Cars The Podcast

By Don Swier and Joe Black

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Category: Automotive

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Subscribers: 7
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Episodes: 183

Description

Disturbingly curious about cars? Tired of regurgitated & predictable opinions? Contrarian viewpoints OK with you? Podcasting from the shadows of Mt Rainier!

Episode Date
Replay: Car Affordability Crisis a myth? Inflation and standard equipment, along with Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) show how media can create fear. Canada opens its market to Chinese-made BYD, Geely, Xpeng and more.
Jul 26, 2026
Consumer Behavior: Used buyers can fine-tune a search like never before. CUV just a regression to Model T form factor? Ford's radical streamline of offerings.
Jun 15, 2026
FastCarsMedia. Olympus Rally. Binfords Field of Dreams. Silver State Classic. 3,000 mile EV road trips are no sweat. Griots
May 19, 2026
We got scammed. Policeman & car nut reveals tips as buyer or seller. Take it to the Limit.
Mar 01, 2026
Car Affordability Crisis debunked: Toyota vs GM. Canada allowing BYD, Changan, Chery, Geely, Great Wall & SAIC open access. Vancouver-bound soon!.
Feb 01, 2026
Fox Body Mustang. From Indy Pace Car to Cop Notchbacks to 7-Up Fiasco. Serial owner drops facts. Why it matters for OEMs to have long lived nameplates and loyal fans.
Jan 10, 2026
Fish out of water: V8 gearhead drives Cybertruck and self-driving mode, annoying fellow motorists. Why Charger and Jeep EVs don't connect with buyers, despite 75% energy cost savings.
Nov 30, 2025
Loud V8 drag boats a curse or a concert? Smashing teachers' cars punishable? Favorite type of automotive events. Is it OK to have different tastes in cars?
Nov 27, 2025
New co-host Joe Black: Instagram, TikTok & YouTuber with questionable taste and a penchant for loud cars. Griot's Garage, Cape Cod and Santa Rosa.
Oct 12, 2025
Return from Summer Break. Exciting changes ahead. Request for listener email.
Sep 26, 2025
Rebroadcast: Don't let dealers run up your budget. Keep in mind actual needs. Seek advice from your mechanic. Where journalists misread buyers.
Jul 05, 2025
Rebroadcast: 9 feet of mountaintop snow in a DeLorean. Ford's Farley flirts with China
Jun 19, 2025
Rebroadcast: 5-year anniversary. Unintentional damage. Marital problems. $940k decision? Fatality rates by model. $1.98 part + 7 labor hours!
May 01, 2025
No payments or debt is priority. Best car?? Car industry is world's most disruptive. Service bill includes costs you might not realize shop is incurring. Toyota dethrones Ford F150 with RAV4?
Apr 14, 2025
Rebroadcast: Toyota not perfect. Subaru CR darling. Don't lose focus when buying. Tesla pushing envelope.
Apr 05, 2025
Ignorance of cars is co$tly. Gritty Tacoma car culture. Japan & Korea love gasoline cars. Pioneering engineer Salihi modified Chevy.
Mar 15, 2025
9 feet of mountaintop snow in a DeLorean. Fuel options that make sense for humans. Ford CEO blunt comments on Chinese cars and EV losses. Honda & Suzuki idea for glorious 13,000 rpm Range Extender Sports Cars.
Mar 01, 2025
Honda & Nissan merger off. How both brands grew in USA. Scout & Honda plan direct sales like Tesla and Rivian to attract new generation of buyers.
Feb 16, 2025
Rebroadcast: Japan trip. Ups & downs of owning business. Honda, Suzuki, Nissan & Yamaha. When to give up DIY & see a mechanic.
Jan 31, 2025
Toyota not perfect. Subaru CR darling. Don't lose focus when buying. Tesla pushing envelope for other OEMs. Hyundai & KIa engines.
Jan 01, 2025
Rescuing Dodge, Ram & Jeep with V8?. Beware flood cars! Edison Motors & EREV. Chinese parts sneaking in.
Dec 20, 2024
5 year anniversary! Sticker pack sign-up contest. $940k decision. Fatality rate by vehicle: Hyundai. Corvette. Unintentional co$tly damage.
