The Fastest-Selling Cars in America Just Changed and They Might Surprise You

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying a new car right now is more difficult than it has been in the past. Even with the semiconductor chip shortage, the fastest-selling cars in America are selling pretty dang fast. It’s hard to read the car market these days. The two fastest-selling cars right now are surprisingly not pickup trucks or compact sedans, but instead the C8 Corvette and the new hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe. 

Chevrolet Corvette | Corvette

The C8 Corvette is the fastest-selling car in America

A red mid-engine 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray at the Next Generation Corvette Reveal event in Irvine, California, on July 18, 2019
2020 Chevy Corvette | DAVID MCNEW/AFP via Getty Images

The C8 Corvette has had a bit of a rough launch. This model has been plagued with recalls, stop-sale orders, and delays. However, this does not seem to be slowing down Corvette fans from buying the C8. 

According to Gear Patrol, the C8 Corvette is the fastest-selling car in the U.S. right now. The average time it takes a C8 to sell is a mere 9.2 days. That is pretty impressive. The big question here – and with any fast-selling car – is how long Chevy can continue to make the C8 at the rate? The supply chain issues are quickly dismantling automotive production for nearly every manufacturer. 

The hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the second fastest-selling car in America

The rear 3/4 view of a gray 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe in the desert mountains. Currently the second fastest-selling car in America.
2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe rear 3/4 | Jeep

RELATED: The Jeep Wrangler 4xe Is Tired of You Saying its Name Wrong

With the 2021 Ford Bronco commanding all 4×4 attention, Jeep had to make a serious play to remain a major player in the 4×4 SUV world. The hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe completely changed the game for Jeep. It was a gamble to see if Jeep fans would go for a Wrangler as different from the norm, but the gamble paid off. 

Jeep is selling one Wrangler 4xe every 10.5 days on average. That sales frequency earns the Wrangler 4xe the second fastest-selling car in the country. Jeep is really swinging for the fences with the new Wrangler lineup. For the longest time, the only changes that came to the Wrangler lineup were cool names and decals. 

In the past few years, Jeep has added turbocharged four-cylinders, a new V6, a diesel engine, a V8, the 4xe hybrid, and even announced the fully-electric Jeep Wrangler Magneto. This is more innovation and variety than Jeeps have seen since the change from CJ to Wrangler. 

Don’t forget about the Kia Telluride

A white kia telluride side profile
2020 Kia Telluride | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

RELATED: The 2021 Kia Telluride Killed the 2021 Land Rover Defender on Consumer Reports

Even though the C8 Corvette and the Jeep Wrangler 4xe are the two main movers, Gear Patrol shows the top 10 fastest-selling cars on the market. The Kia Telluride has commanded the three-row SUV segment since its debut in 2020. There are almost no complaints about this solid three-row. It should come as no surprise that Kia sells a Telluride every 12.6 days. 

The Koreans keep their grouping tight with the Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid selling 12.8 days, earning it fourth place on the top 10 fastest-selling cars list. The Lexus IS 350 brings up the middle with 13.4 days on the lot before one sells. 

The Toyota Rav4 Prime, Cadillac Escalade, and the Kia Carnival hold down 6th-8th place. Penultimately, the Toyota Tacoma had to be somewhere on this list of fastest-selling cars. It holds down 9th place selling one Tacoma every 15 days on average. Lastly, the GMC Yukon in 10th place sells one unit every 15.5 days on average. 

How long until we run out of new cars? 

The semiconductor industry should keep making enough chips for new cars to keep coming, but the delays and halts in production will likely keep the flow of new models in dealerships down to a trickle for a while. It will be interesting to see how quickly new models can continue to sell if production doesn’t pick up. 

This list of fastest-selling cars feels a bit surprising, but if the more desirable models aren’t being made due to the shortage, the list will likely continue to be surprising.

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$2,000 Discount on the 2021 Ford Ranger Won’t Last Long

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Ford Ranger offers buyers fatigued by high price a sigh of relief. The Seasonal discounts are out there, even if they look different than previous years. America’s second best-selling pickup truck will start the summer at a modest discount, but buyers have to act fast.

2021 Ford Ranger | Ford

Ford is offering several 2021 Ranger discounts

A blue oval Ford motor company sign
A Ford Motor Company sign | Bill Pugliano via Getty Images

RELATED: The 2021 Ford Ranger Provides the Lowest Cost of Ownership

Seasonal promotions are still a central part of the car shopping experience even in this volatile market. Per typical market practices, these discounts are regional. Ford has announced some specific numbers in relation to major cities. New York City will offer Lariat package buyers $2,000 off the MSRP.

