In Wheel Time Podcast

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Buying A Used Car Should Not Feel Scary Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

You can learn a lot about a used car dealership by one question: do they care how you feel after you drive away? We sit down with Jerry Emmons of Emmons Autoplex in Webster, Texas to unpack what “doing good business” looks like in real life, from treating customers with respect to pricing vehicles aggressively enough to move them in a competitive market.
We talk used car buying tips you can actually apply, including why they run a Carfax report before purchasing any inventory, what their average “car to market” time says about online pricing, and how they balance newer models with the occasional older, low-mileage gem. Jerry also shares what’s selling right now, with Toyota demand leading the pack: Camry, Tacoma, and even the big Sequoia. And yes, we have some fun with a classic enthusiast dilemma: when it might be time to swap a manual-transmission Corvette for a comfortable Cadillac four-door without giving up the joy of driving.
Then we shift into car culture and summer travel. Jeff breaks down the American Association of State Troopers best-looking cruiser contest, where Florida rallies late to top Michigan, and we explain what the trooper calendar supports. Mike wraps with Houston-area road trip ideas built for hot weather, from Blue Bell in Brenham to museums, warbirds, nature stops, and a scenic FM drive through the Sam Houston National Forest. Subscribe, share the show with a car friend, and leave a review with your pick: Toyota reliability, Cadillac comfort, or sports car forever?

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Five Cool Summer Day Trips Near Houston | Prettiest Police Car | Auto History | 2026 VW Tiguan Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Houston heat doesn’t wait for the calendar, so Marrs brings a list you can actually use when summer hits hard. We talk through easy, high payoff getaways that keep you cool without turning the day into a complicated production: a Blue Bell Creameries run to Brenham for peak summer ice cream, the Bryan Museum in Galveston when the beach feels like a skillet, and the Lone Star Flight Museum for air conditioned aviation history that still feels hands on. If you want a little nature with a plan, we hit Brazos Bend State Park with the timing and safety tips that matter, especially around the alligator viewing areas.
Then we shift gears into pure car culture fun with Jeff and the American Association of State Troopers best looking cruiser contest. More than 360,000 votes decide the winner, the state pride is loud, and the ribbing is half the entertainment. Florida’s black and tan Mustang takes the top spot again, Michigan’s “blue goose” stays in the fight, and we like that the trooper calendar sales help fund educational scholarships for trooper dependents.
We also do a quick lap through automotive history, from the Alaska Highway and Disneyland Autopia to the rise of parking meters, a wild Cadillac V16 concept, and the legend behind the Cannonball run.

Finally, Don shares a detailed road test of the redesigned 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan, including the trim level driven, interior highlights, pricing, mpg, and the biggest warning label: transmission hesitation and turbo lag that can feel stressful in busy city traffic. If you’re shopping compact SUVs, this one gives you plenty to think about.
Subscribe for weekly reviews and stories, share this with a friend who needs a summer drive idea, and leave us a review with one place you’d add to the list. What’s your go to Houston area escape when the heat cranks up?

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Why SUVs And Touchscreens Are Raising Crash Risks Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

A pedestrian crash is not just “bad luck” anymore, it is the predictable result of bigger vehicles, faster streets, and nonstop distraction. We sit down with Caroline Cash from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) to unpack what state highway safety offices are seeing right now and what changes can actually reduce traffic deaths in the United States.
We get into the uncomfortable design reality behind modern SUVs and light trucks: higher hoods and blunt front ends change where a pedestrian is struck and can make survivability worse than with a lower car profile. From there, we zoom out to how highway safety groups work with automakers on real-world solutions, including better consumer education for advanced safety features and practical ways to help drivers understand what their vehicles can and cannot do.
Then we tackle distracted driving in its newest form: the giant touchscreen in the center console. If you are digging through multiple screens to change basic settings at highway speed, your eyes are off the road, full stop. We talk voice activation, interface design, and what safety-minded design should look like even as brands change how phones connect to the car.
Finally, we go into autonomous driving and why “growing pains” headlines do not tell the full story. Caroline explains how Waymo and others approach safety investigations, how independent data can be more revealing than anecdotes, and why first responder training matters when an automated vehicle meets a real emergency scene. If you care about pedestrian safety, distracted driving, and the future of self-driving cars, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more drivers find it.

