Car Stuff Podcast

 In this special crossover episode of the Car Stuff Podcast, Tom rides along with Robert Colangelo of the Green Sense Show to experience Subaru's first all-electric vehicle, the Solterra small crossover. Robert and Tom share their takes on the likable little EV, and take note of a few drawbacks in the process. 

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. 

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. 

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? Rumi.aiAll-in-one meeting tool with real-time transcription & searchable Meeting Memory™

 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. Rumi.aiAll-in-one meeting tool with real-time transcription & searchable Meeting Memory™

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. Rumi.aiAll-in-one meeting tool with real-time transcription & searchable Meeting Memory™

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. Rumi.aiAll-in-one meeting tool with real-time transcription & searchable Meeting Memory™

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. Rumi.aiAll-in-one meeting tool with real-time transcription & searchable Meeting Memory™

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. 

Jill and Tom opened the show noting that elements of the media have been misusing the term “mild hybrid.” Listen in for details. The hosts ran down a questionable list of the “most-patriotic brands,” which included Ford and Jeep. What other carmakers made the list? Listen in. Still in the first segment, Jill and Tom reviewed the new, likable, Fiat 500e electric coupe. Fiat’s new subcompact electric runabout boasts a fun design and frisky on-road experience, but won’t be perfect for everyone. In the second segment, Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions joins the show to catch up on a number of hot topics, including: The future of Dodge, the Hyundai/General Motors tie-up, slumping Ram-pickup sales, and more. In the last segment Jill is subjected to Tom’s “Front drive or AWD” quiz.