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News

Why the 2019 ‘Rolla Hatch Kicks the iM’s Ass.

The long awaited (by me) 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is finally available for sale, and it’s easy to see why this new model far out-preforms, out-techs, out-safeties, and out-looks the “old” 2018 iM. Ever since spy shots of testing mules for the new 12th gen Corolla Hatch were leaked late last year, Toyota enthusiasts like myself have anxiously been waiting for this release.

While the Corolla iM 1.8L i4 produced only 137 horsepower and 126 ft-lbs of torque, the new 2.0L motor makes 31 more horsepower and 25 more ft-lbs of torque. The new Corolla is also lighter, shaving 1.2 seconds off the old car’s 9.1 second 0-60. The addition of a real 1st gear in the CVT not only helps with acceleration but also with fuel economy, adding three more mpg in both city and highway driving. Toyota also claims its all-new suspension system reduces body roll, offers a more engaging drive, while also smoothing out bumps better than the iM’s.

The new Corolla’s new interior is gorgeous, and it’s all new infotainment system is the second Toyota ever to feature Apple’s CarPlay. Unfortunately us Android users still are stuck with regular Bluetooth. The optional leather interiors on XSE trims are WAY nicer (and easier to clean) than the iM’s, but the high load floor chokes trunk usability. Amazon’s Alexa is also integrated in the headunit.

All new Toyotas sold have their suite of safety features, called Toyota Safety Sense (TSS for short). While the iM had the more basic package, including automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams and lane departure alert (withOUT steering assistance), the 2019 Hatch has Toyota’s brand new TSS 2.0, featuring automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, radar guided cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist and road edge detection, automatic high beams, road sign assist and lane tracing assist, all included standard. Also included are a blind spot monitor, backup camera, LED headlights and running lights, seven airbags, whiplash protecting seats and hill start assist.

Finally, this car is beautiful. Its lower, longer, wider and more aggressive than the outgoing iM, has bigger wheels, stickier rubber, and an amazing new blue color.

So it’s obvious the 2019 Corolla Hatchback is a better car, but is it a better buy?

This question will arouse when considering the two, and the answer is still a little blurry. iMs MSRP for about $19,000, and with the $1500 Toyota is giving back on the old 2018’s plus dealer rebates, you could get into a new iM for $17000 and some change. For a nicely equipped Corolla hatch, you’re looking at $25,000, and because it’s a spanking new model, it’s unlikely to get the same discounts.

But in the end, it’s simple. Get the new 2019 Corolla. It’s much more nicer, safer, and in the long run cheaper, both to insure (because of all the safety features) and to sell (it’ll be a generation newer than an iM, and it’ll depreciate less).

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10 Best Used Cars

More Americans than ever are purchasing used cars as opposed to newer models. Our wallets definitely like the change, but there’s no denying the thrill of driving off the lot in a brand new car. New car owners also suffer the immediate depreciation that their car hits the moment it can be considered “used.” Is there a way to both experience the thrill of a new car, but the cost of a used one?

Here are the 10 best-used cars. All these cars are inexpensive and reliable, and they also look and make you feel like you’re in a new model.

2009-bmw-3-series-3

#10 The 2009 BMW 3-Series combines both German dependability and contemporary styling. With a 3.0L straight 6 and a limited top speed of 135 mph, this 7-year-old sport sedan is more than adequate for the average buyer.

 

tc

#9 The second generation Scion tC is a fun small coupe that combines peppy nimbleness and Japanese reliability. Despite being 6 years old, the tC still looks brand new.

 

07

#8 The 2007 Mercedes C-Class is an absolute steal. With it’s silky smooth 3.0 L V-6 and a lovely 5-speed automatic transmission, this car is perfect for a high mile driver. And for less than $8000 too…

08-hyunfai

#7 If you’re looking for something more sporty, this is the car for you. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe combines both tight handling and Korean reliability. The 2.oT i4 or NA 3.8 liter v6 propel the Genesis to 60 in 6.4 or 5.7 respectively.

g35

#6 The Infiniti G35 was the underappreciated rival to the 3-series. If you’re looking into a 3-series, but aren’t completely sold on the german reliability, the Japanese Infiniti is a great alternative.

