Posts

Used Cars - How Old is Too Old?

Image
If you're shopping for a used car, you've probably asked yourself a simple question:  How old is too old? According to Bumper , a digital platform that provides vehicle history reports, age may not matter as much as you think. The company surveyed more than 2,100 consumers via Reddit and asked them one question:  At what age does a used car become too risky to buy? The most common response wasn't a specific age at all. Most people said mileage and vehicle history were more important than model year. The second most common answer was “8 and 10 years old.” That's interesting, but the real story emerges when you compare depreciation and repair costs. The Sweet Spot May Be Six Years Old Consider what happens to the average new vehicle. Bumper cites data showing the average new car costs about $48,841. During the first year alone, it loses roughly 20 to 30 percent of its value. That's around $12,000 that’s just gone before many owners even schedule their first oil change...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nissan Adds a Rock Creek Kicks

Image
The abundance of $30,000 cars is growing, especially at Nissan. The company recently revealed the upcoming Rock Creek package for the 2027 Nissan Kicks. Other Rock Creek Nissan models include the Rogue and Pathfinder.   The 2027 Nissan Kicks Rock Creek has a distinct look, an off-road driving mode, and enhanced performance across different types of terrain. The front and rear fascias have been blacked out for a bolder look. All-wheel drive is standard, as is a set of unique 17-inch wheels.   Outdoorsy Friendly Features   Inside, there's Rock Creek branding on the floor mats and seats. Enhancements over the standard Kicks SV include ambient interior lighting, rear automatic braking, an intelligent around-view monitor (like a 360° parking camera), heated front seats, heated mirrors, and rear heating ducts.   The Rock Creek version of the 2027 Nissan Kicks includes some trim-exclusive features If you’re having a hard time understanding the purpose of the Rock Creek Niss...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cheap Cars are the New Cool

Image
Even with some comfort options, the Chevy Bolt is just under $30,000 Inexpensive cars are getting a lot of attention lately. With rising prices, people increasingly seek bargains.  While the average price of a new car may be around $50,000, the median price of a new car is closer to $40,000. When you use the mean average it's too easily impacted by new car buyers’ preference for luxury cars, electric vehicles, and available dealer inventory.  The median is calculated by looking at a list of all the prices; the price in the middle is the median. The median price is where there is an equal number of higher prices and an equal number of lower prices for any given item.   New Car Bargains Still, $40,000 is a lot of money, so where are the bargains? There are plenty of vehicles that carry a manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of under $30,000. The Chevrolet Trax, the Kia K4, the Nissan Kicks, and the Nissan Sentra are just a few examples. But what if you want an electri...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ford's Future 4-Door Mustang

Image
This is an AI-generated image of what a 4-door Mustang GT sedan could look like.   If a four-door Ford Mustang is on the way, history shows it will be a hit. Purists and enthusiasts can clamor all they want, but those groups do not determine top sellers.   Adding two extra doors is a recipe for success. Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Porsche Cayenne, and Toyota RAV4 are all examples of vehicles that expanded a brand or model’s appeal by adding utility. The Cayenne is especially interesting; at the time it came off like a 911 SUV, yet Porsche promised all the 911 attributes. “Who wants a Porsche SUV?” many gearheads asked back in the mid-2000s. Turns out, lots of people.  Ford's upcoming Fathom pickup is another great example - no standard cab, unlike Slate, just 5-passenger seating and a pickup bed right off the bat.  Gearheads Don't Know Not only did the Cayenne become a sales success, but it also helped fund the continued development of the very sports cars enthu...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ford Fathom - $30,000 Electric Pickup

Image
Ford has officially pulled the cover off its newest EV – well, they’ve revealed the name, anyway. This news comes around the same time rumors of a Mustang sedan are swirling. Is Ford about to leapfrog everyone?  The Fathom is a midsize electric pickup aimed squarely at affordable EVs like the Slate truck . However, Ford has much deeper pockets than Slate and already has an in-place sales and service mechanism, and the Fathom comes with more standard features.   As for the Fathom's size, the exterior dimensions appear to be close to the compact Maverick's. Ford is calling the Fathom a midsize, so the safe bet is that Ford found a way to make the interior more spacious than even the Maverick, and that is what earns the midsize classification.  The price for the Ford Fathom is $29,945, putting it under the $30,000 mark the company has been promising for about a year.   Ford CEO Jim Farley says, “We are confident that we have the best cost platform and are focused ...
Post a Comment
Read more