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episodes

  • RoAb #17 - The '2010 Predictions' Episode
    Every year on New Year’s Day we wake up in a pool of what we hope is our own vomit. Staggering to our feet, we search for our pants, a shred of dignity and a cohesive, Zen-like theme. In the process we also uncover a host of stories and news bites to fit that theme, however hungover or dehydrated they may be. And whatever’s leftover, well, we talk about it anyway because it’s 2010!
    Besides the obvious, like more ridiculous airport security hoops to jump through and enviro-nazis wailing about carbon and polar bears, what’s in store for the New Year? Well, this week the RoundAbout crew plays prophet and tries to shed a little light on 2010. The group reaches consensus on some of their predictions, but the automotive oracles are divided on other points – like Chrysler. Even with imported new leadership, will the beleaguered automaker be able to pull through? Has the new century smell worn off already after just one decade? Find out on this week’s installment of RoundAbout!
    37 min
  • RoAb #16 - The 'Craigslist' Episode
    Every week like grieving families cleaning out a grandparent’s house after their passing, we find all kinds of old canned goods, birc-a-brac and maybe even a cohesive, Zen-like theme. Sure, some of what we discover is worth keeping, but the rest of it we have no use for, so we’ll post it on Craigslist! After all, we’re too guilty to throw it away. How else are can you get rid of granddad’s clothes, his collection of VHS tapes and portable dialysis machine? And how else can you make money doing it? Now, if we could only wash the smell of old-people and shame from our souls.
    That's right, this is the Craigslist episode that our panel has been performing--albeit informally--before each recording for the last 15 episodes. We're so enamored with both the awful and wonderful finds that show up on the Internet's classified free-for-all that we decided to make an entire episode out of it. Among our many gems, you'll find a Fiat Abarth 850TC (replica), a '66 Thunderbird Convertible, and a Jeep Comanche that brings back memories for one Jeffrey Ross.
    46 min
  • RoAb #15 - The 'Holiday Wishlist' Episode
    Every week we hit-up the discount travel sites in search of the cheapest airfare around. During the hunt, we find a wide range of ticket prices and airlines, and maybe even a cohesive, Zen-like theme. All we want is to make it home for the holidays, and find a few off-putting news bites to fit the theme, but our flight was canceled due to bad weather and we’re stuck in the Minneapolis airport eating stale Cinnabons and sleeping on the floor. Meanwhile, visions of Spykers and Audis dance in our heads.
    This week, with a few short buying days left in the holiday season, our esteemed panel assembles its holiday wishlist. Eric yearns for a Tag Heuer watch. Zach has a soft spot for an NSX. Craig asks that we donate to the Focus Fund. And Ben just wants a way to operate his iPhone's GPS without freezing his fingers off. Plus, our Blind Spot story, the Lincoln MKT is In the Garage and an atrociously styled G6 in this week's Highway Hearsay.
    1 hr 17 min
  • RoAb #14 - The 'Eye of the Beholder' Episode
    One man's fashionable and functional Russian, rabbit fur hat is another man's hideous, PETAian nightmare. It's all a matter of perspective, and of course the same is true in the automotive world.
    Dodge's chunky Challenger is named Consumer Reports' most satisfying vehicle. A Chinese truck driver's eye beholds the icy winds of the open road. Hofele melds the best of both worlds in the Audi family to create a truly hideous steed. Plus, our Blind Spot story, the Ford Transit Connect is In the Garage and the internet's coming to your car in this week's AutoGadget.
    1 hr 21 min
  • RoAb #13 - The 'LA' Episode
    Every week like depression-era farmers we flee the Oklahoma panhandle and head west across the internet toward California, I mean, we set out to find the best news topics from the past week, and a cohesive, Zen-like theme to tie them all together. On the way, we uncover an array of different stories and news bites to fit that theme, however hopeless or worn out they may be. And whatever’s left over, well, we have a serious discussion about it anyway, because the Dust Bowl was no laughing matter.
    A sporty new version of the Cadillac CTS. Honda's weird take on an eco-friendly urban vehicle. The brand new brooding Audi. That's so LA ... Auto Show 2009. Plus, Eric has the new CTS wagon In the Garage and Michelle gets a look at the new more powerful Mustang V6.
