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| November 25, 2024 11-25-24 11-25-24 |
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| November 18, 2024 Worst Rental Car, Honda Prologue EV, Best and Worst Cities to Drive In Jill is back in studio this week. The hosts opened the show discussing Jill's recent travels, and noting that she had driven the all-new Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric minivan to the studio. A full review of that vehicle is due in a week or two. Tom shared an interesting experience. A fellow health-club member of Tom's sought him out to share her terrible rental-car story. She had been upgraded to a surprising crossover which she found entirely unsatisfactory. Jill reviewed the new Honda Prologue EV crossover. The Prologue is showing surprising early sales. Jill explains why. In the second segment Jill and Tom are joined by Chip Lupo of WalletHub. Chip shared details of WalletHub's recent 2024 Best & Worst cities to Drive in study. The study included data not only on traffic congestion, but vehicle operating costs and commute times as well. Chicago and Detroit, we have bad news for you. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "More Car Sales!" quiz, which focused on the first three quarters of 2024. Finally, Tom lamented the likely discontinuation of the federal EV tax credit, and briefly discussed the possible ramifications of the move. Jill and Tom also discussed recently released pricing for the new 2025 Cadillac Vistiq 3-row crossover. |
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| November 11, 2024 Jeep Lowers Prices, Cadillac Axes XT4, American Motors Went Big in 1965 Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed fills in for Jill this week. The hosts opened the show taking note of Cadillac’s decision to end production of the XT4 compact crossover. What is General Motors building in its Fairfax assembly facility instead? Listen in. Paul and Tom turned their attention to Jeep's 2025 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer price cuts. Both hosts agree that Jeep's big SUVs, launched for 2022, are fine vehicles, but were overpriced relative to the competition. Listen in for details. Paul talked about a new Sons of Speed video, this one comparing two Hyundais: The Ioniq 5 N, and Elantra N. Both vehicles were evaluated at GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, Michigan. In the second segment, Paul and Tom welcome Don Sikora of Collectible Automobile magazine to the podcast. Don walked the hosts through the contents of the December issue, and focused on an interesting look at the American Motors cars of 1965. Don also talked about the early Eighties Chevrolet Monte Carlo. In the last segment Paul is subjected to Tom's "Which Sold Better?" quiz. Paul also talked about the challenges and rewards of producing a local Cars & Coffee weekend car meet. |
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| November 04, 2024 Ram 1500 RHO, Carvel Ice Cream, Leasing an Electric Car Jill and Tom opened the show talking about EV range and Jill's recent trip from Chicago to Indianapolis in an electric test car with only about 200 miles of promised range. Listen in on her story. The hosts acknowledged a couple of friends-of-the-podcast birthdays, and discussed how cheap gas has become locally and nationally. Tom shared a tribute to his dad, who died about a week ago. It's a funny story about pouring a milk shake out the window of his father’s shake-colored 1970 Nova. Tom went on to complain about Land Rover’s trim-level naming strategy, which is, indeed, rather confusing. Still in the first segment, Jill shared her impressions of the new Ram 1500 RHO, which more-or-less replaces the TRX in the big-truck lineup. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome John Vincent of U.S. New to the show. John walked the hosts through the pros and cons of leasing, and why it makes sense for EV shoppers especially to consider leasing. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom’s "America or Someplace Else" quiz. The quiz includes a question about fake Halloween Hallmark movies. Can you pick the fake? |
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| October 28, 2024 Porsche Macan EV, VW Rolls Out Scout Brand, Serious Car-Care Products Jill and Tom opened this week’s show discussing the all-new 2025 Porsche Macan EV, an electric version of the maker’s popular Macan small crossover. The new electric Macan is offered in four trim levels and starts around $75,000. Still in the first segment, the hosts discussed the media launch of Volkswagen’s all-new electric-truck brand Scout. VW will launch the brand with a pair of EVs, including a crossover and pickup truck, both of which are closer in size to full-size vehicles, including the Ford Expedition and F-150. Volkswagen also plans to employ a controversial "direct-to-consumer" sales model which will certainly raise the ire of U.S.-market VW dealers. In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome James Melfi of Xpel car-care products. James shared the purchase and application details of several products, including window tinting, and ceramic paint coating. Learn more at Xpel.com. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Buick vs. The Beatles" quiz. We also learn that Jill may have a flat tire. |
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| October 21, 2024 Buick Envista Surprises, EV Registrations, Best Used Cars Jill is back in the studio this week, and opened the show by recapping her Rebelle Rally exploits. Visit the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page for a link to pics from her trip. Tom shared august electric vehicle sales as reported by S & P Global Mobility. While Tesla still dominates the list, a few new vehicles are doing better than expected. Jill and Tom discussed the coming Ferrari F80 hyper car. Not only is the price breath taking, the car's engine is proving controversial. Still in the first segment, Tom shared his impressions of the Buick Envista small crossover. Is this bargain Buick too good to be true? Listen in. In the second segment, the hosts welcome Alex Knizek of Consumer Reports to the show. Alex walked Jill and Tom through the organization's list of most-reliable used-car brands, and called out several models as especially good used-car picks. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Was it a Cadillac?" quiz, the hosts talk about Tesla slashing Cybertruck prices, and Tom shares a disturbing McDonald's drive-thru story. |
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| October 14, 2024 Pickup Truck Sales, Thoughts on the Tesla Robo Taxi, Chatting with EV Startup TELO Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill again this week. Jill returns for the next episode. Paul and Tom opened the show discussing large pickup-truck sales. Tom had heard that the Chevrolet Silverado was outselling the Ford F-150 this year, which was inaccurate. Tom went down the list of the top pickup sellers in the third quarter. The hosts also noted General Motors' decision to drop the Ultium brand in relation to its electric-vehicle products. Ultium had been used by the maker to describe both vehicle architecture and battery chemistry. Listen in for a complete analysis. Paul and Tom went on to summarize Tesla’s Robo Taxi reveal. The autonomous EV, intended initially for commercial ride-hailing use, features scissor-style doors, just two seats, and will not be equipped with a steering wheel or floor pedals. The hosts are skeptical. Tesla anticipates the Robo Taxi being available to users before 2027. Paul then talked about a Sons of Speed "The Lap" video, this one featuring the Subaru BRZ. Paul noted that even though the little Subaru isn’t especially powerful, it is fun to drive in the right hands. In the second segment, Paul and Tom are joined by TELO CEO Jason Marks. Jason introduced the hosts to TELO, and its initial product, a pickup truck with the footprint of a Mini Cooper. Jason laid out near- and midterm plans for the TELO, including production and battery sourcing, as well as distribution. In the last segment, Paul is subjected to Tom's "Which Died Last?" quiz. To wrap up the episode, Paul shared some thoughts on the Subaru WRX, which he and fellow Sons of Speed editor Brendan Appel spent time with on the track. |
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| October 07, 2024 Stellantis and Renault Merger Rumor, Ioniq 5 N on the Track, Driving the Bentley Continental GT Speed Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this Week. Paul and Tom opened a topic-packed first segment discussing the coming off-road ready Ford Explorer Tremor. That conversation was followed up by news that Kia vehicles were recently compromised by a group of white-hat hackers, using the maker’s app. More on this story as news is released. Still in the first segment, Paul recounted the events surrounding his and fellow Sons of Speed editor Brendan Appel's efforts to drive an all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 N from the Chicago area to the Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI. The tale includes not only charging issues, but track woes as well. In the second segment Paul and Tom are joined by Robert Duffer, Senior Editor at the Car Connection. Robert recently spent time with both the redesigned Bentley Continental GT Speed and the Kia Carnival Hybrid minivan. Robert also shared his impressions of the legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed. In the last segment Paul and Robert are subjected to Tom's "Touring, Limited, or Platinum?" quiz. Paul wrapped up the show by sharing his impressions of the Ford Bronco driven in serious off-road conditions. |
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| September 30, 2024 Legendary Mercedes Designer Passes, Buick Enclave Impresses, Buyers Pick Their Favorite Car Features Jill and Tom opened the show quickly covering a number of topics, including the death of legendary Mercedes-Benz designer Bruno Sacco, the folding of General Motors' electric commercial-van unit into Chevrolet, and Tom’s weekend long-trip drive in the electric Subaru Solterra small crossover. Still in the first segment, Jill shared her take on the redesigned-for-2025 Buick Enclave large, 3-row crossover. The near-luxury crossover impresses for its quietness and general refinement, but not everything is perfect. Listen in for complete details. In the second segment the hosts are joined by Robby DeGraff of AutoPacific. Robby shared details of the research firm's 2024 Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS). This year’s list of the ten most-wanted car features is full of surprises. Listen in to hear the complete list. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s "Top Trim Level!" quiz, and Jill talks a little about the difficulties of driving through sand—this in advance of her participation in the Rebelle Rally. |
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| September 23, 2024 Patriotic Car Brands, Electric Fiat 500, Sam Fiorani on Hot Auto Topics Jill and Tom opened the episode talking a little about the Detroit Auto Show which opens this week. The hosts will have complete coverage of the event next week. Tom complained a little about the Infiniti QX50 premium compact crossover. Though Tom generally likes the vehicle, he is annoyed that its much-promoted high-tech VC-Turbo engine has not imbued the crossover with either standout power, or impressive fuel economy. Jill and Tom went on to review the 2023 Nissan Ariya compact electric crossover which both hosts basically love. Jill is annoyed that Nissan has done little to promote the vehicle, which Tom suggests is part of the plan, and that Nissan may not yet be ready to deliver the Ariya in serious volume, and that stepped-up advertising is on hold for now. The duo welcome Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show in the second segment. Ken walked Tom and Jill through the adoption of ChatGPT by automotive dealers, and how the technology can be used, and misused, in that application. In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s "Fun Car Engine" quiz. Jill and Tom wrapped up the show discussing the all-new Alfa Romeo Tonale small crossover, which Jill is driving this week. |
