Many States in the U.S. require two license plates, one of the front of the vehicle, and one on the rear. Some States, however, only require one. Wyoming is a two plate State, however, there are some exceptions. The law states;
(i) Conspicuously displayed and securely fastened to be plainly visible:
(A) One (1) on the front of the vehicle, excluding the following:
(I) Motorcycles;
(II) Multipurpose vehicles;
(III) Trailers, including house trailers;
(IV) Vehicles operated with demo, full use or manufacturer license plates issued pursuant to W.S. 31-26-226;
(V) Street rods registered pursuant to W.S. 31-26-226
(VI) Custom vehicles registered pursuant to W.S. 31-2-223;
(VII) Antique vehicles registered pursuant to W.S. 31-2-223;
(VIII) A motor vehicle which was originally manufactured without a bracket, device or other means to display and secure a front license plate.
31-2-227. Custom Vehicles.
(d) Upon receipt of an approved application and payment of the custom vehicle special license fee the vehicle shall be registered and special license fee the vehicle shall be registered and special license plates issued therefor. The department shall issue a special custom vehicle license plate of a size and design as prescribed by the department. The registration expires upon transfer of ownership of the vehicle or upon the department’s issuance of a new plate design. The department may promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of the section.
Vehicles with the following plates no longer require a front plate. WYDOT is still researching whether to issue only one (1) plate:
*Street Rod *Custom Vehicle *Pioneer or Antique
Vehicles that were “originally manufactured without a bracket, device or other means to display and secure a front license plate” no longer require a front plate.
Definitions
Antique. Any motor vehicle which is at least twenty-five (25) years old and owned solely as a collectors item.
Custom Vehicle. Any motor vehicle that is at least twenty-five (25) years old and of a model year after 1948, or was manufactured to resemble a vehicle at least twenty-five (25) years old and of a model year after 1948, and has been altered from the manufacturer’s original design, or has a body constructed from nonoriginal materials.
Street Rod. A motor vehicle that is a 1948 or older vehicle, or the vehicle was manufactured after 1948 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949, and has been altered from the manufacturer’s original design, or has a body constructed from nonoriginal materials.1
Comparing the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas to the 2018 Toyota Highlander.
One of our readers from near Casper, Wyoming is considering trading her GMC Acadia. She is considering the Volkswagen Atlas and the Toyota Highlander.
Having children aged of 7 and 2, a third-row is handy to have. Living on a ranch, where roads aren’t necessarily plowed in the winter, 4WD or AWD is necessary. Ground clearance is also something to consider.
She also travels a fair distance into the town of Casper almost every day, so gas mileage is important also.
Here’s a breakdown of the VW Atlas vs Toyota Highlander.
Toyota Highlander Photo: Toyota
Volkswagen Atlas Photo: VW
VW Atlas Vs Toyota Highlander for safety
Both 2018 vehicles achieve an overall 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA (Nation Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
Here are the details below. The results are identical.
The Toyota Highlander features a lot of the latest safety technology as standard on all Highlander trim levels. It’s called T-SS P which stands for Toyota Safety Sense™. Features include;
Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)
Auto High Beams (AHB)
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
STAR Safety System™ includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control
Traction Control
Anti-lock braking system
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
Brake Assist
Smart Stop Technology
Downhill Assist Control
Safety Connect (Emergency Assistance). Available by subscription on Limited and Platinum trim lines.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas safety features
All trim lines of the Atlas get Electronic Stability Control and (class-exclusive) Post-Collision Braking.
Available driver assist systems (depending on trim line) include;
Forward Collision Warning
Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist)
Adaptive Cruise Control
Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Traffic Alert
Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist)
Front and rear Park Distance Control with Maneuver braking
Parking Steering Assist
High Beam Control
Overhead view camera
CarNet
Toyota Highlander, Photo: Toyota
VW Atlas , Photo: VW
Fuel Economy VW Atlas Vs Toyota Highlander
Looking at the AWD versions of the Toyota Highlander and Volkswagen Atlas. These are the EPA estimates for fuel economy.
Fuel Economy
Atlas (3.6L V6)
Highlander (3.5L V6)
City- mpg
17
20
Highway- mpg
23
26
Combined - mpg
19
22
According to the EPA, this equates to about $50 more a year (based on 15,000 miles a year) to fuel the Atlas.
The Highlander is smaller than the Atlas, thus better acceleration and better fuel economy.
Seating and space
Atlas with Shetland V-Tex Leatherette Interior
Shetland V-Tex Leatherette Interior and Bench seat 2nd Row
Titan Black Leatherette Interior. 3rd row seats
2nd row folds forward without the need to remove carseat
Captains chairs
VW Atlas seat configuration allows 3-rows with a middle row that can either be a bench (3 people) seat or captain’s chairs (2 people). Third row seating is 2 seats, making oom for 6 or 7 people in total.
