The Tesla Model Y Is Already More Popular Than the Established Tesla Model X

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tesla’s Model Y might be the EV maker’s newest SUV, but the Model X came first. Drivers appreciated the same great performance as the Model S but with the extra space of an SUV. However, critics have knocked the Model X  in recent years for its interior problems and practically useless third row.

The Tesla Model Y debuted shortly after and has already exceeded the Model X’s popularity. In fact, the Model Y sold 40,001 units in only six months during 2020, GoodCarBadCar shows. So, what makes the Model Y so popular with consumers?

Why drivers love the Tesla Model Y

The Model Y is also based on an existing Tesla sedan, the best-selling Model 3. Drivers can choose between the Long Range or Performance models, which boast over 300 miles of range. According to Car and Driver, the Model Y Performance has a searing 0-to-60-mph time of 3.6 seconds.

The Performance model also comes with a track-specialized driving mode, a lowered suspension, and bigger wheels. The Model Y Long Range is still quite fast by SUV standards, reaching 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Though the Model Y is easy to maneuver, C/D says it lacks athleticism and doesn’t have the smoothest ride quality.

It’s no secret that Tesla is known for using ill-fitting interior components and peeling exterior finishes. However, to the untrained eye, the Model Y’s interior doesn’t look so bad. It has a minimalist feel that many Tesla fans enjoy, and the seats are undeniably comfortable. It can seat up to seven people, though the optional third row is reportedly tight.

The Model Y also boasts all the latest tech, controlled through an impressive 15-inch touchscreen. Although you can’t pair your smartphone using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you can easily use popular movie and music streaming apps. However, the touchscreen can be distracting to adjust basic functions like climate settings while driving.

Is the Tesla Model X that bad?

The Tesla Model X sold only 26,100 units in 2020, about 65 percent less than the Model Y. However, the former is a little more capable than the latter when it comes to range. The Model X Long Range can travel 360 miles on a full charge, and its powertrain makes an impressive 670 hp.

Tesla boasts that the Model X Plaid is the quickest SUV you can buy, reaching 60 mph in a blistering 2.5 seconds. Its range is slightly shorter, but its overall horsepower is a whopping 1,020 hp. The standard air suspension makes the Model X’s ride more comfortable than the Model Y.

But like the Model Y, the Model X also suffers from interior build issues. You can still easily find misaligned panels, though some buyers might be too impressed by the falcon-wing doors to notice. The redesigned steering wheel and infotainment screen also freshen up the Model X’s cabin. 

The Model X can also be optioned with a third row, which is slightly bigger than the Model Y’s. The technology offerings are basically the same as the ones in the Model Y, including updated safety features.

Which electric crossover is better?

Though some think the Tesla Model X is superior from a performance standpoint, price is another important factor to consider. The Model X Long Range starts at $84,690. That’s $17,000 more than the Model Y Long Range.

For now, electric SUVs are more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts. However, it’s hard to justify the Model X’s high price tag with such an ill-fitting interior. The Model Y is both functional and relatively affordable, which undoubtedly cements its higher popularity.

RELATED: Which Tesla Model Has the Longest Range?

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For Sale: Bonkers Honda-Powered Amphibious Car Jeep Look-Alike

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While the Amphicar is arguably the most famous amphibious car, other creations have also attempted to make boats out of land vehicles. Or vice versa, in the case of those converted jet-ski scooters. Regardless, the basic concept of combining boat and car has led to some interesting designs. And this week on Cars & Bids, you have a chance to get one of those designs: a WaterCar Panther.

Jeeps can ford the water, but the WaterCar Panther amphibious car can drive through it

WaterCar Panther front 3/4 | WaterCar

Despite its looks, the WaterCar Panther isn’t a modified Jeep Wrangler. However, it does use some Jeep parts and was partially inspired by the off-road SUV. But explaining that requires understanding this amphibious car’s backstory.

The WaterCar Panther is the creation of engineer Dave March, who founded the WaterCar company in 1999, MotorTrend explains. More specifically, the Panther is the successor to March’s first model, the Python. With motivation from a Corvette V8, the Python set an amphibious car world speed record in 2010, topping out at 127 mph. That’s faster than some modern speedboats.

However, the Python had a problem. Because its design was based on a Camaro, it had poor ground clearance. As a result, it could only go in the water on a dedicated boat launch, MT explains. So, for its successor, March wanted something that transitioned between land and sea more easily. And, more to the point, was easier for everyday buyers to live with and maintain, FourWheeler reports. The result was the WaterCar Panther.