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| September 16, 2024 Car of the Year Qualifiers, Jamie Butters on Future Product, Driving the Volvo EX90 Jill and Tom opened the show addressing a couple of future topics: Federal incentives for used electric vehicles, and the number of Chinese-built models sold in Mexico by Chevrolet. Next, Tom apologized to Sam Fiorani for making yet another model-year mistake. Tom also shared his preliminary take on the updated-for-2025 Ford Explorer midsize crossover. Still in the first segment, Jill shared news regarding her new ride for this year’s Rebelle Rally, and walked listeners through the list of vehicles eligible for the 2025 North American Car of the Year awards. The list is crowded; listen in for details. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Jamie Butters, Executive Editor of Automotive News to the show. After sharing his take on the recently announced, but as yet undefined, General Motors and Hyundai cooperative effort, Jamie shared insights from AN's Future Product Pipeline series. Jamie also shared his thoughts on the future of the Jaguar brand in the U.S. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Stellantis!" quiz. Jill also wrapped up this week's show with her review of the new all-electric Volvo EX90 midsize electric crossover. |
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| September 09, 2024 Bad Convertible, Exotic Lexus, Catching up with Radio Guy Steve Cochran Sitting in for Jill this week is Tom's friend, engineer and car guy David Piluski. Dave and Tom opened the show addressing a mistake Tom made—called out by Tom's mother—last week. Tom misidentified the longtime singer of the classic "See the U.S.A. in Your Chevrolet" ad/song as Doris Day, though as noted by his mom, the song was sung by Dinah Shore. Listen in to hear a clip of the song. Dave and Tom addressed a second error from last week, this one called out by listener Celio. Dave went on to share a story about how a rental Dodge Shadow Convertible—back in the early Nineties—suffered from so much body flex that the doors would not close on a gentle incline. Still in the first segment, Tom shared his impressions of the all-new—and surprisingly luxurious—Mazda CX-70 2-row midsize crossover. Tom also reviewed the exotic-looking Lexus LC 500 Convertible. Tom is baffled that the car does not sell better. Listen in for the full review. In the second segment, Dave and Tom are joined by comic, podcaster, and legendary Chicago radio host Steve Cochran. Steve talked about his podcast, and then shared stories about his first cars and learning to drive. Learn why Steve once gave away a car he owned at a radio-station promotional event. In the last segment Dave is subjected to Tom’s "1983!" quiz. To wrap up the show, Dave shared news regarding a California bill (SB961) now before Governor Gavin Newsom, which would require cars to alert drivers when the speed limit was being exceeded by more than 10 mph. Dave also talked about his own podcast. |
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| September 02, 2024 Mercedes GLC 43 "Coupe" Review, Chatting with Rivian, Porsche Price Quiz Jill and Tom are Joined in-studio by Brendan Appel this week. In the first segment Jill and Brendan respond to Tom's impressions of the updated Genesis GV80 midsize crossover. The trio also discussed the pending engine-replacement recall facing owners of all 2022 and 2023 Toyota Tundras. The recall is reportedly going to require up to 24 hours of labor per vehicle. Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the 2024 AMG Mercedes-Benz GLC 43 Coupe. Jill was generally impressed by the "coupe" version of Mercedes' compact crossover. Listen in for her complete take. In the second segment, the hosts welcome Mikhael Farah of Rivian to the program. Mikhael walked the crew through a number of news items, including Volkswagen's investment in Rivan, coming small and subcompact Rivian crossovers, and the updated-for-2025 R1S and R1T models, which are on sale now. In the third segment, Jill and Brendan are subjected to Tom's "Porsche Price" quiz. |
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| August 26, 2024 Canyon AT4X, Mustang Dark Horse on the Track, Fake Pontiac Quiz Jill and Tom opened the show covering a couple of news stories, including how Mazda used substantial incentives to boost recent U.S.-market sales performance, and a how Volvo is extending its embargo of drive impressions of the 2025 EX90 electric midsize crossover, pushing back Jill's official review. Still in the first segment Jill shared her impressions of the GMC Cayon midsize pickup truck in off-road-ready AT4X trim and equipped with the extreme AEV package. Though generally impressed, Jill shared a number of concerns regarding use of the Canyon as a daily driver, especially in urban environments. In the second segment the hosts are joined by friend Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed. Brendan shared highlights of a couple of videos recently produced by the Sons, including a new addition to the outlet’s "The Lap" series featuring a Ford Mustang Dark Horse lapping Road America. Brendan shared his thoughts on the Mustang, and the car's position in history, and it's uncertain future. Brendan opted to join Jill for Tom’s "Was it a Pontiac?" quiz. Brendan wrapped up the show sharing a few thoughts on electric muscle cars, and the future of Dodge performance vehicles. |
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| August 19, 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport, Lower Jeep Prices, The Magic Behind Jeep Colors 08-19-24 |
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| August 12, 2024 Fewer GMC Terrains, Genesis Coupe Crossover, Los Angeles Auto Show Preview 08-12-24 |
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| August 05, 2024 Mazda Rebounds, Freshened Explorer Impresses, Ford Chicago Assembly Turns 100 08-05-24 |
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| July 29, 2024 New Corvette ZR1, 2025 Infiniti QX80, Remembering the Impala SS 07-29-24 |
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| July 22, 2024 Jeeps Hot Model, Acura TLX Review, EV Sales in the Second Half 07-22-24 |
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| July 15, 2024 Jaguar Gives Up, Driving the New Acura MDX, Cars.com's American Made Index Jill and Tom are both in studio this week. The conversation opened with a summary of cars being dropped by Jaguar and Nissan in the near future. Effective almost immediately, Jaguar is dropping all but one model from its lineup. Listen in for the full list. Likewise, Nissan is dropping two of its three remaining U.S.-market sedans from its showrooms beginning next year. In other news, the hosts discussed IONNA--the carmaker-backed charging network with stations going live later this year--and the addition of Toyota to the roster car companies supporting the program. Still in the first segment, Jill shared her impressions of the updated-for-2025 Acura MDX premium midsize crossover. In the second segment, Jill and Tom welcome Patrick Masterson of Cars.com to the show. Patrick walked the hosts through Car's 2024 American Made Index. This list is--again--full of surprises. How American is the new car you're looking at? Listen in for details. In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Is it a Chrysler" quiz. |
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| July 08, 2024 EV Sales Improve, All about the Toyota Crown Signia, Driving the Lexus UX Jill and Tom opened the episode discussing the "Velocity Package" available for the Cadillac Lyriq. Available as an over-the-air software update (no dealer visit required), the package increases power and performance for $1200. Is it worth the money? Listen in. The hosts discussed the new, lower, price of a Fisker Ocean--just approved by a bankruptcy court. Second-quarter sales figures are coming in, and Jill and Tom shared a few highlights, including disappointing Jeep numbers, and surprisingly strong EV figures. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Toyota Product-Education Specialist Thomas Sondej to the show. Thomas updated the crew on the all-new Toyota Crown Signia, a wagon-like variant of the Crown sedan being added to the brand lineup for 2025. Per Thomas, the Crown Signia is due in showrooms shortly. In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Which Weighs More?" quiz. The Hosts wrapped up the show chatting about Jill's seat time in the freshened-for-2025 Lexus UX, the most-affordable vehicle in the luxury brand's lineup. |
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| July 01, 2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge, Tesla Sales Still Falling, Chinese Car Companies to Watch Jill and Tom are in-studio this week for a far-reaching number of topics. Tom quickly updated everyone on the CDK Global/dealership-hacking crisis, which will reportedly be resolved later this week. The hosts briefly discussed Tesla's second quarter of disappointing sales, this while overall EV sales are projected to rise. Still in the first segment, Jill and Tom chatted about the Rivian/Volkswagen deal, which sees Rivian infused with a quick $1 billion--with the promise of additional funding at later dates--and VW gaining access to Rivian's EV software architecture. In the second segment, Jill and Tom are joined by Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions. Sam updated the hosts on several of the most-prominent--and most threatening to Western automakers--Chinese carmakers. Sam's tutorial included makers BYD, Chery, Geely, and Great Wall. Sam warns that Western carmakers dismiss these up-and-coming global players at their own risk. In the last segment, Jill is subject to a spelling quiz, tasked with spelling model names including Avanti, Reatta, and Ciera. |
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| June 24, 2024 Dealer Hacking Nightmare, New Camry, Off-Roading in Luxury Jill and Tom are both in studio today. The hosts began the program discussing the week's big news, a malicious attack on the network of CDK Global, a dealership-services company which provides critical software support for roughly half of the nation's 30,000 new-car dealers. Down since last week, CDK has not, as of this recording, made public an estimated restoration time/date for the network. Jill shared her impressions of the new-for-2025 Toyota Camry. The nation's best-selling sedan features a number of surprises, including an all-hybrid powertrain lineup. Still in the first segment, Jill and Tom discussed a potential consumer worry point: COVID Cars. Cars which were built during the auto-industry COVID slowdown were often assembled minus key features, this to maintain production during the epidemic-related microchip shortage. Some of those cars are now returning to market, and may be missing certain equipment--which may affect value and desirability. How can consumers protect themselves? Listen in. In the second segment Jill and Tom are joined by freelance auto journalist and industry expert Ed Piotrowski. Ed spent some time behind wheel recently of some very-expensive, but surprisingly capable, luxury crossovers and SUVs. Listen in to get Ed's take on the vehicles, and the expanding movement to offer off-road-ready variants of popular midsize crossovers. Ed joined Jill for this week's "More Fake Trim Levels" quiz. Both contestants did well, but only one won. |
