Matthew Wilde

Articles by Matthew Wilde

7 ways to make your used car last longer

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to make your used car go the extra mile, there are plenty of options that won’t break the bank. From ordering new tires online to fixing the upholstery, you can make your used car look fresh again. Here are seven affordable ways to make your pre-owned vehicle look great: 1. Add Sound Matting Older cards can frequently begin to vibrate to an unpleasant degree, but you can dampen the sound to make your riding experience more enjoyable. Sound matting usually means adding a rubber material to your car, which does double duty as insulation and a sound-reducer. This is an addition that makes an obvious improvement to your daily commute. 2. Buy

Read more

Top tips for purchasing your first classic car

If you’re a classic car enthusiast, it’s likely you’ve considered or will contemplate buying a vintage vehicle. Whether it’s a 1968 Ford Mustang or a classic Cadillac, there’s much to consider: Is the car you’re considering worth its price or does the vehicle have undiagnosed mechanical issues that will cost a fortune to maintain. Buying A Classic Car? Research Here are some tips to consider when purchasing your first classic. You’ll shop like a veteran car buyer and have a better chance of not making a costly mistake. Run Away From Rust Rust can be a deal-breaker for a used car, but when considering a vehicle that may be 30 to 50 years old, rust is expected. But to what

Read more

NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2022 Subaru WRX

The 2022 Subaru WRX, the third generation of the compact sports sedan, features improved performance and the most advanced features in the car’s nearly 20-year history. Powered by a new 2.4-liter, turbocharged 271-horsepower engine, the WRX has either a six-speed manual transmission or new automatic transmission. New also are a high-definition tablet-style 11.6-inch multimedia system and the latest generation driver-assist technology. The WRX adds a new top-of-the-line GT trim with a new automatic transmission, the Subaru Performance Transmission, as standard. The new WRX GT offers a first-ever for WRX, new electronically controlled dampers that can tailor the dynamic performance to the driver’s preferences with Comfort, Normal, and Sport settings. The Drive Mode Select also offers additional options to configure steering

Read more

How to prepare to choose the right new car to buy

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Besides buying a house, purchasing a car is likely the most expensive personal expense. So, it’s important to make the right choice. But what’s the best way to make the best choice? Questions can vary greatly. How much can I afford? What’s the best car for family travel or for long journeys? What’s the best value or most dependable brand? If you’re partial to certain manufacturers you right asked where is Jeep made? Are hybrids or electric cars good choices? Is a sedan a better option than an SUV? Determining what car will serve your needs best can be daunting, so here are some guidelines: Review Your Budget Before you start test-driving vehicles and researching the latest technologies

Read more

22 ways to update and customize a car if you want to

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT One great thing about owning a vehicle is you can customize it.  If you decide to do so, lots of choices are available for many parts of the vehicle. Here’s a list of areas to consider: Tires Choosing high-performance tires can improve the car’s grip on the roar and reduce fuel costs. Big Brake Kits Car owners who opt for bigger or modified wheels are increasingly installing bigger brake kits. Often, bigger brake kits are more attractive. More important, larger options improving stopping efficiency, withstand higher road temperatures and keep brakes cool longer. Wheels Aftermarket wheels are a great way to customize your car. if combined with a new, larger brake it and higher-end performance and tires, and

Read more

#187, Cars.com index: Tesla, the most American made

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:08 — 38.6MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreTesla innovation has changed the automotive world with a lot of industry firsts. Its latest designation is the top spot on the latest American Made Index (AMI). Introduced 16 years ago by the editors of Cars.com, the AMI analyzes a range of factors to determine the  percentage of new cars and trucks made American Kelsey Mays, the assistant managing editor at the online motoring website that debuted in 1998, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. He discusses with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia the latest index result and Tesla’s top spot. “We like to think that the index

Read more
,

NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2024 Honda Prologue SUV

The 2024 Honda Prologue, the first in a pending lineup of battery electric vehicles, will debut in less than three years as the carmaker continues to target its goal of a fully electric fleet by 2040. Few details of the sport utility vehicle were revealed in the recent announcement, but Honda said the Prologue will operate on GM’s Ultium batteries. It will be available in the United States and Canada. An all-electric Acura SUV will also debut in 2024. Honda previously announced its plans for its vehicles in the second of this decade to operate on a new “e:Architecture.” Honda Prologue Begins BEV surge Besides its 100 percent fully electric goal by 2040, Honda says its shorter-term goal is 40

Read more

Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Scrapping Your Car

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Scrapped automobiles globally produce more than 25 million tons of recycled material every year. It’s among the most of all consumer goods recyclables. So, rather than have your old car rust away in your garage, why not have it scrapped? Almost every part of the car is recyclable, and the process helps protect the environment. Recycled metal is made into new sheets of metal used to manufacture new cars, saving energy and resources needed for metal production. Why not contribute to a better environment and get paid for it? Scrapping Your Car Properly But before scrapping your car consider how to avoid five common mistakes. Going with the first junkyard you find There are tons of junkyard options

