Modern car interiors have become increasingly dominated by enormous touchscreens, with traditional buttons and switches disappearing from dashboards. Chinese automakers have been very enthusiastic about this trend, but regulators are beginning to question whether all that technology is actually safe.

China is now proposing tougher vehicle design rules that could drastically change how manufacturers approach everything from infotainment systems to door handles. Some of the industry's more questionable innovations could soon face serious restrictions.

According to CnEVPost, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has published draft regulations targeting potentially distracting or unsafe vehicle features. The proposals include restrictions on oversized displays, a prohibition on folding screens, and tighter requirements for essential vehicle controls.

The move follows China's decision to ban fully concealed door handles, indicating growing concerns that certain design trends are prioritizing appearance and convenience over occupant safety.

Big Screens Are Under The Microscope

Under the proposed rules, large central infotainment screens and complex head-up displays would face additional safety assessments. Regulators want manufacturers to demonstrate that these systems won't compromise driver attention, crash protection, or reliability under extreme conditions.

Foldable and flexible displays would be prohibited outright, although conventional large screens aren't facing a blanket ban. Instead, manufacturers would need to prove their designs meet the necessary safety requirements.

The proposals also call for physical controls for essential functions, including headlights, windshield wipers, defrosting, and defogging. Touchscreen controls could remain, but they wouldn't be the only way to operate these features.

Door Handles And Reclining Seats Face Restrictions

China has already approved mandatory requirements for mechanical interior and exterior door handles, effectively ruling out fully concealed designs that lack the required physical access.

The latest proposals would strengthen testing requirements and require soft-close doors to offer protection against trapped fingers and manual operation during electrical failures.

Meanwhile, automakers would have to prevent passengers from using certain features, including heavily reclining zero-gravity seats, swiveling seats, and seat-to-bed configurations, while vehicles are moving.

The draft also targets voice-operated safety functions, restricting passengers from directly controlling certain critical systems while the car is in motion.

Automakers Could Face Tougher Approval Tests

The proposed rules extend beyond interior design, introducing additional validation requirements for new vehicle technologies. Passenger cars would need at least 30,000 kilometers of reliability testing, alongside extensive environmental assessments.

Manufacturers would also face stricter scrutiny of driver-assistance systems, software updates, and safety-related marketing claims.

Under the proposal, new models featuring innovative designs would face additional approval requirements starting January 1, 2027, while certain previously approved models would need to submit supplementary documentation by July 1, 2027.

For drivers frustrated by touchscreen-heavy interiors, China's approach could be welcome news. Giant displays aren't necessarily disappearing, but the days of burying every important function inside a touchscreen menu may be numbered.

Sixteen New Yorkers statewide who committed auto insurance fraud have been arrested as part of a "crackdown.’’

According to Governor Kathy Hochul, the suspects would purposely crash into other drivers or motorcyclists—and then file insurance claims blaming the victim in hopes of receiving a payout.

"Over the last five years, we've seen a triple-digit increase in staged crashes related to fraud," Hochul told reporters at a press conference Oct. 20.

There have been two cases highlighted by the governor's office.

On Dec. 2, 2025, a man later identified as 28-year-old DuSean Barnet purposely cut off a car at an intersection, causing a crash. Barnet filed an insurance claim alleging the other driver actually ran a stop sign, and he was granted more than $16,000.

Detectives investigated the case and found surveillance footage of Barnet driving in front of the victim, prompting the accident. The 28-year-old was arrested and charged with insurance fraud, falsifying business records, criminal mischief, and staging a car accident—all of which are felonies.

Staged Bronx Collision & Medical Fraud

In March 2026, multiple drivers intentionally caused an accident in the Bronx. After the crash, the suspects claimed they were injured, so they sought medical treatment, which cost $70,000.

The suspects faced felony charges of insurance fraud, falsifying business records, and attempted grand larceny.

"Why are we cracking down? Because auto insurance is one of the glaring examples where New York is an outlier compared to the rest of the nation," Hochul told reporters.

Why New York Auto Insurance Rates Are Sky-High

The governor said New Yorkers pay $4,000 for car insurance annually, approximately $1,500 more than the U.S. average.

According to the U.S. News & World Report, the average American pays $2,508 for car insurance each year.

Several factors explain why New York costs so much more. As Hochul stated, the state has among the highest rates of staged fraud—more specifically, the second-highest nationwide. In 2023 alone, 38,270 cases of suspected fraud were reported to the New York State Department of Financial Services Insurance Fraud Bureau.

Per Insurify, New York has no-fault insurance laws, meaning no matter who causes an accident, each driver files a claim with their own insurance. This also means drivers need Personal Injury Protection, which pays the medical bills for both parties after a crash.

Additionally, the state has higher minimum coverage thresholds — drivers must carry more insurance in New York than in some other states.

The state also sees the most (non-staged) vehicle accidents nationwide annually, and has the third-highest auto repair prices.

Tips to Lower Your Car Insurance

Yet even as a New Yorker, you can still lower your insurance costs.

If you're looking to pay less, get quotes from multiple insurance companies instead of settling for the first one that sounds legit. You can also remove some coverage — depending on your state, you may have more than required.

Additionally, you could apply for a usage-based insurance plan, where what you pay matches closer with how often and safely you drive.

Long before SUVs took over American driveways, full-size station wagons were the ultimate family haulers. Few looked quite as outrageous as the 1961 Chrysler Newport, with its towering tailfins and unmistakable space-age styling.

One of these behemoths recently appeared on Bring a Trailer, combining the Newport's extravagant appearance with some serious Mopar muscle. Under its enormous hood sits a replacement 440-cubic-inch V8, giving this vintage family wagon a healthy dose of attitude.

Unfortunately for the seller, the Chrysler failed to find a new owner. Bidding reached $28,250 on October 21, 2026, but that wasn't enough to meet the undisclosed reserve.

It's an unexpected result for a car that offers big-block power, enough room for the whole family, the dog, and a month's worth of groceries, plus styling that could only have come from early-1960s Detroit.

A Big-Block V8 Under The Hood

The Newport originally left the factory with a smaller V8, but a previous owner replaced it with a 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) Chrysler engine during a refurbishment. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission operated by dashboard-mounted push buttons.

The listing doesn't specify horsepower, so the big-block's exact output is unknown. It also mentions occasional hesitation under acceleration, suggesting the engine could benefit from some attention.

Power steering and upgraded power-assisted front disc brakes make the massive wagon a little easier to manage.

Tailfins, Two-Tone Paint, And Three Rows Of Seats

Originally finished in white, the Chrysler now wears a teal blue and white paint scheme. Angled quad headlights, enormous rear fins, chrome bumpers, and 15-inch wire wheels complete its unmistakably vintage appearance.

Inside, three rows of bench seating feature parchment leather upholstery with pleated inserts. The rear-facing third row folds into the floor, while the tailgate features a power-operated rear window.

The futuristic AstraDome instrument cluster is another highlight, accompanied by an analog clock and remote mirror controls. Not everything is perfect, though. The listing notes previous tailgate rust repairs, lifting grille paint, and an incomplete air-conditioning system.

A Rare Wagon That Couldn't Meet Its Reserve

According to the listing, the Newport spent approximately 25 years with one Arizona family before changing hands in November 2021. Its five-digit odometer currently displays around 97,000 miles, although the total mileage hasn't been verified. The current owner has added just 50 miles during their ownership, and the wagon was offered with a clean Washington title.

Despite its distinctive styling and upgraded engine, the Chrysler couldn't attract a bid high enough to satisfy the seller. At $28,250, someone was clearly interested, just not quite enough to take this big-finned Mopar home.

Volkswagen once dominated China's automotive market, but the rise of domestic electric vehicle manufacturers has turned its fortunes upside down. Hoping to regain lost ground, the German automaker partnered with Chinese EV specialist Xpeng in 2023.

On paper, the idea was simple enough: combine Volkswagen's manufacturing experience with Xpeng's technology and development speed, and watch the turnaround begin. Three years later, however, the partnership's first production model is struggling to attract buyers.

According to a recent Reuters investigation, the Volkswagen ID. UNYX 08 electric SUV averaged just 267 monthly sales between its April 2026 launch and August. That's far below the company's original target of 3,622 vehicles per month.

The disappointing figures emphasize Volkswagen's increasingly difficult position in China, where established foreign brands are struggling to compete with technologically advanced, competitively priced domestic alternatives.

Volkswagen's New Electric SUV Is Struggling

The ID. UNYX 08 launched at approximately $34,260, placing it against formidable Chinese competitors such as the Xiaomi YU7 and Zeekr 7X. The Xiaomi YU7 boasts an advanced sensor package, while the Zeekr 7X offers particularly fast charging capabilities.

Between April and August, Xiaomi sold nearly 57,000 YU7s, while Zeekr delivered over 21,000 7Xs. Volkswagen managed approximately 1,300 UNYX 08 sales during the same period.

Distribution hasn't helped matters, either. Rather than relying primarily on its extensive existing dealer network, Volkswagen initially marketed the SUV through a much smaller Volkswagen Anhui operation.

The company says that network has expanded to 166 outlets, with additional support from selected FAW-Volkswagen dealerships.

China's Changing Market Is Hurting Volkswagen

Volkswagen's problems extend well beyond one unsuccessful launch. According to Reuters, China once generated nearly half of Volkswagen Group's profits, compared with approximately 10% today.

Its market share has also declined sharply, from roughly 20% in 2019 to 10% during the first eight months of 2026. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers such as BYD and Geely have gained ground with increasingly competitive electric vehicles.

Volkswagen has responded by pursuing local technology partnerships, but accessing Chinese expertise hasn't automatically translated into stronger sales.

Another Xpeng-Developed Volkswagen Is Coming

Despite the UNYX 08's disappointing debut, Volkswagen is preparing another Xpeng-linked model, the UNYX 09 sedan. Internal planning documents reviewed by Reuters projected nearly 4,900 monthly sales for the upcoming vehicle.

Those expectations look ambitious given the SUV's disappointing sales, although it's still too early to predict how the sedan will perform.

Volkswagen says its cooperation with Xpeng has already delivered a new electric vehicle architecture developed in just 18 months. That represents noteworthy engineering progress, even if commercial success has proved elusive.

The challenge now is turning faster development and improved technology into Volkswagen vehicles Chinese buyers actually want.

A YouTuber spent three years building a tiny jetboat using parts from a Tesla Model 3. After hundreds of hours of work, he finally got it onto the water. Unfortunately, getting it to run properly was another challenge.

Tyler Fever, who runs the Prop Department YouTube channel, started with a 2021 Tesla Model 3. Rather than converting an existing boat, he decided to build an entirely new one around the electric car's parts.

The project involved stripping down the Tesla, building an aluminum hull, designing custom motor components, and finding a way to fit the car's large battery modules inside a small boat.

In a video published July 30, 2026, Fever showed how he put everything together. The finished boat looked impressive, but its first trip across the lake revealed several problems.

Taking Apart a Tesla

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The project began with Fever removing the Tesla's battery pack and electric motor. He also showed footage of the stripped-down car being driven into a pond.

For the boat itself, he purchased a mini jetboat kit containing aluminum pieces for the hull. He then assembled the hull and installed a water-jet propulsion system.

However, connecting the Tesla motor to the jet pump wasn't as simple as bolting everything together.

The motor's original gearbox reduced its output speed by a ratio of 9:1. Fever needed more revolutions per minute to drive the jet pump, so he designed a custom shaft that connected directly to the motor's rotor.

He also had to preserve the motor's internal oil passages. After designing and testing several parts, he had the final pieces made at a machine shop.

Making Everything Fit

The Tesla battery pack created another problem. It was too large to install in the boat without major changes.

Fever took apart the pack and arranged its four battery modules inside two custom aluminum boxes. Each module weighed about 150 pounds, making installation difficult.

The electrical system proved even harder.

Fever initially tried using Tesla's original controls with an aftermarket controller. When the systems failed to communicate properly, he decided to replace more of the factory electronics.

That meant purchasing a new battery management system, changing the wiring, and modifying the battery assemblies again.

He also installed an exterior charging port so the boat could connect to a compatible EV charging station.

Throughout the build, Fever warned viewers about the dangers of working with high-voltage batteries. The system operated at roughly 385 volts, and he repeatedly stressed that people should not attempt the same work without the necessary knowledge and equipment.

First Trip Goes Wrong

After roughly a year of building the boat itself, Fever finally brought it to a lake for testing.

Before the boat even entered the water, he realized he had forgotten to install the drain plug.

Once that problem was addressed, he powered up the motor and carefully moved away from shore.

At first, everything seemed to work. The boat moved under its own power, and Fever celebrated with his friend Brady.

Then the motor stopped.

The two tried restarting the system and clearing error codes. Fever eventually determined that one shutdown was caused by a power setting that was too low.

He adjusted the settings and tried again, but the problems continued.

The boat's battery management system was limiting power because the batteries were showing signs of trouble. The water pump also appeared to stop working, creating another reason to end the test.

Despite several attempts, the boat couldn't get fully up on plane, the point where a hull rises and skims across the water instead of pushing through it.

Three Years of Work

Fever eventually decided to return to shore rather than risk damaging the equipment.

Although the first test fell short of his expectations, he was pleased that the boat floated, stayed dry, and moved under electric power.

"There's just a little bit more tweaking in the shop," he said.

Later testing suggested that some of the Tesla battery cells had become badly unbalanced after spending a long time in storage.

The July 30 video ended with Fever planning further repairs and upgrades.

His project continued in subsequent episodes, including replacing weak battery modules and upgrading to a more powerful Tesla Model S motor. The later build was documented in the Tesla-Powered Boat series, which followed the project through additional testing.

A shared Uber ride in Florida took a serious turn when two passengers began arguing over how much room one of them was taking up. The dispute allegedly became physical, leaving one passenger facing a felony charge.

Burton McDonald, 60, was arrested after deputies said he attacked another passenger who was 65 years old. The argument reportedly began over how much space the older man's belongings took up inside the vehicle.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office responded to a Walmart in Ocala on Saturday, October 17, following a report of a disturbance. Deputies spoke with both men about what had happened during their shared ride.

McDonald now faces a charge of battery on a person 65 years of age or older. According to Marion County Jail records, his bond was set at $1,000, and his next court appearance is scheduled for November 17.

Argument Over Space

The trouble reportedly started when McDonald became upset about how much space the other passenger's belongings were taking up.

Both men were traveling in a shared Uber, meaning they were riding in the same vehicle rather than having separate rides.

According to WCJB TV20, the 65-year-old passenger told deputies that he and McDonald began arguing about his belongings.

The disagreement allegedly turned physical when McDonald battered the older man.

Deputies later spoke with both passengers at the Walmart on Southwest Highway 200 in Ocala.

The available reports do not explain what items the older passenger was carrying or how much room they occupied. They also do not describe the exact physical actions McDonald is accused of taking.

It is unclear whether the older passenger suffered any injuries or needed medical treatment.

Choosing The Right Uber

Uber offers several ride options, and the amount of space passengers get depends on which one they choose.

According to Uber's official website, UberX Share allows passengers traveling in the same direction to split a ride and save money. However, each passenger is allowed only one seat.

The company also warns that luggage space depends on the vehicle and the number of passengers. Uber recommends choosing a regular UberX instead of UberX Share when traveling with luggage.

For people who need even more room, UberXL offers larger SUVs and vans that can carry up to six passengers or accommodate extra luggage.

In this case, it is unclear how many belongings the older passenger had or whether they would have fit comfortably in a different vehicle.