Dec 08, 2024
Sensor(y) overload. Toyota success path. Harley V-twin as generator? Tesla opens network to more OEMs.
Nov 24, 2024
Warranties pitched by washed-up actors? Flood cars sneaking into market. New Camry vs old Mercedes in real $.
Nov 06, 2024
Benevolent dictators and Tesla create great ideas! OEMs not supporting older models with parts. EV road trips still suck. WagonFest
Oct 13, 2024
Rebroadcast: Don't let dealers run up your budget. Needs vs wants. Seek a good mechanic's advice. Where journalists misread buyers. Upgrades can bite you years down the road.
Oct 01, 2024
Japan 2024 trip. Daikoku, Honda & Suzuki. Pragmatic, weird, funky cars. When to take a DIY project to a pro?
Aug 22, 2024
Bill's Euro trip - Tesla making inroads. Different Horses for Different Courses. Warranties? House always wins! Maintaining is cheaper than ignoring.
Aug 17, 2024
Rebroadcast: Learn from our mistakes! Obsolete parts. Ramcharger a Goldilocks truck? Average car age at new high: creating new issues. Ford EcoBoost?
Jul 25, 2024
Rebroadcast: Cars aren't investments. $3,000 GMC taillights. $7,000 wraps. Ford losing $36,000 per EV. Tesla opens charging to nearly every OEM. Weather limitations.
Jul 21, 2024
Rebroadcast: Bill's career advice. DeLorean snowcat trip. Stellantis layoffs. GM OnStar tracking customers without permission?
Jun 30, 2024
Car buying? Media frenzy vs mechanic advice. Assess needs vs wants. Dodge veering off message? $4800 brake parts for Jeep!
May 23, 2024
Olympus Rally. Waymo driverless ride. Boeing and Tesla reports overblown? Pump and charger etiquette. Elon making life hard for Rivian, Ford & GM? Kei cars OK in Texas.
Apr 26, 2024
Running costs electric vs petrol. Japan slow to adopt EV: reasons? New & used car prices fell 4%. Don't let dealers push you into their inventory - car guys don't get duped. 25 year import law. A Honda made by GM?
Apr 20, 2024
Bill's career advice. DeLorean snowcat trip. Reckless and senseless Audi tragedy. RAM and Jeep cutbacks. Ford Triton part scarcity. GM OnStar suit.
Mar 25, 2024
Rebroadcast: Glacier and Japan trips. Lowball dealer offers. Fuel costs EV vs Gas. Toyota museum, history and pragmatic values. Shelby Mustang Tribute.
Mar 10, 2024
Car prices are challenging parts & repair costs. Ramcharger: road locomotive? Hertz - Tesla. Timing chain woes. Aging car issues.
Feb 11, 2024
Dave Ramsey says sell your car! Cybertruck - hype or historical? Serious EV charging issues with cold weather and "free" charging.
Feb 03, 2024
Dave Ramsey says sell your car! Cybertruck - hype or historical? Serious EV charging issues with cold weather and "free" charging.
Jan 25, 2024
Rebroadcast: New Years Rewind. Bad forum advice. Tesla advertise? EV charging confusion.
Dec 31, 2023
Avoid Parts Cannon method. Toyota to copy Tesla. Doug DeMuro: warranty or reliability better? Good looks trounce quality?
Nov 18, 2023
48% car price increase since 2019 podcast debut. $10k per hour Detroit employee? Strike aftermath. Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V values. Car opinions shaped early on.
Oct 28, 2023
Dave Ramsey "Car Guy"? Women wary of EV push. Tesla benefit from strike. How to address repair quote.
Oct 14, 2023
UAW strike benefits Tesla, Toyota & VW? Hyundai V8 $40k! Jim Farley & Granholm EV road trip fails. Plugshare fails. Cool '63 Ford camper.
