Which Extremely Specific Car Award Do You Wish Existed?
Car publications and organizations flood the market with generic annual awards, from “Car of the Year” to multiple SUV categories, primarily to generate traffic and ad revenue. However, these broad awards suffer from limitations such as restricted test fleets and exclusion of older models, reducing their relevance to consumers. The article argues that hyper‑specific awards—like best turn‑signal stalk—could better serve niche buyer interests, even if they sacrifice traffic gains. It invites readers to suggest their ideal ultra‑specific car award.
At $6,500, Are You Brave Enough To Take On This 2005 Audi S4 Avant?
An 2005 Audi S4 Avant Quattro is listed on Craigslist for $6,500. The wagon features a 4.2‑liter V8 with a six‑speed manual and permanent Quattro, but has 123,499 miles and several mechanical issues, including an oil leak at the timing‑chain...
If You Can't Afford A Miata, How About A BMW Z3?
The piece highlights the BMW Z3 as a budget-friendly substitute for the increasingly pricey Mazda Miata. While used Miatas now often exceed $6,000, well‑maintained 1997‑1998 Z3s with inline‑4 engines can be purchased for $3,900‑$4,200, sometimes with comparable mileage. Automatic Z3s...
GM Is Facing A Lawsuit Over Selling Drivers' Onstar Data
Iowa Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against General Motors alleging the automaker sold driver location and personal data collected through its OnStar telematics service without consent. The complaint expands on earlier actions, accusing GM of selling the information to...
Every Ford That Wore The ST Badge In The United States
The Ford ST badge, born in Europe in the mid‑1990s, first appeared on U.S. streets with the 2013 Focus ST, a turbocharged hot hatch that combined 252 hp with sport‑tuned suspension. It was quickly followed by the Fiesta ST (2014‑19), a...
Approval For The AMC Gremlin Rested On The Impressive Artwork On An Air Sickness Bag
American Motors Corporation approved the Gremlin after Dick Teague sketched the concept on an airline barf bag, turning a cost‑saving idea into a production car. The subcompact borrowed the larger Hornet’s chassis, trimmed dimensions, and kept a 199‑cu‑in I6 engine, positioning...
How To Tell When Your Control Arms Need To Be Replaced
Control arms link a vehicle's chassis to its front wheel assemblies, crucial for handling, ride comfort, and steering precision. They typically last 80,000–120,000 miles before bushings, ball joints, or the arm itself can degrade. Common warning signs include steering vibrations,...
How To Find (And Fix) An Engine Vacuum Leak Yourself
Engine vacuum leaks, common in aging American, Asian and European cars, disrupt intake manifold pressure and cause erratic idle, stalling, and lean combustion. Technicians can pinpoint leaks using OBD‑II fuel‑trim data, auditory hissing checks, spray‑test diagnostics, or a dedicated smoke...
How Different Countries Tackled Hand Signals Before Mechanical Turn Signals Were Invented
Turn signals evolved from early mechanical trafficators to illuminated arrows, but uniform hand‑signal conventions lagged behind. In the United States, drivers relied on three basic gestures until Buick introduced electric blinkers in 1939, prompting a gradual shift to standardized signals....
Cars Tried External Combustion Engines And There Are Good Reasons It Didn't Stick
External combustion engines, notably steam and Stirling types, once vied for automotive dominance but ultimately lost to internal combustion. Steam cars like the Stanley models required lengthy boiler warm‑up and frequent water refills, limiting range and convenience. The introduction of...
These Are The Longest Range EVs Of 2026
The 2026 lineup of electric vehicles now includes several models that exceed 300 miles per charge, with the Lucid Air Grand Touring topping the list at an EPA‑estimated 512 miles. Close contenders include the Chevrolet Silverado EV at 493 miles,...
