James Raia

Articles by James Raia

#161, Clasiq.com, a start-up buying, selling classic cars

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:49 — 36.8MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreNew car sales are hurting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Used cars, car subscriptions, leasing, etc., are increasingly popular. Clasiq.com hopes for its share of the marketplace as an online start-up. As its name implies, Clasiq.com sells classic cars. It streamlines the process of buying and selling a classic vehicle. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Jeremy Birenbaum, Clasiq’s Creative Director, on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Birenbaum says Clasiq.com defines a classic vehicle as dating from 1994 and older. As the car-buying and car-selling landscapes evolve during the pandemic, Birenbaum discusses the procedures of buying and selling from the company,

Read more

Tips for keeping new drivers in your family safe

PARTNERSHIP CONTENT Many young new drivers experience a feeling of freedom. They no longer have to rely on family or friends for lifts to work or to public transportation locations. They’re on their own. But families of beginning drivers should lend support and keep a watchful eye. Here are some tips for keeping new drivers safe in your family: Encourage Them To Not Be Boastful Passing a first driver’s test marks an achievement often not forgotten. But with new confidence, sometimes eager rookie drivers take risks. Commonsense practices like keeping both hands on the wheel and adhering to speed limits are forgotten. New drivers should be reminded that a cavalier attitude isn’t wise. The consequences can be tragic. No one

Read more

#160, Automotive books sure bets as holiday gifts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:07 — 33.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More Easy. Appreciated. Two words and a holiday gift issue solved. Buy automotive books for the enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list. Bruce Aldrich and I discuss a half-dozen automotive books on episode #160 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. We’ve had everal authors on the podcast in the past three years. All share a passion for the automotive industry — Chevrolet to Volkswagen, Jeep to the massive Takata airbag catastrophe. Here’s a synopsis of three of the books we discuss: * Russell Hayes, like all automotive industry book authors, is passionate about his subject matter. Hayes’ interests cover several iconic carmakers, including his latest

Read more
, ,

New Rivian EV a success before its pending debut

The much-touted Rivian electric pickup truck has reached a milestone before one of its new trucks is sold. The start-up announced reservation slots for the futuristic-looking truck have sold. Rivian recently unveiled its final pricing and configurations for the first version of the R1T and R1S. The startup then opened up its configurator for pending owners who have placed reservations with a $1,000 deposit on its vehicles during the past two years. The pickup truck will be available to consumers in the summer of 2021 and with a starting price of $75,000. Rivian Pickup Still Pending Only Launch Edition versions of the trucks will debut. The R1T Launch Edition will start at $75,000; the R1S Launch Edition will start at

Read more
,

Rezvani Hercules rules the kingdom of 6×6 trucks

It’s called Hercules and for good reason. The recently unveiled 6×6 has been designated as the world’s most powerful 6×6 pickup truck. As the bigger brother of the Rezvani Tank, the new offering from the Irvine, California-based Rezvani Motors is built from Jeep Wrangler underpinnings. It’s 20-feet long and has an extra axle, a super long bed and six 37-inch wheels. Power statistics for the new beast area impressive: It has a Dodge Demon supercharged V8 that can produce 1,300 horsepower and 989 ft. lbs. of torque. The beast is propelled by an eight-speed auto transmission from the Dodge Ram TRX. The truck is capable of two-wheel, four-wheel and full six-wheel-drive on demand. Further impressive, the Hercules’ customization possibilities include

Read more

#159, San Jose cannabis dispensary delivers in Teslas

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:40 — 46.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More Chris Lane is the chief marketing officer of Airfield Supply Co., a cannabis dispensary in San Jose, California. Its name is derived from the company’s proximity to the San Jose International Airport. Its motto is “High Is A Place.” The company is thriving in the Silicon Valley, where marijuana delivery is a competitive segment of the business community. Airfield Supply also recently determined it can more efficiently deliver its product. It added six Tesla Model 3s to its delivery fleet. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Lane about the cannabis industry in the Silicon Valley and the Airfield’s decision to utilize

Read more
,

2020 AMG GT R Coupe defines beauty with pricey flaws

The 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R roadster and coupe are among the rarest mainstream cars on the road. The former was limited to 750 units, the latter 2,000. Combine scarcity, exterior design and the matted paint choice of Selenite Gray Magno and the supercar attracts constant attention. The GT R, which debuted in 2018, defines a sports car. With craftsmanship channeling of Porsche, Ferrari and the Dodge Viper, there’s nothing quite like the performance-oriented Mercedes-Benz relative. It’s a glistening work of art on wheels. Yet the exterior is a contradiction with much of the rest of the car. How can you go wrong with a four-liter, 577-horsepower V8 biturbo with a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission and 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.5 seconds?

