Is $11,000 Enough to Talk You Into Buying a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Chevy Bolt has had a bad run of it lately. Currently, it’s part of one of the largest EV recalls in recent memory. Now, Chevrolet is trying to recover sales on the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt. Everyone has a price, and the Golden Bowtie thinks yours is about $11,000 off the price of a new Bolt. The question is, is that enough to entice buyers?

Fires be damned, the Bolt is a good EV

The 2022 model is a looker, but the deals are only for the 2021 model | Chevy

Let’s ignore the recent recalls for a moment. After all, it’s part of my job to look at things objectively. So, we’ll add recalls back into the mix later. First, let’s start with the hard facts. The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt makes 200 hp with a 260-mile range. Honestly, that’s not bad for a small all-electric hatchback. You’ll also get Android Auto and Apple Carplay as standard.

Now, about the recalls. Basically, the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt, as well as some other model years, have an issue with the batteries that may cause them to combust rather spontaneously. In fact, that recall is why we’re here. Chevy wouldn’t just offer $11,000 off a car as an “incentive.” No, they need to recover the profits they’ll lose fixing all of the broken (Chevy) Bolts and nuts.

Is the 2021 Chevy Bolt worth it?

I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to looking at electric powertrains | Joanne Rathe via Getty Images

So, with those facts compiled, is the 2021 Chevy Bolt worth it? In a word: Yes. Frankly, it’s simply too good a deal to pass up, fire risk or not. Of course, you should get the Bolt’s battery replaced and whatever necessary recall work performed the day you purchase one. Regardless, the incentives are simply too good.

To put things in lease terms, you can have a brand new 2021 Chevrolet Bolt for $194/month. However, CarsDirect says that the $11,000 rebate is only for 2021 model year bolts, not the 2022 models. Oh, and there’s one more qualifier for that $11,000 off. You’ll need to buy a 2021 Bolt with Fast Charge. Frankly, I don’t see why you wouldn’t. All 11,000 of those dollars takes the base sticker price down to $26,000.

If it ain’t about the (rebate) money

Cautious buyers may want to wait for the 2022 model | Chevy

So, disregarding for a moment the finances and the recalls, the 2021 Chevy Bolt is absolutely worth your time (I know that’s a lot to disregard, bear with me). It’s quiet, modern, has good range, and it’s got practical hatchback form factor. It’s also one set of snow tires away from getting you all the way through winter. If you live in a city, I can’t think of a better, more efficient car for the money.

However, those recalls, as I said above, are quite a lot to consider. You’ll need to park yours outside out of precaution for now, and maybe don’t keep anything valuable in it. But once those services are done (free of charge I might add), you’ve got yourself one hell of a small EV for a very small sum of money.

RELATED: Cheap EVs: The 2021 Chevy Bolt EV Gets Massive $12,000 Discount

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J.D. Power Reveals 5 Highest-Quality Trucks of 2021 According to Consumers

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying a new truck can make for an expensive purchase. Chances are, you want the highest-quality truck possible. The good news is that J.D. Power is no stranger to quality. In fact, the organization recently asked new truck owners about the problems they’ve experienced during the first 90 days of ownership. The even better news is that J.D. Power has put its data to very good use.

The annual J.D. Power Initial Quality Study reveals the highest-quality trucks

Toyota Tundra | Toyota

After asking new truck owners about the first 90 days of ownership, J.D. Power used the data it received to create its annual J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS). The study uses data provided by consumers to rank vehicles according to the “problems per 100 vehicles” (PP100). 

According to the organization, the lower a truck’s PP100 score is, the higher its quality. If you’re shopping for a new truck and are after the highest-quality truck on the market, read on to find out the five highest-rated trucks, according to consumers.

5. The 2021 Toyota Tundra is a new truck that puts quality at its forefront

A silver 2021 Toyota Tundra parked
2021 Toyota Tundra | Toyota

It’s hard to beat what the 2021 Toyota Tundra has to offer. This year’s model starts at $34,025 and is available in several trim levels. This year’s model is also offered in several configurations and can tow up to 10,200 pounds when properly equipped. The 2021 Toyota Tundra is also among the highest-quality trucks on the road today. In fact, according to J.D. Power, the PP100 score for the 2021 Toyota Tundra is 135.