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| June 17, 2024 Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast Episode 225: Chevy Equinox EV, History of American Motors, New Discontinued-Models List Jill is back in studio this week, and recounted for Tom her recent travels and product evaluations. Tom went on to share what he has learned from a series of brief conversations with Amazon delivery drivers who have spent time with the Rivian EDV electric van; the feedback is interesting. Still in the first segment, the hosts discussed Jeep's recently announced $25,000 electric vehicle. To be called Renegade, the subcompact electric crossover is due to arrive for the 2027 model year. Jill then shared her impressions of the all-new Chevrolet Equinox EV compact electric crossover. Jill's take is mostly positive, though she has serious concerns regarding connectivity. Listen in to hear Jill discuss her issues. The Equinox EV starts at less than $30,000 once the federal tax credit is applied. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Joe Ligo, producer of The last Independent Automaker, a documentary about carmaker American Motors. Joe walked the hosts through the formation and early days of American Motors, as well as the maker's decision to produce its lineup of Eagle AWD vehicles. Listen in for details regarding the documentary's release day. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Under $60,000?" quiz, "featuring a bonus question about the Jackson Five. The hosts then quickly shared a list of a dozen cars that will soon be discontinued. |
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| June 10, 2024 Renting an EV, Virginia Backs Down, Why the Charging Infrastructure Program is Moving so Slowly Larry Nutson of The Auto Channel sits in for Jill this week. Larry and Tom opened the show discussing one of Tom's random X/Twitter polls, which included the option of owning a Fisker ocean. Listen in for details. Among the many first-segment topics covered by the hosts, Larry talked about renting an electric vehicle, a process he found generally pleasant and uneventful. Larry and Tom also discussed a recent decision by the Governor of the State of Virginia to back out of its agreement with the State of California to enact and maintain the latter state's zero-emissions vehicle rules and adoption targets. In the second segment, Larry shares an update on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program (NEVI), enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Responding to critics' complaints that the EV charging-infrastructure program is moving too slowly, Larry broke down the process by which individual states must develop plans and obtain federal approval to access funding. In the last segment, Larry is subjected to Tom's "Men of the Auto Industry" quiz. Do you know what the "P" in Walter P. Chrysler stands for? |
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| June 03, 2024 Welcome Kia EV9, Long-Term Tesla Model Y, Why Dealers Haven’t Embraced Electric Vehicles In for Jill this week is long-time friend of the Show Damon Bell of Cars.com. Damon and Tom opened the show talking about Car.com's long-term Tesla Model Y, and its replacement in the Cars fleet, the all-new 3-row Kia EV9 electric crossover. While the Model Y was generally reliable, small glitches compromised its overall appeal to the Cars staff; listen in for more details. As for the Kia, Damon is so far impressed. Cars will publish regular updates of the EV9's performance and utility. In the second segment, the hosts welcome CDK Global Director of Content Marketing Dave Thomas. Dave shared insights into dealer attitudes toward electric vehicles and EV marketing, and their optimism--or lack thereof--regarding the near- and mid-term success of carmaker EV programs. In the last segment Damon is subjected to Tom's "Is it a Lexus?" Quiz. |
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| May 27, 2024 $10,000 Electric Vehicles, Genesis GV80, American Readiness to Buy Chinese Cars Jill and Tom are both in studio this week. The conversation started with a brief acknowledgment of the IRS-approved federal mileage reimbursement rate. Is it still the same as the cost of a first-class stamp? The hosts went on to discuss the hyper-affordable Chinese-built BYD Seagull, a $10,000 electric car that could be on a journey to the American market. Jill and Tom also went on to discuss the current new-vehicle redesign cadence, which has grown very long for some vehicles, including the Toyota 4Runner. Jill also shared her take on the Genesis GV80 premium midsize crossover. In the second segment the hosts welcome Ed Kim, President and Chief Analyst at AutoPacific. Ed shared the results of a study recently conducted by his firm regarding American consumer attitudes towards Chinese vehicles. The results are surprising. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Fake Option Package" quiz. |
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| May 20, 2024 Volvo S90 Recharge, Defining A Super Car, Tesla Sales Slump Jill is out this week driving electric Chevys. In her place are both Sons of Speed, Paul Herrold and Brendan Appel. The conversation opened with Tom noting Jill's dismay regarding Chevy's decision to drop Apple CarPlay connectivity from coming EV products. Brendan echoed Jill's sentiment, noting that the move would likely alienate a certain number of consumers. Paul shared his take on the recent NHRA Nationals event at Route 66 Raceway in Elwood, Illinois. He described the sound--and the palpable engine pounding--that defines an NHRA event. Paul recommends making use of the free earplugs. Paul and Brendan discussed a new review video available on TikTok. The guys recently posted a quick overview of the Genesis G70 small sedan. Brendan applauded the car's excellent steering feel, among other virtues. Tom shared his impressions of the Volvo S90 Recharge plug-in hybrid sedan he recently reviewed. Tom's impressions are mostly favorable, but the car is far from perfect. Still, it looks great. In the second segment, the crew welcome Kirk Bell of Motor Authority to the show. Kirk shared his insights regarding the state of the super-car market, and what it is that defines a vehicle as a super car. Kirk also discussed his take on the electrification of high-performance vehicles. In the third segment, Paul and Brendan are subjected to Tom's "Still Stick?" quiz. The crew went on to discuss recent EV sales numbers, noting that though Tesla sales are in steep decline, the pioneering electric-car maker still dominates the North American market. That said, Ford's recent EV sales improvement should be recognized. |
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| May 13, 2024 New Subaru Forester, So Long Malibu, All About Nikola and Zero-Emissions Trucking Jill and Tom opened this week's show by bidding farewell to the Chevrolet Malibu. The long-running midsize model, available only as a sedan in recent years, is being discontinued by General Motors to make production space for an all-new Chevrolet Bolt EV. The hosts also expressed their confusion regarding Tesla's recent dismissal of the company's charging-network staff. Tom commented on a rumor that Tesla may be positioning the charging division for a possible spinoff. Still in the first segment, Jill shares her impressions of the updated Subaru Forester, which features freshened styling, upgraded cabin appointments, and improved connectivity. The 2025 Forester goes on sale soon. In the second segment the hosts welcome Christian Appel of Nikola to the program. The Global Head of Product and Programs at Nikola, Christian talked about the company's new hydrogen fueling stations, its current fuel-cell and electric trucks, and future plans for the zero-emissions vehicle manufacturer. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Is it a Pontiac?" quiz, and the hosts chatted briefly about the ongoing Nissan-product fire sale, which includes massive incentives on popular models. |
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| May 06, 2024 Stellantis Chinese Hookup, $10,000 Electric Cars, Electric Police Vehicles Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this week. The hosts opened the show talking about the Genesis G70 small sedan which Paul is currently evaluating. He is generally pleased with the vehicle, which is popularly considered an alternative to the BMW 3-Series. The hosts went on to discuss new--and needed--federal guidelines for Emergency Automatic Braking systems, which all vehicles will be required to be equipped with for the 2029 model year. There is currently a confusing array of systems offered, with varying degrees of functionality. Still in the first segment Tom had Paul guess which small crossovers were voted most popular in a recent series of Twitter/X polls. Listen in to hear how Paul did. In the second segment Paul and Tom welcome Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions back to the show. After talking about the recent uptick in hybrid sales, Sam explained the significance of a recent deal forged between Stellantis and Chinese EV start-up Leapmotors. Sam also explained why carmakers and trade wonks are so concerned about Chinese auto-related manufacturing in Mexico, and the potential impact of cars such as the $10,000 BYD Seagull on the U.S EV market. In the last segment Paul is subjected to Tom's "Fake Trim Level" quiz, after which the hosts discussed the new Chevrolet Blazer EV PPV police vehicle. |
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| April 29, 2024 Nissan Versa Review, Twitter EV Range Poll, Best Family and Electrified Vehicles Jill and Tom are in studio together this week. The hosts opened the show discussing a couple of polls Tom conducted on X. One poll asked folks to pick their favorite album for a long evening drive, while the other tested respondents willingness to pay for extra EV range. Still in the first segment, Jill shared her impressions of the very-affordable Nissan Versa small sedan. In the second segment Jill and Tom are joined by John Vincent, Senior Editor for Vehicle Testing with U.S. News and World Report. John discussed the organizations Best EV and Hybrid list, and Best Family Car list. John also shared his driving impressions of the Fisker Ocean crossover EV. In the third segment Jill and Tom reacquaint themselves with the Lexus NX lineup, which is comprised of a confusing array of alphanumeric trim levels, which neither host could completely remember. Jill was then subjected to Toms Regular or Premium Gas quiz. The hosts wrapped up the show discussing the demise of the Mini Cooper Clubman small wagon. |
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| April 22, 2024 Using Telsa FSD, Driving the Tesla Model Y, Why Tesla is No Longer a Luxury Brand Jill is back in studio this week. The hosts opened the show discussing hands-free driving systems, with Tom sharing impressions of both the Lincoln Blue Cruise 1.2 system found in the Nautilus he is evaluating this week, and the Tesla Full Self Driving (FSD) system as found in the Model Y small crossover. Tom also briefly reviewed the Tesla Model Y, which he was generally very impressed with. That said, Tom was surprised by how small the Model Y is--listen in for his complete summary. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Jamie Butters, Executive Editor of Automotive News, to the show. Jamie explained why the staff of Automotive News no longer considers Tesla a luxury brand. Jamie also shared his thoughts on the recent Tesla sales slowdown, and the UAW vote at Volkswagen's Chattanooga factory. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "EV Sales" quiz. Jill also discussed an unusual meal she enjoyed at Newark Liberty International Airport. |