A private UberX could have given either passenger more personal space without requiring them to share the ride with a stranger.

Choosing a larger vehicle might also have prevented an argument about room inside the car. Regardless of the amount of space available, a disagreement over seating or belongings does not justify physically attacking another passenger.

Felony Battery Charge

What might otherwise have been a misdemeanor battery case carries more serious consequences because of the alleged victim's age.

The sheriff's booking record lists McDonald's charge under Florida Statute 784.08(2)(c), which covers battery against a person who is at least 65 years old.

Under Florida law, a battery charge involving someone in that age group is elevated from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.

The law applies even if the person accused of battery did not know the alleged victim was 65 or older.

Florida's battery law covers intentionally touching or striking someone against their will or intentionally causing bodily harm. This means an allegation of battery does not necessarily involve a serious physical injury.

McDonald's charge is listed as battery on a person 65 years of age or older, not aggravated battery.

Court Date Set

The official jail record identifies the sheriff's case number as MCSO26OFF025629.

It also lists a $1,000 bond and a court appearance scheduled for November 17, 2026, at 9 a.m.

A bond amount does not prove someone remains behind bars. The supplied record does not establish whether McDonald has since been released.

McDonald has been charged, but the accusation has not been proven in court.

His next listed court appearance is November 17.

LeBron James has a custom Mercedes-Maybach built to his taste, but someone else could soon own a nearly identical version. Only two were made, and one is heading to auction in New York.

James designed the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S 680 through Mercedes-Benz's customization program. It features his personal logos, special paint, and an interior unlike those found in standard Maybach models.

Gooding Christie’s will auction the luxury sedan at the Javits Center in New York on November 20 and 21. The auction house expects it to bring between $425,000 and $550,000, although the final price could fall outside that range.

James is keeping the other car. Mercedes is donating the auction vehicle to the LeBron James Family Foundation, with proceeds going toward programs that help children and families in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

Made for LeBron

The Gooding Christie’s announcement describes a car packed with details selected by the NBA star.

Its exterior features an exclusive Light Ivory paint finish, while the cabin has Stormy Weather Blue Nappa leather with porcelain-colored stitching.

James also replaced several traditional Maybach emblems with his own crown logo. The design appears on the front fenders, headrests, floorboards, and dashboard.

A custom Maybach badge features the same crown design. Even the center console has a personal connection to the basketball star.

Engraved into it are the coordinates 41.081757, -81.511452, representing Akron, Ohio, where James grew up.

Mercedes-Benz created the vehicle through its MANUFAKTUR Made to Measure program, which lets buyers choose personalized finishes and materials.

Luxury Meets Power

Under the hood sits a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine producing 621 horsepower. That gives the large luxury sedan serious power despite its focus on passenger comfort.

According to the official auction listing, the vehicle also comes with the Executive Rear Seat Package Plus.

Rear passengers get heated and ventilated seats with massage functions. Additional features include heated neck and shoulder areas, calf support, power sunshades, and four-zone climate control.

The car also has a panoramic sunroof, rear-axle steering, AIRMATIC suspension, and a Burmester High-End 4D Surround Sound System.

Its special 20-inch forged Maybach wheels include floating center caps.

Unlike a typical luxury sedan, the S 680 is built around the experience of riding in the back seat. That makes it particularly suited to owners who prefer being driven by a chauffeur.

Half-Million-Dollar Estimate

Gooding Christie’s has listed the Mercedes-Maybach as Lot 59 for its Retromobile New York Auctions.

The estimated selling price is $425,000 to $550,000. The vehicle will be offered without reserve, meaning there is no minimum sale price that must be reached for it to sell.

Its rarity is a major part of the appeal. Only two examples were custom-designed by James, and the auction house says the matching vehicle will remain in his personal collection.

The public can view the auction car at the Javits Center from November 19 through November 21, 2026.

Supporting Akron Families

The auction has another purpose beyond giving a collector the chance to own a rare Mercedes-Maybach.

Money from the hammer price will benefit the LeBron James Family Foundation, which supports education and family services in Akron.

The foundation's I PROMISE Program helps students and their families with resources intended to improve their opportunities in school and beyond.

Its work includes the I PROMISE School, which opened in 2018, along with programs addressing housing, job training, health care, and higher education.

For James, the auction connects his interest in cars with the community where he grew up.

"The chance to design my own customized Mercedes-Maybach was something I never even dreamed of as a young kid growing up in Akron," James said in the Gooding Christie’s announcement.

He added that using the auction to support families in his hometown means a great deal to his foundation.

The custom Maybach will cross the auction block during Gooding Christie’s Retromobile New York event on November 20–21, 2026.

Ferrari's classic 308 GTB is one of the most recognizable Italian sports cars ever built. Its wedge-shaped styling and naturally aspirated V8 have aged exceptionally well, but don't expect the Italian company to revive the model anytime soon.

Fortunately, Italian specialist AC Motorsport has a different idea. Working with legendary racing engineering firm Michelotto, it has developed a modern interpretation of the 308 that prioritizes lightweight construction and old-school driving engagement.

Called the Michelotto Gruppo 4 Tributo, the car was officially unveiled in Padua, Italy, on October 10, 2026. According to Michelotto Group, the project celebrates Giuliano Michelotto and the company's long history of developing competition machinery.

Despite its unmistakably familiar appearance, this isn't a restored or modified Ferrari. The Gruppo 4 Tributo is an entirely new sports car, engineered around a bespoke chassis and powered by a high-revving V8.

A Naturally Aspirated V8 And A Proper Manual

The Gruppo 4 Tributo features a naturally aspirated 3.4-liter V8 producing 380 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and approximately 268 lb-ft of torque. Mounted transversely behind the cabin, the engine sends power through a five-speed dogleg manual gearbox with an exposed gated shifter.

Those figures might seem modest by modern supercar standards, but the car weighs just 950 kilograms (2,094 pounds). That's thanks to its tubular chassis, lightweight components, and full carbon-fiber bodywork.

Adjustable suspension, four-piston brake calipers, and 18-inch wheels wearing Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires complete the performance-focused package.

Classic Ferrari Styling Without The Ferrari Badge

Visually, the Tributo closely follows the proportions of the original 308 GTB, complete with pop-up headlights, prominent side intakes, and four circular taillights. Wider fenders, aggressive aerodynamic details, and an exposed rear diffuser give the familiar silhouette a racing-inspired appearance.

Inside, the focus is firmly on driving, with lightweight bucket seats, four-point harnesses, physical switches, and a compact digital instrument display. You can't build a Ferrari tribute car without a gated shifter, which takes pride of place in the otherwise minimalist cockpit.

Inspired By Ferrari's Rallying Past

The car's name pays tribute to the Michelotto-developed Ferrari 308 Group 4 rally cars of the late 1970s and early 1980s. One of those machines finished second at the 1982 Tour de Corse, securing a memorable World Rally Championship result.

AC Motorsport's Francesco Calzavara previously worked with Michelotto, giving the project a genuine connection to the company's racing heritage. The new Tributo was developed and built by Michelotto Group rather than Ferrari itself.

Official pricing and production numbers haven't been confirmed, although its bespoke construction suggests exclusivity won't come cheaply. With a naturally aspirated V8, a gated manual, and barely a tonne to move around, the Gruppo 4 Tributo makes a convincing case for keeping Italian sports cars simple.

Volkswagen's New Beetle is hardly the first car that comes to mind when discussing serious performance machines. However, back in 2001, Wolfsburg's finest built a limited-edition version that was way more exciting than the ordinary Beetle.

Known as the New Beetle RSi, this unusual hot hatch combined a powerful VR6 engine, a six-speed gearbox, all-wheel drive, and carbon-fiber components. Only 250 examples were produced, making it one of the rarest modern Volkswagens.

Now, one of these extraordinary Beetles has appeared for sale on Bring a Trailer, offering enthusiasts a chance to acquire a very unusual piece of VW history. The car is number 176 of 250 and has covered approximately 18,000 kilometers (11,000 miles).

With its exotic materials and extensive performance upgrades, the RSi was an ambitious project that became the most expensive production Beetle ever sold new.

A 3.2-Liter VR6 With All-Wheel Drive

Under the hood sits a naturally aspirated 3.2-liter VR6 producing 221 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission and a Haldex all-wheel-drive system.

The RSi also received upgraded suspension, larger brakes, and 18-inch OZ Racing Superturismo wheels. Its widened bodywork, aggressive bumpers, and prominent rear spoilers give it a distinctive appearance.

A Remus exhaust system provides a suitably aggressive soundtrack, while the Silver Arrow Metallic paint keeps the exterior relatively restrained.

Carbon Fiber, Aluminum, And Manual Windows

The cabin is arguably even stranger than the exterior, featuring carbon-fiber door panels, aluminum trim, and hard-backed Recaro racing seats upholstered in bright Tropical Orange leather. Despite the expensive materials, Volkswagen still fitted manual window cranks in the spirit of Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s famous philosophy of "adding lightness."

Other unusual details include an ignition button beside the handbrake, an overhead-mounted radio, and a dashboard grab handle. An engraved plaque confirms this example's place in the limited production run.

A Low-Mileage Collector's Car With A Fresh Service

This particular RSi was first registered in Japan before joining a private collection in Germany. The selling dealer acquired it in 2026 and carried out extensive recommissioning work after a lengthy period in storage.

The July 2026 service included fresh fluids, replacement of ignition and cooling-system components, and maintenance of the gearbox, differentials, and Haldex system. According to the listing, the car comes with service records and a Florida title.

At the time of writing, bidding had reached $86,500, with the auction scheduled to conclude on October 28. That's serious money for a Beetle, although with only 250 examples ever built, opportunities to buy one this well preserved are few and far between.

A Florida man's grocery trip ended with a felony arrest after deputies say he struck his 65-year-old roommate in the face with a Walmart bag containing a tub of ice cream. The disagreement began over several large plants the roommate was trying to fit into their Uber.

Burton Franklin McDonald, 60, was arrested October 17, 2026, after Marion County sheriff's deputies responded to a disturbance at a Walmart in Ocala. The argument began as the two men attempted to load their purchases into the vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.

The men were roommates living in a group home. Neither could drive, so they had taken an Uber to Walmart to buy groceries for their residence.

McDonald reportedly objected to the amount of space his roommate's purchases occupied. By the time deputies arrived, the disagreement had escalated into a physical confrontation witnessed by their Uber driver.

The Plants, the Groceries and the Ice Cream

Deputy Branden Zarem responded to the Walmart at 9570 SW Highway 200, where he encountered McDonald and his roommate, 65-year-old Gilberto Miriti.

Miriti told the deputy that the argument began while they were loading their purchases into the Uber. He had bought several large plants and was attempting to fit them into the back of the vehicle when McDonald became upset about how much space his belongings occupied.

According to the affidavit, McDonald struck Miriti in the face during the disagreement. Miriti told the deputy he was unsure exactly what struck him, but that it was something hard.

Their Uber driver, Adliss Reyes Laya, told deputies he witnessed the confrontation. According to his account, McDonald struck Miriti in the face with a Walmart grocery bag containing a tub of ice cream.

Deputy Zarem documented slight redness on Miriti's left cheek, which Miriti attributed to the blow.

Two Accounts of the Confrontation

McDonald did not deny striking his roommate when Deputy Zarem questioned him.

According to the affidavit, McDonald complained that Miriti's purchases were taking up too much room in the Uber. He also claimed Miriti had "mouthed off" to him and nudged him in the side before McDonald struck him.

The Uber driver gave deputies a different account. Reyes Laya reported that Miriti never touched, pushed or struck McDonald.

Deputy Zarem cited the driver's written statement, which corroborated Miriti's account, along with the redness observed on the victim's cheek.

The affidavit does not describe any additional injuries or indicate that Miriti required medical treatment.

Five Years Made a Felony Difference

McDonald was 60 when arrested. His roommate was 65.

Under Florida Statute 784.08(2)(c), a battery that would ordinarily constitute a first-degree misdemeanor becomes a third-degree felony when committed against a person 65 or older.

The law does not require prosecutors to prove that the defendant knew the victim's age. A battery charge also does not require serious injury. An intentional, unwanted strike can satisfy the underlying offense if the other statutory elements are established.

A third-degree felony in Florida carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years.

McDonald was arrested on one count of battery on a person 65 years of age or older. The Marion County Sheriff's Office booking record listed his bond at $1,000, with his next court appearance scheduled for November 17, 2026, at 9 a.m.

All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is one of the wildest muscle cars ever to leave an American factory. With over 1,000 horsepower available on ethanol-rich fuel, it was built to dominate the drag strip rather than chase lap times.

Although production ended with the 2023 model year, exceptionally low-mileage examples sometimes appear on the used market. One such car has surfaced at Vanguard Motor Sales, with just 244 miles showing on its odometer.

Finished in B5 Blue, this particular Demon 170 looks practically untouched, but it carries a hefty asking price. Vanguard Motor Sales wants $179,900 for the supercharged Challenger, well above the model's original starting MSRP.

That's a serious amount for a modern Dodge, even one with such extraordinary performance credentials. However, the Demon 170's limited production and increasingly unusual powertrain help explain its appeal to collectors.

Over 1,000 Horsepower From A Supercharged V8

Under the hood sits a heavily modified 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. On E85 fuel, Dodge rates the engine at 1,025 horsepower and 945 lb-ft of torque.

Running on conventional E10 gasoline reduces output to 900 horsepower and 810 lb-ft. Either way, the Demon 170 is an exceptionally powerful factory-built muscle car.

Dodge originally claimed a 0–60 mph time of 1.66 seconds and an 8.91-second quarter-mile at 151.17 mph under ideal conditions. Those figures helped establish the Demon 170 as one of the quickest factory-built cars ever offered for the drag strip.

A Nearly Unused Example In B5 Blue

This particular Challenger wears striking B5 Blue paint, contrasting black exterior details, and the distinctive yellow splitter guards. Its factory wheels are fitted with drag-focused tires, emphasizing the car's straight-line intentions.

Inside, black leather and Alcantara upholstery create a relatively restrained cabin compared with the outrageous performance on tap. The seller's photographs show a clean engine compartment and underbody, although some wear is visible on the driver's seat bolster.

With only 244 miles recorded, the car has barely covered enough distance to stretch its legs, making it an appealing prospect for collectors.

Nearly $180,000 For A Modern Muscle Car

When new, the Demon 170 carried a starting MSRP of $96,666 before options and fees. This example's $179,900 asking price represents a substantial premium over that original figure.

Prices have cooled since the model's earliest resale frenzy, but exceptionally low-mileage cars can still command ambitious asking prices. Whether this particular example finds a buyer at nearly $180,000 remains to be seen.

Dennis Collins has bought and sold countless collectible cars over the years, but one American performance legend had somehow escaped his collection. That changed when he traveled to Louisiana to inspect a remarkably well-preserved 1987 Buick GNX.

In a recent episode of his Coffee Walk YouTube series, Collins heads to Madisonville, Louisiana, after receiving a tip from longtime friend Jared Ricky. Waiting for him is a black Buick GNX with extensive documentation and an interesting ownership history.

The GNX is among the most desirable American performance cars of the 1980s, with just 547 examples produced. Its turbocharged V6 performance embarrassed far more expensive sports cars when it was new.

Despite his extensive car collecting experience, Collins admits he has never owned one. After inspecting this particular example, however, he seems determined to change that.

A Buick GNX With An Impressive Paper Trail

The car belongs to a collector who purchased it in 2021 with plans to drive it regularly. After covering around eight miles, he apparently felt guilty about adding mileage and returned it to climate-controlled storage.

