We wrap up the year with two radically different drives, one honest verdict. We put the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata through its paces to see if a featherweight roadster with a manual top and a “butter” shifter still delivers peak driving joy in a world of screens and mega-SUVs. Then we jump into the 2025 GMC Acadia Denali to test whether a quiet, tech-rich, seven-passenger family hauler can feel premium without feeling ponderous, and how its turbo power, towing rating, and Denali hardware stack up against segment favorites.

We start with design that tells the truth. The Miata’s long hood, short deck shape and crisp fender lines aren’t nostalgia plays; they’re a blueprint for balance and feedback. Inside, space is tight by intent, storage is minimal, and everything you touch feels straightforward and well judged. The two-liter engine’s 181 horsepower rides an ideal power-to-weight ratio, delivering real-world pace, great fuel economy, and handling that begs for backroads. We underline who it fits, who it doesn’t, and why its clarity of purpose is its superpower.

From there, we scale up to the Acadia Denali and its different kind of promise: room for seven, quiet cruising, and tech that actually helps. The 15-inch center display, 11-inch driver cluster, surround-view cameras, rear camera mirror, and one-touch folding third row raise daily ease. The turbo 2.5 with 328 horsepower and a 5,000-pound tow rating brings capability, while the Denali’s suspension tuning keeps it poised. We parse real-life fuel economy, pricing that climbs with options, and comparisons to the Kia Telluride and Chevrolet Traverse to help you decide if the Denali premium is worth it.

We close by getting real about classic cars: rare parts, higher maintenance costs, limited safety, storage and theft risks, and why resto-mods can be both dream and headache. Plus, a tour through banned, crushed, and forgotten muscle legends that almost changed the landscape. If you love driving feel, need family flexibility, or dream of garage icons, this review gives you the tradeoffs and the wins. Enjoy the ride, then share your pick, subscribe for more real-world reviews, and leave a rating to help other car lovers find the show.

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Ready for a real-world look at two very different small SUVs? We put the 2025 Subaru Forester Premium Hybrid AWD and the Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD through their paces and compare what matters when you’re not reading a brochure. From highway range and cabin comfort to pricing ladders and charging access, we cut through the noise and share where each vehicle genuinely excels.

We start with the Forester Hybrid’s practical package: wide-opening doors, an insulated windshield that calms road noise, and a friendly cabin anchored by a 12.3-inch digital cluster and 11.6-inch infotainment screen. The 2.5-liter boxer with dual motor-generators delivers 194 horsepower and relaxed pace, while our 32.3 mpg over nearly 400 miles shows the kind of efficiency you can bank on. We break down the cost to step into the hybrid trim and how it stacks up to the CR‑V Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, Sportage Hybrid, and CX‑50 Hybrid so you can make the numbers work for your commute and weekend runs.

Then we shift to the Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD, a standout with fresh styling, a sweeping display, and a smart center console that actually improves daily use. Instant torque, refined manners, and a realistic 275-mile range make a strong case for drivers with home charging and predictable routes. We’re candid about pros, cons, and pricing—what surprised us, what didn’t, and why the EV6 still feels special even as the segment heats up.

To round things out, Jeff shares straightforward tips for starting a car collection on a budget: pick a theme, plan storage, network for knowledge, and build a list before you buy. Whether your heart leans hybrid practicality or EV excitement, you’ll leave with clarity about which trade-offs fit your life. If you enjoy transparent reviews and useful takeaways, follow the show, share this episode with a friend, and leave a quick review so we can help more drivers find the right ride.

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Big power, big space, and even bigger holiday plans. We put the all-new 2025 Ford Expedition Max under the microscope, from its streamlined grille and clever two-piece tailgate to a fully revamped interior with twin screens and a sliding center console that actually changes daily usability. With 400 horsepower, 480 lb-ft of torque, and up to 9,000 pounds of towing, the Max Platinum proves it can haul, cruise, and carry with confidence. We share true-to-life fuel economy, where it shines on ride quality, and why a hybrid option could be the smartest next step. Plus, we stack it against Suburban, Yukon XL, Sequoia, and Armada to help you decide what belongs in your driveway.

