Jeep’s Big New Plan: Build What Buyers Want

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Jeep’s product planners have had an epiphany. A revelation, in the form of a whole new plan for creating new models and options. Get ready; they’re planning on giving Jeep enthusiasts what they want. 

Never in the annals of Jeep history have there been so many Jeep executives willing to go that far out on a limb. To actually build what enthusiasts want is borderline blasphemy. It has never been up to the buyers; it is up to Jeep what it will build for you.

“There are tons of people that I’m sure would love to buy a V8 Gladiator”

Jeep Gladiator Sport is on display at the 112th Annual Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place in Chicago | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Of course, we’re kidding. But Muscle Cars and Trucks recently talked with Jeep Gladiator senior brand manager Brandon Grimus. “If you scour the forums, there are tons of people that I’m sure would love to buy a V8 Gladiator.” Ya think?

MotorBiscuit posed the question back in March. It became clear back then that Gladiator buyers were paying tens of thousands of dollars and voiding their warranties to have aftermarket shops stab Hemis and Hellcats into Gladiators. 

“The crowd requesting a V8 Wrangler, their voices have gotten progressively louder over the last 10 years,” said Grimus. “And just to give you an idea of how much demand there is for a V8, there were seven aftermarket companies across the country doing V8 upfits at a really, really high price with no factory warranty or engineering. Most of them have wait lists over a year-plus… we might as well take some of that business.”

“Build what we want to sell, not what you necessarily want to buy” 

A white Jeep Wrangler with a black star on the hood
The Wrangler Freedom edition

While commendable, it is a shame that some automakers don’t always recognize what their own customers want. For decades it has been the mentality of Detroit-based companies to both ignore and embrace their buyers. For different reasons their mantra has been to “Build what we want to sell, not what you necessarily want to buy.” 

Grimus says that the Jeep Wrangler 392, Wrangler EcoDiesel, and 4xe, are all a response to customer demand. Cementing Jeep’s newfound inspiration has been the Wrangler 392. It has seen especially strong demand in spite of its $73,500 price tag. That’s new Raptor and Corvette money. 

So where does this lead for a V8 Gladiator? Jeep is already close to bringing out a 4xe version of the Gladiator. But that is in keeping with the direction all automakers are headed; electrification. 

What drivetrain will the Gladiator xe have?

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe driving on a city street
2021 Jeep wrangler 4xe | Jeep

The Gladiator xe will be powered by the same drivetrain as the Wrangler xe since they are built on the same chassis and assembly line. So that means a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder combined with two electric motors. That equates to 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. 

Though the market is headed towards electrification, buyers still want a V8. Will the 4xe be as popular as a V8 Gladiator? We would guess not based on the general EV penetration across all brands and car lines. Yet, Jeep is putting it ahead of any V8-powered Gladiator. 

But given what Grimus has said and that the Wrangler and Gladiator tied at the hip, we expect the V8 version of the Gladiator to come soon. At least for the near term, the only thing that will limit its sales will be the hefty price tag.

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Is Buying a Classic Car a Good Investment?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For many, buying a classic car is an investment. And why not? If you buy a classic car that’s in less than stellar condition, you have the opportunity to not only restore it but sell it at a higher cost. But does buying a classic car actually make sense as an investment?

When is a car considered a classic car?

Classic car. | Giovanni Mereghetti/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

First, let’s talk about what a classic car is. The Classic Car Club of America defines a classic car as a vehicle that’s American or foreign built and was produced between 1915 and 1948. Vehicles must have been produced in limited quantities too. The Classic Car Club of America also takes into consideration things like higher engine displacement, custom bespoke coachwork, and even luxury accessories.

And if a car doesn’t meet The Classic Car Club of America’s very stringent guidelines? As it turns out, certain states have criteria for what constitutes a classic car too. In fact, The Balance reports that in New York, vehicles that are 25 years or older are considered classic cars. Meanwhile, in states like Montana, a vehicle must be at least 30 years or older to earn the designation. 

How much does buying a classic car cost?

August 15, 2015: A 1963 Ferrari 250GTO Berlinetta driven by Thomas Price from Larkspur CA USA (#20) in Group 2A at turn 8 (top of the corkscrew) during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion held August 13-16,2015 at Mazda Raceway in Monterey CA.
1963 Ferrari 250 GTO | Allan Hamilton/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

While Nationwide reports that a 1963 Ferrari GTO sold for a record-setting $53 million in 2013, odds are you won’t pay that much when buying a classic car. In fact, how much a classic car costs really depends on two things: what type of car it is and what condition it’s in. How rare the car is can also determine how expensive it is. 

