In Wheel Time Podcast: Your Go-To Automotive Talk Show Dec 3, 2025

We Drive The QX60, Crunch The Data, Name Easy Cars To Fix, and the Pacifica

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Car

Infiniti QX60

The Infiniti QX60 is a luxury SUV that can fit a family comfortably. The 2025 version has different options for buyers to choose from, making it versatile for different needs.

Term

midsize SUV

A midsize SUV is a type of car that is bigger than a small SUV but smaller than a large one. It's good for families because it has enough room for passengers and their stuff.

Term

3-row seating

3-row seating means the car has three sets of seats, so it can fit more people. This is useful for families or groups traveling together.

Car

Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is a larger vehicle that can carry a family and their gear. It's good for both city driving and going off-road, making it a popular choice for families.

Car

Mazda Flair

The Mazda Flair is a small car that is designed to be practical and easy to drive. It has a modern look and is great for city driving.

Term

torque

Torque measures how much twisting force an engine can produce. More torque means the car can speed up faster and pull heavier things.

Term

nine-speed automatic transmission

A nine-speed automatic transmission means the car can change gears automatically through nine different settings, which helps it run smoothly and save fuel.

Term

turbocharged

Turbocharging helps an engine produce more power by pushing more air into it, which means it can burn more fuel. This makes the car faster and more efficient.

Term

horsepower

Horsepower measures how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can go.

Term

towing capacity

Towing capacity is how much weight a car can pull behind it safely. It's important for people who need to move trailers or heavy items.

Term

tow rating

Tow rating tells you how much weight a vehicle can pull safely. It's important for trucks and SUVs that are used to carry trailers or heavy items.

Term

turbo lag

Turbo lag is the time it takes for a turbocharger to start working after you press the gas pedal. Sometimes, you might feel a delay before the car speeds up.

Car

Acura Mdx

The Acura MDX is a luxury SUV that has a lot of space and features. It's designed for families and people who want a comfortable ride with some nice technology inside.

Car

Infiniti 25 Infiniti

The Infiniti G25 is a fancy car that offers a comfortable ride and lots of nice features. It's designed for people who want a bit of luxury in their driving experience.

Car

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is a very popular car that many people buy because it's reliable and gets good gas mileage. It's known for lasting a long time without breaking down.

Car

Kia Rio

The Kia Rio is a small car that is easy to drive and park. It's known for being budget-friendly and comes in different shapes, like a sedan or hatchback, to fit what you need.

Term

subcompact car

A subcompact car is a small car that's easy to drive and park, especially in cities. They usually cost less and use less gas than bigger cars.

Car

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is a popular car that is known for being reliable and comfortable. It's a bit bigger than the Toyota Corolla, making it a good choice if you need more space.

Term

four cylinder engine

A four-cylinder engine is a common type of engine that has four parts called cylinders. These engines usually use less fuel, making them cheaper to run.

Term

V6 engine

A V6 engine is a type of car engine that has six cylinders. It usually offers more power than a four-cylinder engine, which can make the car faster.

Term

V6

A V6 is a type of engine that has six cylinders arranged in a V shape. It's known for providing a good mix of power and fuel efficiency.

Car

Lexus RX 300

The Lexus RX 300 is a luxury SUV that was made in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It's known for being comfortable and reliable.

Car

Chevrolet Silverado

The Chevrolet Silverado is a big pickup truck that's strong and can carry a lot of weight. It's often used for work and is very popular in the U.S.

Car

Ford F150

The Ford F-150 is another popular truck that many people drive. It's known for being tough and useful for different jobs.

Brand

Chevy

Chevy is a popular car brand in the United States known for making various types of vehicles, from small cars to large trucks.

Car

Honda Accord

The Accord is a car made by Honda that is known for being reliable and having a lot of space inside, making it a good choice for families.

Car

Honda Civics

The Civic is a smaller car made by Honda that is known for being good on gas and fun to drive, especially for younger people.

Car

Mazda Mx5

The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is a sporty car that has a roof that can open and close, making it feel like a convertible. It's designed to be fun to drive while looking sleek and modern.

