The Carnivorous 2023 Ford Raptor R, Claws It’s Way To The Top of the Food Chain | #548

08/19/23 • 87 min

Lauren Fix, the Editor-in-Chief for Car Coach Reports, has warned that if the United Auto Workers (UAW) decide to go on strike, it could cause major trouble. UAW is demanding an increase in wages of up to $150 an hour, which could significantly increase the cost of vehicles. However, it’s important to note that the majority of these raises won’t go to the workers, but rather to the UAW. This has been criticized as a money-grab by the union, who are threatening to strike if their demands aren’t met.

To help consumers save money, Lauren has provided a list of the top 20 lowest-priced brand new cars you can buy. The list includes the 2023 Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Ford Maverick, Toyota Corolla Hatchback, Subaru Impreza, Mazda CX30, Toyota Corolla, Buick Envista, Hyundai Kona, Chevrolet Tracks, Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta, Nissan Kicks, Nissan Sentra, Honda Venue, Kia Soul, Kia Forte, Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Mirage, and Nissan Versa. You can find the full report on her website CarCoachReports.com.

Up next is George Kennedy III. George is a co-founder of Cartender.com and the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. He contributes to U.S. News & World Report, CarGurus, Forbes Wheels, and The Drive. George recently test-drove the 2023 Ford Raptor R, which boasts a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine with 700 horsepower, larger tires, higher ground clearance, unique shock tuning, and a starting price of $107k. It’s a fantastic vehicle, and there’s no replacement for the sound of a V8 engine. Compared to the Dodge Ram TRX, the Raptor R would win in a race. However, regarding everyday driving, the Raptor R’s gas consumption is relatively high. Lastly, George mentions he also test-drove the newest Toyota Sienna Mini Van, a hybrid, and says he would gladly take this vehicle any day. It’s like driving a cruise ship, very comfortable.

Our good friend BJ Killeen, an automotive journalist and voice of reason, shares some interesting updates from the world of automobiles. London has implemented ultra-low emission zone cameras that scan the registration number of your vehicle and access your emissions-related information. If your vehicle does not comply with the emission standards, you will receive a fine of around $16.00. California may also adopt a similar system in the future. VINFast has opened a stock offering and while it initially went up, BJ advises getting out now before it crashes. Mitsubishi is discontinuing the Mirage, which was the only vehicle priced under 20k, making affordable cars increasingly rare. Fisker Automotive has introduced the Alaska, the world’s most sustainable electric pickup truck. It boasts the world’s biggest cup holder and can extend cargo space up to 5 feet. The truck is also incredibly fast.

On the show today, Alan was joined by Karl Brauer, an Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror, and Executive Analyst for ISeeCars.com. During their discussion, Karl shared the latest findings from ISeeCars that revealed the scarcity of affordable used cars priced at $20,000 or less in the market. According to the study, there has been a 47.7% increase in the average price of a used car, with 20% more mileage compared to 2019. For instance, a used Honda CRV or Toyota Rav 4, which were previously available for slightly over $20k in 2019, have now gone up by 37 to 41% with twice the mileage. As they closed the show, Karl and Alan talked about the Concord at Pebble Beach. Karl noted that there was a lot to see, ranging from the Hennessy Roadster to Infiniti’s newest concept car, a QX80 3-row SUV, and other cool stuff.

[00:00:00] – Contributor Lauren Fix
[00:06:33] – Top 20 Cheap New Cars
[00:13:01] – Carcoachreports,com
[00:20:52] – Contributor George Kenney III
[00:30:17] – Toyota Sienna Hybrid
[00:37:22] – Let’s Take A Cruise
[00:43:43] – Contributor BJ Killeen
[00:49:27] – VINFast Stock
[00:56:43] – Fisker Alaska
[01:04:33] – Contributor Karl Brauer
[01:12:43] – More Mileage, More Money
[01:21:04] – Concord Elegance

CREDITS

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Colleen Mahi

Contributor: Lauren Fix
Contributor: George Kennedy III
Contributor: BJ Killeen
Contributor: Karl Brauer

EXPLORE MORE WITH HELPFUL LINKS:

Contributor: Lauren Fix | Editor in-Chief for Car Coach Reports. www.laurenfix.com
Contributor: Karl Brauer | Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror and board member and Executive Analyst for I...

