by Gabrielle DeSantis

There’s no denying it. Fast cars are fun to drive. But what if you’re shopping for a fast car on a budget? Is finding one even possible? The good news is that the answer is yes. As a matter of fact, iSee Cars recently revealed its picks for the fastest cars under $15,000. And these used cars? They’ll be sure to provide plenty of thrills without breaking the bank. 

The 2012 Chevy Camaro is a fast used car that won’t break the bank

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 | Chevrolet

If you’re shopping for a fast used car, the 2012 Chevy Camaro is one of the fastest cars under $15,000, iSeeCars reports. It costs approximately $13,574. When first released, it was available with three engines under the hood, including a 323-hp 3.6-liter V6, a 400-hp 6.2-liter V8, and a 426-hp 6.2-liter V8. 

It was also offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, a 6-speed automatic transmission, and a 6-speed automatic with paddle-activated driver shift control. And if you’re wondering how fast the Chevy Camaro is? You can expect this fast used car to move from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, iSeeCars reports.

As for what it’s like to drive the Chevy Camaro? Kelley Blue Book (KBB) took the Camaro SS out for a spin and was able to manage a 0 to 60 mph run in a mere 4.4 seconds. Meanwhile, Consumer Reports (CR) found that “handling and braking performance are impressive” and the “ride is very firm and taut, keeping body motions in check.”

The 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of the fastest cars under $15,000

A white 2014 Mazda MX5 Roadster Coupe
2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images

There’s a lot to like about the 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata, especially if you’re on the hunt for a fast car under $15,000. In fact, iSeeCars reports that this particular used Mazda Miata model boasts a 0 to 60 mph time of just 6.0 seconds and will cost you only $14,498. For used car shoppers on a budget, that’s not all that bad.

The 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata is enjoyable to drive too. As a matter of fact, CNET reports that the used Mazda MX-5 Miata boasts top-notch handling, making it a “joy to drive.” CNET added, “The 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata is an excellent driver’s car that is best experienced without expensive bells and whistles.”

As for what’s under the hood of the 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata? You can expect to find a 167-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission. 

The 2014 Ford Mustang is a used car that’s as fast as it is affordable

A yellow Ford Mustang on display
Ford Mustang | Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

If you’re shopping for a used car under $15,000, you can’t go wrong with the 2014 Ford Mustang. Costing only $13,764, this used Ford Mustang is as fast as it is affordable. Don’t just take our word for it, either. In fact, according to iSeeCars, the 2014 model can move from 0 to 60 mph in a short 5.8 seconds. 

Though, that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. After all, the 2014 Ford Mustang was available with two fast-paced engines, including a 305-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine and a 420-hp 5.0-liter V8 engine. Both engines came standard with a six-speed manual transmission, though a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control was available too.

And when it comes to driving the 2014 Ford Mustang? Edmunds reports that behind the wheel of this used Ford Mustang, you’re in for a wild ride. “Within the pony car triumvirate of the Camaro, Challenger and Mustang, the Ford feels the tidiest and lightest on its feet,” Edmunds added.

The 2012 Audi TT will have you moving from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds

An employee unfurls the protective cover of an Audi AG TT automobile displayed on the company's stand ahead of the opening day of the Paris Motor Show in Paris, France, on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012.
2012 Audi TT | Balint Porneczi/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The 2012 Audi TT also found itself among iSeeCars’ picks for the fastest cars under $15,000. Though, boasting a $14,266 price tag and with a standard 211-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood, it’s really no surprise as to why. In fact, iSeeCars reports that behind the wheel of this fast used car, you’ll find yourself zooming from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 5.3 seconds.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the 2012 Audi TT is enjoyable to drive too. Its engine produces more than enough power for most driving situations, and its transmission shifts both seamlessly and quickly. Perhaps the only downside to this used luxury car is that some of U.S. News’ testers “wished that the steering provided more road feel, while others remarked that competitors like the Porsche Boxster offer more thrilling performance.”

As it turns out, Edmunds made similar comments about the 2012 Audi TT. Luxury cars like the  BMW 1 Series deliver “superior driver engagement.” Edmunds reports that the Camaro, Challenger, and Mustang also make for compelling alternatives to the Audi TT.

The 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is the fastest used car under $15,000

A red 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe driving, the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is one of the fastest used cars under $15,000
2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe | Hyundai

As for the fastest used car under $15,000? That honor went to none other than the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Costing roughly $12,904, the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe isn’t just fast, it’s a budget-friendly used car that definitely won’t break the bank. Instead, it will have you driving from 0 to 60 mph in an impressive 5.2 seconds.

iSeeCars isn’t the only one singing the Hyundai Genesis Coupe’s praises either. In fact, according to U.S. News, this used Hyundai benefits from a lineup of potent engine options, including a turbocharged four-cylinder that achieves 274-hp or a direct-injected V6 that churns out a full 348-hp. 