“In the case of the GTO, just 39 were ever made, making it one of the most sought-after and most expensive vintage collectible cars of all time,” Nationwide explains.

While classic cars do vary in pricing, it’s important to note that prices are up. In fact, according to Hagerty, affordable classic car prices are at an all-time high. When it comes to Hagerty’s Affordable Classics Index specifically, data shows that prices are up approximately 18% over the last 12 months. 

“This index has grown to the point where many of its cars are stretching well beyond the realm of “affordable” for most people. Five of them now carry a condition #2 value of over $40,000. The Datsun 240Z has more than tripled in value over the past decade,” Hagerty added.

The financial risks of buying a classic car

Long Island man works on engine of classic car 1956 Buick
Restoring a classic car. | Steve Pfost/Newsday RM via Getty Images

Here’s the thing about buying a classic car, its price isn’t the only thing you should be considering. Especially if you’re buying a classic car as an investment. In fact, Investopedia reports that investing in a classic car comes with plenty of financial risks. Between ongoing maintenance costs and even storage and potential trailering fees, investing in a classic car could cost you a significant amount of money.

Those aren’t the only costs to consider either. If you plan on restoring a classic car using original or exact replicas of parts, paint, and bodywork, your restoration project could cost up to seven figures, Investopedia reports. And when it comes to maintenance? You can expect to pay a premium.

As for selling a classic car? Say you do buy one and restore it to its original condition. If you sell it for a profit, you may be forced to pay capital gains tax, Investopedia reports. “Profits from the eventual sale of the car will also likely incur commissions/consignment fees, transaction fees, and transportation costs,” Investopedia added. For some, those fees could turn buying a classic car into a costly investment, rather than a profitable one.

Is a classic car a good investment for you?

There’s no beating around the bush here. The price of classic cars is up. Consider that and the expense of restoring and maintaining a classic car, and investing in one might not make sense to you. But if you aren’t put off by the potentially high costs of buying, restoring, and maintaining such a vehicle? Then investing in a classic car may not be such a bad idea for you.

RELATED: It’s Impossible to Depreciate a Used Honda Civic Type R

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Flight Attendants and Airlines Demand Unruly Passengers Face Criminal Prosecution

by Gabrielle DeSantis

What do you do when unruly airplane passengers besiege the skies? Airline unions and trade associations have called on the U.S. Department of Justice for help. Specifically, they have recommended that out-of-control passengers on airplanes be thrown in prison. This comes after widespread cases of disruptive behavior in the nation’s skies, making the mode of transport unbearable for flight crews and other passengers. 

Air rage has become a trend on flights  

Air travel can be hectic. Navigating long security queues, losing the seat lottery, occupying a middle seat, enduring delayed flights, or, worse, getting grounded for long periods can take a toll. If you’re like most passengers, you might plug in your headphones and get lost in your favorite music, a movie, or podcast. For others, the pressure makes them turn to the unfortunate phenomenon known as air rage. 

Air rage is characterized by unruly and disruptive behavior that ranges from refusing to sit down, snapping at flight attendants, fighting other passengers, and even, in extreme cases, attempting to breach the cockpit or open the emergency exit doors. It’s often the flight crew that must bear the brunt of such behavior. Recently, such cases have become immense and unbearable for airlines, CNN reports.  

The Federal Aviation Administration has received more than 3,000 reports of air rage this year. Of those cases, more than 2,300 involved passengers refusing to wear masks on board, which is a federal requirement. Some of the extreme cases reported include: 

  • January 7. An Alaska Airlines flight passenger traveling to Seattle from Washington, D.C., “pushed and/or shoved” a flight attendant during a routine check of passengers’ compliance with the masking regulation.
  • January 10. A JetBlue flight passenger traveling to Los Angeles from Fort Lauderdale yelled at a flight attendant who reminded him of airplane transport rules after drinking his own booze and making a phone call.
  • February 22. A Miami-to-LA JetBlue flight had to be delayed to kick out a passenger who had smuggled food, a headset, and champagne from first-class and then insulted and physically assaulted the flight attendant who returned the items. 

