#154 Todd Reiners combines racing, philanthropy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:29 — 47.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreTodd Reiners is a race car enthusiast and philanthropist in Sacramento. He competes in vintage cars and is as passionate about his collection as anyone. Reiners is our guest on Episode #154 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. He discusses his long-time appreciation for cars as well as his fund-raising efforts and a unique, moving experience he shared with those less fortunate. As a daily driver, Reiners negotiates Sacramento in a 1994 Honda Accord “with a dent.” But it’s Reiners’ other vehicles he prefers to

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2020 Lexus RX 450hL: handsome, plush, pricey

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With several exterior design changes including a polarizing paint color choice, the 2020 Lexus RX 450hL stands out on the omnipresent highway sea of sport utility vehicles. It’s a smooth cruiser with some drawbacks. A six or seven-passenger midsize hybrid, the RX 450hL comes with three rows of seating and all-wheel drive. It’s operated by a 3.5-liter V6 that coordinates with two front-mounted electric motor-generators. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) propels the front wheels; a third electric motor powers the rear wheels. Total horsepower is 308 and the 0-60 mph standard is accomplished in 6.8 seconds. The base 2020

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Rare, rugged Jeep J10 Honcho precursor to 2020 Gladiator

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Jeep doesn’t make a lot of pickup trucks, but for seven years beginning in 1976, a trim package called The Honcho was available. The limited-edition offered on the J10 model and only on the step side and short bed offerings included bold striping and decals. Optional extras included an interior made by Levi’s (in blue or tan) or a roll bar. The specialty trucks also included the Golden Eagle and 10-4. The latter was offered with an optional CB radio corresponding to the radio acknowledgment decal “10-4.” The Jeep J10 Honcho was manufactured through 1983, and it could be ordered

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VW icon: 23-window bus for beach bums, hippies

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For beach bums and touring musicians, alpine explorers to free-spirited travelers of yesteryear and today, the elusive Volkswagen 23-window bus — was and is as good as it gets. Known to U.S. buyers as the “Deluxe Microbus with Samba package,” the 23-window bus was originally designed as a vehicle to tour the Swiss Alps, offering up to nine passengers maximum visibility.   But it was quickly adopted by families, campers and members of the counterculture. The van features a collection of unique windows including eight skylights, two curved rear windows, a retractable skylight, and a coveted split windshield. Produced between

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#153, Author Russell Hayes’ new book on VW beetle, bus

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:25 — 31.5MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreRussell 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 Beetle and Bus. Hayes is the author of numerous automotive books ranging in topics from auto shows to Lotus to several offerings on Volkswagen. His latest book is the just-released “Volkswagen Beetles and Buses: Smaller and Smarter.” In a wide-ranging interview, Hayes is our guest on Episode #153 of The Weekly Driver

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2020 Honda Pilot (Black Edition) pricey SUV option

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The Honda Pilot is its 19th year as the manufacturer’s biggest, most versatile and most expensive sport utility vehicle. It’s also among seven utility vehicles Honda makes. All fulfill a niche for the ever-increasing percentage of consumers buying cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. As Honda‘s only three-row SUV, the Pilot combines the brand’s reputation and reliability with keen family and cargo capabilities. With its all-wheel-drive option, the Pilot has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Available in LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite and Black Edition trims, all 2020 Pilots are equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower. A six-speed

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New Ford F-150 EV: fastest, efficient, far less cost

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Ford believes its pending F-150 battery-electric pickup truck is still about two years away from consumer sales. But the manufacturer is already touting it will cost about half as much to operate as its current gas-powered stablemates. The new version of the country’s best-selling vehicle will also be the most powerful Ford truck ever made. With zero gas and oil usage, low electric charging rates and lower maintenance costs, the Ford F150 EV truck will thrive on its efficiency, according to Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s president of the Americas and International Markets Group. Ford Ford F-150: Fast, Furious Scheduled to begin

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NEW TRUCK PREVIEW: 2021 Honda Ridgeline

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The 2021 Honda Ridgeline will debut early next year with a pronounced redesign. It will showcase the pickup truck’s road and off-road versatility while retaining the tradition of its renowned for unibody design. The Ridgeline will continue to feature an extra-wide stance on an extra-wide standard bed. The manufacturer claims it’s the only truck that can flat-carry four-foot-wide items between its wheel wells. All 2021 Honda Ridgeline trims will include a 3.5-liter, direct-injected V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard of RTL-E and Black Editions. It’s optional on Sport and RTL trims. With

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Nasty dope smell a growing rental car issue

