Tag: Cars
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What’s New for the 2020 Audi A4
Audi’s announced a slate of new features and updates for the A4, which will be rolling out for the next model year. Between a new look, hybrid engine options and new tech, there’s a lot to cover in this A4 update. If you’re in the market for a luxury car, this news might be music to your ears. -
2019 Infiniti Q60: A Worthy Affordable Luxury Car?
Infiniti is known for making luxury cars of exemplary quality with reasonable price tags for the average person. The 2019 Infinity Q60 is upon us, and it’s time to ask: is this a worthy affordable luxury car? Let’s look under the hood, inside the cab and at the specs and find out what makes this Infiniti stand out from the crowd.
2019 Infiniti Q60
Performance
The most important thing about any luxury car is performance. If you’re starting a vehicle at $40,850, then it’s important the car is actually fun to drive. In the case of the Q60, it is satisfying, responsive and quick. The engine is a bit quieter than you might expect, but the acceleration and power on display here are certainly impressive.
This goes double for the Red Sport 400 spec, which will run you an extra $15,000, bringing the starting price to $55,000. This trim level nets you a bump from 300 horsepower to 400, as well as a few minor aesthetic cues to differentiate the vehicle from its base trim.
The Cab
The ride is smooth and enjoyable, though the steering is a bit lacking in excitement. However, the notably lacking part of this luxury Infiniti is the infotainment system. For whatever reason, Infiniti’s outdated InTouch system is still in play here, sporting graphics from 2008 and features from 2012. The underpowered tech on display in the cab leaves us scratching our heads.
Surprisingly, despite how quiet the engine is, the ride on the highway catches a ton of road noise. Crank up the tunes to drown this out, but it’s a bit of a drag to hear the road instead of the purr of the engine.
Bottom Line
Compared to some of the competition, like the Audi S5 and the Lexus RC, this Infiniti is a solid contender. If you don’t mind the underpowered tech or the quiet engine, there’s a lot to love here. However, unless you don’t get a lot of opportunities to gun it, we highly suggest you get the Red Sport 400 upgrade, as it makes the car a blast to drive.
Noting that, bumping from $40,000 to $55,000 might take the vehicle out of the “affordable” price category. However, even the base trim offers a fun experience, if you’re looking for an affordable and stylish luxury vehicle.
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Car Designs that Need to Die: Worst Design Mistakes
When you see a great-looking car, the design can really stick with you. Looking at a well-styled car reminds you that there are a ton of ugly looking vehicles out there. While the 80’s had tons of box-shaped cars and the 2000’s had endless lines and curves, the late 2010’s have been full of odd design choices. Today we’re looking at our least favorite designs in modern cars.
Worst Car Designs in 2019
Ornamental Exhaust Ports
There are a lot of pieces of design language that speak to a car being a sporty, muscled and mean vehicle. One of these is a large number of exhaust tips. However, when a designer adds fake exhaust tips that are entirely ornamental, it usually draws a chuckle. If a car is powerful and needs the extra exhaust ports, add them. But don’t try to trick drivers into thinking it’s a better car than it is.
For reference, the ugly-looking fake exhaust ports on the Audi A6 are the most egregious in this category.
Vents for Looks
It’s one thing when an affordable car, like the Honda Civic, styles itself in a model like a sports car. However, when a vehicle like the Kia Stinger sports strictly ornamental vents it looks like someone is trying way too hard. The Stinger is already a beast, why include vents just for looks? The car is already sick enough on its own.
Jewel Headlamps
Jewel headlights, or Spider headlights as they’re also known, are a particularly ugly modern design trend. The headlights look like a string of jewels or an arachnid’s eye structure, and it’s a weird look. There’s no functional purpose for all of these light points in one headlamp, and it simply confuses the eye.
Oversized Grilles
Vehicles like the Toyota Avalon sport absurdly oversized grilles. In the case of the Avalon, roughly 70 percent of the grille is non-functional. While the Avalon is an all-around solid vehicle, the comically oversized front grille gives it an awkward and goofy appearance.
