How to overcome a car accident: family, friends, legal help

Getting into a car accident can be a daunting experience. It’s not often easily forgotten and it may leave physical and emotional scars. But there are many ways to overcome those difficulties. Brushing up on driving skills can help you return to being a confident driver.  Likewise, talking with a professional, friend or family member about the experience can help. Here are several ideas to help someone who’s been in an accident feel secure and return to driving as soon as possible. Close friends and family members can often tell when something is negatively affecting you. A car accident can

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Car loss on burned ship in the Azores exceeds $400 million

The destroyed vehicles among the cargo on the burned ship that caught fire last week in the Atlantic Ocean may tally a loss of more than $400 million, according to an industry consulting firm. Volkswagen alone could have incurred as estimated loss of $155 million. The total value of the cargo on the Felicity Ace, the ship ablaze for several days off the coast of Portugal’s Azores Islands, is approximately $438 million, according to the Russell Group. The 650-foot long ship was built in 2005. Estimates of the loss are based on all vehicles on board the burned ship as

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Burning ship, 4,000 burning cars in the Atlantic, oh, my!

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As if the automotive marketplace doesn’t nave enough problems, now it has burning cars on a burning ship adrift on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. According to insurance experts, an estimated 4,000 vehicles in transition from Germany to Rhode Island were cargo on the now-abandoned 656-foot Felicity Ace. It’s the ship that caught fire while carrying an estimated $401 million worth of cars and a total of $438 million in goods. The burning cars include Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche or Volkswagen models. The vessel’s 22 crew members were evacuated without injuries via helicopter. But the fire

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Burt Reynolds tribute Chevy Silverado fetches $280,000

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Pickup truck prices continues, particularly customized, limited editions, and especially made as an homage to actor Burt Reynolds. One extravagant example, a 2021 Chevy Silverado Bandit Edition, sold recently at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas for $286,000. The customized truck has various integrates cosmetic features included as inspirations by the Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am that Reynolds drove throughout the hugely popular Smokey and the Bandit movie series. Painted black and gold, the modified Silverado also feature a large gold painted hood decal. About 200 of the bespoke vehicles have been built. Some components are made from forged carbon fiber, including

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New U.S.P.S. truck fleet stalled again by controversy

The U.S.P.S. once prided itself in an unofficial motto: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” But for the past several years, the agency can’t even get new vehicles built to try to efficiently get job done. The pending new contract with by Oshkosh Defense to replace a 30-plus-year-old fleet is in neutral — again. After years of negotiation, the U.S. Postal Service and Oshkosh Defense reached at estimated $6 billion negotiation, but it’s now being questioned by the Environmental Protection Agency. New U.S.P.S. Trucks Face

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#217, RVs, Tesla, Hyundai Santa Cruz, World Car of the Year

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:53 — 35.6MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreNew RVs. A massive Tesla recall. Hyundai’s new hip pickup. The World Car of the Year nominations. It’s all covered — and more — this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia don’t have a guest on Episode No. 117, which gives us the ideal opportunity to catch up with the never-ending and always-changing automotive landscape. We start with the continuing still-new exploits of Bruce and his wife’s adventures in their 29-foot Keystone RV and its towing vehicle a

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2022 Toyota GR86: It’s back, it’s flawed, it’s fun

If the criteria for purchasing a new car is driving fun but without supreme acceleration, carrying cargo or children, environmental concerns, the latest technology, comfort or a quiet, serene ride, buy a 2022 Toyota GR86. Its seemingly sole purpose is pure joy. The GR86 scoots around in city driving with ease and it deftly maneuvers along country roads because that’s what it does best. For all practical purposes, the pleasure can be shared with no more than one passenger. With a re-shaped exterior, the GR86 is handsome and attracts plenty of attention. It’s the debut of the car’s second generation

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Consumer Reports: Some new cars, trucks less than sticker

Despite extraordinary higher prices and limited supplies of new vehicles, a report recently released by Consumer Reports details several new cars and trucks are available for less than their respective sticker prices. Three of the most discounted vehicles are pickup trucks from Chevrolet, Ford and Ram. The publication’s analysis states discounted vehicles are “specific trim variations, rather than savings being consistent across a model range.” According to the report, the discounts are smaller than usual, with the best prices still available via “negotiation and shopping around.” Consumer Reports notes: “Most months there are a few models that are given an

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#216, Arôme d’Art: A new way to make your car smell good