    1 hr 32 min
  • RoAb # 12 - The 'Leftovers' Episode
    Every week like crazed amazons, we storm the mall of the internet, battling killer crowds in search of the best Black Friday deals, and if Montgomery Ward sells out of seven-dollar toasters, well, we settle for a cohesive, Zen-like theme instead -- and a pretzel from the food court. During the siege we uncover an array of different stories and news bites that fit our theme, however useless or misfitting they may be. And whatever's leftover, well, we buy it anyway, because if we didn't, we'd miss out on the savings.
    Don't know about you, but even though we've still got a tryptophan hangover we're really starting to eye those leftover mashed potatoes and turkey. So belly up to the table in your bathrobe and get some automotive leftovers with your favorite RoundAbout crew.
    31 min
  • RoAb # 11 - The 'Thankful' Episode
    Every week like brave Puritans fleeing religious oppression, we sail across the Atlantic in search of freedom, and a cohesive, Zen-like theme. Upon arrival, we find all kinds of different topics and news bites to steal from the natives, however wrong it may be. And whatever’s leftover, well, we give thanks for it anyway, because it’s ours now and we feel guilty about taking it.
    Get it? This is our Thanksgiving show.
    Eric is Thankful for a certain famous Brit. Jeffrey, not so much. Nissan owners can be thankful that CVT warranties have been doubled. Meanwhile, we all give thanks that the Buick Regal will be getting a manual transmission for the hardcore enthusiasts. All that plus, our features this week: Blind Spot, In the Garage, Highway Hearsay and more!
    1 hr 11 min
  • RoAb #10 - The 'Identity Crisis' Episode
    As always we scoured the news of the past week, and again as always we ignored the serious, depressing stuff and aimed for levity. Perhaps we just want to close our eyes to the news of lay-offs and recall scandals so we can pretend the auto industry is still the chest-thumping, so-goes-the-auto-industry-so-goes-the-world behemoth it once was. So what if we have an Identity Crisis. Don't judge us!
    The Apple iMo design concept is an iPod that thinks it's a car. The new Mitsubishi Outlander is a CUV that thinks it's an EVO. And, if you check out Craig's List you'll find a Chevy S10 that thinks it's a rear-engine Cadillac. All that plus, our features this week: Blind Spot brings us a story of stupidity as only the Internet can, the new VW GTI is In the Garage, Craig has another Highway Hearsay and more!
    57 min
  • RoAb #9 - The 'Trying Too Hard' Episode
    So SEMA was this week, and as has become the tradition over time, we saw a lot of over-the-top, never-gonna-happen cars. It made us think, are these guys overcompensating for something? Hmm, I smell a theme ... Perhaps this episode will be all about trying too hard.
    As if to will away all bad associations, Chrysler creates a new Aston-Martin-esque logo. Meanwhile a Toyota Tacoma tries way too hard to be a middle-schooler's fantasy. Oh yeah, and two Trans-Am body kits are a little too eager to bring back the '80s. All that plus, our features this week: Blind Spot is all about creepy, fez-wearing old men, AutoGadget will ensure that you never lose your car in the parking lot again, Highway Hearsay is about new Chrysler product that's already out on the roads and more!
    1 hr 3 min
  • RoAb #8 - The 'Trick or Treat' Episode
    Ah, great All Hallows' Eve, wasn't it? What'd you get? Giant gummi snake with a blue raspberry-flavored foam center? A treat to be sure--unless you are allergic to blue raspberry artificial flavoring or you have an irrational fear of gummi-based reptiles. Or did you get a three-year-old, stale circus peanut? A trick--unless you are an 82-year-old man who also likes those candies wrapped in the foil wrappers made to look like a strawberry. But we digress. Trick or Treat?
    Woo-hoo! You're driving a custom Mustang! Boo! You learn that your bolt-in roll cage isn't worth the powder to blow it to hell. Guess what: the Audi S4 is better than you think--treat! Can a fancy luxury SUV actually scale uneven terrain, like say, two cars? Yes, trick. All that plus, our features this week: Blind Spot proves you have no one but your parents to blame for your driving ineptitude, a Halloween AutoGadget that will look super-sweet in your hearse, our favorite automotive horror stories in Highway Hearsay and more!
    1 hr 16 min