Chinese SUV Beats Lexus GX, Toyota Land Cruiser In Off-Road Test
In an Australian off‑road comparison by CarExpert, Great Wall Motors’ three‑row GWM Tank outperformed both the Lexus GX and the Toyota Land Cruiser (J300) on a demanding roller course. While the Land Rover Defender claimed overall victory, the Tank matched...
AMC Canceled The First Car With An Onboard Computer At The 11th Hour
The 1957 AMC Rambler Rebel was slated to debut Bendix’s Electrojector, an analog‑computer‑controlled electronic fuel‑injection system that could shave half a second off its 0‑60 time. Engineers battled reliability issues, especially cold‑weather starting below 50 °F, and the program was cancelled...
Why Do Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Have Such A Distinct Sound?
Harley‑Davidson’s iconic exhaust note comes from its 45‑degree firing V‑twin, where both pistons share a single crank pin, creating a "bang‑bang‑rest" rhythm. The engine’s lack of balance shafts amplifies vibration, making the exhaust valve pop the dominant audible cue rather...
Can You Bring Your Own Car Parts To A Mechanic?
Car owners can indeed bring their own replacement parts to a mechanic, potentially saving on the markup that shops add to OEM or aftermarket components. However, many garages refuse for reasons such as lost profit, warranty complications, and safety concerns....
Why The Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight Engine Has Four Spark Plugs
Harley‑Davidson introduced the Milwaukee‑Eight V‑twin engine to replace the Twin Cam, delivering 11% more torque and a higher 10.5:1 compression ratio while maintaining the same weight. The engine features four valves per cylinder and a dual‑spark plug setup that accelerates...
Here's How Much The Toyota GR Supra Has Depreciated In 5 Years
The 2021 Toyota GR Supra loses roughly 23% of its original price after five years, leaving resale values between $40,000 and $50,000 for low‑mileage examples. Compared with peers, the BMW Z4 depreciates about 40%, while the Porsche 718 Cayman retains...
How The 'Non-Passenger Work Vehicle' Became The Family Car
The 1970s oil crisis prompted the U.S. to adopt CAFE fuel‑economy standards, but a loophole exempted light‑truck classifications from strict limits. Automakers exploited this by reclassifying vehicles like the Jeep Cherokee as “non‑passenger work vehicles,” allowing them to meet weaker...
Your Average Sedan Can Tow Surprisingly Well
Recent model‑year sedans are officially rated to tow between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds, challenging the long‑standing perception that only trucks and large SUVs can handle trailers. Manufacturers such as Volvo, Volkswagen and Toyota list factory‑approved hitches and specific weight limits...
The Term 'Supercar' Existed Long Before The Miura
The term “supercar” first appeared in a 1920 British newspaper describing the Ensign 6, a 6.7‑liter car with 39 horsepower—far earlier than the Lamborghini Miura’s 1966 debut. While the Miura’s mid‑engine layout and striking design popularized the label, earlier models like the...
The World's Weirdest Rotary Engine Is A 118-Year-Old French Spinner That Leaks Castor Oil Everywhere
The Gnome Omega, an 8‑liter seven‑cylinder rotary engine introduced in 1908, powered many World War I aircraft. Unlike later Wankel rotaries, the Gnome spun its cylinders and crankcase around a fixed crankshaft, delivering about 50 hp at 1,200 rpm. Its simple two‑state ignition,...
The Last Car Elvis Presley Ever Drove Was A Classy Stutz Fit For A King
Elvis Presley’s passion for automobiles culminated in his ownership of five Stutz Blackhawks, the most notable being the 1973 Blackhawk III – the last car he ever drove. The neoclassic Stutz brand was resurrected in the late 1960s by James O’Donnell...
What To Expect With Dealer Vs. Safelite Windshield Replacements
Windshield replacements are a safety‑critical expense, often ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand for premium models. Dealerships install only OEM glass, which is required for vehicles equipped with ADAS to ensure proper sensor calibration, but their labor...
