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Knowing what vehicles cost to maintain, and not just purchase, is important because it helps give owners a better idea of the âbig pictureâ costs. Thatâs why the people over at Kelley Blue Book (KBB) calculate a total cost of ownership for each vehicle they analyze, looking at budget line items like repairs, gas, and insurance, and balancing them against resale value.Â
This year, big winners emerged from Toyota and its luxury spinoff Lexus, including the Corolla Hybrid, the UX, NX, and RX. Nissanâs Leaf took the crown in the EV category, while Subaruâs SUVs stood out amongst competition in that segment. Read the full coverage here for more details on this yearâs KBB lowest cost-to-own stats.Â
Dryden, ON, Canada / CKDR
May 5, 2021 6:46 AM
Loud aftermarket exhausts, lowered suspensions, and even tinted windows could spell trouble for you on your next insurance claim!
21-year old Ontario resident Modasir Ayobi learned the hard way! Leasing a 2020 Subaru BRZ, he installed an aftermarket exhaust that enhanced the sound of the little sports car. But unfortunately, as the story goes with most young drivers –
he got into an accident and when it came to making a claim for insurance purposes, the company refused.
While technically on a lease – meaning the car is to be returned after a set timeline, this isn’t exactly a new practice. Lot’s of people will modify their cars in small ways, returning things to stock when their time is up.
One young man learned a very expensive life lesson, which also meant losing his dream car: you always, without exception, have to read the fine print on contracts. Especially on your insurance papers, which may or may not specify the kind of modifications you can make to your car.
Welcome to Canada.
The Subaru BRZ was made to be modified. Subaru even encouraged owners to do so, resulting in a range of upgrades such as supercharged engines and suspension enhancements. But there s one thing the Japanese automaker didn t warn consumers about beforehand: insurance. Although it s not an automaker s job to do so, performing aftermarket modifications can impact insurance claims. A young BRZ owner from Ontario, Canada has just learned that the hard way.
According to Global News, 21-year-old Modasir Ayobi leased a 2020 BRZ but was recently involved in an accident. Unfortunately, the sports coupe was declared a total loss and Ayobi was found to be at fault for causing the crash.