4 Hot Rod Events to Attend In Fall 2021

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Now that the world is opening back up again, more hot rod events are happening. However, some people might not be prepared to walk around in the blistering heat just to look at their favorite cars. Some individuals might also still be waiting for a vaccine to protect themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you’d rather wait until the weather cools down, there are still plenty of hot rod events happening in autumn. Here are some of the ones we’re looking forward to, courtesy of Hot Rod Network and GoodGuys.

Tennessee’s hot rod event – Shades of the Past

One of Tennessee’s largest annual car shows is held in Pigeon Forge, right beside Dollywood’s Splash Country. Event-goers can get an up-close look at classic hot rods like Chevy’s and Deuce Coupes, all from 1972 or earlier. While most of the vehicles are either preserved or restored originals, some have been beautifully modified.

Vendors can also enter their vehicles in the Shades Triple Crown of Rodding show. There are awards for the best street rod, street machine, and street cruiser of the event. The grand prize this year is a 1932 Ford Hi-Boy Roadster, plus a check for $10,000.

This year, Shades of the Past takes place on September 10 and 11. Admission for both days costs $50 for adults and $10 for kids over 12. Anyone younger gets into the event free.

The NMRA Finals hot rod event

If you’ve got a taste for Fords, you might be interested in attending the NMRA World Finals and Holley Ford Festival. There’s something for everyone at this event including swap meets, car award shows, and several kinds of races. Blue Oval fans can see their favorite hot rods in everything from street and drag races to time trials and drifting competitions. This is also the place to see some of the biggest monster trucks in the country, like Bigfoot #19.

The NMRA Finals will also have some great special guests, including YouTube favorite Cleetus McFarland. He plans to participate in some burnout competitions with Neighbor, his supercharged Crown Victoria. Formula D racer Vaughn Gittin Jr. will showcase some sick drifts in a Ford Mustang and greet fans afterward.

This event takes place in Bowling Green, Kentucky from September 30-October 3. Fans get in for $25 for a single day, or $95 for the whole weekend.

Hershey AACA Fall Meet

Just a few days later, you can attend the AACA Fall Meet in Hershey, PA. Held from October 6-9, many spectators regard this even as the biggest antique car show. It’s also home to one of the biggest flea markets where you can find car parts for your next restoration project. You can see classic cars on display at the Car Corral, or even participate in the judged car show on Saturday.

If you’re just a casual observer, there’s plenty of memorabilia to buy at the flea market, plus an oldies movie night. Unlike other events, the AACA Fall Meet has no admission fees besides daily parking. As it’s an outdoor event, masks might not be required, but details aren’t listed on the event website.

24th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals

You can end 2021 on a high note at the 24th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals, presented by Barrett Jackson and GoodGuys. Spectators can enjoy a car show showcasing over 3,000 models, plus cheer for their favorites in racing competitions. Anyone can showcase their cars at the event, but GoodGuys Association members get discounted registration rates.

This event takes place from November 19-21 in Scottsdale, Arizona. GoodGuys says that there will be several sanitization stations throughout the event and social distancing is required. Currently, face masks are required for all attendees and vendors.

RELATED: 3 Hot Rod Events to Attend in Socially Distanced Summer 2021

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Looking for a Used Car? Here’s Another Reason to Hate Dealers

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are lots of reasons to dislike car dealers but we never thought this would be one of them. You know that used cars are at a premium, right? Even rental car agencies are buying them because they can’t get new cars. That’s because new cars are in huge demand and at a premium. But now car dealers are in such a frenzy for used cars they’ve turned their salesforce into buyers. 

Dealership sales staffs are becoming used car buyers

Used cars at Metro Ford | Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Some dealerships are paying a bounty to their salespeople for scoring used cars. According to Automotive News, some dealers are paying between $200 to $400 per car to their sales staff. So that means now you are competing with dealerships for that prized used Prius. Or F-150. 

This is just one more reason to hate car dealers. Automotive News talked with one dealer bragging about a salesperson finding 10 vehicles in May that he made $40,000 in profit from. Hey, we’re all for everyone making money, but local car dealers are probably buying up all of the good stuff so you can’t. 

This dealer goes on to say that buying used cars off of the street “is the smartest thing I’ve done in 20 years.” So the shortage is creating a frenzy among car dealerships for used cars. Never mind independent buyers looking for a personal car. But there’s more.

Some dealers won’t sell to out-of-towners unless they have a trade-in

A group of people at a car dealership shopping for a new car
Potential car buyers. | Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Some dealers make it tougher for out-of-town buyers to their dealership. To prioritize their local customers some dealers require out-of-towners to have a decent trade-in before they can purchase anything from their lot. Prioritizing locals is in hopes of getting their repair business later. 

And the shortage is real. Some dealers have only 15-20 percent of what they would normally have sitting on their lots. There are dealership groups that have gone from providing 1,000 cars to various lots within their group to only a few hundred. 

