Accelerate Mpls

I remember when the Dodge Durango first came out. It was a sharp looking truck-based SUV. Then, the second generation came out and it all went to heck. The styling was a mess, the interior materials would make Lego cry, and it was just plain ugly. Now we have a third generation Durango which is based on the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. I spent a week with it to find out if it is a sharp looking SUV or another mess that would make Lego cry. Read More…

I must admit, I had a love/hate relationship with the last generation Chrysler 300C. I loved what it could have been, but I hated what it ended up being. Fantastic styling (when it debuted) with an interior that only a true die hard Chrysler fan could love, and even then, not all of them could stomach it. The refresh in 2008 fixed some issues, but it wasn’t enough.

When I first saw the 2011 300C in photos, I actually thought it was ugly. The amount of chrome splashed around the exterior – and that rear end! But once I saw it in person, it just felt right. The question is: is this what American luxury should be?

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I’ll never forget my fiancée Karen pulling into the driveway and asking me what kind of go kart was parked in front of the garage. She was referring to the new Fiat 500c. She did go on to say how cute the go kart was. This was how my week with the 500c began.

The 500c is one of those unique cars that make you instantly turn to the person next to you and say, “Isn’t that the cutest thing?” The stylized sheet metal is fantastic in a retro and unique way. Read More…

Hey, remember the Lincoln Mark LT? It was a really nice Ford F-150 with a Lincoln badge and different grille. It didn’t sell well. Seems as if people didn’t want a Lincoln pickup truck.

So, how do you sell a high-dollar pickup truck with all the luxury amenities you can stuff into it? Ditch the Lincoln badge and label it the Platinum F-150. So the question is, is the F-150 Platinum the platinum standard? Let’s find out. Read More…

Like so many people, I wonder what Lincoln is all about these days. Most models seem like gussied up Fords. It has gotten to the point where I wonder if Lincoln can really compete with the imports. Can it even compete with the domestics?

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Is the Jeep Patriot truly a Jeep? While the first-generation sported a 7-slot grille and a Trail Rated badge on some models, many Jeep lovers scoffed at the idea of a Jeep based on the Dodge Caliber. From the cheaper than Lego plastic interior, to the buzzy powertrain, the Patriot was everything you’d expect a Caliber-based Jeep to be – bad.

Being the Jeep guy that I am, I was actually quite delighted to have a new Jeep Patriot in my driveway for a week. How much better is the interior? Is the powertrain still buzzy? Does it deserve that Trail Rated badge? Lets find out. Read More…

Do you remember the last generation Dodge Avenger? If you do, you probably want to forget it. If you don’t, well don’t worry – you aren’t missing anything special. For 2012, Dodge has a refreshed Avenger with a new powertrain and better materials. Is it finally competitive in the midsize segment? Read More…

America loves the new Chevrolet Camaro. You really can’t argue with the previous statement, as the new Camaro outsold the Ford Mustang in 2010. That was with one body style, the coupe. All while the Ford Mustang had both a coupe and convertible, along with a myriad of other speciality models. So what happens when you chop the top off the Camaro? Chevrolet has taken out the sawzall and handed me the keys to find out. Read More…

Holy crap, Cadillac has a sexy coupe for sale. I mean, who thought I would utter those words in 2011? Well there they are, in black and white type.

The reality is that any variant of the CTS-V is awe inspiring, and I’ve already attempted to find the meaning of life with the CTS-V Sport Wagon. But when the opportunity arises, who am I to turn down the opportunity to find out what is it like to live with the CTS-V Coupe? Read More…

We’ve established more than once that I am not a truck guy. In all reality I don’t live in the country, I don’t work in construction, and while we have boats at my cabin, I only tow them a handful of times a year. So in essence, I don’t have a huge need for a truck on a daily basis.

Now that I’ve said all that, it is true that every time a truck lands in my driveway for a week I seem to get all excited. I like driving trucks. They are big, loud (comparatively speaking), and have ridiculous capabilities that I’ll never end up fully utilizing. But hey, those capabilities are there. Read More…