Showing posts with label cheaper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cheaper. Show all posts

Sunday, January 10, 2021

Phaeton 2 Will Be Smaller, Cheaper

Phaeton 2 Will Be Smaller, Cheaper





The next Phaeton is already in the works. Volkswagen AG head Martin Winterkorn has already announced that we can expect the second iteration in four years. Other than that, however, he was short on details. And for a project fragile as the Phaeton, details are important. Now, Winterkorn is revealing that the next Phaeton will be based off of the next gen Audi A6. This fact alone reveals exactly where they have kept costs down. Unlike the last Phaeton, the 2nd generation will use an existing platform and will be built in an existing plant mass produced (presumably). So this means a smaller Phaeton (small is relative because the A6 is actually a big car, just not A8, S-Class, 7-series big). And though the Phaeton will still remain as Volkswagen's flagship car, it will be positioned only slightly above a top end Passat, which indicates that it will be cheaper than the current Phaeton. That remains to be seen.





If you don鈥檛 let your readers know what your blog is about, they will probably not stick around very long. Not every blog that is updated regularly is going to be a success, but every successful blog is updated regularly. I have seen too many photographers start blogs that are updated daily, then weekly, and before long, the rate at which new pictures are posted slows to a trickle. Soon it鈥檚 a photo every couple weeks, then one a month, and then a written apology by the blogger about how he or she has just been so busy lately, but they promise to start posting more photos soon. More often than not, soon becomes later, then later becomes never, and a once-promising photo blog becomes another statistic of failure rates. The best way to combat this problem, is to not post pictures whenever you feel like it, but instead post them on a regular and predictable basis. This gives your readers something to expect, and also imparts upon you, the blogger, a sense of accountability, which helps keep your camera in your hands and out of your closet.





My photo blog is titled 鈥淲eekly Fifty鈥? and because it requires me to post a picture every single week, I almost always carry my camera with me, and am constantly looking for photo opportunities. In almost three years I have never failed to post a photo each Wednesday morning, which has helped me build a nice following, with regular commenters as well. A few years ago I ran out of ideas for pictures to post, but I knew I had to stick with my weekly schedule. So, I made this image, that turned out to be one of my more popular photos. One trick I like to recommend for photo bloggers, is to schedule your posts in advance. This doesn鈥檛 work well for blogs about news or current events, but as a photo bloggers you do not have to be timely in the same manner. I currently have complete posts (each with a photo, written explanatory text, and an accompanying 4-minute audio commentary) scheduled for the next six weeks.





I use WordPress, which allows me to schedule posts in advance, so each of these six posts will be automatically published on subsequent Wednesdays at 1:00 a.m. This gives me a bit of padding, if I ever find myself in a position with lots of things going on in my life, and my readers know that they will get a new picture each week, no matter what. Of course the catch here, is that I can鈥檛 merely sit on my laurels in the meantime. I have to keep taking pictures, and producing new blog posts, so that six weeks from now I don鈥檛 run out of material. This type of accountability is enormously helpful for photo bloggers, and if you鈥檙e not sure where to start, I always recommend doing one picture each week. Building a loyal audience is the holy grail of almost every blogger, but it鈥檚 not easy to do.





When you do get commenters it鈥檚 essential that you interact with them, in order to build a sense of community, respect, and mutual sharing. If someone likes one of your pictures, say 鈥淭hank you鈥?and ask if you can see some of their photos too. If someone offers a bit of constructive criticism on a picture, try re-taking a similar photo using their suggestions. You can offer a Call to Action by posting a photo, and encouraging your readers to take, and share similar photos in the comments section. This chart shows my comment statistics for calendar year 2015. I ran my blog for almost a year and a half before getting any regular commenters, and now I get about 40 comments each month. It鈥檚 not huge, but it鈥檚 a number with which I am very happy. On my blog I have a few loyal readers who comment on every single picture, and it鈥檚 well worth a few minutes of my time each week to respond to the things they write. This helps make my commenters feel valued, and builds a sense of community that would not exist otherwise.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Phaeton 2 Will Be Smaller, Cheaper




The next Phaeton is already in the works. Volkswagen AG head Martin Winterkorn has already announced that we can expect the second iteration in four years. Other than that, however, he was short on details. And for a project fragile as the Phaeton, details are important. Now, Winterkorn is revealing that the next Phaeton will be based off of the next gen Audi A6. This fact alone reveals exactly where they have kept costs down. Unlike the last Phaeton, the 2nd generation will use an existing platform and will be built in an existing plant mass produced (presumably). So this means a smaller Phaeton (small is relative because the A6 is actually a big car, just not A8, S-Class, 7-series big). And though the Phaeton will still remain as Volkswagen's flagship car, it will be positioned only slightly above a top end Passat, which indicates that it will be cheaper than the current Phaeton. That remains to be seen.