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Tesla Being Sued Over Fatal Autopilot Crash
Surprisingly, luxury automaker Tesla is being sued over a deadly crash that occurred in early 2018. The family of Walter Huang, who died in a tragic accident when his Model X hit a central concrete median, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The suit claims that Tesla’s autopilot feature was to blame for Huang’s death, not his own inattentiveness at the wheel.
Tesla Being Sued over Autopilot
The Crash
Huang was 38 when he passed away on March 23, 2018. He was driving in Mountain View, California, deep in Silicone Valley, when his autopilot misread the lane and didn’t brake before striking the concrete median. According to the complaint, not only did Huang’s vehicle not brake, it accelerated into the barrier.
Mark Fong, a partner at a firm that is representing Huang’s family, released a statement. He stated that Tesla is “beta testing its Autopilot software on live drivers,” and that “The Huang family wants to help prevent this tragedy from happening to other drivers using Tesla vehicles or any semi-autonomous vehicles”.
The Suit
The lawsuit alleges that Tesla holds liability for Huang’s death due to a defective product design. The suit also alleges that Tesla failed to warn drivers enough about the autopilot system’s limitations, and that they intentionally misrepresented the system and advertised it falsely.
The complaint does not specify the amount of damages the plaintiffs are seeking. However, it does name the State of California as a defendant for not replacing the guardrail that should have surrounded the median that Huang hit. Presumably, that guardrail would have greatly reduced the impact of the crash.
Tesla’s Response
As of yet, Tesla has made no formal response to the complaint. Likewise, the State of California has made no statement regarding the suit. It is worth noting that when news of Huang’s death was made public, Tesla stated that “safety is at the core of everything we do and every decision we make, so the loss of a life in an accident involving a Tesla vehicle is difficult for all of us.”
At the time of that news breaking, Tesla expressed deep sadness over the crash. However, official reports stated that, despite Tesla warning drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and remain attentive while using autopilot, “the vehicle did not detect the driver’s hands on the steering wheel in the six seconds before the crash.”
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Need a New Ride? Top Affordable Compact Luxury Cars
Everyone loves getting to drive a nice new car. There’s something about being behind the wheel of a luxury car that’s ineffable and hard to place. It’s like you become the master of your own little domain, able to zoom around corners and go where you want. Not everyone can swing the huge payments to own a nice new car though.
So, how do you find a compromise between a nice ride but not having to take a long time to pay it off? Thankfully, you can check out our list of the top luxury cars that won’t break the bank! These are luxurious, compact and affordable, and will keep you riding in style even as you keep your car payments reasonable.
2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Mercedes-Benz, a well-known name in the world of luxury cars, offers the CLA-Class as a more affordable entry option to their range of vehicles. While you’ll only pay $33,695 for base models of the 2018, you’ll get the full Mercedes-Benz luxury experience. Some of the base features are pretty high-tech and impressive. For instance, it comes stock with drowsy-driver sensors, forward collision mitigation and rain-sensing windshield wipers. If that’s not enough for you, it even sports dual-zone climate control and Bluetooth! Add-ons include LED headlights, heated seats and adaptive cruise control. You can even opt for blind spot monitoring if you’re like me and forget to check those every time!
2018 Acura ILX
The ILX is a great choice for those who want a luxury ride but still want to have a practical vehicle. This vehicle has some pretty sweet amenities for its low price tag. While base models cost about $29,000, they also have keyless entry and ignition and heated front seats. they also sport dual-zone climate control, for when the driver and passenger feel comfortable in two different temperatures, and automatic LED headlights to help cut through hazardous weather conditions. For those who want a bit more, they can also opt for some safety features like adaptive cruise control and front collision mitigation. The ILX can also be equipped with navigation, leather upholstery and satellite radio.
2018 Audi A3
The next car on our list, the elegant Audi A3, starts at around $33,000. And it does more than just look pretty: it has some stellar luxury features. The A3 comes standard with forward collision mitigation, helping make sure you keep your nice new luxury car out of trouble. It also ensures a comfortable ride, with heated front seats and leather upholstery, and even a panoramic sunroof! If you want even more, you can opt to add on blind spot monitoring to even further keep your A3 (and yourself) safe, and even parking sensors. To round it all out, you can even opt for Apple CarPlay mirroring, letting you use your phone as your car stereo!