2016-Kia-Soul-front-three-quarter-in-motion

#5 While competing to the Nissan Cube and Scion xB, the Kia Soul is the clear winner. It’s the most stylish, the peppiest, and keeps its value the best. The interior volume is comparable to small crossovers, but the visibility and fuel economy are far superior.

tsx2tsx1

#4 For those who are more interested in a more sensible option, but would still like a little more luxury than a comparable Accord or Altima, the Acura TSX is the perfect option. Based on the seventh-generation Accord, the Acura TSX has plenty of get-up-and-go while being solid as a rock.

2009 Toyota Sienna

#3 The second-generation Toyota Sienna is the perfect car for families who need a practical family hauler but don’t want an SUV or an American Minivan like a Grand Caravan or Town and Country. The 3.5L v6 produces 215 horsepower and is available in front or all-wheel-drive.

hondafit

#2 The Honda Fit (1st-generation) is the ideal commuter car. Similarly sized to a Ford Fiesta, the Fit has a 1.5L inline 4, something the Ford only wishes to possess. Also being a Honda, reliability is sublime.

lexusis

#1 Yet another sports sedan, and again from Japan. The Lexus IS -either the 250 or 350- Unlike the earlier Infinities, the Lexus is available with all-wheel-drive. This is especially useful for those of us who live in colder climates with snow. With low mile, 1 owner examples running mid to high teens in terms of price, the Lexus IS should definitely live at the top of any car consideration list.

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The Tesla Model 3 is Here!

At 8:30 Thursday, the 31st of March, 2016, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors unveiled the new $35,000 electric sedan named the Model 3. Although this unveiling was only supposed to show glimpses of the car and minimal details, 3 cars were shown in their entirety. I suggest the 3 cars shown, all three sporting a different color are all different trims. The red Model 3 seems to be the base model, having taller sidewalls than the other variants, the silver car is probably the middle trim, and the black Model 3 seems to be the high performance model, with sporty paint and some unusual wheels. Although Musk did not elude to the optional drive-trains, he did state that even the slowest model will hit 60 mph in under 6 seconds, and that the minimum range of the cars is 215 miles, compared to the 200 rumored.

The interiors of all the Model 3s are Tesla-like in their technology, but very un-Tesla in their layout. Instead of a traditional Tesla 17-inch touchscreen in the center console, there is a floating tablet from the dash. Musk also stated that because of the small size, the dashboard and front seats were moved up slightly for more legroom in the back. Speaking of the rear seats, the three seats are underneath a panoramic sunroof, making the rear of the car feel more spacious to the passengers. Although Tesla has shown great success with it’s 3 point leather wrapped steering wheel, the designers have felt the need to change the look and install a 2 spoke steering wheel, very similar to what you would find on a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

All four of the Model 3’s doors seem to be conventional (unlike the Model X) and the front shows similarity to many Porsches and the Model X, losing the black oval “grille”. Autopilot technology is standard on the new car,  as well as a front and a rear trunk, as we have seen on the Tesla Model S and Model X.

The before-incentives price was also confirmed, with the base model starting at $35,000, even though Musk personally said that the base model Model 3 is the best $35,000 car you can buy.

 

All the images in this article are screenshots from the live stream on teslamotors.com .

All three Model 3s driving on stage

All three Model 3s driving on stage

A closer look at the silver car.

A closer look at the silver car.

A closer look at the black, high performance model.

A closer look at the black, high performance model.

A close-up of the front of the silver car.

A close-up of the front of the silver car.

The rear of the red car.

The left side of the red car.

The entire left side of the silver car.

The entire left side of the silver car.

Screenshot 2016-03-31 at 8.56.22 PM

A close-up of the interior with the tablet and the 2-spoke steering wheel.

A photo of the passenger compartment from the passenger's side.

A photo of the passenger compartment from the passenger’s side.

The rear of the silver car.

A photo of the black, high performance model.

A photo of the black, high performance model.

CEO Elon Musk

CEO Elon Musk

3/4 view of the silver model.

3/4 view of the silver model.

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The New Infinity Qx30 Concept

The new Infinity QX30, seen at the 2015 International Los Angeles Auto Show, is Infinity’s approach into the small luxury crossover segment of the market. Currently, this part of the market is dominated by the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, the Range Rover Evoque and  the Audi Q-3. The only Japanese competitors are the Lexus NX and the Acura RDX, so the Infinity will have a lot of competition against it. The small luxury crossover segment is hard to get accepted into and easy to be thrown out of.

