1 Super Rare Feature Makes This Vintage Dodge Charger Barn Find Worth the Trouble

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Barn finds continue to be one of the most exciting and elusive ideas in the automotive world. The dream of cracking open a forgotten old barn and finding a rare, dusty relic worth a bazillion dollars is still very alive and well. However, as with this very cool but very distressed vintage Dodge Charger barn find, the big block muscle car needed a bit more than a wash and some fresh fluids. 

1968 Dodge Charger | eBay Chillman1173

This 1968 Dodge Charger barn find is a special car

The vintage Dodge Charger barn find is far from being a pristine example found by a hungry treasure hunter. According to The Drive, this 383-powered 1968 Dodge Charger, sporting a rare four-speed manual transmission, was listed and sold on eBay last week, needing a boatload of work. 

While the listing touts the 383 four-barrel as the start of the show, The Drive points out that this motor with the four-speed manual transmission is what makes this vintage Dodge truly special. 

There were only 259 Dodge Chargers made in 1968 with this motor paired with the four-speed manual gearbox. Especially with the demand for manual transmissions growing, this makes this car quite the (barn) find. 

This vintage Dodge needs some TLC

vintage dodge charger parked in the grass in need of some repairs
1968 Dodge Charger | eBay Chillman1173

The eBay bidding ended at a fairly underwhelming price for such a rare spec. While this may give heart to our treasure hunting car nerds, the condition was worse than it looks at first glance. 

The original owner reportedly crashed the car in 1970. Whoever did the repairs back then was rushed or something because the repairs were poorly done. The story goes that body parts for the ‘68 were back-ordered at the time, and the body shop used pieces from a 1969 Charger to complete the repairs. This explains the iconic split grille that would not have been on a 1968 car. 

This compromised the car and kept it from being as desirable as the spec sheet would suggest. The Drive cites Hagerty in saying that the grille, fenders, and square marker lights all came off a 1969 Dodge Charger. Although this vintage Dodge barn find is a bit more complicated than it seems on the surface, the rare configuration still means an awful lot to many collectors and enthusiasts. 

Furthermore, there is also some damage to Charger’s frame. According to The Drive, it is unclear if this damage was caused by the same crash. The front right torque box is broken, and there is other damage elsewhere on the frame that the listing suggests might “need some work.”

Seeing as how the vintage dodge barn find seems to have been sitting for quite some time, some of this frame damage could be caused by rust. The listing shows rust eating up the floorpan, trunk, and large portions of the lower body panels. 

The rust isn’t the only problem. The listing says that this 1968 Dodge Charger barn find has been sitting since 1989. Amazingly the 383 still turns but won’t run due to stuck valves and likely a few other issues. 

There is some hope

This crusty barn find has some rare bits, but the coolest part is that the serial numbers on the radiator support and trunk lid match as well, as the engine and transmission numbers match the VIN. This means this is a true factory car with rare factory specs. 

The 1968 Dodge Charger ended up selling on eBay for $37,900, which blasted past Hagerty’s estimate for this model in “fair” condition. Something about the rarity mixed with the barn find idea drove this car past its estimated value. Let’s hope the repairs are more appropriate this time around.

RELATED: Impossibly Rare Lotus Elan Barn Find Unearthed Wearing Super Limited F1 Livery

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Best Toyota Cars & SUVs for the Money in 2021

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Some of the best Toyota cars and SUVs available in 2021 have hybrid options, making the vehicles reach an even wider audience. The Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry might not be surprising options, but these vehicles deserve a spot on the list.

Best Toyota cars and SUVs: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The Best Toyota cars and SUVs, including the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | Toyota

When U.S. News ranked the best Toyota cars and SUVs, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was at the top of the list. What makes the RAV4 the best hybrid or electric SUV? A whole lot of safety features, fuel mileage, and cargo space. The SUV seems to combine the best of all the worlds in one vehicle. For 2021, the new XLE trim also adds more options.

The RAV4 has room for five and has an all-wheel drive drivetrain. U.S. News and J.D. Power gave the Toyota SUV a safety score of 9.4, which gave it an overall score of 8.2 out of 10.

Starting MSRP: $28,800

The best toyota car, hybrid edition: Toyota Corolla Hybrid

On the list of hybrid and electric cars, the 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid came in 13th. The strengths of this sedan are the fuel economy estimates, coming in at 53 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway. The Corolla also comes equipped with a long list of standard features. Android Auto is included, and blind-spot monitoring is new for 2021.

U.S. News found that the trunk was too small for the Corolla and didn’t have much acceleration on the highway. With an estimated horsepower of 96 to 121 hp, that isn’t very surprising. However, it still won for the Best Hybrid or Electric Car for the Money, which makes up for it. U.S. News and J.D. Power scored the safety of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid a 9.7 while the total score was 7.7.

