Latest news with #cars
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Woman Gets Unexpected Payout. Then Rent-Free Boyfriend Calls Her ‘Selfish' for Not Buying Him a New Car
A woman recently came into some money, and now her boyfriend expects her to spend it on him He insisted that she should buy him a new car, despite her car being on it's last leg Now, the boyfriend is sulking around the house and guilt-tripping herA woman is turning to Reddit for advice after getting into a heated disagreement with her boyfriend over her recent financial windfall. In the post, she details the strain that money and expectations have put on their relationship, questioning if she was in the wrong "for not buying [her] boyfriend a new car and getting mad at him for asking." 'So I recently came into some money. Not lottery-level but enough that I can finally afford to take care of a few big things like getting a decent car and paying off some debt,' she explains, noting that her current car is barely running, while her boyfriend's, though old, is in much better shape. The couple's finances have always been lopsided, as her boyfriend is currently unemployed and has been living with her rent-free for some time. 'I cover food, bills, and everything else. I've been okay with that because I make enough and I do care about him,' she admits. However, everything changed when her boyfriend learned about her new financial situation. 'As soon as he found out I came into money his first reaction was that we should upgrade our cars. Not just mine. Ours. As in he wants a new car too,' she writes. When she told him she planned to replace her own car first, he got upset and accused her of not being generous. 'He got kind of sulky. Said I 'never think of us as a team' and that I 'wasn't being generous,'' she shares. Her boyfriend's tantrum didn't stop there. Since their conversation, he's been making passive-aggressive comments, such as that it 'must be nice to have money and only think about yourself." His attitude is especially shocking given that she was willing to get him a new car in the future. 'For the record, I never said I wouldn't help him with things down the line. But right now I need a car that won't fall apart on the motorway,' she clarifies. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'It's making me question things and I honestly don't know if I'm overreacting by being annoyed,' she confesses. She wonders if she's being selfish or if her boyfriend's sense of entitlement is a red flag. The Reddit community was quick to weigh in, with one commenter bluntly remarking, 'he lives with you rent free AND wants you to buy him a car?? That's not your boyfriend, that's your son.' This sentiment seemed to resonate with the poster, who replied, 'The more I think about it the more I'm like… 'why am I the one feeling guilty here?' I didn't realize basic boundaries were such a high bar.' Read the original article on People
Auto Car
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
What would happen if we all stopped buying new cars?
Enthusiasts don't buy cars as status symbols, but I don't think it's controversial to accept that people do. I've had friends and acquaintances ask what car they should buy next while in the same breath telling me how much they like the car they own now. So maybe keep that? Still, I think it's curious how often cars are the obvious target when people look at status-driven buying behaviours. I understand that cars are expensive, but we don't have the same discussions about conservatories, cockapoos or chips, and you can't even use those to get to work or visit your gran. What's also striking is that how many cars we buy seems inextricably linked to the country's prosperity. A large new car market is perceived as a marker of a healthy economy, in a way that isn't true of, say, toasters. Those we buy when we need them. Cars, meanwhile, we buy because the finance term is coming to an end and the cambelt will soon need changing, or the company decides it's time you deserved something shinier to keep you working there, so off it goes to be replaced by something a bit better than the neighbours have. But, as Oswald noted, 'modern cars have an enormously long life and are relatively inexpensive to maintain', so even if we paused buying, we would still be able to get places. And his point about longevity is true. At least it is for now. But, I wonder, in times of £1800 headlight clusters, multiple electronic control units to let cars meet emissions and safety rules at a cost of thousands a time and what often just generally feels like an inbuilt obsolescence, for how long cars will remain cheap to maintain into their later life. We buy enough cars when they're affordable to fix; how many will we get through when driving into a pheasant writes off an older one? I don't think the optimum number of cars for us to buy is none, and this is something that will stay only a thought. But if we didn't buy quite so many and more were simpler and designed to stay affordable, I don't think that would be a bad thing.
The Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Who is James Engelsman and when will the YouTube star present The Grand Tour with Thomas Holland and Francis Bourgeois?
