Category: Lifestyle

Carscoops 

Well, folks, we made it. That’s 2022 done and dusted, and it was such a big year that sometimes it feels like it was several. Looking back through the Carscoops archives, we’re shocked at how much has happened in the last 12 months.

Once again, the year started out pretty normally, but bad news quickly came, as Russia invaded Ukraine. Not only did it lead to big decisions for automakers about discontinuing exports to the country and closing down factories, it led to yet more broken links in an already damaged supply chain.

That didn’t mean, though, that it was a bad year for new cars (though it did mean a bad year for sales). Sports cars had a great year with the unveiling of the new Honda Civic Type R, the Nissan Z, and the next-gen Mustang. The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 wowed with its potent flat-plane crank V8, and we drove the second-generation Toyota GR86 for the first time. Boring cars won’t be a problem for the near future, then.

Read: Watch How The New Honda Civic Type R Is Built At Japan’s Yorii Plant

Despite the supply challenges, there were plenty of EVs, like the Mercedes EQS, the Ford F-150 Lightning, and the Hyundai Ioniq 6, to name just a few. It wasn’t all good news in the EV space, though, as one company, in particular, had a very volatile year.

Tesla, long credited with making modern EVs popular and fun, had quite the year. It started off well for the company, but ended somewhat more poorly thanks to the antics of its excitable CEO, Elon Musk.

Between the plurality of recalls, the questionable updates, and the mass reports of phantom braking, the company’s image was somewhat tarnished in 2022. The true blows came, though, after the Musk bought Twitter for $40 billion. Since then, the company’s stock has plummeted, and now it is being prevented from marketing its advanced driver assistance system as Full Self Driving in California, dealing the automaker its final black eye of the year.

Sounds pretty bad when you list it all out like that, but there were also positives for the brand. It finally revealed the Semi and further tax incentives for EV buyers (if American legislators can ever figure out how to apply their own rules) making 2023 look like it will be a big year for the electric vehicle industry, if Tesla can hang on.

And on top of all of that, Carscoops.com got a brand-new look that readers were… well, vocal about. We’re hoping you’ll all get used to it. At any rate, although we’re still reeling from a very busy 2022, we’re looking forward to everything that’s coming our way in 2023.

Happy New Year, from everyone at Carscoops.com.

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Carscoops 

The laws of physics indicate that big heavy tall vehicles shouldn’t naturally be as quick as sleeker, smaller, lighter ones. Of course, when you do enough clever engineering, you can flip that idea on its ear. And in the drag race film below we get a peek at just how audacious modern super SUVs really are in a straight line.

Jason Cammisa is back with another Drag Race Replay and this time it features the Rivian R1S (835 hp / 622 kW), the Aston Martin DBX 707 (697 hp / 519 kW), the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT (631 hp / 470 kW), and the Maserati MC20 supercar (621 hp / 436 kW). To put it lightly, this is a lot of power on a single drag strip.

Typically, electric vehicles like the Rivian dominate straight-line testing but here, it comes in dead last. Unlike the rest of the vehicles here, it features everyday all-terrain tires and happens to weigh almost 7000 pounds (3,175 kg). In case those burdens weren’t enough, it’s also top-speed limited to just 110 mph, a speed that it reaches well before the quarter mile is finished which happens at 11.8 seconds and 110 mph (177 km/h).

More: The Ram TRX Feels “Big And Dumb” Next To The Rivian R1T

The Aston Martin, the ICE car with the most power here by some margin, manages to come in third place with a total time of 11.3 seconds at 122 mph (196 km/h). According to Cammisa, that comes down to tires and tuning more than anything else. While the Porsche can build full boost and put it down with 80 treadwear tires, the Aston has to make do with less sticky 280 treadwear rubber.

The Cayenne Turbo GT not only has the benefit of brilliant tire technology and big boost but it also benefits from the R&D done in-house at Volkswagen group. It does the quarter mile in 11.1 seconds at 120 mph (193 km/h). That happens to be just quick enough to keep up with Maserati MC20 too.