Collins was clearly impressed by the documentation accompanying the car, including its original window sticker, owner's manuals, and historical records. The paperwork reveals an original sticker price of $29,290.

The collection also includes a serialized GNX team jacket, while the car retains its original wheels and tires. Its black paint appears exceptionally well preserved, with consistent paint-thickness readings suggesting it hasn't been repainted.

The Turbocharged Buick That Shocked The Supercar World

The GNX was developed with ASC/McLaren and featured a modified turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 officially rated at 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. Its performance was extraordinary for 1987, with contemporary testing recording 0–60 mph times in the mid-four-second range.

Beyond the engine, the GNX received revised rear suspension, distinctive fender flares, functional hood vents, and 16-inch wheels. Collins also points out just how quick the GNX was compared with other American performance cars of the era.

A Curious Discovery Underneath The Car

During the inspection, Collins discovers an unusual detail on the rear differential cover. Although the car is identified as GNX number 192, the cover carries the number 193.

He suspects the mismatch may have occurred during assembly, although its origin is unconfirmed. Otherwise, the undercarriage appears original, with factory markings and identification tags.

Satisfied with the inspection, Collins agrees to purchase the GNX, negotiating an extra set of wheels and tires into the deal. For a collector who has owned almost everything, finally acquiring one of Buick's most celebrated performance cars is guaranteed to make this Louisiana trip memorable.

Snapchat reached a confidential settlement in an eleven-year legal battle over a Georgia crash involving a teenage driver who reportedly wanted to show off her speed online, her father's Mercedes-Benz C230, and a social media feature that allowed users to share how fast they were traveling.

The October 20, 2026 agreement came less than two weeks before a scheduled jury trial. Wentworth Maynard, an Uber driver beginning his shift, suffered permanent brain damage when Christal McGee, then 18, rear-ended his Mitsubishi Outlander on Tara Boulevard in September 2015. He spent five weeks in intensive care, followed by six weeks of additional hospital treatment and rehabilitation.

The collision permanently changed Maynard's ability to walk, communicate, remember information, and care for himself. His wife, Karen, became one of his caregivers. The couple sued McGee and Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc., arguing that its Speed Filter encouraged dangerous driving. The controversy reached automotive audiences in April 2016, when Jalopnik examined the lawsuit and obtained Snapchat's response to allegations that the application rewarded users for recording high speeds.

Snap told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the parties had reached an amicable, confidential agreement without admitting liability. The settlement amount was not disclosed.

The Drive Home

On September 10, 2015, McGee finished a restaurant shift and offered three coworkers rides home in her father's white 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230, according to an account published by the Maynards' attorneys. They traveled along Tara Boulevard in Clayton County, Georgia, where the speed limit was 55 mph.

Passenger Heather McCarty, who was pregnant, noticed McGee accelerating while holding a phone displaying their speed. In a November 2015 sworn affidavit reproduced in a Georgia Court of Appeals opinion, McCarty recalled asking McGee to slow down and reminding her that she was pregnant.

McGee reportedly responded that she wanted to reach 100 mph so she could post the result on Snapchat. McCarty described watching the phone's speed reading climb to 113 mph before spotting another vehicle entering the roadway and screaming.

That vehicle was Maynard's Mitsubishi Outlander. He had turned right from his apartment complex onto Tara Boulevard, preparing to begin an Uber shift, when the Mercedes struck him from behind. According to the Maynards' attorneys, the impact sent his Mitsubishi across the roadway and into an embankment.

Maynard required breathing and feeding tubes during his hospitalization. His severe traumatic brain injury left him with memory loss, communication difficulties, chronic pain, and mobility problems requiring a wheelchair or walker. His wife assumed responsibilities he had previously managed independently.

Karen recalled that before the crash, her husband would prepare breakfast, go to work, cook dinner, and spend evenings with her on the couch.

"We used to sit on the sofa and watch TV in the evening, and Wentworth would hug me. Now, he can't do that anymore," she said in an account published by the family's attorneys.

More than eleven years later, attorney Michael Neff told the AJC that Maynard's brain injuries continued to affect him and his family every day.

The Speed Dispute

McGee's speed and cellphone activity became central disagreements. A reconstruction expert hired by the Maynards estimated the Mercedes was traveling between 91 and 107 mph at impact. ABC News reported in June 2016 that McGee acknowledged driving 90 mph in court records, although she later testified that she had been traveling 55 mph.

The passengers' accounts also differed. Kaylan Henderson initially estimated 60 to 65 mph while reporting that McGee was using her phone. Front-seat passenger Henry Williams disputed Snapchat use in a television interview, although later sworn testimony acknowledged some phone activity during the drive.

McGee denied using Snapchat while driving, and Snap maintained that its application logs showed she was not using the service at or immediately before the collision.

The initial Lovejoy Police Department investigation reportedly attributed the crash to Maynard pulling onto the roadway in front of the Mercedes. In a May 2016 investigation, WSB-TV reported that the original police report did not address the alleged Snapchat use or speeds exceeding 100 mph, despite passenger statements mentioning excessive speed and cellphone activity.

Lovejoy Police Chief Mark Harris acknowledged that investigators could have asked additional questions. When shown how the Speed Filter worked, he told WSB-TV it was the first time he had heard of the feature.

Police pursued four criminal charges against McGee in June 2016: felony serious injury by vehicle, reckless driving, speeding at least 35 mph above the limit, and driving too fast for conditions. On May 17, 2018, she entered a no-contest plea to serious injury by vehicle, as documented in a Georgia Supreme Court opinion.

The Missing Phone

The conflicting accounts made McGee's cellphone potentially valuable evidence. On September 29, 2015, just 19 days after the crash, attorneys for the Maynards sent McGee and her father a preservation demand specifically identifying phone records, application activity, and other electronic evidence.

McGee later testified that she continued using the device for approximately eight months. Her accounts of what happened to it afterward were inconsistent.

In January 2024, her attorney produced a phone represented as the device McGee had possessed on the night of the crash. Forensic examiner Jim Persinger examined it using Cellebrite software and a specialized chip-off procedure, determining that the device belonged to McGee's sister. None of the parties' experts disputed that conclusion.

McGee subsequently identified seven additional phones at her home, but none was established to be the missing device.

In an October 3, 2025 sanctions order, Spalding County State Court Judge Josh Thacker found that McGee had acted in bad faith by willfully failing to preserve and produce her phone. He ordered her personally to pay the Maynards $109,612.09 for expenses caused by the missing evidence.

Thacker also planned to instruct jurors that they could presume the phone contained information harmful to McGee's defense, including evidence that she was using Snapchat around the time of the collision.

The order revealed another complication. Snap had opposed an effort to inspect the phone in 2016, arguing that concerns about losing its contents were implausible because the device was supposedly in McGee's attorney's custody. Thacker criticized Snap's efforts to prevent the inspection while finding that the company had not directly participated in the loss of evidence.

The judge also noted that Snap still possessed its own data concerning McGee's Snapchat activity.

Although the $109,612.09 sanction was imposed against McGee rather than Snapchat, the October 2026 settlement involved all three parties and expressly resolved that obligation. The agreement did not overturn the judge's findings.

A Reward Not Worth Chasing

Snapchat introduced its Speed Filter in 2013, allowing users to overlay their traveling speed on photographs and videos shared with friends. Passengers, aircraft travelers, and recreational users could use it without operating a motor vehicle, but the same feature also made dangerous driving speeds easy to display to an audience.

The Maynards alleged that Snapchat's design encouraged users to pursue increasingly high speeds, partly through the prospect of digital rewards.

Snapchat denied offering trophies or additional points specifically for using the Speed Filter, a position it communicated directly to Jalopnik and other news outlets in 2016.

The company did have a separate achievement system offering trophies and other recognition, sometimes without disclosing how users could earn them. Some former users later recalled a 100-mph achievement, although no contemporaneous technical evidence has established that such a reward existed.

Families suing Snap argued that users might pursue dangerous speeds because they believed a reward existed or wanted to discover whether one could be earned. Whether Snapchat actually offered a speed-specific trophy, whether users believed one existed, and whether that belief encouraged dangerous driving were distinct factual issues.

McCarty's account of the Georgia crash described a simpler incentive: McGee reportedly wanted to reach 100 mph so she could show her friends.

Beyond Georgia

The Georgia collision was one of several crashes connected to Snapchat's Speed Filter.

In May 2017, three young men died when their vehicle left Cranberry Road in Wisconsin and struck a tree. According to federal appellate records recounting the families' allegations, the car reached 123 mph, and front-seat passenger Landen Brown opened Snapchat's Speed Filter shortly before the collision.

The families of Brown and fellow passenger Hunter Morby sued Snap over the application's design. In 2021, the Ninth Circuit ruled that Section 230 protections for online platforms did not automatically shield the company from claims involving its own product design. The lawsuit settled confidentially in 2023.

The behavior extended beyond the United States. In Wales, a driver involved in a fatal crash acknowledged that friends wanted him to reach 100 mph so they could photograph the speedometer for Snapchat. Police warned about similar 100-mph social media challenges in 2022, after Snapchat's Speed Filter had been discontinued.

Those incidents involved different circumstances, including drivers who were not necessarily using the Speed Filter itself. The ability to photograph a conventional speedometer and share the result remained even after Snapchat removed its dedicated speed display.

The Final Turn

Snap defended the Speed Filter while changing its design over several years. The company introduced warnings against using it while driving, reduced its prominence by converting it from a filter to a sticker, and eventually restricted driving-speed posts to 35 mph.

In June 2021, NPR reported that Snap was removing the feature entirely. The company attributed the decision to declining usage.

The Georgia lawsuit continued. In March 2022, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that manufacturers may have a duty to reduce foreseeable product risks even when someone intentionally misuses their products.

A subsequent appellate ruling determined that the Maynards had sufficiently alleged a connection between Snapchat's design and the collision to proceed with their claims. Neither ruling established that Snapchat caused the crash.

In August 2026, Judge Thacker denied Snap's request for summary judgment, leaving disputed questions for a jury scheduled to begin hearing the case November 2.

Instead, Snap, McGee, and the Maynards filed their joint settlement notice on October 20. The agreement resolved the claims and McGee's outstanding sanctions, with the Maynards agreeing to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice upon receiving the settlement funds.

The case ended after more than a decade without a jury determining whether Snapchat's Speed Filter contributed to McGee's driving or whether Snap bore legal responsibility for Maynard's injuries.

Most people would probably keep an extremely rare Mercedes-Benz locked away in a climate-controlled garage. Matthew Ivanhoe takes a different approach, using his 1998 Brabus C58 wagon to drop his children off at school almost every day.

In a recent video from Magnacars, Ivanhoe, founder of The Cultivated Collector, introduces his unusual performance wagon and explains why he refuses to sell it. According to him, only two Brabus C58 wagons are known to exist worldwide.

The car is based on the W202-generation Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG estate, already a relatively uncommon sight in the United States. However, Brabus transformed this example into something far more powerful.

Despite owning a business dealing in exotic and collectible automobiles, Ivanhoe prefers driving this understated Mercedes over something flashier. Its combination of rarity, practicality, and old-school V8 performance makes it his ideal family car.

A 5.8-Liter V8 In A Compact Mercedes Wagon

The standard C43 AMG came with a naturally aspirated 4.3-liter V8, but Brabus turned it up to 11. According to Ivanhoe, Brabus started with a V8 from the Mercedes S500 and increased its displacement to 5.8 liters.

According to Ivanhoe, the resulting engine produces approximately 425 horsepower, making the C58 way quicker than a regular C43. During the Magnacars road test, the wagon delivers surprisingly strong acceleration despite its discreet appearance.

Brabus-specific engine electronics, badging, and other original details are still intact. Ivanhoe also refurbished several interior components and reinstalled the original Brabus brake calipers, which had previously been replaced with standard C43 parts.

A Rare Find Imported From Belgium

Ivanhoe originally wanted to purchase an Alpina B8 4.6 wagon after becoming a father for the second time. He wanted a practical family vehicle that was still exciting and unusual enough to satisfy his enthusiasm for rare cars.

Unable to find the right Alpina, he discovered the Brabus C58 in Belgium and imported it to the United States. He believes the only other example is located in Russia, although its whereabouts haven't been independently confirmed.

The car currently has approximately 155,000 kilometers (96,300 miles) on its odometer. Ivanhoe drives it regularly but limits winter use to protect it from road salt.

It Still Does School Runs

Ivanhoe says the best part of owning the C58 is how easily it blends into ordinary traffic. Most people see an aging Mercedes wagon, while knowledgeable enthusiasts occasionally recognize something exceptionally unusual.

He also maintains the car without cutting corners, particularly because his children ride in it regularly. Despite its rarity and uncertain collector value, Ivanhoe has no intention of selling the wagon, even as its mileage continues climbing.

Building a serious race truck usually requires a well-equipped workshop, specialized tools, and plenty of experience. However, 25-year-old Roman Espino has turned an old Chevrolet C10 pickup into an impressive, track-focused machine using little more than his driveway, floor jacks, and jack stands.

In a recent video from Autotopia LA, Roman shows off his heavily modified C10, which he built primarily for autocross competition and future road racing. Despite its weathered exterior, the truck packs serious performance hardware underneath.

Roman purchased the C10 from a previous owner who had planned to build it for his son, only to discover that the youngster wasn't particularly interested in loud cars. Rather than restoring it to factory condition, he decided to create something inspired by classic Trans Am race cars.

The result is a naturally aspirated V8-powered pickup producing over 600 horsepower, complete with racing suspension, fat tires, and functional aerodynamic upgrades. Amazingly, it's also Roman's first major vehicle build.

A 383 Stroker V8 With Over 600 Horsepower

Under the hood sits a heavily modified version of the truck's original small-block Chevrolet engine, enlarged from 350 to 383 cubic inches. It features forged internals, AFR cylinder heads, a high-performance camshaft designed for high-rpm operation, and Kooks headers.

Running 12:1 compression and race fuel, the engine produces just north of 600 horsepower and approximately 600 lb-ft of torque. Roman also fitted fuel injection, a side-exit exhaust, and a five-speed Tremec TKX manual transmission.

Although Roman completed much of the truck himself, he relied on professional machining and some specialist help with the engine to avoid risking an expensive engine failure during his first major build.

Built To Handle Corners, Not Just Straight Lines

The C10 uses CPP suspension components, adjustable Viking coilovers, and Wilwood brakes. Power reaches the rear wheels through a Currie nine-inch rear axle.

Roman also fitted 18-inch Rocket Racing wheels wrapped in 315-section tires at all four corners. The square setup allows tire rotation while providing plenty of grip during autocross events.

A large Nine Lives Racing rear wing, front splitter, and relocated fuel tank help improve stability and weight distribution. Roman says these modifications serve a purpose rather than simply making the truck look aggressive.

A Race Truck That Still Gets Driven On The Street

Inside, the cabin features fixed-back racing seats, upgraded gauges, and a modified pedal arrangement for heel-and-toe downshifting. Air conditioning is absent, but some original interior pieces remain in place, such as the door cards and rearview mirror.

During the Autotopia LA road test, the host praises the C10's braking, handling, and surprisingly usable power delivery. The truck's stiff suspension makes its racing priorities obvious, but Roman still enjoys cruising it around Southern California.

For a first build completed largely on a driveway, Roman's C10 is an impressive achievement. Its weathered paint is also untouched, giving the 600-horsepower pickup an appearance that almost hides its track-focused engineering... well, except for the stance, wheels, big wing, and hood vents, that is.