JAMES Engelsman is a famous influencer known for his love of cars. The superstar will be presenting the latest series of Amazon's Grand Tour, alongside Thomas Holland and Francis Bourgeois. 3 3 Becoming an influencer James Engelsman is a co-host of the popular YouTube channel Throttle House. He joined the channel three years after it was launched by Thomas in 2015. The pair have racked up 3.2 million followers (as of May 2025) through their in-depth car reviews and track tests. On the channel, they often show off luxury vehicles, including a stunning Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II and a 2025 Lucid Air Sapphire. Joining the Grand Tour James will be presenting the next series of The Grand Tour alongside his Throttle House co-presenter Thomas and Francis Bourgeois. The series will see them trying out the latest cars and taking on the incredible challenges that made the show famous. James May, Richard Hammond, and Jeremy Clarkson were the show's original presenters after launching it in 2016. The trio became famous for presenting the BBC's Top Gear, before moving over to the Amazon series. After decades of working together, they have decided to go their separate ways but did return for one final Grand Tour episode. Entitled The Not Very Grand Tour, the episode saw the trio looking back on their incredible career. James and Thomas have been described as a 'younger' and 'cooler' set of presenters and will be joined by Francis Bourgeois. A trainspotting superstar Francis Bourgeois is a famous trainspotter who first found fame in 2021. The star's videos often saw him at major stations, using a fish-eye lens to spot his favourite trains. His videos were so popular that he landed campaigns with luxury brands including Italian fashion house Gucci. Ahead of his appearance on the show, a source said: 'Francis is a big noise online and Amazon producers are hoping to bring him into the mainstream. 'He is loved by everyone - from royals to rappers - and is sure to be a hit with Grand Tour viewers. 'Francis is not just a social media sensation but trained as a mechanical engineer so knows his stuff.'
Car and Driver
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Nissan Micra Is a Cute EV That Aims to Revitalize the Brand in Europe
Nissan is bringing back the Micra name in Europe with a new electric hatchback that's based on the Renault 5 E-Tech. The Micra's overall shape matches the Renault, but it gets circular headlights and taillights and unique bumper treatments. Two powertrains are available, with a smaller battery and 121-hp motor providing 191 miles of range; a bigger battery and 148-hp motor bring 253 miles of range. Nissan is shifting away from cars to a more SUV-heavy lineup in the United States. The Versa and Altima sedans are bound for retirement after 2025, while the Leaf hatchback will morph into a crossover for 2026, and plans for an electric Maxima successor have been shelved. That leaves just the Sentra—set to grow for its next generation—and the sporty Z coupe as the only cars left. But over in Europe, there's still demand for small cars, and Nissan has unveiled the new sixth-generation Micra hatchback, which now comes exclusively as an EV. Nissan The Micra hatchback has never been sold in the United States, although if you live in a state along the northern border, you may have spotted fourth-generation Micras driving around on Canadian plates. If you've recently vacationed in Europe, this latest Micra might also look familiar, as it is closely related to the stylish Renault 5 E-Tech. The Micra doesn't have the same slick retro look as the Renault, but it's cute and has its own referential design elements. While the roofline, C-pillar, and overall stance are clear giveaways of its Renault bones, the front fascia is unique. The Micra wears interesting headlights with a main rectangular element flanked by rounded LEDs above and below, emulating the circular lights of past Micras. All Micra EVs ride on 18-inch wheels, and the lower portion of the bodywork is dominated by gloss-black trim. The taillights are also circular, with a small piece poking outwards that makes the taillights look like an upside "Q." The two-tone look seen here will be optional, and buyers can also pair the body color with a gray roof. Nissan The cabin bears a strong resemblance to the Renault, with a 10.1-inch center touchscreen that's angled towards the driver and attached to a 10.1-inch digital gauge cluster. The central HVAC vents and climate controls are also canted to the left, while the dashboard in front of the passenger features stitched indentations that create an eye-catching shape in the ambient lighting. Another fun detail is a molded outline of Mount Fuji in the storage compartment between the front seats. There's a choice of two batteries, either a 40-kWh unit or a 52-kWh pack. All Micras feature a single electric motor on the front axle, and the smaller battery brings 121 horsepower and a claimed 191 miles of range. The bigger battery bumps output up to 148 hp, along with 253 miles of estimated range. It also allows for charging at 100 kW on a DC fast-charger. The Micra supports vehicle-to-load capability too, allowing the car to power other electronic devices. The Micra is likely too small to make it in the United States, as it measures less than 157 inches long. That means it's at least 20 inches shorter from nose to tail than a subcompact Versa sedan. Hatchbacks also haven't proven popular on our shores, inspiring Nissan's decision to grow the next-generation Leaf into a small SUV. But the new Micra proves that even as SUVs continue to increase their market share worldwide, small cars still have a place on the tight streets of Europe. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Third of young Brits call their car ‘a second home' with change of clothes, snacks and deodorant, new study reveals
