The Thing About Cars

Beka starts us off by bringing up an “as seen on TV” product, which leads the merry band of podcasters to discuss detailing product brands. Dawn takes us down a familiar road by asking how long you should keep a car. The gang kicks around changing tires and current driver’s license road test standards. Mickey warns about skinned knees on the Audubon, and your Grand Trivia Auto question of the week. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

The guys discuss how car dealerships are doing in the wake of all the recent changes. Plus, Nissan dealerships send reps to Japan, cars are being parked out at sea, and tales of buried cars. Also, Gas Buddy’s article about the top 10 cities with the most aggressive drivers. And #GrandTriviaAuto ! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

Today the cast welcomes Dawn to the microphone. She tells us how she got involved with cars. Also on the board today: How to disinfect your car Beware saving a totaled-out car Car cruises to lift our spirit Mickey confesses to speeding in his Honda. More talk about electric cars. This week’s Grand Trivia Auto. And Dawn tells us when you should pull out. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

Welcome to TTAC’s first ever remote-recorded-podcast! The crew updates everyone with how they’re dealing with the pandemic, and Mickey reminds everyone that we’re here to talk about cars! Beka laments about emissions testing on older cars. Mickey and Ben, of course, talk about how they think newer cars are better. We answer a listener question about the I-35 speed limit in Texas. Guys, sometimes it’s good to be fast. Also, we have a segment from the Auto Advocate; Ray informs us about how dealerships make their money. And this week’s Grand Trivia Auto! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

We talk about a listener's power steering leak problems. Jen tells us a little about her spare tire woes. No, not that spare tire. The gang decries the use of tire slime and engine stop-leak. And Beka actually gets the Grand Trivia Auto question right. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

In this very special episode, Mickey and Ben get to talk with the Ambassador of Americana himself, the one and only Charles Phoenix! Charles is an expert on mid-century American culture, with a special fondness for the fabulous cars of the era. We find out how he got started with cars and why their stories matter, what he drives every day, what he would bring to a picnic, and so much more. You don't want to miss this one! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

We're going to Italian Car Day (in June). Jen joins us at the table. What will she say? Is Ben's Lotus alive? Does it run? Can our listeners help with another listener question? And the punchline is: Just buy it and stick it in there. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

Beka says that the death wobble doesn't just belong to Ford. What happened to cars with real driving spirit? Ben drives today's Grand Trivia Auto question. We introduce a new segment, "Your Auto Advocate." Can we make a date with a dealer? We answer a couple of listener questions. And Beka contemplates some violence... We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

Mickey has a trivia question for the listener. Ben has today's Grand Trivia Auto question for the table. We go over the proper sequence for disconnecting one's battery and the sequence of events for jumping one's battery. And Mickey is wrong about being right. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

A listener question turns into a big discussion on the politics surrounding electronic vehicles. Ben covers a question on catalytic converters and O2 sensors, but we get a little distracted on the matter. Apparently we have a lot to say about electric lawnmowers and leaf-blowers. Also, can Beka answer both Grand Trivia Auto questions? We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

We are joined by Beka, Ben, Mickey, and Cathy. (It was Cathy's first time at the TTAC table!) We talk about car book publishing, bad driving, and throw in a little bit gift giving! Ben talks about his Lotus--is it good news? Mickey gives a little bit on insight on the person who won the Seal-skin giveaway and what he did with it. And the question of the episode is what would be good for a clutch leak? Plug in for this episode of The Thing About Cars! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

Mazda Man Paul talks with us about why the Wankel engine has fallen out of production in Mazda’s RX line. We get into the future of the Wankel in other applications. What does the Mazda Man drive, anyway? Cathy has left the building, but we still talk about autonomous car accidents. LEDs are annoying, but Mickey may still put one on the Honda. And speaking of lights, why do we see so many more people driving around with their lights off? We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

This week we're back in the studio, hanging with Paul, the Mazda Man, and manager of MazMart in Atlanta. We talk about the possible demise of Mickey's Mazda, contemplate why Honda's driving spirit seems to have disappeared, answer some viewer mail, and do the Grand Trivia Auto thing, as usual. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

Mickey and Ben has an opportunity to talk with Zack Miller, the Publisher of Motorbooks, producing some of the world's finest books on transportation and motoring. Zack is a true gear-head who confesses a love for Italian motorcycles, but we were able to have a great conversation with him, anyway. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

Chris Duke hops on the phone to talk with us about what’s going on with Motorz Television. We talk at length about the BuyPower Card, and we take a look at what might be in store for cars and car modification trends. You can find more about Chris and his work at chrisduke.tv. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

Ben and Mickey are enthralled by a stack of books we've received from Motorbooks. And we're giving them away. If you'd like to receive one of these books, visit The Thing About Cars' website, and find the blog entry titled Motorbooks Giveaway! There you'll find a link to a form where you can register to win the book of your choice. Winners chosen completely at random. Thank you for being a part of the TTAC family! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

“Mike” speaks with Mickey about the fallacy of headlight upgrades, how they may be unsafe, and how the automotive lighting industry continues to manufacture and sell products which may be inherently unsafe. Mike offers some practical advice on which lights are worth your time, and how to use lighting properly, safely, and for the best effect. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

In this episode, guest Boedy rejoins the gang for a busy show agenda. Is there a real possibility of Camaros being discontinued? Bandying that question about ultimately beckons Beka to share about her Mustang's features. Another concept is explored: personal expression through cars. Hear analysis of Mahindra Roxors, leading to additional discussion about Smart Cars. It is wondered whether gas with ethanol is bad for your engine, and listen for the Grand Trivia Auto question! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

There's never a lack of subject matter for our regular band of mischief-makers to talk about, and this episode is no exception. We again welcome Boedy to the table for his thoughts on things. Mickey wonders why he didn't have much warning before experiencing an extremely dangerous broken axle & disconnected tie rod while driving (he's okay). Ben gives an update on the Lotus he's restoring. The gang debates why modern trucks are so "nice". The episode rounds out with a discussion about use of traction control systems, and there is also a Grand Trivia Auto question to ponder! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Our car-loving gang welcomes car-loving Boedy to the table, where they learn about his wide-ranging car interests. Other discussion includes technology changing how people learn and use driving skills, who likes or dislikes the Supra BMW and why, and the ideal length of hot rod headers. Also, see if you can answer the "Grand Trivia Auto" question! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.