“Go Topless” Jeep Event Sees Over 200 Arrested In Texas

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We know that the yearly Go Topless Jeep confab at Galveston Bay, south Texas, is a fun gathering. But there are those who can’t control their compulsions that can kill an otherwise great Jeep weekend at the beach. In fact, double the number of arrested in 2019 we hauled in for various law violations. 

By Sunday morning arrests were over 200. Around 12 of those arrested were for driving while intoxicated. Too bad those who can’t control their consumption put everyone else in jeopardy. And it is not like the partiers weren’t warned.

Galveston police put together extra measures to deal with the Jeep event

Go Topless 2020 Jeep event in Galveston, Texas | Galveston Daily News

Galveston County police released statements about their efforts to curb issues like gridlock, more emergency services available, and more. Eight ambulances and a medical airlift were added this year according to Galveston County Daily News. Nurses were on site to test for DWI drivers and an assistant district attorney was helping with arrest arraignments. 

Beaches around the country do their own Go Topless Jeep events. Last year the participants of the Jeep Jam at Panama City, Florida, raised over $20,000 for organizations like the local Boys & Girls Club. Over 10,000 participants attended that event. 

There were 86 arrests in the first 24 hours of the Go Topless event

Jeep beach event
Lots of Jeep excitement on the beach | Kelly Cestari/World Surf League via Getty Images

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At the Go Topless event, there were 86 arrests in the first 24 hours of the gathering. Most of the arrests were for public intoxication or minors with alcohol. Again this year Galveston County Sheriff’s Office received extra funding to police the event. 

Though more arrests were made this year it is better than in 2020 when two participants were shot. Attendees noted the amount of police in uniform which helped to control the crowd. More were in attendance this year than in 2020 probably due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Last year’s event made the news for the number of participants not wearing masks and following social distancing. Over 100 arrests were made that year. Afterward, 11,000 signed a petition calling for an end to the annual gathering. 

The city prepares for the Jeep event as they would for a major holiday

2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe | Jeep

The 32-mile long beach usually sees problems concentrated within a two-mile section according to Galveston County Sheriff Justin Ostermayer. Officials say it is as big of an event as major summer holidays. There is no organizing group but Go Topless is known to always be the weekend after Mother’s Day.

The city of Galveston prepared for some spillover from the event. There were temporary street lights and blocking some free parking areas as just some of the precautions taken on Seawall Boulevard. That is an area that usually sees car clubs gather at night.  

The post “Go Topless” Jeep Event Sees Over 200 Arrested In Texas appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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Can the Police Use Your Dash Cam Against You?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Dash cams can be useful for many things involving car safety. It can prove your side of the story in a wreck, determine how fast you were really going, or just prove that you were where you said you were at any given time. There are a few things you need to know before you rush out and buy a dash cam, however. You need to find out if they are legal to use in your state, and if the police can seize your dash cam.

Should you buy a dashboard camera?

Dashboard cameras are great for many things. It can help prove who was really at fault in the event of a wreck, like someone running a red light, and then claiming the light was green. The officer can take a quick look at the footage, and you can be on your way faster.

There are other benefits to having a dash cam, according to Insurance.com. One is the fact that it can help you get out of a ticket. If what the camera shows doesn’t match what the officer said, then you can save yourself some money in court. 

Another way it can aid you is to help prevent you from becoming the victim of insurance fraud. If someone deliberately causes a wreck, your dash cam can be turned into both insurance agencies. The evidence will be enough to clear you, and lay the blame where it truly belongs.

An unexpected way dashboard cameras can assist drivers is by showing them where their own mistakes are being made. If your aim is to gain the coveted good driver discount, getting a dash cam can show you exactly where you can improve. It also works for keeping an eye on how your teenager is driving.

That’s not all the dash cam can do. If you have to leave your vehicle unattended, then some dash cams can turn on if it feels motion. Should someone crash into your parked car while you’re not in it, the footage will tell the story. 

Finally, it can help you prove some of those wild events like a rock hitting your car are really true. Insurance companies may claim you’re filing a false claim, but it’s hard to dispute visible evidence.

