Author Archive
Favorite Car Ads: 1958 Edsel
1958 Edsel Ad
The Edsel was no worse, nor much better, than other American cars of its day. The brand’s failure has been attributed to a number of factors, but as an armchair historian, I blame three things: a shock-and-awe launch, confusing marketing, and false hope, that latter point relates to the ad seen here.
Plymouth Voyager III Concept
This is an installment in a series of posts looking back on show cars that we feel deserved a little more attention than they got. If you have a suggestion for a Forgotten Concept topic, please shoot us a line or leave a comment below.
Classic Car Ads: Mitsubishi
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse
When the Mitsubishi Tredia and Cordia compact coupe and sedan came online in the mid Eighties, they were among the first affordable turbocharged cars. Before that there were Saab and Volvo turbos, as well as Mercedes diesels, but those cars were pricey. Sure, there was the Pontiac Sunbird—and a few Buick Skyhawks—fitted with turbocharged engines, but those cars were so failure prone I hesitate to mention them.
2023 Jeep Wrangler
If you’re old enough, and were paying attention, you may recall that certain automotive paint pigments were hard to come by in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake in Japan. The pigments were sourced from a single factory located near the Fukushima power plant, which also suffered damage as a result of the quake. The paint shortage affected mostly black and red hues.
How much does it cost to charge an EV? Read on…
How much does it cost to own an electric vehicle? Sadly, it’s too early to say. Variables including long-term maintenance costs—which should be very low—and resale value are still unknowns. But, there are some expenses we can estimate with a degree of precision, including charging costs.
Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast
Whether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join Jill and Tom 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.
Favorite Car Ads: 1960 Ford
Favorite Car Ads: 1960 Ford
Man, they don’t make commercials like this anymore. Nor do carmakers spend money heralding the arrival of their new-model year offerings. We live in the era of target marketing and micro ads. The odds of consumers today being exposed to ads for products they might not want—or cannot afford—are relatively low. Modern advertisers know who we are, and they know where we live.
You’re right. No one does this stuff anymore. No one walks around their car and checks stuff out before hitting the road. Cars and crossovers have gotten so reliable that the odds of a serious breakdown occurring during your 1500-mile vacation drive are very low. Still, bad stuff does occasionally, though rarely, happen.
Favorite Car Ads: 1970 Volvo
We’re talking about 350 pounds here. That’s the difference in weight between a new 1966 Volvo and a same-year Dodge Coronet—the latter depicted here as having “died young.” The text in this ad is interesting, and makes a good case that American cars of the era were simply larger and heavier than consumers really needed them to be.
Classic Car Ads: Oldsmobile Cutlass
1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible
When I think Cutlass, I think of the 1984 Cutlass Supreme seen below. The near-premium personal-luxury coupe was almost absurdly popular in its day, and was usually the best-selling car in the Chicago area every year.