How about that dope smell in your rental car? It’s an increasing issue nationwide. Travelers who rent vehicles may have recently noticed the unusual odor or they may be making it with their smoking preferences. Rental agencies around the country have reported an increase in the smell of pot in their fleets. Since marijuana is legal or decriminalized and allowed for medicinal purposes in all but eight states, many drivers believe it’s OK to smoke it in rental vehicles. It’s not. Rental agency representatives are increasing having to explain the policy prohibiting smoking in rental vehicles includes tobacco, vaping and

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Consumer alert: repair car safety recalls now

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced 966 safety recalls in 2019 affecting more than 53 million vehicles and motor vehicle equipment. Its public information media and consumer outreach defines communication efficiency. Still, despite many recall notices and public warnings, some vehicle and quipment recalls are never repaired. It’s why the NHTSA has issued a plea for consumers, particularly in three well-documented areas: * Tens of millions of Takata airbags, the largest recall in U.S. history; * More than 1.7 million Harbor Freight jack stands, which could collapse and injure people around or underneath a vehicle; * More than

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2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 gets more versatile

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Known for its functionality and multiple trim level, the Chevy Silverado 1500 keeps improving. For 2021, the country’s second highest-selling light-duty, full-size pickup truck has a new truckload of mechanical and technological updates. Now in production and available beginning throughout the fall in different sections of the country, the Chevy Silverado will be highlighted by a Multi-Flex tailgate. The tailgate has six unique functions, allowing for easier access to bed cargo, enhanced loading solutions and a standing workstation. With a weight capacity of 375 pounds, different configurations activate two tailgate-mounted buttons or a key fob. Combined with the Silverado’s expansive

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Truck wars: Chevy, Ford, Ram push towing capacity max

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Truck wars are nothing new. But with lightweight trucks sales growing at an increasingly fast rate, competition has become more intense. The latest battle involves increased towing capacities for the top-three sellers, Chevrolet, Ford and Ram. Chevrolet recently announced an increase of 500 pounds for the 2021 Chevrolet 2500/3500, pushing the maximum to 36,000 pounds. The boost occurred after engineers made changes to the suspension and available wheel packages. The improvement to the Chevy places it 1,000 pounds less than the Ford Super Duty (37,000) and 900 pounds more than the Ram HD (35,100). Chevy’s 36,000-pound maximum is available only

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2020 Genesis G90: Luxury for far less than German rivals

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The 2020 Genesis G90 marks the fourth model year of the flagship sedan. It’s the South Korean challenger, still young, unheralded and a worthy underdog to its well-heeled front runners from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. If its stalwart German rivals haven’t noticed it yet, they should. As the subsidiary luxury brand of Hyundai, Genesis has risen quickly among the automotive watchdogs. Car and Driver to J.D. Power and Motor Trend to Kelley Blue Book annually simultaneously bestow automotive honors while touting themselves. Genesis, with its G70, G80 and G90 models, has been the star for a few years. The G70,

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Scepter can help when leaves clean-up relies on fuel

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SPONSORED CONTENT Falling leaves and dying shrubbery signal the change of seasons. For homeowners that means it’s time to get your property ready for winter. Before the weather turns really cold, prime your tools and small equipment for handling fall clean up tasks around the home. Having plenty of fuel on hand is a key element to powering through yard work and chores. No one wants to get halfway through a project to discover they’re out of fuel. Worse is the idea of spilling valuable fuel when refilling chain saws, leaf blowers and other small equipment. Scepter can help. Controlled

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Camper from the past: VW Super Bugger for sale, nearly 40K

The Super Bugger was a strange little machine, a hybrid camper conversion for the 1970 VW Beetle introduced 45 years ago by an entrepreneurial company in Southern California. It cost $6,000. The rage for the strange little machine conversion didn’t last long, and not many of the campers in decent shape remain. Beyond car shows and parades, Super Bugger choices show up for sale on vintage automotive, including this option on eBay. The asking price is $39,900, just shy of five times what it costs new. Super Bugger: Minimalism defined. The vehicle includes: A 1.6-liter four-cylinder rear-mounted engine with a

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Mazda MX-5 Miata still reigns at age 32

There’s little room, the trunk is tiny, body and cargo space minimal. It’s difficult to enter and exit, and it’s loud. Welcome another edition of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, nearly everyone’s favorite 32-year-old lightweight roadster. For 2020, the best-selling sports car in history is a continuation of the fourth generation introduced in 2016. It’s stayed much the same, with a few refreshes along the way. The two-seater is available in Sport, Club and Grand Touring trims, all propelled by 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engines with 181 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on all models and a six-speed automatic transmission is

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