Then we hit the map with road trips that wrap driving fun in holiday magic. Start in Chicago and glide to Frankenmuth’s Little Bavaria charm and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. Chase lights and live music across the Texas Hill Country, from Grapevine to Fredericksburg to San Antonio’s River Walk. Crave snow? Cross the Cascades to Leavenworth, Washington, for carolers, nutcrackers, and alpine energy. Prefer a slower pace? Wander Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the Biltmore Estate sparkle, or make a quick East Coast run from Philadelphia’s Christmas Village to New York City’s iconic tree and window displays.

We close with a no-nonsense guide to RV laws that keep your holiday rolling instead of ruined. Learn why overweight rigs are dangerous and costly, where parking gets you ticketed, how propane rules shift by state, why belts matter for every passenger, and what boondocking boundaries you must respect. Whether you’re picking a full-size SUV or plotting a festive escape, you’ll leave with practical insight, smart safety tips, and a shortlist of destinations worth the drive. If you enjoyed the ride, follow the show, share it with a road trip friend, and drop a review telling us where you’re heading next.

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Prices keep climbing, patience keeps thinning, and the smartest car on the lot might be the one that’s two or three years old. We sit down to explore why a crowd-pleaser like the VW ID. Buzz is slipping from the U.S. launch calendar, how an $80,000 price tag changes the conversation, and where EVs still struggle to deliver everyday convenience for people without home charging. From the Detroit Auto Show preview to the North American Car, Utility, and Truck of the Year buzz, we connect the headlines to real buyer decisions.

Our take on affordability gets practical fast: a $5,000 difference can flip a purchase when the competing vehicle offers more features or utility. We break down why late-model off-lease cars remain the sweet spot, even as the market feels the aftershocks of COVID-era production cuts. Then we zoom out to tariffs and USMCA dynamics shaping what gets built in the U.S., and why the playing field among American, European, and Asian brands feels more level than ever. With fewer true lemons on sale, lifetime cost and ownership experience become the real story.

Reliability and complexity take center stage as we examine turbo longevity, hybrid durability, and the sticker shock of modern repairs, like a $6,000 turbo swap. On the EV front, the pain points are clear: battery longevity anxiety, charging standards and adapters, and the simple truth that the five-minute gas stop still fits many lives better than public chargers. We round things out with a quick, candid guide to RV laws most people ignore, from weight limits and seatbelts to boondocking and propane safety.

If you care about getting the best value for your money, understanding how policy nudges production, and choosing tech that won’t bite you later, you’ll find this conversation timely and useful. Tap follow, share the show with a friend who’s car shopping, and leave a quick review telling us your best recent buy and why it worked for you.

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A twelve-year-old car can be a trusty friend or a looming money pit—and most of us don’t know which until a big repair lands in our lap. We sat down with RepairSurge CEO Jon Vorisek to unpack a clear, data-driven way to decide whether to fix an aging vehicle or sell it with confidence. Drawing on usage patterns across manuals for 10,000+ models, John breaks down which repairs usually pay for themselves and where to draw the line using a simple 50-75-100 percent framework tied to your car’s value.

We walk through real-world scenarios—the “cheap” cabin filter buried behind a dash, DIY oil changes that aren’t worth the disposal hassle, and the stealth costs of design choices that turn a $20 part into a two-hour job. You’ll learn how the buyer’s “uncertainty tax” works when selling a car with issues, why repairing before selling can net more money, and how to compare total cost of ownership per mile if you’re eyeing a used replacement. John also shares the evolution of RepairSurge from a CD-ROM to a cloud platform with step-by-step procedures, wiring diagrams, torque specs, and live parts pricing you can pull up on any device.

We round things out with quick hits from the automotive world: Formula 1’s 2026 pivot to lighter, smaller cars aimed at better racing, NHRA team moves, NASCAR charter dynamics, and a tour through auto history from Lincoln’s aircraft roots to the Superbird’s NASCAR quirks. Plus, we touch on today’s market headwinds—from tariffs to a cooling EV demand curve—and why those forces shape what we buy, fix, and sell.

If you’ve got a high-mile car and a tough decision, this conversation gives you the math, the context, and the confidence to choose well. Listen, share with a friend who’s debating a big repair, and subscribe for more smart, practical car talk.

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Want to know what actually moves the needle in modern Top Fuel? We bring Antron Brown into the shop and pull the tarp back on the Performance Racing Industry show, the small edges that decide Sunday, and the strategy behind building a champion when the big power gains are gone. This is a story about tools, people, and timing.