Starting MSRP: $23,600

The best large car for the money: Toyota Avalon

The 2021 Avalon is one of the best new Toyota cars for the money. It also came in first on the list of large cars. The Avalon has a long list of things Toyota got right: impressive safety features, luxurious interior, a comfortable ride, and a powerful engine. U.S. News notes that it has a high starting price, but buyers get a lot of bang for their buck too.

In 2021, Toyota added Android Auto and USB ports for added charging. All-wheel drive and a four-cylinder engine are also options for this year, plus an XSE Nightshade Edition trim. The Toyota Avalon gets around 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. U.S. News and J.D. Power scored the safety of the Avalon a 9.3, and the total score was 8.3.

Starting MSRP: $36,125

A mid-size option: Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry was ranked second on the list of midsize cars but won the 2021 Best Midsize Car for the Money award. Like the other Toyota cars on the list, the Camry has tons of safety features and a solid infotainment system. The ride is comfortable, and the V6 engine was strong. U.S. News noted it did have a noisy cabin and below-average trunk space.

The Camry has room for five passengers and gets fair fuel economy. It also comes in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The Camry is always on lists of the best Toyota cars, but with good reason. U.S. News and J.D. Power scored the safety of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid a 9.9 while the total score was 8.6.

Starting MSRP: $25,045

Toyota was the leader with four wins in all of the categories, which definitely spends for itself. When drivers are looking for some of the best Toyota cars, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Camry, Corolla Hybrid, and Avalon are solid options.

RELATED: Toyota and GM Make the SUVs Most Likely to Run for Over 200,000 Miles

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Toyota Lost to Honda in Carfax’s Roundup of the Best Cars for Road Trips

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Summer is upon us, which is a great time for some road trips. It’s important to pick the right vehicle, or your road trip might not be as fun as you hoped. So, if you aren’t sure what the best vehicle for road tripping is, Carfax has you covered. Their top choice this year is the Honda Odyssey. Additionally, in a somewhat surprising turn of events, only one Toyota model, usually the king of road trip vehicles, made the top 10 list, while Honda actually had two contenders. So, what other cars made the list? Let’s find out.

The best cars and SUVs for road trips in 2021

2022 Honda Odyssey | American Honda Motor Co., Inc

While the Honda Odyssey took the top spot, Carfax’s list of the 10 best road trip cars and SUVs for 2021 had nine other vehicles to choose from. The other Honda on the list was the Ridgeline, which was number eight on the list. Interestingly, both Honda models are technically not cars or SUVs. As Carfax actually specifically points out, the Odyssey is a minivan, and the Ridgeline is a truck.

The Mazda CX-9 and the Hyundai Sonata took spots two and three, respectively, with the CX-9 edging out the Sonata due to the extra seating. The rest of the top five are the Kia Telluride at number four and the Toyota Highlander at number five. Excluding the Ridgeline placement, the bottom half of the list includes the Volkswagen Atlas, the Subaru Outback, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the Ford Mustang GT Convertible in the number 10 spot.

The Honda Odyssey and the Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Odyssey has a V6 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission that puts out 280 hp and can tow up to 3,500 pounds. It gets fairly decent gas mileage for the minivan class with an EPA estimated 28 mpg highway rating. The base trim has seats for seven, but the other trims have seats for eight and come with the Honda Magic Slide feature, which allows you to slide the second-row seats forward, backward, and sideways. The Odyssey also has tons of cargo space and an optional rear-seat entertainment system, which are great features for road trips.

The 2021 Ridgeline has a 3.5-liter V6 engine that puts out 280 hp, with a nine-speed automatic transmission and the ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds. The EPA estimated gas mileage is 24 mpg highway, which is pretty good for a V6 pickup truck. It only seats five people, but it does it with tons of legroom to stretch out and comfortable, supportive seating. The Ridgeline has 2.9 cubic feet of storage underneath the rear seats and a 7.3 cubic feet trunk underneath the truck’s bed, which is five feet by four feet. One of the nice things about this truck is that it handles more like an SUV, which is why it made Carfax’s list.

The Toyota Highlander

Even though it came in number five, the 2021 Highlander is still an excellent SUV for road trips. It comes standard with a V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that puts out 295 hp, tow up to 5,000 pounds, and has decent gas mileage with an EPA estimated 29 mpg highway. The Highlander has three rows and seats up to eight people, but one reason it was a little lower on the list was that the third row is fairly cramped. However, it has ample cargo space, particularly if you fold down the third row. 