Read more

#185, West Coast Bike Week set for Monterey Peninsula debut

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:20 — 38.9MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreMotorcycle racing and lots of related activities will add to the always-full calendar of motorsports with the debut of West Coast Bike Week at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The community-focused, 10 days of racing and fan interaction will be geared toward those who enjoy all things on two wheels. Barry Toepke, Director of Heritage Events & Public Relations for the raceway, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts James Raia and Bruce Aldrich discuss with Toepke the new series as the racetrack’s future as pandemic restrictions have been upgraded. Activities will begin July 9 at the MotoAmerica in downtown

Read more

Buying bland beige works best for pickup truck resale value

If you want the best resale value after owning your pickup truck for three years, buy beige. And don’t buy brown. According to the analysis of iseecars.com the online automotive search engine and research website, beige pickup trucks have the lowest average depreciation of any color. A beige truck with a new price of $45,272, has an average resale price after three years of $37,097, or an 18.1 percent depreciation. After comparing the prices of more than six million new and used cars between 2017 to 2020, iSeeCars.com has determined which colors help, hurt, or have minimal impact on a vehicle’s resale value. “A vehicle’s color is among the primary considerations after shoppers have decided on a make and model,”

Read more

PREVIEW: 2022 Kia Telluride gets upgrades, new pricing

Prices and upgrades have been announced for the 2022 Kia Telluride, the increasingly popular sport utility vehicle. Introduced as a concept car in 2016, the vehicle debuted in the spring of 2019 as a 2020 model. Named after the town of Telluride, Colorado, the SUV is the largest vehicle Kia has manufactured in the United States. Kia Telluride: Top Sales, Awards Among other accolades, the Telluride was named the 2020 World Car of the Year as well as SUV of the Year. The large SUV had a 28 percent increase in sales from 2019 to 2020. It was the 11th best-selling SUV in the United States in 2020 among the nearly 50 large SUVs offered.   For 2022, the Telluride

Read more

#183, Fun Father’s Day gifts for car fans

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:05 — 26.6MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreProud car owners aren’t often at a loss for words. It’s part of the enjoyment of sharing artwork of wheels. The artists at Respoke Collection offer another way to showcase a favorite machine or a showroom full of automobiles or motorcycles. Forward a quality image online to the company’s online presence, and it will return a vehicle rendering on canvas or on paper in dimensions as large as 24×36. It’s an ideal, unique Father’s Day gift for the car collector in the family. On this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss Father’s Day gifts for auto enthusiasts.

Read more

Save money with proper car maintenance dos & dont’s

Your vehicle is an essential tool but it can be taken for granted. It’s often used daily, but if car maintenance is not done properly repairs can become expensive and your safety is at risk. To help keep your car in proper condition, improve its longevity and ensure your safety, here’s a list of “dos and don’ts.” DO THIS * Buy from a reputable used car dealership. It will ensure you have spent your money wisely. A reputable dealership will service its inventory before offering it for sale. It will provide the reassurance you’re purchasing a vehicle properly maintained and without the need for further expense for the length of the used car warranty. * Have your regularly serviced is

Read more

Nervous driver? Learning and studying your car helps

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Being a nervous driver is common. Many people have anxiety on the road even as experienced drivers and in well-traveled areas. After all, you’re in charge of a large metal box on wheels. And it’s likely you’re surrounded by drivers in similar situations but with different approaches to road safety. Anyone can be nervous while, but it shouldn’t be overwhelming and stop you is you want to get behind the wheel. Owning and operating a car is often an integral part of many peoples’ lives. It’s important for personal transportation, can mean better living circumstances and even better job opportunities. Which is why as a nervous driver it’s a good idea to work on confidence-building methods to help

Read more

Buying a car? Plan properly, buy it, maintain it

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Buying a car is an achievement, and it’s often a substantial detailed investment. But the transaction can be more straightforward than expected. If the buyer is prepared, the purchase can be successful with little or no stress. Still, if it’s your first or second car, a new or used car, just don’t take this kind of investment lightly. Plan the purchase properly so it occurs smoothly and you get the ideal vehicle. Once you buy a new car, what’s next? How long do you plan on using it? Do you know how to maintain it and prolong its lifespan? Buying a Car? Know Your Needs Here’s a list of the best ways to buy a car and to

Read more

5 Ways To Make A Car Sound System Sensational

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT A car sound system isn’t just about making music sound great. You can also use your stereo to retrieve the audio portion of drive-in movies.  You can talk with friends and family via a smartphone Bluetooth connection. You can listen to audiobooks or sporting events. But when building a sensational-sounding car stereo system, it’s all about the music. If your factory-installed audio system isn’t providing the bass, power or clarity desired, consider audio addons, like subwoofers for cars or trucks. Or consider buying a new audio system that can deliver “concert sound.” Here are five ways to make a car stereo system sound sensational: Speaker Upgrade Investing in new speakers is a good way to begin upgrading your

Read more
Previous Next