Sep 23, 2023
Mechanics don't have a crystal ball. Car inventories are up - temporary? EVs plateaued in their strongest US markets - permanent? New cars are not immune to catastrophic failure. Car of the week: Mitsubishi Pajero Mini
Aug 26, 2023
Japan trip. Glacier camping. RV shoddy build. Toyota museum. Volt and Silverado lowball offers. Gas prices exceed Tokyo? America and Japan philosophy similar? Shelby Terlingua Team Mustang
Aug 12, 2023
Beware Forum and YouTube advice. Jeep Forward Control idea? Diagnosis is paramount. Tesla ponders advertising. Confusion over EV charging.
Jun 24, 2023
Real Car Guys are Savvy - not flashy. Ford is first OEM to deal with Tesla over access to NACS port and Superchargers. VW ID Buzz. Markup$ will bolster a brand, not tarnish it. Used prices up 45% in 3 years.
Jun 11, 2023
Real Car Guys are savvy - not flashy. Ford is first OEM to deal with Tesla over access to Supercharger and NACS port. VW ID Buzz revive microbus? Markup$ will bolster a brand, not tarnish it. Used prices up 45% in 3 years.
Jun 10, 2023
Real Car Guys are savvy - not flashy. Ford is first OEM to deal with Tesla over access to Supercharger and NACS port. VW ID Buzz revive microbus? Markup$ will bolster a brand, not tarnish it. Used prices up 45% in 3 years.
Jun 10, 2023
Can you ignore some dashboard lights? Keep older car or trade: Make & model, location and use are all factors. Tesla is the tail that wags the dog now.
May 21, 2023
How would a mechanic design cars differently? Olympus Rally: Subaru with Ferrari V8. Used car prices down vs 2022, may not last. Mustang Raptor? Lose billions each year chasing Tesla? . Hyundai curbside EV charging ...obvious pitfalls ignored?
May 14, 2023
Sell a car "As Is" or perfect? 33% of consumers are considering an EV. Only 11% of engineers believe current EV mandates are realistic. Throughput problem with charging on trips. Ideology hampering consensus? Ford asked pertinent question in 1900s.
Apr 30, 2023
EV Oregon road trip hassles with vandalism, cable theft & charger squatting. Ford admit to losing billion$. Tesla success misunderstood by legacy OEMs? ...Volkswagen analogy from history?
Mar 27, 2023
Ram REV and Toyota Prime find magic missing ingredient? GM Volt idea sprang from towing a generator on a trailer? More outdated terminology that can cost unaware car owners. Engine plastics are a ticking time bomb. Prioritize repairs to maximize dollars.
Mar 06, 2023
(Audio fix) California Dreamin'. Stranded from delayed maintenance. Tesla launches price war that rattles all OEMs. Corvette ingenuity. Toyota rekindles Prius.
Feb 05, 2023
(rebroadcast) Repair vs Replace decision. Used car prices up 60% in 3 years. Insurers total more cars as repair costs climb. 14,000 electric miles annually enough? PHEV will work. OEMs underestimate the Tesla seamless ownership appeal.
Dec 31, 2022
Costs behind a proper diagnosis. Tesla appeal goes beyond electrification. Corvette, Hummer and others thwart flippers with warranty threat.
Dec 13, 2022
Depreciation at all-time low, but still brutal; Jeep, Porsche and Toyota hold strong residuals. Carfax is great, but not foolproof. Our testimonies to limitations of electric cars. Mustang deliberate head fake on Camaro & Challenger? GM sets lofty 25x goa
Nov 24, 2022
Ford regret Lightning price? Toyota and Koenigsegg downplay EV hype. Warranty history, value & relevance. Oil burning GM, KIA and Hyundai. EcoBoost woes.
Nov 06, 2022
Beware hurricane cars coming to your area. Avoid salt & standing water? Intact Ford Expedition totalled. Rationale for buying next car?
Oct 23, 2022
Prep for winter. Seek mechanic's opinion before buying a car. Engine swapping update. Used car shortage puts emphasis on quality vehicles. Radwood-era JDM firetruck.
Oct 12, 2022
Radwood & The End of the World. Do looks matter? Tesla gets access to stimulus again. Hoard Honda, Toyota and Chevy ICE while you can? Mandates creating tribalism. EV plug rage on the way.
