In Wheel Time - Cartalk Radio

Shoppers don’t just want specs—they want confidence. From the floor of the Houston Auto Show, we sit down with Team Gilman’s Acura lead, Marla Cardenas, to dig into what turns casual browsing into informed decisions, and why a calm, pressure‑free venue helps families and first‑time buyers ask better questions. The Integra Type S brings the sport, the NSX brings the sparkle, and the new ADX shows why smaller SUVs are winning hearts with agility and everyday comfort.We walk through the Acura lineup’s core personality: responsive handling without harshness, clean design with real utility, and tech that stays focused on safety and ease of use. You’ll hear how women and men frame priorities differently—crash protection, child‑seat fit, and budget flexibility on one side; horsepower, hybrid timelines, and engineering details on the other—yet converge on the same outcome: how the car feels when it counts. We also unpack the value of certified pre‑owned inventory, sourced mainly from customer trade‑ins with known ser

Want a truck or Jeep that turns heads without turning your commute into a chore? We’re live from the Houston Auto Show with the crew from Texas Truckworks to map out upgrades that deliver real value: two-inch leveling kits for a cleaner stance, right-size tires for comfort and grip, and bed covers that earn their keep every single day. We get tactical about wheels that won’t punish ride quality, sidewall that protects on rough roads, and setups that keep your highway manners intact while adding weekend capability.The conversation goes beyond parts into purpose. We talk building for trails over mud, why overlanding and rock crawling reward preparation, and how clubs help new drivers gain skills without breaking parts. You’ll hear how women are reshaping Jeep culture—leading trail runs, organizing charity rides, and building confident rigs. Then we open the hood on the purist debate around engine swaps, comparing brand-loyal Hemi or Coyote builds with LS conversions, and explain when tuning, exhaust, and coolin

The line forms where the growl echoes. We’re set up beside Camp Jeep at the Houston Auto Show, and the first thing you notice is the 30-degree hill and the calm voice of a pro driver explaining exactly how a Wrangler keeps its cool. We brought the track manager, Nick Hoy, into the hot seat to decode the six-obstacle course, the Wrangler 392’s idle climb, and why a single button for sway bar disconnect can be the difference between spinning and sticking.From there, we open the hood on modern off-road tech without the buzzwords. Nick walks us through the electronic lockers, Off-Road Plus, and the front-facing camera that turns a blind crest into a confident line. It’s a clean progression from the old days of manual hubs and pliers in the mud to quick, precise controls on the dash. We talk Gladiator, poke at the Grand Cherokee’s air suspension and skid plates, and admit that not every model is meant to crab-walk a rock garden. Still, capability shows up across the Jeep lineup, and the indoor course proves it in

Engines echo, tires climb, and families light up as we go live from the 43rd Houston Auto Show—where test drives, ride-alongs, and a boat hall next door turn the day into a full-on adventure. We walk you through Camp Jeep and the Ram Truck track, then step outside for Polaris side-by-sides and a monster truck ride that’s already creating legends in the lobby. Inside, the floor is packed: mainstream brands with full lineups you can sit in, scan, and compare, plus a luxury gallery ranging from Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin to Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Lotus.We dig into what buyers really care about right now—transparent pricing, base vs top-trim choices, and how QR codes help you validate features on the spot. Our conversation moves from tow ratings and hitch options to a smarter way to shop: plan a route with the official floor map, hit your short list first, and use the show to compare brands in minutes, not weekends. Along the way, we spotlight why Stellantis returned in force and how interactive experiences

The cold rolled in, the guest line went sideways, and we decided to make the most valuable hour you’ll spend before hitting an icy road. We dig into the moves that keep you safe when bridges glaze over and confidence outruns grip: how to plan your route, why following distance is everything, and the simple car kit that turns a breakdown into an inconvenience instead of a crisis.From there, we get hands-on with winter tires and storage. If you swap sets, we explain why compound and siping matter, the right way to store wheels horizontally, and how to clean tread before bagging them up. We share real black ice tactics learned the hard way—crawl speed, smooth inputs, zero assumptions about stopping—and why hot water on cold windshields is a costly mistake. Even in a world of roadside apps, kitty litter, blankets, and a power bank still save the day.We lighten the mood with seven unforgettable songs about car crashes, using those stories as a lens on risk, impulse, and how car culture teaches safety by stealth. T

