Automotive News

Extreme RVs keep getting more extreme on truck chassis

Extreme RVs keep getting more extreme with companies like Global Expeditions making RVs on truck chassis. The Missouri-based company creates its vehicles utilizing several truck manufacturers. Its latest creation is the $650,000 UXV-MAX. It can be constructed on the chassis of a Ford-750. A kitchen, dining area, (king-sized bed) bathroom and are mainstays, just like an RV. But there’s a lot different. A dishwasher, washer and dryer part of an optional upgrade. There’s also a healthy supply of high-end features: custom granite countertops, a sink, single burner induction cooktop, 6.4-cubic foot refrigerator-freezer and a convection microwave oven. Extreme RVs get further extreme The UXV-MAX also has 2.36-inch walls for superior insulation and increased security. With its extreme construction, it’s ready

Read more

Escape the coronavirus at the drive-in in 5 comfortable cars

The movies are classics and there won’t be new releases for a while. But in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, drive-in movie theaters are experiencing another renaissance. Escaping to see a movie in your car is safe entertainment. But certain vehicles make better seats on wheels than others. Cars.com, the Chicago-based automotive classified website, has released new research detailing that 42 percent in-the-market car shoppers plan to visit a drive-in movie theater this summer. “Drive-in theaters are making a comeback this summer as the destination of choice for movies, music and other forms of live entertainment that people can experience without ever leaving the safety of their vehicle,” said Matt Schmitz, Cars.com’s assistant managing editor. Drive-in Movie Theaters: Ideal

Read more
,

Ford F-150 pickup trucks face brake recall

Ford trucks have dominated the industry for so long, many current buyers weren’t born when the F-150, its siblings and distant automotive relatives didn’t reign. But even the country’s perennially best-selling vehicle sometimes has problems. In this instance, it’s used Ford F-150 pickup trucks. About 350,000 trucks in North America, including 292,3111 vehicles from the United States and model years 2014-2017 are being recalled for a faulty brake master cylinder, Ford announced. Ford F-150 has braking issues The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid into the brake booster, and ultimately reduce braking power to the front wheels. Drivers may feel more pedal travel that requires more force to press the brake. The loss of power could also trigger an

Read more
,

Nissan Altima woes return, 2 million recalled

The Nissan Altima, once the Japanese manufacturer’s best-selling vehicle, is increasingly doomed. Nissan recently announced the recall of nearly two million midsize cars in the U.S. and Canada to fix a nagging latch problem that may allow the hood to fly open while cars are moving. The latest recall covers nearly 1.9 million Altimas and includes cars from the 2013 through 2015 model years that were recalled earlier. It’s also been expanded to 2016 through 2018 model years. Nissan‘s latest recall covers nearly 1.9 million Altimas and includes cars from 2013 through 2015 model years, previously recalled. Nissan Altima recalled times 4 It’s the fourth recall involving the Altima. In recent years, the Nissan Rogue small SUV has overtaken the

Read more

Kansas car junkyard: worthless rust or gold?

One person may see automotive gold, another may see a far-as-the-eye-can-see car junkyard of worthless rust-plagued classics as exactly that — junk. At least the seller of a junkyard in Great Bend, Kansas, full of classic cars, trucks and RVs in various states of disrepair hopes the first description is accurate. As detailed on eBay.com, craigslist and BarnFinds.com, the seller has so many vehicles, he’s not exactly sure what’s in the salvage yard. But the seller, who lists an address and phone number but not his name, knows he has some desired relics. Car junkyard has some surprises Some of the potential projects the seller is offering: a 1962 Chevy step side pickup and a 1964 Dodge Pickup 1/2 ton

Read more
,

#136, Prof. Brian Marks talks cars, Covid-19

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:48 — 42.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreBrian Marks is the Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn. He has a Ph.D. in Economics, a law degree, several additional titles and plenty of academic responsibilities. Marks’ opinions are thought-provoking and concisely address the COVID-19 and how it has and will continue to affect the automotive world. While covering many areas of the industry, Marks is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia, continuing our social- distancing podcast, speak with Marks from Bruce’s backyard in Sacramento, California. Our guest joins us from his

Read more

New drink honors iconic Laguna Seca turn 8

(At the top of this post is an encore presentation of our recent podcast with Barry Toepke, the marketing and communications director at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Several changes for the 2020 season were announced after the orginal podcast brodcast April 14, 2020.) Like all businesses, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has altered its plans several times this year as the COVID-19 pandemic situation remains ever-evolving. When the multi-disciple racing season finally begins this summer, visitors to the Monterey Peninsula may wish to taste a new cocktail, created to celebrate the delayed-but still-scheduled season. To commemorative the start of the unique season, Estéban restaurant in downtown Monterey has created the Corkscrew Paradise. It celebrates the iconic corkscrew turn 8 on the