Detroit will offer the same Lariat discount but sweetens the deal with 3.9% APR financing for 60 months. Miami will offer the low-interest financing deal without an additional discount. L.A. will offer $1,000 in addition to the low-interest rate offer. These offers are valid until July 6th.

Is the Lariat trim worth it?

The 2021 Ford Ranger is available in three trim levels. The XL base model comes equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. It comes standard with a ten-speed SelectShift transmission. This basic model features cloth seats. Ford includes a 2.3-inch productivity screen and FordPass Connect 4G LTE Wi-Fi. The XL starts at just $26,660.

For $4,050 buyers can move up to the XLT. This trim level sees an upgrade to premium cloth seats. The productivity screen also gets a boost increasing to 4.2-inches and adding color to the display. An 8-inch LCD touchscreen with SYNC 3 adds to the XLT’s interior tech. Dual-zone climate control keeps passengers comfortable.

The 2021 Ford Ranger’s Lariat trim has a lot to offer. Factoring in a possible $2,000 discount, this trim level costs $6,090 more than the base model. For this price increase, buyers will get the same 8-inch LCD touchscreen featured in the XLT trim level. It adds a second 4.2-inch productivity screen. The Lariat also includes voice-activated navigation. An upgraded speaker system and SeriousXM Traffic and Travel Link.

This list of features added to the Lariat package is short. It’s hard to argue that they’re worth the massive increase in price for this trim level. Even with current incentives, is it really worth it? In short, the answer if

The black and grey interior of the 2021 Ford Ranger
2021 Ford Ranger interior | Ford

RELATED: Is the Pickup Truck Shortage Getting Worse?

The shortage of new cars is not going away any time soon. It’s predicted to get worse before it gets better. Global supply is at its lowest since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts are concerned that demand for new cars is outpacing supply.

Some economists estimate that chip shortages and supply chain interruptions will not fully stabilize until 2023. Others are more optimistic. It’s possible that dealer incentives and maker discounts could return to more familiar numbers as early as next year.

Buyers may notice that discounts this year aren’t as generous as they were in 2020. New car shoppers can expect seasonal discounts to hover around 50% of the previous year’s offerings. Market shifts mean automakers and dealers are pressed to keep profits high.

Until markets return to pre-COVID numbers, experts recommend car shoppers act fast on seasonal deals. Consumer Reports urged readers not to hesitate after choosing a new car. Inventory is dwindling while demand surges. Waiting could mean missing out.

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3 Best Tractors for Small Farms That Cost $15,000 or Less

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tractor manufacturers aren’t known for producing cutting-edge automotive technology, but the latest models are lightyears ahead of those made 20 or 30 years ago. Some newer models’ features can be handy depending upon your farming maintenance needs. Others may look great but provide little practical value. For small-farm owners needing a tractor, these three affordable models provide power, comfort, and functionality.

Selecting the right tractor

For small farms — those 231 acres or less — you might need a tractor for various purposes, like hauling material, bush hogging, mowing the lawn, or snow plowing. In general, when looking at a tractor for a small farm, you’ll need to consider the size of the three-point hitch, transmission style, and class (or size). Of course, you’ll also want to evaluate ergonomics and comfort for you and anyone else who might use it often.

Price is also important. Though you won’t be paying luxury SUV prices for a tractor, without doing some research, you might overpay for a model with features you won’t use or one that doesn’t function as you need. You’ll also want to consider total ownership costs, especially maintenance and expected repairs.

Though you could pay as much as $25,000 or $30,000 for a top-of-the-line subcompact tractor, you can find robust models for $15,000 or less. Tractor.com compiled a list of five of the best tractors in this price range, including top brands. And though Lamborghini has a little-known history of producing tractors, you won’t find one in this roundup.

3 top subcompact tractors

RELATED: A John Deere Isn’t the Most Expensive Lawn Mower on This Consumer Reports List

Tractor.com’s list includes the John Deere 1025R, Kubota BX1880, and Mahindra eMax 20S HST as its top three sub-$15,000 tractors in this segment. It’s no surprise John Deere, one of the best-known tractor brands, tops the list. The 4WD 1025R produces 23.9 hp, boasts power steering and hydrostatic transmission, and lifts 681 pounds. It has a relatively small, 57-inch wheelbase but plenty of comforts built into an ergonomic seat and headrests. This model starts at $14,301 and comes with several implements, such as a mid-mower deck, that you can swap quickly.

