Ford Dealer Tells Owner Mustang Mach E Issues “Unfixable”

by Gabrielle DeSantis

So far this Mustang Mach-E has been to the dealership for service to fix issues that the owners have found. Now the Ford dealer has told the owner that some of the problems are now “unfixable.” The owners are so mad they even made a video about their problems-which go well beyond the actual issues but get compounded by the car dealership. But they have a plan.

What are the Mustang Mach-E unfixable issues?

First off, the issues are the phone-as-a-key feature doesn’t work. Also, the Apple CarPlay needs to be updated according to Ford’s correspondence. And finally, the charge port door randomly opens for no reason. And overriding this is that these issues were thought to be fixed as over-the-air updates. 

We should also say that the owners appear to really like their Mustang Mach-E. They wax on about how it looks and rides. And they like many features and understand it is a first-generation Ford EV. But they have some excellent points about why the whole process and the issues should not have come down the way they did. 

Why is the Ford dealer handling these problems like this?

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E | Ford

Obviously, the dealer’s service department confounds things. Making their appointment online and receiving confirmation and two reminders, once at the service department they are told they have no appointment. Next, the service dude says that it doesn’t matter whether they have an appointment or not because the dealer can’t fix the issues.

The other two times the Mach-E has been in, once the service department dug into the issues the Mach-E was unable to move. It basically died while trying to fix the issues. So rather than have that happen again the dealer flatly told the owners the issues couldn’t be fixed. Nice. 

Next, the dealer says it needs to contact Ford to figure out what to do. Because it is brought in on a Saturday, though, they can’t call Ford until the following Tuesday. So the owners need to leave the Mach-E at the dealer until they contact Ford to figure out what to do. And even then there is the possibility the car may die while being updated. So that means it might have to remain at the dealer for an indefinite amount of time. 

Wasn’t the Mustang Mach-E supposed to have over the air fixes?

The Ford Motor Co. Mustang Mach-E First Edition electric vehicle | Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Apple CarPlay issue was based on Ford notifying the owners to bring their Mach-E into this specific dealer for an update. But the beauty of the Mach-E was that you wouldn’t have to go into dealers for software updates. The updates were supposed to be able to be performed over the air. Unfortunately, that is not the case in this instance.

The video would actually be a good tool for Ford to use. The couple that owns the Mustang are reasonable, intelligent people, who aren’t rude or asking for the Moon. They bring up reasonable questions and thoughtful discussions about how they expect the issues to be fixed and how to be treated. For Ford, this must be embarrassing to see. Or, at least it should be.

RELATED: The Ford Mustang Mach-E Only Has a Few Real Connections To Its Nameplate

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Don’t Want a Hybrid? A Volkswagen Jetta TDI Can Save You Lots of Money

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Are you thinking about buying a hybrid car, but don’t want to shell out around $20,000 to $30,000 for a new one? Fortunately, you have an alternative option in the form of a used diesel car, specifically a Volkswagen Jetta TDI. We know, there’s a stigma attached to it, but hear us out. Buying one of these cars could save you a lot of money.

What Volkswagen scandal?

By now, we’re sure you have heard of the infamous Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal that happened back in 2015. Simply put, the German automaker was caught using devices to cheat emissions tests on their diesel vehicles at the time. When they got caught, it tarnished their name and the allure of buying oil-burning cars altogether.

In the aftermath, Volkswagen was forced to either buy back or fix some of the 590,000 diesel vehicles, according to Autoblog. And it did. In fact, there are plenty of Volkswagen Jetta, Golf, and Jetta Sportwagen TDI models that have been fixed to fully comply with emission standards and are now for sale. That means that if you can get over the fact that the diesel car that you’re buying once cheated on a test, then you could get a better deal than you could imagine.

Pros for buying a Volkswagen Jetta TDI

2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI | Volkswagen

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI was produced from the early 2000s up to 2015 and came in a few different varieties. If you prefer sedans, then you can opt for a Jetta TDI and if you like hatchbacks, then a Gold TDI is available as well. However, if you want more room, or have a family, then the Jetta TDI Sportwagen could fit the bill.