While the actual supercar here doesn’t have the benefit of AWD, it is sleeker and lighter, and almost as powerful. The result is that it lags off the line but manages to hit 100 mph (160 km/h) faster than the Porsche and then reel in the Cayenne by the end of the race while going 131 mph (210 km/h).

Sure, these SUVs wouldn’t have anything to throw at the MC20 if there were a turn or two involved in this race but it’s staggering to think of just how fast modern SUVs can be with the right engineering.

Image Credit: Hagerty on YouTube

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Carscoops 

If you’ve been driving in or around Las Vegas and were pulled up by the long arm of the law, then we may have some good news for you. The state of Nevada passed a new bill which, we’re sure quite conveniently for some, means that as many as 35,000 traffic warrants are going away.

The state legislature was actually passed last year, but won’t go into effect until January 1st, 2023. It related to the decriminalization of some minor traffic violations, which will now be reclassified as civil infractions.

The Assembly Bill 116, signed by Governor Sisolak, is what tweaked many offenses considered criminal misdemeanors (and therefore arrestable offenses) into infections that will no longer subject those who commit them to arrest.

Read: Californian Teen Arrested For Allegedly Handing Out Fake Parking Tickets To Collect Real Money

The new bill means that 35,000 active warrants have been rejected through legal procedure by the Las Vegas Municipal Court. It also promises that those who were on the hook for fines related to said offenses will be able to sleep easy knowing that their dues are required no more.

The ruling is neither a silver bullet, nor some kind of get out of jail free card though – it isn’t to say that residents of Las Vegas can go around with a busted taillight and not worry about the ramifications. According to KTNV Las Vegas, drivers who break the law will still be subjected to tickets. The main difference is that those who leave their fines outstanding will no longer have to worry about seeing the inside of a jail cell.

Those who want to check whether their cases have been affected by the quashing of warrants can log on to lasvegasnevada.gov/municipalcourt.

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The Points Guy 

As we enter another year, many of us are taking inventory of what we want to do better in different areas of our lives. And at TPG, credit cards are at the top of our list.

Whether you’re looking to level up your points and miles redemptions or improve your credit score, we all have credit card habits we’d like to adopt or remove this year.

Below, some of our TPG staffers share their 2023 credit card resolutions and why you may want to make them, too.

Track merchant offers

TPG managing editor Melanie Lieberman plans to find a better system for tracking which cards have what offers. “I often kick myself for missing an offer because I didn’t remember it was activated on a certain card,” she says.

Senior points and miles writer Katie Genter also resolves to track credit card merchant offers, like Chase Offers and Citi Merchant Offers, more carefully. She says, “My husband and I have various lists that we jot available offers that we might use in but we need to find a better system. I also want to make a plan to check these offers regularly (like once a week) instead of whenever I remember. There’s plenty of value to be found on purchases we’re making anyway — I recently got 10% back on a Hyatt stay thanks to a Chase Offer — so not maximizing these offers is essentially leaving money on the table.”

RGSTUDIO/GETTY IMAGES

Looking for and adding merchant offers to your cards is an easy way to save money and earn more points and miles on your purchases. No matter which credit cards you have, make sure you’re taking advantage of available merchant offers this year.

Related: How merchant offers can save you hundreds every year

Maximize spending categories

TPG editor Erica Silverstein wants to make sure she’s earning bonus points in all of her spending categories this year. She says, “My resolution is to find a card that gets me extra points for in-person supermarket and gas spending since I’m not maximizing these major expenses right now.”

As you think about your credit card plan for the year, consider which cards earn bonus points and miles for your highest spending categories. You may realize you already have cards that offer bonuses for your major categories; if so, make sure you’re intentional about which cards to use for different purchases. If you notice you have spending categories you can’t maximize, however, you might want to focus on adding a card to cover that earning gap.

