2009 Dodge Caliber Pictures

2009 Dodge Caliber

2009 Dodge Caliber photos

2009 Dodge Caliber interior

10 Most Stolen Cars in the USA: Honda Accord and Civic Top the 2009 List, No Love for the Koreans or Germans

Do you own a car that's likely to be stolen? Maybe, maybe not. Here is the list that the NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau) has compiled concerning the most stolen vehicles in America. Honda's 1994 Accord and 1995 Civic along with Toyota's 1991 Camry occupy the first three places ahead of Ford's 1997 F-150 pickup truck and Dodge's 2004 Ram pickup.

If your car is on the list (scroll down), you should make sure to keep that chunk of metal locked down. As in, put a ring on it and don't let anyone near it.

Most Stolen Vehicles in the US in 2009:

1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 2000 Dodge Caravan
7. 1994 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 2009 Toyota Corolla

The FBI says car thefts were down 17% in 2009 compared to 2008 (794,616 versus 956,846), which is officially the "largest drop in a six-year decline" and the lowest reported in 21 years. Good news for car owners, and clearly indicative of the fact that car thieves are falling by the wayside (or just not up to snuff on their tech).

Most of the cars listed end to end up in chop shops where the sum of their parts is more valuable than the actual car. More serious thieves (those in syndicates with ties to shipping and international trade) still feel fine stealing newer cars that can be re-VIN'd and distributed overseas, so your Escalade and XJR aren't necessarily safe just yet.

You'll notice the majority of the cars on the list are from the 1990's. It turns out these older cars have become more popular, but many people have yet to figure out why. I'd say it probably comes down to the simple fact that they're easier to steal. Many modern cars have keys that only work with one specific car, while other cars simply can't be started without a chip (found in the key fob) nearby.

Joe Wehrle, NICB president and CEO, says, "Through the end of August this year there were 97,655 vehicles that were listed as stolen and not yet recovered. Of that number, only 38 percent had some kind of insurance coverage. So there are a lot of vehicles out there that are being stolen and the owner is left holding the bag with no car and no money to buy another one." Lesson? If you own a vehicle that's likely to get stolen, insure it accordingly and be safe about it.

Here are some of the NICB's tips on how to make sure your car doesn't get got by some shady individuals:

"Common Sense: Lock your car and take your keys. It's simple enough but many thefts occur because owners make it easy for thieves to steal their cars.

Warning Device: Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you left it.

Immobilizing Device: Generally speaking, if your vehicle can't be started, it can't be stolen. "Kill" switches, fuel cut-offs and smart keys are among the devices which are extremely effective.

Tracking Device: A tracking device emits a signal to the police or to a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ "telematics" which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer."

By Phil Alex

Source: NICB

Leaked Documents Reveal Dodge Modernizes 2011 Challenger Lineup With 305HP Pentastar V6, 475HP SRT 392 V8

Thankfully, the 2011 Dodge Challenger has earned itself a boost in technology and performance. The outputs of the new and expected power trains have been revealed, as well as the cars' specific targets through some leaked documents. And we're happy to say the power outputs are a pleasant surprise.

Scroll down for the full details, but here's the gist of it. The base Challenger model gets the new Pentastar V6 that puts out 305 horsepower to truly compete with the other two V6 Pony cars (let's hope Dodge did something about that heft, though).

Power is routed through a 5-speed automatic, one gear down compared to Ford and Chevy's 6-speed auto's. The base model gets a sporty suspension, dual exhaust, rides on 18's, and the car in its sights at the dealership across the street is the Chevy Camaro 1LT.

Also targeting the Camaro 1LT is a Rallye version of the V6-powered Callenger. The Rallye option snags fog lights, standard leather/heated seating, U-Connect/Satellite radio, and a 276-Watt amp pumping power to 6 Boston Acoustics speakers.

Going up against the more powerful yet comparably plain 426-horsepower Camaro SS will be the 379-horsepower / 410 lb-ft Challenger R/T. Power comes from a Hemi 5.7 liter V8, while the rest of the car gets performance-calibrated steering, suspension, and brakes. There's a color-coded spoiler, while inside is a 160-MPH speedo and some carbon trim.

Finally, the big dog: the one and only SRT 392. Packing a 6.4 liter V8, the newest Challenger daddy drops a 475-horse bomb likely through a 6-speed manual transmission. Torque figures sit at 460 lb-ft. The new SRT gets the necessary 392 badging, some carryovers from other models (although in this case there's a 180-MPH speedometer), and Brembo stoppers behind 20-inch rims. Inside is premium leather and a performance display in the dash.

The SRT's target is the new Shelby GT500, meaning that there will have to be something special about the Challenger to make up for its lack in brute force. Hopefully we'll get a more impressive interior to better battle the Mustang's primo seating area and continue to put the Camaro's to shame (before GM's 2012 update).

As soon as Dodge deems it time to officially release the 2011 Challenger, we'll let you know.

By Phil Alex

Source: Ontario Street Car , Via: Autoblog

Australia: The Pricey World of Right-Hand Drive Conversions

Car buyers in Australia and other RHD countries have long got the short end of the stick in terms of American muscle cars. The reason is quite simple: they drive on the "wrong" side of the road.

Most manufacturers are unwilling to do right-hand-drive conversions on what are essentially specialist models: cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang and the like. There just aren't enough buyers to rationalize the cost.

Fortunately, a cottage industry (or rather a man-in-a-shed industry) has popped up offering RHD conversions of American muscle cars for eager buyers in countries like Australia, the UK and Japan.

In Australia, for instance, you can get just about anything from a AU$359,990 Corvette ZR-1 (or around three times as much as it does in the U.S.) to a AU$139,000 Chevrolet Camaro (or the same as an Audi S5 Cabrio in Australia).

Want a 2011 Mustang GT convertible? Be prepared to pony up AU$142,500 (the same as brand new Porsche Boxster Spyder) for that Pony. And it becomes even more laughable when you look at the U.S. prices for these same cars:

We do not claim to know the full details involved with importing a car and converting it to RHD, but it can't be so difficult as to demand the of a new entry-level Porsche 911...

So the next time you harrumph at some foreign nobody, whining about, "How good you bleedin' Yanks have got it" – spare a thought for the poor, cash-strapped Aussie... selling his 911 to buy a RHD Corvette ZR-1.

By Tristan Hankins

Here's where we found pricing information for the RHD conversions:

Corvette Clinic - makers of the RHD ZR-1
Mustang Australia - builders of RHD Mustangs
Performax - makers of the RHD Camaro and other cars

And Top Gear Australia magazine's August 2010 issue.

2011 Dodge Nitro offers New Heat 4.0 Lifestyle Package and Equipment Upgrades

We'll be hearing of more updated / refreshed Chrysler Group models within the next couple of months (if not weeks), but rounding up the changes on the first crop of 2011MYs, the Dodge Nitro gains a new trim level and some modest equipment upgrades on certain grades.

Joining the Detonator, Shock and Heat models that landed in the range in 2010, is the Heat 4.0 Lifestyle Package which comes with a 4.0-liter V6 engine delivering 260 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. (359 Nm) of torque, hooked up to a five-speed automatic transmission. Additional standard equipment over the Heat includes Uconnect Phone and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system.

In other news for the Nitro, all 2011MYs get standard 20-inch alloy wheels and monochromatic interiors, while select models feature upgraded cabins with new cloth and leather with premium colored stitching. Furthermore, the Detonator and Shock models now feature Dodge's new signature racing stripes on the hood and front fenders.

Finally, Dodge added several new colors to the 2011MY range including Bright White Clear Coat, Blackberry Pearl Coat, Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Redline Two Coat.