car shopping

The New Car That Costs $89 Per Month

Last updated: Sep 19, 2019 at 3:19PM
Published on: Jun 4, 2015 by tgriffith

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It’s like we’re living in 1963.

I honestly don’t know when the average car payment in the United States was below $100, but I do know that today it sits at just over $480. If you buy or lease a new car in this country, odds are pretty good that you’ll be somewhere in the $200-$500 per month range. The lower end of that range is reserved for low-payment leases and bottom-of-the-barrel entry-level cars.

So when one of the world’s largest automakers promotes an $89 lease, or even lower in some areas, people will pay attention.

Can a Hyundai Be Better Than a BMW?

Last updated: Dec 12, 2019 at 3:15PM
Published on: Apr 30, 2015 by tgriffith

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There’s something seductive about the idea of buying a used luxury car.

Getting a car that will make friends and family swoon is exciting, so why not cruise around in the kind of style only a used Jaguar or BMW can offer?

Stepping a few model years into the past can get you a car that costs less than an entry-level new car. Plus, used luxury cars usually have better driving dynamics and possess way more brand panache than your average new Hyundai.

However, buying older luxury can cost you more than you might realize, and not just in maintenance costs.

You Could Buy an F1 Race Car! But You Probably Shouldn’t

Last updated: Dec 9, 2019 at 4:01PM
Published on: Nov 14, 2014 by tgriffith

Yes, that’s correct, you could buy a used F1 race car. For the right amount of cash, any regular guy or gal can shop online and find the perfect used racer to suit his or her needs.

I discovered this fact while reading about a car for sale: a Red Bull RB3 Formula One race car that was driven by Australian Mark Webber during the 2007 season. The car didn’t do particularly well that season, but it would sure be enough to wow your friends and win a trophy or two at your local track day.

The above 2001 Jaguar F1 car is also for sale.

There are two catches, though, when shopping for a used F1 car:

They are incredibly expensive (upward of $400,000 for the RB3).
Sometimes they don’t include an engine (this is the case with the Jag).

For those of us without an F1 budget, but with the desire for speed, check out one of these used cars that’ll fight the good fight on track day.

And probably come with an engine, too.

The Perfect Car for a Picky Driver

Last updated: Dec 9, 2019 at 3:59PM
Published on: Nov 10, 2014 by tgriffith

The requirements weren’t easy to meet:

Fuel efficient
Fun to drive
Easy to zip through traffic
Not a 2-door, but not a lot of extra room for too many passengers
Not a sports car
Not a Honda, Toyota, Hyundai or Kia
Must be new and available for lease
Relatively inexpensive
Not an electric car
Reliable

A dear friend is moving from Washington to Los Angeles and needs a car better suited for SoCal than her current Hyundai Santa Fe. Things can get pretty snowy and cold up here in Washington, so all-wheel drive was a requirement, but front-wheel or rear-wheel drive will be preferred down south.

I set my mind loose to think up suggestions, but had a tougher time than I expected.

10 Cars Fit for a King (James, That Is)

Last updated: Dec 9, 2019 at 3:45PM
Published on: Oct 24, 2014 by zwaller

LeBron James recently made some big news by promoting the Kia K900, not because he was being paid, but because he’s a big fan of the car. He has since partnered with Kia to promote its luxury brand. LeBron is not a small man, but the K900 seems to be a good fit for him. But that got us thinking: Is the K900 really the best fit for LeBron? We looked at our data to determine which vehicles can best fit someone of LeBron’s stature. These cars are truly fit for a “King,” or at least a very big and/or tall individual.

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