Staff Writer
Car enthusiast and motorsport addict who has been building, breaking, and writing about cars for over a decade. Former track day instructor with a background in automotive engineering. When he is not reviewing sports cars or writing buyer's guides, he covers travel destinations and home improvement projects from firsthand experience.
19
Articles
55,750+
Words Written
5
Categories
U.S. News just named it America's #1 summer destination. Hotel rooms are up $100/night, ferry tickets hit $39, and even fudge costs more. Every cost for the 2026 season, with three budgets compared.
John Progar·12 min read
Real Estate & HomeCentral AC loses 20-30% of cooled air through duct leaks. Mini splits eliminate that waste entirely. Your ductwork condition is the only variable that matters in this decision.
John Progar·13 min read
Buying & OwnershipRebuilt title cars cost 20% to 40% less than clean title equivalents. The savings are real, but so are the insurance penalties, financing barriers, and title washing fraud that puts 1 in 325 used cars on the road with hidden damage.
John Progar·15 min read
Real Estate & HomeBuying a home costs 38-60% more per month than renting. Homeowners' net worth is $400K vs. $10,400 for renters. Both are true.
John Progar·9 min read
TravelA medical evacuation can cost $200,000. Your Chase Sapphire Reserve covers $2,500. Here's what you actually need.
John Progar·9 min read
Real Estate & HomeSolar costs dropped 70% in a decade. The federal credit expired Dec 31, 2025. The payback period grew by two years. The 25-year savings case didn't change.
John Progar·9 min read
Real Estate & HomeThe median home price is $420,000. Mortgage rates hover near 6.4%. The bank will lend you more than you should spend. Here's the real process.
John Progar·11 min read
Car Reviews & ComparisonsThe E46 M3 with the SMG II transmission is 30-40% cheaper than the manual, shifts faster than any human, and uses the exact same Getrag gearbox.
John Progar·12 min read
Car Reviews & ComparisonsThe BMW 318ti is a 2,734-pound E36-platform hatchback that BMW sold in the US from 1995 to 1999. It was rejected by purists on arrival.
John Progar·12 min read
Buying & OwnershipA rebuilt title means the car was declared a total loss by an insurance company and then repaired to pass a state safety inspection.
John Progar·9 min readTravelTuesday isn't the cheapest day anymore. Booking six months early costs you more, not less. And clearing your cookies does absolutely nothing.
John Progar·13 min read
Buying & OwnershipThe Mazda RX-8 is simultaneously the most rewarding and the most punishing sports car you can buy for under $15,000 in 2026.
John Progar·10 min read
Electric VehiclesThe federal tax credit is dead. Prices are falling anyway. Here's every EV worth your money right now.
John Progar·15 min read
TravelThe average all-inclusive resort costs $300-$400 per person per night in 2026. Whether the all-inclusive model saves you money depends entirely on how you eat, drink, and think about relaxation.
John Progar·14 min readTravelThe State Department says passport renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks. The actual door-to-door time is 8 to 10 weeks. And if you're traveling to Europe, your passport is effectively expired six months before the date printed on it.
John Progar·15 min read
TravelPreCheck costs $78. Global Entry costs $120 and includes PreCheck. If you ever leave the country, even once, the cheaper option is the more expensive one.
John Progar·14 min read
Buying & OwnershipFive websites. Five different prices. The spread between them can be $4,000 or more, and the one your dealer is using is almost certainly the lowest.
John Progar·11 min read
Car Reviews & ComparisonsSUVs now account for roughly 60% of all new vehicles sold in the United States. The average transaction price sits around $43,000. And yet most people shopping for one are agonizing over the wrong questions entirely.
John Progar·11 min read
Real Estate & HomeThe national average is $27,000, but that number is almost useless. A cosmetic refresh runs $10,000. A mid-range overhaul hits $40,000. A luxury gut renovation exceeds $100,000. The real question isn't how much a kitchen remodel costs. It's which dollars come back to you and which ones don't.
John Progar·9 min read