Art Morrison is a company that makes parts and frames for classic cars. They help people restore or modify their cars to make them look and drive better.
The Honda Civic Hybrid is a version of the Civic that uses both gas and electric power to save fuel. It's known for being fun to drive and having a lot of room inside, which is why it's recommended as one of the best small cars for 2026.
Miles per gallon (MPG) tells you how many miles a car can drive using one gallon of gas. Higher MPG means the car is more fuel-efficient and will save you money on gas.
'Zero to 60' is a way to see how fast a car can go from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour. It's often used to compare how quickly different cars can speed up.
The Toyota Camry is a well-known car that is comfortable and reliable. The newest versions are hybrid cars, which means they use both gasoline and electricity to save fuel.
The Subaru Crosstrek is a small SUV that can handle rough roads and is great for outdoor adventures. It's popular because it's practical and has a tough design.
The Ford Excursion is a really big SUV that can fit a lot of people and their gear. It’s known for being comfortable and strong enough to handle rough roads. People like to talk about it because it’s great for family trips or adventures.
The Subaru Forester is another small SUV that is known for being safe and comfortable. It has a lot of space inside and comes in a hybrid version that uses both gas and electricity.
All-wheel drive means that all four wheels of a car can get power from the engine at the same time. This helps the car grip the road better, especially when it's slippery.
The Ford Maverick is a small truck that is easy to drive and park, perfect for city living. It’s known for being affordable and comes with a hybrid option, which means it can save you money on gas. People talk about it because it’s a practical choice for those who need a truck without the bulk.
The BMW X5 is a fancy SUV that is known for being comfortable and stylish. It's popular among people looking for a luxury vehicle that can also handle everyday driving.
The Tesla Model Y is an electric SUV known for being fun to drive and having a lot of space inside. It can be charged at special Tesla charging stations.
Blind spot monitors help drivers see cars that are hard to notice when changing lanes. They usually make a sound or light up to warn you if there's a car nearby.
A V6 engine is a car engine with six cylinders that are shaped like a 'V'. It offers a nice mix of power and fuel efficiency, which is why many cars use it.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is a new electric SUV that runs on batteries instead of gas. There have been some worries about the batteries catching fire in certain models, which is important to know if you're thinking about buying one. It’s a big step for Volkswagen as they move towards making more electric cars.
The Volkswagen Bus is a classic van that is famous for its unique shape and is often associated with fun road trips and the 1960s. It has a lot of space inside, making it great for families or groups of friends. People love to talk about it because it brings back memories of a different time.
The Hyundai Palisade is a large SUV that can fit a lot of people and their stuff, making it great for families. It has a lot of safety features to keep everyone safe while driving. Recently, there have been some recalls, which means the company is asking owners to bring their cars in for fixes.
The Toyota Tundra is a big truck that can handle tough jobs and is also good for off-road driving. The newer models have a hybrid version that saves on gas.
The Cadillac Eldorado is a fancy car that was made a long time ago and is known for being stylish and luxurious. The 1957 version is especially popular among collectors because it looks great and represents a time when cars were made with a lot of attention to detail. People talk about it because it’s a classic piece of American car history.
The Cadillac ELR is a fancy car that can run on electricity and gas, making it a hybrid. It has a stylish look and some cool technology inside. People talk about it because it was one of Cadillac's attempts to make a modern, eco-friendly luxury car.
The Ford GT is a super-fast sports car that looks really cool and was made to celebrate Ford's racing history. The 2006 version is especially famous for being powerful and stylish, which makes it a favorite among car collectors. People often talk about it because of its speed and the story behind it.
The Ford GT40 is a famous race car that won a lot of races back in the 1960s. It was built to be super fast and has a cool design that people love. It’s talked about because it represents Ford's success in racing and is a big part of car history.
The Chevrolet 3100 is an old pickup truck that was made a long time ago and is loved for its classic look. It’s known for being tough and reliable, which makes it popular among people who like to restore old cars. People talk about it because it’s a piece of American history.
The Ford Bronco is a tough SUV that can handle rough terrains like mountains and trails. It was first made a long time ago and has become really popular again recently. People talk about it because the older models are now worth a lot of money.
A three-speed transmission is a system in a car that lets you choose from three different speeds while driving. It's often found in older cars and helps control how fast you go.
The Volkswagen Super Beetle is a version of the original Beetle car that was made in the 1970s. It had some improvements, like more trunk space and a better ride, but some people think it wasn't as good looking.