Read more
,

#135, Buying a new car like it’s 2019

If you’re interested in purchasing a vehicle, why not considering buying a new car that’s nearly two years old? There’s a huge inventory of 2019 vehicles available, particularly for consumers interested in Dodge. Here’s the deal. The covid-19 pandemic stalled production of 2020 models for carmakers and resulted in the temporary closing of many car dealerships. Sales suffered. But a positive emerged from the health crisis, and Julie Blackley, an analyst at iseecars.com, is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast to discuss the issue. Dodge Caravan: New Car, Nearly Age 2 Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Blackley and she details the reasons why such large inventories of 2019 vehicles are available from

Read more
, ,

Buy Tom Brady’s custom 2017 Cadillac Escalade for 300K

Quarterback Tom Brady likes expensive cars as much as the next celebrity. But he’s not so attached to his vehicles that he can’t part company with his luxury wheels — like a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. Brady is selling his heavily customized Cadillac Escalade ESV edition for $300,000. It costs $350,000 new. Becker Automotive Design in Oxnard, California customized the one-of-a-kind sport utility vehicle. Brady called the Escalade his “sanctuary.” Tom Brady’a 2017 Cadillac Escalade Specs: * It was stretched by 20 inches, with the rear doors extended by 10 inches. * The roof was raised five inches and enforced with steel support ribbing so that it exceeds U.S. Federal Safety Standards and Crush Resistance Laws. * The Escalade features extra-large,

Read more
,

Chevrolet Colorado gets cheapest truck honor

There’s a new leader among cheap trucks. Goodbye, Nissan Frontier. Hello, Chevrolet Colorado. After years of holding the honor of being the least expensive pickup, the Frontier has been rebooted with more standard equipment. The result: The Colorado extended-cab for 2020 costs $22,495 (including its destination fee) as assumed the cheapest truck honors The Frontier for 2020 costs about $7,500 this year than it did in 2019. The new Chevrolet Colorado has a lot to offer for its rock-bottom price. Its base trim features a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and six-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet Colorado gets mixed reviews Pickups rely on versatility. And while many pickups have higher maximums, the Colorado isn’t bad. Its payload capacity is 1,455

Read more
,

#134, Vermont artist Chris Miller’s stone truck

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:07 — 45.5MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreChris Miller, a sculptor who lives Maples Corner, a hamlet outside Calais, Vermont, began carving about 45 years ago. He works in granite, wood and marble, and his work is featured in private collections and sculpture galleries. It all gets its share of acclaim, including one of his most unique creations — a stone truck. Miller’s truck sculpture was inspired by a stone creation of a Volkswagen Beetle built in Ithaca, New York in 1976. It’s also an homage to an automotive phenomenon. As our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast, Miller discusses driving in the rural Northeast where abandon vehicles

Read more

Chevy Spark tops 2020 cheapest car list

Six years ago, a small number of buyers in the United States could still purchase the cheapest car with a sticker price of less than $10,000. It was a 2014 Chevrolet Spark and considering all available rebates, including a military personnel discount and several other incentives, the base model Spark was available for a high four-figure tally. With the average price of a new vehicle now steadily advancing toward $40,000, only about a dozen new cars in the country are now available for less than $20,000. Despite the price increase, the top-10 cheap car list includes a substantially improved standard features list. Top-10 Cheapest Car List All Less Than 19K Nearly every car on the list includes air conditioning, stability

Read more
,

Need a new truck? Here are 10 for less than 35K

With the average price of a new passenger vehicle at the beginning of 2020 approaching $38,000, it’s no wonder why the base price of the most expensive truck in the United States is nearly $90,000. With the coronavirus continuing, the end-of-the-year sales for cars and trucks will be skewed compared to recent years. Regardless, prices will remain high. But truck exceptions are aplenty. Regardless, prices will remain high. But truck exceptions are aplenty. And if you have a good credit score, financing a new truck might be more reasonable than you might think. Here, in alphabetical order, are 10 trucks, all 2020 models, available for less than $35,000. RV towing capacities vary greatly as do the prices, from an estimated

Read more
,

PRESS RELEASE: 2020 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder continues as an exceptional way for families to turn up the adventure, around town or off-road. It has a unique combination of rugged design, powerful performance and seven-passenger comfort and utility. Adding to Pathfinder’s long list of standard and available innovative features and advanced technologies is the special Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition, available on SV and SL grades, in 2WD and 4WD configurations. The special value option package offers unique exterior and interior treatments that emphasize the rugged Nissan Pathfinder heritage. Two additional Rock Creek equipment packages and a choice of seven available exterior colors allow buyers to customize their Pathfinder to their precise tastes. The Rock Creek Edition name was chosen to connect the vehicle

Read more
Previous Next