{"id":1304,"date":"2020-05-05T14:04:43","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T18:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mmolenda.com\/blog\/?p=1304"},"modified":"2020-05-05T14:36:20","modified_gmt":"2020-05-05T18:36:20","slug":"7-years-of-dodge-dart-2013-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mmolenda.com\/blog\/?p=1304","title":{"rendered":"7 years of Dodge Dart: 2013 – 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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[Note: I\u2019m not getting rid of it soon, but I do know that in the near future it\u2019s time to move on to another vehicle.  I have a couple of ideas of what I want (2015 or later Dodge Charger, though I might look at 2013 or newer; 2013 or newer Dodge Durango, Jeep Renegade or possibly Jeep Compass).  Even though, I don\u2019t have to remain loyal to Chrysler\/Dodge\/Jeep because my Dad worked there, I always find a car that I want within the ranks and that\u2019s where I will likely to look for my next vehicle.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back in April 2013, I bought a (then) fantastic new car.  I traded my 2006 Dodge Dakota pick-up truck for a brand new car.  Boy, was I excited.  Small, sporty car with a decently powerful 4-cylinder engine, manual tranny, nice \u201cinfotainment\u201d center.  It had all of the bells and whistles that I could have ever wanted\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2006 Dodge Dakota, V6 5-speed manual tranny.  One of the few cars I have owned that had more than a 4-cylinder engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recently found a review I had started of my new Dart.  It was a very positive review.  In fact, many of those positives have remained true to this day: it\u2019s fun to drive, it gets good (but not as good as it did) gas milage, and it handles well in the city and on curvy roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an excerpt from the review I started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have had an amazing 2 months with my Dart.  It is a very fun car to drive.  I spend a lot of time in my car each day commuting to\/from work.  Driving, parking, idling in traffic\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I drive on the Georgia 400 corridor from Alpharetta to Buckhead.  This has both some wide-open driving and tight traffic conditions.  Nobody enjoys sitting in traffic.  But, with the entertainment center, ease of shifting gears, and the comfortable seating, it\u2019s not TOO bad.  I can listen to music from a variety of sources. I can check traffic conditions.  I can talk on the phone using hands-free Bluetooth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When driving wide-open, the car performs well.  Passing is effortless.  It corners well.  Handling is great.  That could be due to the shocks or the tires or a nice combination of both.  The brakes are solid and the pedal has a good feel to it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2013 Dodge Dart SXT with the Rallye option.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are the most significant specs of my Dart:<\/p>\n\n\n\n