The 10 Craziest Speeding Tickets Ever Issued
Speed kills, but speeding is also a whole lot of fun. Among the thousands of speeding tickets issued every year, these are some of the craziest.
Dodge Streamlines Special Ordering Process
Dodge recently announced pricing for six of the seven Last Call special editions for the Charger and Challenger. It has also streamlined the special ordering system. Part of the new system is a Horsepower Locator, which is a web tool designed to help you find the Last Call cars that are being sent in limited numbers to Dodge dealerships around the country. Read More
Is This Special Lexus RX Driving Down the Yellow Brick Road
The world of the Wizard of Oz featured several signature items that come to life in a special version of the Lexus RX developed by fashion designer Harris Reed.
High-Tech Cars are Making Maintenance & Repairs Harder
The older a model gets, the harder it is to get replacement parts or find a mechanic who knows how to work on a ‘98 Chevy truck. But now we’re seeing the same thing with cars made this year!
What’s changed? The technology and equipment that goes into today’s vehicles require more specialization and knowledge than a mechanic has, that’s what.
Repair Shops are Struggling to Meet Specialized Demand
Most mechanics know cars, not computers. But EVs, increased advanced technology, and how features are integrated into a car’s system make it impossible to continue being an old-fashioned mechanic.
If things stay the way they are now in the car repair business, drivers might have to get an extended warranty from places like Toyota and Ford to get guaranteed service.
Cost of Equipment and Training
Many automotive manufacturers use unique systems or have specific equipment for creating their vehicles – such as Tesla models or the newest Ford Super Duty trucks. While it’s not a trade secret, it’s also not well-known what goes into making and maintaining technologically-advanced vehicles.
Mechanics will need the same equipment and systems to perform maintenance and repairs on those cars. They also need certifications, special training, and continued education to meet rapidly-changing vehicle needs.
Not only is this costly for businesses, but it isn’t likely to happen – mechanics would have to learn the special methods and equipment for working on one model of car or all of them at once, and neither is a sustainable way to run a mechanic’s service. What if the only person who can perform a Toyota’s extended warranty service is out sick for a week?
How This Impacts Drivers Negatively
As local shops are forced to specialize, limit what they can do, or sell their shops to franchise owners, drivers will find their options limited and prices for service going up.
Parts and equipment, as well as a properly-trained mechanic’s time, will cost more, services and repairs will take longer, and the old neighborhood mechanic may not be around much longer. Getting your car back from the shop could take days instead of hours.
But does that mean all hope for the future is lost already? Not necessarily.
The Future of Automobiles and Auto Repair Centers
Mechanics are already working toward bridging the knowledge gap in service – computer science majors and tech-savvy car fanatics are joining repair shops as their expertise becomes relevant. Automakers and dealerships are offering in-house repairs and maintenance options.
Drivers are also finding ways to make it easier on themselves – they’re looking into Ford and Toyota extended warranty options, which cover the cost of everything from engines to steering wheels for years.
The auto repair industry is seeing a lot of problems right now, but it’s also seeing a lot of growth and change. Now it’s just a matter of seeing where it takes us.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: Is This the Electric Luxury SUV You’ve Been Waiting For?
When you want a family-sized luxury SUV that uses electricity, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV should be on your shortlist of SUVs to drive.
The Ford Raptor R is Finally Here
Get ready to stalk your local Ford dealer for the 2023 Ford Raptor R. Orders are expected to start at some point this fall, but nothing is confirmed yet. However, the 2023 Raptor R looks promising as it once again packs a V8 engine. Let’s take a look at what makes this new Raptor R stand out from the pack.
Raptor R V8 Power
Some enthusiasts were disappointed with the current version of the Raptor R, which features a twin-turbo V6. However, the 2023 Raptor will once again offer V8 power from a 5.2-liter supercharged Predator engine. This engine makes an impressive 700 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. It also happens to be the same engine that was used in the Mustang Shelby GT500. In the Raptor R, the engine has been recalibrated for more low and mid-range torque to make it ideal for off-road use. To do this, the Ford Performance team made the following modifications:
– Unique oil cooler
– Upgraded air intake
– Deeper oil pan
– Improved exhaust manifolds
This recalibrated engine pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission to transfer power to the wheels.
Can the Raptor R Take On the Ram 1500 TRX?
