The 2009 Hyundai Elantra Is a Great Used Pick Under $5,000

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Shopping for a used car can often feel like a hassle. That’s because you have to consider many factors, such as how well the car has been maintained, how many people have owned it, and whether it has unreported accidents. But some used cars are more reliable than others. And according to U.S. News, the 2009 Hyundai Elantra should be on your wish list.

Which used cars made the cut?

U.S. News ranked the top 30 used vehicles under $5,000. For once, Toyota didn’t dominate the list. Many automakers that appear most are actually defunct, such as Mercury and Scion.

Kia boasts the most cars on the list, with the 2007 Rondo, 2009 Optima, 2009 Sedona, and 2007 Sportage. Mercury, Ford, and Mazda all tied for second place with three vehicles each. 

Hyundai has two vehicles on U.S. News‘ list. One is the 2009 Accent, and the other is the 2009 Elantra.

Why does the 2009 Hyundai Elantra stand out?

The 2009 Hyundai Elantra isn’t the flashiest vehicle on the list. It doesn’t have the body of a sports car, it can’t fly down the highway at high speeds, and it isn’t filled with luxurious infotainment features. But the 2009 Hyundai Elantra boasts a record for reliability.

U.S. News gave it an overall score of 8.5 out of 10. Though the Elantra’s exterior isn’t imposing, it’s far from ugly. It’s available as a sedan or hatchback called the Elantra Touring. It comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission as standard, but a four-speed automatic was optional. 

In addition, the interior is spacious and comfortable. The large trunk is roomy enough for gear, groceries, or luggage.

The 2009 Hyundai Elantra is also well known for its longevity. Of course, it’s best to get a CarFax before buying a used vehicle, but Elantras typically pass the test. With a price of $3,423, it’s more than worth the money.

Would the 2009 Hyundai Elantra make a good first car for a teen?

First cars are a big deal. Everyone remembers their first vehicle. It might bring back fond memories or make you wince, but it’s something you never forget. 

With that said, what teens want and what they need aren’t always the same. Sure, they might want a Lamborghini, but it’s not in the budget. On the other hand, a Hyundai Elantra is affordable and reliable. 

Though many parents aren’t sure if they want to bother teaching their teenagers to drive a stick shift, it’s not a bad skill to have. However, if you want your child to learn, a 2009 Elantra is a great practice vehicle.  

The 2009 Hyundai Elantra doesn’t boast fancy looks, speed, or new tech that teens crave, but that’s not exactly what they need for a first vehicle. Once they learn more about driving safely, looking for another vehicle might be suitable. But for a first car, a 2009 Elantra is hard to pass up.

RELATED: The 2021 Hyundai Elantra Dethroned the Mighty Honda Civic for a Prestigious Award

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David Beckham Is Upcycling Classic Cars Into Electric Vehicles?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The switch to electric vehicles is in full swing! David Beckham has invested in the company Lunaz, which focuses on taking old British gasoline-powered vehicles and making them into zero-emissions EVs ready for the electric future. Nevertheless, if you are in the market for a fully-restored Rolls-Royce and happen to have $700,000 sitting around, look no further.

David Beckham is into electric vehicles

Lunaz converted a Rolls-Royce Phantom V into an electric vehicle | Lunaz

David Beckham, former professional footballer, husband of Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, and now…electric vehicle entrepreneur? Beckham recently invested in the company Lunaz. Lunaz specializes in taking timeless British cars and bringing them into the future. Indeed, the electric vehicle future.

Market Watch reported that Beckham has an Aston Martin V8 Vantage and. Jaguar Project 7 vehicle of his own, but he’s expanding that collection. Lunaz focuses on taking British vehicles like Jaguars, Range Rovers, Bentleys, Rolls Royces and converting these gasoline-powered vehicles into electric vehicles.

The company is stationed in Silverstone. Yes, the famous Formula 1 track and a hub for automotive technology. Beckham now has 10% equity in the company that started back in 2019. While the brand is looking to expand, this is quite perfect timing.

What kind of cars is Lunaz turning into electric vehicles?

