Auto Buyers Guide Podcast

China is driving safety, tire sizes explained, and minivans aren't all that after all?

Once upon a time, China followed the world when it came to safety regulations and standards, but this is 2025, and China is forging its own path, especially when it comes to new tech like one-pedal driving and electronic door releases. Is this the right move or not? Travis and Alex also discuss minivans vs big SUVs and how tire sizes work. Travis drives a new Leaf, Alex continues his campaign against black plastic.

E84 Sep 14, 2025 71 min 29 annotations

New Car Buying Guide - Tips, Tricks, Dos, Don'ts, and Horror Stories

Here's what to do (and not do) when buying a new car and what you can expect. -Discounts -Invoice isn't the real cost -Financing works in your favor -Extended warranties -Shop around -Going out of state can go wrong

E83 Sep 09, 2025 66 min

Jeep's Cherokee was always a "Crossover", RAM's V8 is back, Kia's Sportage is less ugly than before

In today's rambling episode, we talk about the resurrected HEMI in Ram's 1500 truck, and why it is and isn't a big deal. Tesla has a new Model Y Performance, Jeep's new Compass is starting as a hybrid-only soft-roader... And that's ok. Why? Because news flash: it's never been a Wrangler. Also: since there's a 4-door Wrangler, and a 4-door Grand Cherokee... Why does the Cherokee need to be similar to either of those? Oh, and we chat about how to get the EV tax credit if you have an EV on order but it won't arrive "on time."

E82 Sep 02, 2025 57 min 48 annotations

Legroom Cheating Explained, Durango Gets Another Year, Blazer EV SS Is 'Murican Muscle Reborn?

In this episode Alex and Travis take a deep dive into legroom. How it's measured, why you can't always trust the numbers, and why we always talk about legroom in a specific way. We also ask: is the Blazer EV SS the modern Grand National? -gasp- Oh, and Durango gets another year to live, standard V8s and a bonkers top-end price tag.

E81 Aug 19, 2025 62 min

Prices Are Going Up, Again, Alex's Daughter Is In The Hot Seat, Car Categories Are Confusing.

Where is the safest place for your child's car seat? Well, that kind of "depends." In this solo episode Alex tackles viewer questions while Travis is out sick including why there's a baby behind Alex's seat instead of being on the other side. Also, why car prices are on sharp rise skyward, why we're always comparing strange things, and just why is it that top trims are missing seats...

E80 Aug 07, 2025 41 min

Want Your New Car To Last Longer? Don't Get These Features

What should you do, and not do, if you want your car to last longer? Well, it's the 21st century so don't be afraid of power windows or doors locks, but you might want to think twice about performance options, DCTs, CVTs, and yes... Even manual transmissions.

E79 Jul 29, 2025 61 min

Speed Cameras Are Evil, There's A New Mazda CX-5, Alex & Travis Get Political

What would tax policy be like if Alex and Travis ruled the US? Scary though, no? Less scary: the new 2026 Mazda CX-5 is finally coming! Although... Not everyone will be a fan of the styling and design direction which has gone more minimal than ever before. Oh, and speed cameras should be burnt at the stake.

E78 Jul 14, 2025 61 min

We know less about reliability than ever, EV tax credits are toast (and Tesla with it?)

Sadly due to one of the smallest datasets since CR started reporting on new car reliability, we know less about reliability than at any point in decades. How does a Dodge or some Jeep models compare to a Toyota? Who really knows. Honda vs Toyota? We have those numbers down, but the rest? It's a crapshoot. Travis and Alex also talk about the EV tax credit dying off, CAFE fines going to zero and what that might mean for the auto industry as a whole.

E77 Jul 09, 2025 65 min

2025 Mercedes CLE And The Death Of The Convertible, Travis Almost Buys Something

Over the last 20 years convertible sales have plunged by more than 80%. Ouch. Once upon a time ragtops were over 5% of all new car sales and now they are down to a fraction. Why has this happened? What can we do about it? And why might it be time for a Sebring resurrection?

E76 Jul 03, 2025 60 min

Nissan Turns Over A New Leaf, Just As Hybrids Proliferate.

Alex and Travis talk about Nissan's new entry-level EV, which is, let's be honest, unlikely to be as inexpensive as Chevy's upcoming Bolt replacement. They also deep-dive into hybrids from the new performance hybrid Corvette (no, not the E-Ray) to the Maverick and beyond. They also dish about sport trucks...

