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I am an Aerospace Engineer, Technology Hobbyist, Shade Tree Mechanic, and Collector of Rare Automobiles, specifically Classic Citroens. I  enjoy educating others about automotive technology.
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Wednesday, July 11th

The Car I Learned About Today - The New (2013) Dodge Dart


"The Car I Learned About Today" is (will be) a regular feature on CarCynic.com. The only previous entry - The 2004 - Present Maserati Quattroporte can be seen
here on our Google Plus Page.

You may notice that I'm a bit -- OK, more than a bit -- of a Euro-snob. Even among cars from what was the big 3 American companies, I was never a Chrysler/Dodge fan.

In the past, if you were to see me behind the wheel of a Dodge, the most likely explanation would have been that I'd been shot, and someone stuffed the body there.

Never-the-less, today's Chrysler is not the Chrysler/Dodge of the past. So with an open mind, I did a little research on the New Dodge Dart, and I really can't complain that much.

2013 Dodge Dart Rallye
Photo from Wikimedia Commons - Credit: Andrew Duthie

What's good about it?


  • Modern, High-Tech Engine
  • Good Front and Rear Suspension Design with Strategic use of Aluminum Components
  • Decent, Modern Transmissions as Available Options
  • Good Fuel Economy
  • Turbo Version Available
  • Not Bad Looking

But I sill wouldn't buy one. Why not?

  • They still need to alleviate my Concerns about the Quality of Engine Components, based on previous history.
  • Quality of Interior Build/Materials
  • How Mature (in terms of both Looks and Technology) is that "Integrated" Virtual/Real Instrument Panel?
  • No Diesel version available

It may be one of the best driving cars in it's price range, but because of the sins of the past, it's going to take some time to make this cynic comfortable recommending this car.


carcynic on 07.11.12 @ 01:00 PM EST [Article Anchor]


Monday, July 2nd

Loeb Schools 'em at X-Games, LA


XGame-Loeb (14k image)
Photo: Red Bull?

Citroen eight time WRC World Champion Sebastian Loeb traveled to the X-Games in Los Angeles, and won the gold metal at the Rally Cross competition.

I happened to note that some articles that I've seen appear to go out of thier way not to mention Loeb or Citroen in the headlines, even though Loeb, driving a Citroen DS3 XL, won the gold metal for the event.

A website called "Paddock Talk" has a headline "Fiesta [Ford] Claims Two Podium Places At X Games 18". The ESPN X-Games site has the headline "Pastrana Sandwiched", again referring to a competitor that did not win -- Loeb and Citroen are mentioned in the sub-title.

Now, I understand that Loeb is not the celebrity here in the US that he is in Europe, and many here in the US don't even know that Citroen is an automobile manufacture, but what's with the headlines that seem to go out of the way to avoid mentioning Citroen, or their star driver?

I'd also like to mention that he won by 12 seconds -- that's a huge amount of time on the the small X-Games Rally Cross course.


carcynic on 07.02.12 @ 10:04 PM EST [Article Anchor]