Ferrari F8 Tributo Rental Car Gets Wrecked With a Cracked Frame Almost Immediately

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Regardless of which side of the equation you’re in, renting a Ferrari can be quite a tricky affair. This is because a large percentage of folks that rent an exotic likely haven’t driven a car that quick or expensive. As a result, accidents and unintended damage occur frequently. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to a Ferrari F8 Tributo in a recent YouTube video. While the damage might seem quite light at first, this exotic is likely totaled.

The video we’re looking at today comes from Royalty Exotic Cars via Motor1 and shows a Ferrari with severe cosmetic and structural damage. Adding to the mystery of this incident, the driver claims it happened because of a rock.

How do you total a brand-new Ferrari F8 Tributo rental car?

While there is no right time to crash a Ferrari F8 Tributo, it’s awful to destroy one on its first rental outing ever. But, unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to the car owned by Royalty Exotic Cars. According to Motor1, renting this exact car for a few hours will cost you $899, while a full eight hours will run you $1,699. As a result, we’re talking about a considerable amount of cash to spend some quality time with a 710-hp Italian supercar.

As shown in the video above, the team at Royalty Exotic Cars got a call from a renter stating that the supercar had at least one blown tire and a bent wheel. According to the renter, he traveled down the road when he noticed a large rock but didn’t have enough time to avoid it. As he tells it, the car managed to strike a center divider.

The crash allegedly occurred on Las Vegas Boulevard, where the renter decided to abandon the Ferrari F8 Tributo and return to his hotel. This is likely because the car’s airbags slightly injured him. However, the incident happened during the nighttime, and the renter allegedly left the car on the side of the road overnight.

The damage was significantly more severe than expected

Ferrari F8 Tributo | Royalty Exotic Cars

Once the staff from Royalty Exotic Cars managed to catch up with the Ferrari F8 Tributo, they quickly discovered that it had multiple bent wheels, damage to the front bumper, front splitter, as well as damaged tires. However, the full extent of the damage didn’t become apparent until the car returned to the team’s shop.

Once the Ferrari F8 Tributo made it onto a lift, the team from Royalty Exotic Cars noticed that the front suspension collapsed completely. The main cause of this issue is that the car’s frame cracked during the impact. As you might imagine, this detail alone shoots the repair bill into the stratosphere.

Is this brand-new Ferrari F8 Tributo totaled?

An image of a broken Ferrari F8 Tributo on the side of the road.
Ferrari F8 Tributo | Royalty Exotic Cars

RELATED:Ultra-Rare $9 Million Ferrari 340 America Racecar Once Sold for $200

While crashing a Ferrari F8 Tributo is never cheap, cracking its frame likely makes it a total loss. This is because the cost of repairing a frame likely falls quite close to the car’s actual value. Additionally, it is worth noting that this is a 710-hp supercar. A repaired frame will never be as structurally sound like a brand-new one. So the lesson here is that if you ever want to rent an exotic, always make sure to get full coverage from an insurance company.

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14-Year-Old Steals $250,000 Lamborghini Urus – Owner Gives Chase on a Scooter

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For the most part, parking an extravagantly expensive vehicle such as a Lamborghini Urus on your driveway is bound to gather a fair bit of unwanted attention. As a result, you won’t find a shortage of stories covering supercars and super SUVs getting stolen, regardless of their price tag. However, a recent story of a stolen Lamborghini SUV might be one of the wildest ones we’ve seen in quite some time.

According to WSVN, a 14-year-old broke into a home and stole the $250,000 SUV. However, instead of calling the police and sitting idly by, its owner decided to jump into action. Unfortunately, the only pursuit vehicle available at the time was a scooter.

How does a 14-year-old steal a Lamborghini Urus?

According to WSVN, this story began as a man heard his Lamborghini Urus fire up as he was sitting inside of his home in Miami Beach, FL. The man told WSVN:

“I’m in my home. I hear this thing start up. I look out the window, and I see somebody driving it away. I got on the scooter, went after the guy.”

