The Thing About Cars

The gang visits Italian Car Day 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Ben wrangles this episode's Grand Trivia Auto as part of a book giveaway to gift a couple of books from our friends at MotorBooks. We see a lot of eye candy and talk about why we don't see more Italian cars in the American market on a Cultural Collision Segment with Ben and Dave. Dawn is glad not every Ferrari is red. Ben thinks Mickey should not get a Maserati. And Dave wrangles a segment about going to car shows. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

It was a cold and windy day that found Ben and Mickey talking about their anticipation for the upcoming Italian Car Day and the giving away of a couple of books from our friends at Motorbooks publishers. We hope to see you Saturday at Italian Car Day Atlanta: https://www.italiancardayatlanta.com/. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

TTAC welcomes special guest John Montgomery to talk about the upcoming Italian Car Day in Atlanta. Details can be found at https://www.italiancardayatlanta.com/. We cover a listener question about Porsche’s competing in LeMans. And another one about high-mileage oil: if it’s better for your engine, why don’t we just use that from the start? Dave continues the discussion on midlife-crisis cars: Midlife Crisis On A Budget. Mickey takes the gang through LOTS of Italian car trivia which makes Ben want to dunk his head in a bucket of spaghetti. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Dawn has had one of those weeks where all she wants to do is escape in her vehicle with no plan in mind… There was a listener response to the “botulism in the oil cans” clip we shared in a prior episode. Dave digs into the subject of midlife crisis cars. Dawn waxes desirous over an older Porsche (and wants it for her birthday). A listener wants to know how television does an entire car rehab job in seven days. Mickey says you should never buy someone else’s project car. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Ben and Mickey do a special episode. We talk about Vespa, Style and Passion, a book sent to us by our friends at Quarto Knows publishers. The conversation turns to the general world of scooters. Mickey bemoans a couple of un-loved BMWs in his parking lot, and Ben bemoans a seller’s poor treatment of a second-generation Camaro. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

Mickey just had to share this clip of a recording (made before pandemic) of his friend Clair talking about her experiences buying oil for her first car. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Mickey’s Honda doesn’t want to hold a charge. Beka’s can’t unbolt her alternator (and needs your help). Dawn reminisces about speed-limits. Mickey wonders why there aren’t track-facilities where the average person can go and play. The gang revisits a listener question to discuss how a woman can avoid repair fraud, and how one can know if a mechanic really knows what he/she is talking about. Mickey talks about an ongoing attempt to make it illegal for people to work on their own cars. Ben has noticed some “cruise control weirdness” with one of his rental cars. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Dawn was perseverating, and makes a proposal. The gang talks about the most beautiful Jaguar ever made. Beka notifies us of a recent recall for Kia and Hyundai vehicles. Ben shares a major Yelotus update. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Bill likes hearses. Jessica helps us visit what the term “reputable dealer” means. Dawn dreams of being able to bid at Mecum or Barret Jackson. Ben informs us of a weird monthly charge scheme from BMW. Beka makes some hard decisions on what to do with her G8. We also tackle listener questions: Pro-driving, or pro autonomous? Why does Toyota not do a firmware update for older cars with the same equipment? What’s the best car for a new-driving teen? What to do for cars that have been sitting too long—how do you get a car that has been sitting too long back into running order? We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

Tim talks at length about the GMA T50 Supercar. It has a big fan that has nothing to do with cooling. Therese loves old cars and tells us that Johnny Cash’s 70’s era Rolls Royce has been outfitted with a Tesla powertrain. Mickey recalls the Zombie 222 Electric ’68 Mustang. The gang addresses some listener questions, including tips to help people avoid getting ripped off at parts-stores and repair shops. Ben has a fascinating YeLotus update. And fans of The Doors may appreciate this installment of Grand Trivia Auto. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

The gang tries to identify a mysterious blue powder accumulating on a friend’s car, and fails. Perhaps you can help us? See The Thing About Cars' Blog for pics and more info. This episode, we tackle listener questions: Tim’s question about Ford gives Beka a visceral reaction. We talk about determining if you need a rotation, balance, or alignment. The gang talks about SEMA and Sturgis. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

TTAC welcomes special guest: Dave Paule. Beka pours her Jeep woes out to Dave. Dave feels threatened by the new Bronco. Mickey walks the gang through a few British driving exam questions and all of the Georgia DMV questions. And Dave asks: Why isn’t there an EV Convertible? We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

This week, the gang talks about telemarketers selling extended warranties. (And why extended warranties may or may not be worth it.) Mickey slips a mental gear. Beka says her Jeep is exhibiting some ominous symptoms. Dawn says she loves test-driving cars. Have you ever heard of putting extra borax in your oil? And why is the Jawa Sandcrawler the only vehicle in Star Wars that has wheels? We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we present the Class of 2021! We discuss two members in particular: the Mustang Mach-E and the Tesla Cybertruck. Also, Android Auto now for motorcycles; the big Ford countdown; and Grand Trivia Auto! Do you have a question that you think would be good for trivia? Submit it to us! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

Mickey starts us off with listener suggestions for TTAC television segments. Ben tell us about the latest Lotus restoration setback. The gang makes a shameless plug for the Atlanta Community Tool Bank. We're all craving road-trips, and Beka geeks out about Jeeps. (Not to mention Grand Trivia Auto.) We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

This week, Jessica is hiding in the wings. We say farewell to the Lincoln Town Car, and we talk about Dodge's decision to discontinue the Journey and the Caravan. And then a Listener Question from Tim gets us into some serious trouble. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

We are joined by Jake from Just Jake Reviews. Jake has a very important message for everyone: Even though you have a disability, you can still follow your dreams. Those are very profound words for people who are struggling with a disability. And Beka is compelled to blurt out how much she loves him. Just Jake gives us a few of his favorite and not so favorite reviews; Ben admits that some things are quicker now; and it wouldn’t be a complete episode without Grand Trivia Auto! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

Did you know about this recent, car-related movie? The participants ponder the particulars of a socially responsible movie night. We receive a listener question that is right in Beka’s wheelhouse. Ben has a problem with a Lotus repair, but luckily has the right friends. And Mickey needs help with a personal problem. Also, Nissan and Renault are having problems, and Hertz, too. We discuss our desire to learn welding... Would anyone like to teach us? And, of course, this episode’s Grand Trivia Auto! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

Ben wants to talk about Ford’s 2020 Bronco. Beka brings news about Ford’s recent recall. Mickey can’t remember the term “brake fade.” Then he asks, “Is keeping hand sanitizer in the car dangerous?” And Dawn asks about outfitting old cars with new tech so they can talk to new smartphones. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars

Our motley crew begins the show with a listener question about valve-cover gaskets and main seal leaks. Beka has a moment while talking about the Equus Throwback and DeLoreans both new and old. Ben wonders if COVID-19 has made driving safer or more dangerous. And we’re joined by a surprise guest all the way from Boston! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-thing-about-cars