The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake is a fancy car that looks great but can be very expensive to maintain. It has some complicated parts that can break down often, leading to high repair bills.
The Fisker Karma is a fancy car that was supposed to be good for the environment. However, it had many problems, like battery issues, which made it hard for owners.
The Alfa Romeo 4C is a small, fast sports car that looks amazing. However, it can have some problems that might require frequent trips to the mechanic.
The Tesla Roadster is an electric sports car that was the first car made by Tesla. It had some problems with how well it was built and how long it took to fix when it broke.
The BMW i8 is a hybrid sports car that looks very modern and cool. It combines gasoline and electric power, but many owners found it expensive to fix when it broke.
The Lotus Esprit is a stylish sports car that was featured in James Bond movies. However, many owners found that it had problems with its electronics and was expensive to fix.
The Hyundai Palisade is a new version of a family SUV that can carry up to seven people. The 2026 model has been updated with a new design and more features.
A 3.5 liter V6 is a type of car engine that has six cylinders shaped like a 'V'. It's 3.5 liters in size, which helps it produce a good amount of power.
Torque is a measure of how strong an engine is when it comes to moving things. It's important for how quickly a car can start moving or tow heavy loads.
The Kia Telluride SX Prestige is a comfortable mid-size SUV that has a lot of space and nice features. It's a good choice for families.
LIVE
All right. Time now for Mars driving destinations riding the rail. So is this a story about going to get to the train? Nope. Because this is not a train show. Well, I understand it's not a train show. And as I was putting the pictures together, I got really excited talking about the trains. You get excited about things like that. Is this what happens in your old age? And dementia. I remember when I was a kid that I got to ride on a train.
And there in New Zealand, you went into the drugstore and you bought your train ticket. And whenever the train stopped across the highway, you walked across the highway and you got on the train. We just had a segment of walking across highways. Exactly. You're still with us. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But that was good ahead. The train stopped at everybody's stop. Did you have a little stick in all your clothes and a little bag when you walked across the whole. They wouldn't let you take the stick on the train. But put your eye out or something. Because they use it for the fire. So there was an accident.
So a passenger train that went through there. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. East to West. Well, it went from Port Arthur. I know it's kind of more north south because Port Arthur's in the line. I mean, you're in the Gulf of Mexico when you get to there. Okay. I mean, a chip channel. So please carry on. So there. And you see things every once in a while in the news about these heritage runs that people and all these trains running around. So I thought, well, Texas has got a lot of trains. For example, the Texas State Railroad, which is often called the Lone Star or the Eastern Railroad.
25 mile Heritage Railroad between Rusk and Palestine. Now, this was built by Palestine. Palestine, Palestine, depends on how far north you live. Oh, it depends on where you're from. Exactly what I said. But this was built by the inmates. And it started in 1883 because they wanted to haul raw materials to the smelter at the prison at Rusk. So they did that up until 1921. Then they listed out to a bunch of private companies. Anyway, it ended up through the Parks and Wildlife Department.
It's turned over to the newly created Texas State Railroad. So now it's just a scenic tourist line. And you can get on it on limited schedule. And they've got five steam locomotives. And they take you can take the around trip on it. If you want to go, take your kids for a while. You've done that. David's done that. There you go. Now, there's another one up in that part of the world called grapevine vintage railroad. Now this goes from grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyard. Now, this is a purpose built railroad that's strictly for a tourist thing. It didn't start out.
Anything else other than is it a steam locomotive or is it a steam and diesel? Okay. Apparently looking through some of these things, if a steam engine goes down, it takes a couple of three years to get it built and back up. Oh boy. So some of them, they've got decals for backups. But it started using it. The training surgeons to use 1896 steam locomotive is the prime one. And then they've got some 1920's era Victoria coaches that people can ride in. You get on and get in grapevine at the Main Street Station. And you take 21.
You take a mile route over to Fort Worth to the Stockyards and then you get on it and you come back. One of the special things that they do since it's strictly tourist, they have several special events day out with Thomas. Remember Thomas the train? I do. Thomas the Tank Engine. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it's a 25 to 30 minute trip. And once one week into year, they rebuild the Thomas the Tank Engine. It kind of comes to grapevine. And it goes back and forth on this short train over and back.
Thomas? Yeah. Just one day, one week into year. So the kids can get there. You can take pictures. They have a lot of activities on both ends, magic shows, live performance, storytelling, all kinds of things for the kids for Thomas the Train. Now for your older people, they've also have Kiss Me. I'm Irish Express. Now this is another round that's offered one Saturday in March. You got to be 21 and over to ride the Kiss Me on Irish. You get two free glasses of beer and an Irish style desserts on this train.