Car

Mazda Miata

The Mazda Miata is a small sports car that is fun to drive and easy to handle. It's known for being light and quick, making it a favorite among people who love driving.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette is a famous sports car from America that many people love to drive and race. It's known for being fast and stylish.

Car

Chrysler New Chrysler

The Chrysler New Yorker is a big, fancy car that was made for people who wanted a comfortable ride. It was popular for many years and is known for being luxurious.

Term

Stow-and-go seating means you can fold the back seats down into the floor of the car, making more space for luggage or other items. It's a convenient feature for families or anyone who needs to carry a lot of stuff.

Car

Chrysler Puts

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a small car that looks a bit old-fashioned but is very practical. It has a lot of space inside for passengers and their stuff.

Term

pound-feet

Pound-feet is a way to measure how strong an engine is when it comes to turning things, like the wheels. More pound-feet means the car can speed up faster.

Term

all-wheel drive

All-wheel drive means that all four wheels of the car get power from the engine. This helps the car grip the road better, especially in bad weather.

Car

Toyota Sienna

The Toyota Sienna is a family-friendly minivan that runs only on hybrid power, which means it uses both a gasoline engine and electric motors to save fuel.

Car

Kia Carnival

The Kia Carnival is a minivan designed for families, providing plenty of room for passengers and their belongings, making it a great choice for road trips.

Car

Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey is a popular minivan that offers lots of space for families, along with features that make it safe and comfortable for long drives.

LIVE

Time now for this hour's car review.

I had a chance to drive the 2025 Infiniti QX60, final assembly location, Smyrna, Tennessee, S-M-Y-R-N-A.

Available trim levels, Pure, Luxe, Sport and Autograph.

I had the Sport All-Wheel Drive, Part 2, it said PT2, I don't know what that means, it didn't

explain it.

I guess not.

Size class, I would consider this a midsize, it is a 3-row and it's tight in the back seat,

so keep that in mind if that's what you're looking for, it's available for purchase.

This is a Pathfinder based SUV, seats including the driver, 6 and that includes obviously the

third row.

Exterior changes from last model year, well it was all new in 2022 but it has been refreshed

for the 2026 model year and I think you might like it, I think it's a little bit sharper

dressed if you will.

Sharp sophisticated looking grille, nicely sculpted sides, the hatch fits the upscale

overall but it's unremarkable, it looks like all of the other SUVs out there which is kind

of a bit disappointing.

Black wheel well openings which seems to be the trend these days and I'm not exactly

sure why but if you don't like to have your car fully painted then that's the way to

go.

What I liked about it, the conservative styling but with a modern infinity flair, what could

use improvement, make it a little bit more unique in the back especially.

Highlights, upscale styling and surfaces, comfy seating, front seats have built-in headrest

speakers.

It's not the first company to do that but it certainly is unique and it works really well.

You don't have to turn the volume up on the overall in the car system.

You just turn it up just a little bit and you've got plenty of juice right there at

your ears.

There you go.

Infotainment system is easy to use, phone charger is not complicated, just throw the phone in

there.

Cargo trunk room, well it's small with the third row up back there, I will tell you

that.

What I liked about it, the two-tone surfaces throughout the interior, what could use

improvement, maybe perhaps better use of the instrumentation space, the instrumentation

space in front of the driver.

It was a little confusing to me, I didn't know why they used up all that for such little

information but that's just me.

Engine two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 268 horsepower and 286 pound-feet of torque

through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Toe rating, three tons, it's a lot.

With that little bitty motor, 22 miles per gallon city, 27 on the highway for combined

24, I got 24.2 miles per gallon over 426 miles.

What I liked about it, the three-ton tow rating, I didn't realize that until I drilled down into

my research on the car and I'm going, wow, 6,000 pound tow rating, pretty incredible.

What could use improvement?

At times there is a significant turbo lag and it seems like a little bit of a disconnect

between the engine and the nine-speed automatic transmission.

I'm sure that that will be something that won't be a significant factor for everybody

but it was noticeable for me.

Ride and handling, overall ride quality is superb.

