In Wheel Time Podcast

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What If The Best Car Advice Is Practical? Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

One minute you’re laughing at our auction guesses, and the next you’re doing a double-take because a V12 Aston Martin sold for less than you’d expect from a “dream car” badge.

We kick things off with fast, useful recall talk that hits the stuff drivers care about most: visibility, signals, and safety systems. If you own a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, a Rivian R1S or R1T, or you pay attention to Toyota reliability headlines, you’ll want to hear what’s on the list and why it matters.
Then we jump into our “what the auction car sold for” game, pulling real results and reacting like real car people do. A classic 1966 Chevelle, a low-mile 2013 Dodge Challenger with a Hemi and a six-speed, a 2000 Aston Martin DB7 V12 convertible, and more all hit the block with prices that tell a bigger story about classic car values, modern muscle demand, and how originality plus maintenance costs can change everything.
We also bring it back to the garage with a practical WD-40 segment: where it genuinely helps, how to use it on chrome and sticky residue, how it can save a cold-weather door seal, and where it absolutely does not belong.

To round it out, Mike shares Texas driving destinations that work for day trips from Houston and easy weekends, including Beaumont, Nacogdoches, Lake Jackson, Rosenberg, Surfside Beach, and College Station.
Subscribe for more car talk, share this with a friend who loves auctions and road trips, and leave a review telling us which vehicle you’d actually bid on.

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2026 Mazda CX-5 | Auto History | Jeff's Car Culture Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

A car can fail in the market and still become unforgettable, and a “weird” idea can quietly invent the future. We start with a fast tour through automotive history that connects more dots than you’d expect: the 1979 AMC Eagle as an early crossover and all-wheel drive concept, Yellow Cab’s origins in Chicago and how that taxi story eventually links to Hertz, the 1959 Mini’s small-car genius, the Ford Edsel’s infamous launch, and the founding of Toyota Motor Company, complete with the naming decision that leaned on luck and branding.
Then we switch from past to present with realistic road trip planning and day tripping near Houston, Texas. We share easy family weekend drives to Beaumont and the Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum, historic Nacogdoches with a planetarium option, Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson with a free aquarium and touch pool, plus closer stops like Rosenberg and a simpler beach day at Surfside. If you’re hunting for “things to do near Houston” or “Texas weekend trip ideas,” these are high-reward, low-stress picks.
To close, we get into the details that shoppers and owners care about: our 2026 Mazda CX-5 All-Wheel Drive review, including design updates, cabin feel, real-world MPG, pricing, and how it stacks up against compact SUV rivals like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Toyota RAV4. Jeff also runs through WD-40 uses for car care, from chrome and hinges to sticky messes, with clear warnings about where it does not belong. Subscribe, share this with your favorite car friend, and leave us a review, then tell us what vehicle or road trip spot you want us to cover next.

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How To Shop Smarter For Auto And Home Insurance - Chip Lupo, WalletHub Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Your insurance bill can jump overnight, and it’s not always because you did anything different. We sit down with Chip Lupo from WalletHub to unpack what’s behind today’s rising car insurance and homeowners insurance rates and what you can actually do to lower your premium without cutting the wrong corners.
We get specific about the moves that matter: when bundling home and auto insurance really saves money, why you still need to compare coverage line by line, and how shopping at least three quotes keeps you from overpaying out of habit. We also dig into the factors insurers use to price you, including your state rules, your zip code, traffic density, theft risk, uninsured drivers, and even higher-speed roads that raise accident severity in places like Texas.
Then we talk practical policy choices: raising your deductible, deciding whether collision coverage still makes sense on an older paid-off car, and why leases and loans can limit how much you can adjust. Chip also explains how telematics and phone-based monitoring can lead to discounts, plus the uncomfortable truth that credit score can influence insurance rates in many markets.
After the interview, we roll into Jeff’s racing calendar, Marrs’ This Week In Auto History, and a news update including US-Canada tariff drama and an NHTSA probe into nearly 1 million GM trucks and SUVs over L87 engine failure concerns.

Subscribe, share the show with a fellow driver, and leave a quick review so more people can find the strategies that help keep insurance costs in check.