CREDITS

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Colleen Mahi

Contributor: Lauren Fix
Contributor: George Kennedy III
Contributor: BJ Killeen
Contributor: Karl Brauer

EXPLORE MORE WITH HELPFUL LINKS:

Contributor: Lauren Fix | Editor in-Chief for Car Coach Reports. www.laurenfix.com
Contributor: Karl Brauer | Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror and board member and Executive Analyst for I...

Previous Episode

Going Back to its Roots with the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser | #547

In this report, Lauren Fix, the Editor-in-Chief for Car Coach Reports, discusses the challenges faced by car manufacturers who are forced to produce specific products by the government. Failure to comply with regulations can result in hefty fines and fees. Even though the government feels that electric vehicles are the future, they are not profitable in the short term. Lauren shares how dealerships want the cars to move quickly to avoid accruing charges. However, the rotation of electric vehicles is taking longer than expected because demand is so low. It’s clear that the car industry needs true car enthusiasts in charge, as many people are still resistant to EV’S. Even with tax credits, it’s challenging to sell electric vehicles. Mandating electric vehicles is not the solution; a bill is on the floor to block such mandates.

Next up is Ed Justice Jr., President and CEO of Justice Brothers, Inc. When purchasing a TESLA, it’s important to note that the company has been caught overstating the range of its cars. Once 50% of battery life is depleted, the range displayed will become more accurate and show a significant loss of range miles. Extreme temperatures also significantly affect batteries, which can negatively impact electric vehicles. According to a Reuters article, Tesla employees were instructed to divert any customers complaining about poor driving range from bringing their cars in for service. In the summer of 2022, Tesla quietly created a team to cancel as many range-related appointments as possible. Tesla uses software to overestimate the range of their vehicles, which in turn understates their emissions. It remains to be seen if the EPA will respond to this. It needs to be clarified why Tesla is getting a pass on this issue.

My friend Brian Moody, the Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com, has some exciting updates. Brain shares a list of special edition cars. Firstly, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe plugin hybrid is now available, which allows you to save power. Additionally, you can get a $11,500 lease discount in some states. The Chevy Traverse has undergone a makeover and now comes with a Z71 trim to give it more of an SUV look. The Volkswagen GLI now comes with a sportier trim. If you’re an enthusiast, you’ll enjoy checking out the Autotrader/oversteer section of Autotrader.com. Some of the top stories include the final Mopar 23 special edition of the Dodge Charger and Challenger, the first drive for the 2024 Ford Mustang Echo Boost and GT, a 3-wheel Canam Spyder RT, and an article on the new Maserati race car, MXC Extrema. You’ll also find articles on larger-than-life promotional vehicles like the Oscar Meyer Wiener mobile, Red Bull’s Suzuki, Cadbury Crème Egg Car, Peeps Mobile, and Planters Nut Mobile. (see link below) Later on, Brian shares his list of 3-row SUVs under $5K. These include the 2006 Toyota Highlander, 2007 Saturn Outlook, 2007 Mercury Mountaineer, 2007 Honda Pilot, 2008 Ford Taurus X, 2007 Chrysler Pacifica, and 2007 Buick Rendezvous.

Alan’s friend and contributor, Karl Brauer, closes the show. He is an Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror, and Executive Analyst for ISeeCars.com. Karl got to look at the world debut of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, a vehicle renowned for its versatility and durability. It is an off-road vehicle that can take you anywhere without breaking down and is far more accessible. The Land Cruiser has a hybrid drivetrain with a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine, and an electric motor. The Grand Cherokee, Toyota Prius, Jeep 4xe, and Rubicon Wrangler were other cars discussed. Karl mentioned that new car pricing has increased by 7.5%, and dealers are asking for an additional 8% above the MSRP. Our dollars are worth less, so it’s essential to visit iseecars.com to see what new cars are selling for. Karl shared a list of vehicles below or at MSRP, such as the Chrysler Pacific Hybrid, Ford Maverick Hybrid, Chevy Silverado, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6. The bottom line is that there are cars available at reasonable prices. Karl participated in the Long Tail Rally, named after the McLaren 765 LT for Long Tail. This year, Porsche 911s dominated the rally, which started in Spokane, Washington, and ended in Park City, Utah.