New-car prices keep climbing, loan terms keep stretching, and shoppers are left to figure out what “value” really means. We bring on Alex from U.S. News & World Report to unpack the Best Cars for the Money awards, where expert road tests meet five-year ownership costs and real transaction data. The result is a practical shortlist of vehicles you can actually buy and enjoy without fearing the next payment or repair bill.We walk through the standouts. Kia’s dramatic rise from budget to benchmark shows up across gas, hybrid, PHEV, and EV segments, with thoughtful packaging and long warranties that protect your wallet. In compact cars, the K4 challenges class leaders on price and coverage. For SUVs, we parse needs honestly: the Nissan Murano shines as a two-row value with style and standard safety, while the Kia Sorento makes sense as a smaller, occasional-use three-row that trims fuel and purchase costs. For buyers who truly need bigger rigs, Ford’s Expedition and F-150 deliver lower lifetime costs relative

Craving a car fix without a road trip? We spin a different kind of tour: five destination-worthy automotive museums that chart the arc from brass era pioneers to Hollywood legends, then we put a cutting-edge EV under the microscope. Our journey starts with the sprawling Gilmore campus and rolls through Tacoma’s LeMay, LA’s Petersen, and the Henry Ford’s sweeping narrative of innovation before landing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, where racing history crackles from every display.With that heritage fresh in mind, we jump into the driver’s seat of the 2026 Polestar 4 dual motor. Think 544 horsepower, a sleek profile, and one audacious choice: no rear window. We talk through the consequences of camera-only rear visibility, a panoramic roof that relies on electrochromic dimming, and a minimalist cabin anchored by a 15.4-inch screen. It’s clean, modern, and quick, but we weigh the trade-offs—less tactile control and more eyes-off-road moments—alongside real-world charging needs, range, and pricing that

Fires, fixes, and fumbles: we open with hard facts on Ford’s engine block heater recall affecting more than 119,000 vehicles, what symptoms to watch for, and why the only safe move is to leave the plug alone until the dealer repair is done. We also spotlight Land Rover’s labeling error and explain how a “simple” sticker can pause sales and complicate safety compliance.From there, we jump into a sold car roundup that shows how the market really moves. A clean 1999 Chevrolet Suburban crossing $25,000 proves that durability and utility still command a premium. A 1977 Corvette landing at $11,000 illustrates how malaise-era horsepower drags value despite a four-speed. A sharp resto-mod 1972 Chevy C10 earns $36,750 on stance and drivability, while a 1963 Volvo 1800S hits $26,250 on design purity and nostalgia. Then the curveball: a 2006 Subaru Impreza for $1,300, a masterclass in how condition beats badge every time.We keep it local and lively with new Tailpipes and Tacos dates, cruise-ins you can hit next weekend,

Awards shape buyer decisions more than most of us realize, so we sat down with veteran juror and radio host Jack Nerad to peel back how North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year actually get chosen. Fifty independent journalists, a year of testing, multiple voting rounds, and a marathon drive event near Detroit all lead to three names everyone talks about. We walk through the process, the politics (or lack thereof), and the real criteria that separate buzz from substance: class leadership, value, significance, innovation, and everyday usability.The car finalists tell a story of contrast—Nissan Sentra updates, a reborn Honda Prelude, and a radically flexible Dodge Charger that spans two and four doors, a potent turbo six, and an all-electric variant. Hear why the jury rallied behind the Charger’s breadth and execution. On the truck side, the Ford Maverick Lobo edged out Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 by pushing the compact pickup idea further, balancing capability with size, price, and clever packaging for dai

Looking for a winter car fix without a long road trip? We map out a string of Texas car museums that punch above their weight, from Austin’s rock-and-roll-infused collection to the Hillsboro time capsule and Woody’s Classic Cars and Baseball Museum. The highlight is the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum’s Chaparral Gallery, where engineering legends meet live demonstrations that keep these racers in motion, not mothballed. We wrap the route with Bill’s Backyard Classics in Amarillo—a grassroots trove of hot rods, muscle, and trucks that feels personal and welcoming.Then we slide behind the wheel of the 2026 Lincoln Aviator Black Label. Think clean, American luxury with modern lighting, rich leather, and a ride that floats without losing composure. The twin-turbo V6 serves smooth, V8-like thrust, but we press on two fronts: efficiency that begs for a hybrid and driver-assist features that demand constant attention. We talk usability, eye-on-road alerts, and why partial automation should reduce cognitive load, not