2018 Volvo S60
An extremely elegant car, and a great buy for $35,095. The S60 is a looker and boasts an incredibly comfortable ride to boot. Base models have low-speed collision mitigation, which is great when driving around town. They also have xenon headlights, leather upholstery and sunroof equipped standard. Oh, and don’t forget the Wi-Fi connectivity. Pretty cool, right? You can also opt for rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and navigation.
2018 BMW 3 Series
The 3 Series is the most affordable of BMW’s luxury cars, but it feels anything but “affordable.” This decadent ride is smooth, responsive and just plain fun to drive. You can grab a base model for $35,895, and that equips you with push-button start, dual-zone climate control and rain-sensing windshield wipers. You even get Bluetooth connectivity! If you want a more upgraded experience, you can also opt for a sunroof, among other awesome options.
Tesla Model 3
When it comes to brand recognition, few cars are in the same boat as Tesla. The astonishing range and acceleration on display in the Model 3 make its all-electric powertrain that much more impressive. The luxurious interior, with its minimalist design and simple center screen, feels like a car from the future.
For the price of $35,000 you can get the Standard Range Tesla, though a few thousand more bucks gets you the Long Range. It’s a difference of about a hundred miles of range, as the Standard Range allows for an impressive 240 miles, while the Long Range sports 310 miles. The Long Range will run you a steeper $49,500.
The Model 3 makes our list, however, due to the all-electric nature of the vehicle working in conjunction with its great drive and range. This is, for all intents and purposes, a totally normal car that also happen to need neither gas nor oil. You won’t need to fill it up, get oil changes or worry about most regular maintenance. That’s all behind you once you go fully electric.
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The Best Full-Sized Pickups in 2019
Who doesn’t love the feel of climbing into the cab of a full-sized pickup? The towing capacity, cab size and comfortable ride of a pickup is hard to find elsewhere on the new car market. If you’re looking for a new pickup in 2019, here are some of the best options on the market for you to consider.
2019’s Best Full-Sized Pickups
Chevy Silverado 1500
The Silverado 1500 has been redesigned recently, making it a more modern and visually distinct vehicle. Visually distinct is a bit of an understatement, however, as many people have noted that the Silverado looks “weird”.
The handling is tight, and the ride is somewhat firm. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine is zippy and responsive, while the interior is upscale and comfortable. It’s hard to go wrong with this rock-solid choice, as long as you like the unusual appearance.
Ford F-150 Raptor
The F-150 is a well-known pickup, and a worthy addition to any list. However, you already know the F-150 is great. Today we’re looking at the F-150 Raptor: it’s fast, it’s mean and it’s really just quite fun. The 450-horsepower twin-turbo V-6 is a beast, jumping to 60 from a standstill in five seconds.
The braking isn’t the best part of this vehicle, thanks to the off-road tuned frame and tires, but the suspension is soft and luxurious. Hitting the off-road runs is downright thrilling, and the Raptor is the truck you want when you want overwhelming power and a fun ride.
Ram 1500
In the case of the Ram 1500, efficiency is the name of the game. There are several powertrain options, including a hybrid with great fuel economy. The air suspension leads to a smooth, enjoyable ride and the quad and crew cab both offer luxurious seating and surroundings.
The three engine choices give you tons of options, whether you’re looking for power or performance. The best part? The highest-end offers you a stellar 10,620 pounds of towing, making this a beast of a full-sized truck.
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Best Luxury Compact Cars for 2029
When you want the best of the best, it helps to be informed. That goes double for when you want a luxury car: they’re expensive, and a pretty big investment for your future. When you go shopping for luxury, you don’t want to settle for second best. Here are our top picks for luxury compact cars in 2019.
Best Luxury Compact Cars
Audi A5
Audi’s name is a respected one in the world of luxury vehicles. The Audi A5 for 2019 is a killer vehicle for a number of reasons. The vehicle starts around $44,200 and can run you all the way up to $74,200. The engine options in the A5 are suitably impressive, bringing a might and heft to the otherwise breezy convertible.
