For her sporty, reliable Genesis, it's a wrap. This tow truck driver chose teal and did some work on the car
On the job, Rebecca Moodie's at the wheel of a tow truck in the Oakville area. In her off hours, the young Hamilton woman's favourite pastime is taking her 2016 Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec to car shows or on drives with her dog, Rocky. Moodie's car passion started early.
'When I was a kid, I played with Hot Wheels all the time. In high school, I took auto class as I wanted to build a car of my own. I saw a lot of Genesis cars when I was in high school, and decided I wanted one of those. It was a dream car for me, a sports car, but something that was reliable that I would enjoy.
The first time I test drove one, I had a smile on my face the entire time. My mom knew what I was looking for, and we looked together, and I found a 2016 Genesis with 117,000 km at a dealership three years ago.
I named her 'Jolene,' because I saw another one called that on TikTok. Mine was originally white, but I've had it wrapped in teal. A few months before I had it wrapped, I got a cup at Starbucks that was teal, and I thought it was a cool colour. People always love the car's colour; it's so unique and I'm known because of the Genny's colour. Wraps are like giant stickers, and if I ever want to change the colour, I can. I've had a carbon fibre trunk put on the car, too.
I installed my own coilovers (a type of suspension) to lower it, and I do my own oil changes. I have full leather seats and a leather centre console. I restitched the steering wheel myself, and it's black with blue stitching. I have a sun roof and heated seats. The car has a V6 3.8-litre engine, rear wheel drive and automatic transmission. The handling is really nice, especially with the upgraded suspension.
I belong to a local car club called Uncommon Alliance, and car shows are one of my favourite things. At one, I was third in my class out of all the Hyundais there. I enjoy going to the shows and hanging out with my friends, and there are five or six of us who go, including another girl and my boyfriend. At the shows, I like to see what everyone has built, and it's so different from one car to the next. One of the shows I plan to do this year is Street Candy at the Hamilton Convention Centre (June 21). It's a big mix of everything, with whole sections for trucks and classic cars.
I used to drive the Genny year-round as my daily driver, but now that I drive the tow truck (for 3D Towing), I put Jolene away for the winter. I used to have an office job, but I have friends who are tow trucks drivers and it seemed like it was a job I'd enjoy, so I did the training. My best friend works there, too. I love driving and seeing so many different things on my job. Sometimes you really have to put your mind to it, like if you have to do a recovery or rollover.
The only Genesis I've ever towed belonged to my boyfriend, after it was in an accident. Now he's got a Hyundai Veloster.
I know how to drive a lot of vehicles. My dad is a truck driver and I learned to drive in his pick-up. Going from something small like the Genny to driving something so large like the tow truck wasn't a big problem.
I want to add another vehicle to my collection and I know what it will be. My dad has a 2006 Chevy Silverado and has had it since I was in kindergarten. That will be my truck. I want to lift it and put wide wheels on it.
