by Gabrielle DeSantis

The legendary Mitsubishi Evo is a polarizing piece of automotive history. The car has its signature flaws, but its fans are devoted. What does this whippy sport sedan have in common with a bulky budget SUV? A lot more than meets the eye.

Mitsubishi changed the game with the Lancer Evolution

The first Mitsubishi Evolution hit the streets in 1992. Powered by a 2.0-L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the Evo was fast. This car was known for being a lightweight 303 hp lightning bolt. It was fun to drive and easy to push to its limits.

From 1996 to 1999, Evos won the World Rally Championship. American enthusiasts coveted the Evo, which was unavailable on the U.S. market until 2003. This is the same year the car was featured in ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’, solidifying its legendary status.

As the buyers that had idealized the Evo in the 1990s began to age out of the fast but stiff and brutal car, sales dropped. The market was adapting away from the speedy and immersive car. It was a race car, not a family sedan.

Diamond-Star Motors was a historic joint venture

Mitsubishi and Chrysler formed a business relationship in 1970, birthing Diamond-Star Motors. The two automakers co-developed the GS platform under this name. Four separate cr brands built models on this platform. Out of all of the vehicles that share it, no two are as different as the Mitsubishi Evolution and the Dodge Journey.

One is a budget SUV with a rental feel, and the other is a racing legend with incredible pickup. Despite being polar opposites, the two share the same GS platform. The Evo was compared to the STI with its communicative handling and top-notch all-wheel drive. Its platform sibling, the Dodge Journey, is the cheapest SUV on the market.

The Jeep Patriot and Compass are both built on the GS platform, the Dodge Avenger, a few Peugeots, and a few Citroens. Among all of these models, the Mitsubishi Evolution stands out from the crowd.

If the Mitsubishi Evo is fast and furious, the Dodge Journey is slow and complacent

Dodge ended production of the Journey in 2020 after the demand for the thrifty SUV dropped. The seven-passenger vehicle was woefully underpowered with a 172 hp 2.4-L 4-cylinder engine that Car and Driver called “antiquated.” The interior was lacking in upscale materials. It was criticized for feeling like cheap plastic.

What the Journey lacked in refinements, it made up for in practicality. The configurable interior was flexible for a variety of cargo. Second-row floor storage and a passenger seat storage bin gave the SUV plenty of places for gear. The 2020 Dodge Journey started at $25,170 and had two trim levels, the SE Value and the Crossroad.

The Dodge Journey felt like a glorified minivan to many drivers. Its cheap interior, unresponsive handling, and slow acceleration made it feel low quality. It’s as different from the spritely Evo as possible, but the two share so much in structure. This pairing of platform siblings is a striking reminder of just how far a design can be pushed.

RELATED: 2015 Mitsubishi Evo Final Edition Review: The Long Goodbye

The post The Surprising Secret Shared Between the Mitsubishi Evo and the Dodge Journey appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When it comes to luxury SUVs, the BMW X3 has always been a solid choice. And what’s not to love about it? It’s stylish, well-built, and capable for the daily drive as well as the weekend camping trip. However, many new car buyers might currently be wondering if the recent inventory shortage could mean that they can’t get a good deal on a luxury SUV like the BMW Z3 right now. Believe it or not, it is possible.

There are few different 2021 BMW X3 trims

For the 2021 model year, the BMW X3 is broken down into four different trim levels: X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 xDrive30e, and the X3 M40i. While that might look like some confusing alphabet soup, the core models that you need to be aware of are the sDrive30i (rear-drive) and the xDrive30i (AWD).

The X3 xDrive30e is the plug-in hybrid model that can achieve up to 17 miles of all-electric range. And if you’re seeking performance, then the X3 M40i packs a solid punch with its turbocharged inline-six that produces 382 hp and can get from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, BMW says. However, the base models provide plenty of thrust with a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 248 hp and gets the X3 up to 60 mph in a respectable six seconds.

Choose the X3 sDrive30i to get a better deal

Now that we know what each X3 trim level is, we can figure out how to get the best possible. Fortunately, Ari Janessian – an auto broker at Boston Automotive Consulting – figured it out for us. According to Janessian, there are currently 2,079 X3 sDrive30i models sitting at dealerships nationwide. Comparing that with just 1,021 xDrive30i models, we can see why going for the rear-drive version could net you a better deal.

If you’re planning on financing the X3, then Janessian’s sample deal looks like this:

2021 BMW X3 sDrive30i
MSRP: $48,260
Target price: $46,329
Rebate: $2,500
APR (60 months): 1.9%
Final price: $43,739
Monthly payment: $791 plus tax

To break down this example, the X3 sDrive30i has a starting MSRP of $48,260. Janessian says that you should aim for a 4% discount off of that price, which would equate to $46,329. BMW is currently offering a finance rebate of $2,500 and a special APR of 1.9% for up to 60 months (until 6/30). If you were to finance the car at this rate, and with the discounts, then you would be looking at a monthly payment of around $791 plus tax.

Leasing a BMW X3 can lead to lower monthly payments

If you’re the type of buyer that doesn’t keep their car for a long time, then leasing a BMW X3 might be a better idea. In that case, Janessian’s lease deal example looks like this:

2021 BMW X3 sDrive30i
MSRP: $48,260
Target price: $46,329
Rebate: $1,250
Residual: 56%
Money Factor: .00093
Monthly payment: $601 (6.25% tax)
Down payment: $2,351

To break down this lease example, the MSRP and target selling price are the same as before. BMW is currently offering a lease rebate of $1,250 and the residual amount after three years is 56%. There is a special money factor rate of .00093, which is equivalent to a 2.2% APR. And when all the numbers are crunched together, you will be looking at a lease payment of around $601 per month if you factored in a 6.25% sales tax rate with $2,351 down.

Keep in mind that your deal might vary

If you do plan to lease or purchase a 2021 BMW X3, then keep in mind that your actual pricing and payments may vary. Also, the discounts listed here expire at the end of this month, so they may be different next month. As always, your taxes and registration fees will also depend on where you are located, so don’t be too surprised if you’re numbers look a little different than those stated above.

RELATED: What’s the Difference Between the BMW X1 and the BMW X3?

The post Scoring a Good Deal on a 2021 BMW X3 Is Possible Right Now appeared first on MotorBiscuit.