Ford has recruited some serious Hollywood talent to tell the story of how its legendary F-150 Raptor came to life. Ben Affleck directs the new promotional film, while fellow actor Jon Bernthal takes the starring role behind the wheel of the high-performance pickup.

Titled Project Raptor: Based on a Ford Story, the short film follows the engineers who developed Ford's desert-running truck. The project brings together Hollywood actors and the actual Ford employees responsible for creating the original Raptor.

The collaboration makes sense because both actors are genuine Raptor enthusiasts. Affleck owns two examples, while Bernthal has three, including an original first-generation truck.

The film, released through the Ford Racing YouTube channel, combines dramatic desert-driving footage with the story of a project that nearly never reached production. It also gives several Ford engineers an unexpected opportunity to appear alongside Hollywood stars.

The Ford Raptor Was Nearly Canceled Six Times

The Raptor story began in 2006, when a small group of Ford engineers wanted to create a production pickup capable of tackling demanding desert terrain at high speeds. Their idea was to bring Baja-inspired performance to an everyday road-legal truck.

Convincing Ford's management wasn't easy, especially as the automotive industry struggled through the financial crisis of 2008. According to the engineers, the project was canceled six separate times before finally receiving approval.

Their persistence eventually paid off, with the original F-150 SVT Raptor reaching customers around 2010. Its success later helped establish an entire family of performance-oriented Ford trucks and SUVs.

Real Ford Engineers Get Their Hollywood Moment

Rather than relying entirely on actors, Affleck included engineers Derek Bier, Tim Smith, and Chris Paiva in the film. They also helped the production team recreate the development environment and supplied authentic components from the original program.

The attention to detail extended to filming the driving sequences. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Raptor being filmed was moving so quickly that the crew used another Raptor equipped with a camera rig to keep up.

Bernthal Introduced Affleck To The Raptor

The actors' connection to the truck began years earlier on the set of The Accountant. Bernthal reportedly gave Affleck a ride in his Raptor, helping turn him into a fan of Ford's off-road pickup.

That shared enthusiasm eventually led to the new campaign, produced by Artists Equity, the studio co-founded by Affleck and Matt Damon. The finished film celebrates the engineering team behind a truck that survived repeated setbacks to become one of Ford's most recognizable performance vehicles.

An Atlanta woman who loved her first Tesla says her second purchase has been a nightmare. What started with a cracked windshield on a brand-new car has turned into months of frustration.

Jalee Noel, who posts on TikTok as @ajale.noel, says she noticed the damage shortly after buying the vehicle. She contacted Tesla, expecting the company to fix the problem or replace the car. Instead, she says she has spent months trying to get the windshield replaced.

Things got worse when Noel showed up for a scheduled repair appointment. She says Tesla had promised her a loaner vehicle, but when she arrived, none were available.

Now, the unhappy customer says she may take legal action. Her experience has also changed how she feels about Tesla, a brand she once loved enough to purchase twice.

A Cracked Windshield

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@ajale.noel Sick of this ugly car #teslatok #tesla #badcustomerservice #atlanta #dontbuy ♬ original sound - Jaleé.

Noel opens her TikTok with a warning for anyone thinking about buying a Tesla.

“I don’t know if anyone else has a Tesla … hold off on buying them,” she says.

She explains that she purchased a new vehicle, only to discover a large crack in its windshield. She says she noticed the damage almost immediately and returned to Tesla.

According to Noel, she asked the company to exchange the damaged vehicle for another one. Tesla employees instead told her they would repair the glass.

She claims the company suggested the windshield had cracked during delivery. That explanation only made her more upset.

“So you guys didn’t check the car before you gave it to me?” she asks.

In the video, Noel shows viewers the damage and explains that she has continued driving the car while waiting for a repair.

No Loaner Available

The cracked glass was only part of Noel's complaint. She says repeated calls, emails, and appointments have done little to solve the problem.

She also claims Tesla employees offered her one month of free Full Self-Driving instead of the resolution she wanted.

“No, I want my car fixed or a brand-new car,” she says.

Noel explains that she needs a vehicle for her daily responsibilities. Before scheduling service, she made it clear that she would need a loaner while her Tesla was being repaired.

She says Tesla assured her that one would be available.

However, when she arrived for an 8:15 a.m. appointment, she learned that the service center had no loaner vehicles left.

According to Noel, employees told her the cars were available on a first-come, first-served basis.

That left her with a difficult choice. She could leave her vehicle for repairs without another car to drive or continue using the Tesla with its damaged windshield.

Noel also criticizes the Tesla locations in Fayetteville and Duluth, Georgia. She claims she has struggled to reach managers and get clear answers about the repair.

What Tesla Says

Tesla's service center guidelines explain that customers may qualify for complimentary transportation while their vehicles are being repaired.

However, a loaner is not guaranteed. Tesla says vehicles undergoing warranty repairs receive priority, and loaners are subject to availability.

Customers can also communicate with service employees through the Tesla app and check their repair status.

Tesla's delivery instructions explain how buyers can accept their vehicles and complete the pickup process through the app.

Buyers should inspect their vehicles carefully and document any problems they discover.

Another important detail concerns windshield damage. Tesla's New Vehicle Limited Warranty generally excludes cracked, chipped, or scratched glass unless the damage results from a covered defect in materials or workmanship.

That distinction could matter when determining who should pay for a replacement. Noel, however, says the crack was present when she first received the vehicle.

Done With Tesla

What makes Noel's experience especially frustrating for her is that she wasn't a first-time Tesla buyer.

She says she loved her first vehicle and had a positive ownership experience. That history helped convince her to purchase another one.

Now, she says the way Tesla has handled her complaint has destroyed that confidence.

She tells viewers that anyone planning to purchase a Tesla should inspect the vehicle closely before leaving the delivery location.

“If you don’t and there’s something wrong with your car, good luck on getting it fixed,” she warns.

Noel says she is considering legal action after spending months trying to resolve the problem. She wants either a repaired vehicle or a replacement.

Her complaint remains her account of the dispute, and the TikTok does not establish whether Tesla has since completed the repair or whether she has filed a lawsuit.

California accounts for six of the 10 major U.S. cities with the highest accident rates, according to a new study. Some of the state's biggest cities rank near the top, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

The LendingTree study, updated October 19, examined insurance quote data from the 50 largest U.S. cities. Researchers compared reported accidents per 1,000 drivers.

California didn't take first place. Raleigh, North Carolina, took that distinction, recording 29.1 accidents per 1,000 drivers. San Diego was close behind at 28.2.

The findings also reveal which generations and vehicle brands have the highest accident rates. Younger drivers lead the generational rankings, while pickup trucks and electric vehicles appear near the top of the brand list.

California Takes Six Spots

San Diego ranks second nationally, with 28.2 accidents per 1,000 drivers. Los Angeles and San Francisco tie for third at 26.9, while Sacramento ranks sixth with 25.6.

Long Beach ranks eighth at 22.7, followed by San Jose in ninth place at 22.3.

All six California cities exceed the national rate of 17.9 accidents per 1,000 drivers.

The state also has several cities just outside the top 10. Bakersfield ranks 11th, Fresno 13th, and Oakland 15th.

LendingTree auto insurance expert Lindsay Bishop says heavy traffic may help explain California's showing.

Drivers in major California cities often deal with crowded freeways, busy intersections, and frequent lane changes. Each interaction between vehicles creates another chance for a collision.

However, the results don't necessarily mean California drivers are less skilled. Traffic conditions, time spent driving, road design, and driver behavior can all affect accident rates.

Gen Z Leads Rankings

The study also compared accident rates across generations, and Gen Z drivers ranked highest.

Drivers ages 18 to 28 recorded 33.1 accidents per 1,000 drivers, more than double the rates for millennials and Gen X.

Millennials had 14.8 accidents per 1,000 drivers, while Gen X had 14.9.

Baby boomers, ages 61 to 79, had the second-highest accident rate at 18.0 per 1,000 drivers.

Bishop points to driving experience as one reason for the gap. Younger drivers have had less time to recognize dangerous road conditions and respond to unexpected situations.

She also says younger drivers are more likely to engage in risky behavior, including speeding.

The numbers could have financial consequences. Insurance companies consider accident risk when setting premiums, which helps explain why younger drivers often pay more for coverage.

Ram Drivers Rank First

The study found another interesting trend when researchers examined accident rates by vehicle brand.

Ram drivers had the highest rate at 25.9 accidents per 1,000 drivers. Tesla followed at 25.0, while Subaru ranked third at 23.4.

Lexus and Toyota rounded out the top five, with rates of 20.8 and 20.4.

At the opposite end, Pontiac had the lowest rate among the 30 brands examined, at just 9.0 accidents per 1,000 drivers.

Chrysler followed at 11.4, while Cadillac came in at 12.1.

Bishop cautions that the brand rankings don't prove certain vehicles are inherently more dangerous. Driver age, experience, driving habits, and location may influence the results.

Deadliest Cities Look Different

The cities with the highest accident rates aren't necessarily the places with the most deadly crashes.

LendingTree separately examined 2024 federal crash records and found that Memphis, Tennessee, had the highest fatal crash rate among major U.S. cities.

Memphis recorded 27.7 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, more than twice the national rate of 10.7.

Tucson, Arizona, ranked second at 24.0, followed by Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 19.1.

California's cities performed considerably better in that category. San Diego recorded 7.3 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, while Los Angeles had 7.6 and San Francisco had 5.0.

This distinction matters because an area with frequent accidents doesn't always have the deadliest roads.

Speed, road design, and access to emergency medical care can affect whether a collision becomes fatal.

What The Numbers Mean

LendingTree based its accident rankings on QuoteWizard insurance quote data collected from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026.

That means the figures reflect accidents reported in the insurance quote data, rather than a complete count of every crash recorded by police.

The fatal crash rankings used a different source: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System for 2024.

LendingTree recommends reducing speed, leaving more room between vehicles, and avoiding heavily congested driving periods when possible.

Drivers can also compare insurance quotes and look into safe-driving discount programs to help control their costs.

Most people with a $1.3 million car collection probably have a mansion to match. One man in England has taken a different approach. He lives in a modest two-bedroom home and keeps an incredible collection of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and rare performance cars in his backyard.

James bought his house about 30 years ago for roughly $67,000. Instead of upgrading to a bigger home as his finances improved, he spent decades buying the cars he dreamed about owning as a kid.

His collection includes a Lamborghini Diablo SV, a Ferrari 512 TR, a Ferrari F430 Scuderia, and several rare Lotus Carltons. Some of his cars are worth more individually than he originally paid for his house.

The YouTube channel Collecting Cars visited James in Rotherham, England, for the first episode of its series "The Art of Collecting," published June 25, 2026. What the hosts found was far from a typical millionaire's car collection.

A Million-Dollar Backyard

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James calls his collection the "garage of broken dreams," but the cars inside are anything but ordinary.

One of the first vehicles shown is his Ferrari F430 Scuderia, a lightweight, high-performance version of Ferrari's F430.

James bought it four years ago for about $257,000. He says he has since received an offer worth nearly $389,000.

That would be a substantial profit, but he didn't buy it to make money.

"None of the cars were investment cars," James explains. He says he buys cars with his heart, although he recognizes that other enthusiasts often develop the same desires, pushing prices higher.

He also isn't afraid to drive them.

Just before the filming, James took the Ferrari on a roughly 1,000-mile road trip around Scotland. He says he pushed the car hard despite being surrounded by drivers in much newer supercars.

That attitude carries through the entire collection. Rather than preserving each vehicle as a showroom piece, James drives them, repairs them, and sometimes takes them onto racetracks.

Rare Cars Everywhere

Among the most unusual vehicles in his garage is a Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, a British performance sedan that most American drivers have probably never encountered.

Sold as the Opel Lotus Omega in other European markets, the car was developed with help from Lotus and powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter inline-six producing approximately 377 horsepower.

It was designed to compete with high-performance German sedans such as the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz 500E.

James bought his first Lotus Carlton in 2011, when examples were selling for approximately $24,000 to $33,500. He says particularly clean cars can now command roughly $107,000 to $134,000.

His example currently has its cylinder head removed after developing a head-gasket leak. James plans to rebuild the engine and restore the paint.

He also owns a custom Lotus Carlton station wagon, a vehicle that looks remarkably close to something the factory might have produced.

The wagon features Lotus Carlton mechanical components, including its drivetrain, steering, and suspension hardware. James has spent years finishing the conversion and correcting problems with its custom suspension.

Although the wagon attracts attention wherever it goes, he says he may sell it because he rarely drives it.

A Special Lamborghini

The centerpiece of James's collection is a yellow Lamborghini Diablo SV.

For James, the Diablo is much more than an expensive sports car. It represents the cars he admired growing up, including the Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari Testarossa.

His Diablo SV has a 5.7-liter V12, a manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive.

James purchased it in 2020 after selling off much of his earlier collection. At one point, he owned approximately 19 cars, including eight Triumph TR7s.

He realized that maintaining so many aging vehicles would consume more time and money than he wanted to spend.

Instead, he sold several cars, used the proceeds to purchase the Diablo, and began focusing on the vehicles he truly wanted.

His Diablo also has an unusual history. James says it was one of the earliest SV models built and served as a British press car.

After its time with automotive journalists, Alpine, the car audio company, bought it and equipped it with an elaborate sound system.

James says the stereo was powerful enough to drown out the Lamborghini's V12 engine.

He has since collected magazines, photographs, and documentation tracing the car's history.

Unlike some of his other vehicles, the Diablo is one he says he has no intention of selling.

300,000-Mile Lamborghini

Another remarkable vehicle in the collection wasn't present during the visit.

James also acquired a Lamborghini Murciélago that had accumulated approximately 308,000 miles under its previous owner, Simon George.

George originally used the Lamborghini in a supercar rental business to help cover the cost of owning it. After more than two decades, the car had accumulated a maintenance history that would intimidate most owners.

According to the figures discussed in the video, the Murciélago had gone through 10 clutches, two V12 engines, two transmissions, nine paint jobs, and 111 sets of Pirelli tires.

The hosts also discuss running costs approaching $1.3 million over the car's lifetime.

When James had the chance to buy it, he couldn't afford to pay cash. He says friends helped finance the purchase, and he later paid off his share by selling another car.

Despite its history, James admits he doesn't enjoy driving the Murciélago as much as his Diablo or Ferrari.

At the time of filming, it was undergoing bodywork, and James said it would probably be sold.

Ferraris Worth Keeping

Another favorite is James's Ferrari 512 TR, finished in a striking blue exterior with a red leather interior.

The 512 TR is an updated version of Ferrari's famous Testarossa, retaining its wide body, side strakes, and pop-up headlights.

James first learned about this particular car in 2017 but couldn't afford it at the time.

The Ferrari had originally been delivered to Malaysia, where it reportedly sat for 16 years before returning to the United Kingdom.

When James eventually found another opportunity to buy it, he decided to finance the purchase. He says it was the only car in his collection he had ever financed through a conventional loan.

The Ferrari had approximately 1,900 miles when he bought it, and its odometer had climbed to around 3,100 miles by the time of filming.

Although he receives increasingly attractive purchase offers, James says the 512 TR will remain in his collection.

Keeping Them Running

Owning rare cars is one challenge. Finding replacement parts can be another.

James has spent years collecting spare engines, transmissions, differentials, windshields, and other components for vehicles that are becoming difficult to maintain.

He estimates that his Lotus parts inventory alone is worth approximately $54,000.

He also owns a Noble M600, a rare British supercar that wasn't available for the tour.