Toyota’s Highlander seat configuration is 3 rows that with captain’s chair’s in the second-row seats up to 7. With a bench seat in the middle Toyota say it will seat up to 8 people, with 3 people in the second and third rows.
Although the Atlas has one less seat in the third row, it does have more space.
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
42.3
55.5
Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
83.7
96.8
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
13.8
20.6
Toyota Highlander Interior Front Seat with Black Leather
Interior 2nd row captains chairs in Black Leather
2nd row folding
Reclining seats in 3rd row
Folding 3rd row
Folding all seats
Ground clearance
Both the Toyota Highlander and VW Atlas have the same ground clearance at 8″.
Infotainment
Highlander
Atlas
The Atlas base model gets a 6.5″ screen but the rest of the lineup gets the 8″ touchscreen. All trim levels get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so smartphone integration is easy (literally plug and play).
CarPlay allows access to apps such as navigation, phone and messaging right on the color touch screen in the center console.
Highlander’s, however, do not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (yet). Base models gets a 6.1″ touchscreen and the rest an 8″ touchscreen. It does have Toyota’s version which is called Entune. Entune allows Bluetooth and audio streaming.
Scout GPS Link allows users to project a navigation map from a smartphone to the screen. Wi-Fi is also not an option (yet).
Warranty and Dependability
Toyota’s warranty on the Highlander is much the same as most vehicle warranties. It’s a 3 year / 36 000 mile basic warranty and a 5 year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Toyota has a good reputation for producing reliable vehicles.
Current model Highlander’s have been around for quite some time. Volkswagen, however, offers a 6 year/ 72, 000 mile basic and powertrain warranty on the Atlas. As far as dependability goes, the Atlas is too new to really know how reliable it will be.
Price
As far as price goes when comparing MSRP’s, the Volkswagen base model Atlas S (assuming the AWD version with the V6) is just under $600 cheaper than the base Toyota Highlander LE AWD.
As you climb higher in trim levels, the Atlas becomes a little more expensive than the Highlander. Of course, this is just looking at trim levels and does not take into consideration any rebates or incentives. Talk with your preferred Toyota or Volkswagen dealer directly about pricing info.
VW Atlas Vs Toyota Highlander, which one?
These are very comparable vehicles so ultimately, it’s worth driving both of them to see which one you prefer.
Is there a feature that makes one of these two SUV’s a clear winner for you? Let us know in the comments below.
When your temporary registration is about to expire, or it’s time to go pay sales tax and get plates/tags, you’ll be heading to your local county clerks office,
If you’ve recently purchased a vehicle and walk into the county clerks office to get plates, you may be thinking of a modified Teddy Bear Picnic song, “If you go down to the county clerks today, you’re sure of a big surprise. If you go down to the county clerks today, the fees will water your eyes”. Fret not, this article will help you calculate the fees before you go to the office so there’s no surprise.
Sales tax
The sales tax will be collected at the county clerks office when you go to get plates. The amount of sales tax you’ll pay will be determined by 3 factors; Factory cost (not blue book) of the vehicle purchased (MSRP), whether you traded a vehicle and the county tax rate of where you live. So for example, if you live in Natrona County, this would be 5%. If you live in Carbon county it would be 6%. County tax rates can be found here.
The factory cost is the amount determined by the vehicle manufacturer, it’s not the amount you paid the dealership or financed. This figure can be found on the vehicle title or a previous years registration.
If you trade a vehicle, your sales tax amount is the difference between the factory cost of the new vehicle and the trade allowance offered by the dealer.
Example:
With No Trade
Vehicle factory cost is $30,000,
You live in Natrona County (5% sales tax),
Sales tax for vehicle is = $1,500.00.
With Trade
Vehicle Factory cost is $30,000
You live in Natrona County (5% sales tax),
Trade allowance is $10,000,
$30,000- $10,000 = $20,000,
Sales tax for vehicle is 5% of $20,000 which = $1,000.
Registration Fees
County Fee
This figure is a little more complex. It is determined by vehicle FACTORY COST (found on title), and vehicle years of service (ie. how many years the vehicle has been registered for use), then multiplied by 0.03.
The year of service rate is calculated like the following;
Factory cost X years of service rate X 0.03 = county fee
Therefore, if a vehicle with a factory cost of $30,000 registered in it’s 2nd year, the calculation would be;
$30,000 X 50% X 0.03 = $450
State Fee
The State fee is $30 for cars (went up from $15.00 on July 1st, 2017). For trucks, it’s based on gross vehicle weight up to a maximum of $90 for over 6,001lbs. Commercial vehicle state fees are also calculated based on weight.
For the 2019 model year, the Chevy Silverado pickup truck will be an all-new design. Also new for new for Chevrolet will be the introduction of a diesel engine option for the 1/2 ton truck.
Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing, and Supply Chain. “It has a longer wheelbase, more passenger and cargo volume, and yet, thanks to our mixed materials strategy and mass reduction expertise, the new truck is 450 pounds lighter than the current model.”
The wheelbase is up to 3.9 “long, making the overall length of the truck 1.6” longer. This, in turn, means more cargo room and more passenger room. The short-box will have 63 cu. ft of cargo volume. Chevrolet says this is, “…up to 20 percent more than a competitor’s short-box”. They go on to mention that this means a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood will fit flat in the cargo floor. Storage bins will be offered to fit over the wheel wheels, for a more organized space.
Chevy says they have managed to shed 450lbs off the weight of the truck (on V-8 Crew cab models). The weight savings, they say, come from using a variety of mixed materials and a different manufacturing process. Doors, the hood, and tailgate are now all aluminum. Steel is used for the fenders roof and bed. The upper control arms on the front suspension will be forged aluminum.
Engine and transmission choices
5.3 liter V-8
6.2 liter V-8 with 10-speed automatic transmission
All new Duramax 3.0 liter diesel with 10-speed automatic transmission
Exterior features
Power up/down tailgate (activated from key fob, from interior button or by hand)
Larger bumper corner step to accommodate steel-toe boots
12 fixed tie downs in the bed (9 of them movable)
CHEVROLET stamped on tailgate
Duel exhuast
33″ tires
Camaro inspired hood
Interior features
The all-new 2019 Silverado High Country interior. Photo: GM
Crew cabs have 3″ more rear-seat leg room (up to 43.8″ rear legroom total)
10-liter storage bins in the back
24-liter under seat storage tray
Continuing to offer 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Apple Car Play, and Android Auto
Wireless phone charging
More trim levels are added to accommodate for various uses and functionality without comprise. Base trim line model will be the Work Truck, followed by Custom then the Custom Trail Boss. The Custom Traill Boss will be the Custom but with added off-road equipment, such as a 2″ lift, Z71 off-road package, locking rear differential, Rancho shocks, skid plates and Duratrac tires.
The all-new 2019 Silverado Custom Trailboss (new trim for 2019) adds off-road equipment to the Custom, including a 2-inch suspension lift and the Z71 Off-Road Package with a locking rear differential, skid plates, Rancho shocks, 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires. Photo: GM
Middle of line trim levels will be the LT, RST and LT Trail Boss. RST will be the street-performance styled truck and the LT Trail Boss will have the off-road package.
The all-new 2019 LT Trailboss (new trim for 2019) adds off-road equipment to the LT, including a 2-inch suspension lift and the Z71 Off-Road Package, including locking rear differential, skid plates, Rancho shocks, 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires. Photo: GM
Top end trim lines stay with the same names. The LTZ, and High County.
Sponsored the Banff Mountain Film Festival this year in Sheridan, Wyoming. Sheridan Wyoming is just one of many stops in the Banff Mountain Festival World Tour. Banff is a mountain town in the beautiful Rockies of Alberta, Canada where the film festival originated. It seems a fitting partnership given the rugged, adventurous free spirt natures of vehicles such as the RAV4, Tacoma and 4Runner. Fremont Toyota in Sheridan have sponsored the event for a number of years. Staff from the store were also present at the event with giveaways (Clif Bars) and had drawings to win North Face outer gear and Petzl headlamps.
Automotive Performance Research (APR) is a highly regarded tuning and performance company. They are specialists in German marques such as Volkswagen, Auto, Porsche and even the Italian Lamborghini’s. Founded in 1997, their mission is to provide the highest quality and most highly engineered aftermarket performance products
Performance tuning now available in Casper, WY
The only APR performance shop in Wyoming, Fremont Motors in Casper can now tune Volkswagen vehicles (Audi, Porsche or Lambo!) Not just limited to Golf GTI’s or Golf R’s though, Passat’s, Jetta’s and more can also be tuned. Increasing horsepower can be done by adding performance parts and software mapping.
Check out this video of the carbon fiber air intake getting fitted. Parts manager Jeff Bugher also tells us a little about APR and Colbey Day shows us his Stage 2 Golf R.
Various packages (stages of tuning) are available, from a basic stage 1 tune to a full race ready stage 3 tune. A stage 1 tune with an APR plus package will also include a warranty. Finding a warranty for performance tuned cars is not something that should be taken lightly. Typically adding aftermarket parts or reprogramming the computer in your vehicle would normally void any warranty.
Colbey Day’s Golf R
Colbey Day’s Golf R
Fremont Volkswagen salesman, Colbey Day recently had stage 2 work done on his Golf R. Parts included an air intake, downpipe, exhaust and software remap. This took his car from 292 hp to around 360 hp. He says the car is transformed and now much faster and better. Although it doesn’t stop at that, as anyone with the ‘tuning bug’ will know, there’s always more to do. The exhaust ‘cackle’ is enough to make any enthusiast grin like a kid in a candy store.
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