Car Stuff Podcast
Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo
Updated 1 day agoWhether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join the editors of Consumer Guide Automotive as they break down everything that’s going on in the auto world. New-car reviews, shopping tips, driving green, electric cars, classic cars, and plenty of great guests. This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast.
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Episodes (337)
Hummer Returns, 2020 Auto Industry Insights
Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start off the show with a discussion of General Motors' recently leaked plans to revive its Hummer brand name on a pure-electric GMC pickup truck. Next, we chat about one of our recent Consumer Guide test-fleet vehicles: the 2020 Lincoln Corsair AWD Reserve. Michelle Krebs of Cox Automotive and the AutoTrader Group calls in to give us the scoop on some of Cox's automotive-industry insights for 2020 and a few of the most important developments and trends of 2019. Tom stumps Damon with a tricky car color name quiz, and Damon runs through the recently published articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog. We wrap up the show with a discussion of fastback-roofed SUVs such as the BMW X6 and the departed Acura ZDX.
The Future of Auto Shows, Carlos Ghosn Escape
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing the latest developments in the saga of former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn--his dramatic recent escape from Japan, after spending almost all of 2019 incarcerated for alleged financial crimes. We then talk about Jill's test vehicle this week: the 2020 Acura RDX A-Spec compact SUV. Mark Bilek, Senior Director of Communications and Technology for the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, calls in to fill us in on the upcoming 2020 Chicago Auto Show and give us his perspective on the state of auto shows in general. Tom has a tricky quiz for Jill and Damon on real versus fake 2020 auto paint color names, and Damon runs down this week's published articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog. We close out the show by sharing a few of our most memorable auto-show experiences.
2020 Toyota Supra, Jeep Plug-in Hybrids
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show with a discussion of Jeep's forthcoming plug-in-hybrid Wrangler, Compass, and Renegade models, and their sub-brand name: 4xe. We then discuss Jill's recent test vehicle: the 2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited. Paul Herrold, Chief Editor at Sons of Speed, joins us in-studio to talk about his video review of the 2020 Toyota Supra. Tom has another "punny" car-name/movie-title quiz, and this time he comes up with a couple stumpers. Damon gives a run-down of this week's articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog. In recognition of the new Supra's BMW/Toyota parentage, we recall other vehicles that were products of automaker partnerships to close out the show.
Electric Car Myths Debunked, 2021 GMC Yukon
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell open the show with a chat about the forthcoming introduction of the 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs. We then discuss Jill's test vehicle this week: the 2020 Genesis G70. John Voelcker, former Editor-in-Chief and current principle contributor to greencarreports.com, calls in to discuss his article "Busting 7 of the Most Common Myths About Electric Cars," as well as what the future holds for EV technology and infrastructure. Damon quizzes Tom and Jill on the bottom-line sticker prices of two luxury crossover SUVs that recently passed through the Consumer Guide test-vehicle fleet: the 2020 Lincoln Aviator and the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. We close out the show with a quick run-down of this week's articles on the Consumer Guide Daily Drive blog.
Bullitt Mustang Auction, EV Tax Credits
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show by discussing the phasing out of the federal tax credit for electric vehicles, and how consumers and automakers will be affected. Jill fills us in on her preview-drive experience with Mazda's new-for-2020 CX-30 compact crossover. John Kraman, Lead TV Commentator/Analyst for Mecum Auctions, calls in for an interview on the upcoming auction of the original 1968 Ford Mustang GT driven by Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt, and Mecum's upcoming Kissimmee event. Tom has another quiz on automobile/movie-title puns, and Damon runs down the articles posted this week on The Daily Drive blog. We wrap up the show by sharing our favorite movie cars.
The Death of the Car Magazine?, The Heartbeat of America
Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start the show by discussing the recent news that TEN Publishing is discontinuing the print editions of 19 car magazines, including Automobile and Truck Trend. Next, we talk about the 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring, one of our Consumer Guide test-fleet vehicles this week. Harvey Briggs, Editor and Publisher of Rides & Drives (ridesanddrives.com), calls in for an interview on his days in the automotive advertising industry and the creation of Chevrolet's well-remembered "Heartbeat of America" and "Like a Rock" campaigns. Damon gives a run-down of the articles posted this week on The Daily Drive blog (including a First Look at the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban), and Tom gleefully annoys Damon with a pop quiz on automobile/movie-title puns. We wrap up the show with a quick reminiscence of our favorite car magazines when we were young.
