Matthew Wilde

Articles by Matthew Wilde

PREVIEW: 2019 Toyota RAV4 debuts new design, features

The Toyota RAV4 debuted 22 years ago. The new fifth-generation 2019 edition of the sport utility vehicle will debut in dealerships in December in gas models and in hybrid models in March 2019. Gas models will be offered in five grades: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure and Limited. RAV4 HV will be offered in four grades: LE HV, XLE HV, XSE HV and Limited HV. Following the guiding themes from Toyota trucks, the new RAV4 has a revised front end and grille design to create a wider stance. With their polygonal motifs, the wheel arches appear to hold the tires from a high position, emphasizing the lifted-up body and drawing attention to the vehicle’s capability. Ground clearance is increased by

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Celebrities, test drives, rare cars set for LA Auto Show

Celebrity interaction, more test-drive availability, increased mobility solutions, custom cars and a host of world vehicle debuts are set for the LA Auto Show. The annual 10-day extravaganza of all things automotive will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. And there will be something for everyone, whether you’re an avid car enthusiast or a first-time visitor to the more than 100-year-old show. Consider a few highlights: * Amazon Gaming Lounge: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are bringing high-jinks and hot laps to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in The Grand Tour Game, an episodic racing game based on the hit Prime Original series, The Grand Tour. Created by Amazon Game Studios, The Grand Tour Game transports players to exotic locations, where

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Episode #51, Colorado conversion man marries VW, Subaru

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:36 — 29.7MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreVendors at the yearly Outdoor Retailer Show do an impressive job of attracting customers. But none of the companies had a better presentation than Helinox. It used a 1976 restored VW van. Helinox, which makes efficient compact lawnchairs, cots, umbrellas and other outdoor equipment used a VW restored by John Buschmann in his business called Urabus. The name is Subaru spelled in reverse, and Buschman is adapt using Subaru engines in vintage VWs. Buschmann is our guest on Episode 51 of the Weekly Driver Podcast. Buschmann joins us from his shop Englewood, Colorado. He discusses his long interest in Volkswagen and why Subaru engines

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Episode 41, Goodbye to the VW Beetle, Ford sedans

The automotive industry is always changing. But two of the more significant announcements in recent years — the apparent demise of the VW Beetle and the jettison of the majority of Ford sedans — is the focus of Episode 41 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the recent announcements by the respective carmakers in the news-oriented edition of our ongoing week chat about all things cars and trucks. The pending loss of several Ford models and the icon Beetle came, respectively, in a press release from the former and the text of a speech by a VW executive in Europe. The Beetle was first sold in the United States in 1949. Sales of the

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Episode 40, Classic car owners, renters meet on DriveShare

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:33 — 40.6MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MorePeter Zawadzki is as passionate about classic cars as any enthusiast. About four years ago, he had a keen idea to allow others to share his appreciation. He decided to rent out his 1958 MGA. A couple made it part of their wedding celebration. Fast-forward and the success of the initial transaction is the Hagerty DriveShare Program. It’s the online marketplace for owners of classic vehicles to rent their wheels to other enthusiasts. It’s worked. Getaway weekends, weddings, anniversaries and pending buyers who seek to test a comparable vehicle to a classic they’re considering purchasing, are among the reasons owners and renters meet on

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How to wisely purchase a new car with bad credit

SPONSORED CONTENT Making a major purchase with bad credit is difficult, but trying to buy a car with bad credit or post-bankruptcy is more difficult. However, it’s impossible and there are conditions. When you get a car loan with bad credit, the interest rate will likely be high. Make sure you have enough cash each month to make payments. If you fail to meet the terms of the loan, your credit score will take another significant dip, your new vehicle will be repossessed, and you’ll be out the thousands of dollars you already spent on the vehicle. But don’t be discouraged. You can make a sound purchase, improve your creditworthiness and still driving away in a brand-new vehicle. But how

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How to Get Rid of Your Junk Car in Los Angeles

Buying a new car feels great, but getting rid of your old junk car can be a pain—especially if you want to sell it. Because of their size, cars are a hassle to keep around or dispose. Luckily, you can do something about it with a junk car removal service. Here’s what you need to know. When to Use Junk Car Removal Junk car removal isn’t always the best option if you want to get top value out of your car. If you have a nice car with a clean title that still runs well, you can always sell your car in Los Angeles for some extra cash. However, vehicles that don’t run or aren’t worth enough to spend time

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Episode 37, Garage Time: Airbnb for DIY mechanics

Andrew Koretz formerly lived in a building in Chicago that didn’t have a garage. He had to improvise. When he needed to change the oil in his car or motorcycle, he used the roof of a parking garage across the street from his residence. A self-described gearhead, Koretz, 31, enjoys do-it-yourself challenges. But while working on engines from his former vantage point, he noticed plenty of vacant homes. The result is Garage Time (www.bookgaragetime.com). The online marketplace is the equivalent of Airbnb or VRBO for vehicle owners who wish to work on their vehicles, but who don’t have available facilities. Koretz is our guest on Episode #37 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Bruce Aldrich and I ask Andrew about his

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Episode 38: Driving the 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

The Honda Clarity can thank its predecessors. Modern-day alternative fuel vehicles arrived in the United States in 1999 with the debut of the Honda Insight, a hybrid-electric that resembled a horizontally positioned peanut on wheels. The Toyota Prius arrived a few months later and remains the dominant leader in the segment with its family of “green” vehicles. Several manufacturers continue their quests to infiltrate the market, most notably Honda. It debuted the Honda Civic GX (later called the Civic CNG), its compressed natural gas sedan, in limited markets, in 1998. It was eventually available to consumers throughout the country, but production stopped with 2015 model. More innovative is the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, one of the three Clarity models available.