James says he has collected hard-to-find Noble components, including windshields and a replacement clutch, because he knows they may be impossible to obtain in the future.

His other projects include several Alpine sports cars, including an A610 undergoing extensive mechanical upgrades.

James operates a specialist automotive business that works on rare performance cars, including Alpine, TVR, and Venturi models.

The collection also includes a 1994 Range Rover Classic that he has owned for approximately 14 or 15 years.

He has spent roughly $16,000 on a rebuilt engine and discussed putting another $27,000 into improving the vehicle's mechanical condition.

For James, even the Range Rover has personal meaning. He remembers admiring the vehicles when he was a child and wanted to own one himself.

Despite having enough valuable cars to justify moving somewhere larger, James has continued living in the same modest house he purchased decades ago.

A Houston car collector owns a Batmobile, several Lamborghinis, and a replica of the car from "Knight Rider." But the strangest vehicle in his collection might be a former British military armored car that he says is street legal.

It has a rotating turret, heavy armor, and an engine dating back to the 1950s. It also has license plates, according to its owner, who insists he can drive it around Texas.

The crew from DailyDrivenExotics learned about the collection through a direct message. Someone claimed to know a Houston man with a Batmobile and a tank, which was enough to convince the YouTubers to pay him a visit.

What started as a tour of an unusual car collection ended with the crew driving the military vehicle through Houston and ordering a Whopper at Burger King.

A Wild Collection

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The video published by DailyDrivenExotics on February 11, 2026, begins with the crew arriving at a private collection in Houston.

Among the first vehicles they encounter is a working replica of the Batmobile from the 1989 Batman movie starring Michael Keaton.

The owner explains that he bought an unfinished project and helped complete the mechanical work. The vehicle stretches more than 20 feet long and reportedly produces around 1,000 horsepower.

It also has air conditioning, a large turbocharger, and multiple cameras to help the driver see around its enormous body.

The crew takes the Batmobile onto Houston's streets, where it attracts plenty of attention. Other drivers stop to look, take pictures, and talk to the group.

Back at the property, the collection includes a Lamborghini Murciélago converted to a gated manual transmission, a 1969 Mustang Fastback inspired by "John Wick," and a replica of KITT from "Knight Rider."

But the owner has something else waiting for his guests.

A Military Surprise

The next vehicle is a British-built Daimler Ferret Mk 2 armored scout car.

Unlike a traditional tank, which travels on tracks, the Ferret rides on four wheels. It was designed for military reconnaissance and entered production during the 1950s.

The collector says his vehicle spent much of its military service in Germany during the Cold War. He also claims it weighs nearly 10,000 pounds.

According to the New Zealand Arms Register, Ferret scout cars were powered by Rolls-Royce B60 six-cylinder gasoline engines. The vehicles were built with armored bodies and four-wheel drive.

The owner says his example still has its original engine, which underwent a military rebuild in the 1990s.

He also insists the vehicle can legally travel on public roads.

"It's actually street legal," he tells the crew.

The YouTubers have trouble believing him, even after he points out the license plates.

They eventually climb inside, with one person taking the driver's position and another riding in the turret.

Taking It to Burger King

The group heads onto Houston's roads in the armored vehicle.

Driving the Ferret is nothing like operating a normal car. The driver sits low inside the armored body, using a large steering wheel and an unusual manual transmission.

Meanwhile, the passenger in the turret gets a much better view of the surrounding traffic.

The crew soon decides to test whether the military vehicle can fit through a fast-food drive-thru.

They approach a Burger King ordering speaker and make their request.

"Can I get a Whopper with cheese, please?" one passenger asks.

The order also includes a large fry and a bottle of water.

The employee gives them a total of $12.63, apparently handling the order like any other customer transaction.

At the pickup window, the employees get a closer look at the unusual vehicle. The crew jokes about whether Burger King offers a discount for customers arriving in military equipment.

The group eventually collects its food, with the employees handing the order up to the passengers.

"You know, life's about having fun doing stupid," one of the YouTubers says. "This qualifies as both stupid and fun."

Is It Street Legal?

The collector repeatedly claims his armored vehicle is legal to drive on Texas roads. However, the rules are more complicated than simply having license plates.

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles allows qualifying former military vehicles to receive special registration.

That registration generally limits their use to exhibitions, parades, club activities, and other public-interest events. It does not allow them to serve as regular transportation.

Certain former military vehicles that are not designated for off-highway use may qualify for regular registration, provided they meet the applicable requirements.

Texas also prohibits vehicles with continuous tracks from receiving on-road registration.

Because the Ferret uses wheels rather than tracks, it does not face that specific restriction. But the video does not establish which type of registration the owner's vehicle carries.

That means the footage alone cannot independently confirm his claim that the vehicle is street legal.

Keeping It Running

The owner explains that maintaining an old military vehicle presents challenges that ordinary car owners rarely encounter.

He estimates that nonworking examples can sell for between $20,000 and $40,000. Running examples, he says, might cost between $40,000 and $80,000, depending on their condition.

But purchasing one is only the beginning.

Finding a mechanic with the knowledge and equipment to repair a decades-old armored vehicle can be difficult.

The collector says he previously owned another Ferret that needed major repairs. After struggling to find someone in Houston who could handle the work, he sold it.

His current vehicle had already been restored before he purchased it.

He also recalls using the Ferret to pull a truck out of a ditch. According to the owner, the vehicle produced so much torque that he barely needed to touch the accelerator.

Despite the maintenance concerns, he appears determined to keep driving it.

Near the end of the video, the crew asks whether he has any additional plans for the Ferret.

The owner says he intends to continue using it on the road, turning what was once a military reconnaissance vehicle into one of the most unusual rides in Houston.

Lewis Hamilton has driven some of the fastest cars in the world, but one Ferrari had been sitting in a garage for decades before he finally got behind its wheel. The seven-time Formula 1 champion found a 1991 Ferrari F40 with just 69 kilometers, or about 43 miles, on it.

The car's first owner reportedly drove it home after buying it new, parked it in a garage, and never started it again. More than three decades later, Hamilton came along looking for a special F40 to add to his collection.

The Ferrari driver documented the search, restoration, and first drive in an October 6 YouTube video. Ferrari's own engineers and mechanics helped bring the car back to life.

But the restoration came with another surprise. While examining the engine, the team found the number 44, which happens to be Hamilton's Formula 1 racing number.

Forgotten Ferrari Found

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Hamilton had wanted an F40 since he was a child. His first official photo shoot after joining Ferrari in 2025 even featured one of the famous red supercars.

"When I joined Ferrari, my first shoot with the team was with this car," Hamilton explains in the video. He calls the F40 one of the most iconic cars ever made.

Rather than buying just any example, he wanted one with very low mileage and an unusual history.

That's how he found the 1991 model, which had barely been driven since leaving the factory.

Hamilton imagines how excited its original owner must have felt taking delivery. After driving it just 69 kilometers, though, the owner put it away.

The car remained unused for more than 30 years, according to Hamilton.

When the Ferrari finally arrived at the factory, it was covered in dust. Hamilton even pointed out dead insects inside the vehicle.

He briefly wondered whether he should leave the car exactly as he found it. Its remarkably low mileage made it special, but he also wanted to experience driving it.

Engine Number Surprise

Ferrari's team in Maranello took on the job of restoring the F40.

The work included examining its mechanical parts and getting the twin-turbocharged V8 running again. The team documented the project with photos and video.

During the restoration, the team made a discovery that caught Hamilton completely off guard.

The engine carried the number 44.

Hamilton has used 44 as his Formula 1 racing number for years, making the discovery a remarkable coincidence.

In the video, he reacts with disbelief when the team tells him about the number. The discovery gave the car another personal connection to its new owner.

Back From Storage

When the finished F40 was unveiled, Hamilton could barely contain his excitement.

He walked around the restored car, admiring its red paint, bodywork, and exhaust.

"She looks brand new," he said.

After inspecting the car, he climbed into the driver's seat and prepared to start the engine.

The video captures the F40 coming to life before Hamilton eventually takes it out for a drive.

The restoration had turned a dusty collector's car into a running supercar again.

According to Ferrari's official history, the F40 debuted in 1987 with a 2.9-liter V8 engine producing 478 metric horsepower. Its claimed top speed was 324 kilometers per hour, or about 201 mph.

The car was created to celebrate Ferrari's 40th anniversary. It also became one of the final road cars developed during Enzo Ferrari's lifetime.

With its huge rear wing, lightweight body, and twin turbochargers, the F40 was designed to deliver a driving experience closer to a race car than an ordinary road vehicle.

Dream Drive at Monza

Hamilton had a specific plan for the car once the restoration was complete.

He wanted it delivered to Monza, the home of the Italian Grand Prix, where he could drive it and take photos.

That dream became a reality in September 2026 when he arrived at the circuit in the restored Ferrari.

The F40 wore a special number 44 plate. Hamilton also posed with it at Monza, including on the circuit's historic banked section.

Although the car now runs, Hamilton still faces a difficult choice.

In the video, he explains that he wants to drive his F40 but worries about adding too many miles to such an unusually low-mileage example.

He even considers limiting himself to just one or two more kilometers to help preserve its special status.

For now, the Ferrari that spent decades sitting in a garage has finally made it back onto the road, with Hamilton behind the wheel.

In an attempt to save money amid rising gas prices, a man is trying something different with his wife’s Lexus. He is putting regular gasoline in it instead of premium and asking others whether it is a good idea.

In a video posted on TikTok, the man explains that gasoline costs about $4 per gallon at a Sam's Club in Vero Beach, Florida, while premium costs about $4.75.

He explains that his wife drives a 2009 Lexus RX 350, while he owns a 2008 Lexus GS 350. In the meantime, he has been using regular gas despite his understanding that the cars should use 91-octane premium fuel.

The man showed that filling his wife’s RX 350 from almost empty cost $66.56. With prices rising, he wants to save money and asks if anyone else has done this with vehicles that also require premium fuel.

Is It an Issue?

@xxbrohanxx Has anyone done this long term? Any issues? #mechanic #lexus #gas #questionoftheday #fyp ♬ original sound - xXBrohanXx

According to the 2009 RX 350 owner's manual, the car should be refueled with gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher, but it doesn't specify whether using a lower rating is acceptable.

Filling your tank with regular instead of premium is generally not a major issue in a single instance, but it can still have consequences. These can include reduced engine performance, increased fuel consumption, and potential long-term engine damage.

According to Kevin’s Autos, using 87 octane instead of 91 can also lead to slower acceleration, although some drivers may not notice any difference depending on their driving habits. However, using lower-octane fuel once is unlikely to cause permanent damage.

Kevin’s Autos recommends driving normally until the tank is nearly empty, filling up with 91-octane gasoline at the next refill, and avoiding aggressive driving. It also emphasizes that drivers should not make using lower-octane fuel a regular habit, as extended use could lead to engine damage.

Drivers Debate Whether It's Worth It

The man's video received over 100 comments from drivers trying to give him helpful advice. One commenter said using regular gasoline might be fine in the short term but could cause problems over a longer period.

Another argued that using regular gasoline in an older RX is acceptable, while premium fuel matters more for engines with higher compression or forced induction. Another commenter described experiencing misfires after filling two vehicles that required premium with regular gasoline.

The man has not provided further updates about using regular gasoline in his vehicles or whether he plans to continue doing so. While switching to regular gasoline may offer short-term savings, using it over the long term could come with potential risks.

Dashcam footage can show off some truly wild motoring moments. It can capture the worst and best of people's driving, but it is usually the worst that gets the most attention. The r/dashcams subreddit on Reddit is usually the place to be for this footage.

Footage uploaded recently by user syncnap has captured some of the silliest driving you will probably see today. In the footage, we see an Audi sports car suddenly shoot across the front of the dashcam car that we are riding on board with. And its driver isn't exactly behaving.

The driver shoots across the front of our car and then starts weaving around for no reason. It is almost as if they are trying to put heat into their tires, as a racing driver would. Except in this case, it is annoying and frustrating to watch.

Yet it seems karma comes back to bite this driver, as a Jeep appears behind him, and the SUV driver doesn't seem happy with the Audi's driving. At the time of writing, the video has over 400 comments and 17,000 upvotes and has been shared over 200 times.

What Happens in the Dashcam Footage?

This is the definition of playing stupid games to win stupid prizes
by
u/syncnap in
dashcams

In the footage, our car is driving along as normal when the Audi just cuts across in front of us, going from right to left. It shoots into the left-hand lane, and for some odd reason it then begins to weave left and right, as if to antagonize the drivers behind. It's strange behaviour, and it's not clear why they were doing it.

The video is entitled "This is the definition of playing stupid games to win stupid prizes," and it soon becomes clear why that is the video title. As the Audi continues to weave, a Jeep appears behind it from the left and clearly has no intention of slowing down. The Audi is simply in the way and is blocking their path. So it won't come as a surprise to see what happens next.

In short, the Jeep nudges into the left-hand corner of the Audi, pushing it straight out of the way and leaving visible marks on the back of the white sports car. The Audi driver suddenly stops weaving and ends up back in the right-hand lane. While it looks like there has been some damage caused, the Jeep doesn't stick around to find out. It duly carries on with its journey, probably leaving the Audi driver shouting a few expletives. But you can't blame the driver of the SUV for getting annoyed at the sports car.

What Did Reddit Users Think of the Situation?

Reddit users were quick to take aim at the Audi in the video. "As if some dumbass kid with a financed Audi who drives this way didn't already have high enough insurance premiums before this," said the top comment. "Paid by Daddy," said another comment further down on the post.

"You know those tiny dogs that bark like crazy at a bigger dog but pipe down as soon as you open the gate? Yeah..." said another one.

In short, nobody seemed to have sympathy with the driver of the Audi. Why they were weaving around isn't known, and they either thought they were being clever or were trying to annoy the drivers of the cars behind them. In the end, it meant they got a nice nudge from the big SUV, which promptly seemed to put them in their place.

Taking your vehicle to a tire shop for new tires and an alignment should be a relatively straightforward experience, especially when you're trusting professionals to handle the work. Unfortunately, one customer recently discovered that their visit to Mavis Discount Tire might have left them with a bigger problem than they originally anticipated after finding a broken suspension bolt.

The customer took to Reddit's r/Justrolledintotheshop community on October 22 to share a photograph of the damage discovered underneath their vehicle. According to the post, they had visited Mavis for new tires and a wheel alignment, only to be informed that corrosion prevented technicians from completing the alignment.

Although the alignment couldn't be performed, employees assured the customer that the tire installation was complete and the vehicle was ready to be picked up. However, the owner later noticed that the eccentric bolt responsible for adjusting the rear suspension's toe alignment had broken, something they claim the shop never mentioned.

The discovery left the customer questioning why employees would release the vehicle without explaining what had happened to an important suspension component. While the exact circumstances surrounding the broken bolt haven't been independently established, the incident sparked considerable discussion about repair-shop communication, mechanical responsibility, and vehicle safety.

Mavis Customer Discovers Broken Rear Suspension Bolt After Failed Alignment

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Mavis Tire broke a bolt then decided it wasn't their problem
by
u/whipple00 in
Justrolledintotheshop

According to the Reddit post, the customer initially believed the dealership-style explanation that corrosion had prevented the alignment from being completed. However, a subsequent inspection revealed that the eccentric bolt used to adjust rear toe had snapped, suggesting that a technician had attempted to adjust it and abandoned the procedure.