Sep 20, 2022
Repos on the rise! Are dealers gouging ...or just adjusting to free market? Tell us! Blame from OEMs. Tesla just adapts. Jeep Wrangler is #1 plug-in hybrid. All customers face tough wait for parts or cars.
Aug 21, 2022
Chevy Duramax hidden fix. GM LS V8 a genius of simplicity. Subsidies a waste of money? Hybrid & PHEV overlooked in rush to Electric? Analogy of energy density in popular fuels. Stellantis and Toyota stubbornly smart?
Aug 14, 2022
MPG scams, myths and tips. Simple physics can't be ignored: Weight, drag & speed won't participate in efficiency schemes.
Aug 01, 2022
Gas prices spur EV sales. Car and parts shortage to persist. Insurance write-offs due to parts wait and rentals. Duramax tow 2,600 miles to New Mexico. PHEV satisfaction.
Jul 14, 2022
The Grass ain't Greener idiom rings true. Fix what you have! Taxes and fees discourage trading. Rare Ford Woody wagon used for work.
Jun 11, 2022
VW history plus ID Buzz and Scout hopes. No ethanol in boats. Jim Farley of Ford new Podcast. Jeep RV. New studio hires.
May 28, 2022
Used F250 masking internal issues. Olympus Rally visits nearby. Ram Revolution range extender viable?
May 06, 2022
Detour: Bill's adventure pulling RV from Ohio behind Duramax Silverado: Hail, tornadoes, snow and squirrels.
May 01, 2022
Tesla twice-weekly price bump. Long-term fixes are best. Right to Repair facts. Job Specialization. '73 Ford Bronco updated.
Apr 15, 2022
Oil changes overrated? Platform flexibility. Jeep Wrangler 392. VW ID Buzz
Apr 12, 2022
Mechanic shortage compounds the parts shortage. Ancient Toyota Tacoma becomes best-seller in multiple states. Tesla charging network is their secret sauce
Mar 22, 2022
Ram Range Extender novel solution. SS396 worth restoring? Wrangler is #1 plug-in hybrid. Tribalism in car world is pointless.
Mar 19, 2022
Bad Bet Warranties. Symptoms without CEL? Defending Subaru. Maverick and Lightning sell out.
Feb 19, 2022
Median new cars exceed $45k. Used $30k. Maverick sells out. In defense of markups? Take care of your cars!
Feb 12, 2022
Rebroadcast: Collateral Damage - Repairs can affect other components.
Jan 24, 2022
Rebroadcast: Winter Water Torture. Spot and prevent short-term and long term water damage
Jan 14, 2022
Ford F150 Lightning pre-order halt. DeLorean "Snow" Business. Tesla opens Superchargers to all? Malaise Era Hot Rod Lincoln
Dec 25, 2021
Side effects to wheel & tire mods. In defense of dealer price markups. Tesla forges ahead as many traditional OEMs retreat.
Dec 19, 2021
Winter driving prep. Mechanics' cringiest car picks. Apple dips toes into pool?
Dec 11, 2021
Long-Term Storage tips preserve your car, boat or RV. Soviet classics in the US!
Dec 05, 2021
Car mechanical technology evolves. Our understanding lags.
Dec 04, 2021
Gasoline here to stay. Ford and GM EV crate motors. Violence at EV charging stations? Ford practicality vs Hummer absurdity. Auto Show musings.
Nov 20, 2021
Proper diagnosis vs guessing. Elon and Akio downplay EV dominance: ICE not going away. Ford ubiquity beat upstarts' novelty?
Nov 13, 2021
Simpler is usually better. $45k average car price. Flood car scammers. Parts getting discontinued. Vanlife explosion.
Oct 31, 2021
Ford flee to Tennessee. Tesla to Texas. Extended Warranty sham. More buying tips during car shortage
Oct 23, 2021
Tesla innovates chips. Rivian & others fight. Radwood PNW. Van craze erupts. Global energy crunch
Oct 13, 2021
Car Buyer Mind Games. Bolt fires rage on. Replacement Engine$$$. Cool but slow VW.
Sep 30, 2021
End of the World? Toyota and Porsche fight for ICE! Ammo for car buyers in this shortage.