Some of the main benefits when it comes to buying one of these cars include:

  • You’ll be able to easily drive 500 mile between fill-ups
  • Diesel engines typically last at least 200,000 to 300,000 miles
  • Volkswagen diesel cars offer a solid build quality at a low price
  • Diesel engines provide far more torque than most hybrid and gas cars

On the last note, every Volkswagen diesel car was powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel engine. While it was revised throughout the years, the last iteration of it produced 150 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, according to Edmunds. What made it even better (especially at the time) was that it was able to achieve up to an EPA estimated 31 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway.

Cons of buying a Volkswagen diesel

2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI | Volkswagen

According to Fueleconomy.gov, that type of fuel economy should save you around $1,500 per year in fuel costs alone. However, keep in mind that diesel fuel can cost a little more than regular gas and you may need to get over the slight smell of diesel fuel, but you’ll get used to it over time.

How much does a Jetta TDI cost now?

If you happen to decide that a Volkswagen Jetta or Golf TDI could work well for your everyday life, then you’ll be happy to know that the 2015 models sell for anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 nationwide. Sure, you can buy an equivalent Toyota Prius for around the same amount, but those cars tend to have well over 200,000 miles on the odometer and could need hybrid battery replacements in the near future.

A good, used Jetta TDI, on the other hand, will easily last much longer and won’t cost too much when repairs are needed. Repair Pal gave the Volkswagen Jetta a four out of five when it comes to reliability and estimates an average annual repair cost of $609. That’s not too bad, and considering the money you’ll save between fill-ups, a Volkswagen Jetta TDI could be a good alternative to a hybrid car.

RELATED: Is Buying a Diesel Car Worth it?

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2020 Toyota Corolla vs. 2021 Corolla: What’s the Difference?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With each new model year comes the excitement of new features in your favorite cars. The 2021 Toyota Corolla is here, and it’s bringing some fresh additions. But can the latest model outdo the excellent 2020 Corolla? We compare both to see which one is the better buy.

The major differences between the 2020 and 2021 Toyota Corolla

2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Edition | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Comparing the 2020 and 2021 Toyota Corolla reveals much of the same, U.S. News reports. But the inclusion of a few key features might be enough to push you into choosing the newest model, which might be the best one yet. Here’s a comparison of the 2020 and 2021 Corolla models.

How do they differ in appearance?

If you’re looking for a brand-new look in the 2021 Corolla, you’ll be a little disappointed to find that it looks almost identical to the previous model. 2020 was a redesign year for the Corolla, so it’s no surprise to see that the 2021 model’s exterior is the same, even in the various models like the hatchback and hybrid.

As for the interior, you can again expect a similar experience in the 2021 model as you would in the 2020 Corolla. The interior dimensions measure the same, including headroom, legroom, cabin capacity, truck volume, etc.

The 2021 Corolla also has eight trim levels to help you add accessories and features.

Which model year has the better engine?

The 2020 and 2021 Corolla have almost the same base engine, Toyota‘s website shows. They also get similar gas mileage, with 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. The base engine in the 2021 model is again a 1.8-liter four-cylinder producing about 139 hp. The performance and mileage increase as you upgrade to higher trims levels and hybrid models.

New features in the 2021 Toyota Corolla

While many of the features between the two model years are the same, one of the biggest new features in the 2021 Toyota Corolla — Android Auto — will make many smartphone users happy. This feature lets Android users easily navigate music, phone calls, texting, navigation, and more. The 2020 and 2021 Corolla also includes Apple CarPlay for iPhone users.

Price difference between the 2020 and 2021 Corolla

As far as pricing goes, the 2021 Toyota Corolla is slightly more expensive, with price differences rising or falling among the various models. Typically, the 2021 model’s MSRP is generally $200 to $1,500 higher than the 2020 model, but that number is slightly smaller based on the average price paid.

What about safety features?

One of the main reasons the Corolla is the best-selling car of all time is its spectacular safety record. And Toyota has taken that a step further with the 2021 model, which is arguably the safest one yet, thanks to the addition of even more safety features, Torque News reports.

The first difference is the number of airbags, which has increased from eight to 10 due to two new rear seat-mounted side airbags. They join airbags for the driver, front passenger, driver knees, front passenger seat cushion, driver and front passenger seat-mounted sides, and outboard rear passengers.