And the touch-screen interface with dials brings all the tech to your fingertips in a very user-friendly and intuitive way. And while Volkswagen adds the Fender brand name to its SUVs (Tiguan and Atlas), the 鈥?9 VW Jetta GLI gets boosted in the audio department by the beats name brand! The 鈥?9 Jetta GLI delivers some of VW鈥檚 top driver assistance tech features to help keep you safe on the roads. Blind Spot Monitoring will alert you to vehicles you can鈥檛 see when changing lanes. Front assist will audibly alert you of potential front-end collisions. And Rear Traffic Alert keeps you in the know when backing up. It can even brake for you to avoid accidents. VW describes it鈥檚 鈥楾he People First Warranty鈥?as America鈥檚 Best Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty and it鈥檚 rather tough to dispute. 6-Years/72,000-miles and the fact that it鈥檚 transferable too is impressive. That definitely delivers extra peace of mind鈥娾€斺€奺specially if you鈥檙e buying rather than leasing. Exterior Styling鈥娾€斺€夾ll trims of the 2019 VW Jetta GLI look awesome. I love the 35th Anniversary badging. The Drive鈥娾€斺€娾€?9 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a fun car to drive. The turbocharged power, torque, and paddle shifters provide an exceptional performance package. Warranty鈥娾€斺€奜f the many additional options to include in the 鈥?9 Jetta GLI the People First Warranty just can鈥檛 be taken for granted. It adds big value. If the 2019 VW Jetta GLI or any Volkswagen is of interest to you then you have to connect with my friends at Ontario Volkswagen. Earl Reed is the General Manager, Shant Bashian is his General Sales Manager, Randy Halcomb is the iDriveSoCal point-person at Ontario VW and they love hearing from iDriveSoCal readers/listeners/surfers.





Volkwagen made an effort to upgrade the "fit and finish" elements of its Jetta models for 2001 with a number of improvements. Interior cloth fabrics were upgraded, for instance, and the cupholders got an update in an effort to make them more durable (they tended to break easily in earlier models). Side-curtain head-protection airbags were offered as optional equipment, audio controls were added to the steering wheels of some models, and the optional sports suspension was tightened up. Overall, the Jetta was available in a wide variety of trim packages for 2001, including all-new wagons, which came with either a 115-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or a 174-horsepower, 2.8-liter V6. The V6 was available in two wagon trim packages, the GLS and the GLX. Air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, dual airbags, and power door locks were among the standard features for all three wagon models. The GLX V6 added power windows and a sunroof, among other features. The Jetta sedans were similarly available with a number of engine options, including the base 115-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine; a turbocharged 150-horsepower 1.8T four-cylinder; a 90-horsepower, 1.9-liter TDI diesel engine; and the V6. The Volkswagen Jetta, and especially the turbocharged models, continued to receive high marks from the drivers, who liked the car's power, styling, build quality, safety features, and handling. As always, though, some drivers noted that the car needed too many trips to the repair shop. There were complaints about VW customer service as well.





1 online retailer of aftermarket trailer hitches - the best place to research and shop for hitches. Just tell us your year, make, and model, and we鈥檒l show you everything we know about the custom-fit hitches available for your vehicle: how they look, how they install, towing capacity, and customer reviews. We'll even show you related products that will help you get the most out of your new hitch. We carry hitches from the leading brands including Curt, Draw-Tite, B&W, Tork-Lift, and Eco-Hitch. We offer hitches for nearly every vehicle on the road, including the most popular makes and models from Ford, Chevy, GMC, Cadillac, Dodge, Jeep, and Toyota. Custom fit trailer hitches are available for virtually every vehicle. You will also find a complete selection of hitch accessories and related products such as bike racks, cargo carriers, hitch covers, ballmounts, and locks. Speaker 1: Today we're going to be taking a look at the best hitch options for your 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. So up top here we're going to have our CURT Class 1 hitch.