What could use improvement?

I just put a big question mark because I really don't know when it comes to ride

and handling, it is a pretty sweet ride.

Okay, here's the pricing.

Base trim price, 61.7.

Oh, price is tested 65.100.

Base model price, 51.590.

As far as competitors, the Acura MDX is one, it starts at 51.8.

Now remember, the base model price on this particular vehicle is 51.590.

Acura MDX base price is 51.800, almost identical.

Genesis GV80, 57.7, and the Lincoln Aviator for 56.910.

And that's my review of this week's car of the week, the 25 Infiniti QX-16.

Next week we're going to...

All right, time now on the In-Wheel Time car talk show for Jeff's car culture.

The easiest cars to work on.

Yeah, modern cars.

So if you're at home and you're a Shaitree mechanic or a home mechanic

and you want simple things to fix on a vehicle or maintain

by choosing the right brand and model,

you can ensure most of the work can be done without visiting a repair shop.

I say most, so you have to take that in for certain things.

So the first one we've got we're talking about is a Toyota Corolla.

May very well have been one of the most popular cars ever sold in the United States.

Because of the popularity, you'll never have trouble finding the parts that you need.

Yes.

And the engine is easy to access because they use a timing chain rather than a belt.

Maintenance is even easier.

The best thing for the Corolla is known for driving hundreds of thousands of miles

without any major malfunctions.

Even if the body eventually wears out, the engine can keep going strong

only with motor repairs.

So there you go.

Keep that in mind for the next one.

Kia Rio.

I didn't think of this one, but it's a popular subcompact car

that's spent a lot of years on the streets.

Multiple body styles so you can get the type that best fits your needs.

Plus, small engine design makes it easy to get anywhere under the hood

for quick repairs.

You're also aren't going to spend a lot of time and money on parts.

It helps keep the cost down that way as well.

Kia's are very reliable nowadays.

And the top of the list, most reliable cars.

So they're up there with all the good ones.

So chances are that you don't have many repairs if you own one of these.

Hey, what is that?

That's a Rio.

It's a Rio.

It's a Rio car.

It's a Rio, Rio.

And then, you know, the next one on the list is a Camry.

It is much like the Corolla, but the Camry is just a little bit bigger.

You need more room in that vehicle.

This vehicle also has spanned many decades on the road with parts plentiful.

The Camry has been built with multiple engine options.

While the four cylinder engines are the easiest to work on,

the V6 shouldn't cause you any more problems than what you might think.

So with the proper maintenance,

you can expect the Camrys to last just as long as the other Toyota cars,

making it a good investment if you're looking for something long term.

So if you know how to turn a wrench, there you go.

Very easy stuff.

I don't make too many V6s and put them in vehicles anymore.

Usually it's a four cylinder, but I've known people that have had that six.

I actually had a V6 in the Lexus RX 300 that I bought back in the day.

Yeah, Kathy's got a V6 turbo in hers.

That thing was the smoothest thing ever.

Yep.

And one that I didn't really think of on this list would be a Chevrolet Silverado.

If you want to work on a truck,

there's nothing quite as easy as the Chevrolet Silverado, so they say.

There may not be as many on the road as the F-150,

but the spacious area under the hood makes maintenance a breeze.

You can get underneath the truck and the engine compartment just as easily.

You can crawl all around in there underneath.

If you're looking for the best models for beginners,

we recommend anything from the 2003 to 2007 years.

Plus you can find plenty of OEM and aftermarket parts,

making it easy to customize, you know,

Nerf bars, bed liners and things like that.

So some Chevy cars have been worked on easily,

along with a few of the SUVs that they produce.

So if you're just dedicated to the Chevy brand,

then you're bound to find something easy to fix in one of those lines,

specifically the Silverado.

The next one at Honda Accord is another top choice,

sitting a little bigger than the compacts,

the Civics and all the Camrys that we talked about before.

Simplicity is everything in this Japanese car.

And it's about where there are plenty of different models

to choose from spending several decades.

So if you're into the Hondas, there you go.

While you may need to keep up maintenance,

the Accord is reliable as they come.