Avoid travel portals

Matt Moffitt, TPG’s senior credit cards editor, wants to focus on letting go of a habit. He says, “My resolution is not to fall for earning more points on airfare by booking through travel portals, like Chase’s or Capital One’s offerings. In 2022, I had too many frustrating episodes in having to make changes to my bookings; it’s a nightmare with the portals and airlines passing the buck. I’d rather forgo the points for more streamlined management of my booking.”

MONGKOL CHUEWONG/GETTY IMAGES

There are many things to consider when making a decision about whether to use a travel portal or book your travel directly with a hotel or airline. There are certainly some benefits, like earning more points and miles, but as Matt reminds us, there can also be some frustrating drawbacks. Make sure to evaluate whether a streamlined booking process or maximizing points-earning is most important to you when purchasing travel.

Related: Using a portal vs. booking directly

Cut benefits overlap

TPG senior aviation business reporter David Slotnick wants to take a slightly more minimalist card approach. He says, “I have too many cards with benefits that are either redundant or that I don’t maximize. My resolution is to audit my cards, fees and benefits, and thin down my wallet a bit.”

When we focus on cards with the highest welcome bonuses or flashiest perks, we can accidentally collect multiple cards with similar benefits. We often think the annual fees for our favorite cards are worth paying, but David’s plan of a personal audit is a wise one. If you find you have multiple cards with similar benefits, it might be helpful to consolidate by canceling or downgrading some of them.

Related: Should I cancel my credit card? 

Be intentional when under Chase 5/24

TPG staffers know that the card decisions we make when we find ourselves under Chase’s 5/24 rule are critical.

Ryan Smith, credit cards writer, is carefully deciding what Chase cards he and his wife want to open next. He says, “Because my wife and I had a heavy dose of business credit card applications and upgrade offers, rather than new applications, over the past year, we are both under 5/24 right now.”

“We want to be strategic about this since we didn’t plan for it to happen. My wife already applied for the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card to take advantage of its best-ever offer and the Chase Sapphire Reserve during its elevated bonus late last year. I am considering my options with United credit cards and also plan to apply for the Ink Business Unlimited.”

YUGANOV KONSTANTIN/SHUTTERSHOCK.COM

TPG points and miles reporter Kyle Olsen finds himself in a similar situation and is planning accordingly. He says, “In January, I’ll be back under Chase’s 5/24 rule. While I don’t see much value in Chase’s suite of Marriott cobranded cards (especially given the uncertainty of Marriott Bonvoy points), I’m considering opening the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.”

“If the current grandfathered rules to the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card from Chase remain, I’ll be able to switch over from the Boundless to the Ritz-Carlton card after a year of holding the Boundless card. Even though the annual fee on the Ritz-Carlton card is $450 (instead of the $95 on the Boundless card), it would be worth it. The Ritz-Carlton card includes many lucrative benefits like three Ritz-Carlton club upgrades, $300 in airfare credits, an 85,000-point free night certificate and the same generous insurance benefits as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.”

The information for the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

If you aren’t sure whether you’re under 5/24, start here. And if you are or will be under 5/24 this year, we recommend your next card is one from Chase while you have the option.

Related: The best ways to use your Chase 5/24 slots

Redeem leftover points

TPG senior writer Benjamin Smithson wants to clean up his various leftover points and miles balances. He says his resolution is to “clear out entire balances. I keep stumbling across accounts with 5,000-10,000 points that I may never use because it’s often too small to redeem for anything great.”

If you haven’t looked lately, you might be surprised to find several small rewards balances you have on cards you’ve banished to your sock drawer. The start of a new year is a great time to check all your rewards balances and either redeem or make a plan to replenish them.

Related: What to do with small points and miles balances

Bottom line

If you haven’t already, take a moment to reflect on your credit card habits from last year and set some goals for 2023.

Maybe you want to go back to the basics and revisit our beginners guide or 10 commandments of credit card rewards. Or perhaps you’re finally ready to get a premium credit card.

