#257, Data reveals public hasn’t embraced EVs

Divya Sangam, an industry expert at ValuePenquin.com, the LendingTree.com insurance division, is immersed in EVs, the Electric Vehicle segment of the automotive world. In a recently released survey, Sangam detailed the still-niche electric vehicle market. Specifically, Sangam, citing numerous statistics, reports exactly what is stressed in the survey’s direct headline: “High Costs & Safety Concerns: Why Millions of Americans Aren’t Buying Electric Vehicles in 2023.” Sangam is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with our expert the various reasons the market share for EVs hasn’t substantially improved. And we discuss

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5 Tips On How Maintain And Protect Your Car

A car is often a must-have possession and it often doesn’t come cheap. If you own the vehicle you need and may have always wanted, it’s also wise to protect your car. Safeguarding a car can occur in many forms, from protecting it against the elements, theft, accidents and other issues. Overall, if a vehicle is taken care of, the more reliable it will be and the less likely it will be stolen or vandalized. Here are several ways you can protect your car: Basic Car Safety Be vigilant against potential theft. Always lock your car or truck when it’s

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2022 Ford Bronco Everglades: Rock & Roll, Best Off-Road

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Jesse Colin Young wrote the song “Ridgetop” 50 years ago. It’s a love story about nature and his home in Marin County located down a road with a steep hill and marked with granite, ruts, pine needles and chert. To celebrate the milestone, Ford should hire the co-founder of the 1960s rock band The Youngbloods as a spokesperson or at least use his music in commercials. In 2022, a year after the carmaker re-introduced the Ford Bronco following a long hiatus, several special editions debuted, including the Everglades trim. It’s available only as a four-door model equipped with the standard

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New Ferrari Roma Spider: 50 years in the making

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Has it been 50 years? In 1973, Ferrari debuted the soft-topped 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider. Five decades after the last of those convertibles left the Maranello, Italy factory, Ferrari recently announced the Prancing Horse will gain be worn on a soft-top, front-engined grand tourer. The automaker took the veil off the roofless Roma with “Spider” at the end of its name. The Roma Spider will replace the Portofino M as the new entry-level Ferrari. A company spokesperson confirmed the news to Road and Track. The new Roma Spider is complete with a retractable, woven fabric soft-top and a powerful, turbocharged

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#256 EagleRider expands global motorcycling rental reach

EagleRider is a California-based motorcycle rental, touring and subscription company addressing the increasing two or three-wheel needs of experienced and novice motorcycle riders. Shawn Fechter, Senior Vice President of Brand Experience for EagleRider, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. In late January, EagleRider announced 18 of its 52 international locations are now accepting credits to be redeemed by Club EagleRider members in the company’s monthly subscription service. The company’s services, available on six continents, include rentals from Harley-Davidson, BMW, Yamaha, among others,  as well as adventure and electric bikes. Podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James

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2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 challenges rivals

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With the addition of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE lineup, the German manufacturer approaching its centenary now offers more than 30 vehicles. They’re all named with numbers and letters and acronyms requiring code-breaking expertise. The EQE series arriving this year, one year after the debut of the EQS, the carmaker’s first all-electric sedan available in the United States. The EQE 500 4Matic is the mid-level of three available trims. It has two motors, a 90.6-kWh lithium-ion battery, 402 horsepower and all-wheel-drive. Like its siblings, it’s a smaller version of the EQS. Smaller by definition doesn’t mean small. The EQE 500 is

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#167, Honoring Steve Casagrande and the family’s Bel Air

A REMEMBRANCE Stephen Casagrande was my dentist for about 35 years. His office was in midtown Sacramento, a few blocks from my office and a restaurant we both often visited called Cornerstone. Like he was with many patients, Dr. Casagrande became a friend. He called me Jimmy. Several years ago, I noticed Steve and his son Michael, who is now my dentist, preparing to leave on a father-son trip. They were packing up a family car, a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Beauville, at Mike’s house. He lives with his wife and children across the street from a close friend in

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Mansory Tempesta Celeste is heavenly in name only

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Somewhere Ferrari’s brand management has to be fuming. The Italian luxury automaker has a long history of taking action against customers who modify its cars in ways they deem problematic to the Prancing Horse’s image. Pop singer Justin Bieber’s bright blue, vinyl-wrapped Ferrari 458 with flared fenders, large wheels, and heavy tint got him blackballed from future purchases. DJ Deadmau5’s full wrap illustrating the Internet meme “Nyan Cat” was worthy of a cease and desist letter. Can German tuner Mansory’s re-envisioned SF90 Spider be far behind those two in drawing the ire of the legendary Italian marque? The recently debuted,