Gulf Coast Auto Shield is a company that helps protect and improve the look of your car. They offer services to make your car's paint look new and add protective layers to keep it safe.
The Dodge Ram is a big truck that’s great for hauling heavy loads and towing trailers. Recently, it has been mentioned as one of the brands that people trust the least, which means some owners have had issues with it. It’s popular among people who need a strong truck for work or play.
The Jeep Cherokee is a small SUV that can go off-road, which means it can drive on rough paths and trails. The 2014 version has had some issues, so it’s important to check if those have been fixed before buying one. People like it because it’s tough but also good for everyday driving.
LIVE
Welcome to another In-Wheel Time podcast.
Hello. Welcome to the In-Wheel Time car talk show. Coming up in the segment of our show,
we're going to talk about, what are we going to talk about today? I think what we're going to do is we're going to start with the consumer reports, top 10 deep cars, pickups, and SUVs. That's what we're going to start with. Then we're going to do SUV calls. And we're also going to have always popular what the car sold.
All right. Then later on, we're going to have the cruise in and events calories. I'll bring the stories. Howdy along with Mike out of this world.
Hello, Lars. We're coming to you from Neaterville, Texas. We always need more Jeff Seekin, Master's Studio and Transmitter Engineer David Aisley, and I know I'm strong. Glad that you could join us today. And I know that you've got your act together much better than I do, because I don't at all.
So, forgive me, will you?
William, Lars?
Sir, I'm sorry.
Never mind.
I'm sending you a text.
Are you?
Sorry.
That's okay. Like I'll have time to read that. All right. So, let's do the hybrid powertrains dominated consumer reports review of the best new vehicles for 2026.
And I've got them in no particular order, but we're going to start with the best small car for 2026, according to consumer reports. And that would be the civic hybrid. I, for some reason, I mentioned this last week when we were at the auto show.
I don't get Hondas and I don't get accurate. I don't know whether they're not in the press fleet or the lady that handles that press fleet doesn't like me, which is probably the case.
Well, that's very possible. Yeah.
That hybrid by Hondas Civic is the best version because of its responsive steering comfort and spacious interior. A Civic with spacious interior.
There you go.
Plus another 50 horsepower that powers a two second bump in its speed from zero to 60 compared with the gasoline version also gets 44 miles per gallon consumer reports test and has refined power delivery that makes it refreshingly entertaining on twisty roads.
Honda Civic twisty roads.
Okay.
It must be driving the sporty model apparently best mid sized car. The Toyota Camry.
That's one that I haven't had in a long time for some reason.
No, Mars hasn't had one heavy Mars. No, sir.
The Camry is now exclusively sold as a hybrid and reached 48 miles per gallon in the consumer reports test.
Reviewers liked its user friendly controls, including physical knobs and switches.
Each trim is available with all wheel drive and reviewers praised the vehicles reliability. Good.
Best subcompact SUV, the Subaru Crosstrak.
Tell you what, man, that's Subaru brand. They have really killed it here in the past few years.
They're making gains.
Consumer reports said the Crosstrak handles well and has good ride quality. I'll agree with that, including in its ability to absorb road imperfections.
Reviewers said it was comfortable even during off pavement excursions. I don't know why you would do that.
They also cheered the added ground clearance. That's always a good thing when you're talking about a sport utility vehicle.
The gasoline only version gets 29 miles per gallon overall in the consumer reports test while the hybrid version achieves an EPA estimated 36 miles per gallon combined.
You're kind of getting a handle here on this hybrid stuff.
Best compact SUV, Subaru Forester.
Reviewers liked the Forester's visibility, comfort, safety credentials, spacious interior and the hybrid's unique combination of a 2.5 liter engine and electric motor with mechanical full time all wheel drive.
Consumer reports said other small hybrid SUVs only offer limited all wheel drive, so all wheel drive is important to you.
Here in Houston, Texas, I can't really see being worth the while spending that extra money on something that you probably never use.
And there are vehicles that have that setting that go two wheel or four wheel.
Best mid-sized SUV. Want to take a guess?
It's a Toyota. It's the Grand Highlander, which is the one that's bigger than the Highlander.
Consumer reports said the Grand Highlander has plenty of room for adults in each seat and also for cargo, calling it a near perfect people mover.