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| April 15, 2024 Off-Road in the Toyota Tacoma, GM is Moving, Why Electric Vehicles Need Special Tires Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this week. The hosts covered a number of topics in the first segment, including the news that General Motors will be moving out of the Renaissance Center--which it has occupied since 1996--for a new building in Downtown Detroit. Brendan and Tom also discussed the origin of Alfa Romeo's Verde Montreal color, which turns out to be an homage to an historic brand offering. Still in the first segment, Tom lamented the challenge of dealing with "inherited music," a song which starts from the middle when the car is started. Brendan will restart a song if it is worthy, while Tom, as it turns out, always advances to the next song. Brendan went on to share his impressions of the new-for-2024 Toyota Tacoma, noting that even lower trim-level versions of Toyota's midsize pickup perform well in off-road driving. Brendan discussed the finer points of the redesign, including the move to a coil-spring rear suspension, and small turbocharged engines. In the second segment Brendan and Tom talk to the folks at Goodyear about electric-vehicle tires. Joining the crew are David Zanig, Goodyear's Senior Director of Tire Technology, and Brad Heim, Vice President for Product Development. Listen in to learn why EV tires are different from those found on conventional vehicles. In the last segment Brendan is subjected to Tom's "Which Sold Better" quiz. Brendan wrapped up the show discussing dash-cam use, and the terrible driving he witnessed on a recent road trip. |
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| April 08, 2024 Tesla Abandons $25,000 Model, Jill Drives the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Talking to the EVP of SUV Startup Ineos Jill and Tom talked briefly about the eclipse that was taking place during the recording of this week's episode. The conversation turned to the news that Tesla will not be producing the long-promised Model 2, a small electric vehicle with a base price of around $25,000. In other news, the hosts discussed the sudden decline in large pickup-truck sales, a thing which Jill believes is temporary, and not a harbinger of economic weakness. Jill shared her impressions of the 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, a vehicle which the hosts agree is best suited for performance-loving extroverts. Jill noted that the Stelvio is very fast, and that the Verde Montreal (green) color of her test car is not for the faint of heart. In the second segment Tom and Jill welcome Greg Clark, Vice President of Ineos Automotive of the Americas to the show. Greg talked about the Ineos Grenadier, an off-road SUV, which is now on sale in the States. The Grenadier was designed to be an homage to the original Land Rover Defender, and is built for severe rock-crawling activity. Greg talked about the process by which Ineos was able to bring a vehicle to market in less than three years. Greg also discussed the Ineos Quartermaster, a Grenadier-based pickup truck arriving in Ineos dealerships later this year. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Mitsubishi or Golf Club" quiz. Jill's quiz winning streak may be in jeopardy. After the Quiz Tom talked about the 2024 GMC Sierra AT4X he is currently driving. Tom is generally impressed, and had a few things to say about the diesel engine his truck is equipped with. |
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| April 01, 2024 Half-Price Fiskers, New York Auto Show Highlights, Never-Ending Auto Recalls Jill and Tom opened the show discussing the Fisker Ocean fire sale designed to raise quick capital for the fledgling EV carmaker. Fisker has cut the price on most Ocean models by as much as 40 percent, in a desperate bid to raise cash. Listen in for more details. Tom let Jill know that--despite not having driven stick in more than a yea--he has not stalled his test 2024 Ford Mustang GT, unless you count a single backing-up incident. Tom also shares his thoughts on Ford's latest pony car. Still in the first segment, the hosts recapped the news from the New York Auto Show. Highlights including news from Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and Nissan. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Andrew Collins of The Drive to the show. Andrew provides a primer on the automotive-recall process, and talked about the ongoing Takata airbag recall, including updates on that situation. In the third segment, Tom is--for the first time ever--subjected to Jill's April Fools Day-themed fake automotive-feature Quiz. Did Tom pass? Listen in. Jill wrapped up the show with a brief review of the Kia EV9 3-row electric crossover. |
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| March 25, 2024 Updated Ford Ranger, Redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, and Traveling with Cats and Dogs Jill and Tom opened a topic-packed show by acknowledging carmaker Fisker's grim fiscal situation. The once-promising EV start-up has broken off collaboration talks with Nissan, and seems doomed to enter bankruptcy. The hosts then chatted briefly about Cupra, a spin-off of Volkswagen's Spanish brand Seat. Talk is that the Cupra brand will come to the U.S. before the end of the decade with a duo of small crossovers and a small sports car. The vehicles will likely be produced by VW in the U.S. Still in the first segment, Jill shared quick reviews of the redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, and the updated Ford Ranger. In the second segment Jill and Tom are joined by pet expert and radio host Steve Dale (SteveDale.TV) to talk about traveling with cats and dogs. Steve shared plenty of information about taking your pet on a plane, or bringing it along for extended car rides. Steve also shared a few tips on how to get the most from airport lounge buffets. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Is it Real" fake-model quiz, after which Tom talked about his new review of the 2024 Subaru Outback Touring XT. Oh, and the quiz bonus question includes Uhura. |
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| March 18, 2024 Fisker Halts Production, 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, Premium Car Audio Systems Jill and Tom opened the episode by acknowledging that EV-startup Fisker is in dire financial straits, having recent halted production. In related EV news, the hosts discussed the announcement that Honda and Nissan are seeking avenues of cooperation to develop electric-vehicle technology, including platforms and software, but not final retail products. Tom quickly shared his thoughts on a pair of vehicles he recent evaluated, including the 2024 Land Rover Defender, and Volkswagen Taos. Jill shared her thoughts on the redesigned Lincoln Nautilus premium midsize crossover, including the vehicle's new door-to-door infotainment screen. Listen in for Jill's complete review. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome David Schneider of Harman International to the show. David walked the hosts through the portfolio of premium-audio brands the company manages, and what is involved in allowing a carmaker to use specific audio brands, including Bang & Olufsen, Harman Kardon, JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel. David explained how Harman works with manufacturers to produce in-car audio experiences appropriate to each Harman brand. In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Fake Concept Car" quiz, which includes a "fishy" bonus question. The hosts wrapped up the show discussing the Ram 1500 Classic, a previous generation Ram pickup truck still offered for sale a lower cost than the current-generation model. |
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| March 11, 2024 Rivian's Big Surprise, Sons of Speed Hit the Track, Surprisingly High-Value Nissan Sentra Tom and guest host Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed covered a number of topics this week. First, the hosts addressed the surprise Rivian reveal of not one, but two, small crossovers last week, both of which are scheduled to be built at the maker's existing Illinois facility. Both will be much more affordable than Rivian's current offerings. Also, the Chevrolet Blazer EV is back in production, this after a stop-sale was ordered by the brand as a result of software issues. Listen for details regarding the Blazer's return to production, and significant price cuts. Still in the first segment, Paul shared the scoop on a pair of excellent Sons of Speed-produced "The Lap" videos, one featuring a collectible Dodge Challenger, the other a rather rare--and high-performance--Mercedes-AMG product. In the second segment, the hosts welcome Randy Dale of Nissan to the program. Randy walked Tom and Paul through the updates to the 2024 Nissan Sentra, which Tom feels has become a far better vehicle--and a great value. In the last segment Paul is subjected to Tom's "Who Made More" quiz, which Tom expected Paul to fail. Did he? The hosts wrapped up the show covering a number of subjects, including the impressive interiors of Hyundai and Genesis cars and crossovers. |
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| March 04, 2024 Charging Fords at Tesla Stations, Honda Passport TrailSport Review, Driving the Aptera 3-Wheel Solar EV In a topic-packed first segment, Jill and Tom opened the show discussing the potential alliance between Nissan and EV startup Fisker. The Hookup would allow Nissan to build and retail a version of the struggling EV startup's coming Alaska midsize pickup. The hosts went on to discuss Ford's successful alliance with Tesla. The Ford Mustang Mach-E crossover and F-150 Lightning pickup can now be charged at any of Tesla's famously reliable Supercharger stations--an adapter, available from Ford, is required. To wrap up the first segment, Jill shared her impressions of the 2024 Honda Passport TrailSport. The off-road themed midsize crossover looks rugged, but is it refined enough for daily use? Listen in for Jill's complete review. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Robert Colangelo to the show. Founder of CEA technologies, and host of The Green Sense Show, Robert shared his experience behind the wheel of the Aptera, a 2-seat electric car featuring a 3-wheel design and solar charging. While the Aptera seems a little far out on the cutting edge, Robert is optimistic about its potential in the market place. In the last segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "5-speed, 6-speed, or 7-speed" quiz. How did Jill do? And, did Jill get the Arby's bonus question? |
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| February 26, 2024 Listeners' Favorite Model Names, 2025 Ram 1500 Deep Divev Tom opened the show by surprising Jill with a bonus recording-day treat: Funyuns. After determining that there is, in fact, very little actual onion in Funyuns, Tom and Jill turned their attention to automotive matters. Tom read through a list of listener-submitted favorite model names, including picks from regular contributors, among them Damon Bell, Sam Fiorani, and Brendan Appel. Jill then shared her impressions of the updated-for-2025 Ram 1500 pickup truck. Jill was generally impressed by the new truck, but had some reservations regarding the new $90,000 Tungsten trim level. In the second segment, Tim Esterdahl of Pickup Truck + SUV Talk joined the show to expand on the Ram 1500 conversation. Tim talked about Ram's move away from the popular Hemi V8 engine to the new Hurricane 6-cylinder powerplant. Tim believes most shoppers will be well served by the new Ram engine lineup. Listen in for complete details. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Turbo or No Turbo" quiz, which featured an Indian-food bonus question. |
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| February 19, 2024 Thoughts on the Cybertruck, Bargain EVs, Hyundai Ioniq 5 Review, Fun Model Names Jill and Tom are both in-studio today. Tom opened the podcast by thanking the producers of the Chicago Auto Show for their special efforts to make the event accessible to Tom and his bum knee. Tom shared his thoughts on the show, including several vehicles on display, among them the Tesla Cyber Truck, the Cadillac Escalade IQ, and the GMC Hummer. Jill and Tom also discussed recently announced pricing for a pair of coming EVs, the Chevrolet Equinox EV, and the Fiat 500E. The hosts then turned their attention to the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 small crossover Tom recently reviewed. No guest this week as Jill and Tom shared their thoughts on some of the best car model names of all time. Tom's list includes such classics as Toronado and El Dorado, while Jill vented regarding her dislike of alphanumeric car names. In the final segment Jill is subjected to Tom's crafty "3 or 4" quiz, which concludes with a bonus question about Korean corn dogs. |