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Texas Dirt Track Talk with Rodney? Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Rodney Rodriguez isn’t just talking about racing today, he’s about to go do it. We catch up with the Dirty Air host and longtime circle track voice as he heads to Edna, Texas to climb into a steel-bodied Nova for a special night at Texana Raceway Park. Between the heat, the pressure of driving a proven winner, and the challenge of running on dirt with limited seat time, it’s a perfect snapshot of what grassroots motorsports really feels like.
From there, we get into the details that only racers and track folks obsess over: why dirt driving is the opposite of asphalt finesse, how tracks water and prep all week to keep moisture under the surface, and what happens when the groove dries out and dust becomes the enemy. Rodney also shares what he’s seeing across South Texas racing, including how fragile some schedules can be and why promoters and racers have to work together if they want local tracks to survive rising costs.
We also touch NASCAR, including what’s improving, what still turns fans off, and how new driver personalities can change the whole vibe of the sport. Jeff’s Motor Minute brings a big headline with IndyCar racing in Washington, D.C., and then we wrap with a full review of the redesigned 2026 Mazda CX-5: sharp styling, a much better cabin, solid real-world mpg, and an infotainment system that still makes simple tasks harder than they should be. If you enjoy racing stories, practical car talk, and honest opinions, hit subscribe, share this with a car friend, and leave us a quick review so more listeners can find the show.

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The Mustang Was Nearly Six Figures Somehow Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

A cracked wheel, a questionable seat belt anchor, and a high voltage battery risk are not the kind of surprises any driver wants, so we open with the latest vehicle recalls and talk through what they mean in plain language for real owners. If you track EV trucks like the Silverado EV and Sierra EV or you just want to stay ahead of safety issues, this recall roundup is a quick way to know what to watch for and what questions to ask your dealer or service department.
Then we shift gears into one of our favorite parts of the show: the auction results guessing game. We react to what cars actually sold for, including a beautifully restored 1963 Corvette convertible, a 1969 Corvette, a 2021 Shelby Mustang that climbs close to six figures, and a lineup of classics and curiosities like an early Plymouth Barracuda, a bench seat 1969 El Camino, a straight six 1970 Chevy C K truck, a 1959 Ford Ranchero, and a 1954 GMC 100. It is part entertainment, part real world collector car market reality check, and it always sparks strong opinions about value.
We also bring you a quick racing calendar update, then step into this week in auto history with the innovations and turning points that shaped modern driving, from Ford’s Contour and Mercury Mystique production plans to early Duesenberg experimentation and the electric starter era that changed everything for mechanics and everyday drivers. We wrap with automotive news headlines, including a lawsuit tied to a Tesla Model Y test drive allegedly set to “insane mode,” plus an update we love on the Fair Lane estate restoration in Dearborn and its upcoming reopening for immersive tours.
Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, share this with a car friend, and leave a review if you like the mix of recalls, auctions, history, and headlines. What vehicle from our auction rundown would you actually park in your garage?

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Chevy Quits China And Subaru Gets Serious Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Chevrolet in China went from unstoppable to almost invisible, and that single data point opens a much bigger question: how quickly can a global market rewrite the rules for an American brand? We dig into the stunning sales drop that has Chevy reportedly ending sales there after two decades, what GM’s next move signals, and why EV demand and local competition can turn “iconic” into “irrelevant” in a hurry.
Before the headlines, we get real about the stuff that actually happens on the road and in the studio. There’s the modern curse of updates and glitches, but also the bigger menace: drivers glued to their phones at green lights, the horn you want to use, and the horn you’re afraid to use. We even touch the uneasy thought that today’s connected cars and voice systems might be picking up more of our private car-talk vocabulary than we’d like.
Then we jump into a full 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness review with the details shoppers care about: the new design and bigger-window visibility, the tech-forward interior with large displays, wireless charging, and premium audio, plus the 2.4-liter turbo boxer power and a CVT that can mimic an eight-speed. We talk towing, mpg from real driving, strong lane keeping assist, and where the Outback’s pricing lands against rivals like the Blazer, Passport, and Mazda CX-70.
If you like smart car talk with zero fluff, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more drivers can find us.

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A Four-Door Mustang Walks Into A Dealership Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

Summer can disappear overnight when school starts, but we’re not letting that happen without a fight. We kick things off with “Marrs Driving Destinations” and lay out practical, family-friendly day trips around the Houston metro that still feel like a real getaway. Think Armand Bayou Nature Center in Pasadena for trails and wildlife, Space Center Houston in Clear Lake for interactive exhibits and tram tours, the Baytown wetlands for a geo-tour style adventure, plus Lake Conroe for boating even if you don’t own a boat, and Columbus, Texas for a small-town day that doesn’t turn into an all-day drive.
Then we pivot hard into car culture and the rumor that’s guaranteed to spark arguments: a four-door Mustang. We walk through what’s being reported about a possible “Mach 4,” the target price, the 0–60 claims, the expected 2028–2029 window, and why hybrid powertrain chatter (even a hybrid V8 mention) changes the conversation. With Camaro and Charger competition in the background, it’s a real look at where American performance cars might be headed next.
To close, we bring the hands-on reviews: Don’s drive of the 2026 Lexus LX 700H luxury hybrid SUV, including the air suspension ride, interior highlights, towing capability, mpg reality, and the one design choice we just can’t ignore. Mike follows with the much-awaited 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness, covering the new look, turbo boxer power, tech and comfort features, pricing, and why Subaru’s improvements feel real on the road. If you like smart road trip ideas, honest vehicle reviews, and timely auto industry news, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a quick rating and review.