18 inch tires make it unusually smooth to drive and reviewers like the hybrid powertrain's performance with a 35 mile per gallon overall fuel economy. Pretty good.
Best luxury compact SUV goes to, you want to guess the maker? Lexus?
Lexus. And it's going to be the Lexus NX.
Consumer reports call the NX a standout in small luxury SUVs because of its compact but not crowded cabin and high quality controls.
The gasoline only NX has real pep and the hybrid version is even more refined with the electric assist helping to smooth out the power delivery.
The NX plug-in hybrid, boo, can drive on electric power for only 37 miles and has 304 miles combined horsepower, which Consumer reports says makes it among the quickest in the class, if you're into that sort of thing.
Best small pickup truck.
Small pickup.
I'm not going Maverick. Maverick pops into mind.
Well, guess what?
That's what I'm thinking.
I'll be darned.
Ford Maverick.
Maverick has a low entry price, a relatively spacious cabin and a smooth ride.
Now, as far as the relatively low entry price, I don't know what that is.
I'm guessing about 40 grand because I had one recently and that's what that was.
The hybrid gets 37 miles per gallon compared with the gasoline versions 23 and Consumer report tests, but the publication recommended the hybrid because of its better reliability score.
Interesting.
Best luxury mid-sized SUV.
BMW X5.
Oh, wow.
Really?
Me either.
X5 remains one of the best luxury SUVs Consumer reports has ever tested.
The reviewer said it is luxurious, well-rounded and feels special.
Reviewers like the cabin's vibe.
Haven't heard that word in a while.
Surfaces and comfortable seats, calling them expertly sculpted for day-long road trips.
Both the hybrid and the gasoline-only versions proved an entertaining driving experience.
Best electric vehicle.
Tesla Model Y.
The Model Y got accolades for its practical yet sleek design range performance and access to the automaker's supercharger network.
The 26 refresh provides a more compliant ride, acoustic glass for a quieter cabin and upgraded interiors plus an optional 8-inch touchscreen for the back seat.
The Model Y's reliability is improving.
Consumer reports said it maintains thrilling acceleration, sharp handling, comfortable front seats and wonderfully unobstructed forward views.
And finally, the best full-size pickup truck.
Ford F-150.
Got more reliable and maintained its strong powertrains, roomy cabin and simple controls.
Reviewers liked improvements such as blind spot monitors and a flat tailgate that can double as a workbench.
The V6 engine is a gem and the hybrid version prioritizes brawn over efficiency.
So there's that.
Okay, with that in mind and since we've brought up Ford, let's talk about recalls.
It goes hand in hand.
Yeah, kind of. Inadequate windshield bonding on the Ford Explorer for 2026.
In other words, Martha?
Huh, Martha, can you hear me?
It's leaking.
Martha, I know it's getting a little windy in here.
Sorry, we lost the windshield.
Grab it as it goes by.
Yeah. Here's one.
Park outside.
The high-voltage battery may catch fire on the Volkswagen ID4 for 23 and 24.
Oh, wow.
Yeah. You ever seen one of those? A garage fire?
No, I've seen an ID with a Volkswagen bus.
Man, that's not good because it goes pretty quick.
Side curtain airbag may deploy improperly.
It'll slap you upside the head.
The Hyundai Palisade 2020 to 2025, it's being recalled.
Tell you what, a Tundra 24 and 25 in the Tundra hybrid rear of your camera image may not display.
And I think every Kia and Hyundai known demand has got this problem, the instrument panel display failure.
So if you own a 25 or 26 model of a Hyundai or a Kia, you might want to check it out,
put in the VIN number and safercar.gov and it will tell you that your car is being recalled.
So it just quits?
It quits displaying?
The instrument panel, yeah, it just stops displaying anything.
Screen goes blank.
But it doesn't leave you stranded.
It just quits telling you what it's doing.
That's what it says.
Okay.
That's what it says.
Okay.
Now, does anybody feel like they would like to play the game of sales?
What the car sold for?
The sold car?
Yeah, the sold car.
Michael's got it.
All right.
Well, let's go ahead and put that up there because our first car today that we're all going to guess,
I hope George and Jeff.
Mr. Heitzman.
They're all watching and waiting with baited breath.
Well, Mr. Heitzman has got a little reprieve because the launch didn't go off of the Artemis.
Artemis.
Artemis rocket.
So I think he's probably got some time this morning.
Here we go.