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| February 12, 2024 Ionna Saves Public Charging, Best of the Chicago Auto Show, The Future of Jeep Packed episode today. Jill and Tom began with a brief Chicago Auto Show recap, news regarding Ionna--the multi-carmaker charging network created in response to the failure of public-charging companies including Electrify America--and Electrify America's new indoor charging facility in San Francisco. Jill also reviewed the 2024 Lexus GX 550, the replacement for one of Tom's favorite vehicles, the long-running Lexus GX 460. In the second segment the hosts welcomed to the show Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions. Same addressed the recent Stellantis/Renault merger rumor, and looked at the near- and mid-term future of the storied Jeep brand. Big changes coming for the off-road marque, including two electric vehicles for the U.S. In the third segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's diabolical "Is it a Chrysler" quiz. Did Jill's winning streak come to an end this week? Listen in to find out. Also, big thanks to Morkes Chocolate in Palatine, Illinois, for supplying today's Fat Tuesday paczki. |
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| February 05, 2024 2024 Consumer Guide Best Buys No guest this week as Jill and Tom run down the complete list of 2024 Consumer Guide Best Buy picks. The list includes 41 vehicles in 17 different categories. If you're thinking about buying a new car in the near future, this week's show is a must-listen-to episode. You can check out the entire 2024 Consumer Guide Best Buy list by clicking here. |
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| January 29, 2024 Chicago Auto Show Preview, Tesla Predictions, Best Cars for the Money Jill and Tom opened the show talking about the all-new Lexus GX 550 luxury midsize SUV arriving in showrooms later this year. Also in the first segment the hosts welcome Jennifer Morand of the Chicago Auto Show. Jennifer gave an update on the Chicago Show, which opens February 10th. Tom wrapped up the segment sharing his Tesla predictions for 2024. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome John Vincent of U.S. News and World Report. John walked the hosts through the outlet's "2024 Best Cars for the Money" list. It's noteworthy that three brands dominated the 11-vehicle list. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Was it ever..." fake-model quiz. Did Jill win again? After the quiz Jill shared her thoughts on new-car-feature subscription fees. Per Jill, while many of the features in question are currently available at no cost to owners, use will eventually be subject to monthly charges. And, interestingly, in many cases auto makers have not yet set pricing for said features. |
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| January 22, 2024 Cadillac Lyriq Review, Top Auto Innovations, Chevrolet Trailblazer Jill and Tom opened the show by welcoming new listeners. The last few episodes of the Car Stuff Podcast have been very popular. Tom expressed his disappointment that Jill had selected such a boring donut for today's episode. The hosts had stopped by Morkes Chocolate in Palatine, IL, together for donuts prior to the show. Tom discussed briefly his early but favorable impressions of the Chevrolet Trailblazer RS he is currently evaluating. Jill and Tom then reviewed Cadillac's first EV, the Cadillac Lyriq each had extended time with. Tom noted having "one and a half" issues with the car, but both hosts were generally very impressed. Listen in for the full review, including driving-range findings. In the second segment the hosts welcomed Stanley Horaczek of Popular Science to the show. Stanley walked the hosts through the site's new Top 5 Auto Trends for 2024 list. Jill is subjected to Tom's conceptually flawed "NOVAS" quiz in the third segment. Did Jill score on the Billy Joel bonus question? The hosts wrapped up the show talking about the placement of some EV charging stations in poorly lit locations. |
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| January 15, 2024 F-150 Tremor, Detroit Auto Show Moves Again, How EV Charging Station Locations are Chosen Jill is in studio this week. Jill opened the show sharing some sad news. Her father died over the holiday break. You can read Jill's tribute to her dad by clicking on the link in this week's podcast update post on the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook Page. Tom, who is driving a Cummins-diesel-powered Ram pickup this week, noted that he had forgotten about how diesel engines require some glow-plug warm-up time before starting in cold weather. Note that as the show was recorded, it was -12 degrees outside the TalkZone studio in Palatine, Illinois. The conversation turned to the Detroit Auto Show, which is returning to January for 2025. This after a three-year hiatus from that timeslot, and missing 2020 due to COVID-19. Jill shared her impressions of the 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor, a new trim level designed for off-road use. Jill spent considerable time behind the wheel of the truck, driving it from Chicago to Indianapolis during the holidays. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Jim Hurless, Global Real Estate Leader for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure at CBRE. Jim shared some fascinating insights as to how EV charging station locations are determined, how much it costs to install an EV charger, and what CBRE is doing about charger reliability. Great conversation. Jill is subjected to Tom's "Which Sold Better in 2023" quiz in the third segment. Jill also ruined Tom's round of guessing as to what a company called ZeroMold might do. Tom's guesses were better than the truth. |
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| January 08, 2024 Stellantis Pulls Out of Auto Shows, Misleading DriveTime Ads, Genesis Brand Deep Dive Tom and guest co-host Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed opened the show talking about a couple of new "The Lap" videos now posted on WeAreMotorDriven.com. The hosts then chatted briefly about the 2024 North American Car of the Year winners, which were revealed last week. Tom shared his concerns regarding misleading commercials being run by online used-car marketer DriveTime. Tom is specifically concerned about the company's assertion that users are able to negotiate the price of the vehicle they purchasing, which is not the case. Also addressed was the news that Stellantis has opted to pull out of a number of 2024 auto shows, including CES and Chicago. Brendan and Tom went on to briefly share their impressions of the Genesis GV70 Electrified compact crossover. In the second segment the hosts welcome Genesis Manger of PR and Communications Jarred Pellat to the show. Jarred talked about the emergence of Genesis as a luxury brand, its success as an alternative premium-vehicle offering, and the brand's accessibility to women. Jarred also addressed the brand's EV plans moving forward. In the final segment Brendan is subjected to Tom's horsepower quiz, which included a bonus question about Twinkies. Tom wrapped up the show with a quick review of the ride and handling balance found on his current test car, the 2024 BMW X5 M60i. Jill is spending time with her family this week, and returns next episode. |
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| January 01, 2024 Car of the Year Finalists, Best Cars of 2023, Surviving Very Long Drives Jill and Tom opened the show by discussing the North American Car of the Year finalists, including the last-minute substitution of the Hyundai Kona for the Volvo EX30 in the Utility category. Listen in to find out why the switch. The hosts went on to list their favorite test vehicles of 2023, and their least favorite. There are a few surprises on the lists. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Colorado State University master's degree student Harper Appel to the show. Harper regularly makes the 1000-mile journey from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Palatine Illinois. Harper shares a few tips on surviving a 15-hour drive, and shares her picks for the best places to stop for gas and snacks. Note: The conversation includes an extended chat regarding Casey's exclusive Mountain Dew varieties, and the chain's self-branded snacks. Harper joins Jill for this week's quiz. Topic: Rolls-Royce Color or Cheese. The hosts wrapped up the podcast by chatting with Harper regarding her work at the Animal Friends Alliance shelter in Fort Collins. |
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| December 25, 2023 Big Recalls, Ford F-350 King Ranch, Recapping the Biggest Stories of 2023 Jill and Tom opened this holiday episode of the podcast by discussing how the residents of Skokie, Illinois, mount huge light-up menorahs on the roofs of their cars in celebration of Hanukkah. Tom vowed to do the same next season. The hosts went on to discuss a massive Honda/Acura recall, and the echoes of the giant Takata airbag recall which still haunts the industry. Jill shared her thoughts about the massive--and massively expensive--Ford F-350 King Ranch pickup truck she recently evaluated. The review included a conversation regarding the benefits of opting for the single-rear wheel (SRW) option. In the second segment, Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions joins Jill and Tom to review the most noteworthy stories of the year. Sam recalled the UAW strike, slowing EV demand growth, growing vehicle inventories, and strong car sales. We also learned that Sam once owned a Merkur XR4Ti. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Station Wagon or Omaha Suburb" quiz, which was followed by a brief discussion of Jill's favorite test-vehicles of 2023. |
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| December 18, 2023 Favorite Electric Pickups, 2024 Subaru Impreza RS, Cadillac’s EV Future Tom opened the show with a correction, this regarding the history and current ownership of European car brand Vauxhall covered last week. The hosts went on to discuss a completely unscientific poll Tom conducted on Twitter regarding electric pickup trucks. Twitter users were asked to pick their favorite EV pickup from this list: Tesla Cybertruck, GMC Hummer, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Rivian R1T. Listen in for the surprising results. Jill shared her thoughts on the 2024 Subaru Impreza RS, which both hosts agree is fun to drive and represents great dollar value. What didn't they like? Listen in. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcomed Cadillac Director of Marketing Tony Johnson. Tony shared Cadillac's near- and midterm electrification plans, and shared rollout plans for the coming Lyric, Celestiq, Escalade IQ, Vistiq, and Optiq. Tony also explained the origins of Caddy's new "IQ" model-naming scheme, and described the ordering process for the limited-production "one-of-one" ultra-luxury Celestiq sedan. In the final segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Women" quiz, which featured questions regarding the brands women most often choose when purchasing a new vehicle. Quiz questions based on a recent S&P Global report. |
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| December 11, 2023 Volvo and Starbucks Charging Network, Most Reliable Vehicles of 2023 Jill and Tom are both in studio today for another topic-packed show. Tom opened the episode acknowledging the installation of the first EV charging station under the provisions of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Act, signed into law in 2021. The first unit went live at a Flying J gas station in Ohio earlier this week. Jill and Tom went on to discuss Jill's evaluation of a Starbucks Coffee/Volvo joint effort. This past week Jill drove electric Volvo vehicles from Denver, Colorado to Seattle, Washington, charging the cars only at Starbucks locations along the way equipped with high-speed Volvo-sponsored chargers. Listen in for more on this unique cooperative exercise-and what Jill ordered to drink at each stop. In the second segment Jill and Tom are joined by Consumer Report's Steven Elek. Steven gave the hosts the lowdown on the organization's latest Auto Reliability Study. Steven shared insights into how and why electric vehicles are proving problematic for some owners, and walked Jill and Tom through top-ten list of most-reliable car brands. The list includes a few surprises. In the final segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Car Sales in Europe" quiz, capped by a Kikkoman soy-sauce bonus question. Because Jill has not yet listened to last week's episode, Tom explained to her why he was looking to shoot a water buffalo. |
