The Best Electric Lawn Mowers for Any Yard

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While the world is slowly changing from gasoline cars to electric vehicles, the world of lawn mowers is changing right along with it. For lawn maintenance on any kind of yard, check out some of these electric lawn mowers.

Best value electric lawn mower

Electric lawn mowers for your lawn | Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Roy Berendsohn (of Popular Mechanics) and Yahoo! compiled a list of electric lawn mowers that suit many yards. The HART 40-Volt Cordless Brushless 20-inch Push Mower (Walmart) works for yards up to half an acre in size. It has a single-point height adjustment and a five-year warranty. All HART 40V batteries work with this mower.

Price: $248.00

Best multi-bladed electric lawn mower

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The EGO Power+ LM2133 21-Inch Select Cut Mower (Amazon) has steel blades for “premium cutting performance.” The listing even says this performance exceeds gas. The 56V 5.0 Ah Lithium fuel battery gets up to 45 minutes of run time on a charge. It has a seven-position cutting height adjustment for grass 1.5″ to 4″ tall.

Price: $560.26

Longest battery life

The RYOBI 20 in. 40-Volt 6.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery Brushless Cordless Walk Behind Self-Propelled Lawn Mower (Home Depot) is rear-wheel drive. It has three-in-one mulching, bagging, and discharge capability. It doesn’t give a specific amount of time but promises it is extended. One more cool thing about this lawn mower is that it works with all RYOBI 40V batteries.

Price: $399.00

Best lawn mower for small yards

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The Greenworks 40V 20 Inch Cordless Twin Force Lawn Mower (Amazon) is good for smaller and mid-sized yards. The GreenWorks mower has innovative smart cut technology that adjusts the power and runtime based on the grass. It has dual blades and the capability to mulch and bag at once.

Price: $399.00

Best for midsized yards

The Greenworks 2 x 24V (48V) 21-inch Brushless Self-Propelled Mower (Amazon) is more capable for bigger yards. It also comes in a 20″ corded option, but the professionals suggest the 21″ 2x24V battery option. It has a 45 minute run time and a highly efficient brushless motor.

Price: $449.99

Best self-propelled mower

Looking for a self-propelled option? The Recycler 21 in. SmartStow 60-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Battery Walk Behind Mower (Home Depot) has your back. This 21-inch lawn mower comes with a bagger and a steel deck for durability. It folds up nicely, too, for a more compact solution for your space.

Price: $399.00

It might be hit or miss at first with your electric lawn mower, but your lawn should be cleared up in no time. Plus, there is always the option of returning the mower if it doesn’t meet expectations. Don’t be afraid to ask your local store for help if you are having trouble deciding.

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Watch Out for This Deadly RV Tire on Your Motorhome

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’re in the market for a camper, add Goodyear G159 tires to your checklist. But don’t add them to your must-haves; instead, jot them on your must-avoid list. The Goodyear G159 issue is bad enough that some observers have postulated it could lead to the tire manufacturer’s demise.

How bad is it? Well, G159 tires have allegedly caused multiple injuries and deaths. Plus, some sources have even accused Goodyear of a coverup.

Goodyear G159 tires were allegedly not designed to be driven at highway speeds

This past May 7, Consumer Reports reported, “A sale listing posted online in April for a late-1990s Fleetwood American Tradition motorhome touts the vehicle’s amenities — plenty of storage space, a queen-size bed, a lightly used generator — and its relatively good condition, especially given its age.”

CR continued, “Not mentioned is the make and model of the vehicle’s tires: Goodyear G159s — tires linked to hundreds of RV crashes over the past quarter-century that left at least 95 people dead or injured, according to court records and documents reviewed by Consumer Reports. The G159 was allegedly not designed to be driven at highway speeds for extended periods because it could become unusually hot and experience tread separation if it was.”

In December 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a probe into reports of safety problems linked to Goodyear G159 tires. But the NHTSA’s investigation was too little too late — nearly 100 people have been killed or injured in RVs with G159s. Not only that, but an attorney representing Goodyear also testified in federal court in mid-2017 that the G159 was ‘still on the road,’ CR reported.

“And online sale listings for spare tires and RVs reviewed by CR this spring, including on the Fleetwood American Tradition, suggest that remains the case,” CR added.