Right below that we're going to have our Draw-Tite Class 1 hitch. Now both of our hitches are that Class 1, which means it's going to give us an 1-1/4" by 1-1/4" receiver tube opening. Speaker 1: Today on our 2017 Volkswagen Jetta we're going to be taking a look at and showing you how to install the Curt Class I Custom Fit Trailer Hitch Receiver, part number C11474. Here's what our hitch is going to look like once we have it installed on our Jetta. It is going to sit right below the bumper, and that cross tube is going to be visible just right below. Now our hitch is a class I, which means it's going to give us that 1-1/4" by 1-1/4" receiver tube opening. It's part number is C11072. Now, this is what our hitch is going to look like once we get it installed, nice, clean-looking round tube.

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Can't Afford A BMW M2? Here Are Some Cheaper Alternatives

A compact performance coupe doesn't have to cost over $50,000.

Even though it is just the "baby M car," we think the BMW M2 may be the best model the company makes at the moment. The M2 certainly offers the best purist experience of the current M lineup, since the other M cars have all become larger and heavier. Even though it is the cheapest M car on the market, the M2 still starts at a whopping $54,500 and will only get more expensive with the addition of a Competition version. Nearly $55,000 sounds like a lot to pay for a 365 horsepower sport coupe. Thankfully, there are plenty of cheaper used alternatives.

Porsche 911 Carrera (997 gen)

The M2 sits at the bottom of the M car lineup, but for much less, budget conscious buyers can scoop up a flagship Porsche. For less than $40,000, it is possible to find a 997.1 generation 911 Carrera or Carrera S. The base 3.6-liter flat-six produces less power than the M2: just 325 hp. We also found more powerful Carrera S models with the larger 3.8-liter flat-six, producing 355 hp. Though it won't match the M2 on interior technology, the 911 is one of the purest driving experiences on the market and the 997 generation is arguably one of the best. You may want to invest in a mount for your smartphone because Porsche's infotainment was pretty lackluster in this generation.

Cadillac ATS-V Coupe

Buyers who want something a little more modern can opt for our next choice, the Cadillac ATS-V coupe. The ATS-V has only been around since 2016, but prices have already plummeted to just above $40,000. We found ATS-V coupe and sedans in the low $40,000 price range with the six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic. Power comes from a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 464 hp. Not even the upcoming M2 Competition will be able to match the ATS-V on power, and the Cadillac is larger if you need more space.

Audi TT RS

Even though they are actually very different, the Audi TT RS is often compared to the BMW M2. The current TT RS is more powerful than the M2 thanks to its 400 hp 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, but it is more expensive starting at around $65,000. Luckily, used examples of the previous generation TT RS can be found starting at around half the price. The old TT RS still produces 360 hp from its five-cylinder engine, and unlike the new model it is only available with a six-speed manual transmission.

Nissan 370Z

If you go crazy with the options sheet, it is possible to buy a Nissan 370Z for around the same price as the M2. We like the 370Z, but it is starting to feel old and we wouldn't recommend buying a brand-new one. A used one is a different story. The cheapest examples we found started at less than $15,000, and the prices went higher as the age and mileage shrank. The 3.7-liter V6 engine produces 332 hp, or 350 hp in the Nismo version. Unlike the M2, the 370Z is strictly a two-seater, which could be what certain buyers are looking for from their small coupe.

BMW 135i

The M2 Competition will finally fix one of the biggest complains with the standard M2; it doesn't have a bespoke M engine. The N55 in the M2 is a great engine, but it is used in plenty of other BMW models, including our final used alternative. The BMW 135i was originally sold with the twin-turbo N54 inline-six, but was later upgraded to the N55. We recommend trying to find the rare 135is, which produced 320 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. With some minor tuning, the 135is should be able to keep up with the far more expensive M2 (at least in a straight line).

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Can't Afford An E39 BMW M5? Here Are Some Cheaper Alternatives

The E39 is heralded as one of the best driver's sedans of all time, and prices are on the rise.

The E39 generation BMW M5 is heralded as one of the best analog driver's sedans ever produced. E39 prices tanked as many high dollar German luxury cars tend to do, but a recent explosion in old M car values has brought prices back up. There are still bargains to be had on the used market, but many pristine E39s are selling for close to six figures; a normal, fairly low-mileage example can cost around $50,000, which is a lot to pay for a 15-year-old car. With this is mind, we have come up with five cheaper options to satisfy your performance itch.