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| December 05, 2023 EVgo Failure, Jeep Drops Model, Ram's Plug-in 1500 Ramcharger Sons of Speed Publisher Paul Herrold sits in for Jill this week. Paul and Tom opened the show talking about the discontinued Fiat 500X and related Jeep Renegade small crossovers. Tom asked Paul if he thought Jeep's recent sales decline came--at least in part--as a result of the brand's small, too-conventional crossovers, such as the Renegade, Compass, and Cherokee. Paul talked about four new Sons of Speed videos available for viewing at WeAreMotorDrive.com. The videos feature lap time at Road America race track, and include the Toyota GR Corolla, Volkswagen GTI, BMW M2, and Toyota Supra. Following up on Jill's EV charging issues from a week earlier, Tom shared a tale of similar frustration, including broken Evgo charging units--which were listed as operational on the provider's app--and Electrify America's over-hyped "Super Fast" charging. In the second segment Paul and Tom welcome Ram Communications Manager Trevor Dorchies to the show. Trevor updated the hosts on product in the Ram pipeline, including the redesigned 1500 pickup, the RAM REV electric pickup, and the extended-range plug-in-hybrid Ram Ramcharger. Also discussed is the new, ultra-luxury Ram 1500 Tungsten. In the last segment Paul is subjected to Tom's "Best Mileage" quiz, which includes a surprising Burger King bonus question. The hosts wrapped up the show by discussing why Tom's test vehicle, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro, makes Tom want to shoot a water buffalo. |
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| November 27, 2023 Public Charging Disaster, Hyundai and Amazon Deal Jill and Tom opened the show discussing the best things they ate Thanksgiving Day. After a shoutout to a regular listener who would like the Car Stuff Podcast back on broadcast radio, the hosts turned their attention to Jill's holiday-week experience attempting to travel to and from Chicago and Indianapolis in an electric vehicle. While the car performed well, Jill lamented the lack of charging opportunities along that route, and was frustrated by the long wait to charge at the single level-3 public charger along the way. In the second segment, the hosts welcome Ed Kim, president of AutoPacfic, to the program. Ed weighed in on the recently announced Hyundai/Amazon.com deal, by which customers will soon be able to order their Hyundai vehicles on the Amazon website. Ed also cleared up some misconceptions about the growing EV supplies, and Tesla's recent price cuts. In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Cyber Monday Auto Gifts" quiz. Jill also shared her impressions of the recently redesigned Toyota Prius Limited AWD. |
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| November 20, 2023 North American Car of the Year Finalists, Los Angeles Auto Show Recap, Donating Your Car to Charity Jill and Tom crammed a lot into this episode of the Car Stuff Podcast. Tom noted that he's eating better because his grad-school daughter is home this week. Jill and Tom also discussed Jill's lack of interest in corn-based Thanksgiving dishes. Jill ran down this year's North American Car of the Year finalists in the Car, Truck, and Utility categories. The hosts also answered a listener question about compact crossovers. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Colin Weatherwax of Cars for Kids (carsforkids.org) to the program. Colin walked the hosts through the auto-donation process, and talked about the benefits of donating a vehicle to charity. Colin noted that motorcycles and boats can also be donated. Note: There is still time to make a donation this year. Jill is subjected to Tom's "Plymouth or Pennsylvania" quiz in the third segment, which features a Martha Stewart-related Thanksgiving bonus question. Jill and Tom wrapped up the show up by discussing the hybrid-only 2025 Toyota Camry, and Tom's review of the 2023 Toyota Crown. |
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| November 13, 2023 Favorite Automotive Tech Features, Mustang Dark Horse, Dealership Hacking Risks Jill and Tom opened the show examining Jill's irrational dislike of filled donuts--even jelly filled. Tom stayed off-topic for a moment, noting that Google was placing surprisingly racy ads on the Consumer Guide website, including one ad for something called, "Naughty Wedding Photos." The hosts got serious and talked about a casual poll Tom conducted on Twitter/X to determine drivers' favorite automotive tech features. The list is very interesting. The conversation moved on to Volvo's new electric EM90 minivan, about which there is good news and bad. The Conversation turned to the new top-tier Mustang trim level: Dark Horse. Jill recently spent a week behind the wheel of the high-performance Ford, and shares her take. In the second segment, Jill and Tom are joined by CDK Global Senior Product Manager Brenda Lynch. Brenda shared the topline results of a CDK study looking into auto-dealership vulnerability to hacking and malware. Is your personal data safe at your local dealer? In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Under $48,000" quiz. Because Tom did a poor job managing the clock this episode, the hosts got in a brief chat about pay raises at U.S. Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai/Kia plants, all of which are certainly steps taken to prevent unionization of their factories. |
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| November 06, 2023 VinFast Regroups, Volvo EX30 is a Bargain, and EV Enthusiasts are a Complex Lot Hosts Jill and Tom opened the show discussing an error on last week's quiz. As it turns out, poutine is available at McDonald's locations in Canada. Tom subsequently promoted his regular appearances on the Steve and Johnnie Show heard Saturday evenings on WGN Radio in Chicago. Tom is especially excited that he has been asked to select the bumper music played during his visits. The conversation turned to Vietnamese EV startup VinFast, which is moving away from a direct-to-customer marketing network to a traditional franchise-dealer arrangement. Tom also mentioned his Twitter/X battle with Tesla fans that took exception to his thoughts on the Cybertruck's wheel design. Jill shared her preview review of the all-new Volvo EX30 EV, which offers impressive battery range, and is surprisingly affordable. In the second segment, Chad Kirchner of EV Pulse joined the show. Chad talked about the nature of EV enthusiasts, and how the group is not limited to just environmentalists. Chad also shared his take on the state of Tesla, and VinFast's prospects for success. Jill is subjected to Tom's "Fake Color" quiz in the last segment, including a Rolling Stones album-title bonus question. |
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| October 30, 2023 Silverado EV, UAW Strike, Electric Vehicle Demand Jill returns to the studio for a topic-packed episode. In the first segment, Jill recounts for Tom the highpoints of her recent participation in the Rebelle Rally. Tom is impressed that Jill sustained no serious injuries. Jill also gave an update on the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) voting process. NACTOY finalists should be announced during the Los Angeles Auto Show. Jill also spent some time with the all-new Chevrolet Silverado EV. Jill came away generally impressed, and noted that the truck's key selling point is battery range. Tom discussed briefly the Mazda Iconic SP concept car, seen at the Toyota Motor Show, which may be a harbinger of the next generation of the MX-5 Miata. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions to the show. Sam shared his thoughts on a number of topics including the UAW Strike, the UAW's inability to unionize transplant automakers, the state of the EV market, and why Tesla is cutting prices so dramatically. Sam also talked about his new webcast--found on YouTube--called "Afternoons! with Kendra and Sam." In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Honda or Hallmark" quiz, and Tom talked about another Tokyo Motor Show reveal, the Honda Prelude Concept. The McDonald's Canadian menu also came up. |
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| October 23, 2023 Understanding the EV Supply Glut, The Care and Feeding of a Ford Model A Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed sat in for co-host Jill this week. Jill returns next episode. In the first segment Brendan talked about the redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona, a video review for which will be shared shortly. Brendan and Tom went on to talk about the growing glut of unsold EVs in the U.S., and the impact of massive Tesla price cuts on EV sales. Are there too many EV models on the market? Listen in. In the second segment, the hosts welcome Shooting Cars host and producer Zack Pradel to the show. Zack's popular YouTube channel features new-, used-, and classic-car reviews. Zack talked about the care and feeding of his family's classic car, a 1931 Ford Model A. As an aside, Zack also noted his position on the rotary-dial-controlled infotainment system found in current-generation Mazda vehicles. In the final segment, Zack and Brendan are subjected to Tom's "Octane, Yo!" quiz. |
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| October 16, 2023 UAW Strike Update, Best and Worst Cars We've Owned, Genesis Connected Services Jill is out this week; you can follow her progress at the 2023 Rebelle Rally by clicking on the link on our Facebook page. In studio for the entire show are Chicago late-night radio legends Steve King and Johnnie Putman. The show opened with Steve explaining the concept of "clear-channel" radio, and why WGN radio in Chicago is heard, at night, in almost 40 U.S. states and in Canada. After a quick chat about the classic films The Desk Set, and Fritz Lang's epic Metropolis, Tom, Steve and Johnnie discussed the ongoing UAW strike, and comments made Monday by Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. We also learned from Steve what a "seat cover" is in CB-radio parlance. In the second segment Steve and Johnnie talked about their best and worst car ownership experiences. Tom also noted the love/hate relationship he had with a 1991 Saab 9000 CD. In the third segment Steve and Johnnie are subjected to Tom's "1990!" quiz. Steve and Johnnie wrapped up the show sharing some good news about Genesis Connected Services. |
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| October 09, 2023 Lexus RC F on the Track, EV Startups and the Dealer Franchise System Tom and guest-host Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed opened the show discussing the Lexus RC F, a V8-powered small coupe that Paul recently spent track time with. Paul noted that though the RC F has grown dated since its 2014 introduction, the car is very capable on the street and on the track. Listen to hear Paul's complete review. Tom and Paul also discussed technological "fads" that were introduced by automakers to great fanfare, but since amounted to little in the market place. In the second segment Tom and Paul welcome Dave Sloan of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association. Dave shared his thoughts on a number of topics, including the UAW strike, EV startup carmakers working outside the franchise dealer system, and dealership acquisitions by large, national corporations. |