While its base engine provides more than enough power, U.S. News reports that the Genesis Coupe’s available V6 “doesn’t offer any true performance advantages.” Consumer Reports made similar comments, adding that while the Genesis Coupe handles with agility and precision, “the car is let down by a heavy clutch and a balky manual transmission that together require extra attention to extract smooth shifts.”

Shopping for a used car under $15,000 doesn’t have to be boring

Shopping for a used car on a budget doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, according to iSeeCars, if you’re on the hunt for a used car under $15,000, there are plenty of fast used cars worth your consideration. 

RELATED: Affordable Slightly-Used High Horsepower Cars of 2020

The post The Fastest Used Cars Under $15,000 According to iSeeCars appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

On the list of midsized sport-utility vehicles with three rows, Consumer Reports scored the Kia Telluride higher than the Hyundai Palisade in a few categories. However, is there truly a reason to pick the Telluride over the Palisade? The Kia warranty, styling, and trim levels help edge out the Hyundai.

Will the Kia Telluride hold its value?

Why Did Consumer Reports Pick the Kia Telluride Over the Hyundai Palisade? | Kia

When you look at the criteria provided by Consumer Reports, the Kia Telluride pulled ahead in a few areas. The most important areas are usually the predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction. In this area, the Telluride had almost a perfect score. The predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction both came in at five out of five. In the road test, the SUV scored a 97 out of 100.

91% of owners noted that the 2021 Kia Telluride is a car worth purchasing again. CR found that the Telluride rides smoothly, and the V6 has a solid fuel economy of 21 mpg overall. The EX version has the best of both worlds and offers extra climate control, a leather interior, and a sunroof.

The Telluride excelled in most areas tested, except for agility. For a large SUV, that isn’t uncommon. Unfortunately, the Palisade struggled in that area as well. The base-level Telluride starts at $32,190, but you will not likely find a Telluride at that price right now. Consumer Reports says the Telluride is around 19% over MSRP – and that’s only if you can find one.

Is the Hyundai Palisade worth the money?

When directly comparing the two, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade wasn’t far behind. The Palisade had good scores in all areas. The predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction both came in at four out of five. In the road test, the SUV scored an 88 out of 100.

80% of owners noted that the Hyundai Palisade is a car worth purchasing again, Consumer Reports found. The fuel economy was a similar 21 mpg overall. In addition, CR found that the interior room and cabin were worth noting, as was the standard automatic emergency braking.

One area the Palisade lacked was handling. The 20-inch wheels compromised the ride comfort, and the handling was a bit loose. However, the Consumer Reports testers did find that the stability control made the SUV stable and comfortable to drive. As far as the price goes, CR notes you can find the SUV for around $32,675 to $47,900. Since everyone seems to be going for the Telluride, you might be able to find one without too much markup.

The battle of the midsized sport-utility vehicles

The Kia Telluride is excelling in “best of” lists similar to this because it doesn’t miss in areas that some other SUVs do. It has a plush ride and interior, trim levels to satisfy many budgets, and an industry-leading 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. In addition, the Hyundai offers three years of complimentary maintenance and three years/36,000 miles of oil and filter changes.

The Hyundai Palisade scored well, but it fell behind in areas the Telluride did not. Additionally, you might be able to retain more value with the Telluride if you need to sell it down the line.

The Palisade was redesigned in 2020 and shared many qualities with the Telluride. But, when you break it down, it comes down to personal preference and perhaps brand loyalty. Both SUVs have similar fuel economy, room for passengers, and styling. The Telluride might be harder to find right now, but the new 2022 Kia Telluride is just around the corner.

RELATED: Is the Kia Telluride SUV Worth the Money?

The post Why Did Consumer Reports Pick the Kia Telluride Over the Hyundai Palisade? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Uh oh, there is a little trouble in Ram 1500 paradise. The 2021 Ram 1500 is facing a recall due to issues with the rearview camera display. See if your truck is at risk and what you need to do if it is. 

2021 Ram 1500 recall for camera problems 

2021 Ram 1500 Limited EcoDiesel | Stellantis

According to Torque News, you could face a potential problem while hauling your boat, camper, or ATV this summer with the 2021 Ram 1500. An issue with the trailer steering module is causing the recall of about 14,000 trucks. 

Ram engineers found that some of the trailer reverse steering modules aren’t shutting down correctly. As a result, it’s causing problems with the display. The trucks aren’t displaying correct rear view images while in reverse. 

Federal safety rules require the rearview camera to require the reverse camera system to default to the rearview image when backing up. But in some cases, drivers are seeing an electronic throttle control warning light instead. 