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How College Teams Race Solar Cars From Minneapolis To Amarillo Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Solar cars are not a gimmick, they’re a moving test lab that has to survive real traffic, real rules, and real weather. We sit down with Gail Lueck, event director for the American Solar Challenge, to unpack how collegiate teams build and campaign solar-powered cars under a 90-plus page regulations book, then prove themselves in scrutineering before they ever hit the road. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to make sunlight turn into dependable transportation, this conversation makes it concrete fast.
Gail walks us through the two-part structure: the Formula Sun Grand Prix endurance track event at Brainerd International Raceway, followed by the cross-country American Solar Challenge for the teams that qualify. This year’s route is a car lover’s dream and an engineer’s puzzle, heading out of Minneapolis along the Great River Road, then cutting over to Route 66 in honor of the centennial, finishing in Amarillo. We talk single-occupant versus multi-occupant classes, why “most miles covered” matters more than top speed, how optional loops can change the leaderboard, and why practicality features like luggage space and cup holders show up in judging.
Weather adds a wild card: smoke haze, rain, and cloud cover can force teams to slow down and rethink their entire energy model.

After that, we shift gears with Jeff’s Motor Minute on IndyCar’s upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the streets of Washington, D.C., then Don shares a candid review of the redesigned 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan, from the sharp interior to the turbo lag that can feel risky when you need power now. Subscribe, share this with a car friend, and leave a review with your take: would you rather chase speed, or chase efficiency?

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Car Recalls And Auction Surprises Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

A recall notice can feel like background noise until it’s your driveway, your garage, and your family on the line. We dig into the latest car recalls and translate the fine print into plain language, including a third-row power folding seatback issue, a roll-away risk affecting multiple Ford and Lincoln models, and a Kia Telluride power seat motor problem that can overheat and potentially cause a fire. We also talk through the kind of practical advice that actually helps, like when “park outside and away from structures” is worth taking literally.
Then we lighten it up with one of our favorite segments: the Hemmings auction “guess what it sold for” rundown. The prices are a snapshot of the classic car market right now, and they’re full of surprises. From a 1955 Chevrolet Nomad bringing serious money, to a giant 1990 Cadillac Brougham selling for shockingly little, we debate what makes a car desirable, what makes it a headache, and what’s simply a great buy if you’ve got the garage space and the patience.
We wrap with a quick racing calendar check, a lap through automotive history (Jaguar XK150, the Ford Taurus turning point, GM’s X-car era, and key Volkswagen Beetle milestones), and a set of fast-moving auto industry headlines that show how quickly lineups and sales leaders can shift.
If you enjoy car talk that mixes safety, history, auctions, racing, and real-world news, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review so more listeners can find it.

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How A Vehicle History Report Protects Your Wallet Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

A used car can look perfect under the lights and still come with a past you did not sign up for. We bring in Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief at Carfax, to break down what a Carfax vehicle history report actually reveals, why “Show me the Carfax” became shorthand for transparency, and how shoppers can use VIN-based data to negotiate with confidence.
We talk about the real-world mechanics behind vehicle history reporting: what service shops and dealerships share, why DIY maintenance and small repairs can create gaps, and how the free Carfax Car Care app lets owners track maintenance and get recall alerts. Patrick also explains newer tools that go beyond the past, including history-based values, reliability predictions for specific vehicles, and dependability research that shows how many models survive to 150,000 miles, 200,000 miles, and even 20 years on the road. If you’re comparing a regular used car to a certified pre-owned vehicle, we dig into why “CPO” can mean different things depending on the automaker and the dealer, and why documentation is everything.
Then we shift gears: Jeff shares wild global car facts in Motor Minute, and Don delivers a detailed review of the 2025 Land Rover Range Rover plug-in hybrid, covering design, interior simplicity, power, ride quality, pricing, and key competitors like the BMW X5 PHEV and Mercedes GLE PHEV.
Subscribe for more straight-talk car buying advice, share this with a friend shopping used, and leave a review so more drivers can find us.

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Forgotten Sixties Cars | Underground Houston | Land Rover Sport Review Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Some cars disappear so quietly you don’t realize they mattered until they’re gone. We kick things off by digging into forgotten 1960s cars that used to be everywhere, including the Plymouth Valiant Signet, Rambler American, Mercury Meteor, Chevrolet Biscayne, Mercury Comet Cyclone, and the Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire. These aren’t just trivia picks, they’re a reminder that “popular” and “memorable” aren’t the same thing, and that practicality can be the fastest path to being overlooked in car culture.
Then we take a hard left turn into Houston Hidden Underground, because the most surprising stories aren’t always on the surface. We talk through what’s beneath Houston’s streets, from the Buffalo Bayou Cistern, an enormous former drinking-water reservoir with a jaw-dropping footprint and echo-filled atmosphere, to the downtown Houston tunnel system that now spans miles. Heat, humidity, thunderstorms, and daily convenience all shape how this underground city evolved.
We wrap with a modern luxury counterpoint: our 2025 Land Rover Range Rover plug-in hybrid review (Range Rover Sport Dynamic SE PHEV). We cover the sleek conservative design, the cabin feel, infotainment quirks, and the big headline numbers: a 3.0-liter inline-six with serious horsepower and torque, towing capability, and a ride that sets a high bar thanks to the air suspension. We also stack it up against plug-in hybrid competitors like the BMW X5 PHEV, Lexus TX PHEV, and Mercedes GLE PHEV, then finish with quick automotive history notes to put today’s cars in context.
If you like smart car talk with real details and a few laughs, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review. What’s a “forgotten” car you’d still drive today?