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| October 02, 2023 Bargain Jeep Grand Cherokee, Future Car Features, Fake Car Colors Jill and Tom opened a busy show by discussing ways that Tom might exploit Jill's would-be celebrity to expand the popularity of the show. The hosts went on to review the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude, which both agreed feels like a pretty strong value. Jill and Tom opened the second segment by welcoming Robby Degraff of AutoPacific to the program. Robby shared the findings of AutoPacific's Future Attribute Demand Study (FADS). Robby walked the hosts down the top-ten list of features car shoppers are expected to want on vehicles purchased in the near future, including a very-cool autonomous-driving safety feature. Robby also shared some insights into the Fisker Ocean, a small electric crossover from EV startup Fisker, which he spent some time driving recently. Delivery of the Fisker Ocean has begun in parts of the U.S., though initial volumes are low. Jill is subjected to Tom's "Car Color or Pop Song" quiz, which wrapped up with a Star Trek bonus question. |
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| September 25, 2023 Jeep News, Kia EV9 Review, and the Folly of Ethanol Jill and Tom opened the showing quickly covering a number of topics including the demise of the Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 engine, the addition of a lower-priced base model to the Jeep Wagoneer lineup, and Tom's love/hate relationship with the newly updated 2024 Volkswagen Atlas midsize crossover. Jill reviewed the all-new Kia EV9 all-electric 3-row crossover, about which she has much good to share. Also, Tom is being shocked (actual electric shock) by accidentally touching McDonald's employees at the drive-thru. Strange? The hosts are joined in the second segment by Green Sense Radio host Robert Colangelo. Jill, Tom, and Robert discussed the strange sociopolitical forces at work keeping ethanol in America's gasoline. The discussion covered the benefits of ethanol, and the many drawbacks, including compromised food security. Robert also briefly discussed a future Green Sense podcast dealing with early climate-change research which went unreported by petroleum producers. How will you do on this week's quiz? Jill did very well, until the Kellog's-related bonus question. Remember to follow the Car Stuff Podcast on Facebook to keep up to date on new episodes, and find links to the stories being covered. |
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| September 18, 2023 Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai Kona, Discontinued Models Jill and Tom are joined this week by long-time cohost Damon Bell, who is currently serving as Senior Research Editor at Cars.com. Jill and Tom opened the show arguing about the two-screen dashboard found in the current Infiniti QX50 compact crossover. Jill finds the systems dated, while Tom saw the value in having a single screen dedicated to navigation functions. Damon joined the conversation to help summarize the reveals seen at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Jill, who was in attendance at the event, noted that the press activity was especially light, as was media attendance. The trio covered the reveals of the freshened Cadillac CT5, Ford F-150, Jeep Gladiator, and all-new GMC Acadia. In the second segment Damon reviewed the all-new Hyundai Kona small crossover, noting that the vehicle has gotten larger on the outside, and roomier on the inside. Jill, Damon, and Tom went on to wrap up their "Dead Pool" lists created in way back August of 2021. There is some question as to who did the best job picking vehicles which were soon to be discontinued. |
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| September 11, 2023 Loving the Nissan Ariya, Dealerships Embrace ChatGPT, Driving the Alfa Romeo Tonale Jill and Tom opened the episode talking a little about the Detroit Auto Show which opens this week. The hosts will have complete coverage of the event next week. Tom complained a little about the Infiniti QX50 premium compact crossover. Though Tom generally likes the vehicle, he is annoyed that its much-promote high-tech VC-Turbo engine has not imbued the crossover with either standout power, or impressive fuel economy. Jill and Tom went on to review the 2023 Nissan Ariya compact electric crossover which both hosts basically love. Jill is annoyed that Nissan has done little to promoted the vehicle, which Tom suggests is part of the plan, and that Nissan may not yet be ready to deliver the Ariya in serious volume, and that stepped-up advertising is on hold for now. The duo welcome Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show in the second segment. Ken walked Tom and Jill through the adoption of ChatGPT by automotive dealers, and how the technology can be used, and misused, in that application. In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom's "Fun Car Engine" quiz. Jill and Tom wrapped up the show discussing the all-new Alfa Romeo Tonale small crossover, which Jill is driving this week. |
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| September 04, 2023 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate, UAW Plays Hardball, Chinese Cars Go West Jill and Tom are both in studio this week. Jill talked a little about why she's been away from the show, including a quick summary of the vehicles she's recently seen and her time preparing for this year's Rebelle Rally. Jill talked about her test drive of the 2024 GMC Denali 2500 Ultimate, a super-premium trim-level addition to the maker's pickup-truck lineup. Tom talked briefly about the Fisker Alaska, an electric midsize pickup due for the 2025 model year. In the second segment the crew is joined by Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions. Sam walked Jill and Tom through a number of topics, including the UAW/Detroit 3 labor-contract negotiations, Chinese cars being exported to the West, and the Radnor Hunt Concours auto show running from September 8-10 in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Jill is subjected to Tom's "Chevrolet or Oldsmobile" quiz in segment three. |
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| August 28, 2023 Comeback of the Manual Transmission, All-New Lincoln Nautilus Brendan Appel sits in for Jill this week, and discussed a pair of articles he wrote regarding the survival of the manual transmission. Brendan argues that carmakers have hastened the demise of stick shift by limiting availability and underestimating demand. Brendan notes the surprising popularity of stick shift on a number of new sporty offerings. In the second segment Brendan and Tom welcome Monica Gorgas, brand manager for the redesigned Lincoln Nautilus midsize crossover. Monica walked the hosts through the changes to the premium crossover, including Tom's favorite: Digital Scenting. The new Nautilus goes on sale early next year. Brendan is subjected to Tom's "Cars of 1980" quiz, including a bonus question regarding bad movies, such as Spanglish and Star Trek: The Motion Picture. |
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| August 21, 2023 Mustang GTD, Corvette Legacy and the Future of Chevy's Sports Car Tom and guest co-host Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed open the show discussing the recently revealed Mustang GTD, an extreme performance version of Ford's popular pony car. Brendan lamented the fact that, despite rumors to the contrary, the GTD is not a mid-engine car. The hosts went on to discuss an article just posted to the Consumer Guide Daily Drive Blog in which Tom attempts to correct common mispronunciations of car and car-brand names. In the second segment Tom and Brendan welcome Steve Garrett to the podcast. Steve is president of the Corvette Club of Kansas City (CCKC) and host of the popular Corvette Today podcast. Steve walked the hosts through a number of Corvette news items, including the recently introduced Z06, and the coming E-Ray hybrid 'Vette. Steve also shared his thoughts on the rumored Corvette crossover. In the last segment, Brendan is subjected to a brutal Mercedes-Benz model quiz. |
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| August 14, 2023 Goodbye Nissan Titan, Hello Hyundai Santa Fe, Accessorizing a Pickup Truck This week Tim Esterdahl of Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk subs for Tom who is still under the weather. Jill and Tim open the show by discussing the demise of the Titan, Nissan's ill-fated and slow-selling large pickup truck. The conversation extended to the likelihood of Toyota bringing a small pickup truck to the U.S. to compete with Ford's popular Maverick. Jill shared her thoughts on the radically redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, which is due to arrive in showrooms next year. In the second segment Tim talked about his recent experiences modifying his own pickup. Tim has made a number of updates to his truck, most of which he installed himself. In the third segment Tim is subjected to Jill's light-duty-truck quiz. |
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| August 07, 2023 New Toyota Land Cruiser, Used EV Prices Plummet Jill and guest cohost Nicole Wakelin, host of the Road Reflected podcast, opened the show talking about "sad snacks," with Nicole arguing that most healthy and/or gluten-free treats aren't worth the effort. Jill shared the news that industry colleague, and one-time Road America public-relations manager, Enrique Ramirez lost his battle with cancer. Enrique worked tirelessly to raise money for cancer research. The hosts went on to discuss the resurrection of the Toyota Land Cruiser, which returns soon to U.S. dealerships after a three-year hiatus. They took note of the new vehicle's blocky design, and discussed the truck's considerable cult following. In the second segment, Jill and Nicole are joined by iSeeCars.com Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. Karl shared research conducted by iSeeCars finding that used-electric-vehicle prices had plunged in the past year. Doe Karl think this is a good time to invest in a used EV? Listen in. Jill subjected Nicole to a "basic" car-history quiz in the last segment, including a bonus question about Italian ice. Note: Tom is taking some time off this week. |
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| July 31, 2023 Lexus LS 500h, Corvette Crossover, and the Volvo EX30 Sitting in again for Jill is Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed. Jill returns next week. Paul and Tom began the show correcting mistakes made last week. Both hosts were guilty of misstatements which have been begrudgingly corrected. Tom followed up on last week's podcast, which included an interview with Don Drucker of Chicago's famous Superdawg Drive-In. Having learned that the establishment's tamales are meat free-and he being vegetarian-Tom sampled the tamales. Listen to his review. Paul talked about paint-protection film (PPF), and why someone might want to consider having their car treated. Paul recently had his car protected, and is a believer in the process, though it can be pricey. Tom talked briefly about the 2023 Lexus LS 500h, which he recently reviewed. Though the car is not especially space efficient, and a little difficult to get in and out of, Tom is generally a fan of the large luxury sedan. Paul and Tom welcome Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions to the show in the second segment. Sam talked about his new podcast (find the link on Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page). Sam walked the hosts through a number of topics, including the realities of a Corvette crossover, automakers developing their own charging network, and why the new Volvo EX30 electric crossover is so affordable. Paul was then subjected to Tom's color quiz. Did Paul win? Listen in. |
