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Business Insider
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
I asked ChatGPT's study mode if I should buy a car. The questions it asked me back convinced me to stay car-free.
For months, I've been paralyzed with indecision every time I walk past a car dealership. It all started earlier this summer when my partner bought his first car — a five-year-old black Ford Fusion — ahead of a move to Indiana for his Ph.D. program. Since then, we've both been using the car we named Raven, and I've become used to picking up groceries with ease and leaving home 10 minutes before a dinner party starts. But with him leaving in three weeks and taking Raven along for the ride, I've become overwhelmed with confusion every time I ask myself: Should I buy a car? So I asked ChatGPT. And not just any ChatGPT: I chose study mode, a new version that has freshly appeared in the toolbar as a book icon. OpenAI says it "helps you work through problems step by step instead of just getting an answer." It can also quiz its users and prompt them to explain their reasoning. I did not have high hopes, having witnessed many disastrous ChatGPT-generated essays that friends in academia have had to grade. Still, the study mode asked me enough well-rounded questions to help me make the unexpected decision to remain car-free. What I knew before turning to ChatGPT I live in a co-housing community with a garage to store and charge cars. I also happen to live downtown in a Bay Area city, two blocks away from a Chinatown, where I can find just about any food I need. Still, having a car would mean not having to frequently turn to Instacart because shopping often overwhelms me. It would mean being able to access our regional park full of redwoods, where there is no cell signal and no chance to Uber back home. I prefer EVs because they emit less, and I like the peace of mind of knowing that the price of oil, which fluctuates with geopolitics, won't affect my budget as much. Most of my friends own cars and started sending me their hot takes. I started watching Instagram reels on car recommendations, until they had fully taken over my "For You" page. Based on those criteria, I found options like a used Nissan Leaf and a pre-owned Tesla. A used 2017 Nissan Leaf would only have between 50 and 80 miles of range per charge, but it could cost as little as $7,000, not including taxes. Teslas are a more expensive option, but they do have decent range and technologies that compensate for my lack of skills, plus many people are looking to sell. In my head, I felt like I spent plenty on rides and deliveries to match the convenience a car could provide. Fortunately, ChatGPT study mode explained to me that not only was I wrong, but there was so much more to consider. Study mode asked me surprising questions and taught me new concepts Study mode started by asking me what level of studies I'm at, to which I explained that I have already gone through grad school, but have other pressing life problems. I then gave a general description of my circumstances and asked whether I should buy a car. The AI commended me for making a "thoughtful, not impulsive" decision and explained the concept of being " car poor," meaning buying a fancier car than necessary or having monthly payments cut into other life expenses. Since I mentioned grocery deliveries and Uber trips, study mode then prompted me to think about how many times I use these services a week. I get grocery deliveries about three times a month, plus about two Uber trips and two takeout deliveries a week. Study mode soon crunched the numbers for me. The conveniences I see as indulgences actually cost me around $3,000 a year, but a car would cost me between $6,000 and $8,000 a year, not including the down payment I would need to put down for the car. "Are the extra ~$3,000 — $4,000 per year worth the added freedom and independence? Do you feel anxious or limited without a car?" the AI asked. In bullet points, it asked me about factors I hadn't really thought about before, such as whether I like to go out often, if I enjoy driving, and if I have family who lives far away. It also asked me if I wanted to see a cost breakdown of whether it would be worth it to live further from downtown to lower housing costs, but own a car instead. As an introvert with no family in this country who mostly spends her weekends with her cat and her next craft project, an answer was beginning to emerge. But I pushed study mode further by asking about the benefits of an EV and if it would actually save me money. The AI gave me a cost breakdown that compared a Chevy Bolt to a fully gas-powered Toyota Corolla, and while the former obviously emits less, it gives me only a marginal amount of savings. Based on my own investigation, the cost difference between the two cars appears accurate, but the AI vastly undercounts the cost of insuring both types of vehicles by more than 50%. A quote on Geico for a 2022 Chevy Bolt and a Toyota Corolla made the same year would both amount to more than $450 a month in insurance. As alternatives to an EV, the AI asked me to consider if carpooling with friends and renting cars when I truly need them would be better options for my wallet and for the environment. It also said buying a three-year-old car is optimal because that is when depreciation slows down and before maintenance costs start to rise. Study mode said the bottom line was that if I really, really, still wanted a car, it would suggest a 2022 Chevy Bolt. Still, I think I'll pass, because to answer one of the AI's previous questions: no, I don't actually enjoy driving. I will save myself the fear of freeways and the panic of not being able to parallel park, and continue my car-free life. My next question to ChatGPT will be what kind of bike I should get.