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Report from India: New hybrid cars coming soon

SPONSORED CONTENT Hybrid cars, vehicles using multiple means of propulsion like a diesel engine or a petrol engine paired with an electric engine, minimize the carbon footprint. And hybrid cars are being popularized increasingly by the Indian government. Hybrid cars are economically and environmentally friendly. Some of these cars are on the road, while a few haven’t debuted. Here’s a look at the pending new hybrid cars in India. Skoda Superb Plug-In Hybrid The Skoda Superb Plug-In Hybrid is among the cars soon available in the Indian marketplace. The Skoda Superb Plug-in Hybrid will make its debut in 2019 and is a much-anticipated upcoming car in India. It’s believed the vehicle will derive its power from the 1.4-litre, turbocharged petrol engine,

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Episode #39, Indy 500, Danica Patrick and a reporter’s legacy

Mark Glover has been a journalist for more than 40 years. He’s reported on sports, news and business and with a keen interest in automobile racing, particularly the Indianapolis 500. Glover, who lives in Sacramento, will be attending the Indy 500 with his son. It’s a special time, since the duo has been attending the event together for nearly 30 years. The elder Glover is well into his second half-century of witnessing what is called the “Greatest Spectacle In Racing.” Glover is our guest on Episode 39 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I talk with Mark about his history at the Indy 500, the event he first attended with his father when he was a young

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Episode 35, Honda drives into the future with Clarity

William Lai of Fremont, California, and Chris White of West Sacramento, California, are among early adopters to the Honda Clarity. Lai, who has owned three electrics cars, drives the all-electric variety. Walker drives the hydrogen-powered Clarity Fuel Cell. The Honda Clarity is currently only available in California and Oregon. A pioneer in the alternative fuel vehicles (the original Insight debuted in 2000, a few months before the Toyota Prius) Honda has also equipped its new vehicles with Honda Sensing. It’s the carmaker’s “intelligent suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies designed to alert you to things you might miss while driving.” In Episode 35 of The Weekly Driver podcast below, hosts Bruce Alert and James Raia discuss with Lai and White

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Episode 34, Journalist Ryan Brutt: Will travel for barn finds

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (46.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreRyan Brutt is a writer and photographer who exudes enthusiasm about muscle cars. His interest is overtly apparent in his new book, Muscle Car Barn Finds. It details the art of automotive scavenger hunts. Brutt, self-described as an Automotive Archaeologist, lives in Chicago. The contributing rider to Hot Rod Magazine is our guest on Episode 34 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the book and Brutt’s trials and tribulations as he travels through several states on his mission to discover hundreds of often abandoned rarities. Consider Brutt’s premise: You’re driving along a country road in Alabama and something bright orange in

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What to consider when buying a used car

SPONSORED CONTENT The search for a reliable used car in good working condition is often tricky. It’s natural to suspect the previous owner of wanting to get rid of the car for a reason. Add to it the time spent on looking for trustworthy sellers online and visiting used car showrooms. They’re acrivities that can sometimes stretch for months and wear you out. In short, purchasing used cars isn’t easy. But the process can be simplified if the buyer is prepared. Do your homework and utilize a convenient, pertinent checklist. The first step in a used car search is to list the features desired — Big or small car? How many seats? Sedan or SUV? Once that’s determined, it’s easier

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Episode 33, Ethiopia to Sacramento: An Uber Success Story

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:46 — 38.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreMulugeta Gebrewahid moved to Sacramento about seven years fago rom his native Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to be closer to his older brother. Known by friends and co-workers as Mule G (Moo-Lay G), the former warehouseman is a husband and father of seven children. He’s active in the Sacramento community via the congregation at Faith Presbyterian Church. Mule is university educated, but he was unable to acquire a job in his engineering field in the United States, so he worked for several years in a warehouse. About four years ago, via the recommendation of a friend, Mule began driving for Uber. He tells his story

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Peugeot owner soon to launch an electric car division

PSA, the French owner of renowned automobile brands including Peugeot and Citroën, will launch a new business unit which will develop only electric vehicles. The announcement comes when the increasing electrification of automakers’ offerings has continued on pace, encouraged by expanding regulations to further curtail emissions. Division and conquer the electric car market? The new division will go operational in 2019 and “be responsible for defining and deploying the group’s electric vehicle strategy and rolling out the related products and services,” according to a PSA-issued statement quoted by the Financial Times. The automotive group appears to be playing catch-up in a market where regulations implemented in markets including Europe and China have incentivized other leading car manufacturers to further the

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