How Bad Is the Car Market? Rich People Are Buying Their Luxury Cars Used

by Gabrielle DeSantis

You’ve likely noticed the price of everything, from groceries to gasoline, is rising. This steady trend is affecting wealthy car buyers, too. Today, a new luxury car can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. Is this why many deep-pocketed shoppers are buying pre-owned luxury cars?

Luxury cars are becoming scarce in showrooms

Bentley luxury cars | Phil Inglis/Getty Images

Fewer new cars are making it to showroom floors in 2021, and the global semiconductor chip shortage is at least partially to blame, Jalopnik reports. Despite decent car sales in the first half of the year, lots are now experiencing inventory shortages.

Luxury cars are becoming relatively scarce, too, and many shoppers who would’ve plunked down cash for a new model a year or two ago are too impatient to wait for a new Rolls-Royce or another luxury car to roll off the production line, Bloomberg reports.

Certified pre-owned Bentley and Rolls-Royce programs

Wealthy car buyers don’t have to hobnob with used-car sellers such as those on Craigslist or eBay. Touting benefits such as meticulous maintenance, extensive road tests, and painstaking refurbishment, Rolls-Royce offers a curated collection of pre-owned Rolls-Royce automobiles aimed at a wealthy and discerning used-car-buying clientele.

Bentley also offers a used-car program that appeals to rich car buyers. According to the automaker, pre-owned Bentley vehicles undergo a 79-point technical inspection before being approved for resale with the Certified by Bentley seal. Each used luxury car sold through Bentley comes with roadside assistance and a one-year warranty.

Luxury cars cost big bucks but get low gas mileage

According to Luxe Digital, Rolls-Royce and Bentley are the top-selling — and most expensive — luxury vehicles on the road, with Aston Martin coming in a close third. Sure, they’re fancy rides, but they’re also notorious for having ridiculously low gas mileage.

Take, for instance, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. This ultra-luxe SUV comes with a range of opulent and high-performance features, such as double-paned window glass, a 563-hp twin-turbo 6.7-liter V12 engine, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite these upgrades — or perhaps because of them — the Cullinan gets an unimpressive 12 to 14 mpg. Phantom and Ghost models are equally as inefficient, Car and Driver reports.

If you think Bentley does better, think again. C/D describes the Continental as a turbocharged luxury subcompact that gets a wasteful 12 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

But you can find affordable used luxury cars

Not everyone can shell out the kind of cash required to purchase a pre-owned Bentley or Rolls. But many used luxury cars are affordable, U.S. News reports. Here are three:

2010 Acura RL

Ranked number one the year it came out, this large luxury car features first-class in-cabin electronics and all-wheel drive. It doesn’t come with a V8 engine, and its fuel economy isn’t great, but the 2010 Acura has excellent safety ratings and can be purchased for less than $13,000.

2011 Cadillac DTS

Spacious and comfortable, this Caddy comes with a beefy V8 and lots of cargo space. Like other luxury cars, this one ranks low for gas mileage but rates highly for reliability and safety. Expect to pay between $7,000 and $13,000 for a used Cadillac DTS.

2012 Infiniti M

Sporty and athletic, this Infiniti rates highly with car critics and drivers alike. It also gets better gas mileage than other cars on the list, with a reported 26 mpg on the highway. Notable for safety and reliability, this used car will set you back between $14,000 and $19,000.

RELATED: 2 Mercedes-Benz Sedans Beat BMW for Best New Family Cars of 2021

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Audi to Compete with Tesla’s Self-Driving Feature

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Audi is lagging behind some other automakers when it comes to electrifying its lineup. But just because we haven’t seen many new electric vehicles from the German automaker doesn’t mean it isn’t working on some awesome new tech. Audi’s luxurious automobiles usually incorporate the latest technology and perform well. Now the company is looking to compete with the Tesla self-driving feature.

