luxury cars in stock. I was becoming a full size rental kinda guy. I frowned until they brought my next ride around. A white 2011 Dodge Charger with black on black interior.
It looked just like this one:
I had my apprehensions but that began to fade as I seated myself inside. The seats… they were comfortable. The black on black interior made me feel relaxed and encapsulated in my own private space. I put the FOB in the console and pushed the start button. Never used a start button before but I could get used to it.
The car came to life and the dash lit up with red and white displays. This is the base model Charger and already it impresses way more than the Buick. This car was equipped with a V-6 engine and a manual-matic transmission, an automatic that you can also shift if desired.
The exterior is typical of the Dodge Charger. There is no subtle hint of aggression in the appearance. The slanted headlights and gaping maw let those in front know that your car wants to eat them if they don’t move. The LED tail lights are a nifty nod to it’s pedigree. This is a worthy style successor to the previous charger which looked bigger and brawnier.
I set out on the road to Chattanooga, TN. and instantly felt that in this car it was going to be a much better trip car than the Buick had been. Not that the Buick was awful on the highway, it was just bland.. and boring. The Charger had the power and torque to get out in traffic, to accelerate for passing, and maintain the flow of traffic which sometimes is faster than posted speed limits. I like this car which is hard for me to say as I generally dislike Chryslers (except the SRT versions of Dodge and Chrysler)
This car was everything I wanted in a car for vacation. The V-6 version made more than enough power. It rates around 292 Horsepower. (My 1996 Pontiac Formula Firebird was rated at 285 horsepower for comparison.) This car wants to go too and sounds great doing it. I had a hard time believing this was a base model, but it was! It felt like a much more expensive car in every way.
All in all I have no complaints about the 2011 Dodge Charger and wish I could play with an RT or SRT model.
I think I can best explain my experience with a song. Everyone gather round in a circle….
I Will Drive – to the tune of I will Survive – edited by moi
At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live with this driving in this ride.
But then I spent a couple days thinking how Buick did me wrong
I edited this song and learned how to move along.
As I drove back, from that rental place
I looked over to see that Buick there with that sad look upon it’s face
I should have changed my stupid mind
I should have chosen some other ride
If I’d known for one second that those dreams would be haunting me.
GM had to know, you had no power, no get up and go
Cause your engines too small and feeling kinda old
Weren’t you the one, who tried to lure me with a cushy ride?
Did you think I wouldn’t miss a rumble? Did you think I’d settle for the lie?
Oh, no, not I, The Charger I will drive
Oh, as long as I can choose which a car, The Dodge is what I’ll try
I’ve got lots of time to kill, and I’m feeling just like a little kid,
I wanna drive, I will drive, hey, hey!
It took all my reserve not to giggle full joy
This is quite the ride – one that could be a real toy
As I pulled that Charger out I knew without a doubt
I had to mumble, then I began to shout that I might be a Charger kinda guy
I realized, this is something new
It’s not that boring Buick, not the Dodge I thought I knew
And so I dropped the cash oh no this wasn’t free
But now I’m burning rubber in gears one through three.
GM had to know, the Buick had no power, no get up and go
Cause your engines too small and feeling kinda old
Weren’t you the one, who tried to lure me with a cushy ride?
Did you think I wouldn’t miss a rumble? Did you think I’d settle for the lie?
Oh, no, not I, The Charger I will drive
Oh, as long as I can choose which a car, The Dodge is what I’ll try
I’ve got lots of time to kill, and I’m feeling just like a little kid,
I wanna drive, I will drive, hey, hey
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