2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 pricing announced

Monday, December 3, Mopar enthusiasts can place their order for a 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, with pricing to start at $37,995, including destination. The limited-edition SRT8 models will be available in black, Hemi orange, and silver, each with dual hood stripes. This model will carry a $2,100 gas-guzzler tax, bringing the true price to $40,095. (The Challenger concept vehicle shown.)

The next muscle car era begins in spring 2008, when the first Challenger SRT8s reach dealerships. The current-generation Ford Mustang has benefited from being without its traditional marketplace, and drag strip, rivals since the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird were retired after the 2002 model year. However, with clear visual links to their potent progenitors, the Dodge and Ford coupes will face the reborn Camaro about a year later.

Official Challenger SRT8 specs and other model line details are a closely guarded secret until the Chicago Auto Show in February, though Dodge has released a peek at the production grille, shown here. We do know that the SRT8 will feature a 6.1-liter V8 engine; that powertrain produces 425-horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque in the comparably priced Dodge Charger SRT8 sedan. It is expected that the high-performance Challenger SRT8 will be joined by V6 and less-powerful V8 models, bringing it in line with the Mustang. Currently, the Charger offers a 250-hp, 3.5L V6 and 335-hp, 5.7-liter V8.

The countdown is on...

—Jeff Bartlett

Video: Magellan Maestro 4050 GPS navigation system

The Magellan Maestro 4050 portable GPS takes navigation systems to the next level by responding to voice commands.  This is beneficial as a convenience and safety feature, but it has some shortcomings.  Watch our video to see how the Maestro fares on the road.  And read our First Look on this new technology.  For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice.

Road therapy

There's nothing like getting in the car and going out for a drive, especially on a beautiful day. I've always loved the freedom of driving. When my sister and I were teenagers, we'd get into the car and cruise around for the sheer enjoyment. We didn't have anywhere to go or anything to do, just wanted to take see where the road would take us for a few hours. This was in the pre-technology days, without GPS and cell phones, which seem to have become our new driving companions. All we had were some Billy Joel cassettes and a good sense of direction. It was a "time to remember" and a fun bonding experience.

Times have changed. Nowadays, we tend to drive for necessity and are usually under "pressure" to get to a destination or are stuck sitting in traffic. We also have to keep fuel economy in mind especially with rising gas prices.

I recently took a three-hour drive to our auto test facility in Connecticut. It was a perfect fall day—sun shining, bright blue skies, and brilliant hues on the trees. I brought along some driving tunes, water, and snacks. (It's amazing how much stuff we take for even a relatively short trip.) During the ride, I remembered the times when I would drive for fun, just to get out of the house or if I had nothing else to do. Those days are long gone for me now that I have a family, but on this particular journey I had time to reminiscence. The road trip was therapy. I was able to gather my thoughts, reflect on life, and sing at the top of my lungs to my favorite tunes. The best roads, I found, were winding country roads. Not much traffic, just lots of nature and scenery surrounding me.

A road trip is also fun when shared with others, not to mention more economical and potentially better for the environment. My husband took a cross-country trip with three of his friends right after college. He notes that his favorite road was Route 128 in Utah. The glow of the red rock at sunrise was reportedly breathtaking and it created a memory he and his friends will have forever. One of my favorite road recollections is a stretch of the Northway (Route 87) in New York on my way back to college during the winter months. The scene was postcard-perfect, with the sun glistening off the snow and ice dripping down from the frozen trees.

What are your best driving memories? Don't be a "stranger": Feel free to share your best road trip, favorite roads, driving tunes, and other sights and scenes from your travels in the Comments below. You can also include what type of car you were driving. After all, the right car can make the experience.

—Liza Barth

Personal Picks: Small SUVs, part 2

Continuing our staff's personal insights into the January-issue small SUV test group...