Chevrolet SS

The Chevy SS was highly praised as the “second coming” of the E39 M5. What some people may have forgotten, though, is GM tried its hand at building a rear-wheel-drive performance sedan long before the SS. The Pontiac G8 arrived in 2008 with a 3.6-liter V6 and a 6.0-liter V8. Unfortunately, both of these engines were mated to an automatic transmission. For the 2009 model year, GM gifted the G8 a 6.2-liter Corvette V8 producing 430 horsepower and the option of a six-speed manual. Much like the E39 M5, the G8 GXP has become a bit of a collectible. We still managed to find several manual examples for less than $30,000, and it will no doubt be cheaper to maintain than the German option.

Infiniti M37

If an automatic transmission isn't a deal breaker, our next choice is a fantastic value. The Infiniti M sedan is technically still sold today as the Q70. The base M37 model was powered by Nissan's VQ V6 engine, but the more powerful M56 model packed a 420-hp 5.6-liter V8. Though it only came with a seven-speed automatic, the M56 was still a very involving car to drive. We found used examples starting under $15,000, with nicer examples costing around $25,000. It may not be as collectible as the BMW, but the Infiniti is more powerful, packs more modern features, and is likely cheaper to maintain.

Acura TL

We were a bit disappointed when Acura decided to merge the TL and TSX lines into the lackluster TLX sedan. The TL was once one of the most underrated sport sedans on the market, and it was even available with a manual transmission. Though it it didn't wear a Type S badge, the fourth-generation TL combined a 3.7-liter V6 with SH-AWD and an optional six-speed manual transmission. It is rare to find a TL equipped with a manual transmission, but we some found nice examples for around $15,000.

Cadillac CTS-V

Though it was priced to compete with the E46 BMW M3, the first generation CTS-V was more of a direct competitor for the E39. Unfortunately, the E39 went out of production prior to the CTS-V's arrival, and the more powerful E60 M5 trounced the American muscle sedan. This doesn't mean the original CTS-V isn't a good car. Like the E39, it is powered by a 400-hp V8 (in this case a 6.0-liter LS6 or LS2). Also like the M5, it only came with a six-speed manual transmission and has an extremely out-of-date interior. High mileage examples start at under $10,000, but we'd recommend spending more on a well-maintained example.

BMW 5 Series 540i

Our final alternative is the M5's baby brother, the 540i. The 540i may not be as competent as the M5, but with a few upgrades it can be equally as fun on a race track or back road. The 4.4-liter V8 engine produced 290 hp, which was great at the time. Finding one with a manual and the optional M Sport pack isn't easy, but it will likely be less expensive than finding a pristine M5.

Friday, December 28, 2018

Can't Afford A New Bullitt Mustang? Here Are 7 Cheaper Alternatives

You don't need $50,000 for a special edition sports car.

For the 2019 model year, Ford decided to go back to its roots by reintroducing the Bullitt Mustang into the lineup. Ford has released special edition Bullitt Mustangs in the past, but this new one is the best yet with a revised 5.0-liter Coyote V8 producing 480 horsepower. Unfortunately, this new Bullitt comes at a premium of around $5,000 over a standard Mustang GT - starting at $47,590. With options, a fully-loaded Bullit comes in at around $53,000.

We guarantee that there are some fans of the original 1968 film, but we'd also hazard a guess that some young car enthusiasts have never even seen the movie. The 2019 Mustang Bullitt is still a fantastic special edition sports car, but there are many cheaper special edition sports cars on the used market.

Camaro Hot Wheels Edition

If we had to guess, most of our readers have a stronger connection to Paul Walker than Steve McQueen, making the Bullitt Mustang a bit of a dinosaur in terms of nostalgia. By contrast, even our younger readers probably grew up with Hot Wheels, making the Camaro Wheels Edition more of a nostalgic purchase. Chevy introduced the first Camaro Hot Wheels Edition in 2013 as an appearance package on V6 and V8 models. V6 models produced 323 hp, while the V8 models produced either 400 hp with an automatic or 426 hp with a six-speed manual. Even V8 examples can now be found for around $24,000.

Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack

Ford may be pretty good at bringing back iconic names, but when it comes to playing the nostalgia card, Dodge rules the roost. Like Bullitt, the Scat Pack name dates back to 1968 when it was first used on the Charger R/T, Coronet R/T, Dart GTS, and Super Bee. When the name returned in 2013, it increased the power of the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 by 18-58 hp depending on the Scat Pack level. The latest Scat Pack challenger replaces the R/T's 5.7-liter V8 with the 6.4-liter SRT V8 producing 485 hp. Dodge also reintroduced the popular Shaker hood, with further adds to the Challenger's nostalgia. Used Challenger Scat Pack models can now be found for just under $30,000.

Ford Mustang Boss 302

The Bullitt Mustang offers a significant performance boost over a standard GT, but its main goal is to pay homage to the original Steve McQueen car. Back in 2012, Ford built a Mustang that was more focused on increasing the Mustang's track worthiness while still paying homage to a famous special edition from the past. The 2012-13 Boss 302 increased the 5.0-liter V8's output from 420 to 444 hp and featured numerous suspension upgrades that made it more track capable. Used Boss 302 models can now be found starting around $25,000.

Cadillac ATS-V

Although it may not be a throwback like the aforementioned models on this list, the Cadillac ATS-V is still a unique car from the brand's mighty V Division. The ATS-V is more than capable of keeping up and even outpacing the best Europe has to offer, thanks to its 464 hp twin-turbo V6 engine. Cadillac also made the intelligent decision to offer the ATS-V with a manual transmission, making it the only car in its class other than the BMW M3/M4 to have a third pedal option. Used ATS-V prices have now fallen to around $40,000, and offers a softer, more luxurious ride than a Mustang.

Jaguar XFR-S

Jaguar may be quintessentially British, but the luxury automaker has made its fair share of muscle cars. Back in 2015, Jaguar introduced the most extreme version of its mid-size sedan: the XFR-S. Power came from a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 pumping out 550 hp. Fewer than 100 examples of the XFR-S made it to the US, making this kitty far more rare than the Mustang. Even though it is an extremely rare European sports sedan, used XFR-S prices start at around $44,000.

BMW Z4 M

People like the idea of a special edition car because it may be worth more someday than a "standard" car. If collectibility is your main objective, why not buy one of the most unique BMW M models of all time? Many people are flocking to the quirky Z3 M Coupe, aka the "clown shoe," but we have our sights set on the sleeker Z4 M Coupe. Fewer than 2,000 Z4 M Coupes were built, all powered by a 3.2-liter S54 inline-six from the E46 M3. High mileage examples can still be found for less than $25,000, while low mileage examples can reach over $40,000.

Nissan 370Z Nismo

The Nissan 370Z isn't one of the more talked about sports cars in 2018, mainly because it has been on the market since the 2009 model year. Nissan has done very little to keep the 370Z relevant, but it did introduce a highly updated Nismo version for the 2015 model year. The 370Z Nismo offers a significant performance increase over a standard Z. Nissan tuned the 3.7-liter V6 so it now produces 350 hp. Used Nismo prices start below $30,000, and the car offers great track performance for drivers who want a stiff, hardcore experience.

Monday, December 24, 2018

Can't Afford A New Hellcat? Here Are Some Cheaper Alternatives

The Hellcat is a performance bargain, but most people still can't afford it.

The Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat models are the epitome of performance bargains. For $64,295 and $66,295 respectively, the Challenger and Charger offer more horsepower than cars costing four times as much: 707 hp to be precise. The Hellcats may be bargains for their level of performance, but they still aren't affordable for the masses. Used models have sunk below $50,000, but we wanted to come up with five unique cheaper alternatives to a new Hellcat Challenger or Charger.

Cadillac CTS-V

Our first alternative is the second generation Cadillac CTS-V, also known as the V2. The V2 was built from 2009 to 2015 in sedan, coupe and wagon bodystyles. Unfortunately the rarified wagon models carry a premium over the others. Although it doesn't match the Hellcat in power, the CTS-V is no slouch with a 6.2-liter supercharged LSA V8 producing 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. High mileage examples start at around $25,000 and top out at $60,000 for a low mileage wagon with a manual.

BMW M5 (F10)

American muscle cars may have started the trend of stuffing big engines into ordinary family cars, but the Germans have become pretty good at it too. The F10 BMW M5 was built from 2012 to 2016, and has depreciated like most high-dollar German cars. Prices now range from $30,000 to $85,000 depending on year and mileage. For around half the price of a new Hellcat, it is possible to drive around in a BMW with an original price of around $100,000. The F10 M5 has a 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8 with 553 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque going out to either a seven-speed dual-clutch or six-speed manual.

Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

Before FCA started its quest to stuff the Hellcat engine into all of its cars, AMG wanted to build n fast version of every Mercedes car. We were astonished when we discovered AMG versions of the Mercedes CL for around half as much as a new Hellcat. The CL 63 has a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 518 hp and 462 lb-ft of torque going to a seven-speed automatic. For less than $40,000, we also found the CL 65 with the hand-built twin-turbo V12. This massive engine produces 604 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Good luck maintaining them if something goes wrong, but these cars would be incredible to own.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (Gen 5)

We've already offered up the Cadillac CTS-V as a great alternative for a Charger or Challenger Hellcat. Still, some people may prefer to have an old school muscle car badge instead of an "old man's car with a big engine." The fifth generation Camaro ZL1 was sold with the same 6.2-liter supercharged LSA V8 that was found in the CTS-V. It even produces a bit more power than the Cadillac (580 hp). The fifth generation ZL1 was sold from 2012 to 2015 in coupe and convertible bodystyles and can now be found starting at under $30,000.

Jaguar XFR

The Jaguar XFR is the only British bruiser on our list. Like the other cheap alternatives, the Jag can't match the Hellcat on pure power. Still, the XFR uses a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 with 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. Prices range between $25,000 and $45,000, which is pretty cheap for such a stunning car with so much power.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Don't Have $100,000 For The New BMW M5? Here Are Some Cheaper Options

You don't have to spend six figures to get an awesome sports sedan.

BMW recently revealed the latest version of its M5 sedan, internally known as the F90. Power from the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 has been upped to 600 hp and BMW added an advanced AWD system that can send 100% of the power to the rear wheels at the press of a button. The new M5 may be an incredibly fast sedan, and the first AWD M car, but it is also the first M5 that starts at over $100,000. Even a base M5 with no options costs $102,600, but what could that money get you if you were willing to toss it around on a used car?

For starters, how about a car that is actually more powerful than the new M5? The third generation Cadillac CTS-V was first sold as a 2016 model. Amazingly, we found a certified pre-owned Red Obsession model for just $58,994. The CTS-V is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 that it shares with the C7 Corvette Z06. This engine is down 10 hp compared to the Z06, but it still produces 640 hp. It may not have AWD, but the CTS-V can hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds (.2 seconds slower than the M5). Thanks to depreciation, the third generation CTS-V is now great value.

The Jaguar XFR has been out of production since 2015, so it isn't as powerful as the most modern sport sedans. Don't worry, because the XFR still packs 510 hp from a 5.0-liter supercharged V8. Jaguar models have always been heavily hurt by depreciation, so XFR prices are hilariously low (less than $30,000 in some cases). We even managed to find an XFR-S, which had a more powerful 550 hp engine. Jaguar only sold 100 units of the XFR-S in the US, and the 2013 model that we found is being sold for $52,884 with 17,000 miles on it.

The newest performance version of the Tesla Model S, the P100D, costs a whopping $135,000. Luckily, there are some used Tesla models that are now much cheaper than that. We found several P85D models for as low as around $65,000. The P85D may not be the fastest Tesla anymore, but it still has 691 hp from its twin electric motors. Starting from around around $90,000, used P90D still undercuts the price of the new M5. The BMW may be faster around a track, but the Tesla will still win in most drag races.

Perhaps none of the super sedans on this list have been special enough for some of our readers. We recently discovered that the Aston Martin Rapide has become a huge bargain on the used market. The Rapide may not be able to match the M5 on performance, even with a 6.0-liter 470-hp V12. Buying a used Rapide is a bit of a gamble in terms of maintenance, but it is worth it to experience the prestige of driving an Aston Martin.

For the final option on this list, we took the easy way out by recommending any previous generation of the M5. It doesn't matter which generation you choose, pretty much all of the old M5 variants can be purchased for well under $100,000. For those who are seeking the best performance bargain, we recommend the F10 M5, which comes with a 560 hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that helped spawn the new M5's engine. Prices of the F10 M5 have gone down to less than $40,000. For those who value sound over anything else, the E60 M5 with its high-revving V10 is the best option as well as one of the most affordable choices. E39 prices have been on the rise, but even a perfect example will be less than $70,000.

