California OKs Tesla’s ‘Full Self Driving’ Feature But It May Leave You Disappointed

by Gabrielle DeSantis

According to Forbes, California has approved the use of the innovative technology everyone has been waiting for from Tesla: full self-driving. Before you start to celebrate, however, there are a few things that you should know about the Tesla full self-driving system and why the state of California decided to approve its use. In fact, you might look at the full driving system option with hopes that you can relax on your daily commute, but you may be disappointed to know that the system itself isn’t as autonomous as the name suggests.

The Tesla brand logo | Robert Alexander, Getty Images

Tesla’s new ‘Full Self Driving’ feature isn’t all that self-driving

Tesla dealership | Scott Olson, Getty Images

The Tesla full self-driving suite, or FSD, is set up to be used as a subscription service, according to Forbes, meaning it can be renewed or canceled at any time, which is a good thing for buyers who may opt for the feature without looking into exactly what it is. The idea might bring to mind robotaxis that don’t require a driver or vehicles that can drive with the owner asleep or relaxing behind the wheel, but that isn’t quite the case — instead, the FSD is a system designed with advanced driving aids. But, the program is still in its beta phases, meaning subscribers are essentially paying to be part of a test group.

The full self driving idea is still in it’s developmental stages

Even with the new technology from Tesla in the developmental phases, it is still being allowed on the roadways with full driver attention. The company cautions drivers to remain attentive behind the wheel, as the programs used aren’t foolproof and could potentially make errors, some that could even cause accidents if they aren’t corrected by the driver. As CEO Elon Musk has stated in a tweet regarding the new update to the beta, “Beta 9 addresses most known issues, but there will be unknown issues, so please be paranoid.” Because the system is not classified as fully autonomous, it will be allowed in the state of California.

The future of autonomous driving

Regardless of the current state of Tesla’s technology, there are many manufacturers making a push for autonomous driving. While there is no telling how long it will take for this technology to develop to the point of it being stable and reliable, or if it will ever be completely accident-proof, there are several factors to keep in mind. Federal and state regulations may still require drivers to be active behind the wheel of autonomous cars in the future, no matter how good companies like Tesla are able to refine their self-driving vehicles.

In its current state, however, the state of California’s authorities, in working with Tesla, have decided that their current system for full self-driving only focuses on providing driving aids and safety features, and as such, they have decided that the program does not break any standing state rules or regulations regarding autonomous vehicles.

RELATED: Tesla is Building an Electric…Semi-Truck?

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High-Mileage Used Cars are Selling for High Prices

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s a great time to sell your used car, even if it has over 100,000 miles on the odometer. It’s currently a “seller’s market,” thanks to the global chip shortage, which caused used car values to surge. Fortunately, anyone that has an older car with high mileage that’s collecting dust in their driveway can sell it for more than ever before.

“Beaters are commanding hefty sums these days”

Private sale used car | Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

When it comes to the used car market, it’s fairly common knowledge that used cars are cheaper than new ones, and the older and more used the car, the cheaper it is. However, that’s no longer the case. Edmunds reported that the average pre-owned vehicle with over 100,000 miles on the odometer increased in value by over 31% year over year; from $12,626 to $16,489.

Forbes reports that the global chip shortage and lack of supply have caused consumers to search for a car in the used car market, even the ones with higher mileage. “Beaters are commanding hefty sums these days,” Forbes noted. They even reported that some used cars are fetching higher prices than their brand-new counterparts. For instance, a used Kia Telluride is selling for around $3,500 more than a new one on average, according to iSeeCars.com.

2020 Kia Telluride is on display at the 111th Annual Chicago Auto Show.
2020 Kia Telluride is on display at the 111th Annual Chicago Auto Show. | (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

Of course, with the rising popularity of cars like the Kia Telluride, it’s no wonder that used ones are selling for more than new ones. However, this boom in pricing isn’t only isolated to the popular makes and models. The editors at Car and Driver noted that they purchased a brand-new  2017 Mitsubishi Mirage for $9,600, which is far less than the MSRP of around $13,000.

The publication then turned around and sold the car to Carmax four years later with 18,266 miles on the odometer for a cool $9,400. The retailer then priced it for sale at $12,998, which goes to show that even the unpopular makes and models are still increasing in value. This means that it’s a great time to clear out your garage or driveway of any unused cars that are sitting around.

