How Does the Toyota MR2 Spyder Actually Compare to the Lotus Elise

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Toyota MR2 Spyder is the long-forgotten mid-engine roadster platform that deserved more attention than it ever received, but Lotus Elise owners know just how comparable this MR2 really is to the Elise. While it isn’t a perfectly affordable rip-off of the car, it was designed to offer drives interested in having a more familiar brand and platform with the Toyota name at a lower price point. While it doesn’t quite offer the same performance and handling, it compares well to the Elise for what the vehicle has to offer, truly making it the ‘poor man’s Lotus Elise.’

Handling and performance

Lotus Elise | Daniel Pier, NurPhoto, Getty Images

From the factory, you won’t see either of these cars running impressive numbers on the quarter-mile, and their horsepower statistics won’t leave anyone feeling impressed. In fact, neither car breaks 400hp in any model version of the year, but they are still impressive cars performance-wise for what they are designed to do: handle. The Toyota MR2 Spyder may not be as exotic as the Lotus Elise, but they both offer strikingly aggressive handling around corners and turns. The Elise, with an upgraded Bilstein suspension from the factory, no power steering, and a more aggressive race-focused design out handles the MR2, but they still do well to compete against each other.

Appearances and comfort

I doubt any Lotus Elise owner would argue that the interior of the car is actually comfortable. The Elise is designed for weight reduction, as Lotus founder Colin Chapman would say, “simplify, and add lightness” and that moto isn’t escaped by the Elise. The interior is as raw as it can be without becoming a true racecar. The seats are comfortable on the track, but you’ll think twice about making this your road-trip car of choice without calling your chiropractor — the longest I’ve been able to drive mine on surface roads thus far has been a total of 6 hours round trip.

The Toyota MR2 Spyder, on the other hand, is designed to be a road car more than a performance-oriented vehicle, offering plush, decently comfortable seats and a bit more space — both for you and your passenger and for cargo. The interior on either car isn’t particularly overwhelming, but the Elise interior is more functional in promoting the purpose of the vehicle. Still, with the difference in the interior, the Toyota MR2 Spyder is only slightly heavier, with a curb weight of 2,195 lbs compared to the Lotus Elise average curb weight of 2,010. That may not sound like much to some, but in lightweight cars, that difference in weight really does affect handling and performance.

Differences in price for the Lotus Elise and Toyota MR2

Besides appearances, one of the biggest differences between the Toyota MR2 and the Lotus Elise is the purchase price. Where you can typically find the Toyota MR2 priced under $10,000 the Lotus Elise varies greatly in price, sometimes dipping as low as $26,000 in rough condition — I purchased one of the cheapest Elise’s in the country for $18,000 with a completely wrecked front end and many cosmetic and mechanical imperfections. Despite their major differences, maintenance on either isn’t hard to perform if you like DIY projects as both cars share a similar Toyota-based engine platform, with most Elise’s having a 2ZZ and the Toyota MR2 offering an incredibly similar 1ZZ.

The biggest difference in maintenance price is when it comes to having to take it to the mechanic, where most of the even basic jobs like replacing the clutch require the entire rear clam to be removed off of the Lotus Elise — which can take several hours. If you are handy with a wrench, most mechanical parts are easy to find and relatively expensive, and, as a Toyota platform, they are reliable and easy to work on.

Overall, the Toyota MR2 Spyder and Lotus Elise do have as much in common as everyone eludes to, including similar engines, but the appearance and price point, as well as finer tuning of performance aspects, still make the Lotus Elise a superior car — but, that doesn’t mean you should discount the underrated and somewhat homely Toyota MR2.

RELATED: You Can Order a 2022 Lotus Emira Straight From the Factory Right Now

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Is It Illegal to Have More Than 1 Ball Hitch on Your Vehicle?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When you need to tow something, a ball hitch is one of the most practical ways to get the job done. It’s a sturdy towing accessory topped with a steel ball on which the receiving coupler can be mounted to the back of your vehicle. The ball joint provides the most maneuverability for big and small towing jobs, allowing the towed vehicle or trailer to turn with your vehicle. People have relied on these hitches for over a century for reliable and stable towing.

And if you need to tow more than one size trailer, you might even want more than one ball hitch on your vehicle. But is that legal?

Why mount multiple ball hitches on your vehicle?

Why would you need more than one ball hitch? | Kurt Wittman/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Often, a ball hitch is attached to the back of your vehicle for towing jobs and removed when the job is done. However, those who tow frequently (or take long towing-related trips) might have a reason to leave the hitch in place for extended periods. 