No matter your goals, you can be confident knowing TPG will be here to support you in working toward them all year long.

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Carscoops 

Car customization is an important facet of automotive culture. For many, it’s important that their car not only reflects their lifestyle but also that it’s distinguishable from other similar models on the road. One owner took that to the extreme with a bunch of accessories that make this Audi S4 truly one of a kind… we hope.

Spotted at a grocery store parking lot that we think is in Michigan, this S4 is full of unique touches. We’ll start with the lights because it looks like the owner has made a functional change to them by adding a honeycomb effect to each housing. Sure, they’re probably dimmer than they were originally, but who cares when they look so cool?

Then there’s the plethora of stickers everywhere. On the rear panel alone you’ll find a Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo, fake bullet holes, Wylie Coyote, the Roadrunner, Nike logos, and even one sticker that says “Official racing car 526 HP.” Keep in mind that a stock S4 of this vintage makes about 350 hp (261 kW) from the factory.

More: What’s The Most Annoying Tuning Mod These Days?

Now, there’s no telling if the owner of this S4 has added any horsepower to this car but considering all that they’re willing to do to the outside, we’re certainly hopeful that they started with actual performance mods, which are arguably far more important. What’s clear is that this person was not content to stop adding body modifications once the stickers were applied.

On the rear deck, there are no less than seven spoilers if we count the lip on the trunk lid. That of course doesn’t count the tiny winglets placed on the rear quarters of the car or the additional six spoilers we could find on the roof of the car. On top of all of that aero, there are at least three mini-spoilers, two sets of chin spoilers, and even a little toy fighter plane on the front of the car.

There’s a lot to soak in when looking at this Audi S4 and we’re wondering what’s the weirdest thing in your eyes. Could it be one of the numerous fake exhausts or the weird flame tips on the real tailpipes? Maybe it’s the triangular tow hooks that are stuck onto the bumper (one of which is placed just above the actual tow hook location). Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Image Credit / Source: Nikky296 on Reddit

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Carscoops 

It’s a fact that 2022 reminded us that we’re capable of doing a lot of silly things. That’s why we thought we’d share this year’s top 10 most popular viral car videos of the year.

#10: ‘Vette Ghosts Police Car

While the brand-new Corvette Z06 was catching headlines for its unbelievable speed, one American driver sought to prove that the C7 Corvette could still amaze. While their behavior is obviously abhorrent, it was impressive to see how fast a sports car can pull away from a cop car, and even weirder to see it just disappear.

#9: Who Knew Jeep Made A Hybrid?

Not every moment of automotive silliness is also dangerous, as one upset citizen proved when they left a note on the hood of a Jeep Wrangler for seemingly blocking a parking spot reserved for electrified vehicles. The note’s writer, though, was apparently not aware that the SUV was a plug-in hybrid 4xe model, making it fully entitled to park in the spot.

More: These Icy Winter Weather Accidents Are Sliding Into Your Feed

#8: Going, Going, Gong Goes The New Nissan

Some moments were just plain unfortunate. A customer at a Nissan dealership was celebrating the purchase of her first new car, and was instructed by an employee to kick a gong. Unfortunately, no one was prepared for the kicker’s raw power, and the gong was sent flying into a nearby Maxima. Whoops!

@summar.marie Buying my first car went… embarrassing, to say the least 😂 watch until the end! #bigkick #belairdirectdrivechallenge #trending #fyp #nissan #embarrassing #foryou #canada #firstcar ♬ original sound – Summar Marie

#7: The Taller They Are, The Harder The Flip Over

Getting back onto the road, the seventh most popular viral video of the year was of a Lexus SUV hitting the back of a parked car in Brooklyn. Fortunately, the SUV was driving at a very low speed. Unfortunately, that didn’t prevent it from rolling onto its side slowly and painfully.

#6: We’re So Burned Out Just Watching This

There’s signing your crimes, and there’s performing a crime so dumb that it destroys your getaway car. That’s the kind of crime that the owner of a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk decided to engage in when they shut down a street in Los Angeles to do burnouts and pop their own tires.