The reason why the WaterCar Panther resembles a Jeep is two-fold. First, aping the high-riding off-road SUV look means the wheels can retract further out of the water, FW explains. That cuts down on drag, meaning a higher top speed and less engine strain. Secondly, this amphibious car does use some Jeep parts: its doors are from a Wrangler.

But while it looks like a Jeep, the WaterCar Panther is anything but. It’s built on a custom chromoly-steel tubular chassis set in fiberglass. It technically has two engines: a rear-mounted 3.7-liter Honda V6 linked to a Panther Jet turbine. And it uses a four-speed Volkswagen manual transmission to drive the rear wheels.

There’s a WaterCar Panther for sale on Cars & Bids

A yellow-gray-and-green 2016 WaterCar Panther on a field by a body of water
2016 WaterCar Panther | Cars & Bids

RELATED: What Makes a Hovercraft Different From a Boat?

Although the WaterCar Panther is a bit of a parts mish-mash, it does work effectively on and off the water. The V6 makes roughly 300 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, Cars & Bids reports, and lets the amphibious car go up to 80 mph on land. The Panther tops out at 45 mph on the water.

And don’t worry, there’s no shifting involved when you’re sailing, Driving.ca notes. Just shift into neutral, pull a knob, and press a button. Cars & Bids claims it only takes about 15 seconds. And speaking of Cars & Bids, there’s a 2016 WaterCar Panther currently listed for sale there.

The gray-vinyl seats and gray-and-green dashboard of a 2016 WaterCar Panther
2016 WaterCar Panther interior | Cars & Bids

RELATED: Once Upon a Time in Florida This Man Actually Rode his Sea-Doo on the Highway

This 2016 Panther is a stock example, from the Jeep YJ doors to the retractable 15” wheels, vinyl upholstery, and a bikini top. Other standard equipment includes the required highway and marine lights, an EMPI shifter, and a Livorsi steering wheel and gauges. And apart from a few scratches, scruffs, and some surface rust, the only real flaw is a crack in the drive system’s bezel. However, the seller claims the crack is cosmetic.

It’s been discontinued, so examples are hard to find

The rear view of a green-gray-and-yellow 2016 WaterCar Panther in a parking lot next to a black car
2016 WaterCar Panther rear | Cars & Bids

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As of this writing, this 2016 WaterCar Panther is listed on Cars & Bids at $27,000 with five days left in the auction. Considering a non-custom Panther originally started at $158K, that’s a significant discount.

True, there are used Jeeps and new boats that cost less than that. But neither is quite as rare as the Panther. WaterCar closed its doors in 2020 due to an inability to meet upcoming CARB emissions regulations, MT explains. And during the Panther’s 2013-2020 production run, the company only made about 100 examples. That actually makes it rarer than the Amphicar.

So, if you’re in the market for an oddball, unique amphibious car, this might be right up your alley.

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How Do You Calculate a Vehicle’s True Cost of Ownership?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It isn’t news to anyone who has owned a vehicle before that owning a car costs more than your monthly payments. In fact, a common phrase the people use when thinking about the total sum of how much owning a specific vehicle costs is simply ‘cost of ownership,’ and there are many factors that need to be calculated in order for that value to be accurate. For many drivers looking to purchase a car, it’s easier to focus on the upfront costs, such as the down payment, monthly payment, and even what the yearly maintenance costs are expected to be. But, if you want to be financially strategic about buying a car, what you should really look at is the cost of ownership — and it might even change the way you drive and maintain your vehicle, too.

Comparing the cost of ownership for car you want to buy

A line of cars waiting at the gas station | Elijah Nouvelage, Bloomberg, Getty Images

While we would love to really know what the cost of ownership is for every car we are interested in buying, there isn’t exactly a sticker on the windshield for that. Websites like Edmunds are able to use data that has been collected by their team over the years to give their best estimate of the true cost of ownership of a vehicle, even including information such as your specific location. These online calculators are easy to use and usually a free service, but they aren’t completely foolproof.

The up-front and basic costs of buying a vehicle

A silver 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV electric crossover traveling on a highway as the sun sits low in a mostly clear sky
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV | General Motors

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According to Edmunds, there are as many as eight major factors that should be taken into account when trying to calculate a vehicle’s cost of ownership. The first few factors seem relatively upfront as they have a lot to do with how you finance the vehicle, to begin with. These costs include the interest you are expected to owe when financing a vehicle, as well as any taxes and fees associate with vehicle purchases, title transfers, and registration. If applicable, annual registration fees and inspection costs should be taken into account as well.

In almost every state, you are required to carry insurance for a registered vehicle, and there are many factors that are taken into account when it comes to vehicle insurance. Some of these factors or vehicle-dependent, like the type of car, age of the car, and even overall value of the car. Other factors to consider are more personal, such as age and driving record. Regardless, this payment is also calculated into the overall cost of ownership for your car.