Why the automotive industry needs Audi’s self-driving feature

Audi concept flying car | Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

Tesla has made headlines for years with the development of its Full Self-Driving feature. The feature was intended to be the future of driving by allowing Tesla models to be completely autonomous. As expected, this goal has presented some unique challenges.

Everything from accidents to drivers falling asleep as their Tesla evades authorities has occurred because of Full Self-Driving. The technology is imperfect, but the Palo Alto-based company has done its best to make the feature appealing even to the biggest skeptics among us. What other brand lets you play videogames while your car drives itself?

Tesla has the advantage of being the automaker at the forefront of this technology, but that comes with heavy criticism from all angles. Tesla has been accused of misleading consumers by falsely advertising the Full Self-Driving feature’s true capabilities. Can seasoned automaker Audi show the new kid on the block how to get self-driving right?

Audi’s autonomous vehicles will focus on safety

The Audi E-Tron.
The Audi E-Tron | Wu Kai/VCG via Getty Images

Even if you’ve never seen Terminator, iRobot, or virtually any movie where humans rely on advanced technology, you know not to trust machines. As advanced as Tesla’s Full Self-Driving feature is, it doesn’t drive as well as a careful human. Autonomous vehicles have come a long way, but they are still not safe enough to be dominating our roads anytime soon.

According to CarBuzz, Audi is focusing heavily on making autonomous vehicles safe. Audi has partnered with other companies to form a group to bring safe autonomous vehicles to the marketplace. The stakes are high, but Audi has reached out for help rather than taking on the monumental task by itself like Tesla.

The automotive industry needs automakers like Audi devoting time and resources to this technology because getting self-driving right could save lives. Unlike Tesla, Audi has a parent company in Volkswagen, and its tech advancements will carry over to Porsche and Volkswagen at the very least. Tesla has some competition in the autonomous vehicle space, which is great for consumers that are considering self-driving vehicles but having reservations.

Will Audi have a better self-driving system than Tesla?

The interior of a Tesla Model 3.
Tesla Model 3 | Tesla

Tesla has had more time to troubleshoot issues and develop its self-driving software. It has released many versions and is constantly making updates. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system isn’t where it needs to be, but Tesla seemingly holds a monopoly on autonomous vehicles.

Audi has the potential to create better autonomous vehicle software as a more seasoned automaker. The company is also partnering with others, and Volkswagen is depending on Audi’s success in this new department. There’s no telling whether Audi will ultimately create a better self-driving system or not, but the pressure is on, and there’s no turning back.

RELATED: Tesla Full Self-Driving Beta Is Surprisingly Sketchy Driving Across This City

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3 Things You Should Know Before Renting Out Your RV

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In the wake of the pandemic, RV sales are at an all-time high. Travelers are hitting the road in record numbers. If you already own a camper, you’ve probably noticed the influx of visitors at your favorite campgrounds. Tourists are flocking to national parks, and reservations are hard to come by.

So maybe you’ve decided to sit the busy season out and are thinking of renting out your RV. But before you hand over the keys to your camper, know these three things.

1.  Know your insurance policy

RV | Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty Images

As an RV owner, you understand the importance of having a good insurance policy. Most insurance companies will not provide coverage for RV rentals. That means if the person driving your coach ends up in an accident, the damages will most likely not be covered.

Even worse, “if the problem occurs due to a flaw in your unit (such as can happen with tires that are too old), your renter can sue you,” Tough Nickel reports.

Finally, if the RV gets destroyed beyond repair and your insurer denies the claim, you still have to make payments to the bank, which will be a hard pill to swallow.

2.  Consider how renters will drive and treat your RV

Driving an RV is very different from driving a car. There’s a learning curve involved as new drivers learn how to maneuver turns and get used to the extended length of a camper.

Most people interested in RV rentals are first-time motorhome drivers, so the risk of getting into an accident with your camper is higher than if you were to hand it over to an experienced driver.