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Raptor T1 Meets The Desert Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

A Dakar-designed Ford Raptor T1 is about to find out what American desert racing feels like, and we’re here for every gritty detail. We sit down with Matt Martelli, CEO of Unlimited Off-Road Racing, to talk about why Ford chose the Casey Folks Vegas to Reno run for the Raptor T1’s American debut and what makes this run so different from the rough-and-tumble world of Baja-style courses. Think long distance, high speed, and a 550-mile day that stresses cooling, electrical systems, and durability in a way most racing formats never touch.
We also get into the fun rabbit holes only off-road racing can create: what “unlimited” really means when trucks push 1,000-plus horsepower, 40-inch tires, and suspension travel measured in feet, not inches. Matt shares why the sport still leaves room for the garage-built crowd alongside multi-million-dollar teams, and we revisit the roots of short course and stadium racing through the legacy of Mickey Thompson. If you love motorsports history, fabrication culture, and the way racing tech shapes production vehicles like the Raptor and Bronco, this one hits hard.
Then we pivot to the headlines: a Ford worker fired over a $1.95 cookie, and the growing trend of drivers downgrading from premium gas to regular to save money. We break down what modern ECUs and knock sensors actually do, when premium is required versus recommended, and why the real tradeoff is often performance, not instant damage.
Listen now, subscribe so you don’t miss the next drop, and if you enjoyed the show, share it with a fellow car nerd and leave us a quick review. What would you want to watch most: the Raptor T1’s pace or the in-car Starlink view?

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Modern Tech Upgrades For A C5 Corvette Without Cutting Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

Your car doesn’t just get you places, it reveals what you’re willing to put up with. We’re back on the In Wheel Time car talk show and we jump straight into a question every owner of an older performance car eventually faces: do you modernize it, or do you move on? Don’s 2001 C5 Corvette still has that old-school factory setup, so we talk through the real-world appeal of a modern aftermarket display with Bluetooth and Android Auto, and whether a $500 upgrade makes sense if the car only comes out once in a while.
From there, the conversation widens into used car buying decisions that have nothing to do with bragging rights and everything to do with comfort, reliability, and how your body feels getting in and out of the driver’s seat. We also get honest about turbocharged four-cylinder engines and turbo lag, especially when the transmission tuning doesn’t match the way people actually drive in heavy city traffic. If you’ve ever needed the power now to clear an intersection, you’ll know exactly why this matters.
Then we shift gears into pure car culture: Jeff runs through overlooked 1960s cars most people forgot, from sensible compacts to oddball engineering like the Mercury Breezeway rear window and the early-turbo Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire. Mike takes us underground for a Houston driving destinations segment featuring the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern and the downtown Houston tunnel system, a hidden way to escape heat and storms without leaving the city core.
Subscribe for more car talk, share this with a friend who’s debating their next ride, and leave us a review if you want more straight answers. What’s the smartest upgrade you’ve ever made to an older car?

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Why Cars Dropped Gas Caps And What Replaced Them Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

You’ve probably noticed it at the pump: no more twisting off a grimy gas cap, no more second-guessing whether it clicked tight enough, and fewer random check engine lights tied to EVAP leaks. We dig into the real reasons capless fuel systems took over, from tighter emissions standards and better vapor sealing to cleaner fueling, added security through the locking system, and smart designs that help prevent misfueling with the wrong nozzle. We also talk honestly about the drawbacks drivers report, like worn pump nozzles that don’t always seal perfectly and the occasional premature shutoff during fueling.
Then we hit the fun stuff that makes car culture so addictive. NASCAR success doesn’t stay on the track, it shows up in real estate: castle-like mansions, pirate-themed escapes, trophy-room garages, equestrian estates, and big-city condos with luxury finishes. It’s a quick tour of how speed, sponsors, and wins can turn into some truly wild housing choices.
We round it out with a rapid-fire mix of engineering and ownership tips: standout U.S. tunnels and what makes them historic, futuristic regenerative tires that aim to replenish tread using smart materials, and a practical guide to car battery shopping with cold cranking amps and warranty realities in mind. Plus, a nostalgic deep dive into white letter tires, how raised lettering differs from painted letters, and what it takes to keep them looking sharp.
If you like smart car talk with facts, laughs, and usable takeaways, subscribe, share this with a friend who lives at the gas pump, and leave a review so more drivers can find us.

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