The Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider Racing Wheel for Xbox Racing Games

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Ferrari is not shying away from video games these days! The new Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider racing wheel for Xbox is out and makes racing games even better. What makes this Ferrari 458 Spider steering wheel perfect for racing? The fact that you can use it in your pajamas.

Is the Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 compatible with Xbox?

Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider Racing Wheel for Xbox | Thrustmaster

The Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 is compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X. This is the most popular wheel to play Forza on Xbox racing. According to Thrustmaster, it is also compatible with the Xbox and is officially licensed by Ferrari and Xbox. One of the significant benefits this wheel offers is that it also includes the pedal set, paddle shifters, and textured grips.

The Thrustmaster wheel is a seven out of 10 replica of the actual Ferrari 458 Spider steering wheel. It offers adjustable wheel sensitivity and is 28 cm in diameter. Even the buttons of the wheel mirror the actual 458 Spider steering wheel. Overall, this wheel makes it easier to drive in different conditions while playing your favorite video games.

What games can you use the Ferrari 458 Spider racing wheel?

The wheel will work on most games that allow a wheel on Xbox. Forza and Forza Horizon are both compatible games. It is also compatible with Formula 1 video games such as F1 2020 and F1 2021. There are also a variety of other kinds of Ferrari branded wheels. The Thrustmaster Formula Wheel Add-On Ferrari SF1000 Edition is a one-to-one replica of a Formula 1 wheel.

As far as other games the Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 wheel is compatible with; the list is long. Assetto Corsa, Bus Simulator, and DiRT Rally are all compatible. Nascar Hear, Super Street, Project Cars, and WRC are also compatible with the Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider racing wheel. Most recent modern games are compatible, while some of the older ones might not be. This wheel, in particular, works best with Xbox consoles. There is a separate version for Play Station 4 and Play Station 5.

Looking for the Ferrari in Fortnite?

Ferrari stepped away from video games, for the most part, a few years back. However, the new Ferrari 296 GTB supercar is hiding in a few spots in Fortnite. There are two prominent Ferrari Fortnite locations that people report seeing the vehicle. The first Ferrari location in Fortnite is in a parking garage east of Holly Hatchery, Inverse reports. If you go inside, the red GTB should be parked somewhere. Players reported seeing this reasonably regularly.

Believer Beach and Lazy Lakes also have the Ferrari 296 GTB. At Believer Beach, the Ferrari is in the hotel parking lot. If you go across the bridge, the new Ferrari hybrid is toward the end of the bridge near the barricades and traffic cones in Slurpy Swamp.

Overall, the Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider racing wheel is a solid choice for those gaming on Xbox. Thanks for coming back to video games and bringing the Ferrari 458 and Ferrari 296 GTB with you, Ferrari.

RELATED: World’s Most Expensive Supercar Crash: $3.8 Million in Damage

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What Happens if You Can’t Afford the Tow Truck Fees?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are no two ways about it: Owners often have to pay costly fees when their cars get towed. Not only that, but the confusion surrounding the towing and impounding process can add more anxiety to an already stressful situation. But if you’re prepared with accurate information, you’ll be better able to navigate the process of getting your vehicle back successfully. To give you a leg up, we’ve compiled a list of typical tow truck fees and what you should keep in mind if those costs spiral out of your reach. 

Tow truck fees can really hurt your wallet

A tow truck pulls a Toyota SUV in Arlington, Virginia | Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Part of the problem with towing fees is that they can be all over the map. This is particularly true in the many areas that don’t have legal limits on the maximum rate tow truck companies can charge. Not only must you deal with the hassle of getting your car towed, but you also have to figure out whether the rate you’re being charged is legit. 

Nevertheless, assuming you’re dealing with a company that’s on the up-and-up, there are certain broad guidelines you might want to keep in mind when estimating appropriate towing costs. According to HomeGuide, the average cost to have your car towed falls between $75 and $125. This is based on a standard $50 flat rate that many companies charge for the first five or 10 miles, plus a rate of $2 to $4 per mile after that. 

HomeGuide further breaks the numbers down by putting the national average cost for a tow at $95 and the maximum at $300. 

What happens if you can’t afford to get your car out of impound?

If your car gets towed to an impound lot, not only do you have to worry about fees per mile, but you also have to worry about accumulating fees per day on the lot. These can add up quickly, so the sooner you come up with the funds to retrieve your car, the cheaper the experience will be.

Unfortunately, the only way to get your car out of impound is to pay the required fees. If you can’t come up with the funds, you might end up needing to hand over your car title to cover the debt. Anderson Injury Lawyers says that situation is unlikely, but your vehicle could end up getting auctioned if you can’t make the payment. 

To avoid these worst-case scenarios, if you’re unable to make the payment, ensure you communicate with the towing company as much as possible and inquire about any alternative payment options. For example, some impound lots offer payment plans or financing. If not, you might want to look into other options, such as personal loans.  

Tips to avoid tow truck scams

We’re often not at our best when dealing with tow trucks. It’s easy to get rattled after an accident or after discovering your car has mysteriously disappeared from its parking spot. 

This is when scammers can swoop in and catch us off-guard. So it’s important to have certain precautions in mind so that you can avoid getting scammed when you’re already down. 

First, if you’re in an accident and a tow truck operator shows up unsolicited, beware. It could be someone with plans to overcharge. Be sure to check with the police before accepting unsolicited tows after an accident. 

Further, don’t share information about your insurance or lien with a tow truck operator. Though they may claim otherwise, there’s really no reason they need to know such things. 

And finally, make sure you get copies of all paperwork and receipts, as well as company identification from the driver. Should anything go wrong with your car’s tow, you’ll want to have all of the documentation on hand. 

