The Thing About Cars

Mickey just had to share this clip of a recording (made before pandemic) of his friend Clair talking about her experiences buying oil for her first car. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website . TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Mickey’s Honda doesn’t want to hold a charge. Beka’s can’t unbolt her alternator (and needs your help). Dawn reminisces about speed-limits. Mickey wonders why there aren’t track-facilities where the average person can go and play. The gang revisits a listener question to discuss how a woman can avoid repair fraud, and how one can know if a mechanic really knows what he/she is talking about. Mickey...

Dawn was perseverating, and makes a proposal. The gang talks about the most beautiful Jaguar ever made. Beka notifies us of a recent recall for Kia and Hyundai vehicles. Ben shares a major Yelotus update. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website . TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Bill likes hearses. Jessica helps us visit what the term “reputable dealer” means. Dawn dreams of being able to bid at Mecum or Barret Jackson. Ben informs us of a weird monthly charge scheme from BMW. Beka makes some hard decisions on what to do with her G8. We also tackle listener questions: Pro-driving, or pro autonomous? Why does Toyota not do a firmware update for older cars with the same equ...

Tim talks at length about the GMA T50 Supercar. It has a big fan that has nothing to do with cooling. Therese loves old cars and tells us that Johnny Cash’s 70’s era Rolls Royce has been outfitted with a Tesla powertrain. Mickey recalls the Zombie 222 Electric ’68 Mustang. The gang addresses some listener questions, including tips to help people avoid getting ripped off at parts-stores and repair...

The gang tries to identify a mysterious blue powder accumulating on a friend’s car, and fails. Perhaps you can help us? See The Thing About Cars' Blog for pics and more info. This episode, we tackle listener questions: Tim’s question about Ford gives Beka a visceral reaction. We talk about determining if you need a rotation, balance, or alignment. The gang talks about SEMA and Sturgis. We welcome...

TTAC welcomes special guest: Dave Paule. Beka pours her Jeep woes out to Dave. Dave feels threatened by the new Bronco. Mickey walks the gang through a few British driving exam questions and all of the Georgia DMV questions. And Dave asks: Why isn’t there an EV Convertible? We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website . TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atla...

This week, the gang talks about telemarketers selling extended warranties. (And why extended warranties may or may not be worth it.) Mickey slips a mental gear. Beka says her Jeep is exhibiting some ominous symptoms. Dawn says she loves test-driving cars. Have you ever heard of putting extra borax in your oil? And why is the Jawa Sandcrawler the only vehicle in Star Wars that has wheels? We welcom...

Ladies and Gentlemen, we present the Class of 2021! We discuss two members in particular: the Mustang Mach-E and the Tesla Cybertruck. Also, Android Auto now for motorcycles; the big Ford countdown; and Grand Trivia Auto! Do you have a question that you think would be good for trivia? Submit it to us! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website .

Mickey starts us off with listener suggestions for TTAC television segments. Ben tell us about the latest Lotus restoration setback. The gang makes a shameless plug for the Atlanta Community Tool Bank. We're all craving road-trips, and Beka geeks out about Jeeps. (Not to mention Grand Trivia Auto.) We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website . TTAC records a...

This week, Jessica is hiding in the wings. We say farewell to the Lincoln Town Car, and we talk about Dodge's decision to discontinue the Journey and the Caravan. And then a Listener Question from Tim gets us into some serious trouble. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website .

We are joined by Jake from Just Jake Reviews. Jake has a very important message for everyone: Even though you have a disability, you can still follow your dreams. Those are very profound words for people who are struggling with a disability. And Beka is compelled to blurt out how much she loves him. Just Jake gives us a few of his favorite and not so favorite reviews; Ben admits that some things a...

Did you know about this recent, car-related movie? The participants ponder the particulars of a socially responsible movie night. We receive a listener question that is right in Beka’s wheelhouse. Ben has a problem with a Lotus repair, but luckily has the right friends. And Mickey needs help with a personal problem. Also, Nissan and Renault are having problems, and Hertz, too. We discuss our desir...

