Car Stuff Podcast
238 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 41 ratingsWhether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join the editors of Consumer Guide Automotive as they break down everything that’s going on in the auto world. New-car reviews, shopping tips, driving green, electric cars, classic cars, and plenty of great guests. This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast.
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Episodes
Jaguar Gives Up, Driving the New Acura MDX, Cars.com's American Made Index
July 15, 2024 22:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBJill 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 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 ...
EV Sales Improve, All about the Toyota Crown Signia, Driving the Lexus UX
July 08, 2024 21:00 - 55 minutes - 38.5 MBJill 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 surpris...
Volvo XC60 Recharge, Tesla Sales Still Falling, Chinese Car Companies to Watch
July 01, 2024 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBJill 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 fundi...
Dealer Hacking Nightmare, New Camry, Off-Roading in Luxury
June 25, 2024 01:00 - 57 minutes - 39.2 MBJill 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 fea...
Chevy Equinox EV, History of American Motors, New Discontinued-Models List
June 17, 2024 22:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBJill 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 ...
Renting an EV, Virginia Backs Down, Why the Charging Infrastructure Program is Moving so Slowly
June 10, 2024 22:00 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MBLarry 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 wit...
Welcome Kia EV9, Long-Term Tesla Model Y, Why Dealers Haven't Embraced Electric Vehicles
June 03, 2024 22:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBIn 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. (Vis...
$10,000 Electric Vehicles, Genesis GV80, American Readiness to Buy Chinese Cars
May 27, 2024 19:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBJill 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 ...
Volvo S90 Recharge, Defining A Super Car, Tesla Sales Slump
May 20, 2024 23:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBJill 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 p...
New Subaru Forester, So Long Malibu, All About Nikola and Zero-Emissions Trucking
May 13, 2024 22:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBJill 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...
Stellantis Chinese Hookup, $10,000 Electric Cars, Electric Police Vehicles
May 06, 2024 22:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MBPaul 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 arra...
Test Driving Tesla's FSD (Bonus Episode)
May 02, 2024 07:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBIn this special crossover episode of the Car Stuff Podcast, Tom rides along with Robert Colangelo of the Green Sense Show to experience Tesla's much-discussed and controversially marketed Full Self Driving (FSD) hands-free driving system. Robert and Tom drive through occasionally heavy traffic on the ground streets near Chicago's Midway Airport. Listen in for Robert's and Tom's impressions of the system which Tesla owners can subscribe to for $99 a month.
Nissan Versa Reivew, Twitter EV Range Poll, Best Family and Electrified Vehicles
April 30, 2024 04:00 - 53 minutes - 21.5 MBJill 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 respondent’s 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 an...
Nissan Versa Review, Twitter EV Range Poll, Best Family and Electrified Vehicles
April 30, 2024 04:00 - 54 minutes - 21.9 MBJill 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 respondent’s 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 an...
Using Telsa FSD, Driving the Tesla Model Y, Why Tesla is No Longer a Luxury Brand
April 22, 2024 21:00 - 57 minutes - 39.6 MBJill 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 ...
Off-Road in the Toyota Tacoma, GM is Moving, Why Electric Vehicles Need Special Tires
April 15, 2024 22:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBBrendan 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 “...
Tesla Abandons $25,000 Model, Jill Drives the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Talking to the EVP of SUV Startup Ineos
April 09, 2024 00:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBJill 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 Stelv...
Half-Price Fiskers, New York Auto Show Highlights, Never-Ending Auto Recalls
April 01, 2024 22:00 - 55 minutes - 38.5 MBJill 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 year—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. St...
Updated Ford Ranger, Redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, and Traveling with Cats and Dogs
March 25, 2024 22:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBJill 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. ...
Fisker Halts Production, 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, Premium Car Audio Systems
March 18, 2024 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBJill 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. J...
Rivian’s Big Surprise, Sons of Speed Hit the Track, Surprisingly High-Value Nissan Sentra
March 11, 2024 22:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBTom 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 detail...
Charging Fords at Tesla Stations, Honda Passport TrailSport Review, Driving the Aptera 3-Wheel Solar EV
March 04, 2024 23:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MBIn 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, ...
Listeners' Favorite Model Names, 2025 Ram 1500 Deep Dive
February 26, 2024 22:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBTom 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 impress...
