How to get your New York accent back in four days....
By: Cathy Droz
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT plus
I love my job! Not only do I get to test drive cars here in Arizona, but when I’m out of town usually a manufacturer provides me with a car for the length of my trip. I was so fortunate to land at Newark Airport in New Jersey and find a 2012 Dodge Avenger SXT plus waiting for me. It was red, masculine looking and especially spacious for our luggage. Just looking at it with the spoiler on the rear and the l8-inch wheels, I knew this was going to be a fun week.
If you’ve ever travelled on the roads in New York or New Jersey you know they tend to be a bit bumpy and result in a wheel alignment every two weeks. Nothing has changed back east, but the Avenger handled the roads with agility and grace, making the drive tolerable.
The Avenger SXT Plus had a few extras over and above the other Avenger models, and even over the SXT such as dual exhaust with chrome tips, automatic headlamps, projector fog lamps, rear spoiler and red accent seat inserts and stitching throughout ( very sharp).
Now you have the basics, let’s get to the trip where this machine performed wonders. We arrived during commuter time, so our trip from the airport to the hotel took over an hour and a half (it was 20 minutes away). Many memories were brought back with the sound of horns beeping and people cutting off other people; just to move 5 inches. We ate dinner at a nice New Jersey deli across the street from the hotel when I realized I had lost my New York accent. A man saw us walk in and asked if that red car out there was a Dawdge? I said yes and said to myself “I’m back”.
The next day some of my family arrived which required me to install two children’s safety seats in the rear of the Avenger, as they always want to be in the car with Grandma and Grandpa. The safety latch system was flawless and very easily the two seats were secured. My daughter and I and the two babies were going out for an hour to show the kids what green trees looked like. We weren’t gone ten minutes when the mother of the bride called and said that they had forgotten the pillow for the ring bearer. She was wondering if I might pick one up while on the road. We said sure and proceeded to pull over and use the Navigation system to locate a bridal shop or some kind of party city. Since we didn’t know the area at all, we put our complete trust in to the Avenger’s nav system and the bossy voice of the GPS goddess. I say bossy because I seemed to miss my exits often on the unfamiliar roads so I kept hearing “make a U turn”. We found a pillow, preceded to the wedding and although the rain came down just at the kiss, it was a glorious time had by all.
Next day was the family going to New York City for a six hour whirlwind. We packed in the Avenger three adults and two children in car seats comfortably. The cargo area was filled with double stroller, two diaper bags, cooler, camera equipment and change of clothes. We couldn’t believe the double stroller fit perfectly with no fussing. Manhattan was a mad house so we parked in an underground lot and spent the day touring NYC. Our trip back to the hotel was uneventful (thank goodness) then on to bed.
As we said goodbye to the kids, we proceeded on to our friend’s home in New Jersey. Now is when we played around with the heated folding mirrors and the 60/40 split folding rear seat and tested the heated and chilled seats. That is also where we realized we were getting about 27 miles to the gallon. It seemed at every turn my husband would say, this is a great car!
At the end of 7 days we returned the car to the Newark, Airport. We unloaded our luggage, handed the keys to the attendant and in a casual voice I said “goodbye” to the car. Wow! In all the years I’ve been testing cars, I don’t remember saying goodbye to one, like an old friend, but I did. The Avenger is a 4-door sedan with appeal to all ages and lifestyles. I believe that people should consider an Avenger and test drive one. I know that I look forward to driving one in Phoenix, but this time to a football game, not a wedding.
Avenger Models – SE, SEV6, SXT, SXT Plus, R/T
Prices range from $18,995 to $25,996 – Model Reviewed $23,995
Warranty l00, 000 mile powertrain warranty
Average Gas Mileage – 19 City 29 Highways
For more on the Dodge Avenger go to www.dodge.com/Avenger
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT plus
I love my job! Not only do I get to test drive cars here in Arizona, but when I’m out of town usually a manufacturer provides me with a car for the length of my trip. I was so fortunate to land at Newark Airport in New Jersey and find a 2012 Dodge Avenger SXT plus waiting for me. It was red, masculine looking and especially spacious for our luggage. Just looking at it with the spoiler on the rear and the l8-inch wheels, I knew this was going to be a fun week.If you’ve ever travelled on the roads in New York or New Jersey you know they tend to be a bit bumpy and result in a wheel alignment every two weeks. Nothing has changed back east, but the Avenger handled the roads with agility and grace, making the drive tolerable.
The Avenger SXT Plus had a few extras over and above the other Avenger models, and even over the SXT such as dual exhaust with chrome tips, automatic headlamps, projector fog lamps, rear spoiler and red accent seat inserts and stitching throughout ( very sharp).Now you have the basics, let’s get to the trip where this machine performed wonders. We arrived during commuter time, so our trip from the airport to the hotel took over an hour and a half (it was 20 minutes away). Many memories were brought back with the sound of horns beeping and people cutting off other people; just to move 5 inches. We ate dinner at a nice New Jersey deli across the street from the hotel when I realized I had lost my New York accent. A man saw us walk in and asked if that red car out there was a Dawdge? I said yes and said to myself “I’m back”.
The next day some of my family arrived which required me to install two children’s safety seats in the rear of the Avenger, as they always want to be in the car with Grandma and Grandpa. The safety latch system was flawless and very easily the two seats were secured. My daughter and I and the two babies were going out for an hour to show the kids what green trees looked like. We weren’t gone ten minutes when the mother of the bride called and said that they had forgotten the pillow for the ring bearer. She was wondering if I might pick one up while on the road. We said sure and proceeded to pull over and use the Navigation system to locate a bridal shop or some kind of party city. Since we didn’t know the area at all, we put our complete trust in to the Avenger’s nav system and the bossy voice of the GPS goddess. I say bossy because I seemed to miss my exits often on the unfamiliar roads so I kept hearing “make a U turn”. We found a pillow, preceded to the wedding and although the rain came down just at the kiss, it was a glorious time had by all.
Next day was the family going to New York City for a six hour whirlwind. We packed in the Avenger three adults and two children in car seats comfortably. The cargo area was filled with double stroller, two diaper bags, cooler, camera equipment and change of clothes. We couldn’t believe the double stroller fit perfectly with no fussing. Manhattan was a mad house so we parked in an underground lot and spent the day touring NYC. Our trip back to the hotel was uneventful (thank goodness) then on to bed.As we said goodbye to the kids, we proceeded on to our friend’s home in New Jersey. Now is when we played around with the heated folding mirrors and the 60/40 split folding rear seat and tested the heated and chilled seats. That is also where we realized we were getting about 27 miles to the gallon. It seemed at every turn my husband would say, this is a great car!
At the end of 7 days we returned the car to the Newark, Airport. We unloaded our luggage, handed the keys to the attendant and in a casual voice I said “goodbye” to the car. Wow! In all the years I’ve been testing cars, I don’t remember saying goodbye to one, like an old friend, but I did. The Avenger is a 4-door sedan with appeal to all ages and lifestyles. I believe that people should consider an Avenger and test drive one. I know that I look forward to driving one in Phoenix, but this time to a football game, not a wedding.Avenger Models – SE, SEV6, SXT, SXT Plus, R/T
Prices range from $18,995 to $25,996 – Model Reviewed $23,995
Warranty l00, 000 mile powertrain warranty
Average Gas Mileage – 19 City 29 Highways
For more on the Dodge Avenger go to www.dodge.com/Avenger
