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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #373
Can most people make full use of a one-ton dually pickup truck? Likely, the answer is no and we could go as far as to question how necessary a 1500 class truck is as well. Co-founder of Cartender and freelance automotive journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, explains why the mid-size Ford Ranger could be the perfect size truck for most Americans; but does that mean the Ranger is George’s #1 pick for the category? Not necessarily. Find out why he thinks a Toyota Tacoma would fit his needs better. Then, Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, discusses Autotrader’s “10 Best Cars to Lease in 2019”, “Best Pet Accessories for Your Car: 2019 Edition”, and “6 Great Used Family Sedans Under $15,000 for 2019” articles. Next up, freelance automotive journalist, Mike Austin, shares some industry news, including a deal between Michelin and General Motors to test airless tires on a fleet of Chevrolet Bolt, Cadillac Super Cruise update, and Ford v Ferrari. Closing the show, automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, shares skepticism of Elon Musk’s promises of a new pickup to beat all pickups from Tesla, and reviews the Hyundai Accent. Tune in for the latest from the automotive industry.
- [00:00:00] Do You Really Need A Massive Truck?
- [00:06:10] Camping and the 2019 Ford Ranger
- [00:12:31] Ford Ranger Not Worth the Price Tag?
- [00:19:51] Best Pet Accessories for Your Car
- [00:27:47] Best Cars to Lease in 2019
- [00:35:52] Great Used Family Sedans for Under $15k
- [00:42:13] Mike Austin’s 80s and 90s Car Nostalgia
- [00:48:15] Michelin and GM to Test Airless Tires
- [00:54:44] Cadillac Super Cruise / Ford v Ferrari
- [01:02:05] Alan Selling Demon, Tesla Truck Incoming
- [01:11:39] Hyundai Accent is a Low Budget Car
- [01:18:07] Alan On the Hunt for New Kia Telluride
Discover more about segments and guests below…
[00:00:00] Do You Really Need A Massive Truck?
Alan has been driving a one ton dually RAM 3500 Pickup truck, and while he loves it, he can’t help but feel that it might be overkill. Perhaps a mid-size truck, like the new Ford Ranger, could suit his needs better? Co-founder of Cartender and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, argues that many weekend warriors don’t need a RAM 1500 or Ford F-150, muchless a RAM 3500. He recently drove the Ford Ranger and says this is all the truck most people could truly make use of. Are you a fan of the all-new Ford Ranger?
[00:06:10] Camping and the 2019 Ford Ranger
When Co-Founder of Cartender, George Kennedy III, first saw the Ford Ranger on display, it was decked out in a bunch of different lifestyles. Among them was the Ford Ranger Overland, which popped a tent out on top along with some hefty ladders and bars. This struck him as ridiculous! Camping is for sleeping on the ground! While the 2019 Ford Ranger is a great truck with lots of different options, George can’t help but feel he can accomplish the same things in a Toyota Tacoma, and he’s leaning toward the Tacoma. Listen in to find out why!
[00:12:31] Ford Ranger Not Worth the Price Tag?
The base level 2019 Ford Ranger starts at a modest $24,000, but as soon as you start kitting that thing out the price can easily shoot well above $40,000. Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, and Alan debate the Ford Ranger against its competitors in the segment like the Toyota Tacoma. We also discuss the reasons these vehicles come in at such high MSRPs, why mid-size the mid-size truck category shrank for nearly a decade, and other mid-size trucks we’d like to see reenter the market. Tune in for more.
[00:19:51] Best Pet Accessories for Your Car
If you’ve got a furry four-footed friend who pals around with you everywhere you go, then you probably need some accessories to freshen and secure your ride. Thankfully, Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, has a new list for us – “Best Pet Accessories for Your Car: 2019 Edition”. Dog car fresheners from Dogisgood.com, T-shirts, and dog seatbelts will keep your pets smelling fresh and in their seats. Tune in for more.
[00:27:47] Best Cars to Lease in 2019
Did you know that a contractor or self-employed worker can claim a leased car as a tax write off, much the same as a rented piece of equipment? Yep, that’s right, and that’s just one reason to consider leasing a car in 2019; Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, gives us another – these freaking sweet deals! Right now you can lease an Acura TLX for $299/mo with just $2,500 down, or a Honda Civic for $189/mo and $2,000 down! If you’re feeling classy, lease a Mercedes-Benz GLC Class for $479/mo for six months with $4200 down. In Brian’s experience, he’s always been able to haggle the cash-down price to a lower amount. So have no fear and get down to your local dealer and drive away in a snazzy new car today; but first check out Autotrader’s “Best Cars to Lease in 2019”.
[00:35:52] Great Used Family Sedans for Under $15k
So leasing shiny new cars isn’t your thing. That’s okay. What if we told you, you could drive away from your local dealership with a nice car for keeps, without breaking the bank? Executive Editor, Brian Moody, fills us in on the recent Autotrader article “Great Used Family Sedans for Under $15k”. Check out a 2014-2017 model year Toyota Camry XLE or LE for a well equipped family car. A 2013-2017 model year Honda Civic should suit the same purposes, often for less dough. Other contenders are 2016-2018 model year Nissan Altima, 2013-2018 model year Ford Fusion, and the 2014-2018 model year Mazda6. Listen in for his suggested family sedan for under $15k that’s not on the list.