Lamborghini Urus owner via WSVN

As the owner tells it, he decided to jump on a scooter and chase after the teenager in the stolen SUV. Thankfully, the 14-year-old didn’t get very far, largely because he admitted to not knowing how to drive. This gave the owner and the police enough time to catch up with the teenager. According to WSVN, the teen decided to park the SUV on a sidewalk and attempt to run on foot. However, he didn’t make it very far.

‘I stole a Lamborghini…I don’t have a license. I can’t drive.’

Lamborghini Urus | Lamborghini

As you might imagine, the average 14-year-old isn’t exactly a criminal mastermind. Despite managing to steal the Lamborghini Urus and taking it on a short joyride, the teen freaked out after ditching the SUV on the side of the road. According to WSVN, the teen ran through a small neighborhood before encountering a man sitting on his front porch.

According to WSVN, the teen quickly admitted to stealing the Lamborghini, telling the man on the porch, “I stole a Lamborghini,” then adding, “I don’t have a license. I can’t drive.” As most frightened teens would, the 14-year-old asked the man for advice, to which he replied, “You’re better off turning yourself in. They’re going to go much, much easier on you.”

As this conversation took place, both the Lamborghini’s owner and the local police department caught up with the teen, eventually taking him into custody. Fortunately for the teen, his arrest was swift and uneventful.

This Lamborghini Urus owner eventually recovered his stolen SUV

Kim Kardashian and her Lamborghini Urus
Lamborghini Urus | Martyn Lucy/Getty Images

RELATED: 2 Stolen $250,000 Lamborghini Urus SUVs End up Crashing Into One Another

Once police apprehended the teen, the Lamborghini Urus owner chimed in on how the 14-year-old stole the SUV in the first place. According to the owner, he believes the teenager managed to sneak into his garage. From there, it was as easy as finding the keys, starting it up, and driving away.

Thankfully for the owner of the $250,000 SUV, it seems the teen wasn’t able to cause any serious damage. In the end, the SUV’s owner was able to jump in and head home with his prized posession.

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Toyota Land Cruiser: Which Should You Buy, 2019, 2020, or 2021?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Toyota Land Cruiser might be expensive, but many enthusiasts regard it as one of the best luxury SUVs. Its interior is undeniably roomy and luxurious, plus it can hold its own in off-road adventures. But despite the high praise, Toyota will discontinue the Land Cruiser stateside after the 2021 model year.

The announcement sparked a run on Land Cruiser purchases, Car and Driver reported. It saw a 221 percent sales increase in January, the full-size SUV’s most successful month of the decade. So, comparing the three latest models, which one should you buy?

The 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser boasts the highest rating

U.S. News gives the 2019 Land Cruiser the best overall rating, mostly due to its impressive performance. It has the same engine as the current model, a V8 producing 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive.

Despite its size, the 2019 Land Cruiser exhibits surprisingly little body roll, U.S. News reports. The brakes are strong enough to bring this large SUV to a halt as needed, and the ride is comfortable. And the suspension retains that smoothness even in an off-road setting.

For off-roading, drivers can use the standard multi-terrain management system, complete with a camera monitor for the Land Cruiser’s underside. A lockable limited-slip differential and crawl control are also standard on every 2019 model.

Fuel economy is one of the Land Cruiser’s only low points. It’s rated for only 13/18 mpg city/highway. Still, many drivers will appreciate that it doesn’t need premium gas, a rarity for a luxury SUV.

However, some critics also dislike the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser’s third-row seats, which aren’t as spacious as the other two rows. The seats also have to be folded from the side, which takes up valuable cargo space. But fortunately, the Land Cruiser can tow a decent amount of weight, up to 8,100 pounds.

What’s new for the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser?

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser didn’t undergo any major changes, except for the addition of the Heritage Edition model. To celebrate the Land Cruiser’s 60th anniversary, it comes with unique badges, a new grille, and special BBS wheels. It’s available only as a two-row model, but it comes with a Yakima roof rack for added utility.

Even with a powertrain identical to the 2019 model, some critics think the 2020 Land Cruiser isn’t as pleasant to drive. This Land Cruiser has ungainly handling in turns, and the gas mileage is still terrible. However, it still performs excellently in an off-road setting and has all the same standard adventuring equipment as its predecessor.

