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Head back to class with the best tech on wheels

Whether on four wheels or two, rolling back to campus this Fall is better with tech.

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Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Antuan Goodwin
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1 of 7 Josh Miller/CNET

Fiat 500, 500e, or 500 Abarth

Take your pick: The Fiat 500 is a perfect, parkable city car with plenty of space for people and things. The 500C and 500 Gucci offer a healthy doses of style. The turbocharged 500 Abarth is hot hatchback driving fun. The fully-electric 500e is one of the best zero-emissions rides this side of Tesla. There's a Fiat 500 for pretty much everyone.
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2 of 7 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Specialized Turbo electric-assist bicycle

Most of my college years were spent not in a car, but astride my trusty bicycle -- two wheels can be the best way to get around a crowded campus. Specialized brings the bike into the 21st century with an electric assist system that's fast and effortless while still retaining a natural feel.
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3 of 7 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

GoGroove SmartMini BT

For those looking to add smartphone audio and handsfree calling to practically any car's stereo, there's the GoGroove SmartMini BT. With FM transmission, Bluetooth, and a pair of analog audio connections, the SmartMini is the swiss army knife of car connectivity kits.
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4 of 7 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Sony MEX-GS600BT CD/Bluetooth car stereo

It crams USB connectivity, Bluetooth wireless tech, and improved audio into a single-slot car stereo, but the Sony MEX-GS600BT's most impressive trick is its ability to take over a connected smartphone, launching audio streaming and navigation apps without fiddling with the handset. Looking for something a bit simpler and a lot cheaper? Alpine's CDE-141 is an excellent car stereo replacement that can be had for well under $100.
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5 of 7 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Bracketron Mi-T Grip

Using a combination of a tacky suction cup material and a firm gripping arm, the Bracketron Mi-T Grip will hold most smartphones firmly to pretty much any solid surface. This is my current favorite in-car phone mount and one is semi-permanently installed in CNET's own test car.
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6 of 7 CNET

2013 Subaru BRZ

The tech's a little low, the dashboard's a little cheap, and it's a little light on power, but the 2013 Subaru BRZ is still an absolute treat: probably the most fun that you can have in a new car for under $25K. Alternatively, you can choose the mechanically identical Scion FR-S, if you really like orange paint, or the BMW 135is, if you've got money to blow.
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7 of 7 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Textbuster

Parents worried that all of these fast cars and tech will cause more trouble than good can get themselves a little something to put thier mind at ease. The Textbuster app and hardware combo locks teens' smartphones while driving to reduce distraction and improve safety.

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