Ever wondered why your first fast-charging session felt so pricey? We dig into the real numbers behind fueling an electric vehicle versus a gas car and show where the savings actually live. With Anderson Economic Group’s data in hand, we focus on fuel-only costs per 100 miles, stripping away purchase price and repairs to reveal a clean comparison that helps you decide based on your daily reality, not marketing claims.We break down how pricing shifts with your charging mix. Rely on commercial DC fast chargers with flat session fees and layered rates, and your EV can get expensive fast. Charge mostly at home on residential electricity, and the story flips—especially for luxury models that would otherwise drink premium gas. You’ll hear concrete figures from Michigan: entry-level gas cars near $9.10 per 100 miles, comparable EVs around $13.40 with mostly home charging and roughly $16.16 with mostly commercial. In the luxury segment, premium-fuel ICE averages around $17, while a luxury EV charged at home lands nea

Big SUVs promise comfort and power, but where do they land on efficiency, tech, and day-to-day usability? We took the 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor and the 2026 Lincoln Aviator Black Label on extended drives to find out. From grille details and cabin storage to third-row realities and highway manners, we dig into what these family haulers do well and where they fall short.The Expedition Tremor leans into body-on-frame muscle with a 3.5L high-output EcoBoost that churns out 440 hp and 510 lb-ft. It tows, it cruises, and it rides like a stretched limo, yet parking-lot pivots and fuel economy remind you how large it is. We break down pricing against the Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon XL, and Toyota Sequoia, and talk honestly about the need for a hybrid solution that preserves torque without draining wallets.Then we switch lanes to the Aviator, a unibody luxury SUV with a clean, tuxedo look and a plush Black Label interior. The twin-turbo 3.0L V6 delivers V8-like thrust while adaptive suspension keeps the cabin calm. We

Fire up your curiosity: what happens when AI, humanoid robots, and digital manufacturing collide on the factory floor? We dig into the bold prediction that a fully automated car assembly line could be operating by 2030 and unpack what it really takes to get there. From wiring harnesses and delicate dashboard installs to the complexity of door modules, we separate headlines from the hard engineering work that makes or breaks automation at scale.We share practical examples of where automation already excels—welding cells, tire plants, high-repeat processes—and the spots that still challenge robots’ dexterity and sensing. You’ll hear why design for automation is emerging as a core discipline, how sequence changes can unlock access for robots, and what it means to standardize connectors, tolerances, and fixtures so machines can move fast without sacrificing quality. Humanoid robots get their moment too: we explore why early pilots will likely focus on ergonomically tough tasks and where a human-in-the-loop model

What really makes a car a classic—age, design, or the stories we attach to it? We dive into a lively debate on classic status, from the beloved Tri-Five Chevys to the late-50s and 70s icons that still turn heads. Along the way, we swap drag strip memories, laugh about dual antennas and sagging springs, and draw a clean line between resto-mods and factory-correct restorations. The big question sits in the middle of it all: who decides what’s worth preserving, and how do we keep that passion thriving as the community gets older?We spotlight how clubs and events carry the torch—Dallas Area Classic Chevies, Tailpipes and Tacos, and the Hot Rod Tour of Texas all give enthusiasts a place to show up, share knowledge, and pass the keys to the next generation. There’s real talk about estates, aging collectors, and why families sometimes sell cherished cars without a plan. But there’s also optimism: local meets, social feeds, and statewide runs are pulling in fresh faces, fresh builds, and a stronger sense of community

Think you can read the market better than the bidders? We put that to the test with a live Hemmings sold-car roundup—calling final prices and then revealing the hammer on a lineup that spans a 1966 Dodge W100, a first-year 1970 Monte Carlo, a polarizing 1993 Cadillac Allanté, a white-on-white 1973 Pontiac Firebird, a slick 1959 VW Beetle resto-mod, and a modern-legend 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The fun isn’t just in the guesses; it’s in what each sale says about how collectors value originality, documentation, drivability, and cultural cool right now.We share why workhorse trucks with clean bones still sell strong, how period-correct Mopars earn a premium, and where personal-luxury Chevys are heading as younger buyers join the hunt. The Allanté’s Italian styling meets American expectations in a cautionary tale of hype vs. ownership reality. Meanwhile, the FJ Cruiser shocks with a number that reflects overlanding culture, Toyota’s reliability halo, and the power of discontinued icons. If you track classic car val