Eric Evarts: None of this month's tested small SUVs makes a compelling choice for my personal pick. If I were in the market for a small SUV today, the smooth, roomy, and tough-looking Toyota RAV4 would be a simple choice. Unfortunately I don't find it very sporty in anything but looks, so I'm intrigued to spend some time in the new Nissan Rogue. The more-expensive Murano is popular around here. [A little too popular here in the blog—Ed.] I'm curious to see if the Rogue lives up to its billing as a more affordable alternative or if it just proves to be an also-ran.

Personally, I would love a Honda Element as a fuel-efficient successor to my old Volkswagen Bus, with its huge interior space and buck-the-mainstream personality. But as a family car, I find the Element's rear-hinged doors a daily nuisance and cargo room is lacking with the back seat in place.

So for my money, among the cars we tested in January, the Kia Rondo and the Suzuki SX4 are the only contenders. The Rondo would make a great space-efficient family car, but Jim Travers takes the joy out of that idea by suggesting putting Rondos into service as New York City taxicabs. So my choice would be the Suzuki SX4, which delivered an observed 27 mpg on my mixed rural/highway commute, is the cheapest all-wheel-drive vehicle on the market, and proved a perfectly livable and handy companion as a daily runabout.

Jeff Bartlett: This was a tough test group for me. The Ford Escape was disappointing in its ho-hum execution. The Jeep Patriot looks great to my eye, with the off-road heritage and military stylings warming my little rock-crawling heart, but this repackaged Compass leaves nothing to love from behind the wheel. I had modest expectations from the Kia Sportage, having driven the original when it first launched, then again with this redesign. But I came to enjoy our '07 test model; it is pleasant to drive, simple to operate, and delivers as promised. The Saturn Vue was a nice surprise, feeling solid, modern, and refined. But the fuel-economy and heavy feel turn me away.

In the end, and you can't know how much this pains me, I agree with Eric. The RAV4 continues to own this segment, and it would be my intellectual choice. On the other hand, my frisky, adventure-seeking pick would be the Honda Element. Yeah, it has its limitations, but don't we all. What it does have is personality. It dares to be different and offer unique abilities in the process. And despite looking like the box a CR-V comes in, the Element still bests these newcomers in fuel economy. Among our January-issue SUV alternatives, I was impressed with the Kia Rondo's smart, efficient packaging, polished manners, and overall value.

Liza Barth:  My favorite small SUV? That's easy, the Toyota RAV4. In fact, I like it so much that I bought one last year, and despite fresh competition, it remains our top-rated vehicle in the category. The small SUVs we tested for the December test group just don't compete with the RAV's comfort, fuel economy, and refinement. However, as an alternative to the small SUVs, I did enjoy the Kia Rondo. I liked the driving position—it was easy to get in and out and the ride was smooth and comfortable. It's also a great price for a seven-passenger vehicle. I'm looking forward to our upcoming hatchback test—specifically the redesigned Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, Scion xD, and Subaru Impreza. These SUV alternatives provide good fuel economy, several have all-wheel-drive, and are roomy and flexible to carry extra cargo.

Read Personal Picks: Small SUVs, part 1
Discuss SUVs in the forums.

BMW Hydrogen 7 - Behind the wheel

During my visit to the LA Auto Show, I was fortunate enough to drive a hydrogen-powered BMW 7 Series. Unlike hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles, it uses the hydrogen to power its regular internal-combustion engine.

The hydrogen solution is still debatable, but it is considered by many to be the ultimate clean fuel since it uses a widely available resource. And despite division over the merits of hydrogen, most automobile companies are betting on it in one form or another. Even a casual stroll of shows this season it is clear that automakers are investing serious engineering resources and money into developing hydrogen-powered test vehicles.

