pedestrian in crosswalk
19
Dec
2025
Posted in News

Deadly Combination: Left Turns & Blind Zones

If you have ever started a left turn and suddenly realized someone in the crosswalk seemed to appear out of nowhere, you are not imagining things. New research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that vehicle design…

2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid front three-quarter view.
14
Dec
2025
Posted in New Vehicle Reviews Specifications

Electrified: Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

Mazda never rushes. Instead, it waits. Then, it acts with intent. That patience matters in today’s hybrid-heavy market, where many vehicles feel engineered to satisfy federal regulations rather than advance drivability. The 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid avoids that pitfall. It…

Nissan Sakura, electric kei car.
09
Dec
2025
Posted in Special

Kei Cars and the American Driver

When President Donald J. Trump recently suggested that America should build and sell Japanese-style “kei cars,” the comment set off a ripple of curiosity. These tiny runabouts are iconic in Japan, beloved for their thrift, charm, and maneuverability. Yet they…

used vehicle car lot
04
Dec
2025
Posted in Car Buying Tips Consumer Guidance

Consumer Angst: High New Vehicle Prices

New-car prices have climbed to the point where many shoppers feel locked out of the market. Monthly payments resemble a mortgage for some households, and the old comfort of a three- or four-year loan has given way to long terms…

Chevrolet Camaro
01
Dec
2025
Posted in Reader Stories

The Car that Found Its Way Home from Connecticut to White River Junction, Vermont

A curious account of a Camaro that returned to its Connecticut roots. Everyone has heard stories of cats or dogs who travel miles and years to get home. But I have a story of a car – an automobile —…

Toyota Hybrid
29
Nov
2025
Posted in Car Buying Tips

Hybrids? The Better EV!

The electric vehicle segment is comprised of multiple types of vehicles, not just pure EVs. This is important to know as consumers have plenty of choices when shopping for a highly efficient vehicle. Further, with the federal tax credit eliminated,…

Thanksgiving
24
Nov
2025
Posted in Special

Thanksgiving Detour: A Journey, Not Just a Drive

This article was originally shared Thanksgiving 2023. The air was crisp, the skies a dull gray, and leaves scattered across roads in colorful waves of orange, red, and brown. Thanksgiving had always been a warm and comforting event in our…

Tesla
22
Nov
2025
Posted in Special

Tesla Model X Weight Reduction: 400 Pounds

Tesla did not redesign the Model X for 2026—but they made it much lighter. By shaving nearly 400 pounds, the big electric SUV now weighs about 5,219 pounds, putting it surprisingly close to large gas-powered rivals.Here’s how Tesla pulled off…

engine oil dipstick
20
Nov
2025
Posted in Car Care Car Maintenance Tips

Choosing the Right Winter Motor Oil

If you live where winter takes a deep hold in your area with temperatures regularly staying in sub-freezing territory, then having the correct oil viscosity is essential before the season arrives. As temperatures plunge, your motor oil thickens and that…

winter road
13
Nov
2025
Posted in Driving Tips

Are You Ready for Winter Driving?

As cold weather overtakes and dominates your area, the reality of winter settles in. Your vehicle thrives in stable temperatures– mostly spring and fall – but it is during the extremes (summer and winter), when your battery, tires, and even…

sleepy driver
12
Nov
2025
Posted in Driving Tips

Drowsy Driving: Waking Up at 70 MPH

It starts innocently enough — the hum of tires on asphalt, the rhythmic flash of white lines, the cabin warm enough to make the world outside feel colder and farther away. Your eyes burn a little. A blink lasts too…

young lady
07
Nov
2025
Posted in Car Selling Tips

A Dealer Wants Your Car: Should You Sell?

Dealing your ride in a seller’s market. The COVID-19 pandemic did much more than threaten our health. The crisis threw a wrench into automaker’s manufacturing plans with most canceling or cutting back on their orders. Semiconductor chips were among the…

03
Nov
2025
Posted in Maintenance & Repairs

How To Test Ignition Coils With A Multimeter

Ignition coils act as an electrical transformer that amplifies the battery voltage to generate sparks. If it is faulty, the engine may misfire, backfire, have rough idle, or experience sudden power loss. You need to test the ignition coils when…

sticker shock
30
Oct
2025
Posted in Special

Destination Unknown: The Rising Cost of Delivery Fees

Inflation erodes purchasing power, making it crucial for incomes to keep pace with rising costs—a challenge keenly felt in the automotive market. While sticker shock is common for new car buyers, a detailed look at the Monroney label reveals one…

2026 Mazda CX-90 front three-quarter view
27
Oct
2025
Posted in New Vehicle Reviews Specifications

Near Luxury: 2026 Mazda CX‑90

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 steps into the three-row SUV market with intention and style. It targets families who want more than the typical big-box utility vehicle. And it delivers a blend of luxury touches, sharp driving manners, and smart tech…

Chevrolet BrightDrop
23
Oct
2025
Posted in News

Lights Out: GM Ends BrightDrop Electric Van Line

General Motors has ended production of its BrightDrop electric delivery vans, bringing an abrupt close to one of the automaker’s most high-profile EV startups. The decision marks a retreat from a promising venture launched just four years ago to electrify…

Pontiac Aztek
21
Oct
2025
Posted in History Specifications

History of the Pontiac Aztek

The Pontiac Aztek was a compact crossover sport utility vehicle produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 2001 and 2005. This SUV was designed as a versatile, family-friendly vehicle that could be used for both everyday commuting and…

bills
16
Oct
2025
Posted in News

EV Makers Operate Without Federal Tax Credit

The federal tax credit for consumers purchasing an electric vehicle is no longer, having ended on September 30, 2025. Manufacturers leaned heavily on the credit, which allowed qualified consumers to save up to $7,500 on a new vehicle when filing…

2027 Chevrolet Bolt Red
13
Oct
2025
Posted in New Models Specifications

GM Revives the Chevrolet Bolt

General Motors is bringing back the Chevrolet Bolt for 2027, responding to customer demand for an affordable electric vehicle. The new Bolt continues the legacy of the original 2017 model, which was among the first mass-market EVs to deliver long…

children at play
09
Oct
2025
Posted in Special

10 Ways Communities Are Rethinking Speed

America’s streets are changing. As cities rethink how people move through their neighborhoods, safety—not speed—is taking the lead. 1. Perspective Shapes Your Opinion The “right” speed for a neighborhood street depends on who you are. Drivers often see the road…