But not all vehicles and trailers can be towed with the same size ball hitch. Small and lightweight trailers need only a small hitch, while large trailers and campers require enormous towing infrastructure to pull them safely. The size of the ball you need depends on the size and weight of your load. This means that if you need to tow more than one size trailer behind you, you might need multiple ball hitches — and no desire to bolt and unbolt them if you have to switch in a rush.

Understandably, the need for multiple balls can lead to having more than one attached to your vehicle or an interchangeable multi-hitch for quick switches.

The legality of having multible ball hitches on your vehicle

However, you may have been pulled over (or know someone who has) with more than one ball mount installed at once. Does this mean they’re illegal? Actually, no. This little legal issue is an oversight that has run into a traffic safety law.

of the Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. Troy Christianson told the Winona Post that it’s perfectly legal to have one or more ball hitches attached to your vehicle, even if you’re not towing anything. So, why the traffic stops? As it turns out, the problem with multiple and large ball hitches is that they can obscure your license plate.

The problem is that multiple ball mounts are bulky and mounted in the center of your vehicle’s rear end. This is also usually where the license plate goes, and the ball can obscure the plate — which is illegal.

So, how can you legally mount multiple ball hitches when you’re not actively towing? First and foremost, ensure your vehicle’s license plate is visible. If necessary, remove it from the usual frame and mount it higher on your truck, like on your tailgate. This ensures your plate is visible to the local authorities while still granting your legal right to mount as many towing hitches as you want or need.

Choosing the right size for your towing job

Now that you know multiple ball hitches are legal to mount, which type should you install on your vehicle? There are four standard sizes, ranging from small and lightweight to heavy-duty. To choose the right model for your towing needs, consider the weight of your load and the matching ball and shank to the receiving coupler. Here’s a quick guide:

  • 1 7/8-inch ball — 2,000 to 3,500 pounds GTW (gross trailer weight)
  • 2-inch ball — 3,500 to 12,000 pounds GTW
  • 2 5/16-inch ball — 6,000 to 30,000 pounds GTW
  • 3-inch ball — 30,000 pounds GTW

When you’re sure your towing system is installed securely and each piece is rated for the load you intned to haul, you are good to go.

RELATED: Is It Illegal to Have a Ball Hitch if You’re Not Towing Anything?

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Jaguar and Land Rover Recall Due to Car Seat Installation Concerns

by Gabrielle DeSantis

A pile of vehicles from both Jaguar and Land Rover are being recalled due to a dangerous flaw in the seat belt retractors that can make it hard to properly install a child’s car seat. This recall applies to 37,000 vehicles between the two brands. This issue only applies to the front seat belts, not the back. All of the affected vehicles are 2020 and newer. One of the most important models to note is the new Land Rover Defender. 

2021 Land Rover Defender 90 First Edition | Peter Corn

The Jaguar and Land Rover recalls are mostly SUVs

Proper car seat installation is one of the most important aspects of safely driving around a child. Trusting that the seat belts will do their jobs is absolutely essential. According to Consumer Reports, many Jaguar and Land Rover models have been found lacking in this department. 

Although most safety experts recommend that you put your child’s car seat in the second row, the front seat belt retractors across 37,000 Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles make it difficult to effectively secure a child’s car seat. 

This kind of recall is one of an abundance of caution. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, the vehicles included in the recall are from the 2020, 2021, and 2022 model years. Around 9,000 of the recalled vehicles are Jaguar sedans and SUVs, while the remaining 28,000 vehicles are Land Rover SUVs. 

What’s wrong with these seat belts? 

Jaguar and Land Rover Defenders got recalled for car seat installation safety issues
Car seat | Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picture alliance via Getty Images

The problem isn’t with the seat belt itself. The problem is with a component called an automatic locking retractor (ALR), which locks a seat belt for a snug car seat installation. It’s the thing that keeps you from quickly moving to look out the window with an immobilizing “click.” 

A care seat is dependent on the ALR to make sure the seat stays in place, even outside of a crash. If a car seat can move around, even taking a sharp corner could result in serious injury. Obviously, with a faulty ALR, a crash would be catastrophic. A nonfunctioning ALR makes proper car seat installation impossible. 

Jaguar and Land Rover aren’t alone in this recall. This recall is similar to recent ones from other automakers like BMW, Audi, Ford, Nissan, and more, because the faulty parts all come from the same supplier, Autoliv. 