Some dealers are putting pressure on leasees to turn in their cars early. They have a somewhat built-in source with most providing service. When the customer comes in for an oil change they begin working on them to sell. 

Dealerships are even relaxing their low-mileage preferences taking in 100,000-mile vehicles

Potential car shoppers walk around Charles Hurst Usedirect used car dealership on Boucher Road
Car shoppers at a dealership | Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images

In other cases, dealerships have more vehicles on their lots with over 100,000 miles, for the first time. And the cars dealers do have are hanging around for less time. “Used average days on market continue to decline even with that slight improvement in inventory levels, which really shows that strength in demand for used vehicles currently,” said Kevin Roberts, CarGurus’ director of industry insights and analytics. 

Now that we’re in the middle of June we are beginning to see a slow reduction in car sales. Maybe we have finally hit the top of the wholesale price market. But that doesn’t mean that prices will begin to fall off of a cliff. 

Many say that when it does come the slow-down will be more like a trickle. In the meantime, dealers float lots of ways to snag more cars. From the seller’s perspective, there could now be more built-in equity than when the lease was formulated. So there could be these market-driven responses that favor the vehicle owner. So at least in the short term, it is absolutely a seller’s market.

RELATED: Why Is it Harder to Negotiate on Used Cars in 2021?

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Is Buying an RV a Good Financial Investment?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying an RV can be a good financial decision for many families that love to travel, but that doesn’t always mean that they are a good financial investment. In fact, just like many other vehicles, RVs can depreciate greatly for a number of reasons, meaning you can lose a lot of money when purchasing one brand new or if you pay over MSRP. But, there are plenty of other reasons why buying an RV can save you money, even if you won’t always make your money back in what you originally paid for it.

RV’s, campers, and caravans | Michal Fludra, NurPhoto, Getty Images

Is buying an RV new a good financial decision?

Like many other vehicles, most RVs are depreciating assets. Many factors such as age, mileage, and wear can increase the rate of depreciation, and while there are some rare instances, RVs are overall not an investment if you are looking to get your money back or even make money. Of course, there are some exceptions, like if you’re looking to buy something that needs some TLC and fix it back up into better condition — though shows on flipping RV homes make it look a lot more fun than it actually is.

Because RVs depreciate like vehicles, it stands to reason that buying a slightly used, older RV means losing less money. According to Camper Report, the guidelines for avoiding depreciation in cars, trucks, and SUVs rings true for RVs as well. Buying an RV that is around 5 years old means skipping out on new vehicle depreciation while still getting something with a lot of the same modern technology and luxuries.

A bicycle mounted to the back of an RV
A motorhome with a bicycle attached | Matthias Bein, picture alliance, Getty Images

Even if RVs aren’t a good investment, they can still be a good financial decision

While you may not be making your money back on buying a new RV, that doesn’t mean you won’t be making up the money in other ways. Traveling by RV can be cost-effective for many travelers and families for more reasons than one. For larger families or groups, traveling by RV instead of an airplane can mean saving a ton of money on airfare and fees associated with baggage — and, of course, there is always the added bonus of being able to pack and travel with much more stuff. It also means having to skip out on hotel costs as you travel and having to replace whatever gets left behind — because, let’s admit it, we almost always leave something behind.

RV deprecation isn’t exactly the same as other vehicles

There are many factors to take into account when considering how much a regular car, truck, or SUV will depreciate. Factors such as age and condition play major roles, but mileage is also a large factor. According to Camper Report, mileage isn’t necessarily as important of a factor when considering the depreciation of an RV, but rather the vehicle’s age.

Many buyers can become distracted by the luxuries and features that some new RVs have to offer — after all, it is your home away from home, so why not spend a bit more to get something you’ll really love. But that sometimes prevents us from doing our due diligence in price comparisons or making a smart purchase.

Coachmen RV trailer in a press photo in the forest
Coachmen RV trailer | Coachmen RV

RELATED: Here Are 5 of the Best Small Vans for a Camper Van Conversion

When it comes down to it, buying an RV isn’t really a good financial investment from the standpoint of owning an asset that will appreciate in value. While RVs depreciate just as many other vehicles do, the differences in the ways that they depreciate are important things to keep in mind when deciding on which ones to purchase, and which ones to pass on. If you’re looking to save money on travel expenses, love to travel with a big group or family, and just like the luxury of not having to plan airfare and hotels, buying an RV can still be a great way to invest your time, even if it isn’t a great way to invest your money.

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The 6 Most Improved New Cars and SUVs of 2021 According to U.S. News

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s no secret that automotive companies are always seeking out ways to improve their cars. More often than not, these improvements come as part of a redesign. This year, several cars and SUVs benefited from thorough redesigns. But when it comes to the most improved cars of 2021? U.S. News & World highlighted these vehicles as the most improved new cars of 2021.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue got a much-needed face-lift

2021 Nissan Rogue | Nissan

There’s no denying that the compact SUV segment is pretty competitive. Consumers expect these vehicles to be capable but also affordable. For many automakers, finding that perfect balance is no easy feat. But, that’s what Nissan sought to do when redesigning the 2021 Nissan Rogue. Fortunately, it worked out, and the Nissan Rogue found itself among the most improved cars of 2021.