According to Forbes, you should especially think about selling your extra car if you have one of the following:

  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Average age 6.6 years 
  • Ford Escape: Average age 7.1 years
  • Ford F-150: Average age 7.2 years
  • Honda Accord: Average age 8.4 years
  • Honda Civic: Average age 8.0 years
  • Honda CR-V: Average age 8.5 years
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee: Average age 7.3 years
  • Jeep Wrangler: Average age 8.6 years
  • Ram 1500: Average age 6.5 years
  • Toyota Camry: Average age 8.0 years

It’s a seller’s market for used cars, but don’t wait too long

Used cars on display on a sales lot. These cars are getting more desirable as used car prices soar
Used car lot | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

While it’s a good idea to off-load any used cars that you don’t need, keep in mind that you might want to act quickly. The car market goes in waves, so while used car values are at a high point right now, they could eventually come down. Some even think they could decrease by the end of the year. So, if you have a “beater” with a ton of miles on it, don’t worry, it could be worth a lot more than you think.

RELATED: Why Is it Harder to Negotiate on Used Cars in 2021?

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Jeep Cherokee Insurance Premiums Are Not as Bad as You Might Think

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Jeep Cherokee made it on a list of the cheapest vehicles to insure. Is that surprising? Perhaps, understanding what makes insuring a vehicle affordable will also answer why the Jeep Cherokee is one of the cheapest vehicles to insure.

Let’s examine how the Jeep Cherokee ended up on NerdWallet’s list of the cheapest vehicles to insure, the features and trim levels to look at when shopping for a car to pay lower insurance rates, and which Jeep vehicle outranked the Jeep Cherokee.

Jeep Cherokee is rated No. 8 on NerdWallet’s list

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee | Getty Images

NerdWallet came out with the top 10 list of the cheapest vehicles to insure, and the Jeep Cherokee made a list, ranking eighth. These rates are compared in every zip code in the United States.

The Jeep Cherokee made the top 10 list with two Subarus, two Fords, two Toyotas, one Honda, and one other Jeep. But what factors do insurance companies look at when determining rates for vehicles?

The general factors are how many insurance claims are generated for a particular model and how much the claims cost. The insurance rates go up for a specific vehicle if there were many claims and the cost of the claims was high. This determines the risk of a particular model. When fewer claims are generated and the cost of the claims is low, this gets a vehicle on NerdWallet’s top 10 list.

Insurers pore over claim histories, calculating the number of accidents, repair costs, and car theft rates for all vehicle models. They set the rates once they gather this data. 

Safety is probably the top factor when determining insurance rates. According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), vehicles that are top safety picks will have the lowest insurance rates.

Theft rates are a top consideration too. If a car is a top-safety pick but is one of the most stolen vehicles, that doesn’t earn a top spot in the cheapest vehicle to ensure ranking. 

Adding features to the vehicle will drive rates up because the added features will drive repair costs higher.

Overview of price and trim levels 

As mentioned before, another contributing factor to determining insurance rates is how many features a vehicle has that may drive up the cost of car repairs. The trim level is a version of a vehicle model with its own distinct configuration package or set of features.  

According to Quote Inspector, here is an overview of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee’s insurance rate prices according to trim levels.  These pricing levels are based on the 2020 model year, a 40-year-old male driver with no accidents or violations, and $500 comprehension and collision deductibles.

  • Laredo 2WD: $109 monthly, $1,310 annually
  • Laredo 4WD: $109 monthly, $1,310 annually
  • Limited 2WD: $120 monthly, $1,438 annually
  • Limited 4WD: $120 monthly, $1,438 annually
  • SRT-8 4WD: $123 monthly, $1,480 annually

The Jeep Cherokee shares the list along with second-ranked Wrangler

Why is the Jeep Cherokee ranked eighth and the Wrangler ranked second? One possible contributing factor that makes the Jeep Cherokee less cheap to insure than the Wrangler is theft.

In 2020, according to Insurify, the Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee was the number-10 model stolen. The 2000 model year was the most stolen, understandably since thieves tend to target older model cars due to newer models having updated anti-theft devices. 

This ranking probably contributes to the Cherokee as the eighth-cheapest vehicle to insure while the Wrangler appeared nowhere on Insurify’s theft top-10 list, contributing to NerdWallet’s ranking of number two.