Ever wondered what happens when you hand a team $2,200, drop them in Detroit, and tell them to chase riddles across America for a good cause? We sit down with organizer Richard Tomlin to unpack Wrench Rally 3, a back-roads, no-interstate adventure where budget beaters become charity champions. From the thrill of the hunt on Facebook Marketplace to the tight ten-minute evening check-in window, Richard explains how a gimmick rally blends navigation puzzles, teamwork, and roadside repairs into a road trip you’ll tell stories about for years.The format is simple and brilliant: buy under the cap, pass a safety check, then follow clue sheets that lead to hyperlocal landmarks you can’t game with AI. Each team proves progress with photos, helps others under the Kansas Rule when breakdowns strike, and rolls into nightly meetups that sometimes turn into pop-up car shows. The route celebrates history and scenery—Appalachian stretches, Route 66 nods, the Ouachita Mountains—before winding into Possum Kingdom Lake and a fi

Looking for a small truck that actually does big truck things without the bulk? We put the 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo through real-world paces and found a compact that blends smart packaging, confident power, and everyday usefulness. From the clean new dash and bigger screen to the rugged cabin and under-seat storage, this one proves you don’t need an oversized footprint to tow, haul, and handle errands with ease. With 250 horsepower from the 2.0L EcoBoost, standard AWD on our tester, and legit payload and tow numbers, the Maverick hits that sweet spot between capability and comfort—plus it squeezes into parking spaces without stress.We also step beyond the spec sheet to help you keep your car running in tough weather. Our battery rundown explains why cold-cranking amps matter, how to match group size and climate, and which brands consistently deliver in extreme conditions. Whether you’re shopping Odyssey for low-temperature starts or considering accessible options like Duracell and Super Start, we share practic

A rainy gas stop in 1986 led to one of the most useful car features you use without thinking: the tiny arrow on your fuel gauge. We share the little-known story of Ford interior designer James Moylan, whose quick proposal turned a personal mishap into a global convenience. It’s a reminder that smart automotive UX often starts with empathy, not expensive tech—and it’s the perfect lens for looking at what modern cars still get wrong and right.From there, we jump behind the wheel of the 2025 Ford Maverick. We walk through trims, the new larger screen, practical storage, and why this compact, car-based truck hits the sweet spot for daily driving, weekend projects, and tight parking garages. With 250 hp from the 2.0L EcoBoost, confident all-wheel drive on our tester, and real-world economy in the mid-20s, the Maverick proves you don’t need a full-size rig to tow light loads or haul four-foot-wide sheets. We compare it with the Hyundai Santa Cruz and map where midsizers like Ranger and Ridgeline fit once price and

The doors are about to open on Houston’s biggest automotive moment, and we’ve got your playbook. We walk the floor plan, the test tracks, and the insider perks so you can plan a smarter visit that actually answers your buying questions. Think 23 automotive brands side by side, five acres of boats, and ride-along experiences that turn spec sheets into seat-of-the-pants truth.We start with the headline attractions: Camp Jeep’s climbs and tilts, the Ram track’s capability demo, and an outdoor Polaris adventure course that brings powersports into the mix. Then we step into the premium lane with Ferrari of Houston’s return, plus fresh displays for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Aston Martin, and Lotus through dealer partners. The real unlock for shoppers is our look at guided tours led by Texas Auto Writers—tailored routes for starter cars, luxury options, and trucks and SUVs—so you can compare interiors, tech, and drivetrains without sales pressure or guesswork. For the best experience, we share the sweet spot times to visi

Continuing with our End of Year showcase...Two SUVs, two philosophies, one clear question: what do you actually want from your daily driver? We put the 2025 Mazda CX-5 under the microscope to see why a design from 2017 still pulls buyers, then swing to the Dodge Durango’s 5.7 Hemi to explore how old-school power and modern tech can coexist in a three-row hauler. Along the way, we zoom in on steering feel, ride character, real-world fuel economy, towing confidence, and the pricing sweet spots that make these choices more interesting than a simple spec-sheet duel.The CX-5 shows why restraint pays off: a clean exterior, a driver-first cabin, and a turbo four that makes a six-speed feel current. Yes, the infotainment system is dated, and second-row space isn’t class-leading, but the steering and chassis deliver a sports-sedan vibe that crossovers rarely match. We line it up against the CX-50, Honda CR-V, and Kia Sportage to map where style, value, and dynamics diverge—and where Mazda still wins on feel.Then we cl