#5: Drag Racing Takes More Skill Than You Might Think

Proving that there’s no shortage of ways to be dumb on the street, the driver of a Pontiac G8 sought to demonstrate why street racing is dangerous. The powerful vehicle proved too much to handle for the driver and wound up spearing off the road.

#4: Off-Road McChallenge

Proving that not all bad driving happens on the road, one driver showed how lifted trucks can still get stuck off-road. Making things more embarrassing, the road the driver wasn’t on was a drive-thru lane, and the off-road challenge that was too much for the lifted Ford F-Series was a lawn.

#3: Classic Comet Brake Failure

Going from the extremely silly to the terrifying, footage from the interior of a restomod Mercury Comet with 1,300 hp (969 kW/1,318 PS) showed the frightening consequences of a brake failure. Fortunately, despite wearing only lap belts at the time of the crash, none of the people involved in the accidents were seriously injured.

#2: When You Dodge A Ram You Get Stuck In The Sand

A video from Florida showed trucks aren’t the only ones that can get stuck off-road. The driver of a Dodge Charger decided to park on a beach, only to get stuck. Worse still, the Ram that first tried to pull him out also got stuck in the sand. So it’s not only trucks, but it is also trucks.

Drum Roll Please…

#1: Speedy Bump Strike

And finally, our most watched viral video of the year was from a pair of speed bumps placed too close together. While that sounds like a dull premise for a video, the results are pretty spectacular. The proximity of the bumps means that any vehicles going too fast get launched off the first bump and crash violently into the second.

Those were the 10 biggest viral posts of the year by views, but now we’d like to hear about the top video of the year in your heart. Did your favorite video make the list? Was it left off? Let us know in the comments.

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The Points Guy 

I’m sweaty, my calves are stiff, and my arm (but only the right one) aches — and I haven’t even set foot inside the ship’s fitness center. Instead, I’ve just finished my seventh round of “To Tha Net” basketball in the onboard arcade.

Are there better ways for me to spend my cruise time? Probably. Does arcade play cost money that I know I won’t get back? Sure. But there’s something about neon lights and whiz-bang noises that draws me in.

Cruises are full of temptation. From nearly unlimited food and drinks to gambling, duty-free shopping and spa treatments, there are plenty of ways to overindulge. But for as much as I enjoy a great cone (or 10) of pool deck soft serve following a deep-tissue massage or a shopping spree, I often spend a decent portion of my disposable cruise income on intense air hockey battles and multiple tries at any machine that has a claw.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.

Why I prefer arcades to casinos

Part of the Hall of Games arcade on MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

I wouldn’t say it’s an addiction. If I don’t make it to the arcade or if the ship I’m on doesn’t have one, I’m not bothered. For me, playing arcade games is simply a way to indulge in something that makes me feel like a kid again, which I don’t often find myself able to do at home.

“But Ashley,” you’re thinking, “why not spend your money at the casino instead and actually try to win something?”

The truth is I find casino play stressful and, frankly, boring. You go into it with the assumption that you’re spending money to try to win money, and that’s a lot of pressure. If I don’t win something there, it feels like a failure.

Plus, I don’t find the atmosphere as exciting as that of a game room. I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older that there’s nothing fun about being around stressed-out adults, many of whom are about to become even more stressed out when they lose.

With the arcade, I know whatever I’m spending is spent, and that’s it. I have no expectation that I’ll recoup my losses. It’s purely about having fun, and any prizes I might earn along the way are just gravy. That mentality immediately staves off any anxiety. It’s more about testing my skill than my luck. Even better, I don’t end up smelling like someone else’s cigarette smoke when I leave.

Plus, where else on board can you enjoy Skee-Ball or Pac-Man or coin pushers that let you win Willy Wonka or superhero cards? (Oooh, ahhh. But seriously, if anybody has a Batman card, let’s work out a trade.)

