So you’re thinking about buying a car. The research phase leading up to the purchase can be part of the fun—considering what you want, what you need, and settling on a particular make and model is exciting. Or crazymaking. Or both. The trouble is, there are so. many. options. In one way, this is great—how... Continue Reading →
Parking apps to take the pain out of finding a spot
Parking hasn’t been all that difficult in most areas for the past year. With businesses closed and people working from home, areas with lots of office buildings are almost empty. So street and garage parking has been uncharacteristically plentiful. But as things start to open back up, parking is sure to become as scarce a... Continue Reading →
Will you have to subscribe to your car’s features?
In the ever-evolving—often in mysterious ways—automotive industry, surprises aren't unusual. We've seen unexpected innovations like 'subscription' services for cars (that didn't go over so well), and Tesla's Sentry Mode. But what if, instead of subscribing to get access to a set of car models (which is weird, but on some level makes sense), you had... Continue Reading →
Can you pay for a car with Paypal? Or Venmo? Or Zelle?
Buying (or selling) a car is always a major transaction, because it involves a significant amount of money as well as legal documents for transfer of ownership and for registration. It’s hard to know how to pay, especially when you’re dealing with a private seller—because there are safety issues. When you’re buying a car, the... Continue Reading →
Cadillac is back, and it’s coming for BMW, Mercedes, and Audi
Cadillac, as the USA’s foremost luxury manufacturer (sorry, Lincoln), has always had the ever-burdensome job of building cars that can compete with the storied and undeniably glorious powerhouses from Germany. 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (image credit: Motor1) BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and even Porsche have long dominated the luxury performance sedan segment with cars like the... Continue Reading →
Canceled: cars as a subscription service
Remember when car subscriptions were going to be the next big thing, about three years ago? Manufacturers like Audi, Cadillac, Mercedes, BMW, and Volvo offered plans, and subscribers could pay a monthly fee to drive a selection of models rather than having to commit to one car for several years. It seemed intriguing, and had a... Continue Reading →
Worst cars of all time, from Aztec to Yugo
We see a lot of articles about exciting, beautiful cars. Whether it's a new model or an icon like a classic Mustang, everyone loves to read about and see pictures of the sexiest, highest-performance models. But what about the opposite of that? There's nothing like looking back on those other cars to help us appreciate... Continue Reading →
The Evolution of Engine Technology
For over 100 years we've used the combination of air, fuel, and spark to power cars, but the way that we bring these things together has evolved over several eras. In the early years, engines were oversized, underpowered, and crude compared to what we’re used to today. For example, Cadillac’s 1930s V16, a 7.4 liter... Continue Reading →
Hazy headlights: how to make them clear again
Ever notice how a lot of older cars—that are in otherwise good condition—have dull, fogged-looking headlights? It can be the one thing that brings the whole car down, making it look neglected and old beyond its years. In addition to the cosmetic hit, this sort of headlight damage can be a safety issue: it often... Continue Reading →
The car reliability Olympics: which country makes the most reliable cars?
Above perhaps anything else, reliability is the one thing that most car shoppers look for when buying a used car—and with good reason. No one wants to be burdened by their new-to-them car breaking down or giving them trouble, and car buyers are especially uninterested in the financial headache that an unreliable car can become.... Continue Reading →