The Kubota BX1880 is a popular unit with 16.6 hp, hydrostatic transmission, and 680-pound lift capacity. This 4WD subcompact tractor has a flat operating station with a comfortable seat and armrest, along with a large selection of implements. They include front loaders, snowblowers, mowers, and rotary tillers. It starts as low as $9,683, but with accessories and implements, like a front loader and mower deck, it can easily surpass $15,000.

Rounding out the top three is the Mahindra eMax 20S HST. Producing 19.4 hp, the $14,850 eMax has a three-cylinder diesel engine and a hydrostatic transmission that provides enough power to get the job done. It also comes with a heavy-duty three-point hitch and front loader. This model has excellent fuel efficiency for this segment and lower operating RPMs. Plus, it’s comfortable with lots of seat and armrest cushioning.

Other options and considerations

Tractor.com also recommends the New Holland Workmaster 25S and the Massey Ferguson GC1723EB. Both are well-known brands with similar operating horsepower, size, options, and comfort. Depending upon your needs and budget, you’d likely do well with any of the above options.

And though you’ll find other options on the market, it’s best to avoid models that lift less than 500 pounds, produce less than 15 hp, or don’t have 4WD. Otherwise, they probably couldn’t perform the tasks you need to do, and you’ll overpay for equipment you can’t use. Before you invest in a small tractor, consider whether a compact or subcompact model will be best for your most common tasks. A good compact tractor runs upward of $25,000.

You should also consider emissions, as compact tractors usually produce more than 27 hp and, thus, require emissions systems. These systems can be costly to repair, driving up your total ownership costs. And you might need only the loading capacity and other functions a subcompact tractor provides. If so, consider one of the excellent aforementioned models. 

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Honda Odyssey Maintenance Costs Are the Highest of All Minivans, Consumer Reports Shows

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Maintenance is important to keep your car on the road as long as possible. And service isn’t an area where you want to take shortcuts, even if it saves you money. But some models cost more to maintain and repair than others. In fact, the Honda Odyssey is the most expensive minivan to maintain, Consumer Reports shows.

Which cars are the most expensive and least expensive to keep on the road?

RELATED: If You Love to Drive, the Honda Odyssey Is the Minivan for You

Consumer Reports recently released findings based on owner experience with cars that are most expensive and least expensive to keep on the road. The report centers on 2011 models — i.e., models that are 10 years old.

Some of the least expensive cars to repair and maintain per year include the Nissan Leaf, which costs basically nothing, owners reported. Other models include the Mini Cooper, Ford F-250, and Ford Fiesta.

Some of the priciest cars to maintain and repair include the BMW 5 Series and 3 Series. Other models are the Honda Pilot, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Chevrolet Suburban.

The most expensive minivan to maintain is the Honda Odyssey

Interestingly, Consumer Reports lists no minivans as the least expensive to keep on the road. But two models appear on the most expensive list, one being the Dodge Caravan. However, it isn’t as expensive as the Honda Odyssey, with an average annual cost of $750.

For comparison, none of the cars on the least expensive list cost more than $300, and there were only four cars more expensive than the Odyssey, with the BMW 5 Series topping the list at $1200.

Why is maintenance for the Honda Odyssey so expensive? A major factor involves issues with the cylinder system, the suspension, and power steering leaks. The Odyssey also received a surprising number of complaints about the heated seats, with most respondents saying they never worked or produced a burning smell. The 2011 model has also seen five recalls over the past 10 years. 

The 2011 Honda Odyssey at a glance

RELATED: Is the 2021 Honda Odyssey Safer Than the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?

The 2011 Honda Odyssey has seating for eight and one engine choice, a 3.5-liter V6 producing 248 hp and a 0-to-60-mph speed of 8.7 seconds. You can choose between a five- or six-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive.

By comparison, if you’re interested in racing your 2011 minivan against other expensive-to-maintain cars from that model year, the Dodge Caravan has a 0-to-60 speed of 8.1 seconds, and the BMW 5 Series can do 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. The 2011 Odyssey’s combined gas mileage is 19 mpg, with a wide variation between city and highway estimates of 12 mpg and 31 mpg. 

As for safety features, antilock brakes, side airbags, head protection airbags, and electronic stability control come standard. And the 2011 Odyssey earned a “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and 5 stars in all crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Also, high-tech infotainment systems didn’t really exist in 2011 beyond CD players; satellite radio wasn’t even available in models until after 2013.

Interestingly, the Honda Odyssey is one of the best minivans to buy used. So if you find one whose owner already fixed all of its problems, it might not be as expensive to maintain. 

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