Here's the first one.
This is for you, Jeff.
Okay.
The 1957 Cadillac El Dorado, if we can get that up there.
Mr. Morris.
Are you doing that?
I think Mark, yeah.
Here you go.
There it is.
Here you go, Mike.
Okay.
There you go.
Oh, goodness sakes.
That is one sexy car.
My goodness.
A 1956 Cadillac El Dorado.
Man, I drive that thing.
That's going to be, I'm going to go 200 grand.
Really?
Yeah.
That's that nice to me.
That's a lot.
Anybody else?
Pretty color.
We have anybody else?
In the white walls.
Who wants to chime in?
David normally charms in on these.
Yeah.
Well, it didn't sell for 200 grand.
I'm sorry to say.
He went for the bargain basement price of $80,000.
Oh, wow.
Oh, George came in at $25,999.
George, we're hoping that you feel better, my friend.
We've got his $99 working today.
That's gorgeous.
Here's one for you.
Leave that up.
Jeff, this is all about you.
A 2006 Ford GT.
They have on here GT40.
It's a GT40 livery painted on it.
Yeah.
But in 2006, I don't recall a GT40.
I don't recall the Ford GT.
But at any rate, how much do you think that that car cost?
They're crossing a block of Barrett's like around two and a quarter.
I'm going to go 250.
Are you?
Well, now, based on this price, I don't think it's a 2006.
Maybe so.
I'm not up on my history here.
But this car sold for $710,000.
Yeah.
That was going to be my next bid.
Yeah.
I was going to go for 600, but you know, ran me up on that.
Yeah.
Well, kind of in the same vein, but not the same price.
This too is another race car.
This is a 1991 Shelby Can-Am car.
Man, that would be fun to drive, wouldn't it?
Yeah.
Going to 59 in that thing.
1991 Shelby Can-Am.
It's a race car.
So how much do you think that that would sell for?
Just for the nostalgic part of it.
I don't know.
Well, you got a lot of name value in it just because it's, you know,
Shelby.
That's what I'm thinking because you know that things have been crashed and wrecked.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's all battered up and stuff, but whatever.
I don't know.
The 91 Shelby Can-Am sold for $73,500.
Way off, Mike.
Well, George.
George is close.
I don't know.
He's going to get his groove on.
He's going to get his groove on on this one.
No idea, $9,999.
So in 1959, Chevy, $3,100.
Now, is that going to be, is that a three quarter ton?
Yes.
Well, now it looks like it.
Because I'm not familiar with a $3,100.
So it could be a one ton.
Yeah, it could be.
Whatever.
It looks like it has the cameo rear end on the bed.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's a 59.
Got the locking hubs on it.
Got this sticking out.
It's a resto mod because it's been jacked up.
Yeah.
Nice paint.
42.
42.
Jeff says 42.
Do we have any other bidders on this?
We'll see here.
Not yet.
Wait.
Here comes George.
George has got it.
$18,999 for George.
George.
Okay.
Well, George is more of a movie man than a Carmen.
But at any rate, no, it's not.
It's sold for 33.6.
Oh, okay.
I like, I like the dual headlights.
And I like the 50s vibe.
Ainsley said 15.
So he was close.
Is Ainsley back with us now?
All right.
So here's one for you.
Now we know that the original Ford Bronco sells for stupid money these days.
Yep.
Okay.
So obviously this is arrest.
Those are not original wheels.
So we're going to call it a rest or mod, whether you like it or not.
Well, it's got a cage.
How much did it sell for?
What?
Got a cage, a rowbar cage type thing.
It did not count.
Or maybe that's just the top.
I don't know.
Hard to tell.
So what do you think the 66 Ford Bronco sold for?
70 grand.
70.
George.
I'm thinking it's got updated seats and everything.
Yes.
Cause those, those Broncos did not have headrests.
David says 15.
15.
The sold car price was $136,500.
Oh my God.
Just a little off today.
Yeah.
That's what you call stupid money in my world.
Yeah.
George was close.
He got 12, 9, 9, 9.
I grew up with a guy that his dad bought him, uh, 1974.
I think it was orange.
It was just a basic Bronco.
You know, and this is not a put down by any stretch of the imagination,
but I lived in that era.
And I will tell you that those, those vehicles were Sardine can 10.
Yeah.
There was, there were, they were so basic that you didn't want one.
Nobody wanted one.