The trunk space is small, even for a compact vehicle, and the price is quite high. However, for the money, you get a stellar ride. The ride is smooth and responsive, the interior is high-quality and luxurious, and the sound quality of the stereo is top-notch.
2019 Genesis G70
The Genesis G70 is another wonderful luxury vehicle that you should consider if you’re a fan of going fast and looking stylish. The handling and performance of this vehicle make it well worth the starting price of $35,000. Options could bring it up to $52,250, making this a more affordable luxury vehicle than the average.
The cabin is very slick and attractive, with a high build quality and tons of amenities. The seats are cushy and comfortable, the finish and material are both stellar. The infotainment system is somewhat lackluster, and the fuel economy is sub-par. However, this is still some great bang for your buck in the terms of a luxury compact car.
Tesla Model 3
Sleek, stylish, with a name brand that turns heads and an all-electric motor, the Tesla Model 3 is the pinnacle of luxury compact cars. The interior is spartan and calm, while the drive is aggressive and quick, and the lack of a conventional engine saves you tons on gas. Not only that, but it’s great for the environment.
The Model 3 has a ton of configurations and various price ranges. It could run you as little a $40,000, or as much as $60,000 for some configurations. Tesla promises that there will be a $35,000 configuration in the near future.
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Should You Buy an Electric Car? The Breakdown
Here’s the deal: electric cars have a lot of rumors and notions swirling about them. Are they powerful? Do they have strong engine performance? Are they able to make it very far down the road? Are they really cheaper to own than conventional cars? Today we’re going to break down whether it’s worth it for you to buy an electric car.
Electric Cars and Preconceptions
Electric Motors
As a matter of fact, your average electric car is going to be comparable in power to a conventional engine. This goes for both luxury and budget electric cars, though the power, of course, varies by make and model. Tesla’s vehicles, for instance, have been described as quite powerful and very fun to drive.
Electric motors don’t have to be underpowered. Cutting around turns, peeling out quickly and burning rubber is just as fun with an electric engine as it would be with a gas engine.
Speaking of motors, the range of the batteries in electric cars has increased dramatically in the past ten years. While range varies based on cars, most electric vehicles offer at least 180 miles of distance on a single charge.
Economy
The main reason someone would want to purchase an electric vehicle, outside of environmental concerns, is the economic savings. While most EVs are much more expensive for the initial purchase than conventional cars, you save a lot over the course of owning an EV.
Electric vehicles don’t require gas, of course. Think of how much money you spend on gas every month. Now think about how much you spend on car maintenance, like oil changes and general engine maintenance. Imagine not having to spend any of that for the rest of your days owning this vehicle.
Environmental
More so than just saving you money, electric vehicles are great for the environment. You will no longer be burning fossil fuels, and you’ll also stop using motor oil. Both of these steps are great for the planet. Secondly, you’ll also find that your electric vehicle will last much longer than the average conventional vehicle.
Preliminary estimates holds that the average EV will last around a decade before they need updates to their batteries and drive trains. During that decade, you’ll be burning no fossil fuels and using no motor oil. Not only are you saving money, you’re saving the planet from the carbon footprint you’d otherwise be leaving behind.
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Does Certified Pre-Owned Mean You Get a Better Car?
Buying used can help you really keep the costs down on a vehicle. However, how can you be certain that the vehicle you’re purchasing isn’t a lemon? How can you know what the vehicle has been through? Certified pre-owned vehicles are often considered the safer pick when it comes to buying used, as they typically pass inspections and history checks by the auto dealership.
That said, you can never be one-hundred percent certain when it comes to used cars. While CPO cars tend to be a safer pick than straight-up used car from someone you don’t know, they’re not going to be as safe as a brand-new car. If you really want to spend more and get a car that will last longer, a brand-new one is the one you want.
However, if you want to be safer than a straight-up used car but save money compared to a new car, CPO cars are the happy middle ground. But does that mean certified pre-owned means you get a better car than buying used?
Certified Pre-Owned
How Cars Get Certified
Auto dealers differ from place to place but, generally speaking, CPO cars have to pass a number of inspections. Depending on the dealer these could be more or less strict, but they typically involve checking a number of systems. Brakes, steering, belts and the like are all usually checked out and certified.