First impressions
The Hydrogen 7 is hybrid/flex-fuel/bi-fuel car that can run on both hydrogen and gasoline. This switch can be done on the fly by simply pushing a button on the steering wheel. Otherwise, the cabin is very similar to the regular 7 Series. Trunk space is very limited (smaller even than in a 3 Series) and acceleration seems a bit lethargic. Another noticeable difference was a slight pinging at low speeds when using hydrogen. The car always starts consuming hydrogen and once the catalysts are up to working temperature, the car can then be switched over to gasoline without any noticeable hesitation. The 6.0-liter V12 engine produces only 265 hp and 287 ft-lb of torque, which is not much for a vehicle that weighs about 5,000 pounds. Those figures explain the rather slow takeoff and the effort needed to merges in to traffic. The Hydrogen 7's performance is a stark contrast to typical BMWs, which have long been known for their wonderfully smooth and powerful engines. On the plus side, the car itself is quiet and drives adequately in dense traffic.

The 8 kgs of hydrogen is kept in liquid form in a tank just behind the rear seat. That amount yields a range of around 120 miles. Unlike the current group of hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles—which store their hydrogen in a compressed form at 5,000 or 10,000 psi—the Hydrogen 7 holds its hydrogen in a liquid state at -253 degrees Celsius (-423 degrees Fahrenheit). Unfortunately, even with its double-walled tanks and insulation, the hydrogen slowly evaporates. And if the car remains parked for 10 to 12 days, the hydrogen is completely depleted. When running on hydrogen, the emissions are mainly water, although there are traces of CO2 and NOX as a result of burning engine lubricants.

One unforeseen issue I had with the car during my stint with it was the inability to park it inside a garage. The BMW representative insisted that the vehicle had to be parked outdoors at all times. This became the subject of many interesting conversations with parking valets, who were intrigued by the technology but were worried about being part of another Hindenburg tragedy.

Refueling with liquid hydrogen is the biggest challenge when driving the car. After all, where does the liquid hydrogen come from and where are the filling stations? These same issues affect fuel-cell vehicles, as well. Currently, most hydrogen is obtained from natural gas but it can also be generated from splitting water using renewable electric energy. 

In sum, the Hydrogen 7 has some drawbacks, including a small trunk and not being able to park in a garage. However, it allows the flexibility of using hydrogen (when/where it's available) or gasoline. Likely, we'll have to wait decades for a hydrogen infrastructure to catch up to the petroleum-based transportation system, which also applies to a lesser extent to electric vehicles. Plus, we can add these drawbacks to the list of other negatives:

• The prohibitive cost of developing the technology and the vehicles.
• Skeptic public with potentially explosive and unfamiliar fuel.
• Lack of fueling infrastructure and production obstacles.

Still, these are similar to the hurdles early automobiles had to deal with at the dawn of the 20th century. Back then, the horse was king, roads were little more the dirt cart tracks, and there were no gas stations or oil companies. A major difference is that today's cars are really good when compared to a horse and the current alternatives are not quite there yet. BMW's approach may be an interesting interim solution between a hydrogen-powered world and the current oil-based transportation system.

Final thoughts:
I used to live in the LA area before moving to Connecticut, and I had almost forgotten the vast volume of traffic that is constantly moving around the LA freeways. At lunch time on a Saturday morning, I was struck in stop-and-go traffic, seven lanes wide (no car pool lane) for no apparent reason except for just an extreme volume of vehicles. Now, I love cars -- probably more than most people -- but it struck me that even if everyone was driving a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicle, this volume of stationary cars is such a waste of time and energy, regardless of whether or not the energy is renewable. It goes against my grain to say it, but something must be done in the future to expand telecommuting, public mass transit, or other ways to reduce congestion. Simply building wider freeways is not a responsible option.

—David Champion

Also read:
Want to lease a fuel-cell car?
The Honda approach to fuel cells
How the fuel-cell cars compare

Cyber Monday deals on GPS navigation systems

The leftover turkey may be long gone, but some Black Friday-type deals can still be had. Traditionally the start of the holiday shopping frenzy, Black Friday saw an increase in sales this year up over 8 percent from last year.

There were numerous hot products (Nintendo Wii) and categories (anything High School Musical or Hannah Montana related). In the automotive space, it was portable GPS navigation devices that inspired many consumers to start lining up at the stores before dawn arrived to save money.