With proper care, you can get this car to go about 300,000 miles,

which is awesome, without any major problems, major problems.

You can have some minor stuff, the maintenance repairs.

Even when repairs are needed, you can find a plethora of OEM

and aftermarket parts.

Mike, that means a lot.

Next one, last one on the list,

and you could pick any of these out and go with them from there,

but it's the Mazda MX-5.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a sports car

making a standout among the list.

Even though it's designed to bring a lot of fun on the road,

it's simpler than you would think.

To work on the engine is easy to access,

and all the spark plugs down are on top.

Parts in the car are also easy to swap.

Plus, there's a nice supply of aftermarket of things available.

If you want to decide to customize your ride,

considering how cheaply you can buy a used Mazda Miata,

it makes sense that this project would be a good one.

And if you want to go weekend road racing,

they've got a whole racing program for the amateur

like you and me to get out there and go for it.

Spec Racing, it's called.

I'll tell you what, I visited a couple of events

where all of the MX-5 Miata guys are out there racing.

Their cars and what a great group of guys

can remind me of the Corvette Club back in the day.

Yeah, you remember when we went to Coda with Mazda,

there was some of them that actually drove their car to the track,

changed the tires, went racing,

changed the tires back and drove home.

I mean, just amazing.

Well, back in the day, a lot of people did that

before the trailer.

So there you go.

All right.

And we'll time is now bringing you a car review.

One that we've put off way too long.

Mars is now bringing you a car review.

One that we've put off way too long.

Mars has been chomping at the bit for this.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mike Mars and a review

of the new Chrysler Pacifica.

You go, Mikey.

Yay.

So I have to say upfront that my week with this vehicle

reminded me of why I like those minivans.

They don't fit my lifestyle right now, but I do love them.

Now, this vehicle was introduced in 2017

and it is the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica.

And its final assembly point is in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

A lot of parts come from a lot of places,

but that's where they put it together.

Now, it's available actually in seven trim levels

with four of them involved as part of the hybrids.

There's the selected, the limited and the pinnacle.

Now, we happen to be driving the limited all-wheel drive

this week.

It is a minivan and it has passengers seating for seven.

Now, up front, you're going to find the LED functional lights

all the way around, projector headlamps,

got rain-sensing wipers, hands-free sliding doors,

and it had the S appearance package.

Now, this came with a brilliant white with black trim

and I love that combination whenever they do it right.

It had the black side mirrors, roof rails, black wheels on it.

It had the hands-free sliding doors I mentioned

and then it had panoramic sunroof.

Now, this is the two-pane sunroof.

It gets hot down here in Texas,

but it's nice on a nice moonlit night.

It had the hands-free power liftgate in the back of it

and it was rolling on some nice 20 by 7.5 inch aluminum wheels

that were painted black to go along with the package.

It has a very nice overall sophisticated look,

I think, in that black and white combination.

Now, inside, this thing is really where it stands out

because this is a passenger-related vehicle.

It's a people hauler.

It's got heated front seats. The second-row seats are heated.

The front seats are also vended.

So, the second and the third-row seats

are part of the stow-and-go seating system

that comes with Chrysler puts in these vehicles

so that the seats actually stow down into the floor.

And the back seats actually got some push buttons.

The front seats, you've got to kind of manually maneuver them,

but they all fit down in there nice and flat

so you have a flat floor.

Now, up front, you've got a 10.1-inch touchscreen.

That's where you've got your Apple CarPlay,

your Android, your 360-degrees-around video camera

so that you can see everything around you.

This vehicle had the seat-back video monitors on it

for the second-row people.

And it's great for the family because they can get in there

and the itty-bitties can play and watch things

while you're going down the road

and not be hollering and screaming so much.

It also had the family cam.

That way, you could look up into your rear-view mirror

and it kind of focuses on the back of the vehicle

so you can see what's going on back there.

It also had 19 Harman Kardon speakers

with a subwoofer and a 760-watt amp scattered around.

And there's just a ton of stuff on the inside of this vehicle

as far as value of content goes for a family.

Up front, it has a 3.6-liter V6.

