Auto Buyers Guide Podcast

Are "Software Defined" cars a good thing? Best cars Under $40K. Best SUVs for families.

Travis and Alex attempt to get to the bottom of the mania around "software defined cars". Now, bear in mind that like *all* cars, SDCs are actually defined by their hardware which is why they can be updated. On the other hand, is this making companies lazy? Our experience with the new EX30 leads Alex to say yes. We also go over viewer questions and comments, the best cars under $40K, the best SUVs for young families and more.

Amazon Is Finally Selling Cars, Chevy Leads The Affordable Charge, Used EV Tax Credits Are Great

In this episode Alex and Travis dish about new car sales in 2024, which car companies are winning, which are losing, and why the consumer is a winner (sometimes) at the Chevy dealer because they are selling a ton of affordable new cars. If you're looking to make shopping easier, Hyundai is now selling cars on Amazon, assuming you're in the right part of the USA, and the process looks pretty solid. Lastly, Alex and Travis cover used EV tax credits, toxic masculine latte orders, and more!

Honda and Nissan Are Merging, EV Road Tripping A 200 Mile Range Volvo & What Needs To Die

Travis and Alex discuss the impending Honda-Nissan-Mitsubishi merger that should be completed next year, who's getting what in the marriage and what the conglomerate should kill off. We also talk about Travis road tripping our used C40 EV up to Washington state and more!

Reliable Cars Aren't Satisfying? Why does GM have so many EV trucks? Audi Gets A Q6,

According to the latest Consumer Reports data, Rivian is a paradox, they are the least reliable new car brand in America but also the one the most people would buy again. This makes us wonder: is new car reliability, well, unreliable? The answer is yes, and we may never know how reliable a new car is ever again...

Happy Thanksgiving, The future of EV Tax Credits, Can Someone Just Stick With Something?

Travis and Alex discuss the turkeys, tofurkeys and turduckens. Then they really dive into the sauce: What will Trump do to the EV tax credit? What might happen if it changes or gets eliminated, and how the IRA has boosted domestic production of new cars. Also, cars are too expensive. No surprise there.

Best & Worst Car Gifts, Honda Passport & Acura ADX, PHEV vs EV

Travis and Alex spend way, way too much time talking about the best and worst gifts for car people, or, really anyone that owns a car. They also dive into the latest Honda and Acura SUVs, hate on the term "extended range EV" because they are just plug in hybrids, and then they talk about why PHEVs are fantastic. 

Scout Reboot, Toyota's PHEV Party, EV Winter Range & We Bought A Thing!

Scout Reboot, Toyota's PHEV Party, EV Winter Range & We Bought A Thing!

Tesla's Robotaxi, Toyota's recent production and reliability woes, and GR Corolla with an automatic

Toyota has had some stumbles lately. From recalling every Lexus LX, and non-hybrid Tundra for engine replacements, to the stop-sale and recall on every Grand Highlander and Lexus TX for airbags that aren't working right they have a great deal on their plate. However, like a juggling act at a carnival, Toyota seems to have all those plates up in the air and spinning for now. Interest in their products is still high and Toyota is tripling down on hybrid tech with their Mazda and Subaru partnerships. 

One Pedal Driving May Be Over (In China), Charge Connectors, & Terrible New Car Features

It looks like China is on the brink of banning one pedal driving in new vehicles from 2026. Why? Well, it's not in the name of efficiency. Apparently China's watchdog agency says one pedal driving is less safe than having a second pedal around. 

Hybrids, Leasing vs Buying, Viewer Questions, GM Joins the NACS party and more!

In this episode, Travis and Alex discuss leasing versus buying, what hybrids are and what they are not, General Motors joining the Tesla supercharging network, and of course we answer a bunch of viewer questions. If you're curious about how leasing works what you need to know before you sign for a lease, and whether a lease is right for you or not hopefully we can answer that today. If after several decades, you are still curious about where you plug in a hybrid, if you're not, we talk about that too.