Football season is quickly coming to a close, but that won’t stop some of you from getting out there and cheering on your winning teams as they fight for a coveted spot in the Super Bowl!  You know what that means, tailgating… snow or shine!

Nothing says football like cold drinks (maybe some hot chocolate?), grilling hot dogs, and hanging with friends. Who doesn’t want to be at the center of that? We will give you the low down on all the best features of one of the perfect vehicles to make your tailgating party a success.

The top pick hands down goes to the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. Not only can you load your grill and chairs in the full-size bed, but there is also an option for a Rambox Cargo Box Management system so you save on cooler space. With the Rambox, you get a pair of waterproof stow spaces that can hold up to 280 cans each! These bad boys are also drainable so you can fill them up with ice to keep your drinks nice and cold. The best part is they are conveniently located on the box rails so no hopping in and out of your truck bed all day to get drinks.

Now how are you going to get your party started without some serious music, right? The Ram also has a 7.1 surround sound system with a 506 watt amplifier and 10 speakers including a subwoofer. The UConnect Media Center radio lets you store thousands of songs, select playlists, and play videos. It’s like you’re the parking lot’s personal DJ. You can even listen to SiriusXM Satellite Radio so even if you don’t get to actually be in the stands you can listen to live play-by-play with ease. With this system it won’t matter if you don’t make it into the stadium, you will definitely feel like you are up close and personal.

Think a truck will be too crowded? Nope! With the available feature of a 6 passenger cab you and your friends will be comfortable no matter how long the drive is. The interior storage is another huge plus. The Dodge Ram has in-floor rear storage bins that are removable and drainable so if you need some cold water on your drive home it will be right at your finger tips. There is also plenty of storage under the rear seats to keep all of your blankets and fan gear so no one has to hold it on the way down. Best of all, if it’s a cold night you can turn on the heated rears seats to warm your friends back up after the game.

The 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 is the key car to tailgating victory. With this vehicle you can take all the food, fun, and friends that you can handle. May the best team win!

All good things must come to an end, right? Well the same goes for cars - they can’t go on forever. We are highlighting some goodies you might want to get your hands on before they are gone for good!

Chevrolet Avalanche:  It’s possible that GM will release a 2013 version of this SUV-pick-up truck combination, but it will certainly be the last model year we will see. For the truck’s many loyal buyers, this is bad news. The Avalanche is the only vehicle of its kind, uniquely combining a 4-door SUV with a truck bed.  

Mitsubishi Eclipse: The Eclipse has been in production for more than 20 years, but it’s time is coming to a close. This sweet little car has seen better days in sales, partially due to consumer demand for a true rear-wheel drive sports car. Have you been eyeing one of these bad boys? Time to take the plunge before it’s too late!

Dodge Caliber: As Dodge rolls out the new Dodge Dart, they are doing away with the Caliber to make room. The Caliber’s sales have been less than satisfactory for the automaker, but the car certainly has some features worth a second look. An available all-wheel drive, the unique body style, and cargo area make the Caliber a practical car you can feel good about driving around town. Grab one before its too late… and if you miss out, try the Dart on for size!

Lexus HS 250: Looking for something a little more high-end that you might be able to catch a good deal on? The HS 250 might be for you. This is an upscale sedan that certainly doesn’t lack in style or features. Lexus will be replacing this model with the ES 300h, just in case you miss your opportunity to get the HS 250 before it’s gone!

Mazda CX-7: The CX-7 is another unique car we are not ready to see go. With an interior much like a minivan and an aerodynamic exterior more like an SUV, it’s the perfect combination of practical and stylish.

Don’t let some potentially great deals on these cars pass you by. Get looking before these cars are in your rearview!

Summer is nearly here, which means for many of us, it’s time for a road trip! Whether you go to a big city nearby, your in-laws, or your favorite beach, you’ll need a way to get there. This summer, the CarLocate team will be giving you our top picks for “The Best Cars for Road Trippin'.”

First up: the Dodge Challenger SRT8. Packing in 470 HP into a 392-cubic inch HEMI V8, the Challenger is a force to be reckoned with. Going 0-60 in a mere 4.4 seconds, few cars on the street today will match the speed of the Challenger.  Sure, speed is great. But is it everything? We don’t think so. Luckily the Charger boasts more than just an impressive engine, making this the perfect car for the open road.

The Challenger comfortably seats 5 passengers and features an EZ Entry Passenger seat allowing back seat riders to easily enter and exit the back seat. Featuring the most cargo volume in its class, the backseat of the Charger also folds down into a 60/40 split allowing for convenient, versatile storage of whatever you may bring along for the ride. An Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) located next to the speedometer makes for safe and easy control of the trip computer, audio features, and personal settings, among others. Going back to the engine for a quick second (we really love it), the EVIC also has features like a 0-60 timer and G-Force Meter. Combine those with the innovative paddle shifters and 740 HP engine and your road trip might involve a chat with a police officer two if you aren’t careful. 

The car also includes a list of media features that are almost as impressive as its engine. An available 18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system will surely keep your trip full of music. Loud music. Featuring GreenEdge Technology ,the 900-Watt system  is incredibly energy efficient, while also boasting an incredibly lightweight design. The Media Center that controls these impressive speakers? A 6.5’’ full touch screen with an available 30 GB hard drive allowing you to store nearly 7,000 songs. This system doesn’t just do music either. While the vehicle is stationary, DVDs can be played.

But what about safety, you ask? Got it. The Challenger has Xenon High-Intensity Headlamps paired with Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control that will surely keep you safer on your journey.

When it comes to speed, sound, and safety, the Dodge Challenger has it all.

When you’re ready to make your next road trip checklist, consider adding the purchase of the Challenger to that list.