The next question for Raptor enthusiasts is whether this new Raptor can take on the buzzy Ram TRX. According to MotorTrend, the new Ford Raptor revs a bit higher than the Ram at 7,000 RPM, but both trucks deliver the same horsepower. However, the Raptor R is expected to go from zero to 60 MPH in 3.8 seconds versus the 4.5 seconds it takes for the Ram TRX to do the same. What makes the difference? The Raptor R has less torque than the Ram and it hits its peak power level at a higher RPM than the Ram, which makes it seem like it would be slower. What pushes the Ford past the Ram for speed is the Raptor’s smaller engine displacement, which lightens the load and allows for quicker acceleration.
Better For Off-Road
Compared to other off-road trucks, the Raptor sits taller with 13.1 inches of ground clearance, 37-inch tires, and 14.1 inches of wheel travel. This gives it an advantage with better off-road angles compared to rivals. To compare, the Ram TRX has 13 inches of wheel travel, 35-inch tires, and 11.8 inches of ground clearance. The Raptor R’s impressive power and performance will not be easy on the pocketbook. The starting price is expected to be $109,145, which makes it the most expensive production truck available. Nevertheless, it is highly anticipated and you can expect plenty of enthusiasts will be ready to get in line.
Ordering for the Raptor R should start soon at a Ford dealer near you, but no exact date has been set in stone yet.
Is the Future of Motorcycles Electric?
Should more motorcycles offer an electric powertrain? These bikes can easily give riders desired excitement while running on a battery-powered motor.
10 Tips for Test Driving an EV
Whether it’s your first time or the hundredth time when test driving an EV, the experience is different from a traditional vehicle.
Bouncing Back: GM Decides to Continue Discount Incentive for Chevy Bolt Through End of 2022
Good news for people interested in the Chevy Bolt – GM has decided to continue the multi-thousand dollar discount for purchasing the Bolt EV and EUV through the end of 2022 instead of just August.
But while this may seem like great news, there’s more happening here. From recalls at Chevrolet dealer locations to tax credit changes, there’s a lot to talk about with the Chevy Bolt and its discount.
Chevy Bolt’s Bad Reputation
People keeping up with the latest from General Motors may remember that the company had to recall every Chevy Bolt made between 2019 and 2022. Reports said it was due to battery fires caused by defects in LG’s manufacturing of the batteries.
While GM acted swiftly by removing even brand new Bolts on the lots of Chevrolet dealers and communicating with anyone who’d purchased affected vehicles, this still left many customers unhappy and tanked the reputation of the Chevy Bolt.
Even though the situation has been resolved, GM may have decided to sell the rest of the available 2022 Bolt and Bolt EUVs at a reduced price to smooth things over for customers.
Price Changes and Incentives
So what is the big discount the Chevy Bolt is getting? Just under $6,000 for the Bolt and close to $6,500 for the EUV. This means a base model Bolt would cost $26,000 new, while the baseline Bolt EUV is $28,000. This includes the $1,000 destination fee for delivering the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer near you.
This discount makes the Chevy Bolt the most affordable EV currently on the market. The new price beats out EVs from manufacturers like Nissan, which used to be known for their affordability.
It’s only guaranteed until December 31st, 2022, so buyers must act quickly to take advantage of the new affordable pricing.
The Future for the Bolt
But that leaves the question of what will happen to the Bolt after this promotional incentive ends.
GM, like Tesla, no longer has the EV tax credit to fall back on to provide incentives for consumers to transition to electric vehicles without paying more out of pocket or reducing manufacturer profit. A new Inflation Reduction Act may help create a new EV-specific credit, but there’s no guarantee that it’s coming any time soon.
This means that the Chevy Bolt’s bad reputation and lack of incentives may hurt its chances of survival in 2023 and beyond. It may be discontinued like the Volt. Or maybe it will survive as a less-desirable EV option.
Either way, it’s important to remember that if you want a Chevy Bolt, this is the best time to get one. They’ve been heavily inspected and repaired after the battery issues they faced, and the current discount available shaves thousands of dollars off the sale price.
Now may be the only good time to head down to your local Chevrolet dealer and find out what you can do to get an affordable Chevy Bolt or Bolt EUV.
The Fastest, Most Furious Ford Vehicles Available
Fords are built tough, but they’re also built fast. Still, the question remains, which of Ford’s models are the fastest available? When you think about fast Fords, their most impressive and iconic sports car, the Ford Mustang probably comes to mind. Ever since this powerhouse was first released in 1964, it’s taken the globe by storm. Read More