Jason Bell Jason Bell

What to look for in the vehicle history and the difference between used and CPO

For many people, buying a car is one of the biggest purchases of their lives — right behind a house, education, and taxes. And like the home buying process, there's a lot to consider in the car buying process to make sure you are getting a good deal. Would you buy a house with mold in the basement? Or a cracked foundation? Or, what if the previous owner neglected simple maintenance and upkeep?

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

A real-world test of the Everyday Driver Philosophy

And as the years tick by and more cars pass through my hands, whether for test drives or ownership, it’s interesting how many cars start to feel the same. Many of the current five and seven-seat crossovers are the worst offenders. Blindfold me, and I can tell the difference, but homogenization is a real thing in many segments of the industry. Occasionally there are stand-outs like the Mazda CX-5 or the Kia Telluride and you can't help but always recommend them because they really are just that good.

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

2022 Kia Carnival SX Test Drive Review

While the nation buys up all the three-row SUVs on the market, Kia’s been quietly going behind the scenes creating one of the best minivans ever — a stylish, SUV-inspired vehicle that’s an incredible value.

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

Utah's largest exotic car show brought thousands together at The Gateway

In the words of Frankie Valli, "Oh, what a night." Last Saturday, April 2, 2022, thousands flocked to the largest exotic car show in Utah's history, all thanks to supercar enthusiast group, Need 2 Drive. Every year Need 2 Drive kicks off the summer driving season with a special event like this, but no one, including Need 2 Drive's co-founder Ismael Utrilla, could have anticipated the amount of enthusiasts (and cars) that showed up to The Gateway.

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

2022 BMW X3 xDrive30i test drive review

The BMW X3 xDrive30i comes from a heritage rich in sportiness, luxury and driving fun. In those departments, the refreshed X3 delivers. Pricing is competitive and offers an array of welcome features like an updated 10.3-inch touchscreen, comfortable sport seats, capable all-wheel drive and a fuel-efficient powertrain. The X3 is a great pairing of traditional BMW verve in a practical, do-it-all package.

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

2021 Mazda3 Turbo Hatchback | Long-term ownership review #1

In August of 2021, I said goodbye to my BRZ and welcomed a new 2021 Mazda3 Turbo Hatchback to the stable as my new daily driver. While I was heartbroken to see the BRZ go, I was excited about the incredible value the Mazda3 Turbo offered, as well as having a little more room for my kids in the back. They had outgrown the BRZ’s backseat all too quickly.

So, as someone who has owned this wonderful daily driver for just over six months now, I thought it helpful to post the first in a series of long-term ownership reviews to help fellow enthusiasts see if the much-loved Mazda3 Turbo is right for them.

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

This free exotic car show is all about inspiring the next generation of drivers

Utah's exotic car scene has exploded in the last few years. What was just a few dozen exotic cars just a short time ago has ballooned to well over 200 in 2022. We now have some of the coolest, highest-performing cars in the world in our state, and this weekend you and your family can see them for free.

On Saturday, April 2 at The Gateway from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Utah's premier exotic car group, Need 2 Drive, will be hosting its third annual spring show. "Exotics at The Gateway" is set to kick off the spring driving season in style. The event is free and open to everyone, and it promises to be a great night out for family and friends. If you've ever wanted to see dozens of Lamborghinis, Ferraris, McLarens, Porsches, Hypercars and more all in one place, this is the one car show you don't want to miss this year.

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

The Five Cars I Dream of Having in My Garage

If you ask a car enthusiast, “what’s your favorite car?” be prepared for a lengthy, nuanced, and dynamic conversation. It’s a disease for us enthusiasts and is one I am happily afflicted with.

A few weeks ago, the Everyday Driver writing crew got together and decided it would be fun to feature our “money no object” five-car dream garages. After a lot of back and forth, I've finally narrowed it down. There are a lot of cars I would love to own, but if I could only pick five, these would be it. I tried to diversify my garage, but as you'll see, it’s hard not to give in to old favorites.

So, here they are. Be sure to comment below if you have owned any of these and what your experience has been!

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

3 ways you can make good money selling your used car today

Your car is probably worth more right now than it has been in years, perhaps including when it was brand new. While that sounds crazy, there are a few good reasons for it.

Modern vehicles are full of computers and microchips that control everything from your car's stereo to your heated seats. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the world's largest microchip manufacturers shut down for long periods resulting in a severe and ongoing chip shortage struggling to keep up with demand across multiple industries.

Compounding the car market woes onset by the chip shortage, many consumers found themselves with more money in the last few years than they've ever had. Whether through government programs, market gains, or other means, car buying suddenly became accessible for many Americans.

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

A sneak peek at the new Bronco Raptor coming this summer

Of all the anticipated new cars of the last several years, Ford Bronco tops the list for a lot of people. The return of this iconic SUV has been a big deal among automotive enthusiasts and the general public alike. Everyone seems to want one — after receiving over 125,000 orders Ford temporarily paused reservations in an attempt to catch up.

But after what feels like countless delays, manufacturing problems and supply chain issues, Broncos are finally rolling off the assembly line and into customers' driveways. The verdict? Many media outlets report the Bronco as being an exceptional effort by Ford, right out the gate. It seems that the Ford Bronco has succeeded in offering legitimate competition in the off-road segment. And given the high demand at dealerships and on the ordering list, buyers are all-in on Bronco mania.

As cool as the new Bronco is (in all seven of its trim levels), Ford recently confirmed some exciting news: the arrival of the Bronco Raptor this summer.

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

Why Jeep had its best year ever in 2021

Last year was one of the best in Jeep's storied history. Celebrating 80 years in business, Jeep made sure to go big on its special anniversary with a record number of new product launches, including the 392 Wrangler, the 4xe Wrangler, the revamped Grand Cherokee and the reintroduced Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.

Recently, I sat in on a call with Scott Tallon, director of Jeep Brand Product Marketing of North America, where he discussed all the major updates to the Jeep brand and why Jeep's future is looking bright. Here's what he had to say about the brand's success.

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

Highlights from the 2022 Utah Auto Expo

This year's Utah Auto Expo was a car lover's dream. Over 350 vehicles were on display and it was a great opportunity to get my hands on some vehicles I had only read about online. After spending two days at the Expo, I can happily report that great things are happening in the automotive world, and that the market is only getting better.

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Jason Bell Jason Bell

Review: 2022 BMW X3 xDrive30i - Carrying on the legacy in unexpected ways.

When I was handed the keys to the new 2022 BMW X3 xDrive 30i, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It had been a while since I had driven a BMW, and I had heard whispers that BMW was becoming distanced from its “ultimate driving machine” mantra — even with some of its performance-focused “M” cars.

Admittedly, I was skeptical. If BMW had indeed lost their way, I had little hope of an exciting time with the ever-popular X3.

I’m not sure how those rumors align with the rest of BMW’s lineup, but I am happy to report that the refreshed for 2022 X3 is a fun-to-drive example of what BMW does best. If my 2005 E46 M3 had this transmission instead of its SMG, I would still have that car today. It’s just so zippy and smooth, the X3 was a great SUV to drive, no matter my mood.

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