Another aspect of CPOs that can make them a safer pick than regular used cars is that they have a clear history and background. Maintenance records, accident reports and the like help to paint a picture of what, exactly, has happened to the vehicle in the past. That way you can rest assured knowing exactly what issues the car has had in the past.
The Benefits
Generally speaking, CPOs are going to be cleaner vehicles that were well taken-care of and have few, if any, issues. Dealers normally only take in rather new vehicles with very low miles as certified pre-owned. That means that, essentially, CPO cars are marketed as “good as new.”
Dealers tend to offer a number of benefits to those who buy CPO vehicles, too. If you need repairs on the vehicle or something goes wrong with it, it’s usually covered by an extended warranty from the dealership. The warranty alone can often be well-worth the extra money you spend on CPO, depending on the vehicle and what you’re looking for.
The other upside to CPOs is that dealers often offer things like rental cars in the event the vehicle is in the shop, free satellite radio, and even reduced lease rates. Generally, these upsides are all there to keep the CPO deal an attractive option for dealers.
The Downsides
CPO vehicles aren’t without their downsides. For one, any used vehicle runs the risk of having some unforeseen issues. Most notably, though, CPO vehicles tend to be rather expensive. While not as pricey as brand-new vehicles, they tend to be markedly more expensive than regular used cars.
Generally speaking, many car experts find that CPO vehicles are often a bad value compared to buying regular used cars. If you know what you’re looking for in a used car and know what warning signs to look for, regular used can be a better value than CPOs. This can vary based on the dealership and where you’re buying the used vehicle, but it generally bears out to be true.
If you save up a bit of money and set it aside to cover repairs then you can use that to cover the things the extended warranty that a CPO would normally cover. That way you not only save money by not buying the expensive extended warranty, you can use the money you save to put towards any repairs that might come up. If no repairs need to be done, you simply pocket the savings!
Conclusions
So, do you get a better car when you buy certified pre-owned? Yes and no. You’re likely going to get a car with less miles, a clearer history and an extended warranty. While these are all great upsides, they’re also things you spend a pretty penny for. As such, while the CPO vehicle is likely a great car, it’s probably a bad value.
If you want to save money and buy a used vehicle, consider a getting a regular used vehicle. If you get it inspected by a mechanic you trust and set aside money to cover repairs you’ll likely get more value for your money.
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Where to Find the Best Prices on Tires
Everyone who owns a car dreads that sound of a tire popping. What’s worse than the unexpected expense of needing a new tire? Overpaying on that tire, that’s what. If you’re looking to save some money on your next set of tires, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are the best places to find low prices on tires.
Where to Find Low Prices on Tires
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart has an auto center with great prices on tires of several name brands. If you’ve turned your nose up at the thought of shopping for tires at Wal-Mart, okay, fair. But are you here to look like a big shot or to save money on tires? Well, if you’re looking for a good deal, then Wal-Mart is a great place to start.
They’ve also got great prices on maintenance and tire changing, if you need that service. So, next time you’re in the market for getting your tires changed, keep Wal-Mart in mind.
Firestone
While Firestone’s tires aren’t the least expensive tires in the world, they are rather inexpensive for their quality. Firestone’s tires have great traction, are quite durable and stay good for way longer than your average tire. All of that comes with a notably low price tag.
Firestone will also change your tires for you and rotate them when you buy a full set. While they charge a small service fee, it’s quite reasonable. The mechanics there are friendly and knowledgeable, and bring a lot of professionalism to their jobs.
OnlineTires
If you want to save money on tires while shopping online, shop at OnlineTires. This site allows you to compare prices at a glance. The best thing about shopping online is that you get the best of both worlds. Not only can you compare prices and inventory, you can do your research all while you’re shopping.
No worrying about driving out to the shop, having to deal with salespeople or not knowing what you’re looking for. All you have to do is just find the best online deal and wait for your new tires to arrive! There’s nothing to it.
The only downsides to online shopping are that you have to put the tires on yourself, and you have to wait for them to arrive. If you’ve got a flat and need a new tire right away, online shopping might not be ideal.