The Worst New Cars Under $40,000

Plus, Ford owes billions in lawsuit, why American cars don't sell in Europe, there's no relief for used-car prices, and much more!

Issue 90

Hello! We hope you’re having an excellent Tuesday. 

We’re doing long-term tests with our cars, and soon, we’ll share what we learn. 

Stay tuned!

Key Takeaways

Don’t have much time? Here’s the summary of what we’re talking about:

  • A new car under $40K is tempting, but we tell you the ones not to buy! 

  • Why don’t American cars sell better in Europe? We provide the answer amidst political turmoil.

  • Unfortunately, there’s no quick relief for high used-car prices. We explain why and what you can expect. 

  • These two Japanese giants will be among the most affected by tariffs

  • It’s a bittersweet conclusion to a massive lawsuit against Ford, but it has set a precedent

NEWSBITES

Every week, we scour the web for the most essential news. Here’s what you need to know this week:

RECALLS

This week, recalls continue to plague Toyota, plus a fascinating analysis of the impact of opportunistic recalls. 

Video of the week

It’s the personification of vehicular communism, and the lucky guys at TFL get to drive it. Check it out!

IN THE KNOW

Ford must pay $2.5 billion after verdict over rollover lawsuit

It’s a bittersweet moment for the Mills family and those near them. In 2022, Herman and Debra Mills passed away as a result of injuries caused by a Ford F-250 rollover. 

Now, they’ve gotten some relief.

A Columbus jury has ruled against Ford for a total of $2.5 billion, making it one of the largest verdicts in American automaker history. 

Read the article to learn more about this complex case, which could have severe implications in the coming months. 

These are the worst cars you can buy for under $40,000

The car market is expensive these days, and finding a good car at a reasonable price is a thing of the past. So, every time we see an offer for a cheap vehicle, we’re tempted. 

But, you know what they say: cheap is expensive. The reasons why are plenty, from poor quality, low reliability or bad performance. 

Some cars are not worth the low price. Here are the worst models you can buy for under $40,000. 

Europeans don’t buy American cars, but why?

President Trump has been pressuring European markets to buy more American-made cars. It’s not a mystery that, except for Tesla, no American brand has a solid presence in the Old Continent. 

The reasons for this are both simple and complex. It’s a combination of multiple factors that makes this desire to sell more cars across the pond almost impossible. 

This article explains why. At FWT, we believe it’s got to size and behavior, two things that are almost impossible to change in the short run. 

What are your thoughts? 

There is no relief for high used-car prices in the short run

Used cars are the most expensive they have ever been. In December alone, used car prices rose 2.2% while new car prices remained constant. 

So, while overall prices have dropped due to the pandemic shortage, used cars continue to be extremely expensive precisely because of the shortage. 

If you don’t have new cars to sell in the past, there won’t be used cars to sell now.

That’s not the only factor, as other aspects are making used cars a coveted item. Read the article to find out more. 

It took us one year to reach 2,500 subscribers. It took us two months to reach 3,000. We’ve grown rapidly and steadily.

So, we’re opening up slots for sponsors. Are you interested in working with a dynamic publication dedicated to make people informed on cars? Hit us up with an email!

OUR THOUGHTS

When is the best time to buy a car?

Even before the car market had its ups and downs, we researched the industry to understand when the best time to buy a car was. 

One thing we’ve discovered is that there are a lot of myths surrounding this topic. So, we decided to clear them up. 

This article explains the best and worst times to buy a car (both new and used!)

BEST AND WORST

What Toyota RAV4 years should you avoid?

The Toyota RAV4 is very reliable, so there aren’t many years that you should avoid. However, that doesn’t mean they are all perfect.

Even Toyota comes up with a few bad apples, and we’ve listed them for you. 

Check out the RAV4 years you shouldn’t buy.

TIPS AND KNOW-HOW

These are the four most common problems for the Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento is a pleasant option for those looking for a bit more versatility. However, it’s also prone to typical problems. This behavior is good and bad. 

On the one hand, most Sorento problems are easy to diagnose.

On the other, they’re common and are likely to happen. So, if you have a Kia Sorento, this article is right for you!

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