UPI
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- UPI
Ex-WWE head Vince McMahon charged with reckless driving after crash
Vince McMahon, then chair of World Wrestling Entertainment, appears at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2008. McMahon faces charges of reckless driving in a three-car crash in Connecticut. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo July 30 (UPI) -- Connecticut police charged former WWE CEO Vince McMahon for reckless driving and following too closely after a multicar collision on July 24 in Westport, Conn. McMahon, 78, driving 2024 Bentley Continental GT Speed, allegedly crashed into a BMW 430. Both cars crashed into a wooden guardrail, which sent debris into a median. A 2020 Ford Fusion, driven by a 27-year-old man in the opposite direction, crashed into the debris. There were no injuries. Police released McMahon on $500 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Aug. 26. The driver of the BMW posted her account on Facebook. Barbara Doran, 72, is the founder and CEO of BD8 Capital Partners. She claimed that McMahon hit her after speeding "in and out of cars." "Lucky to have survived a horrific car crash on the way up to catch the ferry to Martha's Vineyard last Thursday morning. Both cars totaled. Vince McMahon @Mr. McMahon /#VinceMcMahon, former chair of WWE, hit me going 80-90mph as I drove in the right lane of the narrow Merritt Highway (built in the 1930s). I and the dog are mostly fine, but was lucky to have kept control of the car, more or less, as I shot off the road after being catapulted over 100 yards. "An unmarked state trooper had been following him as he sped in and out of cars down the highway and had just turned his lights on to pull Mcmahon over, but he was not in time. Both front wheels of McMahon's Bentley were sheared off, and his airbags deployed, probably saving him from significant injury. "The trooper told me afterwards that McMahon saw me last minute and swerved, smashing into my left rear, but that if he had hit me full on, there might've been a very different ending for me." McMahon rose to fame as the owner of WWE. He bought the entity from his father in 1982, and often put himself into the dramatics of wrestling. He stepped down as CEO of WWE in 2022 during an investigation into sexual assault, trafficking and abuse allegations and resigned as executive chair of TKO Group Holdings, the WWE's parent company, in 2023, after a lawsuit was filed by a former employee. In January, he agreed to pay $1.7 million in fines and restitution for violating U.S. securities laws. His wife, Linda McMahon, is the U.S. Secretary of Education.
The Hill
10 hours ago
- The Hill
Ex-WWE boss Vince McMahon accused of reckless driving in Connecticut crash
WESTPORT, Conn. (WTNH) — State police in Connecticut say former WWE CEO Vince McMahon, the husband of Education Secretary Linda McMahon, was issued a misdemeanor summons for reckless driving after allegedly causing a multi-vehicle crash last week. The three-vehicle crash took place on the morning of July 24 on a thoroughfare in Westport, according to an accident report from Connecticut State Police. Officials said McMahon, 79, was driving a 2024 Bentley Continental GT Speed in a northbound lane when he allegedly rear-ended a 2023 BMW 430 in front of him. His car then hit a wooden median guardrail, sending debris over the median into the southbound lane and into the path of a 2020 Ford Fusion, the report indicates. Why Hulk Hogan descended upon American culture at exactly the right time No injuries were reported and all three parties were wearing seatbelts at the time. The airbags in McMahon's vehicle, along with the BMW, were deployed. The three vehicles were towed from the scene, state police said. About 30 feet of the median guardrail also suffered moderate damage. McMahon was issued a misdemeanor summons for reckless driving and following too closely resulting in an accident. The report lists McMahon's address as the former WWE headquarters in Stamford. According to state police, he was released on a $500 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Aug. 26. Family mourns 4 relatives who died in NC crash, thanks woman who helped rescue 5th The accident occurred the same day wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died at the age of 71. McMahon posted his condolences to X hours after the crash. 'The world lost a treasure today. Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world,' his post read. Nexstar's WTNH has reached out to McMahon's representatives for comment. In 2022, McMahon stepped down as WWE's chief executive amid a company investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He also resigned as executive chairman of the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE, last year, a day after a former WWE employee filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against him. McMahon has denied the allegations. Vince and Linda McMahon are both accused in a separate suit of knowing about a ringside announcer who allegedly sexually abused young boys for years but doing nothing about it. They have denied those accusations as well.