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As helpful as dashboard cameras can be, there are some instances that you’ll have to jump through some legal loopholes to use it. At the federal level, dash cams are perfectly legal, and you can’t be fined for using one. But things get a little trickier at the state level.

The biggest issue is mounting a dashboard camera on your windshield. This is due mainly to the fact that it can hamper your view. The following states have outlawed dash cams on the windshield:

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Ohio.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a dash cam in your vehicle while traveling through those states. It just means that you can’t have one on the windshield.

There’s also the issue of eavesdropping. If you have a dash cam that can record audio. You have to alert any passengers in your vehicle that the camera is recording. This is also true if someone is working on your car, and the camera is on.

Can police officers seize your dash cam?

A dash cam | Michal Fludra/NurPhoto via Getty Images

RELATED: Is Buying a Dashboard Camera Worth It?

While we’ve discussed using your dashboard camera as evidence, it’s important to note that this may not always be a good thing. If you’re in a wreck or are involved in a crime, the dash cam can be used as evidence against you. The other important fact to note is that officers can seize the dash cam without your permission. Or they can in Britain, at least.

According to Next Base, “Under the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984 the police CAN take your Dash Cam if they believe footage on it can be used as evidence of, or in relation to an offense.”

In the U.S., things get a little trickier. It really boils down to the states, and in many situations, it may be a case-by-case situation.

Justice Counts wrote an article about using dash cams in North Carolina, and reports, “In some cases, a police officer may seize your dash cam after an accident. Seizure of your camera may or may not be legal. Be sure to ask a North Carolina accident attorney to investigate the matter if your dashboard camera was taken after an accident”

So are dashboard cameras worth it? If you need them to prove your innocence, absolutely. Just remember, it’s a double-edged sword that can also be used to prove your guilt.

The post Can the Police Use Your Dash Cam Against You? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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Is the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Really Worth Over $160,000?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Porsche 911 GT3 is back for the 2022 model year. The 992 generation GT3 has upgraded power, as we expect from any car that’s designed for the pure enjoyment of driving. However, this new sports car starts at $161,100. Is it worth the expensive price tag?

The 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 returns

2022 Porsche 911 GT3 | Porsche

Back to the lineup for a brand new generation, the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 is a sports car for the purists. Car and Driver notes that the flat six found in this rear engine Porsche model is exclusive to the 911 GT3. A six-speed manual transmission or a dual-clutch seven-speed auto delivers power to the hind, generating up to 502 horsepower.

“Others use their day effectively. We make the most of every single second. Because we know that time is precious. And every moment in the cockpit is valuable. So for the new 911 GT3, we have further refined everything that constitutes a genuine sports car: aerodynamics, performance, tuning, driving pleasure and adrenaline. Time flies. This is your time. Get in.”

Porsche

So how much does the new Porsche 911 GT3 cost? According to Porsche’s website, this rear engine coupe starts at $161,100. Car and Driver (C/D) reports a price of $162,450 because the destination fee is added to the calculation.

The long and short of it is that this is an expensive car, with only two seats. It’s fast––197 mpg track speed to be exact. In fact, the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 does the 992 generation right with a freshly tuned suspension with front control arms and an impressive ride quality that’s improved generation over generation. In fact, Tony Quiroga with C/D says of these improvements, “This car is incrementally more direct, a bit more involving, and more alive.”

Is it a $161,100 sports car?

The rear wing of a white 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 in a showroom
Porsche 911 GT3 | Liesa Johannssen-Koppitz/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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There’s something about knowing not everyone will get to taste the fruit that makes it seem sweeter. The 992 Porsche 911 GT3 is fined-tuned. As DNA from past generations suggests, each evolution of the 911 GT3 has more to offer.

“The new GT3 isn’t hugely different from its predecessor, but it’s incrementally better, and not just in terms of drag-strip numbers or lap times. This car is incrementally more direct, a bit more involving, and more alive.”

Car and Driver

So it’s understandable, of course, that some enthusiasts might find the price tag regrettable. But the exclusivity that the price lends to the Porsche 911 GT3 model (and every other Porsche for that matter) is part of what makes them desirable. In fact, whether the 2022 911 GT3 is worth $161 grand is a bit of a chicken before the egg question.