[00:00:00] – Contributor Lauren Fix
[00:06:53] – Last Call Challenger
[00:13:00] – It’s Tech, Not a Car
[00:20:51] – Contributor Ed Justice Jr.
[00:29:38] – Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire
[00:37:22] – The Good Guy Pass
[00:43:42] – Contributor Brian Moody
[00:50:43] – Autotrader/Oversteer
[00:56:44] – 3 Row SUV’s for $5000
[01:04:34]

Next Episode

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport Has No Boundaries | #549

Opening the show today with Alan is BJ Killeen, an automotive journalist and voice of reason. BJ announces that Fisker, the automaker, has added a new electric vehicle called the Pear (Personal Electric Automotive Revolution) to its fleet. This is a small crossover electric SUV that comes with two battery options. Fisker will collaborate with Foxconn to build a factory that will produce a vehicle they call, “a glimpse into the future of urban mobility and sustainable transportation.” The Pear has a feature called the “Lounge mode,” where all the seats fold flat and backward into the “Houdini” trunk to create a space for watching a movie or resting. It will also have a 17-inch rotating screen for entertainment. Next, BJ shares a little tidbit about Toyota. They had to suspend production at fourteen of their domestic assembly plants in Japan due to a system failure that prevented them from ordering parts. This caused their stock to drop by $3, but they are now up and running. Tesla is constantly under the microscope. They are now being accused of funneling company funds to a secret project called Project 42. However, it’s been alleged that the funds were actually being used to build a house for Elon Musk himself. On the positive side for Tesla, they are trying to create a drive-in movie theater and diner with 32 charging infrastructures and two movie screens. What a great idea!

Brian Moody, the Executive Editor of Auto Trader.com and KBB.com, has shared some interesting insights about the current state of the used car market. According to him, the inventory of used cars is currently at a high point for the year, making more used cars available for purchase. Additionally, there seems to be a high demand for used cars at the moment. This surge in supply has resulted in a drop of prices by 4%, making it a good time to consider purchasing a used car. Brian also shared the results of a recent Kelly Blue Book study that surveyed 2000 people about their thoughts and attitudes towards electric and hybrid cars. The study found that many people are misinformed about electric cars, with the majority feeling like the average range of an electric car is about 200 miles. Furthermore, 67% of respondents felt that purchasing an electric car would require a moderate or major change in their lifestyle. On the other hand, 63% felt that a hybrid car is a better fit for their needs. When it comes to fully-electric cars, 71% of respondents were concerned about how long it takes to charge them. Additionally, 62% of respondents said that they wouldn’t even know what questions to ask while thinking about purchasing an electric car. Hybrid cars seem to be left out of the conversation, but that could change soon. The full study can be found at www.kbb.com.

We are pleased to welcome George Kennedy, a co-founder of Cartender.com and Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. He is a contributor to U.S. News & World Report, CarGurus, Forbes Wheels, and also writes for The Drive. George is test driving the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport. It’s the mid-tier trim that comes with some fantastic visual upgrades and flare, along with an upgraded engine. Although the vehicle has been completely redesigned, the drive trains and engine options have been carried over from the previous model. This car is perfect for your weekend adventures and daily commutes. The Crosstrek starts at $25,000, the premium model at $26,000, and the sports trim at $29,000, which includes an all-weather package. The limited trim, which comes with a moonroof, starts at $30,000. If you’re looking for something more rugged, the Wilderness version might be a good option. It features larger tires and a beefier look and starts under $32,000.

Closing today’s show is Karl Brauer, an automotive industry analyst, Forbes Autos contributor, North American Car and Truck of the Year juror, board member, and executive analyst for ISeeCars.com. He will be discussing the new 2025 Mustang GTD Performance Supercar, Ford’s street-legal and track-ready supercar which boasts an 800 horsepower engine. According to Karl, the car is too heavy. It is a front-engine car with a rear transaxle, active aerodynamics, with a starting price tag of $300,000. ISeeCars.com’s latest study reveals the slowest and fastest selling new and used cars. After facing three years of production issues, we have finally passed them. Value-seeking customers are ready to buy, but dealerships need to avoid marking prices higher than MSRP. The Honda HRV is the fastest selling used car, while the Tesla Model S is the slowest. The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and the Land Rover Range Rover are the fastest selling new cars. As the show draws to a close, the hosts discuss the UAW’s