For the love of cars
For the love of cars
Off-roading is a great way to challenge yourself and your vehicle, whether you’re trying to get to a specific destination or enjoy the idea of getting off the beaten path. But if you want to off-road safely, there are many ways to prepare yourself and your vehicle for the trip. Read More
Two vehicles reach a special place when off-roading adventures are in your future. Will you drive the Ford Bronco or the Jeep Wrangler? Read More
From the early military roots to the modern-day, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class remains at the top of the luxury SUV market. Read More
If you’re deciding between stopping by a GMC dealer to explore a GMC Canyon or visiting your local Chevy dealer to explore a Chevy Colorado, you’re getting ready to make one of the most challenging decisions of your life. Both of these light-duty trucks ultimately fall under the General Motors umbrella, which means they share quite a few similarities. At the same time, they are different enough that you’ll notice some distinction.
Lifted trucks have a lot to offer when it comes to versatility, whether you’ve got hauling to do or just like driving a powerful truck. Read More
With a new generation of Ford F-150 Raptor pickups hitting showrooms, should you head to the dealer now or look for a good deal on a used Ford Raptor?
To help you decide, we’ll look at what’s new in the third-gen Raptor and what to look for in a first or second-generation model.
We’ll answer the biggest question first. The rumor mills have been cranking overtime about Ford bringing back a V8 engine in the F-150 Raptor, especially after Ram introduced the new 1500 TRX in all its 707-horsepower Hellcat glory.
Ford still lists the standard V6 on the Raptor’s specs page, though, so if you’re holding out for the eight-banger, check with your local Ford dealer to confirm precisely when the V8 will be available.
That said, at 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, the second-generation power plant is still plenty beefy when you want to crawl over debris and dominate sand dunes. But a lot of folks were disappointed when Ford stopped offering the V8 in the Raptor: and let’s face it, the smaller six just doesn’t deliver the same satisfying roar.
The third-gen F-150 Raptor also gets upgrades such as optional 37-inch tires, Fox Live Valve internal bypass shocks, and a fighter jet-inspired redesign. So, cue up the Top Gun soundtrack, strap in, and prepare for launch.
The quick answer: it depends. This isn’t exactly a truck for bargain hunters.
Ford lists the F-150 Raptor at just over $64k. Compared to other F-150 models, the Raptor is well-appointed with an impressive list of standard comfort and driver-assist features. But most drivers are attracted to Ford’s add-on packages that add convenience and performance-enhancing features like the retuned shocks and Recaro sport seats.
Once you start adding feature packages, the sticker price can leap higher than a Raptor off a sand dune. And it will go even higher when you swap out the V6 for the V8 engine.
If the V8 isn’t a dealbreaker for you, and you just want a truck that you can kick back and get down and dirty off-road with, a used Ford Raptor might be your best option. Bear in mind, though, that the Raptor holds its value better than most pickups, so you’re still likely to pay over $40k to get behind the wheel.
Modern vehicles are made to run for hundreds of thousands of miles, and the Raptor is purpose-built to handle heavy punishment.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t thoroughly inspect any used Raptor you’re interested in, especially if it’s spent a lot of time off-road. Try to get a thorough maintenance record from the previous owner and pay special attention to the condition of the struts and shocks.
With supply chain issues delaying the arrival of new vehicles at showrooms, it’s well worth considering a used Ford Raptor if you’re ready for some off-road adventure. Whether you choose a second-generation or throw it all the way back for a first-gen, you’ll have a capable truck that you’ll have a blast piloting through mud, sand, and gravel.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been one of the best-selling mid-luxury SUVs for three decades. So, you may wonder why mess with a good thing?
The all-new Grand Cherokee has been reimagined and redesigned from the ground up. The result? An SUV that still gets the basics right while delivering even more style, convenience, and comfort.
Considering the SUV market, claiming that midsize crossover, such as the 2022 Honda Pilot, is the one that can be the best one for camping is something serious. There are other SUVs that are larger, there are others that can take you deeper in the wilderness, but when it comes to the complete package and the right size for a camping trip, the Pilot just might be the ultimate camping SUV giving you everything you need. Let’s explore this idea and see how the Pilot wears this badge of honor.
Let’s take a look at two choices in the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester to see which one should be the right choice for your drive. Read More
The Nissan Frontier is a truck that can handle your needs and offer you the most affordable truck in the midsize class. Read More