You can follow Rebecca Moodie's adventures with her Genesis car on Instagram at Jolene.the.genny
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump's fight with Musk reveals MAGA's biggest delusion
He'd never admit it publicly, but I'm betting Donald Trump is regretting that he relaxed the White House rules about drug testing. As I predicted last week, Elon Musk's vow to leave politics behind did not last long. But I confess I had no idea that he would come back to the fold by taking swings at his beloved daddy replacement, Trump. It seems, however, that someone told Musk in recent days how much his businesses, which rely heavily on government subsidies, will be screwed by the president's already imperiled budget bill. So now the tech billionaire has become fixated on killing the bill. Musk kicked off his crusade Tuesday by tweeting that Trump's bill is a "disgusting abomination," and has been on a tear since, rallying his supporters to oppose the bill and making room for more Republicans on Capitol Hill to start pulling back support. As he and Trump snipe at each other publicly, the efforts to pretend this is a friendly disagreement are falling apart. Even if Musk fails in his efforts to kill Trump's bill, this battle is exposing a deeper truth that Miller can't hide with his lies about Trump winning in a "landslide": The MAGA coalition is fragile and some of the differences are starting to tear at the seams less than half a year into the second Trump term. Trump's slim win in 2024 was no doubt due in large part to Musk, and not just the eye-popping quarter-billion-plus Musk spent to push the old man's orange carcass over the finish line. It's because Musk and other influential figures, especially those associated with Silicon Valley or who pretend to be former liberals, were able to convince a chunk of more secular, largely male voters to throw their lot in with the Christian nationalist base that is the backbone of the MAGA movement. But while these two groups joined together based on a shared animosity towards racial minorities and women, it was always a far more uneasy alliance than Musk or Trump wanted to admit. And now it's getting shakier as two narcissistic billionaires are at of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., lies all day about everything, but he was probably telling the truth when he sneered that "the EV mandate is very important to" Musk. Tesla sales have been crashing since Musk joined the MAGA movement, meaning he needs government subsidies for electric vehicles more than ever. But while I have no doubt Musk is way more concerned about his bottom line than about government spending — his ostensible reason for hating the bill — his anger would be impotent if it didn't tap into existing tensions between the newfangled technofascist wing of the GOP and more traditional Republicans. "The Silicon Valley tech world does not like this bill," Tim Miller of The Bulwark explained on his podcast Wednesday. It's not just Musk, but many wealthy leaders who are deeply invested in the energy and tech areas that President Joe Biden's administration invested so heavily in. They stabbed Democrats in the back as a thank-you for that money, and now are shocked they are being similarly betrayed by the Republicans they joined up with. I don't think Musk and Trump were actually fighting when Musk ostensibly "left" last week — even as Trump was assuring reporters his billionaire buddy was going nowhere — but there's no doubt this conflict is disrupting their months of narcissistic codependency. On Thursday, Trump got angry and accused Musk of having "Trump derangement syndrome" on camera. It was during the same event that he lamented that the Allies prevailed on D-Day, suggesting the 78-year-old was in one of his increasingly common moments of uninhibited honesty. This conflict was brewing for reasons that run deeper than Musk and Trump's competing egos or Silicon Valley's dependency on government funding, which their leaders disparage. The atheistic world of pseudo-intellectualism that Musk and his minions come from was always going to have friction with the Christian nationalists who actually run the MAGA-ified Republican Party. The most recent sign I've seen that there's trouble in fascist paradise came late last month, from a YouTube video that, at first blush, seems like it's not related: Jordan Peterson's ill-fated effort to "debate" 20 atheists at once. Peterson is a former psychology professor remade into a MAGA culture warrior, and was a huge player in radicalizing a lot of young, secular men to the right for years before Musk got into the game. But he, like Musk, has been feeling pressure lately to fully MAGA-ify by openly embracing Christianity. Last July, Musk and Peterson even did an interview together where they talked up being a "cultural Christian," creating the space for people who don't believe in God or Jesus to support Christian nationalists in their theocratic goals. But Peterson's stint on the zoo-like faux-debate show "Jubilee" exposed how untenable the Christians-who-don't-believe stance may be. Initially, it was billed as "1 Christian versus 20 atheists," but then one of the atheists outed Peterson, by simply asking Peterson a simple question: "Am I not talking to a Christian?" Peterson started yelling diversions and using other tactics to avoid answering the question. He did it again with another atheist by trying to nitpick what the word "believe" means when asked if one "believes" in God. It's all very funny, because it's obvious Peterson doesn't believe in God or Jesus, but also wants the cultural cachet of being a Christian on the right. This matters because Peterson is up there with Musk for representing the more secular, nerdy wing of MAGA, which also happens to be comprised of some of the most fairweather Trump supporters. These are those young men who voted for Biden in 2020 and switched to Trump in 2024, helping Trump barely win the election. With the help of Musk and Peterson, they convinced themselves they can buddy up with people who believe in demon possession and think porn should be banned, all without risk to themselves. On Thursday, Musk complained that Trump was showing "ingratitude," claiming Trump would have lost the election without his support. (Which is probably true!) This budget fight exposes how delusional that attitude always was. It's not about religion, per se, but the culture clash between the Musk fanboys and the Christian nationalist debate is driving much of this. Musk and his acolytes envision a technofascism that sucks all the money out of social services and puts it into the tech industry, even as it pursues goals typically disliked by the Christian right, such as clean energy production. Meanwhile, the Christian right wing of the party, while happy to pass huge cuts to Medicaid and Obamacare, is largely leaving untouched Social Security or Medicare, which their working-class and aging base depends on. The techbro fascists may hate the liberals they live next door to, but at the end of the day, they're still part of the urban, atheistic, educated class that the MAGA movement demonizes. That difference was not going to be papered over forever.