Airlines and flight crew unions want stiffer penalties 

The FAA has already increased passenger fines to between $9,000 and $32,750 to deter the increased air rage cases. It has also opened 487 investigations into commercial aircraft assault or interference. However, airlines and flight staff want more action. They have already requested the DOJ to intervene. 

Gizmodo recently reported that 10 groups representing major airlines and flight crews recently wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland to ask that disruptive passengers face tougher punishment. The letter described the anarchic environment that characterizes many flights, thanks to unruly passengers.

What has triggered the spike in unruly and disruptive behavior on airplanes? 

Ryan Martin, a professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, told CNBC there could be multiple triggers. However, Martin, who has studied anger for about 20 years, said displays of anger are often rooted in entitlement. “The more entitled you are, the angrier you get,” he said. 

The professor also said that easily available examples of poor behavior, such as videos circulating online, could trigger other passengers to act out. He described the numerous videos circulated online last year showing people losing their cool and throwing “tantrums” in public as models for current flight incidents. 

The other reason that Martin cited was increased anxiety after returning to travel, with most transport operations having taken a hiatus during the peak of the pandemic. However, he added that individuals who believe in violence to solve conflicts are likelier to turn violent. 

As public transport operations return to normal, cases of unruly aircraft passengers could continue to rise. It remains to be seen whether the DOJ will take action. In the meantime, airlines and flight crews must continue devising tougher mechanisms for controlling passengers. 

RELATED: Is It Better to Fly Private or First Class?

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The 2022 Infiniti QX60 Wants to Conquer the Road

by Gabrielle DeSantis

You need to take a look at the 2022 Infiniti QX60. It just arrived on the scene as a refreshed three-row option with tons of luxurious features. The new Infiniti QX60 is looking to conquer the road this summer. 

Is the 2022 Infiniti QX60 a good SUV?

According to AutoEvolution, the 2022 Infiniti QX60 is designed to help you conquer life in style. So, yes, it’s worth buying. It’s a refreshed luxury SUV with more than enough comfort, convenience, and power to make your daily commute and family adventures fun. 

The new Infiniti QX60 isn’t expected to start much higher than the 2021 model’s $45,375 base cost. It features a blockier design for a more muscular stance with a large hourglass grille and slim LED headlights. 

There’s a piano key design in the front, and the rear features LED taillights connected by a black strip, chrome diffuser accents, and a smooth tailgate. It’s a great new look for Inifiniti’s best-selling car. 

How much power does the 2022 QX60 have? 

The 2022 Infiniti QX60 has the same naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine as the previous model. It provides 295 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. It’s now paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission instead of a CVT. 

When properly equipped, the QX60 can tow up to 6,000 lbs. This is an increase of 1,000 lbs compared to the previous model. Also, this is enough power to tow smaller campers, boats, and trailers. Front-wheel drive comes standard, but you can upgrade to all-wheel drive. 

The Infiniti QX60 now rides on the same platform as the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder. It has a 114.2-inch wheelbase, which is the same as the 2021 model, but it’s now 2.4-inches shorter and 198.2-inches long. 

You can take advantage of the ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driving technologies and Navi Link to make driving more convenient. The QX60 even knows how to slow down and stop in traffic. It will then continue driving for up to 30 seconds before driver input. 

What are the 2022 QX60’s features like? 

2022 Infiniti QX60 interior | Infiniti

The 2022 Infiniti QX60 now offers captain’s chairs in the second row with a center console that’s easy to remove. It can seat up to seven or eight passengers. The second row slides forward with the touch of a button, and the third row is powered. There are 14.5 cubic feet behind the second row with 75.4 cubes total, along with under-floor storage. 

A larger panoramic sunroof, three-zone automatic climate control, a wi-fi hotspot, and a power liftgate come standard. You get a 12.3-inch touchscreen with physical buttons too. Also, you can opt for the 12.3-inch digital cluster and 10.8-inch head-up display. 

The 2022 QX60’s interior features quilted leather and dark wood trim. New soft-touch materials feel as comfortable as they look. This interior has an incredible upgrade compared to the previous model, with a more intuitive layout and spacious design. 

Standard safety features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear automatic emergency braking. Available features include adaptive cruise control with stop and go, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive headlights. 

The Infiniti QX60 is expected to go on sale later this year, and we can’t wait to learn more about it. It has more comfort and more power than before, giving other three-row luxury options some serious competition.

RELATED: Best Road Trip Cars: Infiniti QX60

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