You also have no idea how a person renting your vehicle will handle the routine maintenance. Despite giving them a walkthrough of the camper and telling them how everything works, there’s no guarantee they will perform these tasks.

RV toilets need to be maintained, gray water and black tanks emptied, and oil levels monitored in engines and generators. If these routine tasks are neglected, your RV could come back to you in need of costly repairs.

Cleanup costs can also be expensive if a renter doesn’t keep the RV tidy. Even if you prohibit pets and smoking, it’s still possible you’ll be trying to get these odors out of your beds and couches for quite some time.

3.  Understand how to run a business

“Renting out your RV is very much a business,” Outdoorsy explains. Before deciding if RV rentals are a good fit for you and your family, you need to understand what it entails.

When renting out your RV, you’ll need to remove your personal items, which might be hard if you live in the coach full-time. You’ll also have to provide necessities such as pots and pans and bedding. Keep in mind that strangers will be using these items, making sanitization essential at the end of the rental period.

In addition, you’ll need to stay on top of market rates to be sure you’re charging a fair price for your rental. You’ll also have to be organized to schedule appointments and provide customer service to renters who may experience problems along the way. 

Several reputable companies can help you obtain the proper insurance and list your RV rental on their sites, but their commission can be as much as 50% of the rental price.

RELATED: Here’s Why You Should Rent an RV Before You Buy One

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Tips for Driving in the Rain That Could Save Your Life and Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

No matter how many times we do it, driving in the rain can be stressful, and it can also be dangerous for you, your vehicle, and others sharing the roadways. In heavy rains or poorly irrigated streets, there are some tips and tricks that sound gimmicky but can save your car or your life. While some of these seem more obvious, others are easy to ignore, but if you want to keep your car running and want to stay on the safe side, these are some things to keep in mind next time you need to make a drive-in the rain.

If the road looks too flooded, don’t take it

Vehicles drive along a water-logged road during heavy monsoon rains | PRAKASH SINGH, AFP, Getty Images

It is easy to continue to take the same route every day, but that doesn’t mean that your daily route is the best option in the rain. Depending on where you live and how well the roads and irrigation are maintained, the roads can become overflowed with rainwater, and you can’t always tell by looking at it how deep that water is. While it seems easier to brave the street and assume your car will be OK, it is always better to avoid roads that look just a little too flooded for several reasons. Driving through heavily flooded streets can not only damage your car, but it can also prevent your vehicle’s safety and mechanical systems, such as the brakes, from working properly.

Don’t overcorrect when hydroplaning

Cars drive through deep water on a flooded road
Cars drive through deep water on a flooded road | JUSTIN TALLIS, AFP, Getty Images

It only takes a bit of wet roadway to cause your vehicle to hydroplane — and, if you’ve ever experience hydroplaning, it can be rather scary, especially in traffic or at higher speeds. According to Geico, the best thing to do in case you start to lose control of your car is, rather than try to overcorrect your steering, try to get back on course by steering in the direction you want to go. It is important to know that it make take several attempts to get control of your car again once you begin to hydroplane, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Lower your speed in the rain

Cars drive through deep water on a flooded road
A car drives through deep water on a flooded road | JUSTIN TALLIS, AFP, Getty Images

While it can be frustrating to drive below the speed limit, one of the best things you can do when it starts to rain, especially in heavy rain conditions, is to lower your speed. This will help you in case of an emergency, such as if the car ahead of you begins to hydroplane or lose control and allow you to stop in a more timely manner. Besides that, it can also reduce your chances of an accident if you do hydroplane, as it is easier to correct the loss of steering control at lower speeds.

Some states offer special classes that you can take to hone your skills for driving in the rain and on wet roads, but most drivers don’t always learn these skills, which is part of the reason why accidents are more common in wet, rainy conditions. While you can’t control everyone else’s driving around you, the best thing is to slow down, stay alert, and avoid overly saturated and flooding roads.

RELATED: You’re Missing These Crucial Items In Your Car’s Emergency Kit

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