Now, this is the rock-solid engine

that Chrysler uses in all sorts of vehicles.

287 horsepower, 262 pound-feet.

Now, this vehicle weighs in at over 4,000 pounds.

And it is all-wheel drive.

So, it has a nine-speed automatic to back up that engine.

Toe rating is 3,600 pounds.

Now, the EPA says that you should be able to get around

17 miles into the city.

You should look for 25 out on the highway and combine.

It's 20.

Now, I drove this vehicle 172.1,

so obviously it was a lot of in-town.

Didn't get out on the highway much.

But I got 16.7 miles per gallon,

so I'm happy with that, knowing what it would do

and how it would do and how I was driving it.

Because it has more than adequate power,

it'll get you around through traffic around town.

It's easy to maneuver and drive in between parking lots

and town traffic, and it's quiet.

And it's got enough audio in it

that you can really hear the quality of the audio

because of the quiet.

And it's got a lot of glass all around it

so you can see around what's going on all around you

while you're driving it.

As far as pricing goes,

you can actually get into this vehicle

down to the base trim level, the stripper level,

$42,450, which I think is very reasonable

for the base level of this vehicle.

Now, the base trim price that we were driving

is $49,570.

As we tested it with MSRP

and some options in it, we had the $59,165.

It's still under $60,000

for a nice vehicle that's going to comfortably haul

a family of seven, got room for some cargo,

and a lot of things that you can do with this vehicle.

Comparables would be a Toyota Sienna.

Now, this is a hybrid-only vehicle.

It starts at $39,485.

The Kia Carnival starts at $38,235.

And the Honda Odyssey, which is the higher price one,

is at $43,754.

Again, base model comparison across the three of them.

So if you're looking for something for the family,

for a people hauler, I mean, we've seen these things

for concerts, picking up people for taxi cabs.

These are nice people hauler vehicles.

And I really enjoyed driving it this week.

I always have those things anyway.

About this episode

A detailed review of the 2025 Infiniti QX60 highlights its midsize SUV features, including a turbocharged engine and upscale interior, while noting some styling similarities to competitors. The discussion shifts to easy-to-fix cars, featuring models like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord, emphasizing their reliability and accessibility for home mechanics. The episode wraps up with a review of the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica, showcasing its family-friendly features, spacious interior, and competitive pricing among minivans, making it a solid choice for those in need of a people hauler.

3-row seating all wheel drive Chevy four-cylinder engine horsepower mid-size SUV nine-speed automatic transmission pound feet stow-and-go seating system subcompact car

Original notes

Start with a promise and test it hard: can a premium three-row actually balance comfort, capability, and value without resorting to gimmicks? We put the 2025 Infiniti QX60 through its paces, calling out the crisp front-end design, tight third row, and the surprising 6,000-pound tow rating that turns a modest 2.0L turbo into a legit weekend hauler. We share the wins you feel every day—quiet ride, simple infotainment, smart headrest speakers—and the misses that matter, like noticeable turbo lag and a transmission that sometimes feels a step behind.

From there, we pivot to ownership smarts with a sharp shortlist of cars that make DIY maintenance less painful and more affordable. If you’re building confidence with a torque wrench, models like the Toyota Corolla and Camry, Kia Rio, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Silverado (’03–’07), and Mazda MX-5 Miata deliver easy access, plentiful parts, and proven reliability. We explain why access matters more than horsepower when you’re replacing plugs, belts, and brakes in the driveway, and how parts ecosystems can save you time and money.

We close by championing a modern minivan that earns its keep: the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica. Seven seats, Stow ’n Go flat-fold magic, rear-seat entertainment, Family Cam peace of mind, and a calm, quiet ride powered by Chrysler’s stalwart 3.6L V6 with AWD. Real-world mpg, towing capability, and pricing context against Toyota Sienna, Kia Carnival, and Honda Odyssey make the choice clearer: if daily life means people and gear, a thoughtful minivan still solves problems most SUVs can’t. Subscribe for more real-world tests, share with a friend who’s car shopping, and leave a review to tell us what you want us to drive next.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

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