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Auto Buyers Guide Podcast
Auto Buyers Guide Podcast
Author: Auto Buyers Guide
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The Auto Buyers Guide team is dedicated to bringing you the latest in automotive industry news, car buying advice, car reviews, and all things car, truck, SUV, and EV. Every week Alex and Travis try to tackle important questions like: are software defined cars a thing? Should shiny black plastic be banned?
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The ABG Pod is back and we're trying something a big different. This time we're incorporating viewer and listener feedback, so be sure to drop us your questions and thoughts!
When I said our Model 3 SR+ had a real world range of 192 miles +/- about 10 miles, y'all lost your minds, but it wasn't a scandal then and it isn't now. Instead it's just a textbook example of why the "EPA range" is not a "real world" number. Newsflash: the EPA testing designed in 1978 isn't a great real world example for ANY new car, truck or SUV in America today. Join me as I pick apart the scandal and talk about how fuel economy works. What it's good for and why you should ignore that range number if you're not willing to look deep enough to know what it is really telling you.
In this episode Tim and Alex talk about Dodge's new small crossover, their first new model in more than a decade. But is it new? Haven't we seen this before? Perhaps in an Alfa suit? Also in this episode we discuss BMW's novel motor tech, the most embarrassing cars from the 1990s and 1980s, and the odd success of the ancient Dodge sedans, Toyota SUVs and more!
Podcast theme by Brian Roskelly.
This episode's music provided by:
Something on My Mind by Broke in Summer
https://soundcloud.com/brokeinsummer
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Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3QtAmkX
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/k9vAwwT5-ZQ
Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Auto Buyers Guide Podcast by Alex on Autos!
This episode is EV-intensive. Alex and Tim Masso cover the all-new Subaru Solterra and Toyota's EV plans, as well as the intriguing Cox Automotive EV survey. Also, what long game is Tesla playing as established brands develop their electric identities, and what EVs could be considered classics or collectibles right now?
Podcast theme music by: Brian Roskelly
This episode's music provided by:
Copenhagen by Scandinavianz https://soundcloud.com/scandinavianz
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3NfgtgD
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/s_OIflPLnuc
Over the decades Volkswagen has consistently struggled to gain American market share. In this episode, Tim and Alex struggle to understand VW's sales problems in the USA and discuss VW's planned electrification of their lineup and what that means for the future.
Podcast theme music by: Brian Roskelly
This episode's music provided by:
Flashes by mezhdunami. https://soundcloud.com/mezhdunami
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/3tVJtCn
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/HrXJBK_N2JA
In this wildly scatterbrained episode, we break down the biggest reveals from the LA Auto Show, including updates on Honda’s Prelude, the Jeep Recon, the redesigned Telluride, and Stellantis’ ever-confusing EV strategy. We also dive deep into Tesla’s shockingly high German inspection failure rates, and answer a listener's question about how much EV range you really need—especially if you live somewhere brutally hot like Phoenix.
Topics Covered:
LA Auto Show: What’s new, what’s exciting, what’s… confusing
Jeep’s EV lineup and the puzzling brand strategy
Honda Prelude: performance expectations & pricing concerns
Kia Telluride engine updates
Tesla’s poor showing in German TÜV inspections
Real-world EV range needs in extreme climates
BrightDrop, GM decisions, and future EV vans
Nissan’s odd Rogue/Outlander plug-in hybrid mashup
Does Jeep have too many EVs while Volvo has too few? Also, Honda gets a new hybrid system.
In this episode Alex gets on his soapbox about affordable transportation and why a cheap new car is better than a used car, and why it's important for our economy that they exist. Travis talks about Toyota's all-hybrid RAV4 and how the new 324 horsepower GR Sport model compares against the competition. Rounding things out, the guys discuss what exactly is wrong with the Wagoneer S...
Travis and Alex wander across a bunch of topics today from the dual-charging port weirdness on the new Nissan Leaf, they question whether the Silverado EV TrailBoss might really be a trail intern, and why the Corolla Cross might or might not be the ultimate Corolla.
Welcome to another episode of the Auto Buyer's Guide podcast. This week we're driving the Lucid Air, the most efficient car in North America. Travis also got some time in the first ever electric Trail Boss from Chevrolet. We're going to discuss 400 volt, an 800 volt charging, what the new emissions rollbacks might mean for you and for vehicles in the future.
In today's episode, Travis and Alex discuss lease-end issues when you've gone over your mileage limit, luxury car maintenance costs, the death of the Nissan Ariya and the base Cybertruck. Also, Dodge's Durango continues for another year, but it loses the V6 and picks back up the 6.4L and Hellcat engines... Except if you're in CARB states where the 5.7 will be the only option. Is there a way around that? Not really. Lastly cash for clunkers did seem to cause increased used car prices, but the higher efficiency of the models traded in likely balances that out.
Once upon a time, China followed the world when it came to safety regulations and standards, but this is 2025, and China is forging its own path, especially when it comes to new tech like one-pedal driving and electronic door releases. Is this the right move or not? Travis and Alex also discuss minivans vs big SUVs and how tire sizes work. Travis drives a new Leaf, Alex continues his campaign against black plastic.
Here's what to do (and not do) when buying a new car and what you can expect.
-Discounts
-Invoice isn't the real cost
-Financing works in your favor
-Extended warranties
-Shop around
-Going out of state can go wrong
In today's rambling episode, we talk about the resurrected HEMI in Ram's 1500 truck, and why it is and isn't a big deal. Tesla has a new Model Y Performance, Jeep's new Compass is starting as a hybrid-only soft-roader... And that's ok. Why? Because news flash: it's never been a Wrangler. Also: since there's a 4-door Wrangler, and a 4-door Grand Cherokee... Why does the Cherokee need to be similar to either of those? Oh, and we chat about how to get the EV tax credit if you have an EV on order but it won't arrive "on time."
In this episode Alex and Travis take a deep dive into legroom. How it's measured, why you can't always trust the numbers, and why we always talk about legroom in a specific way. We also ask: is the Blazer EV SS the modern Grand National? -gasp- Oh, and Durango gets another year to live, standard V8s and a bonkers top-end price tag.
Where is the safest place for your child's car seat? Well, that kind of "depends." In this solo episode Alex tackles viewer questions while Travis is out sick including why there's a baby behind Alex's seat instead of being on the other side. Also, why car prices are on sharp rise skyward, why we're always comparing strange things, and just why is it that top trims are missing seats...
What should you do, and not do, if you want your car to last longer? Well, it's the 21st century so don't be afraid of power windows or doors locks, but you might want to think twice about performance options, DCTs, CVTs, and yes... Even manual transmissions.
What would tax policy be like if Alex and Travis ruled the US? Scary though, no? Less scary: the new 2026 Mazda CX-5 is finally coming! Although... Not everyone will be a fan of the styling and design direction which has gone more minimal than ever before. Oh, and speed cameras should be burnt at the stake.
Sadly due to one of the smallest datasets since CR started reporting on new car reliability, we know less about reliability than at any point in decades. How does a Dodge or some Jeep models compare to a Toyota? Who really knows. Honda vs Toyota? We have those numbers down, but the rest? It's a crapshoot. Travis and Alex also talk about the EV tax credit dying off, CAFE fines going to zero and what that might mean for the auto industry as a whole.
Over the last 20 years convertible sales have plunged by more than 80%. Ouch. Once upon a time ragtops were over 5% of all new car sales and now they are down to a fraction. Why has this happened? What can we do about it? And why might it be time for a Sebring resurrection?


















