The New Ford F-150 Lightning Is the Cheapest Full-Size Pickup Truck in One State

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The new Ford F-150 Lightning seems to be striking everyone right now. All the car sites are ablaze with Lightning puns, electric truck comparisons, and woes of them heralding the “good old days.” While the Ford Lightning isn’t the first electric truck by any means, it does seem to be the first one that has its sights set on being the most affordable full-size pickup truck. 

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning debut | Ford

How much does the new Ford Lightning cost? 

Every time a new EV comes out, the only thing people tend to care about is range, performance, and charging speed.

While these things are important factors in the EV sphere, we rarely worry too much about price. There is so much talk about range anxiety being the major resistance to EVs for people, but why don’t we ever talk about price? 

Any EV that is cool at all, like the Audi E-Tron, Teslas, or Polestar, is so expensive it makes no sense for the average American to even halfway consider them.

This is doubly true for electric trucks. When Ford announced the starting price for this modern take on the old supertruck would start at only $39,974, the automotive world was shocked. 

Not only is this cheaper than any other cool electric truck, after the government tax incentives, but this will also be one of the most affordable full-size pickup trucks, period. 

What are the electric car incentives? 

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning with open frunk
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning debut | Ford

Motor1 did the grunt work to figure out where in the country offered the best electric car incentives. Before we dig too far in, the base-model gas-powered 2021 Ford F-150 starts at $28,940.

According to Motor1, four states have such good EV incentives that the new Ford F-150 Lightning is cheaper than the plain F-150. In one of those states, the new Lightning is the most affordable full-size pickup truck. 

Regardless of which state you live in, buying the Ford Lightning can save you at least $7,500 as a tax credit. The qualifications necessary rest on the manufacturer.

Each EV manufacturer has a certain amount of eligible units for the credit. As Ford is still newer to the EV world, it still has plenty of eligible units. EV makers like Tesla and GM are the only two that have used up all of the allotted tax credits. 

For certain Americans, the Ford F-150 Lightning is the cheapest full-size pickup truck 

Three 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning debut
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning debut | Ford

As Motor1 keenly points out, the base-model F-150 Lightning is basically a commercial truck. While we still don’t know what equipment the base model will have, it will likely be fairly stark compared to the up-ticket models. That being said, starting with the standard EV tax credit, the new Ford Lightning’s base price is chopped down to $32,474. 

If you are a citizen of Maine and you want an electric pickup truck, you’re in luck. In Maine, a $2,000 rebate is offered to any individual or business that buys an electric vehicle. For certain low-income residents, a maximum rebate of $5,000 is on the table. 

With all available rebates, this puts the Ford F-150 Lightning at $26,974, making it the cheapest full-size pickup truck on the market. The other three states that provide the top three next best rebates are Oregon, Vermont, and Colorado.

These three states have the F-150 Lightning coming in at $27,474, $28,474, and $28,974, respectively. The Nissan Frontier is the only full-size truck cheaper in these states. 

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Jaguar F-Type Smacks Into Nissan GT-R and Chevy Silverado After Falling From a Trailer

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’re a car transporter, damaging a Jaguar F-Type is bound to result in a bad day at work and an embarrassing phone call to its owner. However, when that F-Type falls off of a trailer and smacks into a Chevy Silverado and a Nissan GT-R, you may want to cut your losses and go home.

That’s exactly what appears to happen in a cellphone video uploaded to the MrWolf YouTube channel. Dannyp1818 also posted the video on Instagram. As of writing, it is unclear where this video took place or if the one recording is the sports car’s owner. What we do know is that there’s plenty of destruction to go around.

Watch a Jaguar F-Type fall and smash into a Silverado and GT-R

Since there isn’t a ton of available information surrounding this Jaguar F-Type crash, we’ll have to go off the video. The first thing you’ll notice is that the video starts as the car is already falling off of the trailer. This leads us to believe that the person recording saw this accident coming and hastily attempted to record it.

