Best First Project Cars to Build With Your Teen Driver

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car enthusiasts start at all ages, but teenagers just getting their driver’s license for the first time are especially likely to be getting into cars. Whether they are interested in building their first car or just modifying one they’ve already purchased, the first project car someone has can set a surprising impact on their passion for the rest of their lives as car enthusiasts. But, there are a lot of different cars to pick from, especially on the used car market, and if you’re picking a trendy project car option like a nimble Mazda Miata, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Pick a car you’re passionate about

The engine of the Hot Wheels Land Rover Defender | Joshua Maguire, Barcroft Media, Getty Images

There are so many project car options on the market, and everyone seems to have their own opinion on what the right — and certainly wrong — project cars are to buy. From muscle cars to JDM, there is a community for many types of project cars. Really, the most important factor to keep in mind when deciding on a project car is that you pick one that you are passionate about the car. Rebuilding and modifying is time-consuming and expensive, but most importantly, it takes a lot of work, all of which is nearly impossible to push through unless you are excited to get the project car done in the first place.

Consider the level of difficulty of the build compared to how much time, money, and energy you want to invest

Custom exhausts protrude from the side of David Jeffery’s ‘BellaRat’ ratrod | Kirk Pflaum, Barcroft Images, Getty Images

While passion is one major factor to consider, the level of difficulty you are willing to tackle is another. This idea should start before you begin looking at project cars, so you have time to consider what type of project car you are willing to take on. It is also important to keep in mind what parts of the car you are looking to work on. Do you want to rebuild a car that has no running mechanical components, or are you just looking to repair a vehicle cosmetically? Do you want to go through the process of having the car inspected if it has a branded title, as you will need to have this process completed before the title will be marked as ‘rebuilt’ and will be registerable.

Safety is of the utmost importance

The final thing to keep in mind when picking out a project car is to assess the damage and ensure you’re picking one that, at the end of the build, will be safe to drive. This not only means replacing and deployed airbags or damaged seatbelts, but it also means checking to ensure that the car is aligned properly and there is no frame damage or major structural damage that will prevent the vehicle from protecting you and passengers in case of a crash.

Really, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for what the best project car is, regardless of age or experience. That is part of what makes the automotive world and the community of custom cars so broad and unique — everyone has different interests and ideas. As long as you stay realistic and passionate about whatever car you’re working on, chances are it’ll make for great memories and hopefully turn into a car you will love for years to come.

RELATED: Do You Really Want A Project Car?

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The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI Is a Surprise Pick for Families

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As minivans have waned and SUVs have become increasingly popular, hatchbacks are also gaining traction. Volkswagen has seen the potential for hatchbacks and is taking advantage of it with the 2021 Golf GTI. It’s a fast, good-looking car that even won a Good Housekeeping award for the best family hatchback.

How does Good Housekeeping pick its top 18 family cars?

2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI | Volkswagen of America, Inc. Newspress Limited

What makes a car a great family vehicle? That’s the question Good Housekeeping set out to answer. Rather than just looking at how fast a car could go and if it had enough horsepower, the magazine took a different approach.

Testers drove each vehicle over 5,000 miles before handing it over to another tester. As soon as the keys exchanged hands, the test drivers began to put the cars through their paces. Phones were paired up, car seats were installed, the noise levels were tested, and the fuel-economy rating. Good Housekeeping also took into consideration Car and Driver reviewers’ thoughts before ranking each vehicle. 

The Volkswagen Golf GTI won for best hatchback

Hatchbacks make sense for families. They offer room and versatility at a time when that’s becoming more important to consumers. Though small sports cars are great for some people, getting kids in and out isn’t easy. Plus, hatchbacks are generally more affordable than SUVs, saving more money for groceries, diapers, toys, and everything else that comes with having children.

And that’s where the Volkswagen Golf GTI shines. It’s not a large vehicle by any means and isn’t suitable for families with three or more children. But for small families with one or two kids, the Golf is an ideal car. Whether you’re headed to Walmart or the beach, this hatchback provides plenty of room.

What features make the Volkswagen Golf GTI stand out?

One of the best things about the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI is the sticker price. It starts at $28,695, which might be a bit of a stretch for some budgets, but owners get plenty for that price.

For example, the base-model Golf GTI S comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and heated seats. These are features often reserved for higher trim levels at higher prices, so the fact that consumers can get it for so cheap is a major plus for the Golf GTI. There may be cheaper hatchbacks on the market, but there’s no denying the GTI has enough features to justify the price. If you want even more amenities, the SE trim offers LED headlights, leather upholstery, blind-spot monitoring, and a panoramic sunroof for $33,660.

The 228-hp four-cylinder engine has the right amount of power and speed to make the Golf GTI a fun car for cruising around town. Manual transmission fans will be pleased to know it’s an option. For those who don’t want a stick shift, the GTI comes standard with an automatic transmission. 

However, a significant problem with the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI is the lack of standard safety features. If you’re interested in driver assists such as forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, you’ll have to pay for it. Unfortunately, the Golf GTI S has no standard safety features at all, which is a major ding against this cute hatchback. That means the starting price of $28,695 might be a little deceptive, as you’ll have to pay to get the features that many families value most.

RELATED: Does VW Make a 2-Door GTI Anymore?