Here's Where Automakers Freeze Their Lugnuts Off For Cold Weather Testing
Automakers still rely on real‑world cold‑weather testing to validate vehicle performance in extreme conditions. Facilities range from Tesla's Alaska test track to Volvo's Kiruna site and the shared winter‑testing hub in Sweden’s Arjeplog. In the U.S., manufacturers supplement field tests...
3 Sights You Miss If You Take The Longest Train Route In The U.S.
The California Zephyr, Amtrak’s longest route at nearly 2,500 miles, runs from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay across seven states. While the train offers spectacular scenery, it bypasses three automotive‑centric attractions: Carhenge in Nebraska, the drive‑up Pikes Peak Highway in Colorado,...
You Should Shove A 450-HP Volvo Engine In Your BMW E30, Unless You're Chicken
Swedish engine specialist Alf Eng installed a 450‑horsepower Volvo B4204T35 twin‑charged 2.0‑liter four‑cylinder into a BMW E30 rallycross chassis. The modified E30 entered the Lillehammer Hillclimb, where driver Hans‑Joran Ostreng recorded the fourth‑fastest overall time despite a loose rear‑end and...
What Is Off Road Diesel And Why Is It Illegal To Use On Road?
Off‑road diesel, known as red diesel, is a tax‑exempt fuel dyed for easy identification and originally intended for equipment that rarely uses public highways. The EPA now requires it to meet the same emissions standards as on‑road diesel, but using...
How Automakers Tackle Auto Start-Stop Without Adding Wear And Tear
Auto start‑stop systems can cut fuel consumption by 7‑26 % by shutting off the engine during idle periods. Automakers address wear concerns with specialized starter designs, integrated starter‑alternator units, and deep‑cycle AGM batteries that recharge quickly. Advanced control modules monitor temperature...
96% Of Inspected New York City Gas Stations Are Lying About Octane Levels
A citywide inspection by New York’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection found that 702 of 729 gas stations – 96.3% – failed at least one test, most often for mislabeling octane grades. The violations triggered over 1,100 condemnations, forcing pumps...
NASCAR Announces Every Driver Will Compete In All-Star Race
NASCAR unveiled the 2026 All‑Star Race format, mandating the entire Cup Series field to start the two 75‑lap sprint segments before trimming to 26 cars for the $1 million final stage. The top 26 positions will be inverted after the first...
Hungry Omaha Road Gobbles Two Vehicles In Spontaneous Sinkhole
A sudden sinkhole opened on Pacific Street in Omaha’s Aksarben district, swallowing a Ram 1500 pickup and a Jeep Cherokee while they waited at a red light. Bystanders rescued both drivers unharmed, and a crane later lifted the vehicles from the...
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee's 324-HP Hurricane Turbo-Four Is Powerful But A Bit Unrefined
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L now uses Stellantis’s 324‑hp Hurricane turbo‑four as the sole engine for all trims except the base Laredo models, which retain the 3.6‑liter Pentastar V6. The four‑cylinder delivers strong power above 3,000 rpm but feels rough...
Purge Valve: What It Is, How It Works, And Why Proper Maintenance Matters
The purge valve, also called the purge control solenoid, is a small electrically‑controlled component that routes fuel vapors from the charcoal canister into the intake manifold for combustion, improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. When the valve sticks open or...
Consumer Reports' Most Reliable Car Brand Is No Longer Subaru
Consumer Reports' 2026 reliability rankings place Toyota at the top, pushing Subaru to second and Lexus to third. Toyota’s gains stem from refreshed Camry, Tacoma and Tundra models that have resolved earlier issues, while its rivals saw mixed results. Tesla...
Why This '80s Transmission Used Three Shifters Instead Of One
In 1983 Oldsmobile teamed with Hurst to equip the Cutlass with a unique three‑lever automatic called the Lightning Rod. The system used three center‑console levers to select gears sequentially, giving drivers a manual‑like experience despite the car’s modest 180 hp V8....