Is the beer used as a chaser for something else? A dessert. Not talking. So they also have a jazz wine train for people that are more into wine and jazz. Or if you need to act like you're that way and make your wife happy, then this happens in mid-March. Again, you got to be 21 or older. Why would you say that? Do you have some experience in that regard? I've been married long enough to know that you got once in a while. Give her some wine and once in a while. Yes. Like a lot. If you're lucky. Often.
If you're lucky, you can get away with a lot. I'd say anything. 21 and older. They have live jazz music in each coach. You get meals, wine tastings, and all kinds of things going on. Then you have around the holidays Thanksgiving. They have Witch's Brew Train. Again, 21. Halloween, theme, food and entertainment. You got two free glasses of craft beer, souvenir, style. Costumes are highly encouraged as well as pants, but they're not required.
And then they also have several trick-or-treat trains for the kids. They like the pants free train. Exactly. Austin Steam Train Association. That's a train that runs up through the hill country. It makes different stops. It uses a 1912 steam engine to pull it.
Amtrak, Texas Eagle. This is more modern. You can go from Chicago to San Antonio to Los Angeles by train. Don't ever do that. No, because it stops in doubt. Oh my god. What does it take you five days to get there?
When I was a kid, we took vacation to California. We took a train out of Detroit. Went to Southern route to LA. Then we took the San Francisco train back to San Francisco to Detroit.
Did you had a good time on that? I was a little kid, so yeah, you have a good time. I was probably nine years old. I like those when you're parked in some train yard for five hours at a time just sitting there waiting for the next diesel to come along and hook up.
That's a question like that. These are a little more timely than that. They have to be. But the other one I wanted to mention, just real quick, Amtrak runs sunset, runs across Texas. You can go from New Orleans to Houston, El Paso.
And if you've ever been out in your state 10 and way off in the distance, you see a train out in the middle of nowhere. That's this train. If you want to see a different part of Texas, that'd be a way to go. There's more. Just look up trains in Texas. If you're looking for a train to ride.
Thank you so much and we'll time car talk continues after this quick break. You.
Time now for Jeff's car culture six dream cars owners regret buying.
There you go. So dream cars. We've all fallen for that dream car at some point. The glossy ad the jaw dropping design promises of speed and status.
But sometimes once you've been handed the keys reality hits hard breakdowns repairs endless bills turn these beauties into burdens. So here we go.
First one is Mercedes Ben CLS shooting break. It seemed cool and adventurous. But if you.
You quickly realize that it really meant endless repairs and repair bills air suspension failures expensive parts tech that didn't work more than it did bad roof.
All combined in the wagon as a money pit. But you know what I drive that I would I would.
At least to the mechanical shop there you go. And the next one we have is a fiscal karma who hadn't heard of one of them.
It's an eco friendly vehicle promises kept no not really people who bought it thought they were helping the earth.
A while of the Joker on the front. There you go. The car had battery failures electrical issues recalls upon recalls. I thought it was afforded first turns out owners weren't just saving the earth. But they also saved mechanics businesses.
So people got rich off of that car. And it wasn't the owner. The next one we have Michael is an Alpha Romero 4C.
It's a lightweight exotic looks Italian passion. What could go wrong? Well you see it's in the shop already.
A lot owners first discovered the brutal ride cheap feeling interior never ending reliability quirks. It was like dating a gorgeous supermodel who shows up late complains constantly and eats all your money.
So there you go and eats onion rings. There you go. It's okay. The next one Mike is a Tesla roaster is the first generation not the second.
This was Tesla's first attempt at revolutionizing cars while it broke ground and also broke down based on a lotus at least it had charging issues poor build quality and repairs that took months to get it running.
It's not a bad look. I've never seen one before. This is the first gen. I did not know that. I haven't seen one on the road either. But that is a good reason for that.
Well you put an LS in it. That's what you need. There you go. Okay Michael the BMW i8 the i8 look like a spaceship and promise hybrid supercar thrills but it wasn't that fast.
Was it unpated on the nose or no it's a reflection reflection. It wasn't efficient. It was based. It wasn't even practical owners love showing it off until the repair cost came in and it was worth more than their mortgage in some cases.
Yeah BMW i8 turns out the W stands for it. Well it's a great motorworks break my wallet. It turns out that the i8 was more flash than substance but it's a good looking car. It really is.
Mike and the last one we got here is a lotus a spree made famous by James Bond. This car was cool but owners quickly discovered the British electronics were questionable build quality was poor and repair costs worthy of a secret agent's budget.
It looked pretty cool but having one meant becoming very close with friends of your mechanic so there you go.
Pretty much and then we got a bonus shot I believe. There's a bonus shot. That car is gorgeous. Look at that David.
And Jeff spent all day finding that location so he could take a picture of his car. You betcha. That's not in front of your new place.
Yeah. That's the county jail. There you go. Perfect.
Time to have a new book out. Time to have a new car review. I had a chance to drive the 2026 Hyundai Palosites. It's been around a while.