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A Deep Dive Into The 2026 Lexus LX 700H And The Tech Features Drivers Love To Hate Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

The fastest way to spark a car argument is to ask one simple question: which feature would you delete forever. We start with the everyday stuff that actually changes ownership costs and stress, like fuel economy habits, using cruise control as a “steady throttle,” and how adaptive cruise can quietly help you avoid the constant speed swings that burn gas. From there, we get into the modern tech that drivers love to hate, including hard to read steering wheel controls, lane keeping assist that feels intrusive, and start stop systems that make you hit the same button every single time you start the car.
We also attempt to bring in Chip Lupo from WalletHub to talk about car insurance rising, but real life internet problems get in the way, and the conversation turns into a very relatable look at how tech fails at the worst moments. That sets the stage for our main deep dive: Don’s full review of the 2026 Lexus LX 700H. We break down pricing, trims, the 3.4 liter twin turbo V6 hybrid powertrain, towing capability, real world MPG, interior comfort, and why air ride suspension can make a huge SUV feel unexpectedly smooth. And yes, we talk about the styling, especially that grille.
After the review, Jeff runs through cruise in and car meet events around Texas, then we hit the week’s automotive news: tire shipment forecasts, a Polestar retailer lawsuit tied to a sales ban over connected vehicle technology, California EV rebates aimed at first time EV buyers, and a blunt take on EV charging reliability. If you like honest car reviews, practical ownership talk, and no nonsense auto news, subscribe, share the show with a car friend, and leave us a review. What’s the one feature you always turn off the moment you get in the car?

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If You Love Cars Why Does Buying One Feel Like A Root Canal? Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

A car ad says $299 a month, the salesperson says “trust me,” and somehow you’re staring at a payment that makes no sense. We bring in Dom Genova, a former Chrysler factory rep who built his own dealership by refusing to play the usual sales games, to explain what really happens between the headline number and the contract you sign.
Dom lays out a simple idea that feels almost radical in the modern showroom: “real price and real payment.” We talk through why so many buyers hate buying cars, how fine print can quietly change the meaning of an offer, and why rebate language like “all rebates apply” often doesn’t mean what shoppers think it means. We also dig into the tactics and psychology dealers use to control the conversation, including how confusing worksheets and payment-focused negotiation can hide the true cost. Along the way, Dom shares stories from inside the business and the mindset that helped his stores win repeat customers across generations.
Then we pivot to pure car culture: Jeff breaks down the latest report on a possible four-door Ford Mustang, potentially branded Mach 4, with big claims on price, performance, and even hybrid powertrain rumors.

Finally, Marrs shares summer driving destinations near Houston, from Armand Bayou Nature Center to Space Center Houston, plus easy day trips that keep the “still on vacation” feeling alive.
If you want smarter car buying tips, clearer dealership negotiation advice, and the latest automotive news with a little humor, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review. What’s the most misleading car deal you’ve ever seen?

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We Compare Real-World Truck Value While Tracking Recalls And Car Culture Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Recalls, real prices, and a brutally honest look at what a modern pickup costs when you spec it like a luxury car. We start by sorting through this week’s automotive recalls, including Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator updates, a Mustang Mach E trim concern, F-150 and Super Duty camera issues, a Genesis G80 fix, and a Mercedes-Benz recall situation big enough to make you want to open SaferCar.gov right now and check your VIN.
Then we pivot to the fun part: auction results. We play “guess the sale price” using Hemmings listings and talk through what the numbers might be telling us about the collector market. From a sharp 1960 Ford Country Squire wagon to a C6 Corvette, a modified Mustang, a surprisingly affordable 1991 Cadillac Eldorado, and a Pontiac wagon that sells for far more than expected, it’s a fast tour of how originality, condition, and rarity move the needle.
The highlight is our 2026 Ram 1500 Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 review. We break down interior comfort and tech like massaging seats, Uconnect 5, surround-view cameras, premium audio, and air suspension, then dig into the 3.0L twin-turbo Hurricane HO inline-six with 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque. We also talk real-world fuel economy expectations, towing and payload numbers, and the pricing reality when a “work truck” becomes an $80K-plus full-size pickup. Subscribe, share the show with a fellow car person, and leave a review so more drivers can find us.

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