Sep 26, 2021
Buying? How to save in this year of few choices and high prices.
Sep 19, 2021
Cummins, Powerstroke and Duramax: Hard to justify, but irreplaceable. NeoClassic Nissan.
Sep 05, 2021
Tesla and other EV drivers sitting ducks at public EV chargers? Gasoline to Trail Mix analogy. Industry delays persist.
Aug 22, 2021
Bill's Bryce Detour. Dealers return to The Churn. EV running costs? Hydrogen won't Hide.
Aug 18, 2021
Maverick undercuts Hyundai. Electrification Obfuscation. Break the Brake Bank.
Aug 12, 2021
Jeep #1 Plug-in Hybrid in USA. Colorado-bound Bill. Idiot Light Lessons.
Aug 04, 2021
Concours D'Lemons highlights. Car Issues you can Safely Ignore. Parts shortages continue.
Aug 01, 2021
Ford Maverick and Lightning predatory positioning.
Jul 11, 2021
Electrical Engineer Doug Swier and EVs (rebroadcast)
Jul 01, 2021
Dead actor's transaxle frenzy. Why carmakers ignore enthusiasts. Assess car's overall condition before big repairs.
Jun 11, 2021
Ford goes on offense with Lightning. Jeep Magneto sloth mode. Carmakers need to ignore enthusiast's rants.
Jun 02, 2021
Jeep vs France Cage Match. Parts shortages enduring. Savvy mods for off road.
May 27, 2021
Bang for the Buck Off Road mods. Pinzgauer Heater. Supply disruptions affect shops and stores.
May 21, 2021
Beware of cars engineered for assembly, not servicing. Car events finally return to Northwest.
May 09, 2021
Bronco party crashing Jeeps in Moab. Pocket thousands by selling car yourself. Price explosions.
Apr 24, 2021
Washington bans new gasoline cars in 9 years? A look back at Unintended Acceleration. Lemon Law high hurdles.
Apr 19, 2021
Your phone becomes your car's touchscreen: never outdated. Recall and TSB confusion.
Apr 10, 2021
F150 Police Truck. Supply Chain disruptions cause rising prices. Real-world EV ownership perspectives.
Mar 30, 2021
Basics to preserve a daily driver. Everyone rushes to online auctions.
Mar 26, 2021
Ford Maverick, Jeep Wagoneer, 4XE & 392. Maintenance Costs list Questioned
Mar 15, 2021
Cars: Not Disappearing - Just Morphing into SUVs. More help with guiding a teen's car purchase: Salvage or Cop Car OK?
Mar 06, 2021
Hybrid F150 Powerboost saves freezing Texans. Helping a Teen find a first car.
Mar 03, 2021
Coolant: Silent car killer: Don't let antifreeze total your ride (rebroadcast)
Feb 21, 2021
Cadillac for Gearheads. Also, Part 2 of things that destroy your car without even driving it
Feb 14, 2021
Football ignoramuses, Musk Mirroring and avoiding damage to car while it's parked.
Feb 06, 2021
Synergistic matchups in the car and tech industry. Sincha Clause in the shop.
Feb 03, 2021
Cottage industry bill invigorates boutique car builders. 2021 predictions
Jan 30, 2021
They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To: Usually, with Good Reason
Jan 23, 2021
Mechanics know your secrets! Also, is Tesla worth 20x Ford?
Jan 13, 2021
Tesla: Tail that Wags the Industry Dog. Mustang Reboot? Pandemic Vans!
Dec 30, 2020
Veering off the Jeep Trail -Snow Wheeling in the YJ: A Cure for Cabin Fever.
Dec 29, 2020
Instagram. Carmakers strike a balance; Modifiications tip the scales
Dec 14, 2020
Every mod has an upside and a downside. New Instagram Page!
Dec 05, 2020
Experience vs Book Smarts; Buying a Half-Done Project
Dec 01, 2020
F150 PowerBoost. GM EV madness. Olympus Rally reboot.