Entrepreneur
a day ago
- Entrepreneur
What Race Car Drivers Know That Most Entrepreneurs Don't
From having the right pit crew members to proper pacing, many strategies deployed by race car drivers on the track can be used by aspiring entrepreneurs to drive growth. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Living a full life outside of our careers gives us many opportunities to continue growing. Outside interests beyond family and friends can expand our horizons and ideas of what's possible. For me, that's studying the art of car racing. I appreciate how drivers are prepared from every angle, like prepping the car, assessing the competition and determining where and when to take risks. And I've found that the strategies deployed on the track translate well to running a successful business. Race car drivers and entrepreneurs all want to move fast and win. Beating your business competition and other cars on the racetrack both require accelerating at the perfect time. Case in point: Labor Day is now known as the time when Starbucks brings back its Pumpkin Spice latte. While that might feel early, Starbucks benefits from holiday weekend spending and while also tapping into the anticipation of the fall season. Putting the right foundation in place Pit Crew: Few things define teamwork as well as a pit crew. From the tactical direction of the crew chief to the strength of the tire changer and jack man, to the communication skills of the spotter, pit crews work seamlessly at remarkable speeds to prepare their car for the next lap and eventually the finish line. Your job is to be an agile crew chief. This could mean empowering mid-level managers to make operational calls, much like a pit crew places trust in their jackman. Or giving your marketing team the ability to practice flexible spending so they can quickly capitalize on new opportunities. It's also your job to set the tone, communicate objectives clearly and ensure everyone is aligned when it comes to roles, tactics, timelines and outcomes. Tire Pressure: Tires are a foundational element of a car, much like a strategic plan is the foundation of a viable business. Tire pressure allows drivers to optimize their handling and achieve faster lap times — it's all about the contact patch between the tires and the road. If you don't have the tire pressure right, you risk losing control during turns. Likewise, a strategic business plan gives you the ability to create alignment and achieve faster results without losing control when the unexpected happens. It gives you control and speed, and a clear view of what's working and what's not. Competitive Intel: Successfully competing means knowing who or what you are up against. Each of your competitors has some advantage. Like race car teams, you need to know the track record of your competitors — where they have succeeded and faltered, the strengths and weaknesses of team members, the amount of fuel/capital they have — and use that intel to your advantage. Get educated. Tools like Crayon share real-time insights gleaned from your competitors' digital footprints, while social listening platforms like Sprout Social offer competitor reports and performance tracking across social networks. It's not just about driving fast but driving smart. When you know the track inside out, you can clearly visualize winning the race. Related: How to Gain a Competitive Edge: 4 Key Questions to Ask When Analyzing Your Competitors Driving growth Fuel Level: Think of motor fuel as your sales and marketing expenditures. You need to know how much fuel you have left in the tank. Do you front-load your pitstops (and sales/marketing expenditures) to start out strong and then conserve for the rest of the race? Or do you make more pit stops toward the end of the race (and end of the year), so you have enough fuel to get across the finish line? A SaaS company might invest heavily in Q1 ad spend to acquire annual subscribers early. There's no right answer here, as it depends on your revenue model and resources. But knowing what works best for your venture is critical for a successful year-end. Related: 5 Strategies to Know As You Scale Your Business Pacing: Perhaps one of the most important elements of car racing and running a business is determining your pace. As a track has different