Eccentric bolts are commonly used in suspension systems to make precise alignment adjustments, helping control how a vehicle's wheels are positioned relative to the road. When these components become seized because of corrosion, attempting to loosen or rotate them can sometimes cause the hardware to break, potentially requiring replacement parts before the alignment can be completed.

The customer was particularly frustrated that nobody mentioned the broken component before allowing them to leave with the vehicle. Although seized suspension hardware can create legitimate complications during an alignment, the owner's primary concern was that the shop had failed to communicate a problem that could require additional repairs and a professional safety assessment.

Comments and Reactions to Mavis Tire's Broken Suspension Bolt

Several Reddit users were shocked by the customer's discovery, especially because the vehicle was released without any apparent warning about the damaged suspension hardware. One commenter wrote, "That is INSANE! They broke a control arm bolt, and didn’t even mention it?!", while another encouraged the owner to contact Mavis management and document the damage before pursuing repairs.

Others shared frustrating experiences with tire shops, including one commenter who claimed a Mavis location tried to charge them for a tire-pressure monitoring sensor damaged during service. The commenter explained that the shop eventually agreed to replace the sensor after they revealed their previous experience working in the automotive industry.

Interestingly, not everyone agreed that the broken bolt automatically meant the vehicle was unsafe to drive, with one commenter explaining that seized alignment hardware is common in regions where road salt accelerates corrosion. Nevertheless, even those defending the possibility of an accidental break acknowledged that the customer should have been informed, highlighting why clear communication can be just as important as the repair itself.

A driver trying to save money by changing their own oil ran into an unexpected problem when the drain plug wouldn't budge. What should have been a routine maintenance job turned into a late-night struggle and led to an accusation against the shop that had previously serviced the vehicle.

Blue material around the drain plug led the driver to believe someone had glued it shut. With the car already overdue for an oil change, the discovery threatened to complicate an increasingly expensive commute.

The frustration prompted a Reddit post on r/mildlyinfuriating, where users began examining what might have gone wrong during the previous service.

However, the discussion took an unexpected turn when commenters identified the blue material and offered a solution that ultimately helped the driver finish the job.

A Late-Night Struggle

Doing my own oil change only to find that the previous shop glued my drain pan
by
u/rmaster2005 in
mildlyinfuriating

The oil change began around 11:30 p.m., with the driver hoping to finish before bed. Their commuter car had approximately 127,000 miles on the odometer and was already 2,000 miles overdue for service, according to the post.

Money was another concern. A second vehicle, described as a project car, required premium gasoline, while the commuter car averaged approximately 30 miles per gallon on regular fuel.

Keeping the less expensive vehicle running was especially important because its radiator fan was broken, causing it to overheat during extended stops and slow-moving traffic.

Unfortunately, the drain plug wouldn't loosen. Attempts with a socket wrench and dead-blow hammer failed, leaving the driver convinced the previous shop was responsible.

An impact tool was another option, but the late hour and concern about disturbing nearby neighbors made it less appealing.

Reddit Spots The Issue

Rather than evidence of glue, the blue substance turned out to be torque stripe, also known as a tamper seal or witness mark.

Mechanics use the marking to help identify whether a fastener has moved since installation. According to DYKEM, a manufacturer of torque-marking products, the material visually indicates loosening or tampering when the mark cracks or separates. Unlike thread-locking compounds, torque stripe is not intended to hold a fastener in place.

One commenter explained the difference and suggested the drain plug might have been overtightened rather than glued shut. The commenter also recommended a different way to apply leverage using the driver's existing wrench. That suggestion worked, and the driver was able to loosen the stubborn plug.

In an update, the driver acknowledged the misunderstanding and explained that they had never encountered a tamper seal during previous oil changes. The post also contained another mistake: The driver had initially referred to the oil pan when they meant the drain plug.

When Tightening Goes Wrong

Although the supposed glue was simply a harmless marking, the difficulty removing the plug raised another question: Had it been tightened too much during the previous oil change?

Over-tightening can damage threads and make future maintenance harder. Automotive parts retailer 1A Auto explains that overtightening can strip a drain plug or damage the oil pan, potentially creating a more expensive repair.

However, a stuck plug does not automatically mean a mechanic made a mistake. The correct tightening specification varies by vehicle, and nothing in the Reddit discussion independently established whether the shop exceeded it.

Anyone attempting the same maintenance should also consider the risks of working beneath a vehicle. AAA recommends consulting the owner's manual for the proper oil and filter, using appropriate tools, and supporting a raised vehicle with suitable stands or ramps rather than relying solely on a jack.

Using the right tools and following the manufacturer's tightening specifications can keep a straightforward oil change from becoming a more complicated repair.

The Job Gets Done

After following the advice offered in the discussion, the driver returned with an update confirming that the oil change was complete.

The entire process took about 90 minutes from when the Reddit post was submitted. What initially appeared to be a problem caused by the previous repair shop had turned out to involve a misunderstood marking and a stubborn drain plug.

The driver credited the commenter who explained the torque stripe and suggested how to loosen the fastener, bringing the late-night repair to a successful conclusion.

A 19-year-old man from Groton recently appeared in court after Connecticut police caught him recklessly driving his BMW M3. However, far from just being a few miles per hour over the speed limit, he was clocked driving at more than double the speed limit.

The news first emerged from WFSB, and the state police identified the driver of the BMW M3 as Orlando Perez. Perez was driving at 147mph in a 65mph zone, and he was released on a $1,000 non-surety bond after his arrest. The incident took place on Interstate 395 at Putnam.

Connecticut State Police said a sergeant was conducting a motor vehicle enforcement sweep on I-395 South near exit 46 around 9 pm earlier in October. It was during this sweep that the officer noticed a BMW M3 traveling towards him at what looked like an incredibly excessive speed.

The officer's instincts proved to be correct. The laser unit used to scan the M3's speed registered 147mph. In a 65mph zone, that put Perez at 82mph over the speed limit, more than twice what was permitted on the interstate.

Police Were Soon Able To Arrest Perez

The sergeant spotted the BMW approaching at ludicrous speed, prompting his decision to laser-scan the car. After clocking 147mph, the sergeant got into his police car and followed it down the interstate, eventually stopping it near exit 43 in Danielson. Perez was taken into custody quickly, and thankfully there were no accidents or injuries from his reckless driving. Perez's court date was set for October 21st.

After Perez was arrested, reckless driving was listed as the charge. What isn't stated is what would happen to his BMW M3. The car could be crushed, and there is precedent for this. In Australia, a driver was recently caught doing 161mph in his McLaren GT (MA3), and the McLaren may be destroyed.

The driver of that car was charged after a speed camera clocked him at 161mph. That was 68.35 mph over the limit, with a speed limit of a staggering 93mph. Aside from crushing the BMW, the police may also decide to sell the car on, with the proceeds possibly going towards road safety initiatives. That is another thing that could happen to the McLaren in Australia. Police in a wide array of countries are trying to crack down hard on speeding offenses, as it seems to be becoming more and more of a problem in many places.

Speeding Is a Major Problem

Speeding is a major issue in many countries, including the United States. According to AAA, it accounts for nearly 30 percent of all traffic fatalities on American roads. The practice seems to be becoming more and more normalized among American drivers, with many thinking it is cool to speed and push a car to the limits.

If you want to do that, go and do a professional track day, and don't endanger your life, the lives of other motorists, and those of pedestrians, too.

Strange noises coming from underneath a vehicle's hood are usually a good indication that something needs attention, especially when those sounds seem to get worse over time. Unfortunately, one Mercedes-Benz owner discovered just how serious an unusual ticking noise could become after continuing to drive their vehicle for several weeks.

The owner took to Reddit's r/Justrolledintotheshop community on October 19 to share a photograph of the shocking mechanical discovery inside their Mercedes-Benz C180 Kompressor. Despite knowing that the timing system needed attention, the owner continued driving until they finally decided to investigate the increasingly concerning noise.

What they discovered underneath the valve cover was a set of timing gears that had suffered extensive wear, with some of the teeth appearing almost completely worn away. Even more surprisingly, the engine had continued running despite the damage, with the owner claiming they were still able to drive the Mercedes into the workshop.

The unusual discovery quickly attracted attention from fellow mechanics and automotive enthusiasts, many of whom were surprised by the condition of the engine's internal components. While timing system failures can cause serious engine damage, this particular Mercedes appeared to have avoided a complete breakdown long enough for its owner to investigate the problem.

Mercedes C180 Kompressor Continues Running Despite Severely Worn Timing Gears

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Mercedes Timing chain running on Pure spite.
by
u/CpTKugelHagel in
Justrolledintotheshop

According to the Reddit post, the Mercedes had accumulated approximately 262,000 kilometers, or roughly 163,000 miles, before the owner finally removed the valve cover to inspect the timing system. The owner explained that the engine had been producing a ticking noise for weeks, although they already suspected that the timing components were in need of replacement.

Upon inspection, the timing gears were found to be severely worn, with their teeth reduced to the point that maintaining proper engagement with the timing chain could become increasingly difficult. Interestingly, the owner clarified that the timing chain itself was still within specification, suggesting that the most visible damage was concentrated on the gears rather than the chain.

The timing system is responsible for keeping an engine's crankshaft and camshafts synchronized, allowing the valves and pistons to operate in the correct sequence. Although the Mercedes was still running when it arrived at the workshop, continuing to operate an engine with severely damaged timing gears could eventually result in a loss of synchronization and potentially expensive internal damage.

Comments and Reactions to Mercedes Owner's Severely Worn Timing Gears

Several Reddit users were stunned by the condition of the timing gears, with one commenter writing, "Holy macaroni. Never seen this one this bad." Another joked about the engine's apparent determination to keep running, writing, "Timing chain tensioner is the hero of this story."

Others discussed whether the Mercedes' timing system had a history of premature wear, with one commenter explaining, "It's a known defect with the original timing gears for the M271 engine; they wore too fast." The commenter also shared their own experience with a similar Mercedes engine, explaining that neglected oil changes had contributed to timing-system repairs at approximately 111,000 miles.

Interestingly, some participants questioned whether the timing chain itself was actually damaged, with one writing, "Chain is fine. Sprocket is terrifying." The discussion highlights how an engine can continue operating despite substantial mechanical wear, although the owner's discovery serves as a reminder that unusual noises shouldn't be ignored simply because a vehicle still runs.

1. The Holiday Inspired Cottages (Ellijay, Georgia and Holmbury, St. Mary in Surrey, England)

2. Von Trapp Family Lodge (Stowe, Vermont)

3. It’s a Wrap (Burbank, California)

4. Palace of the Fine Arts (San Francisco, California)

5. The Gamble House (Pasadena, California)

6. Rick’s Cafe Casablanca (Casablanca, Morocco)

7. The Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island, Michigan)

8. Hollywood Heritage Museum (Los Angeles, California)

9. Larry Edmund’s Bookshop (Los Angeles, California)

10. Epic Systems Headquarters (Verona, Wisconsin)

11. The Land of Oz (Beech Mountain, North Carolina)

Mechanics probably see a lot of unusual stuff when people bring their cars in. From the unexpected (like animals hiding under the hood) to the distressing, they likely have a lot of stories to tell.

Take TikToker @mechanicaldiary, for example; he shares the wild stories that he sees at work, documenting them for his followers. In his latest video, he showed off a truck that had seen better days.

The pickup was up on the lift when the video began, and the mechanic walked around testing the wheels while someone filmed him. While the front driver's side wheel was exactly as you'd expect, the passenger side wheel was a completely different story.

Now, he's asking how the owner could've driven the truck into the shop in that condition. Meanwhile, the people in the comments have a lot of funny takes on what the owner will say when the driver finds out just how much work the truck will likely need.

Mechanic Discovers Loose Wheel on Pickup Truck

@mechanicaldiary, and they drove to the shop like this...! #Mechanic #fails #safety #safetyfirst #automotive ♬ original sound - trent_does_gym

According to @mechanicaldairy, the driver drove their truck to the shop complaining of a "little vibration" in the front. But when the TikToker went to the passenger side to check the wheel, he was able to shake the wheel assembly loose.

Someone could be heard laughing in the background while another mechanic said, "Um, they drove it here like this." 

Commenters Think the Driver Will Balk at the Costly Fix

In the comments, people, some of whom may be mechanics themselves based on their responses, couldn't help but joke about how unlikely it was that the driver would believe that the truck needed work. 

"Probably just needs new windshield wipers and an oil change and it'll be good to go," one person wrote.

"Don't try to upcharge me; I just paid for all that to be replaced, y'all must of switch the parts out," another chimed in.

"Probably just needs an alignment," a third person wrote.

It's Dangerous to Drive With Loose Wheels

While automotive repairs can be pricey, forcing a lot of people to put them off until they absolutely can't wait any longer, there are some issues can endanger you and others on the road if left unaddressed.

According to Complete Automotive Repair Specialists, that includes loose wheels. The website says that this can put stress on the wheels, causing them to break. It can also do a lot of damage to the brakes and suspension, since the vibrations can cause the brakes to wear unevenly. Total wheel detachment can also happen, which the website calls a "nightmare scenario."

Granted, the issue with the truck in the TikToker's video extends well beyond a loose wheel, but this video does serve as a reminder of the importance of making sure that your car gets looked at when you suspect there is something wrong with the wheels or brakes. 

A Rhode Island man has pleaded guilty to participating in a multistate theft ring responsible for stealing roughly 120 vehicles worth $5 million from dealerships across New England and Pennsylvania.

On October 21, 2026, Onix Eduardo, 29, of Providence, admitted his role in the operation. Between February and September 2023, the group targeted approximately a dozen dealerships, making off with Porsches, BMWs, Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, and Land Rovers.

Luxury cars weren't the only targets. The group also stole 19 premium Husqvarna motorcycles from a Pennsylvania dealership and dirt bikes from a business in Massachusetts.

The scale of the operation eventually drew federal attention, leading to charges against four Rhode Island men.

Dealerships Hit Hard

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In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against Eduardo and three other Rhode Island men: Belter Giron, Alberto Rivera, and Richard Robinson.

The charges stemmed from dealership burglaries that involved more than stolen vehicles. Federal prosecutors said the businesses were also vandalized during the break-ins.

One dealership in Hampstead, New Hampshire, lost four vehicles during a burglary on March 12, 2023. Among them was a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk valued at $96,000.

The following day, surveillance footage obtained by Providence Police captured two people matching the descriptions of Giron and Robinson covering the stolen SUV in a Providence driveway, according to federal prosecutors.

The evidence extended beyond surveillance footage.

Federal court documents described communications among members of the group about stolen vehicles, who was driving them, and efforts to find buyers. Prosecutors said Giron helped arrange sales through contacts in Rhode Island and other states.

The documents also identified Giron's North Providence residence as a storage location for 11 dirt bikes stolen from a dealership in Phillipston, Massachusetts.

The FBI led the investigation with assistance from local and state police departments across the Northeast, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Guilty Plea Entered

Eduardo appeared before U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy and pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport stolen property across state lines and transporting stolen property himself.

The Justice Department confirmed that Eduardo is scheduled to be sentenced on January 21, 2027.

Stolen Vehicles Found

Police and federal agents have recovered some of the stolen inventory.

By September 2024, they had located 41 vehicles and 11 dirt bikes linked to the theft ring. Most were found in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

But not every vehicle stayed in those states. Police also recovered a stolen Range Rover from a shipping container in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where it was awaiting shipment to Africa.

Rental cars are supposedly an easy and convenient way to get around. You drive the car for as long as you rent it, get your deposit back, and move on. It's supposed to be a simple process.