Dealing with tow trucks is never fun, but with the proper information, you’ll be one step ahead when you find yourself with no alternative to navigating those muddy waters. 

RELATED: 7 Ways Your Tow Hitch Can Be Used for More Than Just Towing

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Cars and Bids: 1995 Toyota Celica GT-Four JDM Gem

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When everyone’s favorite car nerd Doug DeMuro started his auction service Cars And Bids, we anticipated it to be different from the usual cars that we expect from other sites like Bring A Trailer or Radwood. We have to admit that even we didn’t predict some of the unique rides that would come across DeMuro’s digital auction block.

A wide variety of “quirky” cars have been listed and sold on Doug’s website, as well as some immaculate examples of coveted vehicles. That is why we tend to keep an eye on Cars and Bids every week to see what the new bargains are. However, this week something special caught our eye. A car that would make any JDM ultra-fan empty their wallets has graced the Cars and Bids platform.

History of the Toyota Celica GT-Four

1995 Toyota Celica GT-Four | Cars and Bids

In the early 1990s, Toyota did something that many manufacturers did; They built a car for the road to give them an excuse to make a car that they could race. Several racing series will not allow a vehicle to participate unless that car is based on a car that a customer can buy and drive on public roads. Naturally, manufacturers want to win races, which means they want to build capable race cars. Thus, to comply with rules, sometimes a brand will produce a limited run of a high-performance version of a car they already sell. Such vehicles are sometimes referred to as “homologation specials.” Aruably, one of the greatest homologation specials ever created was based on a Toyota Celica.

In the 90s, Toyota really wanted to race in the WRC (World Rally Championship), and they also really wanted to sell Celicas. The obvious decision was for Toyota to create an amazing, all-wheel drive, turbocharged Celica. It was dubbed the Celica GT-Four in Asia and Europe, but in North America (yes, Toyota actually sold it in America), it was known as the Celica All-Trac.

When the sixth-generation Toyota Celica was released in 1993, Toyota did not bring the GT-Four version to the American market. However, in 2018 it became legal to import the JDM Celica GT-Four to the U.S. Now, one is featured on Cars and Bids.

Cars & Bids auction: 1995 Toyota Celica GT-Four

1995 sliver Toyota Celica GT-Four with black Enkei wheels.
1995 Toyota Celica GT-Four | Cars and Bids

While the Celica GT-Four has been legal to import to America for a few years, they are still a rarity to see on the street, much less for sale. That is why we were stopped in our tracks when we saw that a genuine right-hand-drive Celica GT-Four is currently for sale right now on Cars and Bids.

Celica GT-Four for sale is titled in Massachusetts and was imported to America in 2020. Its odometer shows 119,800 km, which is equal to 74,440 miles.

At the time of writing, this Celica GT-Four has a high bid of just $4,300 with one day left in the auction. We expect the final sale price to go much higher. Despite this Celica GT-Four not being in 100% stock condition, Toyota only produced 2,500 units of this car total, so its rarity is bound to impact its value positively.

Whoever wins this Celica GT-Four Cars and Bids auction is going to come away with quite the JDM hidden gem. 

RELATED: Cars & Bids Bargain of the Week: 2000 E39 BMW M5

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Do Manual Transmissions Last Longer?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Do manual transmissions last longer than automatic transmissions? It’s a good question, especially as stick shifts seem to be on their way out. If you have a stick shift – or are considering purchasing a stick shift – how will that impact your maintenance costs? And will your vehicle last longer than one with a standard transmission?

The inside of a car with a stick shift | Sjoerd van der Wal via Getty Images

Manual transmissions last longer

Manual transmission cars do tend to last longer than their automatic transmission counterparts. Why is that? Because in general, the ability to shift into the necessary gear makes it gentler on the vehicle overall. 

However, two things make this less likely to be true in certain cases. One example is if someone is hard on their clutch; then it will wear out more quickly. Another instance when a manual transmission car may not last as long as an automatic transmission is in newer models. Newer automatic transmission cars are becoming more efficient than ever, and this cuts down on transmission wear and tear. 

Manual transmission vehicles can be more fuel efficient

Due to the control that a driver has over their vehicle, fuel economy in manual transmission vehicles can be better than those in automatic transmission vehicles. Yet similar to the longevity of a stick shift, the fuel economy of a vehicle is somewhat dependent on the age of the vehicle. 

Emissions are becoming a bigger priority for all car manufacturers. Because of that, fuel economy is improving in nearly all vehicles. And it is likely to continue to do so, whether a car has a manual transmission or an automatic transmission. 

According to Edmunds, the simple mechanics of the stick shiftvehicle can also play a role. They note that “modern automatics gained additional gears and relied less on a torque converter, they have now overtaken manuals in terms of fuel economy.”

Manual transmissions tend to be cheaper to repair

If you’re taking into consideration the overall cost of ownership of a manual transmission versus an automatic transmission vehicle, you’ll want to seriously consider a manual transmission. Because they are generally simpler than an automatic transmission vehicle, they’re typically cheaper to repair. 

That’s not to say that there’s zero maintenance in a manual transmission vehicle. There will always be maintenance costs associated with car ownership. They just may vary depending on their cause. With a stick shift, you’ll have to think of things like clutch replacement, which isn’t cheap, but will usually cost a lot less than the costs associated with an automatic transmission that will add up over the years. 

Another factor to consider when trying to decide between a manual and an automatic transmission is the transmission available in the car that you want. Fewer and fewer car manufacturers are making stick shift cars these days, so even if that’s what you want, you may have trouble finding one that you like. Still, if there’s a vehicle you like with a manual transmission – and you’re a good driver who isn’t likely to burn out their clutch too quickly, a stick shift may be the right choice for you.

RELATED: 5 of the Cheapest Cars You Can Buy Right Now

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