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:42 — 43.5MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreIt seemed odd at first to see the booth for Arôme d’Art at the Unveiled Expo at the recent Consumer Electrics Show in Las Vegas. Diffusers aren’t new, but the product and the approach to the distribution of fragrances in homes and offices — and in cars and trucks — is new. It’s called  a “Multisensory Clean–Air Fragrance System.” Doug Patton, CEP of Patton Design, the consulting industrial design firm and inventor of Arôme d’Art, a new defuser that combines natural aroma and natural

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2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz goes big in a smaller way

Introduced as the manufacturer’s first pickup truck, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz addresses a niche market. It’s a pickup truck for buyers who don’t want a truck or at least as previously defined. Available last June as this year’s model, the four-door, front-engine, all-wheel drive is marketed as an Adventure Sport Vehicle. Like the Honda Ridgeline and Ford Maverick, the Santa Cruz has a unibody chassis design, not the ladder frame featured on most pickup trucks. The back seats are comfortable only for children or petite adults. The standard Hyundai Santa Cruz engine is a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder setup with 191

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To keep or sell old cars, that is the question

The consensus among car owners is to keep their old cars longer. According to IHS Markit, the average age of cars on U.S. roads reached more than 12-years-old in 2021. It isn’t uncommon for vehicles to last well past the 100,000-mile milestone, with some cars exceeding 200,000 miles. In the wake of the post-pandemic economy, it is expected drivers will keep their vehicles even longer. Still, not every car owner is willing to keep their vehicle forever. In fact, despite the economic situation, some drivers are already wondering how to sell a car rapidly so they can buy their next

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Thinking about buying a sports car? Consider the pros and cons

There’s a lot to consider when buying a car Do you want a practical vehicle that can get you from Point A to Point B? Or are you looking for something more flair and excitement? If you’re leaning toward the latter, a sports car may be right. But  what are the pros and cons of owning a sports car? A sports car is a vehicle combining performance, style and handling. Sports cars are meant for driving enthusiasts who care about their speed and power rather than the comfort of passenger space or cargo capacity. One reason sports cars are fast

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#215, Ferrari parts business in Sacramento leads industry

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:43 — 44.9MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreFerrParts is a Sacramento business that strives to lead the independent Ferrari parts distributor industry for the international Ferrari community. It’s succeeded so well, the company recently expanded its business to include Maserati, Lamborghini, McLaren and Bentley. Russell Putnam, the owner of the Ferrai parts company, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Putnam his business, from how it started to its expansion into other areas of the exotic car world. Putnam began

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Ripped Off: Catalytic Converter theft skyrockets

The theft of catalytic converters in cars and trucks nationwide is increasing exponentially. The reason: The easily accessible part includes rare metals skyrocketing in value. Located in front of a vehicle’s tailpipe, catalytic converters are easily removed, particularly in older cars and trucks with high clearances. Mandated for all U.S. cars and trucks in 1975, catalytic converters convert harmful pollutants into less harmful emissions before they’ve left the exhaust system. Platinum, palladium, rhodium or gold are used as the catalyst. Catalytic Converter: Rare Metals Thieves can sell converters to metal recyclers for $20-$200. The recyclers extract the metal and resell

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2022 BMW X4 M: It’s an SUV race car but why?

The 2022 BMW X4 M and the more powerful X4 M Competition are siblings among a handful of vehicles competing in the high-performance sport utility vehicle niche. It’s a difficult automotive segment to fathom. What’s the purpose of a family-oriented vehicle with 503 horsepower and acceleration from zero-to-60 miles per hour in 3.3 seconds? Is there a racetrack SUV series? Is there a need for such speed en route to soccer practice, the grocery store or on a weekend getaway? 2022 BMW X4 M: Fast, Expensive Apparently, more means better. The updated BMW X4 M is the most expensive choice

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Bored with driving? Here’s how to enjoy the ride

Driving can be a fun, exhilarating and life-affirming experience — at least when you’re in the right frame of mind driving enjoyable places. Most drivers are optimistic when they pass their first driving test. Road trips, greater autonomy and the ability to properly enjoy the world of auto enthusiasm and car culture are appealing. Unfortunately, the initial enthusiasm wears off. Many drivers use their cars to commute and the repeated pattern because mundane. It doesn’t help the driving experience when a driver gets into an accident or another car-related issue that requires the assistance of a car accident attorney. Determining

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