However, one Toronto man noticed something that didn't look right on his rental car bill. After renting a car from Avis in Montreal, he discovered an approximate $4,300 (5,900 CAD) charge for supposedly driving nearly 18,000 miles in just one week.

For context, Yuehao Huang flew from Toronto to Montreal for a week-long road trip with family, seeing Montreal, Mount Tremblant, the capital Ottawa and back to Quebec. He stated that was 1,400 kilometres (roughly 870 miles).

After checking the distance tracked by his iPhone and applying a little common sense, he realized the math didn't add up.

The Moment of Realization

When Huang returned home from his vacation, he noticed the charge on his receipt. For those who haven't rented a car before, rental car companies typically provide a receipt detailing any additional charges deducted from the deposit, along with an assessment of the car's condition before and after the rental.

Seeing a $4,300 charge on his account must have been a real heart-stopping moment. That's a lot of money to be charged for something he had no control over. Huang explained that the charge was in addition to the more than $712 (1,000 CAD) deposit he had put down.

How Far Is 18,000 Miles?

18,000 miles is a lot of driving for a week-long rental. To put it into perspective, Universe Today states the distance around the world at the equator is 24,901 miles. That means Huang was allegedly charged for driving a distance equivalent to more than 72% of the Earth's circumference in just seven days.

Huang also did some maths as well, stating: “The way I estimated it is that would be me driving 180 km/h, 24 hours, no stop, no gas, no sleep,” he said to Toronto City News. “Also, if I really drove 28,000 kilometres, the vehicle would need an oil change and maintenance.”

No Luck at First

So naturally, what he did next was challenge the bill. After providing evidence, Avis investigated further before telling Huang to resubmit his claim, but no refund came his way. He also contacted his credit card company, American Express, only to be reportedly told that the "charges are valid."

With both companies seemingly unwilling to resolve the issue, Huang was left questioning how such a significant discrepancy could go unnoticed and why he was being held responsible for the alleged mileage.

Good News Arrived

Finally, after speaking with Speakers Corner, a platform CityNews Toronto gives Canadian residents a place to share opinions, personal stories, and videos, they reached out to Avis and, within one day, passed on the news Huang had been waiting for.

“Following a thorough review, we confirmed that a data entry error resulted in the customer being incorrectly charged for excess mileage,” Avis said.

“We sincerely apologize to the customer for the frustration and delay in resolving the matter. We are processing a refund for the mileage charges.

"We are also reinforcing our procedures with our teams to help prevent similar issues in the future.”

With the money presumably back in his account, Huang provided an educational message from his experience, stating: “No matter how [much] you trust your rental car company, based on previous experience, remember to take a photo before you start driving and after,” said Huang. “I just didn’t realize this was going to happen.”

A customer rolled into a shop with a 1959 Triumph TR3A, expecting to get a squeaking fan belt fixed, but the mechanic discovered extensive engine damage, leaking coolant, and a failing suspension system.

The mechanic shared the unusual project on the r/justrolledintotheshop subreddit, explaining that the classic car’s owner had booked an appointment to address the squeaking noise. However, the mechanic noted the car was also making a deep ticking sound, and the engine was shaking violently.

While working on the car, the mechanic discovered the water pump had seized, prompting a much deeper inspection. The engine was also producing thick white smoke from the exhaust manifold, raising even more concern.

The replacement water pump had already been ordered, but installing it revealed that the car was extremely low on coolant with multiple lines leaking, according to the mechanic.

Extensive Engine Damage Discovered

Came in for a fan belt, staying for an engine rebuild
by
u/Hypercarsdude in
Justrolledintotheshop

The mechanic explained that the car’s temperature gauge did not work when the engine started again. During a brief test drive, the vehicle still overheated despite a new water pump.

With the owner’s permission, the mechanic began investigating the engine further. A compression test showed readings of 95, 115, 60, and 145 across the four cylinders.

The mechanic also described the oil and coolant having a strong smell, and upon inspecting for a head gasket, they discovered that the engine block, cylinder head, and valves were covered in soot.

Cleaning the surfaces revealed pitting on the engine block and warpage. The mechanic suspected that the deep ticking noise could be caused by a rod or two.

Their theory was that the temperature gauge may not have worked when the owner purchased the vehicle, allowing coolant leaking and overheating. Leading to the owner approving of a total engine rebuild.

Steering and Suspension Problems

The engine was not the only part of the classic car that needed work. The mechanic said they discovered that every joint and bushing in the front suspension and steering system had failed.

The mechanic also said the steering wheel had a 150-degree dead zone. The owner approved of a refresh of the front end, adding even more work and more money being paid that the customer did not mind.

A Classic Car Worth Saving?

The Triumph TR3 was built by the Standard Motor Company in the United Kingdom, with production beginning in 1955. The original model was followed by the updated TR3A in 1957, the version that came into the shop.

The classic car featured a 1,991 cc four-cylinder engine that initially produced 95 horsepower before being upgraded to 100 horsepower. It also had a four-speed manual transmission, with an optional electrically operated overdrive system.

In 1956 the TR3 became the first British series-production car to feature front disc brakes, replacing the drum brakes.

The TR3 was sold as an open two-seater, although buyers could also opt for extras such as a removable steel hardtop.

The mechanic said in their post that they wish they had the kind of money the owner of the TR3A has. Commenters agreed and pointed out that the customer enjoys driving the car, and they don’t build vehicles like it anymore.

A woman accused of driving a stolen car caused a series of crashes in Florida before trying to carjack a man who stopped to help her, deputies say. The chaotic afternoon ended with a vehicle smashing into a gas station convenience store.

The Broward Sheriff's Office identified the woman as 44-year-old Roszetta Benjamin. Deputies say she was already driving a stolen vehicle when she crashed into three other cars in Deerfield Beach on Friday, October 23.

But the crashes weren't over. Benjamin allegedly fled the first scene, caused another collision, and then tried to take a vehicle from a Good Samaritan who came to her aid.

Video captured the aftermath at a Mobil gas station, where deputies ordered Benjamin to the ground before taking her into custody. Several people suffered injuries during the crashes, and one person was taken to a hospital.

Crashes Caught on Camera

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According to the Local 10 report, Benjamin's first crash happened near Northeast 54th Street and South Federal Highway.

Deputies received reports of that crash around 2:47 p.m. The stolen vehicle Benjamin was allegedly driving collided with three other cars. People in those vehicles suffered minor injuries.

Instead of remaining at the scene, Benjamin allegedly drove away.

Deputies say she then caused another crash near North Federal Highway and Hillsboro Boulevard. This time, the stolen car was too damaged to keep driving.

The other driver involved in that collision suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Then someone stopped to help.

Helping Hand Turns Dangerous

A Good Samaritan pulled over to assist Benjamin following the second crash. Instead of accepting his help, deputies say she tried to steal his vehicle.

The two struggled over the car. During that struggle, Benjamin allegedly put the vehicle in drive and accelerated.

The car then slammed into a Mobil gas station convenience store on Hillsboro Boulevard.

WSVN 7News captured the damage at the store, including a large opening in one of its window panels.

Broward Sheriff's Office deputies arrived and arrested Benjamin. Footage aired by Local 10 shows deputies shouting commands as she is taken into custody.

The crashes also brought Broward Sheriff's Office Fire Rescue crews to the area. CBS News Miami reported that firefighters checked several people for injuries and transported one person to a hospital for further evaluation.

Gas Station Damage

The people inside the convenience store also had a close call.

Wade Anby Beau, a gas station employee, told NBC 6 South Florida that he heard a loud crash and ran to see what had happened.

He said another driver had stopped to help the woman before she jumped into that person's car and drove toward the store.

Photographs from the scene showed Benjamin standing on the hood of the vehicle after the crash.

Inside the store, drink coolers had fallen, and broken glass was scattered around. Beau said he spent time cleaning up the mess.

He was especially concerned about how badly someone could have been hurt. Customers regularly walk through the area where the vehicle struck the building.

Despite the damage, Beau said he was grateful that nobody was seriously injured.

Broward Sheriff's Office Fire Rescue initially reported that the building did not appear to have structural damage.

Multiple Criminal Charges

Benjamin faces several criminal charges connected to the events, including carjacking, kidnapping, grand theft, and hit-and-run.

During her Saturday court appearance, she declined to appear on camera, according to Local 10. A Broward County judge found probable cause for several charges, with a further court appearance expected Sunday concerning the kidnapping charge.

NBC 6 separately reported that a judge set her bond at more than $104,000. Her current custody and bond status will need to be confirmed through court records.

The Broward Sheriff's Office said the investigation remains active.

A man trying to buy a new Ford F-150 says he walked into a dealership ready to make a deal. Instead, he was offered a 12% interest rate, even though he says his credit score is 700.

He refused the offer and went to his credit union, which approved him for a much lower rate of 4.9%. With the money lined up, he returned to the dealership to finish the purchase.

But he still couldn't drive his new truck home. This time, the dealership told him the truck had an open recall.

After two days of trying to buy the same vehicle, the man decided he'd had enough. Now he's sharing his experience on TikTok and explaining why he won't return.

A Deal Gone Wrong

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@mateocpr As a car salesman you letting this deal walk or would you stayed and closed the deal? #carsales #fordf150 #carsalesman #finance ♬ original sound - Mateo | CPR

In his TikTok video, Mateo (@mateocpr) explains that he wanted a brand-new 2026 Ford F-150 Lobo.

He normally gets vehicle loans through State Employees' Credit Union. However, he was excited about the truck and decided to try the dealership's financing.

That decision quickly became a problem.

Mateo says the finance manager offered him a 12% interest rate and tried to make his credit look worse than it was.

"Mind you, I got a 700," Mateo says.

He told the employee that his credit union could offer something between 4% and 7%. If the dealership couldn't match that range, he wanted a bill of sale so he could arrange his own financing.

Instead, Mateo says the manager returned with his credit report and began explaining why the dealership couldn't offer a better rate.

Mateo wasn't interested in arguing. He asked for his keys back and left.

Another Failed Visit

The next day, Mateo went to his credit union and received approval for a 4.9% interest rate.

He then waited for the dealership to send over the bill of sale. When it didn't arrive, he drove back to pick it up himself.

Later that evening, he realized he could complete the financing through the credit union's phone service. He collected his trade-in vehicle and headed back to the dealership.

He arrived around 7:30 p.m., just 30 minutes before closing.

According to Mateo, an employee immediately pointed out how late it was. Then the employee checked the computer and told him the truck had a recall.

That meant Mateo couldn't take it home.

He says nobody had mentioned the recall earlier, even when he visited to collect the paperwork.

As he prepared to leave, the employee asked what time he could return the following day.

"You won't, bro," Mateo replied.

"Two days in a row I've had to do more of the work than y'all trying to put in to sell me this truck," he explained.

Mateo identified the business in the comments as Town & Country Ford in North Carolina. His account of the dealership visits has not been independently verified.

He says the dealership has continued calling him, but he has no plans to return for the truck.

Is 12% Too High?

A 700 credit score isn't perfect, but it generally falls into the good range.

According to myFICO, scores between 670 and 739 are considered good. That doesn't guarantee anyone a low interest rate, but it can help borrowers qualify for better loan offers.

Data from Experian shows that borrowers in the prime credit category received an average new-car interest rate of 6.15% during the second quarter of 2026.

The average was 13.52% for subprime borrowers.

That makes the 12% offer Mateo described considerably higher than the prime average.

However, lenders consider more than credit scores. Income, outstanding debt, loan length, and other details can all affect the final rate.

There's also another reason shoppers should compare financing offers.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that dealerships can offer customers a higher interest rate than the lender's rate. The difference can help compensate the dealership for arranging the loan.

That doesn't prove what happened in Mateo's case. It does show why getting a second offer can be worth the effort.

What About The Recall?

The dealership may have had a valid reason to keep the truck.

Under federal law, dealers generally cannot deliver new vehicles covered by an applicable, unresolved safety recall until the required repair has been completed.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also allows consumers to check for open recalls using a vehicle's identification number.

Mateo didn't identify the recall affecting his F-150, so it's unclear what repair the truck needed or when it could have been completed.

His complaint wasn't simply that the truck needed work. It was that nobody told him about the issue until he returned that evening, ready to buy it.

Salespeople Weigh In

The video sparked a debate about how dealerships should treat customers who are ready to make a purchase.

Some viewers believed the dealership cared more about arranging financing than selling the truck.

Others questioned whether a 700 credit score was good enough to qualify for a lower interest rate.

One commenter who identified himself as a Ford finance manager mentioned promotional financing rates. Mateo responded that the dealership had told him those offers couldn't be combined with certain rebates.

Another commenter, who said he had worked as a general sales manager for 15 years, challenged Mateo's claims and pointed out that advertised rates aren't guaranteed.

But some people who said they worked in car sales thought the dealership should have done more to close the deal.

One salesperson said he would have stayed late, made coffee, and done whatever was needed to finish the sale.

Mateo, meanwhile, says he's done trying. Although he still wanted the F-150, he wasn't willing to make a third trip to the same dealership.

A Virginia couple had barely left a used car dealership when their newly purchased Mazda6 started making a loud, scary noise. Within about 30 minutes, they were contacting the dealer for help.

The car was a 2014 Mazda6 with roughly 177,000 miles. It had passed Virginia's state inspection, and the buyers had even taken it to their own mechanic before making the purchase.

There was another catch. The couple had bought the Mazda "as is," meaning the dealership had not promised to cover future repairs under a dealer warranty.

Kenny Martin, who runs Competition Cars and Classics in Salem, Virginia, could have pointed to that agreement. Instead, he decided to find out what had gone wrong.

A Scary Sound

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@kennycompcars
A used car dealership sells a car as-is and about 30 minutes later the customer sends the dealer a video of the car making very loud and scary noises!! What should the dealership do? What can the customer do? Watch and see how this true life problem with a used car purchase works out.
#carmechanictiktokcontest
#usedcars
#cardealership
#carsalesman
#carsales
♬ original sound - Competition Cars and Classics

In a TikTok video, Martin explained that the buyers were repeat customers who had purchased vehicles from his business before.

After leaving the lot, they sent him a video of the Mazda making a loud squeaking noise while driving. The sound was bad enough to make them worry something was seriously wrong.

Martin shared part of their text conversation. He suspected the noise might be coming from a brake caliper and asked whether they had made it home.

Once he learned they were home, he offered to have the car picked up the next morning so his shop could inspect it.

The Actual Problem

Fortunately for the buyers, the problem turned out to be much smaller than the noise suggested.

According to Martin, a bent brake dust shield was rubbing and causing the sound.

A brake dust shield is a thin metal plate that sits behind the brake rotor. If it gets bent and touches the spinning rotor, it can make a loud scraping or squealing noise.

Martin said he did not know how the shield became bent after the sale. The car had already passed its inspections, and the couple hadn't noticed the problem before they drove away.

His dealership arranged to have the Mazda towed back and fixed the problem.

The tow and repair cost $85. Martin also decided to fill the Mazda's gas tank, spending another $52.14.

That brought his total expense to $137.14, even though the vehicle had been sold without a dealer warranty.

Sold As-Is

Martin explained that the Mazda's as-is status was central to the situation.

In Virginia, dealers can sell used vehicles without providing a warranty, provided they follow the state's disclosure requirements. Buyers must receive written notice explaining that they are responsible for repairs after the purchase.

However, an as-is agreement does not give dealerships permission to misrepresent a vehicle or hide known problems from customers.

Martin said he believed he could have declined to pay for this particular repair. Still, he felt that leaving a customer with a noisy car just 30 minutes after buying it was the wrong approach.