4. The 2021 Jeep Gladiator is a high-quality Jeep pickup truck 

A red 2021 Jeep Gladiator, the Gladiator is one of the highest-quality trucks according to JD Power
2021 Jeep Gladiator | Stellantis

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator also landed a spot on J.D. Power’s list of the highest-quality trucks. The truck is based on the popular Jeep Wrangler and is a new truck with a manual transmission. Much like the Tundra, the Gladiator is available in a range of trim levels. It can also boasts a best-in-class 7,650-pound gas towing capacity. As for its PP100 score? The 2021 Jeep Gladiator earned a 127. It also earned a quality award from J.D. Power in the Midsize Truck segment.

3. The 2021 Chevy Silverado is one of the best trucks on the road today

A red 2021 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss parked by mountains
2021 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss | Chevrolet

“When it comes to quality, according to the people who own them, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 rules the roost,” J.D. Power reports. In fact, this year’s model earned a 126 PP100 score. That’s not all the Chevy Silverado has going for it, either. This high-quality truck is available in regular cab, extended cab, and crew cab configurations. This year’s model also offers a long list of engine options to choose from, including a 6.2-liter V8 engine with a 13,300 pound maximum towing capacity.

2. The 2021 Ram 2500/3500 are high-quality trucks with serious towing power

The 2021 Ram Heavy Duty lineup in the mountains
2021 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Longhorn Mega Cab (left), Power Wagon (center) and 3500 Heavy Duty Limited Crew Cab Dually (right) | Stellantis

Perhaps it’s a new heavy-duty truck that you’re in the market for. If that’s the case, J.D. Power reports that the 2021 Ram 2500 and 3500 are among the highest-quality trucks on the road today. In fact, the new heavy-duty trucks earned a PP100 score of 122. Both models also earned a quality award in the Large Heavy Duty Pickup segment. As for how much these trucks can tow? While the 2500 can tow up to 20,000 pounds, the 3500 can tow up to 37,100 pounds when properly equipped.

1. The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is a high-quality truck, according to consumers

A silver 2021 GMC Sierra Denali in the mountains, the Sierra is the highest-quality truck on the road
2021 GMC Sierra Denali | GMC

Sitting at the top of J.D. Power’s list of the highest-quality trucks is the 2021 GMC Sierra. This year’s model earned a PP100 score of 122. It also earned a quality award in the Large Light Duty Pickup segment. The 2021 GMC Sierra starts at $30,100 and is available in a long list of trim levels. It’s also available with several different engines, including a 6.2-liter V8 that can tow up to 11,800 pounds.

Shopping for a high-quality truck doesn’t have to be a stressful experience 

With J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study in hand, shopping for a high-quality truck doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, from the 2021 Toyota Tundra to the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, J.D. Power’s list of the highest-quality trucks offers plenty of options to choose from.

RELATED: The Best Used Pickup Trucks Under $30K Recommended by Consumer Reports

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2021 Tesla Model S Plaid Proves It’s More Than a Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid has made consumers a lot of promises — and, surprisingly, it’s managed to keep almost all of them. Sure, it’s a new high-performance, somewhat luxurious electric sedan, but in many ways, the Model S Plaid is even more than a car, giving it the edge that it needs to appeal to buyers in the market to spend that six-figure price tag on a new car. Of course, the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid will get you from point A to point B in the same way any other vehicle can, but with its many features and community, it truly is more than just a car.

Tesla cars build a sense of community and
comradery between owners

Close up of Tesla logo on a charger at a Supercharger rapid battery charging station | Smith Collection, Gado, Getty Images

If you haven’t noticed, there are some brands that create a sense of immediate comradery between owners: Jeeps, BMW, Porsche, and of course my personal favorite: Lotus. Having a vehicle that offers all of the fun and quirky features of Tesla with the supercar-killing performance means that the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid has the potential to be one of the most well-rounded vehicles on the market — of course, that doesn’t come without a high price, starting at $129,999. The headline-stealing EV is the pinnacle of Tesla fan ownership, outside of the yet-to-be-released Tesla Roadster, which, from the hype, is set to be way cooler than the original Tesla Roadster (you know, the one SpaceX and Elon Musk launched into orbit).