[00:42:13] Mike Austin’s 80s and 90s Car Nostalgia
While Alan loves his cars with a throaty V8 growl, Automotive Journalist, Mike Austin, loves his cars quirky and nostalgia laden. From the Renault Alliance to the Honda Beat, tiny cars with big personality are right up Mike’s alley. That doesn’t mean he can’t appreciate a good V8, which is why his 1995 Chevrolet Camaro V8 is one of his most prized possessions. These cars take him back to his childhood in the 80s and 90s. What cars tickle your nostalgia?
[00:48:15] Michelin and GM to Test Airless Tires
With upgrades a healthy amount of upgrades, automotive journalist, Mike Austin, has been able to push over 300-HP out of his 1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. An impressive feat! Alan reflects on how far cars have come in the past 20+ years, now that he has a 840-HP, wheelie poppin’ Dodge Demon in his driveway. Changing gears, we discuss the news of Michelin and GM’s new partnership to test airless tires on a fleet of Chevrolet Bolt in Michigan. Tune in to learn just how these airless tires tick.
[00:54:44] Cadillac Super Cruise / Ford v Ferrari
Cadillac Super Cruise is all the rage in automotive news right now. This autopilot system frees up your hands while you’re stuck in rush hour traffic for more important tasks, like relaxing. No, you can’t take a nap or look away from the road, but at least you don’t have to tediously attend to your car in stop-go traffic. Automotive journalist, Mike Austin, fills us in on the latest information on Cadillac Super Cruise, including an additional 70,000 miles of charted road in their system and a roll out to more cars in their fleet. Currently only available in the Cadillac CT6, this means more people will have a chance to experience the ease that Super Cruise provides.
[01:02:05] Alan Selling Demon, Tesla Truck Incoming
Have you heard? In the midst of a financial crisis, Tesla has decided they’re going to push forward and offer something new. This time, it’s a pickup truck packed with lofty claims and a very strange design. Automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, chats about Elon Musk’s claims that the new Tesla all-electric pickup truck will be able to town 300,000lbs. The space-aged truck will start at $49,000 and hopes to give the Rivian R1T some heavy competition in the segment. In other news, on the heels of the sale of his Dodge Viper, Alan is selling his Dodge Demon. Tune in to learn more.
[01:11:39] Hyundai Accent is a Low Budget Car
If you’re looking for a basic daily driver on a budget, the new Hyundai Accent SE might be the car for you. Automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, comments that going from driving the luxurious, sporty Lexus RC F one week to the basic Hyundai Accent SE is a bit of a shocker. That said, even this most base level Hyundai Accent SE comes with a respectable amount of features. Tune in to find out why this car is an amazing deal at $14,995.
[01:18:07] Alan On the Hunt for New Kia Telluride
Now that Alan has sold his Dodge Viper, is working on selling his Dodge Demon, and has two grandkids, it’s time to start thinking more practically in terms of his next daily driver. Automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, shares why she thinks a Kia Telluride would be the perfect fit for Alan and his growing family. It’s got style, room, respectable gas mileage, and turns heads wherever it goes. Tune in to learn more about the new Kia Telluride.
Explore More with Helpful Links:
- Contributor: George Kennedy III | Co-founder, Cartender | Freelance Automotive Journalist, CarGurus/ Boston Globe/ U.S. News & World Report
- Contributor: Brian Moody | Executive Editor, Autotrader
- Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist
- Special Guest: Mike Austin | Freelance Automotive Journalist
- Website: Michelin
- Website: General Motors
- Website: Cadillac Super Cruise
- Website: Tesla
- Article: 10 Best Cars to Lease in 2019
- Article: Best Pet Accessories for Your Car: 2019 Edition
- Article: 6 Great Used Family Sedans Under $15,000 for 2019
- Vehicle Mention: Ford Ranger
- Vehicle Mention: Toyota Tacoma
- Vehicle Mention: Chevrolet Bolt
- Vehicle Mention: Hyundai Accent
Episode Credits:
- Program Host: Alan Taylor
- Producer: Dave Milligan
- Production Assistant: Joanne Bolden
- Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
- Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry
Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:
- Austin Hatcher Foundation
- Barrett-Jackson
- Brembo
- Bridgestone
- Dodge
- Foundation of Human Understanding
- Go RVing
- Patriot Outreach
- Shell
- Subaru
- The Little Rock Foundation
Freelance Automotive Journalist, CarGurus/ Boston Globe/ U.S. News & World Report
***
This episode was produced by Entertainment Right Now (ERN). If you found value in this episode, and you’d like to hear more, please consider leaving us a review on iTunes and be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss a beat. Your feedback helps us to reach more enthusiasts around the world! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, please leave a comment below or e-mail us at info@ernlive.com.
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