Goodyear’s 20-year quest to keep the details a secret

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One of the earliest cases alleging Goodyear G159 tires were deadly in certain conditions occurred in 2003. Goodyear v. Haeger alleges 70-year-old LeRoy Haeger was driving a 38-foot motorhome when the right front G159 blew out. It sent the RV careening onto its side.

Haeger reportedly underwent 17 surgeries to address his injuries from the accident until cancer took his life in 2008. His wife, son, and daughter-in-law also sustained injuries — some severe — in the crash.

CarComplaints.com reported that “the Center for Auto Safety filed a motion to intervene, so thousands of documents will reach the public, documents the Center says Goodyear has fought to keep hidden.”

On top of that, the Haegers took Goodyear back to court and demanded the company pay their attorney’s fees and other costs due to its misconduct. “The court found that Goodyear’s misconduct occurred on an extended basis, so the judge awarded the Haegers $2.7 million, which was the entire amount they had spent in legal fees and costs,” CarComplaints.com reported.

Goodyear tried to appeal the judgment, but the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld it. However, the Supreme Court found the award too high and sent the case back to the appeals court for reassessment.

Either way, this case underscores Goodyear’s attempt to suppress the details surrounding the dangers of G159 tires.

Are there any safer alternatives?

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The best RV tires are commercial truck and bus tires — RVs don’t require special tires per se. They’re also called medium-duty, medium-distance tires for trucks and buses.

For example, Hankook AH12 Radials (11R22.5) are regional all-position tires designed for extreme mileage and fuel efficiency. Michelin XPS Rib tires are another great option. These retreadable on-road commercial truck and bus tires have steel casing for durability.

Then there’s the Gladiator Steel Belted QR25 for truck trailers. Because these tires are approved for highway speeds, they’re a great option for RV trailers. The QR25’s steel-belted construction adds strength and stability, offering a worry-free drive.

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4 Good Cars Under $25,000 That Have the Best Resale Value

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s no secret that new cars depreciate. Obviously, any buyer shopping for good cars under $25,000 will have given this some thought. According to a recent study released by iSeeCars, these four good cars under $25,000 also have the best resale value.

Honda Fit at an auto show | Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

iSeeCars reviewed data for vehicles with average new car prices under $25,000. Using the collected data, depreciation percentages over five years show how much these models hold their value. These four models are great for those that want a vehicle under the $25 grand price point, but also want to get maximum value when they sell it later on.

The Honda Fit

A new Honda Fit is a great car. It’s won praise and awards as a model that’s fun to drive. Plus, it offers loads of cargo space and starts below $20,000.

However, the Honda Fit was discontinued in the U.S. after the 2020 model year. It’s still possible to find a new 2020 Honda Fit, but we won’t get the new generation go this well-loved hatch in the states.

Car and Driver appreciates this car, even placing it on its 10Best list. That said, sales dropped 19% while the Honda HR-V sold nearly 100,000 units. Honda plans to place more resources into HR-V production in the absence of the Honda Fit. Still, if you want resale value a 2020 Honda Fit has the best compared to cars under $25,000.

The Honda Civic

a red Honda Civic model driving at speed on a scenic country road
2021 Honda Civic | Honda

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If you ask someone to name a car in the budget range that has good resale value, there’s a good chance the Honda Civic will be named. This is a car known for longevity and reliability. A new generation was revealed this year and there’s no end in sight for this popular Honda model.

A 2021 Honda Civic starts at $21,250––according to Honda’s website. In terms of resale value, iSeeCars shows a five-year depreciation rate of 43.6%. While this may not seem all that great, the average depreciation rate for all cars is 49.1%.

So for cars under $25,000 with good resale value the Honda Civic is in the top two. It’s not even that surprising that the top two practically priced cars with low depreciation rates are from Honda. Just like the next car on our list is also unsurprising.

The Toyota Corolla

A 2021 Toyota Corolla driving down a sunlit road
2021 Toyota Corolla | Toyota

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This is another one that would probably come up in conversation. Toyota models in general tend to hold value. Toyota trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota 4Runner are on the list for best resale value as well.

The Toyota Corolla is one of those cars that comes in under $25,000 and holds its value. This is another point A to Point B commuter car, but Toyota has made it more exciting recently as I learned when reviewing the 2021 Corolla.