“Each classic by Lunaz represents an uncompromised expression of the original. Electrification answers the questions of usability, reliability, and sustainability and empowers owners to enjoy their cars daily,” Lunaz says about the companies mission.

The company removes the gasoline-powered engines and replaces the motors with batteries and motors. While some might cringe at this, it is actually quite a pain to keep up with the motors in most of these cars. Restoring the vehicle into an EV means many more years of fun for cars that might not have been on the road much longer.

The company’s transitioned vehicles include a 1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V. The company can take both fixed head and drophead body styles of the Silver Cloud I, II, and III. Another option is the S1, S2, and S3 (1955-1965) Bentley Continental, both the coupé and four-door ‘Flying Spur’ body styles. Lunaz worked on the Jaguar XK120, XK140, and XK150, turning these vehicles into sustainable and drivable classics.

Furthermore, the most British SUV available, the Classic Range Rover. The “town” variety focuses on rear-wheel-drive or front-wheel drive options. The “County” version focuses on the four-wheel-drive option, all while being fully electric, zero-emissions, off-roading fun.

What does the future hold for this EV company?

A Rolls-Royce Phantom electric vehicle
A Rolls-Royce Phantom electric vehicle | Lunaz

David Beckham told Market Watch, “I was drawn to the company through their work restoring some of the most beautiful classic cars through upcycling and electrification. Lunaz represents the very best of British ingenuity in both technology and design.”

The funds provided by this investment will allow the company to further expand into different vehicle categories. This includes fire engines and commercial vehicles transformed into electric vehicles.

The pricing for the process doesn’t come cheap, but that’s to be expected. The process of restoring, engineering, and electrifying the cars can cost anywhere from $350,000 (for the Range Rover) to upwards of $700,000 (for the Rolls-Royce), depending on the vehicle.

Without a doubt, this is a pretty cool concept. Since David Beckham is a pretty big name across many industries, Lunaz should expand quite quickly.

RELATED: How Many Years Will an Electric Vehicle Last?

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Carolina Squat Trucks Could Get Banned In N.C.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Whether you like them or you don’t, the state legislature of North Carolina just banned squat trucks. The problem is even if you don’t like squatting trucks it is a really bad sign for those who modify their vehicles. Your stanced Miata or lifted 4×4 can now be forced to return to the stock manufacturer’s suspension specs. The bill bans raising the front suspension and lowering the rear suspension of all vehicles in the state. 

Though targeting squat trucks, it could be applied to all modified vehicles

So it might seem at first glance to only target a narrow band of modified vehicles. But in reality, the law that just passed the North Carolina House of Representatives can be applied to any vehicle in the state. A 1965 Chevy lowrider or chopped 1932 Ford coupe are as much in the crosshairs of the ban as squat trucks, and that’s really bad.

Carolina squat, Cali lean, Tennessee tilt; these are all acronyms for the same pickup truck suspension modification. The front is raised and the rear is lowered or kept at stock height. It developed from Baja racing where the front end is raised to help rebound after hitting a big dip or rise in the terrain. But on the street, it is strictly a cosmetic trend like low riding or raking a car to mimic drag racing sedans. 

It is an American pastime to modify a vehicle for looks, handling, speed, or all of those pursuits

Squat trucks | YouTube

Americans have always enjoyed modifying their vehicles going all of the ways back to the Ford Model T. From stoplight sprints to California lakes racing in the 1920s, and beefing up a plain Jane sedan for bootlegging, modified vehicles define the car culture of the US. And now some narrow-minded politicians without perspective or tolerance are threatening that God-given right. 

The squat truck phenomenon is centered mainly in North Carolina. Right now the law says you can’t raise or lower a car more than six inches. The North Carolina legislature wants to change that. “A private passenger automobile shall not be modified or altered by elevating the automobile more than 3 inches from the manufacturer’s specified height in the front and lowering the automobile more than 2 inches from the manufacturer’s specified height in the rear.”