sections that require different speeds, so does the growth trajectory of your business. In racing, drivers often start at a moderate pace to preserve fuel and tire life on long races to avoid unnecessary wear and tear in those initial laps. Running a business is a long race, so you need to balance moderate pacing with those "push to pass" moments, when you strategically fuel a burst of acceleration to overtake your competitors. This could mean launching a feature during a competitor's PR crisis or offering limited-time pricing in a peak demand season. Other pacing factors can include funding levels, product/market fit, cost of customer acquisition, market timing, scalability and more. This is where you lean on your business strategy as a guide in determining your business's optimal pacing. Related: Delegating Doesn't Mean You Lose Control — It Means You Maximize Your Impact. Here's How to Do It Effectively. Crossing the finish line When you're racing a car, crossing the finish line is the end of the race. In running a business, it means achieving sustainable, profitable growth. That feat takes all of the above strategies, combined with your leadership skills in risk management, adaptability and innovation. And most importantly, vision and conviction. As racer Dale Earnhardt once said, "The winner ain't the one with the fastest car. It's the one who refuses to lose."
Motor Trend
2 days ago
- Motor Trend
2026 Genesis G70 Review: Expert Insights, Pricing, and Trims
Don't count the Genesis G70 out just yet. As the compact luxury sedan that won our 2019 Car of the Year award nears the end of its first generation, Genesis makes minor updates to streamline the features on offer. Rivals to the 2026 Genesis G70 include the Tesla Model 3, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and BMW 3 Series. What's New The 2026 G70 lineup sees some new content, but Genesis discontinues more features than it adds. Basics Electronically controlled suspension discontinued Power trunk no longer available on all trims 360-degree camera view standard on 3.3T models and available on 2.5T Prestige Exterior Capri Blue replaces Tasman Blue and Burleigh Blue Updated wheel design for 2.5T Prestige Aluminum trim available on 2.5T Prestige Interior Standard heated steering wheel on 2.5T AWD and above Beige, Gray, and Sport interiors discontinued for 2.5T models Nappa leather and microfiber suede headliner discontinued Alloy pedals discontinued on 2.5T Prestige What We Think Our 2019 Car of the Year returns for 2026, continuing its legacy of blending luxurious appointments with sporty driving dynamics. Although Genesis eliminates some features for the new model year, the 2026 G70 appears to remain a strong value proposition. There are quicker offerings in the segment, but the 2026 Genesis G70's subjective pleasures rival longer-established automakers. Its powerful engines feel gutsy when pushed but exhibit a relaxed character while tootling around town or cruising on the highway. It excels as a luxury car, too, with excellent build quality and interior materials. The 2026 Genesis G70 does have some weak aspects, though. Standard equipment goes well beyond the basics, but doesn't include the new tech features and larger displays offered on other models. The ride can get choppy, the second row isn't the roomiest, and trunk space is down compared to rivals. First introduced for 2019, the Genesis G70 is starting to show its age, as well. Still, the G70 remains a compelling pick for those who love to drive but don't want to sacrifice comfort or convenience. We hope Genesis continues to offer enthusiast-friendly models when the G70's time is inevitably up. Top-Ranked Competitors: BMW 3 Series Alfa Romeo Giulia Mercedes-Benz C-Class MotorTrend Tested Entry-level versions of the 2026 Genesis G70 carry over with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive available. A rear-wheel-drive G70 takes 5.