Where should you put your car seat? 

Experts say that car seats should be belted in the back seat, not the front, for the safest car seat installation. Thankfully, most people understand that kids shouldn’t sit up front for obvious safety reasons. As a result of this common knowledge, there have been no reports of incidents due to this ALR defect. 

What to do if your car has been recalled? 

a pair of new Defenders. One is the four-door 110 and the other is the two-door Defender 90
2021 Land Rover Defender 110 and Defender 90 | Land Rover

This is a list of all the Jaguar and Land Rover models affected by the seat belt recall: 

  • 2020 to 2021 Jaguar F-Pace
  • ​​2021 and 2022 Jaguar F-Type
  • 2021 Jaguar XF
  • 2020 to 2022 Land Rover Defender
  • 2020 to 2022 Land Rover Discovery
  • 2020 and 2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport
  • 2021 Land Rover Range Rover
  • 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  • 2020 and 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

If you own a vehicle on this list, the manufacturer will replace the faulty ALR for no charge. Jaguar and Land Rover expect to notify owners by mail beginning Oct. 22, 2021. Jaguar owners may contact customer service at 800-452-4827. Land Rover owners may contact customer service at 800-637-6837.

RELATED: Hot Take: The 2021 Land Rover Defender Might Be the Best One Ever

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BMW i4 EV Details Revealed In New Video

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The BMW i4 is set to release in November 2021, which is just months away from the publish date of this article. As the vehicle reaches its launch date, BMW is making sure they push the hype train full speed ahead before the i4 and the i4 M50 hit dealerships. Oddly, it seems that until now, BMW has been relatively quiet about the i4 EV, considering how many other manufacturers have been toting their all-electric offerings.

Recently BMW released a video that breaks down everything they think a potential customer would want to know about the i4 before purchasing. This may be an effort to catch up on their messaging not to miss the upcoming EV wave. With several new electric cars and even electric trucks promised to reach the market soon, BMW can get lost in the noise if they aren’t proactive.

The brand’s vision for the future

BMW i4 sedan | BMW

Let’s face it, the BMW i3 and i8 were always just stepping stones to get BMW to the point where they were truly ready to release an EV with mass-appeal. The styling of the i8 and especially the i3 were polarizing, to say the least. They are both great cars for their designed purpose, but they also look like they belong in the background of a Blade Runner remake.

The BMW i4 attempts to merge modern car design with all of the latest tech buyers expect to find in a contemporary EV. More specifically, the BMW i4 looks more like a car and less like a spaceship. The casual onlooker wouldn’t be blamed for confusing the i4 for the average 3-series sedan from far enough away. The BMW i4 has telltale signs of the German brand’s design language. One look at the massive BMW “kidneys” will reveal as much. 

Rather than the front grill kidneys acting as grills to allow air to pass through, the kidneys on the BMW i4 house all of the sensors that the car uses for its advanced autonomous driving functions. 

BMW i4 versus the competition

A white BMW i4 electric sedan driving on a street towards the camera.
BMW i4 sedan | BMW

The BMW i4 is meant to carve its own slice of the growing EV market. The question is, which car will the i4 be measured against? The natural inclination is to name Tesla as a competitor, and that is true in the general sense but perhaps not so much when considered closely. The BMW i4 has a starting MSRP of $55,400, which is well below a Tesla Model S but more than every trim of the Tesla Model 3. The closest Tesla competitor going by price would be the Model Y, but that is a small crossover SUV whereas the BMW i4 is a sedan. So, those two cars aren’t really in the same class even if their prices are similar.

The i4 is priced below all of Audi’s e-tron vehicles as well, so it seems that with this car, BMW may just corner a new section of the EV market. It offers more luxury features and brand cache than entry-level EVs. However, it is also priced below most of the other cars that customers would have at front of mind when thinking about luxury EVs.

This sweet spot could be a great benefit to BMW as the i4 could be considered a bargain compared to the Model S, or it could be a detrimental price bracket as customers would rather go with a Tesla to get more range for less money.

All you need to know about the BMW i4

It will take at least six months to a year for us to see just how effectively BMW has covered this untouched section of the EV marketplace. To their credit, they are doing their best to ensure that consumers know where they stand. The video above is proof of that. It seems to emulate the kind of video car reviews viewers would find from the likes of Carfection or EVO. 

Nicely played BMW. We’re interested to see if it all pays off.

RELATED: BMW Leans On Japanese Manga And Esports

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