Othe factors that work into cost of ownership

A blue 2021 BMW M2 CS on a racetrack
2021 BMW M2 CS | BMW

Vehicle maintenance and repairs are another cost that many buyers might choose to overlook when picking out a new or even used vehicle. The yearly repair and maintenance costs for a vehicle can vary drastically, and the car that you choose can make a big difference when it comes to how big those payments can be. For luxury and performance car brands like BMW and Audi, yearly maintenance and any necessary repairs are typically higher. This is also part of the reason why these cars depreciate so drastically and so quickly.

Brands that require fewer specialized parts, such as Toyota and Nissan, are typically less expensive to maintain, and when something does break you won’t feel as stressed waiting for the mechanic bill to come in. Besides these factors, gas is another obvious and major cost of car ownership. Some cars require higher octane gasoline, which is more expensive, leading to higher yearly totals for gas, and buying a car that isn’t fuel efficient does just the same.

All of these costs are important things to keep in mind whether you are deciding to keep your current car, or even looking at your next car to purchase.

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Ford Says Twin-Turbo Mega Godzilla Is in Development

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Ford is currently developing a twin-turbo version of its monster 7.3-L V8 engine, affectionately known as Godzilla. This new configuration will deliver more power to this massive push-rod. At least two super-duty trucks are already in testing with the new boost in power. Modders have pulled incredible gains out of this engine, and Ford is likely to do the same.

Godzilla breaks the mold

The Godzilla engine represents a break from the last two decades of development at Ford. For 20 years, the company has focused on the modular Coyote platform. Godzilla is the first gas-powered pushrod v8 Ford has produced in twenty years. The engine was designed to be a rugged and powerful workhorse that puts out 430 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 475 ft.-lb. at 4,000 RPMs.

Ford manager of V8 engines Joel Betramo was clear on Ford’s intention“The 7.3-liter is designed for maximum durability in the harshest environments given that our customers live and work in these conditions every day. This engine has the largest displacement in its class and is designed to provide benefits in key areas like power, durability, ease of maintenance, and total operating costs.”

This V8 is popular among enthusiasts for more than just its catchy nickname. Even at lower RPMs, the Godzilla delivers torque that many compare to that of a diesel engine. The Godzilla 7.3-L V8 delivers best-in-class horsepower and torque among gasoline-powered engines. This makes the engine a trendy choice among truck shoppers looking for power without a diesel engine’s added weight and expense.

Mega Godzilla will be packed with power

Ford logo | Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

RELATED: Hang on Kids – Ford Is Putting the 7.3-Liter Godzilla V8 in School …

The Godzilla V8 is already a mighty engine. With the additional boost a twin-turbo provides, it’s likely to have more than double the horsepower of the current 7.3-L V8. Details are still right, but the engine may still be sold with the same 10-speed heavy-duty TorqShift® automatic transmission that’s currently paired with the Godzilla. Several after-market mods have proven what the Godzilla can do with a little extra boost.

Director of Ford Racing Brian Wolfe has cranked out an impressive 780 hp without adding a turbocharger to the Godzilla. Titanium valves, a billet intake, and other modifications turned out the extra power. Ford factory belts and oil pumps have held up to the added power. This means Ford will likely minimize the expense of drastically refitting trucks equipped with this new twin-turbo V8.

The Godzilla engine is capable of incredible power without a turbocharger. With one, it’s an unstoppable machine. Merkel Racing Engines took the Godzilla to the next level with twin-turbos and produced an incredible 1,100 hp. Unlike the 780 hp mod built by Brian Wolfe, Merkel didn’t modify the valvetrain. The factory rods and pistons were used as well. Ford may be able to push even more out of the engine.

This engine was purpose-built

RELATED: R You Ready? The 2021 Ford Raptor’s Getting a V8…in 2022

Every part of the Godzilla was designed with work in mind. This powerful engine was not meant to be a simple commuter. The turbocharged Godzilla will power commercial vehicles as well as heavy-duty consumer pickups. It’s meant to be run hard and never back down. Trucks equipped with this engine will be very competitive in the heavy-duty gas-powered segment.

Ford Engineer Blaine Ramey detailed the ruggedness built into every Godzilla: “This engine uses everything that Ford has learned [about engine building]. The same guy who did the 5.0L and the 5.2L Shelby [GT350] intake port developed this engine. It’s brand new with no compromise. It is designed to be very rugged with a cast iron, four-bolt main block with cross bolts, and the pistons and rings are an evolution of the EcoBoost design. There are fewer parts (compared to the DOHC engines), and it’s built in Windsor [Ontario].”

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