by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Mustang’s S550 generation is coming to an end. When it first arrived, the S550 brought with it radical features that would change the Mustang brand forever. Its dual overhead cam V8 carried over from the second half of the S197 generation, only this time around it got more power. However, the S550 brought something truly unique to the brand, which was an independent rear suspension (IRS). 

Only one previous model ever got a taste of this technology, and that was the 1999-04 Cobra. The S550 will soon depart, leaving behind a legacy of 460 horsepower, a Mach 1, Bullitt, and GT500. If the next generation is half as good, it’ll be a welcome addition to the Mustang legacy.

What’s next for the Mustang?

The next generation is the S650, which has been in the news for some time. At the moment, the S650 Mustang faces all kinds of rumors and speculation. Some outlets presume there will be a hybrid V8 Mustang, others believe it will be all-electric. Way back in 2017 Ford filed a patent for a hybrid twin-motor system, so the rumors aren’t entirely unfounded. There was some confusion around Ford’s reasoning for releasing an electric SUV under the Mustang brand. 

Different schools of thought, however, surmise it could have been part of the groundwork Ford was laying out, in order to later introduce a more accepted electric Mustang coupe. Another rumor suggests the 2023 Mustang could release with an all-wheel-drive option and in fact may have been spotted testing that setup, according to Ford Authority. While an electric Mustang is inevitable, we may not see it for another seven or eight years. 

Would an electric Mustang be so bad?

Signs point to Dodge building an electric muscle car, so at least the electric Mustang would have something to compete against in its class. The future of the Camaro seems uncertain, and that may play a part as well. Electric cars are developing at an alarming rate, so as long as the performance of the Mustang remains untarnished, it is completely feasible as a sellable car. So much of the Mustang’s identity derives from its V8, but if Ford can redirect what the Mustang is known for, the fact that it’s electric would become a footnote. 

Electric cars are fast, and in many cases faster than gas-powered cars. The absence of an engine’s grunt leaves something to be desired, for now. However, reaffirming the Mustang as a speed factory could settle the dust from inevitable anti-electric muscle car fallout. The modding community may suffer, but with the RPM Act on the brink of obscurity, it may not be a problem anymore.

Whatever the Mustang’s future is, loyalists will surely buy it. Ford has an opportunity to tap into a new market, one that hasn’t even been invented yet. Will it keep the Mustang as an affordable sports car, while also making it all-electric? Time will tell, but not soon enough.

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The post What’s in Store for the Next Mustang Generation appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Volvo is a well-respected luxury automaker, and many of its cars are high-quality and very desirable. That being said, like other auto manufacturers, Volvo isn’t perfect, and a few of its models are known to have some glaring issues. So if you’re in the market for a used Volvo XC60 SUV, here’s a look at the model years you should avoid because of their oil problems.

Many cars burn oil too quickly

As vehicles grow older, they burn more oil. This is just a fact of life. Of course, routine maintenance should prevent most vehicles from burning too much oil. According to Consumer Reports, most properly maintained cars can last about 10 years before they start burning excessive oil. But the problem is that many cars begin burning too much oil way before that. 

Many automakers go out of their way to fix this oil-burning problem early on, but others don’t. For example, Consumer Reports says some GMC Equinox models had an excessive oil consumption issue. But eventually, GMC gave the affected owners extended warranties to fix those issues. On the other hand, certain BMWs have engines that continue to have oil-burning problems to this day.

That’s why it’s worthwhile to know which cars and model years are known for excessive oil consumption. It’s possible that the car you’re looking at had that problem fixed, but it couldn’t hurt to double-check. Better yet, it might be a good idea to avoid those models and choose something else. 

Avoid the 2011 to 2014 Volvo XC60 for excessive oil consumption

On the outside, it’s easy to see why the Volvo XC60 is so appealing. Like other Volvo models, these SUVs have a good fit and finish, Consumer Reports says. And, of course, like other Volvos, the XC60 is a safe vehicle. Plus, since these model years are about a decade old at this point, they’re relatively affordable. For example, you can find a 2011 Volvo XC60 for under $10,000.

But these used XC60s have two oil-related problems. Models equipped with the 3.2-liter inline-six engine are known to burn oil excessively, CR reports. On top of that, these model years have a pretty average fuel economy. This means these SUVs burn oil in more ways than one.

Plus, Consumer Reports criticizes these XC60 model years for their “tricky controls” and lack of a high-quality driving experience.

Consumer Reports suggests you buy these used Acura RDX models instead of a 2011 to 2014 Volvo XC60

Instead of those used Volvo XC60 models, Consumer Reports suggests buying similar model years of the Acura RDX. To be clear, though, CR recommends buying the 2011 model year and the 2013 to 2014 model years. Consumer Reports doesn’t recommend the 2012 RDX.

This is a good idea for many reasons. Off the bat, Acura is owned by Honda, well known for making reliable cars. Unsurprisingly, those RDX model years have excellent reliability. As such, the RDX shouldn’t have the same oil-burning problems the Volvo XC60 has in those model years.

Furthermore, buying a used RDX from those model years should cost about the same as a used XC60 from the same model years. There will be many variations, of course, but a used 2011 RDX can cost under $10,000 as well.

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The post Steer Clear of These Used Volvo SUVs Unless You Want Oil Problems appeared first on MotorBiscuit.