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Report: Powerful Shareholders Want the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution to Make a Comeback

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’re a fan of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, then you’ll remember its abrupt demise for the 2016 model year. Unfortunately for this iconic Mitsubishi, not enough buyers pulled out their wallets to support it at their local dealership. Since its disappearance, the Japanese carmaker has had a massive void in its sports car division. For the U.S. market specifically, Mitsubishi only offers a few small crossovers.

However, a new report covered by The Drive highlights that several shareholders recently voiced their interest in reviving the iconic nameplate. Despite this, it seems the brand has bigger fish to fry, starting with its efforts to become profitable once again.

Why did the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution die in the first place?

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution | Mitsubishi

Before we dive into the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution’s future, let’s take a look at what caused its demise back in 2016. As you might imagine, it all comes down to sales, and such a niche product was costing the Japanese carmaker money rather than generating it. According to CarSalesBase, the entire Lancer range, including the base models, routinely sold well under 20,000 units per year. In contrast, other small sedans such as the Elantra routinely sell well into the six figures.

According to Mitsubishi’s official response, the carmaker pulled the plug because its customers wanted crossovers for added practicality. On the surface, this makes complete sense as a small SUV is far easier to sell than a road-going rally car. Additionally, the brand expressed its efforts to embrace an electrified lineup of vehicles.

Regardless of what officially killed the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, it seems the Japanese carmaker might not be in the best financial state to revive it.

Who wants this rally car back?

An image of a Mitsubishi Lance Evolution parked outdoors.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution | Mitsubishi

It seems the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has some friends in high places, more specifically amongst the Japanese carmaker’s shareholders. According to The Drive, a recent shareholder’s meeting saw several people asking for the revival of the Evo. As far as influencing real change, the shareholders have significantly more pull than any average enthusiast.

The question arose as the Japanese carmaker announced its plans to revive its Ralliart division and efforts to compete in motorsport once again. However, The Drive reports that Mitsubishi’s CEO, Takao Kato, quickly cited the company’s financials to make a case against its revivals.

Despite making excellent efforts to boost profits, the Japanese carmaker still isn’t profitable. Additionally, Kato cited the brand’s efforts to develop electrified models and how much research and development money it’ll require. As a result, it seems the Evo won’t make a comeback just yet.

Will we ever see another Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?

An image of a Mitsubishi Lance Evolution parked outdoors.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution | Mitsubishi

RELATED: Man Wins 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 Dream Car Giveaways and Destroys It In 24 Hours

At this point, it seems the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is dead for good. However, this doesn’t completely eliminate the possibility of having a sporty Mitsubishi sometime in the distant future. If the brand decides to pivot toward making a sports sedan in the future, it’ll likely be an electric one. The Japanese carmaker has repeatedly stated its intentions to go electric, which means that all models might eventually follow that path.

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If You Own a Subaru Impreza WRX You Just Made $81

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Congratulations! If you own a recently manufactured Subaru Impreza WRX, you just made a little money! However, it may not be in the way you thought. Per a new study by iSeeCars, owners of newer used ‘Rex models are among those who profited from the recent used auto market hysteria. Resale values are up for models on the list, and the WRX is one, albeit just barely.

Congrats, Subaru Impreza WRX owner

An STI-spec Subaru WRX | Steve Russell via Getty Images

This frankly isn’t a common trend, especially with used sporty models like the ‘Rex. It’s a bit of a trope, but a true one: Sporty cars depreciate quickly. If you require proof simply look at the values of any number of used sports sedans or coupes over the last year. However, Subaru Impreza WRX models are known to at the very least retain their value due to their popularity and reliability.

Now, thanks to the current state of the auto market, recently manufactured models have actually appreciated. $81 may not seem like much of a value increase, but keep in mind this is an average. A 2018 model likely appreciated less than a 2020 model Subaru Impreza WRX simply due to its age. That means the newer your model, the more appreciation you’ll see. But why?

Why did owners just make money?

The leather-wrapped, red-stitched steering wheel of a Subaru WRX
The wheel of the WRX | Kiyoshi Ota via Getty Images

All of this recent appreciation in newer used models has to do with the shortage of semiconductors occurring right now. The shortage was brought on by the pandemic and a recent increase in demand. These little electronic components control everything in new cars. Because of the shortage, it has become hard for manufacturers to push out new models to satisfy recent demand.

As a result, consumers are willing to pay for a car they can get in and drive right now rather than waiting for a new model that may take much longer to arrive. Evidently, this is exactly why all you lucky Subaru Impreza WRX owners made a little money. Used owners were helped by the fact that Subaru, for whatever reason, was hit particularly hard by the chip shortage.

The ‘Rex isn’t the only example of this

A blue 2001 model year Impreza WRX
2001 Subaru Impreza WRX | National Motor Museum via Getty Images

Funnily enough, this isn’t the first time Subaru Impreza WRX models have risen in value. Older generation models like the one above have been on the rise for years, especially low-mileage and unmodified examples. Outside the world of Subaru, other “new” used models are seeing appreciation as well. Generally, the more popular the car, the higher the demand. Think Kia Telluride.

It’s hard to say how much longer owners will be able to ride this wave of appreciation for, but if you’re looking to get out of your 2018-2020 Subaru Impreza WRX, now may be the time to sell. If you’re in the market for a newer WRX, it’s best to wait, as the seller’s market won’t be going anywhere until the semiconductor shortage comes to an end.

RELATED: Skip the SUV: You Need a Subaru Outback for Only $15,000

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