The 2021 Corolla is priced starting at $20,025 according to Toyota. The base model comes equipped with Toyota’s full safety suite. The Toyota Corolla is a popular model when it comes to cars under $25,000.

The Kia Soul

A red 2021 Kia Soul driving at speed on an open desert road with mountains in the background
2021 Kia Soul | Kia

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This little Kia model has taken the world by storm. Some call it a subcompact SUV, some call it a hatchback, others just call it a car. The 2021 Kia Soul is another model that falls into the price category below $20 grand.

According to Kia, the 2021 Kia Soul starts at $17,590. This model is number four in terms of good cars under $25,000 with the best resale value. This Kia, which the manufacturer does place in the crossover/SUV category, appeals across a wide range of buyers.

It offers a roomy interior and generous cargo. It’s also been called a “fun” vehicle, by many critics. The 2021 Kia Soul has plenty of personality, which may attribute to its slower-than-most rate of depreciation.

Good cars under $25,000

A 2020 Honda Fit driving down a road
2020 Honda Fit | Honda

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For those with a practical budget, there are new models out there that offer more for the money than others. While most new car pricing crests $30 grand these days, there are good cars under $25,000. The car bought for $25 grand or lower will likely come more stock than an expensive range-topper.

However, there are many drivers that need a vehicle merely to get from point A to point B. These shoppers are looking for something reliable. Throw in good resale value and that’s an additional plus side. According to the iSeeCars study, Honda dominates the budget category in terms of lower depreciation rates.

The post 4 Good Cars Under $25,000 That Have the Best Resale Value appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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This Ultra-Rare 1970s Lamborghini Countach LP400 Has Appreciated 802 Percent Since 2006

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Although it’s easy to look at the Lamborghini Countach LP400 now and see how successful and forward-thinking the model was, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, this 1970s Lamborghini was the follow-up act to the segment-defining Miura of the 1960s. As a result, it had some massive shoes to fill.

In the decades following its arrival, the Countach received many updates and special editions before retiring officially in 1990. Despite this, the original car, the LP400, seems to be one of the most valuable. According to Hagerty via NetCredit, this supercar has appreciated by 802 percent since 2006.

How much did a Lamborghini Countach LP400 from the factory?

Lamborghini Countach LP400 | Lamborghini

Before we dive into how much a Lamborghini Countach LP400 will cost you today, let’s see how much it would’ve been if you were a buyer back in the 1970s. According to NADA Guides, this vintage supercar had a base price of $52,000. In today’s money, we’re talking about $229,155.

If that sounds like kind of a bargain, that’s because it was. In fact, if you wanted to buy the brand’s flagship car in 2021, you’d need over $400,000 for a brand-new Aventador S. As a result, if you could swing the price tag back then, it would’ve made for a substantial investment.

In terms of power, this supercar pushed out 370 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque from a 3.9-liter naturally-aspirated V12. All of that power went to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. Given this car’s impact in the world of Italian sports cars, it might be a bit surprising to see how much it costs now.

This 1970s supercar has appreciated by 802 percent since 2006

An image of a red Lamborghini Countach LP400 parked outdoors.
Lamborghini Countach LP400 | Lamborghini

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If you wanted to buy a used Lamborghini Countach LP400 back in 2006, NetCredit estimates that it would’ve cost you around $133,000. While this might seem like a steep depreciation curve, the last 15 years have been very good to this Italian icon. That’s because NetCredit found that the same car in 2021 would cost you 1,200,000. We’re talking about an appreciation rate of 802 percent in just 15 years.

As you might imagine, there are several reasons why this price has shot up considerably. The main one likely surrounds the car’s scarcity. While it’s quite a common sight to see a Huracan rolling down the road or at a car show, there isn’t an abundance of these early models. In fact, only 151 units of this first model ever left the factory. This makes it one of the rarest cars in the world.

Can you buy a Lamborghini Countach under $1 million?

An image of a red Lamborghini Countach LP400 parked outdoors.
Lamborghini Countach LP400 | Lamborghini

If you want a Lamborghini Countach but don’t want to spend seven figures on one, you have options. A quick look at duPont Registry reveals several of these cars for sale, some for less than $500,000. However, none of these is the famed LP400 model. Instead, the cheapest examples are mostly ones from the 1980s. The earlier you go in terms of the year, the higher the price shoots up.

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