He also explained why dealers must be careful when offering free repairs on vehicles sold as-is.

According to Martin, a customer might later argue that the dealership's decision to cover one repair created an ongoing warranty obligation.

To address that concern, he said his dealership uses a goodwill repair form. The document makes clear that a voluntary repair does not create additional warranty coverage.

Doing The Right Thing

Martin said customer satisfaction mattered more to him than avoiding a relatively small repair bill.

He acknowledged that some dealers might rely on an as-is agreement when a recently purchased car develops a problem. But he believes there is a difference between what a business may legally be allowed to do and how it should treat its customers.

"I want my customers happy," Martin said in the video.

He added that a vehicle developing a problem just 30 or 40 minutes after purchase was something a dealer should generally help resolve.

His decision earned praise from viewers, including people who wanted to know where his dealership was located.

One commenter called him an honest dealer. Another praised him for choosing to fix the Mazda rather than making the buyers handle the problem themselves.

For this couple, the frightening noise turned out to be a bent piece of metal. The dealership covered the tow, repair, and a full tank of gas.

A New York couple spent $250,000 on a vehicle that doesn't have wheels, doesn't need a road, and can lift straight into the air. The strangest part? They don't need a pilot's license to fly it, as long as it qualifies under federal ultralight rules.

Chad Panipinto and his fiancée, Tanya Stefanella, are taking flight over their property in Livonia, New York, in an electric aircraft powered by eight propellers. It's called the YIVTOL S-ZERO, and it looks more like an oversized drone than a traditional airplane.

The couple waited nearly a year to get their flying machine. Now, instead of driving somewhere to enjoy a ride, they can climb into the single-seat aircraft and take off from their own land.

For Panipinto and Stefanella, the purchase is about more than trying out new technology. It's a chance to experience something that once seemed possible only in science fiction.

A $250,000 Flight

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In an interview with WROC, the couple showed off the aircraft and explained what it's like to operate their own flying machine.

Stefanella compared the experience to the futuristic world of The Jetsons, a cartoon that showed people traveling through the sky in personal aircraft.

Panipinto said he has flown in helicopters and jet airplanes, but the electric aircraft feels different because of how smoothly it moves through the air.

According to the couple, roughly 80% of the machine is made from carbon fiber, a lightweight material commonly used in high-performance vehicles and aircraft.

Operating the S-ZERO involves a simple control system. The pilot can start the propellers with a button and use a joystick to control movement.

The couple said they generally fly around their 70-acre property instead of taking the aircraft on long trips.

Built for Personal Flight

The machine comes from YIVTOL, a Chinese company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, also known as eVTOLs.

Unlike a regular airplane, the S-ZERO doesn't need a runway. Its electric motors turn multiple propellers to lift the aircraft straight off the ground. It can then move through the air and land vertically.

In a July 2026 announcement, YIVTOL confirmed that its first batch of S-ZERO aircraft had been delivered to customers in the United States. The company also said it had begun training customers to operate the machines.

The aircraft comes in different configurations, and flight time depends on which version a customer purchases.

The couple told WROC that their machine has up to 50 minutes of battery life and can reach an altitude of 1,500 feet. Those are reported capabilities rather than independently verified results from their flights.

YIVTOL's original product information describes a range of models designed for recreational flight, with different battery capacities, payload limits, and equipment.

The couple's $250,000 purchase price is also much higher than the advertised starting prices of some S-ZERO configurations. Their total reflects what they paid to obtain their particular aircraft, not necessarily what every buyer would spend.

No Pilot's License?

Perhaps the most surprising part of the story is that operating a qualifying ultralight aircraft doesn't require a pilot's license.

Under Federal Aviation Administration Part 103, people can fly certain single-seat recreational aircraft without a pilot certificate or medical certificate.

However, the aircraft must meet specific requirements. A powered ultralight generally must weigh less than 254 pounds empty, subject to certain exclusions, and stay within federal speed and performance limits.

Qualifying Part 103 ultralights also don't need FAA aircraft registration. That is different from the registration requirements for many conventional aircraft and recreational drones.

The rules do not mean someone can fly wherever they want.

Ultralight pilots cannot fly over congested areas or open-air gatherings of people. They must also follow restrictions involving controlled airspace, visibility, and other aircraft.

Because S-ZERO configurations can vary, whether a particular machine qualifies for Part 103 depends on its actual specifications.

Safety From Below

Stefanella doesn't have to sit inside the aircraft to help Panipinto while he's flying.

The couple demonstrated a ground controller that lets her monitor what he sees from the cockpit. They said the controller also gives her the ability to take over if something goes wrong during a flight.

That backup system could be useful if the pilot has trouble operating the aircraft.

The couple also emphasized that buyers should receive proper training before attempting to fly one.

Although federal rules don't require a pilot's license for qualifying ultralights, learning to operate a flying machine safely is still important.

YIVTOL has made training part of its American rollout. Its original delivery announcement said customer instruction was underway as the company introduced its aircraft to the U.S. market.

More Aircraft Coming

Panipinto and Stefanella aren't the only Americans taking an interest in personal electric aircraft.

YIVTOL's American expansion began earlier in 2026, bringing its single-seat flying machines to customers in several states.

The company also announced plans to participate in EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, where visitors could see the S-ZERO on static display.

For now, Panipinto and Stefanella are enjoying their aircraft close to home. They hope future versions will offer longer flight times and allow them to travel farther.

Their current machine already gives them something few people have experienced: the ability to leave the ground from their own property without climbing into a conventional airplane.

The Ford Bronco is already one of the most capable off-road SUVs you can buy, but Ford has decided there's still room for improvement. Its latest accessory package adds upgraded suspension, extra protection, and a tougher appearance to the popular SUV.

Called the Bronco ORV Package, the new offering comes through Ford Custom Garage and is designed for owners who want a more trail-focused SUV. Rather than ordering individual upgrades, customers can purchase a coordinated collection of Ford-backed components.

ORV stands for Off-Road Vehicle, making the name somewhat redundant for an SUV already built to tackle difficult terrain. Fortunately, the actual upgrades are considerably more interesting than the badge.

The package is available for select 2025 and 2026 Ford Bronco models. However, the additional equipment comes with a substantial $18,995 price tag, before installation charges.

FOX Suspension And Bronco Raptor Protection

The biggest mechanical upgrade is an off-road suspension kit from FOX, designed to improve the Bronco's performance over rough terrain. Ford also includes skid plates and fuel-tank protection borrowed from the more extreme Bronco Raptor.

Additional equipment includes rocker-panel trail armor, a modular front bumper with parking sensors, and RIGID auxiliary lighting. An auxiliary switch kit and Ford Performance ProCal calibration tool are also included.

A Tougher Look To Match The Hardware

The ORV Package adds black 17-inch WELD wheels, wider Havoc fender flares, and distinctive red tow hooks. Matching red BRONCO lettering on the grille gives the SUV a more aggressive appearance.

A stealth hood decal, blackout graphics, and unique ORV badging complete the exterior changes. Buyers should note that tires aren't included in the package price, so those will need to be purchased separately.

Nearly $19,000 Before Installation

Ford offers the ORV Package for select four-door Bronco Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks models from the 2025 and 2026 model years. Compatibility depends on existing equipment, including camera configurations and whether the SUV has the Sasquatch Package.

The Badlands and Bronco Raptor aren't eligible, and Ford hasn't specified how many ORV packages it plans to offer, but it will be a limited edition. Customers can order the upgrades through participating Ford dealers.

Ford Keeps The Upgrades Under Warranty

One advantage of choosing Ford's package over aftermarket components is the supplemental three-year/36,000-mile Ford Racing Parts warranty. The coverage begins on the vehicle's original in-service date, and Ford says installation by a dealer or ASE-certified technician won't void the standard new-vehicle warranty.

At $18,995 before labor and tires, the ORV Package certainly isn't cheap. Its appeal lies in getting a collection of serious off-road upgrades through a single dealer-supported purchase rather than assembling a similar setup piece by piece.

A woman driving a red Dodge Ram reportedly struck an Arizona state trooper's patrol car early Saturday morning, October 24, then continued down a Phoenix freeway despite losing the pickup's right-front wheel.

The truck made it to a Circle K gas station near Interstate 17 and Bethany Home Road, where video shows troopers ordering the woman out of the badly damaged vehicle. Sparks were visible beneath the pickup as it approached the intersection, and smoke later rose from the vehicle after it stopped near what appeared to be underground fuel storage access points.

During the confrontation, the woman told officers she had six children and insisted she hadn't done anything wrong. Troopers eventually removed her from the pickup and took her into custody.

Key News Network captured the damaged truck and subsequent confrontation with troopers. The news organization reported that impairment was suspected.

Three Wheels and Still Going

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The collision occurred around 2:35 a.m. on northbound I-17 near Camelback Road. Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers were directing traffic while Arizona Department of Transportation crews removed cones from the roadway.

The Dodge reportedly struck a marked patrol vehicle, losing its right-front wheel in the collision. The driver continued northbound until troopers caught up with her near the Bethany Home Road exit.

The video begins with the pickup still moving through the intersection, its damaged front corner dragging along the pavement. The driver eventually stops on the forecourt of a Circle K near the northeast corner of Bethany Home Road and I-17, where troopers approach with weapons drawn and repeatedly order her to exit.

One detail viewers may notice is the electronic gasoline sign behind the truck. At different points, the advertised price changes between $4.39⁹ and $4.29⁹ per gallon. A closer look shows the sign also changing its labels, cycling between a credit price and a lower savings price. The ten-cent difference is part of the station's advertised pricing display.

An Unusual Explanation

As troopers order the woman to open the door and step out with her hands raised, she protests that she has six children. She also insists she hasn't done anything wrong.

The officers continue issuing commands, eventually opening the driver's door and physically removing her. After a brief struggle, she is restrained on the pavement.

Meanwhile, smoke rises from the damaged pickup, which has stopped near several circular covers in the pavement that appear to be associated with the station's underground fuel storage system. Earlier footage shows sparks coming from the truck's damaged front corner. A trooper uses a fire extinguisher near the vehicle.

Key News Network reported that field sobriety tests were administered, and impairment was strongly suspected. The trooper whose patrol vehicle was struck declined medical attention.

An Earlier Emergency

Hours before the Dodge collision, another incident had closed the same stretch of I-17.

Arizona's Family reported that a pedestrian was struck on northbound I-17 near Camelback Road around 10 p.m. Friday, October 23. DPS closed the freeway while investigating that collision.

Approximately four and a half hours later, troopers were managing traffic as crews removed cones near the same location when the Dodge reportedly struck the patrol vehicle. It remains unclear whether the traffic-control operation was connected to the earlier pedestrian collision.

Arizona DPS has not released the driver's name, charges, or additional information about the collision. We have requested those details from the department and will update this article if more information becomes available.

All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Gunther Werks has unveiled another outrageous Porsche 911 restomod, this time celebrating one of motorsport's most recognizable personalities. Called the Brundle Edition Turbo, the special model pays tribute to former Formula 1 driver and racing commentator Martin Brundle.

According to Top Gear, the project was developed with Brundle's daughter Charlie, an automotive designer who has previously worked with McLaren and Aston Martin. She helped create a distinctive appearance inspired by her father's racing career.

The car is based on Gunther Werks' Porsche 993-generation Turbo platform, combining classic 911 styling with modern engineering and an enormous amount of horsepower. Production will be limited to just five examples worldwide.

Each Brundle Edition carries a price tag of approximately $1.98 million. That makes it an exceptionally expensive tribute, although its performance figures suggest Gunther Werks hasn't spent the entire budget on special paint.

An Air-Cooled Flat-Six With 860 Horsepower

Behind the rear axle sits a Rothsport Racing-built 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six producing a staggering 860 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. The engine revs to 7,500 rpm and sends power exclusively to the rear wheels.

A six-speed manual transmission handles gear changes, while bespoke active coilover suspension, upgraded anti-roll bars, and Brembo brakes help manage the performance. Despite the extensive hardware, the Brundle Edition weighs just 2,700 pounds.

A Design Inspired By Martin Brundle's Racing Career

Charlie Brundle created a hand-painted, two-tone pearl livery inspired by her father's racing helmet. The car also features exclusive forged magnesium wheels influenced by the Brabham Formula 1 car he once drove.

Inside, the tribute continues with personalized headrests, unique upholstery, signed dashboard trim, and a special key. One very entertaining detail is Brundle's familiar saying on the passenger-side dashboard: "The most important bit of the car is the nut holding the steering wheel."

Only Five Will Ever Be Built

Each of the five cars comes with a matching Bell HP77 carbon-fiber helmet, painted to complement the exterior. Buyers also receive an extensively customized cabin and exclusive Brundle Edition branding.

The Brundle Edition also features Martin's signature on the dashboard end plates and a specially designed key, giving each example a few extra details that distinguish it from Gunther Werks' regular Turbo builds. With just five cars planned, these will most likely be hidden away in private collections.

Jay Leno has an impressive collection of classic cars, but his latest garage visit brings together two very different machines from one of America's most celebrated luxury automakers. One dates back to 1902, while the other represents the final generation of Detroit-built Packards.

In a recent episode of Jay Leno's Garage, automotive historian Donald Osborne joins Leno to examine a 1902 Packard Model F and a 1956 Packard Caribbean convertible. The two cars show just how dramatically automotive engineering changed during the company's lifetime.

The Model F comes from the Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport, Rhode Island, and is one of only four known surviving examples. The Caribbean belongs to Leno himself and represents Packard's final year of production in Detroit.

Although separated by 54 years, both vehicles were considered impressive luxury machines in their respective eras. Leno and Osborne explore their engineering, unusual features, and current collector values before taking the much older Packard for a drive.

The 1902 Packard Has One Enormous Cylinder

Packard's origins trace back to James Ward Packard's dissatisfaction with a Winton automobile he purchased in 1898. According to the story, manufacturer Alexander Winton dismissed his complaints and challenged him to build a better car.

Packard accepted that challenge, producing his first automobile in 1899. The 1902 Model F features a massive 3.0-liter single-cylinder engine producing approximately 12 horsepower, paired with a three-speed transmission featuring an H-pattern shifter.

It originally cost around $2,500, an extraordinary amount when an average American home reportedly cost roughly $1,200. The Model F also marked the end of Packard's single-cylinder era.

The 1956 Caribbean Was A Completely Different Animal

Leno's 1956 Caribbean convertible demonstrates how far Packard had progressed, featuring a powerful V8 with two four-barrel carburetors. Its luxurious interior includes reversible seat cushions, allowing occupants to switch between different upholstery surfaces.

However, the most interesting feature is its self-leveling torsion-bar suspension. Leno demonstrates how the system automatically adjusts the car's height when weight is added or removed.

Both Packards Are Worth Serious Money

Osborne estimates that a well-preserved 1956 Caribbean convertible could be worth approximately $100,000 today, compared with around $80,000 five years earlier. Its rarity and complicated mechanical systems make properly maintained examples particularly desirable.

The 1902 Model F is even more valuable, with Osborne estimating its current worth at approximately $200,000. He reckons a similar example would have been worth around $130,000 five years ago.

Leno Takes The 124-Year-Old Packard For A Drive

The episode concludes with Leno and Osborne taking the Model F onto the streets of Burbank, California. Despite its primitive appearance, the antique Packard handles the journey surprisingly well, although Leno discovers that its gear lever needs some encouragement to stay in position.

It's an unusual opportunity to see a car from the earliest days of American motoring actually being driven. The fact that a 1902 Packard can still drive on modern streets makes the comparison with its 1956 successor even more entertaining.