We start where the real work happens: aisles of new coatings, valves, intakes, CNC upgrades, and welders that shave hours in the shop and deliver repeatable performance at the track. Antron explains how PRI helps teams compare innovations, strike deals, and spot the one tweak that becomes a tenth. From Machinery Row to limited-time discounts, it’s the tech pipeline that fuels a season.

Then we dig into 2025. The car was fast and qualified near the front, but razor-thin margins swung the wrong way. Antron talks candidly about matchup luck, when to roll the dice, and when spinning the tires is a self-inflicted wound. With the field locked on power, he outlines the next frontier: process. Enter John Medlen, joining Brian Corradi and Brad Mason to sharpen R&D, discipline, and the tiny checks that make a setup repeatable. With AB Fab, the team can machine, iterate, and respond faster than the calendar.

We also explore a second AB Motorsports car with Angelle Sampey. The plan is careful, built on seat time, system comfort, and sponsor partnerships that make growth sustainable. Antron’s history with Angelle—back to U.S. Army Pro Stock Motorcycle—shows why trust compounds speed. And yes, the rival to beat is clear: Coletta Motorsports. The path forward is equally clear—do the small things right, every round.

If you love racing tech, team-building, and the mindset that wins when everyone is fast, this one’s for you. Tap play, subscribe for more deep dives, and leave a review with the sharpest insight you picked up—what detail do you think decides a title run?

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Engines draw a crowd, but design keeps people talking. From a lively morning at Tailpipes and Tacos, we sit down with architect and hot rodder Marshall Reed to explore how a thoughtfully built ’32 Ford roadster can bridge craftsmanship, culture, and the pure joy of driving. His satin black, brushed finish and hand pinstriping show how restraint and texture can be more striking than a mirror glaze, while a ZZ4 350 and Tremec five-speed deliver the kind of engagement only a three-pedal car can give.

We trade stories from the Austin Roundup—how the vibe shifted from tripod-friendly nights on South Congress to curated, policed corridors—and what that means for today’s scene. The conversation widens to the Houston Roadster Club and Bruce’s Rod Shop, where builds become classrooms and new enthusiasts find mentors. Then a Brazilian-market VW Bus, complete with curtains, becomes a perfect metaphor: remove one small detail and it’s just a bus; add it back and a whole lifestyle appears. That’s the heart of customization—small, intentional choices that turn a parts list into a personality.

Between laughs and margaritas, we detour into delightfully odd racing formats—lawnmowers, figure-eight trains, and a pig-hauling tractor sprint in Tillamook County—before grounding the show with a clear-eyed look at the Tricolor bankruptcy and how to protect yourself with titles, financing, and trustworthy dealers. We wrap with automotive history notes that connect Pontiac’s streamlined 1937s, Chrysler’s wedge V8s, Corvette’s production leap, and the first-gen Prius—all milestones that show how innovation and accessibility keep car culture moving.

If you love hot rods, design details, and the community that makes it all possible, you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, share with a fellow gearhead, and leave a review telling us the one small detail that makes a car unforgettable.

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Step into a Texas cruise-in where the smell of fajitas meets fresh tire shine and a toy drive turns a casual meet into a community mission. We’re live from Tailpipes & Tacos, swapping stories with Sheila about drag racing memories, family traditions, and a simple idea with big impact: a kids’ car show that teaches respect for classics from day one. From pedal cars with grandkids’ names to the unwritten “look, don’t touch” rule, we map how the next generation learns to love cars the right way.

We also get practical. Jeff’s Motor Minute lays out a winter driving plan you can use tonight: real winter tires with the mountain-snowflake symbol, steady inputs on slick roads, and a trunk kit stocked with blankets, food, lights, and tools. Then we get hands-on with the refreshed Kia EV6—distinctive design, comfortable cabin, and usable tech—while calling out the real-world range and the ongoing headache of public charging. The verdict: EVs can be great, but for many drivers, hybrids offer the sweet spot of power, efficiency, and freedom from range anxiety.

What ties it all together is the vibe: no politics, no drama—just friends, family, and machines that bring people closer. You’ll hear why this meet feels different, how small acts like donating a toy build a bigger culture, and what to consider when choosing your next daily driver. If you love honest car talk, warm community energy, and tips you’ll actually use, this one’s your lane.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe, share it with a car friend, and leave a quick review—what’s your favorite cruise-in story?

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