Thoughts on the Cybertruck, Bargain EVs, Hyundai Ioniq 5 Review, Fun Model Names
February 20, 2024 00:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBJill 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 turn...
Ionna Saves Public Charging, Best of the Chicago Auto Show, The Future of Jeep
February 12, 2024 23:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBPacked 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 ...
2024 Consumer Guide Best Buys
February 05, 2024 23:00 - 56 minutes - 38.8 MBNo 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. The Nerd Informer Our podacast will talk about aliens, alien abduction, mythical... Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Chicago Auto Show Preview, Tesla Predictions, Best Cars for the Money
January 29, 2024 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBJill 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 Ca...
Cadillac Lyriq Review, Top Auto Innovations, Chevrolet Trailblazer
January 22, 2024 23:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBJill 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 C...
F-150 Tremor, Detroit Auto Show Moves Again, How EV Charging Station Locations are Chosen
January 15, 2024 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBJill 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...
Stellantis Pulls Out of Auto Shows, Misleading DriveTime Ads, Genesis Brand Deep Dive
January 08, 2024 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBGuest host Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed and Tom 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 th...
Car of the Year Finalists, Best Cars of 2023, Surviving Very Long Drives
January 01, 2024 19:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBJill 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 regularl...
Big Recalls, Ford F-350 King Ranch, Recapping the Biggest Stories of 2023
December 24, 2023 05:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBJill 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 evalua...
Favorite Electric Pickups, 2024 Subaru Impreza RS, Cadillac’s EV Future
December 18, 2023 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBTom 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, whi...
Volvo and Starbucks Charging Network, Most Reliable Vehicles of 2023
December 12, 2023 03:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBJill 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,...
EVgo Failure, Jeep Drops Model, Ram's Plug-in 1500 Ramcharger
December 05, 2023 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBSons 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 Roa...
Public Charging Disaster, Hyundai and Amazon Deal
November 27, 2023 23:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBJill 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...
North American Car of the Year Finalists, Los Angeles Auto Show Recap, Donating Your Car to Charity
November 20, 2023 22:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBJill 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 fo...
Favorite Automotive Tech Features, Mustang Dark Horse, Dealership Hacking Risks
November 14, 2023 00:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBJill 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 e...
VinFast Regroups, Volvo EX30 is a Bargain, and EV Enthusiasts are a Complex Lot
November 06, 2023 23:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBHosts 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 n...
Silverado EV, UAW Strike, Electric Vehicle Demand
October 30, 2023 20:00 - 51 minutes - 35.4 MBill 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...
Understanding the EV Supply Glut, The Care and Feeding of a Ford Model A
October 23, 2023 22:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBBredan 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 Pra...
UAW Strike Update, Best and Worst Cars We've Owned, Genesis Connected Services
October 16, 2023 21:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBJill 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 Jo...
Lexus RC F on the Track, EV Startups and the Dealer Franchise System
October 09, 2023 22:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBTom 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 ...
Bargain Jeep Grand Cherokee, Future Car Features, Fake Car Colors
October 02, 2023 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBJill 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 ...
EV Charging Levels Basics (Bonus Episode)
September 28, 2023 23:00 - 9 minutes - 6.9 MBIn this ten-minute bonus episode, Jill and Tom break down the basics of electric-vehicle charging. The hosts discuss level-1 (wall-outlet), level-2 (home), and level-3 (public, DC) charging. Here's what you need to know before you start shopping for an electric vehicle. Remember to subscribe and to review the show wherever you download your podcasts. Also, leave us a comment on the Car Stuff Podcast Facebook page.
Jeep News, Kia EV9 Review, and the Folly of Ethanol
September 25, 2023 22:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBJill 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 employee...
Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai Kona, Discontinued Models
September 18, 2023 22:00 - 55 minutes - 38.5 MBJill 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...
Loving the Nissan Ariya, Dealerships Embrace ChatGPT, Driving the Alfa Romeo Tonale
September 11, 2023 22:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MBJill 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 ...
GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate, UAW Plays Hardball, Chinese Cars Go West
September 04, 2023 16:00 - 52 minutes - 36 MBJill 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 cr...
Comeback of the Manual Transmission, All-New Lincoln Nautilus
August 28, 2023 22:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBBrendan 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 ...