The Thing About Cars

Today, Dave takes on the Chevy Camaro in Cultural Collision, and its ownership of the testosterone niche market. Beka confesses to one of deepest, darkest secrets, ever. Ben takes a moment to talk hotrods and the parallels to jazz music. Beka rejects naming her segment "Wheels with Winifred." Listeners write in with more worst-car stories, including a Pinto, the "Little Red Fireball of Death." We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

Amanda tells us all about ambulances, and she should know since she's been in a few--luckily she wasn't the patient! Dawn takes us back to the '80s for a fond look at a weird but fun era in which cars managed to be cool despite the world conspiring against them. Mickey still wants a Mister Two and Ben confesses his lust for a Scirocco. IROC-n-Roll! Put on your parachute pants, mousse-up your hair, and come along for the ride! Be careful if you can't drive 55 though, because our Grand Trivia...

Dawn on the Autobahn explores traffic signs of the world, and Mickey's got a thing about dealer stickers. Dawn regales the panel with strange traffic signs around the world, and initiates a savage game of Punch-Buggy between Mickey and Dave. We learn the history of cobblestones, and why it makes driving in downtown Savannah a challenge. Our guest Trent makes the case for hatchbacks. Dealership stickers grind Mickey's gears. We continue our investigation of listeners' worst car experiences,...

In That New Car Smell, Ben talks about how the current weakness in the new car market is strengthening the used car market; guest Lee Anne Patterson joins us to talk about NASCAR racing news and the joys of the Bourbon Trail; we still don't have a name for Beka's news segment but we talk about flying cars, a hit-and-run at a car show, a the latest news from "Florida Man"; Mickey reads listener stories about the worst car they ever owned, and we advise listener Laura on new cars under...

The Holiday Season is upon us! In a departure from our usual format, the TTAC crew talks about Christmas gifts for their cars and drivers, as well as gifts for the car enthusiast, both serious and humorous. Our guest for this episode is Mario, who talks about his interests in cars, Volvos, Hondas, but not McLaren! On behalf of all of us at The Thing About Cars, we hope you and yours are all remaining safe and warm. Happy Holidays! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and...

In Cultural Collision, Dave talks about the role of the Ford Thunderbird in American Culture; we welcome back and catch up our good friend Greg; in honor of Halloween, Ben Takes a Moment to discuss the history and design of hearses; and listener mail addresses how not kill yourself while changing a battery & the impact of wildfire smoke on air filters. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Beka's News in the Fast Lane leads the panel to speculate on how to insult a driverless car and a dogmatic debate on the stick shift; show guest Tim Rogers discusses Petit LeMans; we delve into Beka's rodent hostage situation; in Dawn Drives the Decades, we discuss about how smaller, lighter cars came on the scene in the early 1960s; and Mickey reads a story in Listener Mail that leads to a discussion of DIY repairs that wind up costing more than taking it to a shop. We welcome your support...

It’s a lovely day in Atlanta, but Ben confides that he’s depressed over the current new-car line-up. Our special guest Jim tells us why he is corrupt. Today in the news… Where is Starman? Mickey admits that he pretends to be on “The A-Team.” We answer your listener questions about GM, SUVs, and leather versus modern fabric. And what’s in that asymmetrical bump? We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

Beka starts off with a story about big engines, quarts and liters, and V-8's for everyone! Amanda introduces us to the Subaru Ambassador program, and talks restaurants, road trips, dream cars, and Subaru Love. Dawn goes retro with some history about 70's era automobiles, and how the entire industry changed moving forward from that decade. Mickey shares listener tales about the worst cars they ever owned. And this week's Grand Trivia Auto question is about The Cannonball Run. We welcome your...

Mickey gets some one-on-one time with our friend Tim to talk about all the grassroots, street legal fun you can have with your car. We go over a variety of experiences offered by such organizations as Chin Track Days or the Sports Car Club Of America. Drag-racing, Autocrossing, Rallycrossing, and other events any driver can enjoy to learn more about their cars, and safe, fast driving. There's a lot to go over, so keep your ears peeled! Maybe you'll see us at a future track event. We welcome...

We did record this in time for October, but technical difficulties prevented its publication until now. Please enjoy our AUTOBERFEST Episode. There's lots of German automotive trivia. Dawn introduces her segment "Dawn On The AutoBahn." Dave knows quite a lot about the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile and TTAC issues a challenge to the Oscar Meyer company. Dawn introduces our guest, Carmella. Ben Takes A Moment. At least, that's the name of Ben's new segment, "Ben Takes a Moment." Something is...

The gang visits Italian Car Day 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Ben wrangles this episode's Grand Trivia Auto as part of a book giveaway to gift a couple of books from our friends at MotorBooks. We see a lot of eye candy and talk about why we don't see more Italian cars in the American market on a Cultural Collision Segment with Ben and Dave. Dawn is glad not every Ferrari is red. Ben thinks Mickey should not get a Maserati. And Dave wrangles a segment about going to car shows. We welcome your...

It was a cold and windy day that found Ben and Mickey talking about their anticipation for the upcoming Italian Car Day and the giving away of a couple of books from our friends at Motorbooks publishers. We hope to see you Saturday at Italian Car Day Atlanta: https://www.italiancardayatlanta.com/. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

TTAC welcomes special guest John Montgomery to talk about the upcoming Italian Car Day in Atlanta. Details can be found at https://www.italiancardayatlanta.com/. We cover a listener question about Porsche’s competing in LeMans. And another one about high-mileage oil: if it’s better for your engine, why don’t we just use that from the start? Dave continues the discussion on midlife-crisis cars: Midlife Crisis On A Budget. Mickey takes the gang through LOTS of Italian car trivia which makes...

Dawn has had one of those weeks where all she wants to do is escape in her vehicle with no plan in mind… There was a listener response to the “botulism in the oil cans” clip we shared in a prior episode. Dave digs into the subject of midlife crisis cars. Dawn waxes desirous over an older Porsche (and wants it for her birthday). A listener wants to know how television does an entire car rehab job in seven days. Mickey says you should never buy someone else’s project car. We welcome your...

Ben and Mickey do a special episode. We talk about Vespa, Style and Passion, a book sent to us by our friends at Quarto Knows publishers. The conversation turns to the general world of scooters. Mickey bemoans a couple of un-loved BMWs in his parking lot, and Ben bemoans a seller’s poor treatment of a second-generation Camaro. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

Mickey just had to share this clip of a recording (made before pandemic) of his friend Clair talking about her experiences buying oil for her first car. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Mickey’s Honda doesn’t want to hold a charge. Beka’s can’t unbolt her alternator (and needs your help). Dawn reminisces about speed-limits. Mickey wonders why there aren’t track-facilities where the average person can go and play. The gang revisits a listener question to discuss how a woman can avoid repair fraud, and how one can know if a mechanic really knows what he/she is talking about. Mickey talks about an ongoing attempt to make it illegal for people to work on their own cars. Ben has...

Dawn was perseverating, and makes a proposal. The gang talks about the most beautiful Jaguar ever made. Beka notifies us of a recent recall for Kia and Hyundai vehicles. Ben shares a major Yelotus update. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. TTAC records at Strongbox West, in Atlanta.

Bill likes hearses. Jessica helps us visit what the term “reputable dealer” means. Dawn dreams of being able to bid at Mecum or Barret Jackson. Ben informs us of a weird monthly charge scheme from BMW. Beka makes some hard decisions on what to do with her G8. We also tackle listener questions: We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.