2005 Dodge Magnum RT Road Trip

In reality I'm an absolute softy, which is why I was dumbfounded not to find heated seats with the standard RT leather. I can

Considering Utah's chilly climate at this time of year, I was dumbfounded not to find heated seats with the standard RT leather. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

understand why a person might not want the cold weather package in Florida, or San Diego, but Utah? It was 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.7 degrees Celsius) when I arrived, making the Magnum a chilly reception. If I lived in this city, or anywhere that gets cold, heated seats wouldn't be optional.

Throughout the week the Magnum performed flawlessly, for going back and forth to Jennifer's sisters home just five or so long blocks away from our hotel at Temple Square, or out on the highway south to the Olympic speed skating oval, or for that matter on the short haul up to "This is the place" monument, where Latter-Day Saint prophet Brigham Young received the revelation that the Salt Lake Valley was to be the Rocky Mountain refuge that previous prophet Joseph Smith envisioned, a natural safe haven for the embattled Saints to call home, all of which had trekked across the plains, many towing all their belongings on handcarts and many which perished along the way. It's an amazing history,

The Magnum is definitely a car that I would seriously consider taking home if in the market for something new. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

and Salt Lake City an amazing accomplishment along with its temple, tabernacle, church administration buildings and new 20-plus thousand seat conference center, as well as the many secular buildings and institutions that make up the greater Salt Lake area.

While I won't be moving to Utah anytime soon, the Magnum is definitely a car that I would seriously consider taking home if in the market for something new. It's so tremendously practical, yet still delivers ridiculously fast acceleration, nimble handling and quiet, luxurious everyday operation. All that, and it exudes a certain animal magnetism that so few new vehicles can even get close to emulating. It's a true muscle car, and another example of why Chrysler Group is now in the black when so many of its competitors are seeing red.