What's the deal?
Black Friday deals saw numerous models that have performed well in our tests boasting door-buster prices. Even though the weekend is now over, deals on portable GPS navigation devices can still be had. So-called Cyber Monday—coming as people go back to work after the long weekend and continue their shopping on the Web—reaches out to mall-stressed people with regrets of bargains missed. This start to the online shopping season sees major sites pitching products at discounted prices, though often not quite rivaling the door-busters from Friday.

Lucky for you, we scoured the Internet looking for good deals on GPS units. We focused on major, brand-name retailers, though a few Web sites grabbed our attention. (You can conduct your own search using one of many shopping bot sites, like Google's Product search, and you may find other good deals from non-click-and-mortar stores.) Many deals listed below are short lived, expiring Monday at midnight and Tuesday, in some cases. Among this group, Amazon had attractive prices on many units that do not appear to have an imminent expiration date. In all cases, be sure to confirm the sale specifics.

In the end, remember to do your research. (Complete portable GPS navigation system ratings are available to CR online subscribers. From the main ratings chart, click on any model for detailed specs and information.) The devices we've tested in the past will all handle basic mapping chores, though there are key differences in ease of use, features, battery life, routing options, and driver information. Read our free buying advice to learn more. Or watch our video on GPS buying.

We've collected a few standout offers on units that have tested well, as well as other untested models from Garmin and TomTom that warrant a closer look. In the case of Magellan, we have not tested these highlighted units, however Magellan units have performed well in the past and these discounted models may be of interest. (We are currently evaluating the Magellan 3250 and 4250 for a future report.)

--Liza Barth and Jeff Bartlett

Cyber Monday deals on portable GPS navigation systems:

Garmin StreetPilot C580   
$399.99     Best Buy, Free shipping.
$329.99     Amazon.com, Free shipping.

Garmin StreetPilot c550   
$298.00     Wal-Mart   

Garmin StreetPilot c530   
$269.99     Radio Shack, Free shipping.

Garmin StreePilot C330   
$168.88     Wal-Mart, CR Best Buy

Garmin nuvi 200   
$203.00     Amazon.com, Free shipping,
$229.99     Circuit City, Save an extra 10% with coupon code: PVAB4Q7AAT

Garmin nuvi 200W   
$240.91     Amazon.com, Wide screen.
$249.99     West Marine, Free shipping.

Garmin  nuvi 250   
$299.99     BJ's   

Garmin nuvi 250W   
$299.99     West Marine, Wide screen.

Garmin nuvi 350   
$339.99     Wal-Mart   
$335.91     Amazon.com   

Garmin nuvi 360   
$349.00     Dell, Reportedly another $50 can be saved by using PayPal.
$416.54     Wal-Mart   

Garmin nuvi 650   
$386.49     Buydig.com, Free shipping.
$394.00     Amazon.com, Free shipping.

Garmin nuvi 660   
$399.99     Amazon.com, Free shipping.

Magellan Maestro 3100
$139.00     Buydig.com, Free shipping.
               
Magellan Maestro 3140   
$249.99     Best Buy, Free shipping.
                               
Magellan Maestro 4000
$248.06     Amazon.com, Free shipping.
               
Magellan Maestro 4040   
$299.99     Best Buy   
$301.98     Amazon.com   
               
Magellan Maestro 4250   
$389         Buydig.com, Free shipping.

TomTom One   
$149.99     Circuit City, 3rd edition. Save an extra 10% with coupon code: PVAB4Q7AAT
$149.99     Radio Shack, 3rd edition. Free shipping.
            
TomTom One XL
$199.99     Costco   
$214.32     Wal-Mart   
$249.99     Costco, XL-S with text-to-speech
               
TomTom Go920   
$399.99     Costco, Sale through Dec 24.
                        
TomTom Go720       
$349.99     Costco, Sale through Jan. 5

For general buying tips and advice, read the CR Shopping Blog.