Additionally, the 2021 Corolla now includes blind-spot monitoring. This goes hand in hand with the standard rear-view camera, making it easier to monitor the road without having to take your eyes off of it.

So, which Toyota Corolla model year is the better buy?

Though the two models are exceedingly similar, the 2021 Toyota Corolla is the superior model due to the increased safety features, even with the small price increase. The 2021 model does everything the 2020 model can do but ups the ante in safety features, and the addition of Android Auto is a game-changer for many consumers.

RELATED: Both 2021 Toyota Corolla Models Are Good for Teenagers 

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Bugatti Officially Merges With Electric Supercar Brand Rimac

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Up until now, Bugatti has been one of several premium brands in the Volkswagen family. And that’s been the case since VW resurrected Bugatti in 2009. However, over the last few months reports claimed that the hypercar brand could be up for sale. And as of today, it’s official: Bugatti is joining forces with electric supercar company Rimac.

Bugatti and Rimac combine with Porsche’s help to make Bugatti-Rimac

Bugatti Chiron Sport next to a Rimac Nevera | Rimac

Given that Bugatti recently had one of its best quarters ever, the notion that Rimac now owns it might seem surprising. However, the truth is that Rimac doesn’t own Bugatti; instead, the two have merged to form Bugatti-Rimac. Also, the Volkswagen Group still has a stake in this joint venture through Porsche.

Some background should help dispel the potential confusion. A few years ago, Volkswagen approached Rimac to supply parts for a hybridized Chiron, Car and Driver explains. Rimac, though, proposed making a brand-new hybrid hypercar with a less expensive naturally-aspirated engine. Rather than pay Rimac to build and design such a car, the VW Group proposed merging the two brands. And now, that merger has been finalized.

As for how Porsche enters into the Bugatti-Rimac equation, the truth is that Volkswagen technically didn’t own Bugatti directly. Instead, it owns another brand, Porsche, that owned Bugatti. This is like how Volkswagen owns Audi which owns Lamborghini; VW thus technically owns Lamborghini but doesn’t directly control it.

In the case of the newly-formed Bugatti-Rimac, Rimac directly owns 55% of Bugatti. Porsche, though, controls the remaining 45%, and also owns 24% of Rimac. And moving forward, it “will play ‘a strong role’ in the JV as a strategic partner as Bugatti and Rimac learn from one another,” Roadshow reports. Mate Rimac, though, will remain as CEO.

Does this mean there will be an electric Bugatti supercar or hypercar?

A dark-blue 2022 Rimac Nevera electric supercar with its doors up parked by the ocean
2022 Rimac Nevera | Rimac

The Bugatti-Rimac JV won’t be official until Q4 2021, so the brands have some time to work on their strategy. And rest assured, the electric Nevera supercar is still going ahead, as is the Chiron. Still, it’s reasonable to expect some kind of high-performance EVs from the JV.

Speaking with Top Gear, Mate Rimac confirmed there will be fully electric Bugatti models in the future. However, the CEO also confirmed that Bugatti won’t abandon internal combustion quite yet. Before the end of the decade, and coming full-circle to what kicked this all off, the JV plans to release a hybrid Bugatti.

That being said, while this is a joint venture, the two brands will stay relatively separate. Bugattis won’t be rebadged Rimacs and vice versa. And while the JV’s headquarters will be Rimac’s new campus in Croatia, the Bugatti ‘factory’ in Molsheim, France isn’t closing.

The new joint venture will make more than just cars

There’s one more bit of news regarding the merger, though. Rimac doesn’t just make electric supercars: it also tests and develops EV and hybrid tech as an automotive supplier. And it will still do that under this new JV—kind of.

Before the merger, Rimac’s full name was ‘Rimac Automobili.’ Now, that parent company will be known as ‘Rimac Group.’ And Rimac Group will still develop EV, hybrid, and autonomous tech under its separate ‘Rimac Technology’ business, Car and Driver explains. But Rimac Technology won’t only supply parts to other automakers; it will also develop powertrains for future Bugatti-Rimac products.

There’s undoubtedly still a lot Bugatti and Rimac need to work on behind the scenes. But given how quickly the latter went from startup to star, the former seems to be in good hands.

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RELATED: The New Lotus E-R9 Showcases The Ultimate Power of EV Endurance

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