Almost a third of Gen Z claim their car is their 'second home' – and they keep a change of clothes, deodorant and snacks to hand. A poll of 2,000 vehicle owners found 23 per cent of the younger generation use their motor for storing things - three times more than Boomers (seven per cent). 6 6 And while 31 per cent of Gen Z and 19 per cent of Millennials claim they spend so much time in their car it's like their second home, less than one in 20 Boomers feel the same. It also emerged phone chargers, wet wipes and carrier bags are among the top 40 things which permanently live in vehicles. But while Gen Z are most likely to keep a travel cup, headphones and spare shoes in their car, Boomers are prepared with an A-Z map book and a first aid kit. Drivers are also prepared for all bouts of weather, with an ice scraper and umbrella the two most popular items to store, followed by sunglasses and gloves. With lip balm, a pair of shoes and a hairbrush to hand for any last-minute socialising. A spokesperson for car brand Dacia, which commissioned the research alongside its AR app's Boot Organiser tool, said: 'Our cars have become an extension of our homes, so much so they're becoming filled with lifestyle items. 'Gone are the days of just having a spare wheel and some de-icer in the boot, we like to feel prepared for all eventualities and carry the modern day essentials. 'We know how crowded people's boots can get, whether it's sports kits, children's bikes or prams and walking boots or wellies, we hope to be able to assist optimising space.' The research also found 41 per cent of owners have had to reconfigure items in their boot to fit things in when going on a holiday in the UK, taking an average of 18 minutes to do so. Others have had to rearrange the space when taking rubbish to the tip (31 per cent), heading out on a day trip (26 per cent), and going to the airport (22 per cent). With suitcases (26 per cent), bikes (17 per cent) and food shopping (16 per cent) the top things people struggle to fit into their car boot. The OnePoll data also saw eight in 10 claim the size of a boot is important when choosing a new car, as 11 per cent admitted they often leave the house with everything 'but the kitchen sink'. Following the findings, professional organiser Vicky Silverthorn, has teamed up with Dacia to give drivers tips on how to pack their boot efficiently. Vicky advises creating a checklist to tick off as you go and pack strategically, and said if you think twice about whether or not to bring something it's likely it's not actually needed. And if you're arriving at a destination late, make sure the items you'll need are at the top of the luggage, such as wash bags. Vicky said: 'With summer approaching, suitcases will likely cause some issues for road trips. 'It's best to put them in the boot sideways rather than stacking them and soft cases are great to fit around hard ones to optimise the space - I've been trying it out in the Dacia Bigster, and I have loads of room spare. 'We all know how tricky it can be when you're going away and suddenly need to fill the car with everything you'll need, be it kid's toys and nappies or festival and camping gear. 'Remove the seasonal items you no longer require which seem to live in your boot - such as ice scrapers - and make room for what you know you'll be using, like picnic blankets and beach towels.' VICKY SILVERTHORN'S TOP 10 TIPS FOR PACKING A CAR BOOT 1. Be prepared: Create a 'Packing Checklist' of all the items you need. This helps ensure you do not forget anything and can actually help you pack more strategically. 2. When in doubt, boot it out: Think about what you actually need to bring with you. If you have to think twice, you probably don't need it. 3. Wheely spacious: There's probably more room in your car than you think. If you have space under the boot floor, use the spare wheel well for smaller items such as wellies. 4. Don't stack, side pack: Pack suitcases sideways instead of stacking them. This way, you can easily slide out the ones you need without having to lift off any others. 5. Layer up: Pack heavier items on the bottom, working your way up in layers. 6. Don't learn the hard way: Soft cases are great to fit around hard cases in a boot, optimising every inch of space. 7. Squeezy does it: Pack things tightly to avoid them sliding and moving around as you drive. 8. It's child's play: If you're taking one, make sure your pushchair is easy to access if you need it on arrival. 9. Boot foresight: If you are arriving late at your destination always pack the items that you will need when you get there at the top such as wash bags. 10. Only the essentials: Use an easily accessible rucksack or storage container to hold key items that you can grab quickly such as chargers and headphones. 6 6 6 6