U.S. gas prices—November 26, 2007

The national average gas price remains unchanged.  Regional prices change slightly.

National retail fuel price averages

Price

Change from last week

Regular gasoline/gallon	$3.10	0
Diesel fuel/gallon	$3.44	↑ .03

Regional regular gasoline prices

Price

Change from last week

East Coast	$3.09	↑ .01
-New England	$3.10	↑ .03
-Central Atlantic	$3.12	↑ .02
-Lower Atlantic	$3.07	0
Midwest	$3.06	↓ .01
Gulf Coast	$2.97	0
Rocky Mountain	$3.06	↓ .01
West Coast	$3.30	0
-California	$3.40	0

Source: Energy Information Administration, 11/26/07

Personal Picks: Small SUVs

This month’s group of Small SUVs takes us away from the gargantuan monsters, like the Chevrolet Tahoe, Dodge Durango and Ford Expedition, and instead introduced us to a few smaller, new and redesigned models. All are competitively priced (around $23,000 for the Kia Sportage to almost $28,000 for the Saturn Vue), and none dipped below 17 mpg overall. The big SUVs mentioned above only get from 12-14 mpg. The smaller models are also somewhat agile, easy to park, and simple to live with. Naturally, their size doesn’t suit everyone’s needs. But if you don’t require three-row seating or huge towing capacities, you might take a look at a smaller ‘Ute.

Here’s what we like:

Gabe Shenhar: In the small SUV class, provided you’re not going to tackle the Rubicon Trail  every weekend, it’s almost a no-brainer. Although I like the BMW X3 for its agility and compact dimensions, it's typical $42,000 or so price point takes it out of the class we’re talking about. I always had a soft spot for the Toyota RAV4 (available to online subscribers) ever since it pioneered the category in 1996. The latest generation, however, really takes it to another level. It looks good, rides and handles well, has many thoughtful interior features, and is roomy inside without being bulky. And, with the optional V6, the car is really transformed. It’s quick, smooth and quiet, sprinting to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds—even with the added weight of the AWD system. And, ready for this? It gets 22 mpg overall (just like the previous generation Toyota Highlander Hybrid); what an amazing combo! So, if I were to replace my family car today, the RAV6, as we call it here, would be a top contender. It’s not for nothing that it’s CR’s top-rated small SUV.

Rick Small: For me, the Toyota RAV4 is a bit more comfortable and more fun to drive than most of the others in our December test, and with a V6 model you can tow 3,500 pounds if needed. The Honda CR-V is also nice—it’s much improved over the previous model. For my tall frame, though, I was most comfortable in the Ford Escape, but the dated driveline and interior trim take it off my list. The new competitively priced Kia Sportage is also a worth a consideration; it has a very nice interior and delivers a competent ride and handling. Nissan has just come out with the Rogue, which will offer some fresh competition for these. We have our test model and will be putting it thorough its paces shortly. One other consideration: The new AWD Suzuki SX4 offers some stiff competition for fans of Subarus. I was comfortable in the SX4; it’s very well equipped, competitively priced and worth a look.

Gene Petersen: What is a small SUV nowadays? Hard to tell based on size alone. Or is it price that differentiates them? And when is it an SUV vs. a tall wagon or hatchback? From my perspective, I’m looking for something with AWD that’s reasonably priced (cheap), seats at least four adults reasonably comfortably, and has good cargo space—including the versatility of expanding the cargo area with fold-down rear seats. Can I name one? No, but I can name a bunch that would suit my needs. The Subaru Forester tops my list (confession: I own one). It just does everything I need it to do, though rear-seat room could be more spacious. Others that I would consider are the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and the Kia Sportage.If I had to replace the Forester today, I might consider the Toyota RAV4 for its slightly better fuel economy and roomier rear-seat area. The Honda is right up there, too, but it’s a little less fuel efficient; the Hyundai’s and Kia’s fuel consumption is unimpressive in this class, too.