As a matter of fact, I rarely saw one.
He had one.
And it was nice.
We didn't, you know, he had properties that he had property that they would take it out
to, but it was cool.
So these, the old ones are just, it's crazy.
As a matter of fact, there's a company that is actually redoing.
You buy one, you find one and you want it done like it was brand new.
They're like, you know, $250,000.
Art Morrison, Chessie.
All that other stuff.
All right.
Next up is a 49 Chevy, 3,100, a 49 Chevy with a 3,100.
So it probably have a straight six in it and a three speed on the column.
And I may be wrong, could have a, you know, one of those rock crushers that I had in
mind and mine was a 54.
So what do you think that that's sold for?
It's got running boards on it.
It's got, you know, moon hub caps on it.
Ah, 30, 30.
Yeah.
It looks like it's still got the original gas filler tank in the back of the panel there.
Well, yeah, because the gas tank was behind the seat.
Yeah.
It hadn't been moved.
Most of the hot rodders will move them.
Yeah.
So any idea on price?
Just as 31.
George says 13, 9, 9, 9.
Well, no, 26, 250.
No.
Which is still...
Davis says 25.
Well, there you go.
It's still a little high in my book.
All right.
Next up, for all you Beetle fans, 73 Volkswagen Super Beetle.
There's nothing super about it, but that's what they called it back then because everything
was super this and super that.
Green, ugly green.
Not a, I'm not a green car.
Obviously.
What do you think that's 73?
It's stock.
Well, it's got air conditioning because it's got a little vent up there.
So I'm going to go eight.
I'm going to go eight.
I see the vent right there.
The vent.
The side window?
Yeah.
Air conditioning.
I'm going to go eight grand.
Eight grand.
Anybody else?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Everybody's...
Well, let's see.
Everybody's going, I don't know.
They're just bedazzling.
So it's $5,500.
Davis says $7,500.
And finally, the 1939, I've never heard of this in my life and it's ugly.
It's this day is long.
The 39 Graham spirit of motion.
Shark knows.
Can you put that up there for us, Mr. Morris?
No, sir.
You can't.
Wouldn't know my list.
Okay.
Well, then never mind.
It's really ugly.
Just think of something ugly.
And what was the price on it?
I think it's something ugly.
There's $19,845.
Martha, I'm going to go down there and we'll see if I can buy me something.
Oh, I found something.
I found a shock.
Yeah.
And then she comes out and goes, what in the world is that?
That's ugly.
That's ugly.
All right.
Hey, we're going to take a break.
Be sure and note that Jeff has the cruise intern events calendars and I'll have the stories
making automotive news headlines this week.
Stay with us.
The in wheel time car talk show continues right after this quick break.
You own a car you love.
Well, why not let Gulf Coast Auto Shield protect it?
Houstonian John Gray invites you to his state of the art facility to introduce you to his
specialist team of auto enthusiasts.
We promise you'll be impressed.
Whether you're looking to massage your original paint to a like new appearance, apply a ceramic
coating, install a paint protection film, nano ceramic window tent or new windshield
protection called ExoShield, Gulf Coast Auto Shield is where Houston's car people go.
Curved your wheels instead of buying new one, I'd have them repaired.
How about a professionally installed radar detector?
Gulf Coast Auto Shield does that too.
Get a peek inside the shop and look at the services offered by getting online and heading
to gcautoshield.com.
Better yet, stop by their facility at 11275 South Sam Houston, Tolway, just south of
the Southwest Freeway and get a personal tour.
Gulf Coast Auto Shield is your place to go for all things exterior.
Call them today 832-930-5655 or gcautoshield.com.
The award-winning In Wheel Time Car Talk Show, check us out on InWheelTime.com, YouTube,
Facebook and podcasts available from your favorite go-to source, including our live
broadcast every Saturday, 10 to noon Central Time.
The In Wheel Time Car Talk Show has informative automotive guest interviews, new car reviews
along with popular features including driving destinations, Jeff's car culture, latest
car news, cruise ins and racing dates.
It's all on InWheelTime.com.
Join us.
Join us for our live show every week, In Wheel Time Air Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon on Facebook,
YouTube and InWheelTime.com.
Thank you for joining us today.
Time now for Jeff's cruise in and events calendar.
Oh yeah, there's a lot of stuff going on, springtime's coming, so if we're not talking
about yours, you can get on.