The E34 is one of the cheapest options, although we don't recommend buying one that has been beat up. Likewise with the original E28 M5, which can be difficult to find in good condition.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Can't Afford A New Chevy Camaro? Here Are 7 Cheaper Alternatives

And these offer a lot more power than the base four-cylinder Camaro.

Chevrolet recently introduced its facelifted 2019 Camaro, which starts at $26,495. For that, you'll get a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 284 lb-ft of torque. Chevy hopes this cheaper Camaro will help steal sales away from the Mustang EcoBoost and V6 Challenger.

While this is a lot more than you'd get in similarly priced cars like the Toyota 86 and Mazda MX-5, it isn't as much as the Mustang EcoBoost. It certainly isn't as much as what you'd get throwing the same money around on the used market. In fact, if you're in the market for a sports car or muscle car, here are seven more powerful and less expensive used alternatives to a four-cylinder Camaro.

2010-2015 Chevy Camaro SS

GM's four-cylinder turbo is a pretty impressive engine, but a Camaro is best enjoyed with a V8. For less than $25,000, you can get a fifth-generation Camaro SS powered by a 6.2-liter V8 producing up to 426 hp. Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmission options are available, both sending power to the rear wheels. It may not have as nice of an interior as the current sixth-generation car, but many people seem to be disenamoured with the looks of the facelifted 2019 Camaro.

2012-2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302

For 2019, Chevy will offer a 1LE version of the four-cylinder Camaro, which should appeal to enthusiasts who want an affordable track car in the low $30,000 range. This sounds pretty good, but for less than $25,000 we'd rather have a Ford Mustang Boss 302. This special edition Mustang upped the 5.0-liter V8 from 420 to 444 hp and the only transmission option was a six-speed manual, making this Mustang a true enthusiast's car.

2010-2018 Dodge Challenger R/T Or SRT-8

The Camaro has been shedding its reputation as a muscle car thanks to GM's excellent Alpha platform. Dodge, on the other hand, is sticking true to its muscle car heritage with the Challenger, which is based on an aging Mercedes platform. Some people just want a large, comfortable car with a big V8, so the Challenger is still a good option. The Challenger R/T comes with a 5.7-liter V8 producing 375 hp going out to a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. If you are willing to go a bit older, you can find an earlier Challenger SRT-8 with a 6.1-liter V8 producing 425 hp.

2008-2015 Infiniti G37

As the Camaro continues to improve, it will draw a lot of competition from other brands, including luxury automakers. If you want a luxury sports coupe, the Infiniti G37 may be a nice option. Power comes from a 3.7-liter V6 producing 330 hp going out through a seven-speed automatic or rarified six-speed manual. We even found a few examples of the IPL for less than $25,000, which produced 348 hp. If you can live without a back seat, the Nissan 370Z is also a nice Camaro alternative that is now extremely affordable.

2013-2018 Cadillac ATS

Perhaps you have an important job and you are hoping to make a good impression by driving a luxury car. The Camaro doesn't exactly scream maturity, so we'd recommend the equally fun Cadillac ATS. Like the Camaro, the ATS is based on the excellent Alpha platform. It is also powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, although it produces a bit less power - 272 hp to be exact.

Unlike the Camaro, the ATS can also be had as a sedan for those who need easy access to the rear seats. The only downside is you'll be forced to use Cadillac's CUE infotainment system, which is actually worse than Chevrolet's version. Used prices start at around $11,000, making this Caddy a huge bargain.

2008-2013 BMW 1 Series

Many people buy a Camaro because it offers better value than the equivalent German sports car. However, if you are talking about a used German car versus a new Camaro, the German car can actually be the better value. BMW's 135i offered a turbocharged inline-six producing 300 hp. Transmission options included a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic, or seven-speed dual-clutch. For 2013, BMW introduced the 135is, which upped the power to 335 hp. A used 135i can be found starting at just $10,000, ranging to over $20,000 for a 135is model.

2004-2006 Pontiac GTO

If you are willing to buy an older car, one of the best budget options is the Pontiac GTO. This was essentially a rebadged version of the Vauxhall/Holden Monaro, which means it was powered by either a 5.7-liter V8 producing 350 hp or a 6.0-liter V8 producing 400 hp. Prices range from around $9,000 to around $20,000 for low-mileage examples. It may not have the modern technology of the new Camaro, but the GTO is still a great car for muscle car enthusiasts on a budget.

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