Tom Mutchler: Sure, I know that small SUVs are all the rage. They’re practical and stuff. But I just can’t really find one that gets me all that excited. Based on the early rave reviews for the Saturn Vue, I thought that one would break the mold—but I don’t find it that fun to drive and the front seats are lousy. (Almost all of my colleagues agree about the seats.) Despite the Toyota RAV4 V6’s excellent combination of fuel economy and acceleration, I just can’t get comfortable in the seats. (Not many of my colleagues agree there.) A Hyundai Santa Fe isn’t all that small. The Honda CR-V is very practical and efficient, but I want a bit more power. (We’ll see how the Nissan Rogue works out when we test it later this year.) Finally, my last small SUV Personal Pick, the Subaru Forester XT Sports, is a touch loud and rowdy for me. So, another month of Personal Picks yields another station wagon. A Subaru Outback XT Limited gives me a quieter interior than the Forester; rides better; has seats that fit me like a glove; provides plenty of cargo room; and has a low roof for loading my kayaks. Fuel economy, based on our tested Legacy GT’s 18 mpg overall, isn’t great, but it’s quite fast and handles well.

Mike Leung: I WANT to choose the Nissan Murano… it’s the answer to everything SUV. But since some editors in Yonkers (ahem) get tired of us answering every “which one would you buy” question with the Murano, next on my short list of small SUVs is the Toyota RAV4 V6. It’s really quick, handles competently, and is quite comfortable while still delivering 22 mpg. Honorable mention: While I wouldn’t categorize it as an SUV, the Suzuki SX4 was actually quite nice. Also, the Kia Rondo was very versatile and easy to drive.

Mike Quincy: I haven’t really changed my mind about this category since the last time we gave them a look—the Hyundai Santa Fe is still my #1. However, now we know its predicted reliability (it’s average), so we can recommend it. The Toyota RAV4 V6 is also really nice. But, for about $30,000, both aren’t really a great value. I could envision saving a little money and going for a Nissan Xterra (a tough truck, but still somewhat livable); or I could see saving a LOT of money and putting another perennial favorite in my garage: the 5-door Mazda3 Grand Touring. I realize the Mazda gives up a lot of cargo room compared to the Hyundai or Nissan, but I could get a fully-loaded model for just over $24,000—and the 3’s better fuel economy numbers would continuously convince me that it was a smarter buy than any small SUV. I’m with Tom Mutchler on this one: wagons rock.

Automotive Thanksgiving, Part 2

And now for a second helping of automotive things our Cars staff is thankful for...

Rik Paul: Of the many things to be grateful for in today's cars, perhaps the advent of modern automotive electronics tops my list. Sure, I used to feel a surge of pride when I'd finish an afternoon tune-up on my old pride-and-joys--replacing the condenser, adjusting the points and engine timing, cleaning the carburetor, etc. But I also remember particularly frustrating cars--my Fiat Spyder, for one--that seemed to need this ritual every fortnight, or it would make getting from point A to point B a risky endeavor. Electronic engine-control systems have not only brought me more personal peace of mind, but are a big part of the reason why we've seen overall reliability improve so dramatically over the past couple decades.

Likewise, I remember the eye-opening, heart-in-your-throat, at-the-limit handling characteristics of some early SUVs when somebody suddenly cut into my lane on the freeway and I was forced to go into accident-avoidance mode. The emergence of sophisticated electronic stability control systems has definitely helped make that less of an issue than it used to be.

Jeff Bartlett: I'm thankful for the rebirth of the muscle car, and the musclebound performance that has trickled into mainstream vehicles. With the Mustang, and upcoming Camaro and Challenger, automotive legends will be re-engineered to fit my automotive fantasy, with classic lines and modern comfort, performance, and safety. I just hope fuel prices don't doom these coupes. In the meantime, even the Honda Accord and Toyota RAV4 have horsepower to rival the Mustang from just a few years ago. Indeed, this is the best time to be a consumer and car enthusiast.