Read more

Automotive books make ideal holiday gifts

Russell Hayes, like all automotive industry book authors, is passionate about his subject matter. Hayes’ interests cover several iconic carmakers, including his latest effort celebrating the 75th and 70th anniversaries of the Volkswagen Beetle and Bus. For enthusiasts as interested in vehicles as the author, Hayes’ coffee-table sized volume is among three varied books ideal as the holiday season approaches. Hayes, whose books range in topics from auto shows to Lotus to several offerings on Volkswagen, just released “Volkswagen Beetles and Buses: Smaller and Smarter.” (Quarto Publishing Group, $40). As Hayes explains, no carmaker’s history is as unique as Volkswagen — its association with the Nazi movement to the Hippie generation. Auto Books: VW to Jeep to Corvette More than

Read more

Mazda gets best car brand honors for 6th straight year

For consumers seeking the most reliable car brand, Mazda has received top honors — again. U.S. News & World Report has named Mazda the “Best Car Brand” for the sixth consecutive year. The manufacturer won on the strength of its Mazda3, Mazda6 and MX-5 Miata. The publication reported the Mazda3, Mazda6 and MX-5 Miata offer superior performance and handling and feature premium, quality and upscale interiors. The Mazda3 and Mazda6 are sedans; the Mazda MX-5 Miata is a hardtop and convertible two-seat sports car. It’s the best-selling car in history in the sports car segment. “All three models have top-notch performance that puts an emphasis on direct, sporty handling, as well as quality interiors that are more upscale than their

Read more
,

Ford F-150 among pickup trucks slammed by Consumer Reports

Pickup trucks may be increasingly popular, but the reliability of the segment just received a jolt by Consumer Reports. The Ford F-150, the perennially top-selling vehicle in the United States, was graded as below average in the magazine’s annual reliability study. The GMC Sierra 1500, Chevrolet Silverado, Nissan Titan and Ram 1500 also scored below average. The magazine’s statisticians annually calculate reliability ratings for every major mainstream car, minivan, SUV and pickup truck using Consumer Reports’ member survey data. It factors in models that use some of the same components. Pickup Trucks Receive Surprising Grades Consumer Reports said the Ram 1500 is “plagued with electronics issues—screen replacements, headlights, body control modules, gauges, and engine computers.” The Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier,

Read more

Takata airbag mess means 7 million GM recalls

The Takata airbag fiasco won’t go away, and it’s not good news for General Motors, pickup truck and SUVs owners and the bankrupt Japanese company. General Motors announced it will recall about seven million pickup trucks and SUVs worldwide to replace the potentially dangerous bag inflators made by the Japanese company. About six million of the vehicles scheduled for recall are located in the United States. The recalled vehicles include: full-size pickup trucks and SUVs from the 2007 through 2014 model years, including the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups. Takata Airbag Recall Cover Seven Vehicles The Silverado is GM’s top-selling vehicle and the second-best-selling vehicle in the U.S. Also covered are the Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe and Avalanche, Cadillac

Read more

#158, Electric car subscription: savvy one-stop shopping

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:29 — 23.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More Convenience, flexibility, and value are key attractions to car subscription company services offered by T4L, Inc., and several other regional and national companies. The concept is the latest trend in the automobile industry. It caters to drivers who don’t have the time or desire for the details of buying a vehicle but need transportation. Allen Witters, the CEO of T4L, headquartered in Naples, Fla., is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Witters the new industry and the ideas behind the need for some to consider a car subscription. T4L membership prices

Read more

#157, 50 years of driving: Co-hosts talk good, bad, ugly

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:49 — 54.7MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More Turning age 66 doesn’t have the same milestone traditions as ages 40, 50 and 65. But there are connections to the automotive world for me with double six on the horizon, including 50 years of driving. Driving the iconic Route 66 is a bucket list item for many travelers. I’d like to do that at age 66. And for those who acquired their first driver’s license at age 16, a half-century of driving has likely provided plenty of opportunities for reflection. During the past half-century, the automotive industry has advanced with the acceleration of a Tesla. So my friend and co-host Bruce Aldrich

Read more
,

Jay Leno honors Sam Walton, Walmart with new old F-150

Sam Walton needed one vehicle; Jay Leno has hundreds. But the comedian and founder of Walmart both knew about business, marketing and a good truck when they saw one. Which is why Walmart and Leno, the renowned collector, have collaborated to reimagine the late Walton’s 1979 Ford F-150. Using a 2021 Ford F-150, the project will celebrate the debut of Leno’s line of car care and detailing products at Walmart beginning in early 2021. Jay Leno Has Honored Sam Walton Walton cherished his battered truck. Among the entrepreneur’s legacy is a tale about why Walton continued to drive the truck despite being able to afford any vehicle he wanted. “What am I supposed to haul my dogs around in a

Read more

Santa Cruz set as 1st Hyundai pickup truck

Hyundai’s new pickup truck will have a unibody construction. Starting prices have not been announced but predicated at $25,000. Hyundai hopes the Santa Cruz will improve the carmaker’s lagging sales.    Following the industry trend, although several years behind, Hyundai will soon debut its first pickup truck, the 2022 Santa Cruz. First teased as a concept in 2015, the South Korean manufacturer will begin selling the Santa Cruz as a complement to its expanding non-sedan lineup in late 2021.  Hyundai recently added the Kona, Palisade and Venue crossovers to its lineup. Hyundai sold a manufacturer’s record of 768,057 vehicles in 2016. The tally fell to 688,771 last year. Few details of the new truck have been released, but it’s expected to

Read more

#156, Automobile writer Aaron Gold talks cars

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:20 — 43.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More Aaron Gold is a veteran automobile writer who has contributed to many print and online publications. He’s as enthusiastic about his work as anyone in the industry, and it shows in his articles and in conversation. A staff writer for Automobile, Gold is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the automotive industry with the journalist, with a particular interest in several of his recent articles. Canada isn’t an automotive powerhouse, but Gold recently wrote: “Who Knew Canadian Cars Were a Thing? Well, They Are.” The article detailed Bricklin Motors to Conquest

Read more
Previous Next