Illinois has seen vehicle theft fall from its recent peak, but the problem remains unusually large. The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported 28,327 vehicle thefts in Illinois during 2025, the third-highest state total in the…
Author: Annie Leonard
Annie Leonard is a dedicated automotive writer known for her deep industry insight and sharp, accessible analysis. With a strong appreciation for both engineering excellence and driver experience, Annie brings clarity and personality to every piece she writes.
8 Cars You Cannot Legally Sell in California
California does not publish a simple blacklist of models that private owners can never possess. The real prohibition applies when a new or near-new vehicle is not certified for California emissions requirements or was built…
Porsche’s Flachbau RS Is a Radical One-Off Inspired by Le Mans Legend ‘Moby Dick’
Porsche’s elite Sonderwunsch program has consistently pushed the boundaries of automotive customization, giving life to some of the most extraordinary and inspired vehicles ever to grace the asphalt. From the sleek nostalgia of the 993…
Karma Unveils a $140,000 Hybrid Grand Tourer With 566 HP
Karma is placing a major bet on range-extending hybrid technology, with the Gyesera serving as the first major step in that strategy. The new grand tourer is scheduled to reach dealerships in December, carrying a…
10 Trucks That Never Tow What They Claim
Truck advertisements love maximum towing numbers, but those figures rarely tell the whole story. The biggest rating usually applies to one carefully configured combination of engine, axle ratio, drivetrain, cab, bed, tires, and towing package.…
8 Records Worth Pulling Before Selling a Car
Selling a car involves more than washing it, taking photos, and posting an advertisement. Buyers increasingly expect documentation that confirms the vehicle’s ownership, mileage, maintenance history, accident record, and recall status. Missing paperwork can slow…
8 Repair Receipts Worth Keeping for a Claim
A repair receipt can look like something worth keeping only until the credit-card bill arrives, but vehicle paperwork can become surprisingly valuable years later. Insurance claims, warranty disputes, service-contract claims, recall reimbursements, and even total-loss…
8 Cars With Windshields That Cost $1,500 to Replace
Windshield replacement used to be a fairly straightforward repair. On many modern luxury cars and electric vehicles, however, the glass has become part of a much larger technology package. A windshield may now contain acoustic…
5 Infiniti Models Worth Buying vs. 5 to Avoid
Infiniti has produced some genuinely appealing luxury vehicles over the years, particularly for buyers who value strong engines and comfortable interiors without paying German luxury-car prices. Many older Infiniti models used Nissan’s proven naturally aspirated…
8 Car Smells That Mean a Different System Each Time
Your nose might be the best diagnostic tool you never knew you had. Long before a dashboard warning light flickers on, a strange smell drifting through your vents or lingering under the hood is often…
8 EVs That Report Battery Health to a Dealer
Battery health is becoming one of the most important factors in the used-EV market. A conventional gasoline vehicle can often be evaluated through mileage, service history, oil condition, engine performance, and transmission behavior. With an…
10 Vehicles With the Highest Five-Year Cost of Ownership
The sticker price is only the beginning of what a new vehicle can cost. Depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel or electricity, maintenance, repairs, taxes, and registration can transform an already expensive luxury or performance vehicle into…
10 Vehicles Owners Dump Before 60,000 Miles
Many buyers expect to keep a new vehicle for years, but ownership data shows that some models leave driveways much sooner than others. Studies from iSeeCars examining millions of used vehicle transactions have found that…
Mazda Unveils Its Next-Generation Hybrid Powertrain With Higher Efficiency
Mazda has introduced its next-generation hybrid powertrain, revealing a new electrified system that promises significantly improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and enhanced full performance while preserving the engaging driving characteristics that have long defined the…
Renault Accelerates European EV Investment With New Battery Manufacturing Expansion
Renault has announced another major investment in its European battery manufacturing operations, reinforcing its long-term commitment to electric vehicles as competition in the global EV market continues to intensify. The expansion is designed to strengthen…
8 Signs a Used Car Is Still Linked to Another Account
Buying a used car can be a practical way to own a reliable vehicle without paying the cost of a brand-new model. However, buyers need to check more than the engine, mileage, and exterior condition…
10 Red Flags on a Used Car Listing
Buying a used car starts with careful research because a listing often creates the first impression of a vehicle before a buyer sees it in person. Online advertisements can provide useful details, yet certain warning…
8 Automakers Rewriting Software to Stay on Sale In The US
Modern vehicles rely on software as much as traditional mechanical components, with code now controlling everything from battery management and safety systems to infotainment, driver assistance, and cybersecurity. As connected features and over-the-air updates become…
8 Cars With Engines Mounted Backwards for a Reason
Automotive engineering has always been about solving problems through creative design. While most vehicles follow familiar formulas, some manufacturers have challenged convention by turning engines around, reversing drivetrain layouts, or placing powerplants in unusual locations.…
How Flood Cars From Texas and Florida End Up for Sale in Other States
Imagine coming across what seems like the ideal used sedan online. The price feels like a great deal, the title appears legitimate, and the seller comes across as trustworthy. But hidden beneath that polished listing…
10 Charges That Belong to the Dealer and Not the Buyer
Sitting in the finance office with a pen in hand is not the moment most people feel like scrutinizing a spreadsheet, yet that is exactly when a handful of charges quietly slide onto the bill…
10 Menus That Hide the Data Sharing Toggle
Connected vehicles and driving apps collect information through separate systems. Depending on the service, the data may include location, mileage, speed, hard braking, acceleration, trip timing, diagnostics, phone movement, or account activity. A control is…
10 Trucks With Suspensions That Sag Under a Load
Pickup trucks are sold by the numbers. Towing capacity, payload rating, horsepower, torque these figures dominate every brochure and every showroom conversation. But there’s a gap between what a spec sheet promises and what the…
8 Trucks Adding a Hybrid Option for 2027
Hybrid technology is beginning to reshape pickup trucks in several different ways. Some manufacturers are introducing conventional plug-in hybrids, while others are developing extended-range electric trucks that use gasoline engines as onboard generators. These systems…
10 Cars That Cannot Be Driven During a System Update
Modern cars are no longer just machines built from steel and rubber. They are rolling computers that receive constant software updates. These updates fix bugs, add features, and even change performance. But there’s a catch…
8 Reasons a Zero Percent Loan Costs More Than Cash
A zero percent loan sounds like a perfect financial opportunity because it removes interest charges and lowers the immediate cost of borrowing. Many buyers see these offers as a chance to purchase expensive items while…
8 Repairs Mechanics Say to Walk Away From
Every used car needs something. Worn tires, tired brakes, leaking shocks, and an overdue battery are normal negotiating points. What mechanics fear are problems that spread beyond one replaceable component. Structural corrosion, flood contamination, internal…
10 Reasons a Used Car Costs the Dealer Almost Nothing
A used car’s advertised price is often much higher than what the dealership originally paid because dealers source vehicles through trade-ins, auctions, lease returns, fleet sales, and other channels unavailable to most retail buyers. These…
8 Trucks That Out-Tow Vehicles Twice Their Price
Vehicle price and towing capacity do not necessarily rise together. Luxury SUVs may offer substantially more technology, performance, refinement and premium materials, but those qualities do not automatically give them greater trailer ratings. Purpose-built pickups…
10 Heaviest Production Cars Ever Sold in America
Comparing the heaviest vehicles ever sold to private buyers requires clear guidelines, as weight figures can vary significantly depending on trim level, equipment, and measurement methods. This ranking includes legal, factory-produced vehicles available in the…