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| July 24, 2023 Driving the Maserati MC20, Car Culture and Chicago's Legendary Superdawg Drive-In This week Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill. In the first segment, Paul shared the details of his recent trip to Italy which included a visit to the Maserati factory, and a test drive of the brand’s exotic MC20 sports car. Paul and Tom also discussed recent cuts to the price of Ford’s electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck. In the second segment Paul and Tom welcomed Don Drucker, Operations Manager of Chicago’s legendary Superdawg drive-in restaurant to the Car Stuff Podcast. Don shared the institution’s history, and talked about late-night car culture. Superdawg celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. |
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| July 17, 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport, Cars.com American-Made Index This week, Tom and Jill talk about the refreshed Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport, problems with crash test dummy testing and Tom's story of a near-carjacking incident. Then, Jenni Newman, Editor in Chief of Cars.Com, stops in to talk about their annual American-Made Index, which ranks which cars are actually American-made. |
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| July 10, 2023 Lexus RX, Honda Accord & the Toyota Tacoma Tom and Jill talk about the EV changes from Borg-Warner, Tom's test of the Lexus RZ and the range and charging issues, Jill's update on the Honda Accord, then Sheldon Brown is an executive program manager of the product development office at Toyota Technical Center, USA, checks in to talk about the redesign of the 2024 Tacoma. |
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| July 03, 2023 2024 Jeep Wrangler, The Future of Internal Combustion Engines Jill and Tom opened the show discussing an extremely sexist Mercury ad from 1967 which Tom has featured on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog. Jill shared her impressions of the updated-for-2024 Jeep Wrangler, which benefits from revised styling and new tech features. Jill is a big fan of the plug-in-hybrid 4Xe Wrangler variants. Tom went on to discuss the 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint audio system found in the all-new Mazda CX-90. In the second segment Jill and Tom welcome Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions. The crew discussed Sam’s recent podcast addressing the future of internal-combustion engines. Sam went on to share his take on the likelihood of various alternative-fuel sources taking hold as gas engines are phased out. Sam has a surprising take on hydrogen, and synthetic gas. In the third segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s destination-charge quiz, which includes a bonus question about Indian snack food. Tom also called the Honda Ridgline one of the most underrated vehicles currently on the market. |
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| June 26, 2023 Driving the 2024 Mazda CX-90, Owners Ignoring Recalls, Catalytic Converter Thefts Tom and Jill discuss their impressions of the 2024 Mazda CX-90, then Patrick Olsen from CarFax.com joins in talk about longstanding recalls on cars that owners never deal with, and the ongoing wave of catalytic converter thefts and how to avoid them. |
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| June 19, 2023 Lexus RX350, Hyundai's Ioniq 6 EV & the Changing Look of Car Dealerships Tom is joined by guest co-host Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed, to talk about the updated Lexus RX350 and Hyundai's Ioniq 6 EV. Then, Dave Piluski from RTM Engineering Consultants to talk about the evolving architectural designs of car dealerships. |
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| June 12, 2023 Lexus GX and TX & Suburu CrossTrek Premium Tom and Jill talk about the Women's World Car of the Year jury, the Lexus GX and TX, the Suburu CrossTrek Premium and more. Then Robby DeGraff, from Auto Pacific joins the show to talk about the surprising decision by General Motors to drop Apple CarPlay in some future models. |
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| June 05, 2023 Honda Accord, Dodge Hornet, & Ram 1500 Rev EV Pickup Tom and Jill talk about the newly redesigned Honda Accord and Dodge's new compact crossover, the Hornet. Then, Brant Combs, Head of Ram 1500 Marketing, stops in to talk about the era of electrification at Ram and the new Ram 1500 Rev EV pickup truck. |
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| May 30, 2023 Chevy Trax, Lucid & Car Subscriptions This week, Tom and Jill talk about the highlights from the Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally, including impressions of the all-new Chevrolet Trax crossover SUV and the Lucid. Then, Jahn Hansen from Finn Automotive explains the ins and outs their unique car subscription service. |
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| May 22, 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Edition, Chevy Silverado EV, Jeep Wrangler and More! This week, Tom and Jill talk about the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Edition, the Chevy Silverado EV's pricey 450-mile extended range battery, and the 2024 Toyota Tacoma. Then, Brandon Girmus, Jeep Senior Brand Manager, checks in to talk about the upcoming 2024 Jeep Wrangler. |
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| May 15, 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor & Who Should Own an EV and Who Should Not Tom is joined this week by guest co-host Brenden Appel (still no relation!) from Sons of Speed to talk about Brenden's love of Road America, plus their experience with the Ford Bronco Raptor. Then, Larry Nutson, Senior Editor and Chicago Bureau Chief for The Auto Channel, checks in to talk about EVs, who they are appropriate for and what Larry sees as the timeline for wider availability of charging stations. |
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| May 08, 2023 Swedish Test Drives & the Toyota Crown Tom and Jill talk about her recent trip to Sweden to test drive the 2024 Volvo C70 and XC40 Recharge, the all-electric versions of their compact SUVs, plus they discuss this week's premiere of the all-new ConsumerGuide.com. And Amy Chao, Manager of Vehicle Marketing and Communications at Toyota Motor North America, checks in to talk about the Toyota Crown. |
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| May 01, 2023 News at Jaguar/Land Rover and Polestar Tom is joined by guest co-host Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed, to talk about the annual Midwest Automotive Media Association Rally, plus thoughts about the renaming of Jaguar/Land Rover into JLR and changes to their dealerships, and Paul's recent choice in a new car. Plus, Sam Fiorani from AutoForecast Solutions joins the show to talk about news at Polestar. |
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| April 24, 2023 Kia EV6 GT, Lincoln Nautilus & Car.com's Affordability Report Tom and Jill discuss test drives of the zippy Kia EV6 GT and the Lincoln Nautilus. Then, Jane Ulitskaya, News Editor at Cars.com, stops in to talk about their new car affordability report. |
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| April 17, 2023 Japanese Kit Kats, the Buick Envista, the BMW 8 series & the Latest from Kia Tom and Jill talk about Japanese Kit Kats, the Buick Envista compact crossover, and the BMW 8 series. Then, James Bell, the Director of Corporate Communications and Social Media at Kia, Motors America checks in to talk about their newest models. |
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| April 10, 2023 Range Challenges of Most EVs & 10 New Cars Priced the Highest Over MSRP Tom and Jill talk about the problematic/unpredictable range of most EVs, plus their thoughts on the bZ4X, Toyota's battery electric SUV. Then, Karl Brauer from ISeeCars.com checks in to outline their recent study of the ten new cars priced the highest over MRSP. |
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| April 03, 2023 Mazda CX-90, Hyundai Ioniq 6 & Mid-sized Pickups Jill is back in studio with Tom this week, to talk about the Mazda CX-90 and Hyundai Ioniq 6. Then, Tim Esterdahl from PickupTruckTalk.com joins the show to talk about the current crop of mid-sized pickups. |
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| March 27, 2023 Potholes for Jaguar, Plus the Latest from Lexus Tom is joined by guest co-host Brenden Appel (no relation!) from Sons of Speed to talk the origins of the acronym of the Auto Start/Stop button plus the sad path of Jaguar, plus Carley Bly from Lexus stops in to talk about the latest additions to their lineup. |
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| March 20, 2023 Upcoming car reviews & Federal EV Incentives. Jill previews a plethora of upcoming car reviews, plus she and Tom discuss the improving supply of new cars in the delivery pipeline or on dealer lots. Plus, Sam Fiorani from AutoForecast Solutions joins the show to talk about EV production and the effects of recent federal EV incentives. |
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| March 13, 2023 Tons of Test Drives! Tom and Jill talk about her coming test drive of the Genesis Electrified GV70 and two other her other test drives in the past week, plus Tim Healey from TheTruthAboutCars.com joins to talk about the new Dodge Hornet and more. |
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| March 06, 2023 The All-New Prius Tom's special co-host this week is Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed, and they are joined by Toyota's Chad Moore to talk about the all-new Prius. |
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| February 27, 2023 Ice Driving & Car Movies 
Tom and Jill talk about the ice driving tips she picked up at her Jaguar/Land Rover winter driving experience in Sweden last week, plus longtime Chicago broadcaster Nick Digilio joins the show to talk about his two podcasts and everyone's favorite car movies. |
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| February 20, 2023 Kia/Hyundai Theft Fix & Will EVs Exclude Lower-Income Americans? Tom and Jill talk about her ice-driving experience this week in Sweden, plus the apparent fix for the Kia/Hyundai theft problem and challenges in photographing test cars. Then, green entrepreneur Robert Colangelo, host of Green Sense Radio, joins to talk about the state of the EV adoption, which potentially may exclude lower-income Americans. |
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| February 13, 2023 2023 Chicago Auto Show & Tire Buying Advice Tom and Jill talk about the highlights of the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, the nation's largest and longest-running auto show. Then TJ Campbell, Tire Information and Testing Manager at The Tire Rack, talks about tire testing and offers all kinds of wise advice on tire buying. |
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| February 06, 2023 Steve and Johnnie Stop In! 
Tom and Jill talk about the C Class Mercedes, and the new Mazda CX-90. Then, Chicago radio icons Steve and Johnnie join to talk about pluses and minuses of their recent car shopping experience and more! |
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| January 30, 2023 150th Anniversary Show! This week, Tom and Jill celebrate the 150th episode of Car Stuff. They also discuss recent EV price changes and the upcoming Corvette hybrid, then are joined by special guest Jennifer Morand, President of Association and General Manager of the Chicago Auto Show, for everything you need to know about the 2023 show. |
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| January 23, 2023 Test Drives and the Transition to EVs Tom and Jill talk about Jill's test drive of the Lexus RX 350 and Tom's test of the 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy, plus guest Britt Carmon from the Natural Resources Defense Council discusses the transition to EVs. |
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| January 16, 2023 Back in the Driver's Seat! Tom and Jill talk minivans, and Jill's experience at the Rebelle Rally. Then they are joined by Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions to talk about the state of the new car buying market, and the Inflation Reduction Act's confusing effect on EVs, and much more. |
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