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. All-wheel-drive models require 5.9 seconds. For perspective, the four-cylinder BMW 330i only takes 5.3–5.4 seconds with RWD or AWD. An upgrade to the optional 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine producing 365 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque brings the G70's 0–60-mph time down to a mere 4.5 seconds. For comparison, the BMW M340i xDrive we tested needed just 3.8 seconds to hit 60 mph. MPGs and Range We expect the 2026 Genesis G70 will log similar EPA ratings to the 2025 model. It's most efficient with the base 2.5-liter engine and rear-wheel drive, returning 21/29 mpg city/highway. With all-wheel drive, those figures fall slightly to 20/28 mpg. The competing 2025 BMW 330i is a paragon of efficiency at 28/35 mpg with RWD and 26/34 mpg with xDrive AWD. With the larger 3.3-liter V-6, the G70's fuel economy takes a tumble. Rear-wheel-drive models return 17/25 mpg, and all-wheel-drive models are rated at 17/23 mpg. For comparison, the BMW M340i is only marginally less efficient than the 330i despite its much more powerful I-6 engine, rated at 27/33 mpg with rear-wheel drive and 26/33 mpg with all-wheel drive. The G70 2.5T has the most range, at 379 miles. With all-wheel drive, that figure drops slightly to 363 miles. The BMW 3 Series has a lot more range—484 miles with RWD and 452 miles with AWD. With the 3.3-liter engine, the G70's numbers fall to 316 and 300 miles, respectively. Meanwhile, both of the M340i's drivetrain layouts are good for 452 miles of range. Safety Ratings and Features For 2025, the Genesis G70 receives Good scores in all crashworthiness categories evaluated by IIHS. It also gets a top score in the headlights test. LATCH ease of use is rated Marginal, the second-lowest score. Genesis equips the 2026 G70 with a robust suite of active safety features. We've found the driver assistance systems to be useful in our testing. Automatic high-beams Front and rear automatic emergency braking Side cross-traffic alert Intersection collision avoidance Blind-spot monitoring Lane keeping assist Adaptive cruise control Cargo Space and Interior Room The 2026 Genesis G70's front row is roomy, but the second row feels tight. Cargo space is down compared to rivals. Technology Infotainment Genesis outfits every 2026 G70 with a standard 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Unlike other Genesis models with a single panel for all digital functions, the G70 still uses a second 8.0-inch display and semi-analog instrument cluster. A head-up display is available. The 2026 Genesis G70's cabin has a total of four USB-C ports. Only higher trims come equipped with a wireless charging pad. Sound System The G70's base sound system is a six-speaker arrangement. A 15-speaker setup from Lexicon is also available. Available Upgrades Heated steering wheel Ventilated front seats Power-folding side mirrors with Genesis logo puddle lamps Value Standard Features Genesis equips the 2026 G70 with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive. The sport sedan rides on 19-inch wheels and a fully independent suspension. All models use Brembo brakes. Inside the cabin, the G70 features standard leatherette upholstery with heated front seats. All models have a proximity key and pushbutton start. There's an 8.0-inch gauge cluster display alongside an analog gauge, a 10.3-inch infotainment display, and four USB-C ports. Safety features include forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, a rearview camera, safe exit warning, and a rear occupant alert. Recommended Trim Genesis offers the 2026 G70 in eight trims: 2.5T RWD 2.5T AWD 2.5T Sport Prestige RWD 2.5T Sport Prestige AWD 3.3T Sport Advanced RWD 3.3T Sport Advanced AWD 3.3T Sport Prestige RWD 3.3T Sport Prestige AWD Models with the 3.3-liter engine are compact rockets, but the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder still has plenty of grunt. For that reason, we'd go for rear-drive Sport Prestige trim to get the leather seats, sunroof, and ventilated front seats. Pricing for the G70 should start around $44,000 and reach nearly $60,000 for the 3.3T Sport Prestige AWD model. The 2026 Genesis G70 2.5T Sport Prestige RWD is our goldilocks, stickering for less than $50,000. The Sportiest 2026 Genesis G70 All Genesis G70s are fun to drive, but the most enthusiast-oriented are the pair of 3.3T Sport Prestige models, which receive a limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, and a variable exhaust system. In prior years, Genesis equipped electronically controlled suspension, but that feature has been discontinued for 2026 in favor of a passive setup.