Aside from the fact that the sports car falls and violently smacks the floor, another major detail surrounds this unfortunate event. That’s that there is no driver inside of the sports car when it falls from the trailer. If we had to guess, the car was likely in preparation to be unloaded when it was likely left in neutral accidentally by the transporter.

The Jaguar F-Type doesn’t just fall. It manages to roll backward and smash into a parked Chevy Silverado. From the looks of it, it appears to be a 2500HD model. This truck was likely recently unloaded to gain access to one of the other vehicles on the trailer.

The cherry on top is the fact that the Silverado then rolls back and smacks into a Nissan GT-R. Given the values of these cars, the driver’s insurance company won’t be happy.

Is this sports car totaled?

Jaguar F-Type Crash | Mr.Wolf via YouTube

RELATED: What Happens If You Get Into a Car Crash During a Test Drive?

Since the Jaguar F-Type received the most damage, let’s start there. From the video itself, we see the car’s suspension bottom out as it hits the ground. If we had to guess, there could be some severe underbody damage. However, this likely wouldn’t total the car unless its structure was severely affected.

Next up is the Chevrolet Silverado. From the looks of it, this truck will likely need a new front and rear bumper. Since the F-Type didn’t smash into it with tremendous force, the damage likely isn’t severe.

The same likely can’t be said for the poor GT-R at the end. Given the truck’s height, the impact likely damaged both the car’s front bumper and hood. Since we can’t see it up close, we’ll have to guess. However, a repair likely won’t be cheap.

Will the insurance pay for this Jaguar F-Type?

An iamge of a Jaguar F-Type falling from a trailer and crashing into a pickup truck.
Jaguar F-Type Crash | Mr.Wolf via YouTube

Following this entire Jaguar F-Type crash, the question remains regarding who will pick up the bill for this incident. If the cars were transported by a reputable transport company, it likely has a solid insurance policy to cover the incident.

Since the crash occurred during transport, the owners are likely not on the hook for the accident. However, if one of the owners declined extra insurance, things could get quite messy.

The post Jaguar F-Type Smacks Into Nissan GT-R and Chevy Silverado After Falling From a Trailer appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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At What Mileage Do BMWs Start Having Problems?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car loans average around five years. Most lenders expect today’s vehicles to last that long before experiencing major problems. Of course, there are variations. But Americans are keeping their cars much longer than in years past, in part because those vehicles last longer. But what about BMW models?

Known for their performance-meets-luxury personality, BMW vehicles usually offer higher quality, better performance, and heftier price tags than mainstream cars. But do these vehicles also last longer? We researched reported owner problems at various mileage marks. And fans might be surprised at what we found.

Reliability averages for BMW vehicles

Most consumers expect BMW to boast better-than-average reliability. And in some automotive circles, they would be right. However, when it comes to evaluating repairs, component replacements, and maintenance, RepairPal paints a different picture. Earning only 2.5 out of 5 stars and coming in 30th of 32 contenders, BMW vehicles aren’t as reliable as you might think. 

Are BMW models more expensive to keep on the road?

RELATED: BMW 5 Series Has the Worst Maintenance Costs, Consumer Reports Says

These RepairPal rankings are based on average repair costs of $968, along with average visits to a repair shop. Most other model vehicles average $652 in out-of-pocket repair expenses. And of those predicted garage visits, there is a 15 percent probability that any BMW fixes end up being for severe problems. It suggests that BMW models are not only pricier to buy but also costlier to keep on the road.

Mileage marks where problems occur most

RELATED: Elon Musk’s First Car Was a BMW That Cost Him Only $1,400

Cash Cars Buyer reported BMW owner sentiments discussing at which mileage BMW models begin having problems. Some vehicle owners challenge the poor reliability idea, including one whose model continues to perform well beyond the 200,000-mile mark. Another comment, regarding a 1988 735i, mentioned utter confidence the BMW would live beyond the 300,000-mile mark.

However, a few other owners shared instances of repairs and inconvenience at much earlier mileage. A 2008 328i owner paid $2,300 to replace two coil packs, spark plugs, the water pump, and a valve cover gasket with only 76,000 miles on the car.