There's plenty of sites for hot rods and hot rod tours and things, so you can check it
out yourself, do your due diligence, but here we go.
Hot rods of Texas winter swap meat and car corral.
This is in Montgomery County Fairgrounds.
It is actually next week, next Friday, I believe, because it goes to three-day events, so it's
a swap and all that good stuff.
Hot rods, winter swap meat, a lot of stuff going on there.
It is at 9333 Airport Road in Conroe.
It goes from 8 a.m. on Friday to whenever on Sunday.
I think it's a two or three-day event.
Then you got Lovers Laying Car Show coming up when?
Valentine's Day.
This is at, in Odessa, Texas, is at 2660 JBS Parkway, Odessa.
Let's go out there.
Lovers Lane will take place February 14th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It's actually at the Hooters in Odessa.
Well, that's such a thing.
Event Benefits Humane Society and feature sponsorships arriving there with pet adoptions
and all kinds of good stuff.
By the way, speaking of Hooters, did you see where Twin Peaks is filed for bankruptcy?
I thought they were, did that a long time ago.
Never been there.
West Temple Motors and Mount, Motors and Maltz, monthly cruise in.
This is February 14th as well.
That's in Stone Hollow Drive in Temple, Temple, Texas.
There you go.
Join us every month because it's a monthly thing.
Second Saturday, the bold republic brewing for a laid back evening of engines, good
vibes and great beer, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Just be careful out there.
Know your limits.
So a lot of cool cars and things going out that way.
Car Fest and Coffee Monthly Car Meetup.
This is, again, Valentine's Day, February 14th in Nacodotius, San Antonio, Texas.
Nacodotius Road in San Antonio, Texas.
Car Fest and Coffee Monthly Event, organized by Car Fest San Antonio.
It's a good meetup there.
Check it out.
And then Clear Lake Cars and Coffee.
This is going to be 14505 Gulf Freeway in Houston at Grace Church.
So everybody's out there.
We've talked to that about them before.
And go on out there and enjoy it.
Still a lot is telling U.S. employees they must report to their offices five days a week
marking an end to the automakers' flexible stance on remote work in the years since COVID-19.
The automaker, which is seeking to regain lost market share in the U.S., says it will be
stronger with employees at their offices full-time.
Policy change will be implemented over the next two months.
Spokesman said the move applies to all U.S. employees.
Wherever they're based, if there is an office, they can go to.
Okay, go there.
Have fun.
Many auto dealers in the year ahead expect their dealerships will generate similar profits
and carry a similar valuation as they did in 2025.
But a growing number anticipate having a better 2026, according to a survey from Kerrigan
advisors.
However, many dealers also felt stores representing certain brands were poised to decline in value,
a bearishness which tends to correlate with the automakers' dealers' trust, the least,
including Nissan and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, according to the Kerrigan dealer survey.
Most trusted brands, going from number one to number five, goes Toyota, Lexus, Subaru,
Honda, and BMW.
The least trusted brands, based on percentage, who said they had no trust.
Number five, Jaguar Land Rover, four Volkswagen, three Infiniti, and apparently the number
one has been tied by Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram and Nissan as the least trusted brands.
Ow.
I didn't hear you mention Buick on that.
No, Buick's not in there.
Okay.
Yeah, I'm going to do this one here.
Just before Christmas, a police officer in Fort Myers, Florida pulled over a man driving
a car that had no windshield or front bumper.
The 99 Honda Civic had a quarter million miles on the odometer and limp airbags dangling
from the steering wheel and dashboard.
The Gulf Coast News report about the unusual traffic stop included a clip from the film,
Plains, Trains, and Automobiles, and we all know that movie well, showing a state troop
requesting the roadworthiness of a burned-out Chrysler the Baron.
But the real-life driver, Jeremy Smith, said he simply was driving to his first day of
work at a new job and hadn't been able to afford fixing his car, so it's hitting a huge
pothole.
Wow.
My front end scraped the ground and blew my airbags out.
One hit me in the face.
One went through the windshield, Smith told the TV station.
I had to sell the bumper to get me a little bit of money to get Christmas gifts, payphone
bills, and stuff like that.
Video landed on TikTok of Joshua Clinton, managing partner at Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge
Jeep Ram.
Instead of laughing at Smith's predicament, Clinton decided to help.
Days later, Smith was at the dealership, signing paperwork for a 2014 Jeep Cherokee.
The price he paid?