Toronto Sun
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Toronto Sun
Vince McMahon involved in major car crash same day as Hulk Hogan's death
Former WWE boss reportedly has been charged with reckless driving after being involved in three-car crash last week. Former WWE boss Vince McMahon reportedly was involved in a car crash last week. Twitter Pro wrestling fans nearly lost the biggest star in WWE and the man who helped him get there on the same day last week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Former WWE president and CEO Vince McMahon was involved in a major car crash in Connecticut last Thursday, according to reports. According to TMZ, McMahon was driving his 2024 Bentley near Westport, Conn., when he crashed into a 2023 BMW 430 before colliding with a guardrail. A Ford Fusion travelling in the opposite direction also was damaged after being struck by debris from the collision. In a post on Facebook, Barbara Doran claimed to be the driver of the BMW that was struck by McMahon and said that she had been on her way to catch the ferry to Martha's Vineyard. TMZ reported there were no major injuries in the wreck but McMahon was cited for reckless driving for following too closely, which is a misdemeanour. Photos posted on social media show extensive damage to the front end of the Bentley as well the back end of the BMW. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. BREAKING: Vince McMahon was involved in a serious car crash last incident happened hours before the announcement of Hulk Hogan's passing on 3 people involved in the crash were unharmed. "McMahon was issued a misdemeanor summons for reckless driving and… — 𝙎𝙖𝙢 (@RhodesKotaEra) July 29, 2025 The airbag of McMahon's Bentley reportedly was deployed in the incident. McMahon's accident occurred on the same day that Hogan — the man who helped WWE become the empire that it has grown into today – died after suffering cardiac arrest at his home in Florida. Hours after the reported crash, McMahon posted a tribute on social media to mourn the loss of Hogan, real name Terry Bollea. 'The world lost a treasure today,' McMahon wrote in his statement. 'Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world. He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon. 'His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled — and made him the consummate performer. He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'He leaves us with one of his favourite expressions, 'Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.' Today, we pray for him.' TMZ reported that McMahon is slated to appear in court in August over the charges related to the crash. Read More McMahon, who led WWE into becoming a billion-dollar entertainment industry over the course of decades, resigned as the executive chairman of the board of TKO Group Holdings — the parent company of WWE and Ultimate Fighting Championship — in January 2024 after being named in a sex trafficking lawsuit by former employee Janel Grant. MLB Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Soccer Editorial Cartoons
Perth Now
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Vince McMahon involved in car crash
Vince McMahon was involved in a car crash last week. The WWE co-founder was issued a misdemeanour summons for reckless driving and following too closely resulting in an accident after the vehicle he was driving went into the back of another car before hitting a guardrail. The incident happened in Connecticut at around 9am last Thursday (24.07.25) and according to a crash report obtained by TMZ, the 79-year-old businessman was travelling northbound on Route 15 in Westport when his 2024 Bentley ran into the back of a 2023 BMW 430 before hitting a median wooden-beam guardrail. Debris from the collision then flew into the left side of the two-lane road, and a third vehicle, a southbound Ford Fusion then ran into it. The force of the impact was so severe, the airbags were deployed on both Vince's car and the BMW and all three cars had to be towed from the scene. All three drivers were wearing seatbelts and no major injuries were reported, though the guardrail suffered around 30 feet of damage. Photos from the scene of the accident showed the car belonging to Vince - who will appear in court next month - sustained severe damage on both sides near the front wheels, while the driver-side fender was scraped, dented and detached, and glass from a rear tail light was missing. The accident happened the same day that Vince's friend, Hulk Hogan, died at the age of 71, and he later paid tribute to the wrestling legend. He wrote on X: 'The world lost a treasure today. Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world. "He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon. "His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled - and made him the consummate performer. "He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved. 'He leaves us with one of his favorite expressions, 'Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.' Today, we pray for him.' Vince stepped down as CEO and chairman of WWE in June 2022 amid an investigation over allegations he had paid a former employee $3 million to hide their affair. The investigation ended in November that year, and the following January he was unanimously elected executive chairman of the board. However, he resigned from WWE's parent company, TKO Group Holdings, a year later after he was sued by ex-employee Janel Grant for "physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking", allegations which he denied.