Liza Barth: We've come a long way in the world of transportation since the Mayflower landed. I'm thankful that cars are getting safer; we're seeing more and more vehicles score highly in crash tests and features like stability control and rear-view cameras are becoming increasingly common. I feel much more secure driving now than when I first learned to drive in a car without ABS, airbags, and even power steering. Now, if only the automotive world could do something about that traffic...

Jon Linkov: How can anyone not want to give thanks for the Corvette LS7 engine, Honda S2000 transmission, or the simplicity of the Miata's soft-top operation? But for me, the real thing to give thanks for is the quick and tidy resolution to the contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers and the Big 3. No prolonged strike and no major back-and-forth posturing--just an agreement hammered out and ratified. (The ducks are in a row at Chrysler and GM, with a Ford agreement expected to soon follow.) Because these three companies do have a major impact on the economic health of our country-not to mention the household budget of each Big 3 employee-so the relatively quick resolution to what could have been a very messy situation is worth giving thanks for.

Bob Huerster: I'm thankful for early experiences that opened my eyes to the automotive world and fueled a passion that has become my profession. The first automotive spark was truly fired in high school, where during a "shop" class we disassembled a lawn mower engine and put it back together again. A few years later, I got a part-time job in a full-service gas station where I performed a range of maintenance and repair functions alongside an excellent mechanic, giving me true hands-on experience with a wide range of vehicles. These two experiences instilled a life-long love of cars and an appreciation of what remarkable machines they are. Today, I am immersed in the automotive industry and  have the privilege of providing research to the Consumer Reports Cars team. Looking back, I am eternally grateful to those early mentors from whom I learned so much.

Now that you've had your fill on our thoughts, what are you thankful for in the automotive world? Share your Comments below.

Also, see part one for more cars, trends, and technologies that we're thankful for.

Automotive Thanksgiving

While most people will be gathering around a sumptuous dinner today, giving thanks for all the wonderful things and people in their lives, CR took a few moments to think about all the things we’re thankful for in the automotive world. While not as tempting, say, as mashed potatoes and gravy, our automotive thanks list is still chock-full of low-carb morsels.

Grab a plate and take a look:

Jake Fisher: I’m thankful they FINALLY brought the Mitsubishi Evolution and Subaru WRX STI to the United States, which we have been enjoying now for years. I’m thankful for reliable and affordable used sports cars, like the Mazda Miata and Toyota MR2. I’m thankful that Chevrolet and Ford never killed the Corvette or Mustang. (They came closer than you might think.) I’m thankful for street-legal, 500-hp cars. And, most importantly, I’m thankful to have access to a closed track without speed limits.

Tom Mutchler: I’m thankful that there are well over 200 different vehicle models on the market. It gives consumers lots of choice—and it makes this job a whole lot more interesting and fun.

Ryan Pszczolkowski: I am thankful for heated seats and telescoping steering wheels.

Gabe Shenhar: On those freezing early winter mornings, when everything I touch is cold, I’m thankful for a heated steering wheel. What a treat! This welcoming feature is available on very few cars including BMWs and some Nissan/Infiniti vehicles, but it does warm my hands and heart.

Mike Leung: I’m thankful for the gasoline that powers our cars and gives drivers such freedom. And with that, I’m also thankful for stability control.

Gene Petersen: There is a host of features that I’m thankful for in new cars and trucks. I’ve become spoiled with the soothing warmth of seat heaters, especially in cars with leather seats; those with multiple levels of warmth adjustments are the best. Also, I find backup cameras to be extremely valuable—particularly in dark, crowded parking lots. They’re a necessity in many SUVs and wagons, but useful in some of the sedans that we’ve tested, too. My most thankful feature, though, is satellite radio—there’s nothing more enjoyable. Both Sirius and XM provide high-quality sound and have enough channels to take the boredom out of long, solo drives.

Mike Quincy: I’m thankful that they don’t make ‘em like they used to. Ever try stopping a 1965 Mustang on a wet road?

What are you thankful for in the automotive world? Share your Comments below.