What’s so bad about squat trucks anyway?

black Silverado squat truck
Squat trucks | YouTube

The beef over squatted trucks is that it points headlights into the oncoming driver’s eyes. And, it throws the balance of the truck off making it more difficult to drive. There is also a concern for pedestrians-both that they are harder to see and are more prone to serious injury if hit. 

Now that the bill has passed the House of Representatives it moves on to the State Senate for review. If it is approved there then it goes to the Governor’s desk for signing into law. It sets a bad precedent not only for all modified vehicles in the state but as a model for other states. 

The Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) gets involved in bad law proposals just like this. It has a legal team that can advise politicians. They help to give a clearer picture of the downsides of this type of legislation. So we expect that SEMA will be getting involved to help kill the bill before it ever becomes law. 

RELATED: 5 Car Modifications That Are a Waste of Money

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The 2022 GMC Hummer EV Truck Is Incredibly Hefty

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The GMC Hummer EV could be considered a heckin’ chonk. For those who don’t speak in terms that come for memes, this means that the 2022 GMC Hummer EV truck might be incredibly heavy. It’s an absolute unit. 

The 2022 Hummer EV truck may break the scales 

2022 GMC Hummer EV Truck | GMC

According to Motor Authority, the 2022 GMC Hummer EV could be one of the heaviest pickup trucks on the market. The electric Hummer truck tips the scales at 9,046 lbs. This makes it one hefty mid-size truck. 

The GMC Sierra 3500 HD dually with a crew cab and Duramax engine only weighs 8,355 lbs despite being much more prominent. The mid-size Chevy Colorado weighs between 3,935 – 4,715 lbs. So, the new Hummer truck could be nearly triple its weight. 

This makes us wonder how the Hummer EV will perform. Will it be too heavy to go off-roading? Will the amount of power needed to move this gigantic beast drain its batteries? When does the Heavy Vehicle Use Highway Tax come into play? 

How does the Hummer truck perform? 

RELATED: What Is the 2022 Hummer EV’s Watts to Freedom Mode?

The 2022 GMC Hummer EV should have enough power to move its weight. The three-motor Edition 1 model is expected to provide 1,000 hp and 11,500 lb-ft of torque. Keep in mind that the torque figure is measured at the wheels after torque multipliers, but it could still work out to about 1,000 lb-ft of motor torque. This big boy should be pretty fast as it’s anticipated to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under three seconds. 

Some of the weight is attributed to the battery pack. The Hummer EV Edition 1 will have a 200-kWh 24-module double-stacked Ultium pack. It should provide a range of about 350 miles. The battery pack is larger than the ones found in rivals. 

General Motors trucks currently don’t have a skateboard platform, meaning the vehicles have a complete structure that’s separate from the battery pack. This may cut into space as it weighs the Hummer down. 

The Hummer EV could be too heavy to be considered a passenger vehicle. So, it might be exempt from EPA efficiency ratings and crash testing like GM’s current HD trucks. While this is a little concerning, it might be why the truck may be provided to customers so quickly. 

GMC didn’t start physically testing the Hummer EV until it was revealed last year. However, the battery tech was largely finished at that time, and it will be shared with other GM EVs in the near future. 

What are the Hummer EV features like? 

two 2022 GMC Hummers
2022 GMC Hummer | GM

The 2022 GMC Hummer EV will enter production soon with a base price of about $112,595. That’s a hefty price for a heavy truck. GMC will follow this edition with the EV3X, EV2X, EV2 trim levels, and the Hummer EV SUV. 

Charging the Hummer EV truck is easy. It has an 800-volt electrical architecture with a 350-kilowatt fast-charging capability. You should get about 100 miles of range in about 10 minutes. You can also use DC fast-charging stations and an outlet at home with the provided adaptor. 

The Hummer EV truck has a spacious interior with removable roof panels to be like a convertible. There are moon-inspired touches to promote how GM helped Nasa engineer the Apollo 15 lunar rover too. 

At the end of the day, the new Hummer truck is well equipped with enough power and tech to adventure. It has a luxury feel with new off-roading capabilities such as the CrabWalk mode. But we’re worried about its weight and can’t wait to see how it performs.

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