The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid offers more features than any other vehicle on the market

What has set Tesla apart for so many years isn’t just the electric power and strikingly modern yet modest design, but rather all of the weird quirks and features that give the vehicles even more than other manufacturers have thought to offer. With the ability to stream shows and movies, play games, and customize the infotainment system, you could genuinely spend hours sitting in your garage just relaxing in your Tesla Model S Plaid. In this way, the car becomes more than just a way to get from point A to point B, it becomes an experience all on its own.

It’s actually a high-performance electric vehicle, too

You no longer have to compromise between having a fun weekend car and a reliable daily driver — because the Tesla Model S Plaid isn’t just a car, it’s a performance-oriented electric vehicle that competes well against even notably fast supercars on the drag strip. The 2021 Model S Plaid has a reported 1,020 hp launching this surprisingly powerful EV to a quarter-mile in 9.23 seconds and from 0 – 60 mph in 1.99 seconds. In fact, it’s one of the best high-end performance EVs on the market, with the next most exciting option being the Porsche Taycan Turbo S — the vehicle that will change your mind about EVs.

RELATED: Tesla Model X Safety Features That Can Save Your Life if Airbags Fail

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The History Behind Brad Pitt’s Ultra-Rare Nazi Motorcycle That Cost Almost $400K

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s not unusual for top Hollywood actors to become so fascinated with the period surrounding their characters that they start to collect related memorabilia. Brad Pitt has starred in two recent films about World War II, and the latest addition to his collection is a very rare motorcycle. With an estimated net worth of $300 million, the Oscar-winning actor can buy whatever he wishes. So, what did he add to his collection? Why did he start collecting such items? We have all the details on this rare and expensive Nazi-era motorcycle purchase.

A rare Nazi motorcycle bought by Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt riding his custom motorcycle | Philip Ramey/Corbis via Getty Images

Brad Pitt has long been a fan of motorcycles. After starring as Lt. Aldo Racine in Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 hit film Inglourious Basterds, Pitt became a collector of WWII and Nazi memorabilia. One of the latest additions to his spectacular collection of valuable items is a rare relic from Nazi Germany.

Pitt bought the rare Nazi sidecar motorcycle for a whopping $385k. The German cycle with three wheels was reportedly used in Greece by Nazi forces for reconnaissance missions. It carried soldiers and their gear over the mountains of Crete, the largest Greek island. When the Nazis left the country in 1945, the bike was put up for auction. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, there are only an estimated 500 of that particular model in existence.

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, a man identified as Yannis explained that he sold the rare motorcycle to the popular actor. The man said he’d only replaced a small bit of metal on the bike, and it had cost him the equivalent of $2,300. If the parts are original, Yannis told them, they are costly.

Motorcycles from Nazi-era Germany

Why did a Nazi sidecar motorcycle cost almost $400k? Furthermore, what is the bike? The team at Hot Cars shed some light on this rare motorcycle. According to Hot Cars, Pitt’s bike is one of two famous Nazi sidecar motorcycles. 

The first is the BMW R75 which was created specifically for the German military. Produced between 1940 and 1944, the motorcycle was outfitted with a 750cc boxer engine which was small but potent. The versatile motorcycle could move soldiers and their gear with relative ease, and 16,000 models were produced.

The other motorcycle it could be is a Zündapp KS750. Like the R75, the KS750’s manufacturer was ordered by the German army chief in 1937 to produce motorcycles for military use. Hot Cars explains that after several test rides, the KS750 was considered the superior bike. 

With the war going on at the time, parts had to be interchangeable between both motorcycles. The motorcycles can move 1,100 pounds, reach a speed of 60 mph, and hold enough fuel for 220 miles. The engines were designed to use even the cheapest fuel. Both motorcycles also had a reverse gear that made navigation easier, along with gears for different terrains. 

While Pitt played good guys in the two films, it’s apparent he thinks the enemy motorcycles are way cooler.

What caused Brad Pitt’s obsession?

In Inglourious Basterds, Pitt played a popular American lieutenant who enjoys creatively killing Nazis, often in horrifying ways. Later, he played an American staff sergeant in 2014’s The Fury from director David Ayer also set during World War II. Both films used authentic uniforms, vehicles, and weaponry.  Among those genuine vehicles in the Ayer film was reportedly the last functional Nazi Tiger tank that actually saw battle in the war. Since his work on the films, Pitt is obsessed with relics from the period and has begun to collect them as a hobby.

RELATED: How Harley-Davidson Prepped the LiveWire for Ewan McGregor’s Long Way Up

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