Other examples include problems with the coolant system between 80,000 and 120,000 miles. And there are concerns about leaking filter gaskets, electric window failures, and abnormal wear on the door handles well before the BMW models reach 100,000 miles.

How BMW models compare with others

U.S. News shared 2017 data indicating BMW models averaged 139 problems per 100 vehicles. Mercedes-Benz averaged a similar but slightly lower 131 issues per 100 models.

The general belief is that most vehicles from other automakers won’t experience problems beyond normal wear-and-tear before 100,000 miles. Many warranties cover the first 100,000 miles for that reason. Minor mechanical concerns can present as early as 20,000 miles, but regular maintenance can usually remedy that. 

Quora conversations show consumer experiences vary. And significant problems point to contributors such as road conditions, driving style, and routine maintenance. For example, clutches can last well beyond 100,000 miles unless the driver is hard on shifting or routinely grinding in harder than normal. 

The takeaway? Cars with higher sticker prices don’t equate to better reliability. Though some BMW models continue to cruise beyond the average road life, most BMW owners begin experiencing problems sooner than later. And those repairs usually cost more, too.

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2 Southern States Had an Old Law That Forbade Women From Driving Unless a Man Did 1 Odd Thing

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Every state has driving and traffic laws to promote car safety, and many are common knowledge. But some obscure rules are still on the books, including South Dakota’s legal driving age of only 14 years. However, one law in two Southern states is particularly egregious: It once forbade women from driving unless a man performed a certain task.

Here are the details about this archaic and sexist statute.

Southern States’ absurd traffic laws

Southern Living rounded up obscure laws throughout the American South’s history. One regulation in New Orleans and Memphis prohibited women from driving downtown unless a man walked or ran in front of the vehicle while waving a red flag to alert other motorists and pedestrians. The publication joked whether it was the city council’s way of telling the mayor’s wife she was a terrible driver.

Nationwide compiled a similar list of absurd laws. And according to the blog’s findings, Virginia enacted a similar traffic law for women drivers. Main Street was off-limits to female drivers without an accompanying man signaling the way with a prominent red flag.

Other bizarre traffic laws regarding women behind the wheel

Many states also held men responsible for any unlawful acts perpetrated by their wives. That might be why some of these bizarre traffic laws affect female drivers.

In Georgia, women had the right of way at any four-way stop regardless of who arrived first. And in California, according to CarThrottle.com, women could be fined for operating a motor vehicle while wearing a bathrobe. However, if women happen to be driving in Los Angeles, they’re allowed to apply makeup and drink coffee as long as they’re not in bathrobes.

Are these laws still in effect?

According to Morris Bart, Louisiana’s laws regarding women driving downtown are still on the books. Of course, it’s been eons since authorities cited a woman for not having her husband chaperone her as she drove.

A few of these odd laws are still written in Louisiana, including one that requires owners to tie their pet alligators to fire hydrants. And apparently, no one is allowed to eat more than three sandwiches at a funeral wake, either.

Women and driving history

Historically, women faced a litany of challenges in terms of equal rights. But through the years, along with groundbreaking milestones like voting privileges, women proved their right to drive. In 1900, Anne Ransford French Bush became the first woman to obtain a driver’s license, allowing her to operate any gas- or steam-powered “four-wheeled vehicle.”

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Alice Huyler Ramsey was the first woman to drive coast-to-coast and founded the Women’s Motoring Club in 1909. And the first female taxi driver in New York, who also happened to be an expert auto mechanic, was Wilma Russey in 1915.

Coincidentally, The New York Times shared current data on accidents and insurance claims showing women tend to be safer drivers than men, signifying much has changed since the early 1900s.

Over the decades, states and cities enacted traffic laws for various reasons. Some seem odd or even discriminatory now, but at the time, lawmakers saw a need. Luckily, some of these outdated and oppressive regulations are obsolete and no longer enforced.

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