If you want to go on a road trip this summer and need a new vehicle to hit the road, the Odyssey, the Ridgeline, and the Highlander are all excellent choices, and all three have a starting price under $37,000. They also have great safety features and will provide a comfortable ride, which can factor into whether you have a fun road trip or a road trip that makes you wish you had never hit the road in the first place.

RELATED: 5 Road Trips 3 Hours or Less From Boston

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The 2021 Lincoln Navigator Just Earned This Impressive Distinction From U.S. News

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Lincoln Navigator might be one of the most iconic symbols of what a full-size luxury SUV is all about. While there are significantly pricier full-size SUVs out there — the 2021 Range Rover with the Westminster package for $124,000 comes to mind — the new Navigator still crushes the competition. Furthermore, even though the 1998 Lincoln Navigator was introduced behind most of its competitors, it has surpassed them all in popularity and brand loyalty. Halfway into 2021, we see little to no change in that status.

If beauty is what we feel inside, then the Navigator is it

2020 Lincoln Navigator | Ford Motor Company

Most of us have heard the old saying, “Beauty is what we feel inside.” If that’s the case, the interior of the 2021 Lincoln Navigator will have you feeling like Kendall Jenner — inside, remember? However, don’t fret because the exterior is nearly equally exquisite; at least it doesn’t look like you’re cruising around in a $130,000 cereal box on wheels.

The U.S. News’ review of the Navigator states that its “interior is deliciously lavish, with three rows of comfortable seats, abundant cargo space, and intuitive infotainment tech.” In addition to poshness, the Navigator offers many levels of cargo space, even by giant luxury land yacht standards. It’s one of the few full-size vehicles that aren’t a minivan or charter bus that can seat up to eight adults comfortably, as well as store your weekly groceries in the rear—though it’s safe to say you wouldn’t usually go grocery shopping with eight adults. 

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator is listed as the most luxurious SUV by U.S. News

On June 14, 2021, U.S. News (USN) published a review of “The 22 Most Luxurious SUVs for 2021.” That’s a lot of competition in the vehicle selling world, especially in combination with exorbitant prices, growing consumer concern over sustainability, and, yeah, exorbitant prices. Can it stand up to the MotorBiscuit scrutiny test?

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator proves that good genes mean a lot when competing for first place in any race, even if they’re technically from a distant relative you barely know. USN gave the 2021 Navigator an interior score of 8.9/10 and an overall score of 8.7/10.

“The luxury large SUV class features some absolutely top-notch interiors, but the Lincoln Navigator has a real claim to being the best of the bunch,” the review states. “The features list includes an easy-to-use infotainment system and plenty of active safety features, and cargo space is outstanding in both the standard-wheelbase [sic] Navigator and long-wheelbase Navigator L models.”

The 2021 Audi Q3 came in second place with an Interior Score of 8.3/10 and an Overall Score of 8.4/10. USN lists its starting MSRP at just $34,000. Meanwhile, in last place, you have the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA with a USN Interior Score of 7.5/10 and an Overall Score of “TBD” (to be determined). Mercedes-Benz only managed to secure 10th place and ninth place on the list. Of all the models to have gotten 10th, it was the nearly $132,000 Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Lincoln’s large SUV was dealt a winning hand from day one

According to the most recent listings on the Lincoln website, you have three choices of land-yacht to choose from: the “Standard” trim ($76,705 starting MSRP); the “Reserve” trim ($82,4901 starting MSRP); the “Black Label L” trim ($101,855 starting MSRP). The latter trim features a longer chassis; hence the “L.” Unlike seaworthy yachts, don’t expect the Navigator to be a beacon of environmental concern because it only gets an EPA estimated 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

The entry-level trim features the following standard features: power-illuminated running boards; LED reading lamps for first row passengers; a premium 14-speaker Revel Audio System with HD radio technology; heated 40/40 second-row captains chairs (power foldable); 10-way power front seats with power lumbar and driver’s seat memory.

Additional optional features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, hill descent control (only optional on the 4X4 model), and 20-inch 14-spoke bright machined aluminum wheels with painted pockets. Frustratingly enough, the “Standard” trim only offers a single enhanced security feature: intrusion and inclination sensors.

With all that said, luxury must be in the eye of the beholder because models like the 2021 Cadillac Escalade offer a lot more standard safety and driver-assist features — not to mention it is nearly 50 percent cheaper. Car and Driver also gave the Escalade nearly the same score as U.S. News did the Navigator. Keep in mind that many review sites tend not to feature the truly base models when listing “standard” features, making navigating the buying process confusing. So, be sure to read carefully.

RELATED: U.S. News Calls the 2021 Lincoln Navigator the Best 8-Passenger SUV to Buy

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