RELATED:  The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Barely Made This List of Sporty SUVs Under $30,000

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Here are 3 Used Cars for ‘Stupid People’ According to Scotty Kilmer

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying a used car can be a gamble if you don’t know what to look for. Some used cars can have more unseen issues than others, which can offset the money that you might save on the initial buy-in price. Scotty Kilmer – a master mechanic and YouTuber – knows this all too well and he often warns his viewers about cars that are not worth buying. Here are three cars that he thinks only “stupid people” drive on a daily basis.

Parts for the 2008 BMW 335i are expensive

If you peruse your local Craigslist classifieds, you’ll often see a lot of older BMWs for sale. Their low prices make them tempting, but you should avert your eyes as that low cost of entry is there for a reason. As Kilmer explains in his recent video while using a 2008 BMW 335i as an example, “They are packed full of modern technology, but that’s the reason I tell people not to buy these BMWs. Under the hood, there are layers and layers of technology.”

Those layers of technology can easily turn into a nightmare as time goes on and BMW parts are not cheap. Using Kilmer’s BMW 335i as an example, it has a twin-turbo, inline-6 engine under the hood that pushes out 300 hp. It’s a fast car, but if any repairs are needed, then things can get pretty pricey. “If they go bad, the turbochargers are over $3,000 apiece with $2,000 in labor, Kilmer said.

That’s around $8,000 in total, which means that the low price that you originally paid for the car is now no longer a bargain. To add insult to injury, many older BMWs like this specific 335i have plenty of plastic parts under the hood. Over time, those plastic parts get brittle, and replacing them can sometimes cost $300 to $500.

“Age destroys the plastics. The heat from the engine under the hood, this stuff cracks and falls apart,” Kilmer said. “If you buy a beautiful-looking car like this used one, you are playing with dynamite. You never know what’s going to blow and when it’s going to go.”

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG is a gas guzzler

2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG | Mercedes-Benz

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG is a beautiful two-seat roadster with a 5.5-liter V8 engine. Aside from the wonderful sound that it makes, that V8 is also capable of producing 355 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. It’s quite the performer, however, it can cause new owners a lot of headaches. In his video, Kilmer was able to pull a multitude of codes from the Mercedes, which he said was not unusual for a 12-year-old car from the German automaker.

Kilmer didn’t have too many reasons why this particular car is for “stupid people,” but he did go over the fact that maintaining one can be very expensive, even down to the low-profile tires. It’s also not very fuel-efficient either. “It’s a fast little sports car, but because of the weight and power, it gets about 13 mpg in the city, 19 on the highway. So It’s pretty much a gas guzzler,” Kilmer said.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon is expensive to repair

2016 Mercedes-Benz G Wagon
2016 Mercedes-Benz G Wagon | Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes-Benz G 550 is a perennial favorite among celebrities, rap stars, and athletes. However, for us common folks who don’t have a steady cash flow of millions of dollars, the Mercedes G Wagon isn’t the best choice for a daily driver, especially a used one like the 2016 model that Kilmer showed in his video. “When they get to be this age, they’re going to have problems up the wazoo,” Kilmer said.

Despite going over how well-built and “solid” the Mercedes G Wagon is, Kilmer added how much it can rust over time and how ridiculously expensive it is to repair. It’s not very fuel-efficient either as Kilmer mentions that the G 550 most likely gets around 10 mpg on average.

Also, the particular G 550 that he used as an example had over 45 stored error codes when he plugged in his onboard diagnostic reader. And while not all of them were too threatening, you can bet that any of those issues could be expensive to fix.

“So realize, if you’re going to buy a G Wagon, especially a used one, you can’t impress people with how rich you are because you’ll probably be spending a bunch of money fixing it if you keep it for years. These are not cheap to repair or maintain vehicles.”

They are good cars, just potential money pits

While Kilmer might think that the following cars are reserved for “stupid people,” it’s worth it to say that they are good cars underneath it all, provided you have deep pockets. Kilmer also alluded to the fact that it’s mainly doctors and lawyers that buy these cars because they’re the only ones that can afford to keep them running.

“If you’re counting your pennies and you’re thinking about buying one of these things used. My advice is to just keep saying to yourself ‘endless money pit, endless money pit, endless money pit,” Kilmer adds. “If you really love it and have to have it, lease one, don’t buy it… Yes, they are beautiful cars, but sometimes, beauty can be deceiving.”

RELATED: Scotty Kilmer Exposes Engine Oil Myths People Actually Believe

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