According to U.S. News, the 2021 Nissan Rogue benefits from an entirely redesigned cabin space and a slew of standard driver-assist features, including a driver alertness monitor and automatic high beam headlights. According to critics, the Rogue also benefits from improved driving capabilities thanks to a new platform that features updates in the new SUV’s suspension and steering design. As for how much the 2021 Rogue costs? You can expect to spend at least $25,850 on this year’s redesigned model.

The 2021 Buick Envision is one of the most improved cars of 2021

A 2021 Buick Envision parked in front of a house
2021 Buick Envision | Buick

The 2021 Buick Envision also found itself among the most improved cars of 2021. According to U.S. News, while the previous iteration of the Buick Envision was only four years old, it struggled to keep up with rivals in the luxury compact SUV segment. Fortunately, the 2021 Buick Envision’s redesign “brought about major updates to the interior and ride quality that boost the Envision’s upscale credentials,” reports U.S. News.

Nowadays, U.S. News says the 2021 Buick Envision offers up both a comfortable ride and a comfortable interior. These days, the redesigned Buick Envision also has some of the most back-row legroom in the luxury compact SUV segment. And when it comes to price? This year’s model starts at $31,800.

The 2021 Acura TLX “delivers loads of improvements”

A 2021 TLX TYPE S driving
2021 Acura TLX TYPE S | Acura

There’s no beating around the bush here. Before its redesign, the Acura TLX was feeling a tad outdated. Now? The redesigned Acura TLX is one of the most improved new cars of 2021, reports U.S. News. Its interior is all-new and features a slew of high-quality materials. It also boasts a “design that is much more contemporary than the outgoing version,” says U.S. News. That’s not all, either.

The Acura TLX redesign also resulted in sophisticated driving qualities that U.S. News predicts will rival even some Japanese and German rivals. In fact, while the TLX now comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, performance remains the TLX’s strong suit, and, overall, the car is “well-suited for a luxury driving experience.” This new car costs under $40,000 too.

The 2021 GMC Yukon is all-new and seriously improved  

A 2021 GMC Yukon Denali parked
2021 GMC Yukon Denali | GMC

According to U.S. News, the 2021 GMC Yukon’s redesign brought it from the bottom of its large SUV rankings up to the middle of the pack. As one of the most improved SUVs of 2021, the redesigned GMC Yukon boasts an “enormous cabin, comfortable ride, and powerful engines,” says U.S. News. In fact, while last year’s model offered up 51.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded down, the redesigned GMC Yukon boasts an impressive 72.6 cubic feet behind the second row.

The 2021 GMC Yukon also benefits from an improved driving experience, reports U.S. News. It delivers better steering and handling than previous models and is more than capable of handling many driving situations. The redesigned GMC Yukon offers several new features too, including a 10.2-inch touch screen display, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, automatic emergency braking, and forward-collision warnings. And when it comes to price? This large family SUV starts at $51,000.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade benefits from a well-deserved redesign

A 2021 Cadillac Escalade driving
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade Sport | Cadillac

There’s no denying that the Cadillac Escalade was in dire need of a redesign. Fortunately, the 2021 benefits from a thorough overhaul, so much so that U.S. News tapped the 2021 Cadillac Escalade as one of the most improved new SUVs of 2021. Starting at $76,195, the redesigned Cadillac Escalade even ranks among the best luxury large SUVs in its segment.

According to U.S. News, the Escalade’s improved ratings can be attributed to its “huge cargo capacity, comfortable seating in all rows, luxurious and feature-heavy cabin, and its smooth ride quality.” The 2021 model now offers up 72.9 cubic feet of space with the third row folded down, compared to 51.6 cubic feet in previous models. The Escalade benefits from several new driver-assist features too, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and front and rear pedestrian detection. Its new independent rear suspension setup also means a better ride. 

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is the most improved car of 2021

A white 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, the most improved new SUV of 2021
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander | Mitsubishi

As for the most improved car of 2021? According to U.S. News, that honor goes to the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, which starts at $25,795. After spending years as one of the most overlooked SUVs in its segment, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander has now been fully designed and is ready to take on its competition. 

According to U.S. News, the most significant improvements in the Mitsubishi Outlander include its interior, which benefits from near-luxury quality materials. The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander also offers up several standard features that weren’t available on outgoing models, including an 8-inch touch screen display, Apple CarPlay, two USB ports, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. “The redesigned Outlander exhibits smooth steering and refined handling, as well as strong braking abilities,” U.S. News added.

Which most improved car or SUV is right for you?

If you’re shopping for a new car or SUV, these redesigned models are worth checking out. To find out which is the best fit for you, however, we recommend getting behind the wheel for a few test drives.

RELATED: The Best New SUVs Under $30,000 According to Consumer Reports

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