Nov 22, 2020
Hall of Shame
Nov 17, 2020
Offroad Project: Jeep, Toyota, Ford or Pinzgauer? Pros and Cons
Nov 08, 2020
Hummer EV & Driving Habits to Preserve your Car
Nov 03, 2020
Engine Swaps and Production Cars at 300+mph
Oct 25, 2020
Prepare! Winter Car Tips (rebroadcast from 2019)
Oct 21, 2020
Be specific about your service and repair needs.
Oct 11, 2020
How to Talk with your Shop - Saving Time and Money for Both
Oct 04, 2020
Jeep 4XE: Wrangler and Plug-in owner offers unique perspective
Sep 29, 2020
Wildfire here! Also, BMW i3 and Chevy Volt ownership details
Sep 20, 2020
Timeless Car Shopping Guide (rebroadcast)
Sep 13, 2020
Parts Shortages and Your Wallet
Sep 07, 2020
BMW i3: A Modern Carbon Fiber Model T? Can Gearheads love EV's?
Sep 02, 2020
Cars: The Tail that Wags the Financial Dog for your family. Be wary of internet mechanics
Aug 22, 2020
Cadillac and Hyundai IQ Cage Match. Colorado and SoCal Road Trips.
Aug 19, 2020
Cars The Podcast used car inspection tips (Rebroadcast)
Aug 09, 2020
Quality Award Deceptions & Collateral Damage
Jul 31, 2020
Bronco Busting or Tesla Trusting
Jul 19, 2020
Tiny Tesla Tops Toyota ...Temporarily?
Jul 14, 2020
Engine swaps: V8 Astros and 2 cylinder BMWs
Jul 06, 2020
Did Jeep or Ford lose the plot?
Jun 28, 2020
Detour Podcast: David Swier on Mason County, Mischief and Mentoring
Jun 26, 2020
Lost the Plot 2: GM and Mopar- Dominance to Dunce (and back!)
Jun 21, 2020
Carmakers who Lost the Plot
Jun 08, 2020
Buckley, Washington: Bill Magnusson of On The Side Automotive
May 31, 2020
Embracing Changing Tech over the Years
May 25, 2020
Detour Episode: Dick Swier on Aviation and Adventures in the PNW
May 19, 2020
Don't be a Guinea Pig ...Be a Pig in Slop
May 16, 2020
Used Car Buyer Inspection Tips
May 03, 2020
Bill's Volt Studio
Apr 29, 2020
Practical advice for used car shoppers in the COVID era
Apr 19, 2020
Advice for your next used car: Before you leave quarantine
Apr 11, 2020
Social Distancing with Off Road Essentials
Apr 01, 2020
Seattle Pandemics, Bonney Lake Polemics
Mar 22, 2020
When to give up on a daily driver. Practical financial advice for your garage
Mar 19, 2020
CorollaVirus and Recalls
Mar 07, 2020
Unfiltered Opinions on Filters and Pinions
Mar 03, 2020
Experience and Wisdom
Feb 27, 2020
First, Do No Harm: Technicians and Docs Agree
Feb 18, 2020
Puget Sound Water Torture
Feb 09, 2020
Coolant: Silent Killer for Your Car?
Feb 05, 2020
Siesta Fiesta
Jan 29, 2020
Diagnosing Demystified
Jan 18, 2020
Mexico to Maxi Snow
Jan 12, 2020
2020 Resolutions for your Ride
Dec 29, 2019
Detour Episode: Carol Swier Northwest Perspective
Dec 28, 2019
Wintertime Car Tips
Dec 24, 2019
Noise and Shudder
Dec 18, 2019
CyberTroll to HyperMile
Dec 07, 2019
Diesel or No Diesel
Nov 30, 2019
Smiles Per Gallon
Nov 24, 2019
Detour Podcast: Three Trailheads Talking. Can Car Guys be nature lovers, too?
Nov 19, 2019
Guest Electrical Engineer Doug Swier amps up the discussion on EVs and plug-in hybrids
Nov 10, 2019
Jeep 101
Nov 05, 2019
Petrol to Hybrid to Electric
Oct 29, 2019
Cars a necessary evil?
Oct 18, 2019
Spend with your head. Your heart will thank you.
Oct 17, 2019
Corrosion Avoidance
Oct 07, 2019