In support of claw machines

A claw machine in an arcade. TYLIM/GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK PHOTO

My favorites, though, are the claw games. I’ve never met one I didn’t like. The “Oh! So close!” thrill keeps me going, and I love trying to figure out the machines — and whether or not they’re rigged — as I play.

When I have a session that’s particularly lucrative, I end up giving the prizes to families who are also spending time there. (The last thing I need to do is cram five or six stuffies into my carry-on. I am an adult, after all, and that’s where I draw the line.)

When I’m in need of an extra pick-me-up, I move to the win-every-time versions of the claw machines. Usually that means I end up with lollipops or rubber ducks. (I hide the latter on board for others to find, which only extends the fun.)

Cruise lines with the best arcades

Rubber ducks won at the arcade on Wonder of the Seas. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

After having done extensive first-person research, my top picks for cruise lines with the best arcades are:

Norwegian Cruise Line: Check out NCL‘s newest ships for the best options, including Galaxy Pavilion, which includes standard arcade games and a slew of high-tech virtual-reality simulators.
Carnival Cruise Line: These cruise ships have some of the most robust arcades I’ve seen on board. The variety of games — even on smaller, older vessels — means there’s something for just about every gamer. Carnival also seems to have the largest number of win-every-time machines.
MSC Cruises: On its Seaside-class ships, MSC houses the Hall of Games, which is outfitted with lots of options. Of particular note are its interactive cinemas and Formula 1 racers, as well as Robotron on MSC Seascape.
Royal Caribbean International: On its newest vessels, Royal Caribbean has dedicated an impressive amount of space to arcades. There are win-every-time options, and the line has also done a great job of integrating arcade games with its sports bars, offering adults the chance to play Pac-Man, Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong without venturing into the arcade itself.

Bottom line

Passengers play air hockey and other games in the arcade on a Carnival Cruise Line ship. CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Cruise ships are loaded with opportunities for passengers to spend their money. Although arcades aren’t for everyone, they’re a great place to have some low-pressure fun — even as an adult.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
15 ways cruisers waste money
12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

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Carscoops 

While frequent oil changes in ICE-powered vehicles are widely considered common knowledge, there are cases of extreme neglect shared by surprised car mechanics. The videos show the terrible state of the oil after exceeding its lifecycle for thousands of miles.

Most automakers suggest oil change intervals of 6 or 12 months, or after clocking 7,500-15,000 miles (12,070-24,140 km). Unfortunately, this Seat Leon 1.8 TSI spent a lot more time on the roads between services, as proven by the state of the oil. The Spanish compact hatchback which is a close relative to the VW Golf came into the shop with a check engine light, only for the inspection to reveal that the owner hadn’t changed the oil for 60,000 miles (96,560 km).

Read: Toyota Master Technician Argues Against 10,000 Mile Oil Change Intervals With Busted Engine Teardown

This black viscous mass which looks like some kind of thick syrup, started life as a light-colored engine lubricant a long time ago. This kind of oil has likely caused damage to the engine, which in this case is the VW Group’s widely used turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder mill. The poor car tried to warn the driver with the check engine light, sending an error due to the malfunctioning of the camshaft variator, in its last effort to save its dying heart.

The video was originally posted by TikTok user @cundo110 and included in a compilation uploaded on YouTube by the Just Rolled In channel. If you’re thinking that this type of incident only occurs in old used vehicles, think twice. The compilation shows another example of neglect, this time in a previous-gen Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The owner of the pony car came in for a new clutch when the mechanic realized it hadn’t changed the oil for 47,000 miles (75,639 miles). The state of the lubricant in the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 was as bad as you may expect, having us scratching our heads in disbelief.

Besides the aforementioned oil-related issues, the video includes some other interesting cases like a Land Rover Discovery Sport with gasoline filling up its coolant reservoir instead of the gas tank, or a wheel flying off an old Lada and hitting an unsuspecting bicycle rider.

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