$1.
Store's website lists another 2014 Cherokee for about $13,000.
He said, I never give up on life, and I really appreciate having something nice.
Clinton suggested Smith, a mechanic with a young son, might even come to work at the
dealership someday.
We've all been through some kind of struggle, Clinton told Gulf Coast News, the fact that
we have the ability to help, you know, just the opportunity presented itself, and I figured
why not.
Very good.
Like those kind of stories.
Nice stories.
Instead of the dealer's least trusted brands.
Yeah.
Which don't include Buick, by the way.
No, not involved in that.
No Buick's.
I've had some dealerships that I've had very little trust in.
Oh, I've got a couple on my old job.
Yeah, you do.
Especially when buying that Buick.
Yeah.
You do.
Or the Jag.
No, I didn't buy a Jag.
No.
You don't even get me started with the Jag.
You inherited the Jag.
Well, I inherited it with a lady that.
Guilt by association.
Well, there's that.
And my blood pressure.
I'm taking more blood pressure medication now than I ever did before because of the Jag.
It's got a little Jag on the pill.
Hey, we'd love to hear from you.
Shoot us an email.
The address is info at InWheelTime.com.
We'll be right back after this.
You own a car you love.
Why not let Gulf Coast Auto Shield protect it?
Houstonian John Gray invites you to his state of the art facility to introduce you to his
specialist team of auto enthusiasts.
We promise you'll be impressed.
Whether you're looking to massage your original paint to a like new appearance, apply a ceramic
coating, install a paint protection film, nanoceramic window tent or new windshield protection
called ExoShield.
Gulf Coast Auto Shield is where Houston's car people go.
Curved your wheels?
Instead of buying new one, I'd have them repaired.
How about a professionally installed radar detector?
Gulf Coast Auto Shield does that too.
Get a peek inside the shop and look at the services offered by getting online and heading
to gcautoshield.com.
Better yet, stop by their facility at 11275 South Sam Houston, Tolway, just south of
the Southwest Freeway and get a personal tour.
Gulf Coast Auto Shield is your place to go for all things exterior.
Call them today, 832-930-5655 or gcautoshield.com.
It's all on InWheelTime.com.
Join us!
About this episode
The discussion kicks off with a review of Consumer Reports' top vehicles for 2026, highlighting hybrids like the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry for their efficiency and comfort. The hosts dive into various categories, including the best compact SUV, luxury vehicles, and electric options, emphasizing the growing trend of hybrid powertrains. The episode also addresses recent recalls affecting models like the Ford Explorer and Hyundai Palisade, before transitioning to a fun segment guessing car sale prices, featuring classic models like the 1957 Cadillac El Dorado and 2006 Ford GT.
Hybrids aren’t the backup plan anymore—they’re the headline. We break down Consumer Reports’ 2026 winners, from the Civic Hybrid’s sharp steering and 44 mpg to the Camry’s 48 mpg and old-school tactile controls that make daily driving easier. Subaru’s Crosstrek and Forester win on ride quality, visibility, and confidence in bad weather, while Toyota’s mid-sized SUV pick nails cargo space and comfort with an easygoing 35 mpg hybrid. For luxury shoppers, the Lexus NX balances a calm cabin with intuitive controls and a hybrid that smooths the surge.
Trucks and EVs share the spotlight too. The Ford Maverick proves you can get real utility without parking-lot fatigue, pairing a spacious cabin with hybrid efficiency that saves cash every week. The F-150 continues to deliver with a gem of a V6 and smart touches like a tailgate that doubles as a workbench. On the electric side, Tesla’s Model Y refresh aims squarely at daily comfort—acoustic glass, a calmer ride, better materials—while keeping the speed, range, and Supercharger access that define its appeal.
We also cover the news drivers need now: recalls for windshield bonding, high-voltage battery risks, failing displays, and rearview camera glitches. A quick VIN check at safercar.gov can save a headache later. Then we have some fun with auction shockers: a $710K Ford GT, a six-figure classic Bronco, and attainable icons like a ’49 Chevy 3100 and a ’73 Super Beetle that prove charm still sells. Along the way, we touch on dealer trust rankings, shifting work policies at major automakers, and a heartwarming dealership story that turned a driver’s clapped-out Civic into a fresh start.
Hit play to get smart on what to buy, what to avoid, and what might tempt your heart more than your wallet. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s shopping their next car.
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