What to do if your truck is at risk 

If your 2021 Ram 1500 is at risk of this recall, you will be notified in August. Ram expects to mail the recall notices by July 30. However, that’s a long time to wait! You can go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site here and enter your 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if your truck is affected. Owners with questions or concerns can call 800-853-1403. The recall number is Y30. 

Ram dealers will fix the trailer reverse steering modules by updating the software, so at least it’s an easy fix. You will need to return to a Ram dealership to have your software updated for free. You don’t have to go to the same place where you purchased your truck. A local dealership will perform the maintenance. 

We recommend calling ahead or checking online to schedule an appointment in advance. This way, you reduce the chance of getting stuck in a waiting room for hours. Then you’ll be back to properly reversing in no time! 

Does the Ram 1500 have electrical issues? 

A 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 in a field.
2021 Dodge Ram 1500 | Stellantis

According to Consumer Reports, one of the main issues that bring down the predicted reliability rating for the 2021 Ram 1500 involves in-car electrical problems. The issues were reported by drivers but don’t go into detail. 

So, we had to go to CarComplaints to learn more. The 2019 Ram 1500 has nearly 100 complaints listed about electric problems. The problems involve the speedometer not working, the infotainment screen going blank, the engine cutting off, the instrument cluster going blank, and more. 

The 2020 model has about 21 electric problems listed. Owners reported that the emergency brake would automatically engage during stops, the engine stalling, driver’s aid features failing to operate correctly, and more. 

Fewer problems have been reported on the 2020 model. This could mean that the issues are being resolved. Or drivers have had less time to accrue mileage. Either way, the reports of electrical issues are relatively low. Electrical issues shouldn’t be a significant concern.

RELATED: Avoid the Ford F-150, Buy the RAM 1500 Instead

The post Recall Alert: The 2021 Ram 1500 Is Facing Camera Problems appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Dodge Durango is a three-row SUV that shares a platform with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It’s a popular choice this year, but it has a few abysmal crash test ratings. Let’s look at whether the 2021 Dodge Durango is safe, and why you might want to shop for something else. 

Dodge Durango being crash tested | IIHS

The IIHS tested the Dodge Durango in a variety of real-world crash scenarios

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent organization whose focus is limiting the loss of life and/or property. Each year they test a variety of vehicles to see how well each of them holds up in different types of accidents. These are measured in small overlap tests for the driver and passenger side, moderate overlap tests, as well as side crash, roof strength, and head restraints and seats tests. 

How are the 2021 Dodge Durango’s crash test ratings?

The 2021 Dodge Durango didn’t do well in the IIHS crash tests. While not all of their crash test results are bad, some of them are. Let’s look at the small overlap front: driver side test first. This test measures how well the front left side of the SUV does when it strikes a five-foot rigid barrier. 

The overall evaluation of the small overlap frontal: driver side is only marginal. Ratings could have been good, acceptable, marginal or poor, so a marginal rating isn’t great. The Dodge Durango received a poor rating for its structure and safety cage in this category, which means that the safety cage doesn’t hold up well when the front left side of the Durango strikes a barrier. 

Driver injury measures for the head/neck and chest are good, but the hip/thigh is only acceptable, and the lower leg/foot is poor. The driver restraints and dummy kinematics rating is acceptable. The IIHS noted that the airbag deployed but didn’t provide enough coverage.

The moderate overlap and side crash test ratings were somewhat better 

The IIHS didn’t test a Durango to measure how well the Durango’s moderate overlap test results would be. Instead, it tested a 2011 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4-door 4WD, which has a similar frontal structure. The 2021 Dodge Durango is longer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, among other differences, but this is how they verified these results. All of the moderate overlap crash test results were good, including all of the subcategories. 

Side crash testing was done on a 2011 Dodge Durango Express 4-door 4WD with standard head curtain airbags for all three rows and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags. Most of these test results were good, including subcategories such as structure and safety cage and driver injury measures. However, within driver injury measures, the Dodge Durango had an acceptable torso rating. Everything else in the side crash tests was good.

Roof strength was good though child seat anchors were acceptable

Dodge Durango in a crash test | Dodge

Again, roof strength tests were done on a 2011 Dodge Durango with a similar structure. The roof strength on the Durango was good, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.67. To be considered good, a vehicle must have a strength-to-weight ratio of at least 4. 

Child seat anchors in the Dodge Durango received an acceptable rating. The IIHS noted that other hardware could be confused for the child seat anchors, and in some seats there weren’t any anchors available. If you’ll be installing car seats in your Durango, you’ll want to pay close attention to this. 

Overall, the 2021 Dodge Durango is a less than stellar midsize SUV. With so many safer choices out there, it makes sense to keep shopping rather than taking your chances on the Durango. 

RELATED: The Safety Features Included in Consumer Reports’ Ratings

The post The 2021 Dodge Durango’s Poor Safety Ratings appeared first on MotorBiscuit.