Final improvements for the 2021 model

You can still get a Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition for this model year, now with an optional third row. Although the third row is still quite cramped, all three rows boast premium materials. Leather seats are standard, equipped with heating for the first two rows and ventilation for front-seat riders.

The Land Cruiser hasn’t received any major technology updates since 2016, leaving its infotainment system noticeably dated. Drivers will likely long for smartphone integration, but at least the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser has a ton of safety features.

Which Land Cruiser is the best buy?

All three Toyota Land Cruisers model years are considered reliable and are nearly identical in terms of features. However, the Heritage Edition is available only for the 2020 and 2021 model years, perhaps the biggest selling point for collectors. But if you’re after the best ride quality and a slightly lower price, a used 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser might be your favorite.

RELATED: Pay Over $80,000 to Seat 8 Passengers in the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

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Bus Conversions vs. RVs: Which One Is Better?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

School bus conversions are all over the internet. These luxurious DIY tiny homes on wheels offer a much different experience than a mass-produced RV. So is converting a school bus better than buying an RV? Unfortunately, the answer to that question isn’t cut and dry.

Bus conversions can cost as much as high-end RVs but they don’t have to

Part of the appeal of the school bus conversion is its nearly limitless potential for customization. Building a unique bus from the ground up means the price of one bus to another can vary wildly. Some build no-frills rolling homes. Others create luxury retreats that can easily cost as much as a “sticks and bricks” house.

RVs are much more static in price. Manufacturers set suggested MSRPs and dealerships tack on additional fees. There is a spectrum of mass-produced rigs from affordable to unattainable. On average, an RV is typically more expensive than a Bus conversion. Popular Mechanics estimates that bus conversions cost about 10% of the sale price of a second-hand RV.

The average conversion with full hookups can be built for $30,000. Buyers would be hard-pressed to find a similar size RV in that price range, even at the lower end of the quality scale. RVs cost more to purchase and more to maintain. A bus conversion is a clear choice if budget is a primary concern, but the savings mean a high labor cost.

Which is safer, a bus conversion or an RV?

RV in a ditch | Michal Fludra/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Safety is where a school bus conversion beats an RV, hands down, with minimal exceptions. RVs have been heavily criticized for safety concerns since they first hit the road. As a result, modern units are made as cheaply and quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this means using lower-quality materials that are less durable. As a result, when an RV is involved in a traffic accident, it’s not uncommon to see whole walls detach and other catastrophic damage.

Where RVs are made with plastic, particleboard, and fiberglass, school buses are solid Steel. The arched roof shape and internal ribs give the structure of a school bus immense strength. Even the windows are built to withstand collisions better than an RV, often framed in steel as well.

A converted school bus’s biggest weak spot for safety is the interior build. A conversion is only as safe as its owner makes it. With well anchored, sturdy features and correctly installed seatbelts, a converted school bus can be safer than an RV by a landslide.

School bus conversions have some major downsides compared to RVs

A homey bedroom built into the back of a school bus conversion
School bus conversion bedroom | Brian Sullivan / Barcroft Media via Getty Images

There are a few common headaches that many bus owners face that don’t apply to RVs. Insuring a school bus conversion can be a major pain point. A bus must be converted to certain standards and titled as an RV before it can be insured as one. This process varies from state to state and may include a professional inspection.

Even after a bus is properly titled, finding a policy that covers conversions can be challenging. There are companies known for accepting converted busses, but rejections are still possible. Finding the right agent is a make or break for conversion owners.

RV parks can be very pricey, and with those prices can come rig standards that busses can not meet. Some parks will turn away a bus conversion based on preconceived impressions. It can be difficult to find a place to camp outside of state parks, whereas a new RV is welcomed anywhere.

Whether a school bus conversion or a purchased RV is better really depends on how it will be used. Adventurers who love camping in primitive sites may appreciate the high clearance and off-road capability of a bus. Those who prefer 5-star RV resorts may want to stay away from the DIY route. Both options deliver the same results, adventures, and memories that will last a lifetime.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About School Bus Conversion Insurance

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