2004 Dodge Neon Sxt Sedan 4-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

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Dodge Hellcats getting price hike

Dodge plans twice as many Hellcats on the road for the 2016 model year, they are going to be a bit more expensive when buyers sign on the dotted line. According to CarsDirect and confirmed to Autoblog by Dodge, 2016 Challenger SRT Hellcat costs $65,190, an increase of $4,200 over 2015. That figure includes $995 for destination and $1,700 for the Gas Guzzler charge. The latest Charger SRT Hellcat retails for $68,640, a $3,650 increase. Other SRT trims of the muscle cars also see a price hike. The 2016 Challenger SRT 392 is $51,190, after destination and a $1,000 guzzler charger – a $3,500 increase. The Charger SRT 392 also jumps $3,000, to $51,990. Even at 2015's prices, Dodge was having problems keeping up with demand for the Hellcat, and the higher price isn't likely to change that. And before you think the company is going plum crazy, the 2016 models of all four muscle cars come standard with Laguna leather seats and navigation. According to company spokesperson Dan Reid to Autoblog, both items had a "very high customer take rate," and the previously optional features are valued at $2,490. Dodge previously announced a discount for those who had a sold 2015 Hellcat order canceled in the switch to 2016. Those amount to $5,000 on the Challenger and $4,000 Charger, which seems like a sweet deal for those customers. Related Video:

That thing got a Hemi? Mopar engine kits make it easier to say yes

Thanks to a new kit from Mopar, classic car owners will have an easier time dropping Hemis into their muscle cars. The kit works with Mopar's 345 and 392 Hemi engines (5.7 and 6.4 liters respectively) and with cars built before 1975. The kit will run $1,795 and has everything needed to get one of the above engines running. The parts include a power distribution system, engine computer, engine and chassis wiring harnesses, O2 and intake air temperature sensors, ground wiring and a gas pedal. The kit is also designed to work with a manual transmission, but Mopar says a transmission such as the Torqueflite 727 and 904 can be made to work with the system. As for examples of the kit in action, take a look at the Jeep CJ66 and Dodge Challenger Shakedown that Mopar revealed this week at the SEMA show. Mopar also offers a few other parts to help complete the project, including various oil pans to clear subframes, a set of headers, and accessory drives for power steering and air conditioning. All of these parts are extra cost though. You'll also need an engine, and the 345 starts at $6,070, and the 392 runs $9,335. However, if you happen to already have one from 2014 or newer, that will work, too. Muscle car fans are getting more choices for their engine conversions. Chevrolet Performance already sells crate engines with "Connect and Cruise" kits to get its engines working in classic cars. The General also offers it with more engines. However, for people who want to keep a Mopar engine in their classic Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, or Jeep, this is a cool new option. Related Video: Featured Gallery Mopar Hemi V8 Engine Swap Kit Image Credit: FCA Aftermarket SEMA Show Chrysler Dodge Performance Classics FCA engine swap SEMA 2016

Chrysler recalling 780k minivans over fire risk

Chrysler is recalling 780,000 of its Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans from the 2010 to 2014 model years due to the possibility of circuits overheating, which can lead to a fire. Of the 780,000 total vans being recalled, Chrysler estimates that 644,850 are in the US, 106,980 are in Canada, 8,009 are in Mexico, and 20,638 are in other markets. All of the affected vehicles were built between August 25, 2010 and October 31, 2013.
Chrysler's engineers discovered that beverage spills or exposure to moisture (from rain, snow, car washes, and the like) were linked to circuits shorting in the window switch assembly. Short circuits can overheat, and thus, cause a fire.
Chrysler will contact owners and let them know when they may schedule service, at which point, the window switches will be replaced. In the interim, the automaker says that owners may visit their dealers after May 14 to have the switches disconnected.