The final assembly location is Ulsan Korea. 11 trim levels. 11. Count them. It's just too many to relay to you. Go online and find out if you're interested.
I would encourage you because this is something that I think that you may be interested in. The review trim level was the calligraphy all-wheel drive.
This is a standard SUV and competes against all the big boys from all of the big manufacturers.
Seats including the driver up to seven exterior changes from last model year. Complete redesign for 2026. This is the second generation of the Hyundai Palosate.
Very linear shape. Straight line from the front fender all the way back to the D pillar. Concentric wheel openings.
Rectangular grill with a similar front lighting design. Rear lighting mimics the front design. What I liked about it, the exterior gets high marks for a unique modern styling element throughout with high quality materials.
What could use improvement? Nothing. Interior highlights. Integrated instruments with the infotainment encompassed in the dash and in the infotainment system.
It interfaces in a center stack design. Easy to understand and use controls. Comfort controls and through entertainment infotainment screen. I don't know what I meant by that but I'm sure it was good.
The thought process was there but it just kind of didn't work out the way I wanted it to.
Sorry. Big area for the cargo area back there with the third row down. What I liked? Changeable interior lighting colors. It's fun. What could use improvement? I don't know.
It has a 3.5 liter V6 motor in it. Gasoline. 287 horsepower 260 pound feet of torque. 8 speed automatic transmission with a tow rating of 5,000 pounds. It gets 18 in the city, 24 in the highway for it combined at 20. I got 18.8 miles per gallon over 409.4 miles.
What I liked about it? Well, the powertrain may be adequate for a soccer mom. But I'll tell you. What could use improvement? It needs an optional engine with a little bit more power because the thing weighs 5,000 pounds.
I was going to ask. It's very heavy. Yeah. Downshifting this thing. It's slow to recognize the fact that you're trying to go on the highway. You're at 50 miles an hour. You need to pass somebody. It's a lag. It's not a lag. It's short on getting bound shifted. It won't downshift fast enough.
And then when it does, then it downshifts too far and you're back in the seat. There's a little issue for me. Like I said, soccer mom probably wouldn't be a problem.
What I liked about it, I liked the compliance. It's not your father's old mobile. But boy is this thing sweet. I just say fix the underpowered motor to react to the 8 speed automatic transmission. That's all I can say.
Base price. It's not cheap. 56 55 is the base trim price. Price is tested 58 3. But you can get in one of these for $40,930. So here are the competitors in size. Chevy suburban premier 78,095.
Now, remember the one that I tested was 58 3. So the Chevy suburban premier, which is up the scale 78,000.
Kia tell you right. It's sister or brother. SX prestige starts at 52 885. And the Ford Expedition King Ranch 86 170. I had no clue that they were that expensive.
No, but the big Ford Expedition is 86,000. That's a long line there for a poor. Just saying, well, you pay for the recall.
It's going to say good news. It'll get recalled and get fixed.
About this episode
Exploring Texas' rich train heritage leads to a discussion on various scenic railroads, including the Texas State Railroad and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, which offer unique experiences for families and adults alike. The conversation shifts to dream cars that owners regret purchasing, highlighting models like the Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake and Tesla Roadster, which turned out to be more trouble than they're worth. Finally, a review of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade reveals its strengths and weaknesses, particularly its underpowered engine and high price point compared to competitors.
Climb aboard as we journey through Texas heritage railways and drive some of the most disappointing dream cars ever made. This episode starts with a nostalgic look at Texas' historic train routes transformed into tourist attractions. From the inmate-built Texas State Railroad to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad's themed excursions (including beer trains and Thomas the Tank Engine days), we explore how these metal ribbons of history now create new memories for visitors.
The conversation shifts gears dramatically when we reveal six dream cars that owners deeply regret purchasing. The Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake with its endless repair bills, the eco-friendly but perpetually broken Fisker Karma, and the gorgeous but temperamental Alfa Romeo 4C all made the list. These automotive heartbreakers promise exotic looks and driving thrills but deliver wallet-draining disappointment. We explore why the first-generation Tesla Roadster, futuristic BMW i8, and even James Bond's Lotus Esprit leave owners shaken, not stirred.
We wrap up with a comprehensive review of the redesigned 2026 Hyundai Palisade. This seven-passenger SUV impresses with its distinctive styling, comfortable interior with customizable lighting, and competitive pricing at $58,300 for the tested Calligraphy AWD trim. However, the 3.5L V6 engine struggles with the vehicle's substantial 5,000-pound weight, particularly during highway passing maneuvers. Is the Palisade the right family hauler for you? Listen to our full assessment and compare it to competitors like the Chevy Suburban Premier ($78,095) and Ford Expedition King Ranch ($86,000). Have you experienced any dream car regrets or train adventures? Share your stories with us!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
---- ----- Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?
In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!
Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are. ----- ----- Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.
In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:
Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.
Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTime
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/
https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltime
https://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTime
For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at
