We didn’t have a manual car in my house growing up, so no one took the time to teach me. My grandpa knew how, but after a double-hip replacement he wasn’t able. My grandma couldn’t drive stick, and my mother couldn’t drive at all. None of my friends were willing to give me a car to learn on other than goofing around…

Back in high school, I always thought it was cool that the “PONTIAC” between the tail lights of my buddy’s Sunfire was lit up when the car was on.

I really liked the new more “rugged” look of the RAV4. Last year, we took a week-long trip to Tennessee and I rented a middle-trim model. It was...well, it was fine. And by “fine”, I mean it didn’t piss me off but did nothing to impress me either.

Gas mileage? Fine I guess. Ride and comfort? Eh, like the Corolla on…

I think the only large SUV playing in the same space as the Telluride, at least design-wise, is the new Grand Cherokee, but I dunno that it’s really that close. Also, you get that legendary brand quality (I know Hyundai/Kia are having their own reliability woes as well). The CX-9 exists but it’s not “manly” enough and…

I would normally be a “get the van” guy, myself having a ‘14 GC with about 137K miles. Yes, they haul a lot of stuff. But, the higher COG and long wheelbase makes them kinda terrible in the snow, even with good tires. Also, they’re not exactly efficient. Around town, I average 19-20 mpg. 22-23 mpg on the highway is…

“Give them both the new Prius face. Everyone loves the new Prius.”

Pontiac wanted this so bad. The G8 was pretty good, though:

Most luxury SUVs from the late ‘90s and early 2000s were temporary solutions. The first-gen Navigator, Escalade, and first-gen LX were all badge-engineered versions of more basic trucks with chrome grills and more leather. It wasn’t until their second generations that they differentiated themselves from their platform…

I often listen to YouTube videos while driving, usually some sort of news/education-oriented whatever or some sing-along kids stuff to keep the wee one entertained on the way to school. I’m not watching the screen - having YouTube Premium means my screen can be off and the audio still plays. However, I wonder if, say,…

If I’m brutally honest with myself, my dream commuter should be an EV, or even a plug-in hybrid of some kind. My daily drive is currently around 3 miles round trip...7-8 miles if I have to run to Walmart or McDonald’s before or after work. Soon, my commute will be roughly 32 miles round trip. Since I’m partial to…

The original Explorer was a half-step up in both size and features from the Blazer (and from the Ranger-based Bronco II - let’s not forget that Ford’s been down this road before). GM did eventually directly compete with the Explorer with the TrailBlazer. People also forget that the K-5 Blazer was ostensibly replaced…

Had a '99 Sable. Also not great seats. My buddy in college had a '98 ZX2 and I remember those seats.

The regular Focus also has terrible seats. I remember reading in car magazines when the last generation came out that they were bad. Driving a rental one from Ohio to South Carolina and back confirmed this (that and the DCT being rubbish).

Hard seats with adjustments. No suspension travel. Sloppy steering. No headroom if you’re over 3' 8". Feet catch on bumps.

As an Ohio resident, I can assure you that this is perfectly normal.

“Ope, watch out fer that big pothole over there, that’ll bend a rim fer sure.”

I visited Cleveland all the way back in 2010 and I was shocked at how empty the downtown was.

Much like Detroit, it’s a city built for a million people. And then they all left.

I could care less, except I’m ashamed that I didn’t realize the F-Type got a facelift all the way back in 2019.

Not a single part, but the proliferation of poorly-made “OEM QUALITY” or knock-off auto parts. Amazon is attractive to wrenchers on a budget because you can often get cheaper parts shipped to you in a couple of days.

Let’s say I’m driving an old but still reliable mid-2000s Corolla. There’s a horrible clunking coming…

Anything by Regular Car Reviews, but I recently discovered Jason Camissa on Hagerty Media.

Some of my favs:

I pull up to a local BP station. In my vehicle at the time (my old Taurus wagon), I have my 80-year-old grandmother in the front seat and my uncle was in the back. I don’t even remember where I was taking them, probably the bank or a payday loan place - it was a rough time for the family back then. I get out, pump…