That said, from the carbon fiber reinforced plastic rear wing to the enhanced brake calipers this is a high quality machine. Furthermore, the technology and engineering that goes into a car like this are unique to the specific model. Buyers aren’t going to find this level of suspension and aero dynamic handling in the lower price ranges. Sure, there’s still fun to be had in a Mazda MX-5 Miata or a Toyota Supra but they are in a different class entirely.

How much is the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS?

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Just like with the previous 991 generation of the 911 GT3, a 911 GT3 RS model is set to release as well. However, Porsche hasn’t released official prices yet. Still, that doesn’t mean we can’t guess.

According to U.S. News and World Report, the previous generation’s 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS topped out near $300,000. In addition, C/D estimates a starting price of around $200,000 for the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS. So while we don’t know how much it will cost, we certainly know it’s going to be expensive––at least for the average American household.

The post Is the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Really Worth Over $160,000? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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You Can Buy 2 Different Ferraris For 2021 Toyota Camry Money

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Words like “value,” “cost,” and “worth” are all deeply relative terms that mean almost nothing without context. So, asking if a Ferrari and a 2021 Toyota Camry are “worth” the same is going to give a much stranger answer than you expected. Plainly put; Yes, you can buy a Ferrari for the same amount as a new 2021 Toyota Camry. 

“Cheap” Ferraris | Tavarish via YouTube

How much does a 2021 Toyota Camry cost? 

2021 Toyota Camry parked
2021 Toyota Camry | Toyota

The price range for a 2021 Toyota Camry is $25,000-$36,000. This is a decent amount of money for sure, but it’s surely not Ferrari money, right? Wrong. There are a great many different Ferraris in the world, and while most of them have been featured on posters, a few cheapos are floating around the bottom of the barrel. 

Even though the Toyota Camry might be a bit boring, the money would probably be better spent than on a Ferrari for the same amount. 

What is the cheapest Ferrari? 

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According to CarScoops, A (very) used Ferrari 308 isn’t a very pricey Ferrari. The YouTube channel Car Trek tried to help get to the bottom of this Ferrari/Toyota Camry thing by digging up the cheapest Ferraris in the game. The challenge was for each of the three hosts to buy a Ferrari for the same price as a Toyota Camry. 

At the time of the YoutTube video, this 1978 Ferrari 308 was the cheapest red horsey car in the country. According to CarScoops, the 308 debuted in 1975. It has a traverse-mounted 2.9-liter V8 that originally made 237 hp. The whole wedge-shaped fiberglass Ferrari weighed only 2,403 lbs. 

Aside from the little bitty V8 not making a very Ferrari amount of power, these 308s didn’t have a major flaw or anything; it was just that the entire package was just a little off. That, along with the fact that this one is pretty whopped, means it was bought for $30,000. 

Certainly, there aren’t more Ferraris for that little money?

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The other two hosts turned up with cheap Ferraris of their own. The second prancing pony to show up was a 1994 Ferrari 456 GT. These cars are powered by a 5.5-liter V12 making 436 hp, making it the fastest four-seater when launched in 1992. This budget pony claims a 192 mph top speed when new. This one technically went to the tippy top of the budget at $45,000. 

The last of the three horsemen is a 2009 599 GTB. These supercars came with a 6.0-liter V12, which is the same motor that is in the Enzo. This V12 makes a staggering 612 hp, and it is clearly not within the price limits of the challenge. 

After some horsetrading (no pun intended) for a Lamborghini Diablo Roadster, $40,000 cash, and a flood, this Ferrari made its way into the game. These were originally around the $350,000 mark. So, even getting this for sub $100k isn’t a bad look. But, it is very much cheating for the purposes of the Toyota Camry for the cost of a Ferrari challenge. 

It can actually be done

Although each of these cars has a few black marks on their record, at least the 308 and 456 GT are technically both real Ferraris that cost less (or as much as) a 2021 Toyota Camry. If that doesn’t give you some hope of Ferrari ownership, I don’t know what will. 

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