Daily Recap: Saturday, February 14, 2026

14 episodes

New car affordability drove discussion across multiple shows, with buyers increasingly choosing used vehicles and CPO models over factory-fresh options. The EV market contraction extended into 2026 forecasts, while several hosts worked through practical repair scenarios including cooling fan diagnostics on a 2001 Chevy Venture and the economics of personal restoration projects. Popular models like the Ford F150, Toyota Highlander, and Honda CR-V came up repeatedly in both market analysis and ownership conversations.

Electric Vehicle Market Contraction Continues into 2026

Multiple major electric vehicle models are being discontinued or phased out for 2026, including the Ford F-150 Lightning, Acura ZDX, Genesis Electrify G80, Nissan Aria, and Tesla Model S and Model X.

Used electric vehicles like the Audi e-tron have depreciated significantly from their original value, with prices dropping substantially due to the shift in the market and the elimination of federal tax credits.

From America on the Road:

"We've talked about the Ford F-150 Lightning. The Acura ZDX is apparently going away. The Genesis Electrify G80. The Nissan Aria, the one I always have trouble pronouncing, but I think I got it right this time. And then Tesla's Model S and Model X are going away too."

From CarPro Radio Show:

"The original value comes from 70 to 80, especially like the prestige or the premium... the value drops so so much... All of them have. And it's because of the shift in the market. New SUVs aren't selling the $7,500 federal tax credits gone."

Used Vehicle Market Becomes Primary Option as New Car Prices Surge

New vehicle transaction prices average about $50,000, pushing shoppers toward used vehicles which average around $26,000 according to Kelly Blue Book.

The Honda Fit is highlighted as one of the most reliable used cars for the money, with an average price of just above $18,000 for 1-5 year old models and a lifespan of nearly 11 years.

From America on the Road:

"The new car transaction prices of about $50,000 are pushing shoppers toward vehicles that are a lot less expensive. According to Kelly Blue Book, I think you know something about Kelly Blue Book there, Chris. A lot of people are looking at used vehicle prices which average around $26,000 which is one hell of a lot better than $50,000."

From CarPro Radio Show:

"The Honda Fit has an average of one to five year old use price of just above $18,000 lifespan of nearly 11 years...your annual cost is just under $1,700 a year."

Episode Spotlights

2026 Land Rover Defender Octa: Ultimate Defender Takes on Maine Winter — America on the Road
On why certified pre-owned vehicles sometimes offer better warranty coverage:

"CPO vehicles often have a longer warranty than a new vehicle, oddly...I've owned a couple of CPO vehicles over the years, a Honda and a Toyota and the warranty extends to I think 100,000 miles on the powertrain in some cases and it's just a really good deal."

Driven Radio Show #340: Dan Pilling of The Petersen Automotive Museum — Driven Radio Show
On when a teenage internship sparked a lifelong passion for cars:

"I really got sold on cars when I was 17 and I managed to do an internship at Porsche Cars Great Britain."

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 14, 2026 - Hour 2 - The Follow-up Show, How Cars Got Fixed! — Ron Ananian The Car Doctor
On diagnosing why cooling fans fail on high-mileage minivans:

"I've had a relationship with this van for about eight years now. I got an 01 Chevy venture, 3.4 liter with about 175,000 on it... And the coolant fans aren't coming on. All right. I tested the relays. I even replaced one just for good measure."

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 14, 2026 - Hour 1- A Mechanics Worst Nightmare — Ron Ananian The Car Doctor
On a wheel falling off after routine dealership brake service:

"Tom Jr., his son. And he just had taken his 16 year old Toyota into the local Toyota dealer, Middletown Toyota Middletown Connecticut. And they had done a bulb in the front...And the wheel fell off."

Heirloom Furniture Dollies — Wheel Bearings
On maneuvering a massive Ford Super Duty in tight parking spaces:

"It took me 10 tries to get into a parking space yesterday... Like Austin Powers when he's going back and forth in the hallway."

If You Only Listen To One

2026 Land Rover Defender Octa: Ultimate Defender Takes on Maine Winter — America on the Road

Covers Shift in US auto market toward used and CPO vehicles, Electric vehicle market contraction for 2026.

By the Numbers

Most-Discussed Cars

Trending Terminology

14 episodes. 163 car mentions. 246 terms explained. Browse every episode with searchable annotations and plain-language term definitions in the Car Curious app.