Infinity will be entering the segment with a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder turbocharged platform, using a 7 speed automatic transmission hooked up to all 4 wheels. This crossover is based off of the Infinity Q30 hatchback concept, hopefully both begin production soon!!

 

BMW X-1

 

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Range Rover Evoque

Audi Q3

Infinity QX-30

Lexus NX

 

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The Best Commercial Ever

After Jeremy’s “incident” at the BBC, Amazon Prime has included him and the other hosts James May and Richard Hammond in their new show with the rumored name “Gear Knobs”. This is Jeremy’s commercial advertising the new Fire TV Stick and the new show coming in 2016. To former Top Gear fans, the commercial is typical Jeremy. Riding a Segway indoors, spending half a year watching TV and looking down on his former employer is what he does…

 

Don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself!!

 

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New Electric Cars: What’s the cheapest?

As we all know, gasoline will soon become too expensive to be practical and alternate fuel vehicles will the be the way of the land. Many vehicles from several different manufacturers are competing for head of the newly found electric car market. Some electric cars, such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, are extremely cheap, coming in at around $23k. Others, like the new Tesla Model S, have magnificent range (265 miles) but are comparable to dream cars in price. Some Teslas are priced north of $100k. The real challenge is balancing price and range. So the question is: How much does each car cost divided by the range it gets? (Price of car/range of car)

Many cars have a great balance. The Tesla Model 3 (coming soon) has a remarkable range of 200 miles and an unbelievable price tag of only $35k. This gives the Tesla Model 3 a cost of 175 dollars per mile. This is the lowest (best) competitor. On the other side of the scale, cars like the BMW i3 are very lopsided. The BMW i3 has a range of 81 miles and a crazy price of $43.3k. This gives the i3 a price of 535 dollars per mile, the worst contender as of now. You can find a complete chart below or at this link.

NAME PRICE RANGE PRICE/RANGE
TESLA MODEL 3 $35,000 200 $175 / mile of range
TESLA MODEL S $71,000 265 $268 / mile of range
CHEVORLET SPARK EV $26,000 82 $317 / mile of range
TESLA MODEL X $80,000 230 $348 / mile of range
NISSAN LEAF $29,800 84 $355 / mile of range
KIA SOUL EV $34,500 93 $371 / mile of range
FIAT 500E $32,600 87 $375 / mile of range
SMART ELECTRIC DRIVE $25,700 68 $378 / mile of range
MITSUBISHI i-MiEV $23,800 62 $384 / mile of range
FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC $29,200 76 $384 / mile of range
VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF $36,300 83 $437 / mile of range
MERCEDES B-CLASS ELECTRIC DRIVE $42,400 85 $499 / mile of range
BMW i3 $43,300 81 $535 / mile of range

 

 

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The new Scion iA

The new Scion iA is not really new. It’s just a Mazda Mazda3 sedan with a Scion front end and a badge. The interior is also remarkably similar. The base model starts at $16,500 and stops at $17,600. It gets 31 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway. Its 1.5 liter 4 cylinder motor produces just over 100 horsepower which propels the iA to 60 in 9.0 seconds to a top speed of 120 miles per hour. This new Scion is a knockoff Mazda and It really isn’t that interesting.

Mazda pictured above, Scion pictured below

FRONT

mazda out 1scion out 1

 

 

BACK

Screen Shot 2015-09-22 at 6.39.04 PM back

 

SIDE

 

mazda sidescion side

 

INTERIOR

mazda inscion in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Volkswagen “Dirty” Diesels?

As of September 18th, Volkswagen has been caught cheating on emission standards. The 2.0 liter diesel engine fitted to many Volkswagen models (including the 2009-current Jetta TDI, Beetle TDI, Golf TDI and A3 TDI, as well as the ’14 and ’15 Passat TDI) was fitted with a monitor that senses if the car was being emission tested. This monitor then activated full smog reduction that is not usually used in normal driving. The smog emitted from the engine without the “restrictor” pollutes 10-40 times as much as the Clean Air Act permits. Volkswagen has halted sales of 2016 models and alerted dealers to stop selling the current models. The recall Volkswagen has placed affects an estimated 480,000 vehicles. The fines imposed by the Clean Air Act could amount to over $37,000 each, creating a total fine for Volkswagen of almost 18 Billion

Also, Volkswagen has removed all “Clean” diesel commercials as well as the “Old Wives Tale” clean diesel videos.

The “clean” diesels we remember were a hoax.

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