2020 Lincoln Corsair, Phone As A Key
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell start the show with a discussion Buick's recently announced decision to discontinue the Regal Sportback and Regal TourX wagon. Jill fills us in our her preview-drive experience with Hyundai's completely redesigned 2020 Sonata midsize sedan. Gretchen Sauer, Brand Manager for the new Lincoln Corsair compact luxury crossover, calls in for an interview on the Corsair, Lincoln's handy Phone As A Key technology, and the state of the Lincoln brand in general. We take a quick trip back in time 50 years, and run down the list of the Consumer Guide Best Buy award winners for 1970. We close out the show by recounting memories of family vehicles from our childhoods.
2020 Consumer Guide Best Buys
Tom, Jill and Damon open the show with a discussion of Tesla's controversial Cybertruck and the media circus surrounding it. We then chat about Jill's test vehicle this week: the 2020 BMW M340i xDrive sedan. Next, Damon gives a complete "sneak peek" rundown of Consumer Guide's Best Buy picks for 2020, and we discuss the award-winning vehicles.
Ford Mustang Mach-E, Los Angeles Auto Show
Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start the show with a discussion of the 2021 Mustang Mach-E, Ford's ground-breaking (and provocatively named) new pure-electric crossover SUV. We then chat about Damon's test vehicle this week: the 2020 Mazda 3 AWD hatchback. Next, co-host Jill Ciminillo calls in live from the Los Angeles Auto Show and gives us the scoop on the news-making new vehicles on display at the show--including the Mustang Mach-E, Land Rover Defender, Kia Seltos, and Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid. Damon gives a run-down of the articles posted this week on The Daily Drive blog, including L.A. Auto Show coverage and a look behind the scenes of the new Ford v Ferrari movie. We wrap up the show with a tricky quiz on new Chevrolet pickup-truck prices.
Jeep Wrangler Diesel, AWD Camry
Host Tom Appel and co-hosts Jill Ciminillo and Damon Bell kick off the show with a discussion of the recently announced all-wheel-drive versions of the Toyota Camry and Toyota Avalon. We then discuss Jill's test vehicle this week: the 2020 Nissan Versa SR. Pete Milo, Chief Engineer of the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, calls in for an interview on the 2020 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel. Damon gives a run-down of the articles posted this week on The Daily Drive blog, including test-drive reports on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport and 2020 Range Rover Evoque, and a review of the new Ford v Ferrari movie. We wrap up the show with a discussion of our favorite automotive "underdogs."
Collectible Automobile magazine, 2019 SEMA Show
Host Tom Appel and co-host Damon Bell start off the show with a discussion of the SEMA Show, a colossal automotive-aftermarket trade show that is held annually in Las Vegas. Next, we talk about the 2020 Volvo S60 T8 Inscription, one of our Consumer Guide test-fleet vehicles this week. Collectible Automobile magazine Editor-in-Chief John Biel is in-studio next, to fill us in on the history of the magazine and the evolution of the old-car hobby. Also, John, Tom, and Damon each reveal a couple of their favorite classic cars, and Tom gives this week's Car Stuff Power Quiz question.
Car Seat Mistakes, RIP Ford Flex
The show kicks off with a discussion of Ford's decision to discontinue the Flex, its boxy three-row, seven-seat crossover wagon. Next, we talk about the 2020 Toyota Avalon Limited, one of our Consumer Guide test-fleet vehicles this week. Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Jenni Newman then joins us in-studio for a wide-ranging discussion on common car-seat mistakes parents make, Cars.com's 2019 Car Seat Check Honor Roll, and what new vehicles we would buy with our own money--and which "dream vehicles" we'd choose if cost was no object. Tom also poses a surprisingly tricky question for the weekly Car Stuff Power Quiz. Hosted by Tom Appel and Damon Bell.