Ben wants to talk about Ford’s 2020 Bronco. Beka brings news about Ford’s recent recall. Mickey can’t remember the term “brake fade.” Then he asks, “Is keeping hand sanitizer in the car dangerous?” And Dawn asks about outfitting old cars with new tech so they can talk to new smartphones. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website . TTAC records at Strongbox...

Our motley crew begins the show with a listener question about valve-cover gaskets and main seal leaks. Beka has a moment while talking about the Equus Throwback and DeLoreans both new and old. Ben wonders if COVID-19 has made driving safer or more dangerous. And we’re joined by a surprise guest all the way from Boston! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our we...

This week, the gang welcomes Balint, from Hungary. Balint is the producer of the Prius Podcast and the Tesla Tales podcast. He joins us to talk about his appreciation for hybrid and electric driving compared to internal combustion engines, describing the zen experience of having a Prius over a gas-burner. Beka reveals her blood type. And Ben finds a way to make your Prius sound like a V12 Italian...

A big “thank you!” to each and every one of our listeners, for tuning in and for sticking with us during these challenging times. For your entertainment, on this episode we have Grand Trivia Auto! We also have Ben’s misadventures with oil changes, which leads to a discussion about oil capacities. Beka brings us to the darker side of the road with a story about The Fog. And we tackle a listener que...

Beka starts us off by bringing up an “as seen on TV” product, which leads the merry band of podcasters to discuss detailing product brands. Dawn takes us down a familiar road by asking how long you should keep a car. The gang kicks around changing tires and current driver’s license road test standards. Mickey warns about skinned knees on the Audubon, and your Grand Trivia Auto question of the week...

The guys discuss how car dealerships are doing in the wake of all the recent changes. Plus, Nissan dealerships send reps to Japan, cars are being parked out at sea, and tales of buried cars. Also, Gas Buddy’s article about the top 10 cities with the most aggressive drivers. And #GrandTriviaAuto ! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website . TTAC records at...

Today the cast welcomes Dawn to the microphone. She tells us how she got involved with cars. Also on the board today: How to disinfect your car Beware saving a totaled-out car Car cruises to lift our spirit Mickey confesses to speeding in his Honda. More talk about electric cars. This week’s Grand Trivia Auto. And Dawn tells us when you should pull out. We welcome your support via Patreon and your...

Welcome to TTAC’s first ever remote-recorded-podcast! The crew updates everyone with how they’re dealing with the pandemic, and Mickey reminds everyone that we’re here to talk about cars! Beka laments about emissions testing on older cars. Mickey and Ben, of course, talk about how they think newer cars are better. We answer a listener question about the I-35 speed limit in Texas. Guys, sometimes i...

We talk about a listener's power steering leak problems. Jen tells us a little about her spare tire woes. No, not that spare tire. The gang decries the use of tire slime and engine stop-leak. And Beka actually gets the Grand Trivia Auto question right. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website . TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

In this very special episode, Mickey and Ben get to talk with the Ambassador of Americana himself, the one and only Charles Phoenix! Charles is an expert on mid-century American culture, with a special fondness for the fabulous cars of the era. We find out how he got started with cars and why their stories matter, what he drives every day, what he would bring to a picnic, and so much more. You don...

We're going to Italian Car Day (in June). Jen joins us at the table. What will she say? Is Ben's Lotus alive? Does it run? Can our listeners help with another listener question? And the punchline is: Just buy it and stick it in there. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website . TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Beka says that the death wobble doesn't just belong to Ford. What happened to cars with real driving spirit? Ben drives today's Grand Trivia Auto question. We introduce a new segment, "Your Auto Advocate." Can we make a date with a dealer? We answer a couple of listener questions. And Beka contemplates some violence... We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our web...