E75 Jun 20, 2025 66 min

RAM Is Protesting... Themselves?

The HEMI IS BACK! With it comes a new logo, a symbol of protest! Yep! Protest the patriarchy! Um, wait, but they did this to themselves, so... RAM is protesting RAM?

E74 Jun 09, 2025 72 min

America's declining influence in the auto world might be a good thing?

Travis and Alex help a viewer decide which 3-row is right for them and then start theorizing about America's declining importance when it comes to automotive design. Now that the US is not the largest market in the world, and it's continuing to contract, will we see more interesting cars here? Also, why is it that "cars not designed for us" seem more interesting?

E73 Jun 05, 2025 62 min

RAM's bringing back the TRX, EV maintenance schedules, how tariffs are impacting the car market

Travis and Alex are back after an extended break that's the result of too much travel, too much news, and Alex moving to Bogota for a spell. Yep, that Bogota. Anyway, in today's episode we talk about the impact of the US tariffs on imported cars and car parts, how it's changing not just the new car market but the used market as well. We'll dive into maintenance schedules on mainstream EVs, why maybe the NACS transition is a bit "cart before the horse" and rumors around RAM finally resurrecting the V8, or so we hope...

E72 May 29, 2025 56 min

New Cars Are Made For The Wealthy, Because That's Who Buys Them...

In this episode, Travis and Alex tiptoe around politics, talk about tariffs, who's actually buying new cars, and try to find exactly how small something has to be in order to be "compact." They also tackle the trickiest question in the business: just how do you pronounce Jaguar?

E71 May 08, 2025 59 min

Here's What We Really Think Of Every Car Company In America, Part 2

In this video we talk Nissan, Tesla, Mazda and more. Here's where we think companies have gone wrong, and what they can do to fix it... As if we knew how to fix a car company that is....

E70 Apr 26, 2025 89 min

Here's What We Really Think Of Every Car Company In America

Watch out, this time we let you all have it! Yep, this is our unvarnished opinions of every car company that sells cars in America.

E69 Apr 23, 2025 59 min

Carlsbad Mayor Rick Lopez

Danny talks to the Mayor of Carlsbad, New Mexico Rick Lopez

Apr 20, 2025 71 min

What's New At The NY Auto Show!

Subaru dropped a refreshed Solterra, a new EV, and a next-generation Outback at the NY Auto Show. Kia also introduced a K4 hatch, the US market EV4, and Hyundai followed up with the new Palisade that we all knew was coming because we saw it in Korea already.

E68 Apr 16, 2025 41 min

Brace Yourself, Tariffs Are Coming. Also, We Drove Some Stuff.

How will tariffs reshape the American car landscape? We don't exactly know, but it's going to be a rocky road.

E67 Apr 03, 2025 52 min

The Best Alternatives To The Best Selling Vehicles In America, Also: What Makes A Good SUV?

Travis and Alex dissect the 10 best selling cars, trucks, and SUVs in America and what we would buy if the best-seller didn't exist or was unavailable near you.

E66 Mar 17, 2025 53 min

New Mexico World Season 1 Episode 1 with the Mayor OF RIO RANCHO, NM Gregg Hull

DC Fletcher, kicks off his "New Mexico World" podcast featuring People, Places and Unique insights of and in the State of New Mexico. This first Episode highlights the city of Rio Rancho. one of the fastest and youngest growing cites in the nation Incorporated as a city less than 45 years ago. Its Mayor, Gregg Hull, has been the leader of this city for 3 terms a total of 12 years. He talks to us and gives us insights of the Citys success.PLEASE HIT "LIKE " AND SUBSCRIBE.......APPRECIATE YA!

Mar 16, 2025 44 min

All About Leasing, Ioniq 9, ID. Buzz, and PSAs Need To Come Back.

It's 10 o'clock, do you know where your children are?

E64 Mar 10, 2025 55 min

ABG Live Show

Join Alex, Nick and Travis as we answer viewer and listener questions and try to unwind after a long week!

E63 Mar 03, 2025 107 min

Is Now The Time For Plug In Hybrids To Shine?

E62 Feb 27, 2025 30 min

Will Manuals Be Missed? Are We Thinking About Charging Wrong?

You can't talk about EVs without talking about charging, but are we thinking about it all wrong? Should we be charging at night? At home? At work? During the day? Fast, slow, medium-speed? What should we really be doing?

E61 Feb 25, 2025 54 min