Large factory wheels have become a familiar feature of expensive SUVs, performance vehicles, and luxury electric cars in the United States. They fill out the wheel arches and can accommodate large brake systems, but they…
Author: Mark Jacob
Mark Jacob covers the business, strategy, and innovation driving the auto industry forward. At Dax Street, he dives into market trends, brand moves, and the future of mobility with a sharp analytical edge. From EV rollouts to legacy automaker pivots, Mark breaks down complex shifts in a way that’s accessible and insightful.
6 Cars With the Highest 5-Year Cost to Own
A car’s purchase price tells only part of the financial story. Over the next five years, depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, financing, and registration can add a substantial amount to the original bill. For some…
Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Oregon
Vehicle theft patterns vary widely by state, making Oregon’s figures especially useful for drivers choosing a used car or reviewing their vehicle’s security. The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s Hot Wheels reporting tracks stolen vehicles and…
12 Brands With the Biggest Share of Cars Still on American Roads, By Vehicles in Operation
America’s vehicle fleet reflects decades of buying habits, brand loyalty, and the practical realities of keeping cars and trucks on the road. Some manufacturers maintain a particularly large presence because their vehicles span popular pickups,…
10 Expensive Repairs That Often Arrive After the Car Is Paid Off
Paying off a car loan should make ownership less stressful, but an aging vehicle can introduce a different set of expenses just as the monthly payments disappear. Components that survived years of commuting may eventually…
10 Stuff to Inspect Before Accepting Delivery of a New Car
Taking delivery of a new car is exciting, but signing the paperwork and driving away without a thorough inspection can create avoidable problems. Even brand-new vehicles can arrive with transport damage, paint defects, missing accessories, warning…
6 Vehicles With No Driver Fatalities in IIHS Crash Data
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released its latest driver death rate analysis on July 30, 2026. The report examined 2023 model-year vehicles and equivalent earlier models involved in fatal crashes between 2021 and…
10 Things Dealers Can Hide Inside a Monthly Payment
A car payment of $350 a month can sound affordable until the buyer discovers how much the loan will cost over its full term. At a dealership, the monthly figure can be shaped by the…
NHTSA Reveals Which 2027 Vehicles Face New Safety Testing
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its model year 2027 vehicle testing list, identifying new cars, SUVs, pickups, and minivans scheduled for evaluation under the federal government’s Five-Star Safety Ratings program. Announced…
Ford Fathom Electric Pickup Opens Sign-Ups With a Starting Price Under $30,000
Ford is preparing to enter a new phase of its electric-vehicle strategy with the Fathom, an upcoming electric pickup carrying a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $28,350 before destination charges. The company has opened…
8 Age-Related Problems to Check on a 150,000-Mile Car
A car with 150,000 miles on the odometer can still have plenty of useful life left, but age and accumulated wear make a thorough inspection essential. At this mileage, problems may extend beyond the engine…
8 Ownership Costs That Matter More Than Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is an important consideration when buying a car, but it does not determine the full cost of ownership. Insurance premiums, depreciation, financing interest, maintenance, repairs, tires, registration fees, and parking can significantly affect…
8 Features That Can Make a Used Car More Expensive to Repair
A used car’s purchase price can look attractive until an expensive feature needs replacement. Modern vehicles offer advanced safety systems, sophisticated suspensions, turbocharged engines, and technology-packed interiors, but these additions can increase repair complexity as…
How to Tell How Long a Car Has Really Been Sitting on a Dealer Lot
A car advertised online today might have arrived at the dealership yesterday, or it could have been sitting unsold for several months. That difference matters when negotiating because an aging vehicle may give a dealer…
6 EVs That Lost Half Their Value in Three Years, and 6 That Held Their Worth
Electric vehicles can deliver impressive performance, quiet driving, and reduced routine maintenance, but their resale values vary considerably. Some models lose more than half their original value within three years, creating significant losses for first…
10 Dealer Fees to Check Before You Sign a Car Purchase Contract
Buying a car involves more than negotiating the advertised price. Before you sign, the dealership may present a purchase contract containing documentation charges, preparation costs, electronic filing fees, and optional protection products. Some charges cover…
8 Numbers to Compare Before Accepting a Dealer Loan
Buying a car on finance can make an expensive purchase manageable, but the wrong loan can cost thousands of dollars in additional interest. A dealer may emphasize an affordable monthly payment while less obvious figures…
10 Mazdas That Cost the Least to Own After 100,000 Miles
Mazda has earned a reputation for combining enjoyable driving dynamics with practical ownership costs, but keeping a vehicle running beyond 100,000 miles requires more than a dependable engine. Repair bills, maintenance requirements, parts prices, and…
Wards 10 Best Engines Awards Make History With All-Electrified Winners
For the first time in the 32-year history of the Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems awards, not a single winner relies exclusively on a conventional internal-combustion engine. Announced on October 13, 2026, the…
How Much a 72-Month Car Loan Really Changes the Total Price
A 72-month car loan can make a vehicle look more affordable by lowering the monthly payment, but the savings at the dealership can come with a higher bill over time. Spreading payments across six years…
5 Luxury Models Cheaper to Maintain Than Mainstream and 5 Mainstream That Cost More
Luxury cars are usually associated with expensive servicing, costly replacement parts, and higher repair bills. Yet RepairPal’s annual repair-cost estimates reveal that this assumption does not apply to every vehicle. Certain luxury models have lower…
How to Tell Whether a Car Dealer’s Advertised Price Is the Price You Can Actually Pay
A car advertised for $29,995 may look like a bargain until the dealership presents a purchase agreement with extra fees, mandatory accessories, or discounts that you do not qualify for. For American car buyers, the…
UAW Re-Election Raises Stakes for 2028 Talks With Ford GM and Stellantis
Shawn Fain’s re-election as president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) puts the union’s current leadership in place for the next major contract negotiations with General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis in 2028. Official election results…
5 Brands With Roadside Beyond the Warranty and 5 That End It Together
Buying a new car involves more than comparing prices, fuel economy, and repair costs. Roadside assistance can become equally important when a vehicle develops a flat tire, suffers a dead battery, or breaks down far…
7 Cars Consumer Reports Stopped Recommending This Year
Consumer Reports removed its recommendation from 18 vehicles for the 2026 model year after its latest owner survey identified below-average predicted reliability. The findings, published on December 4, 2025, were based on responses covering more…
7 Car Recalls Where NHTSA Told Owners Not to Drive at All
A vehicle recall usually means owners should arrange a repair as soon as possible, but some safety defects demand a much more urgent response. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)…
7 Cars From the 1990s That Got Better MPG Than Their Modern Versions
The 1990s produced several cars that delivered surprisingly impressive fuel economy without hybrid batteries, sophisticated driver assistance systems, or today’s complex powertrains. Some compact sedans and lightweight hatchbacks could travel considerable distances on a gallon…
5 Cars Where a Headlight Bulb Change Takes Ten Minutes and 5 That Need Bumper Removal
Headlight bulb replacement can be either a simple under-hood maintenance job or a surprisingly involved repair. On some older vehicles, the bulb sits directly behind the headlamp and can be removed with little more than…
10 Ways a Car Fails a Pre-Purchase Inspection
Buying a used car can feel like finding a bargain until a mechanic uncovers problems hidden beneath its polished exterior. A vehicle may start easily, drive smoothly, and look immaculate while concealing structural damage, worn…
6 Cars Most Expensive to Repair After a Crash
A minor collision can produce a surprisingly large repair bill when a vehicle uses expensive body structures, specialized replacement parts, and sophisticated electronics. In the United States, CCC reported that the average total repair cost…