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Buying A New Truck: 7 Vital Steps

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Thinking about buying a new truck? With the fresh, pleasing smell of a new vehicle and the enjoyable driving experience, why not consider it? But buying a new truck isn’t the most straightforward process. It takes preparation and proper planning. By following the right steps, the process shouldn’t be a problem. Considering the expenses of buying a new truck, here are seven vital steps to consider to help a buyer make the right decision: Be Aware Of Potential Accidents Trucks tend to have more blind spots than a car, and trucks take longer to slow down after braking. Both factors

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The Ultimate Guide To Hosting A Top-Notch Car Show

If you’re a car lover,  you may have considered hosting a gathering of fellow enthusiasts to discuss, socialize, marvel and bond over an appreciation of cars. Car shows are not new to Canadians. Popular attractions such as the Canadian International Autoshow have reported annual attendance of about 330,000 car enthusiasts. If you’re considering organizing and hosting a car show in your local area, the proper planning and execution can prompt an enjoyable, successful event. Here are 10 guidelines for hosting a top-notch car show: Define Your Goals And Audience When organizing a car show, defining your goals and audience is

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2023 BMW 330i: a bargain BMW? Really?

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Sixteen years ago, the BMW 3 Series reached its yearly sales peak as an entry-level luxury compact sedan. It was stylish, featured top-line technology and combined keen driving characteristics with prestige. The vehicle’s lineup was three years old and was purchased 142,488 times in 2007. It has surpassed 140,000 in yearly sales only twice since and the figure has drastically stumbled in recent years. The 3 Series tally was only slightly more than 30,000 last year. And while no longer BMW‘s top-seller, the BMW 3 Series, notably the 2023 330i, remains vital among the ever-increasing competition. Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Kia

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How To Protect Yourself While Driving On The Road

Driving can be daring, so it’s significant to always take precautions to protect yourself on the road. A recent survey details a fatal auto accident occurs every 15 minutes. So whether you are driving on a highway or a backroad, it is practical to take precautionary measures to protect yourself and your four-wheel friend. Here are four ways to stay safe and minimize risks while driving: Avoid Distractions Vehicular crashes and injuries are often the results of distracted driving. It’s vital to always stay focused and alert when driving. Avoiding distractions is key to staying safe, so keep your eyes

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First car? Learn the basics of maintenance, repair

Buying your first car or truck can be an expensive and daunting experience. But once the vehicle is in your ownership, it’s a common practice to open the engine compartment and view how it operates. Cars and trucks are amazing machines that run on incredible technologies, and curiosity is a common occurrence in new vehicle ownership. If you recently purchased your first vehicle, there’s a good chance you’ll need to understand the required maintenance and repairs. Here are some common and effective ways to learn more about car maintenance on your own. Start Working On Your Car With Small Maintenance

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#255 Pacific Coast Dream Machines celebrates 30 years

After a three-year hiatus, the most varied collection of automobiles, planes, boats and exotic machinery and their equally varying owners will again gather for the daylong Pacific Coast Dream Machines. Sometimes described as a showcase of motorized mechanical marvels, the event’s 30th edition will feature more than 2,000 antique, vintage, classic, custom and exotic machines on display for public viewing. If it has an engine, there’s a good chance at least one example will be showcased at the Half Moon Bay Airport on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Event chairmen Chad Hooker and Bob Pelikan are our

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Buying a teen’s first car? Here are 17 key considerations

Buying your teenager their first car can be a milestone. As such, it’s important to purchase the right vehicle. Here are 17 areas to consider before making buying a new car or truck: 1. BudgetMake certain to consider the total cost of ownership. Calculate your child’s income and determine how much they can afford in terms of monthly payments. Also consider additional charges such as taxes, registration fees, gas/maintenance/insurance costs, etc. 2. SafetyLook at the crash ratings and vehicle safety features when selecting a car. An important tip is to avoid older cars without airbags or other protection systems. It

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#254, Wife, husband share RV travels in new book

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:52 — 27.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreBonnie and Grant Sinclair are high school teachers in Georgia who also enjoy the outdoors as part-time RV enthusiasts. As wife and husband, Bonnie Sinclair has co-authored an RV travel book with her husband Grant Sinclair. The Sinclair’s first book USA RV Adventures has just been published by Moon Travel Guides. The authors’ comprehensive debut includes 25 flexible RV trip itineraries. While taking a break from teaching and RVing, the Sinclairs were our guests on Episode #254 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. We spoke

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