The Weekly Driver Podcast

Depreciation isn't often the top priority for car buyers, but it's particularly important for consumers who keep their cars for many years. The online automotive search engine iSeeCars.com recently released its survey of vehicles with the most and least depreciation.

The site analyzed more than 4.3 million new and used vehicles to identify models with the lowest and highest depreciation after five years.

The Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Limited shared top honors in the recent iSeeCars.com survey as the vehicles with the least depreciation after five years of ownership, tying with 27.3 percent.

Julie Blackley, communications manager for iSeecars.com, is our guest on episode #57 of TheWeeklyDriver podcast.

Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Blackley the trends of the survey's data, including result variance in different geographical areas of the country.

According to iSeeCars.com, sport utility vehicle and trucks retain the most value after five years of ownership. Electric vehicles and luxury sedans depreciate the most.

"While the average new vehicle loses 50.2 percent of its value after five years, some vehicles retain more of their value and depreciate less than average,” said iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly. “For consumers who buy new vehicles and sell them around the five-year mark, choosing a model that retains the most value is a smart economic decision.”

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Jeep Wrangler shared top honors, both with a depreciation of 27.3 percent after five years of ownership. The Nissan Leaf has the worst depreciation after five years of ownership, 71.7 percent.

The average depreciation among all major manufacturers after five years is 50.2 percent.

To read the complete list, visit iseecars.com.

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The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com.

Laura Adams knows as much as about distracted driving as anyone. But her knowledge isn’t from experiences as a driver or passenger. She’s as an analyst who studies statistics and is shocked at what the numbers reveal.

Adams, based in Austin, Texas, works for DriversEd.com. The online driving school and driving safety resource headquartered in Oakland recently released the results of its inaugural initiative detailing drivers’ habits.

Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Laura in the week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving “Is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system. It’s anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.”

DriversEd.com’s survey analyzed the results more than 1,400 survey respondents and detailed the behavior of drivers — from texting to drinking to YouTube to Snapchat viewing to using marijuana.

The results showed 73 percent of drivers admit to reading text messages driving and 54 percent admit to typing text messages while driving. About 39 percent of drivers said that while driving, they check and use their phone more often than they probably should.

“Some of what’s going on behind the wheel is old-fashioned,” said Adams. “But some of it is related to technology. The big takeaway for me is texting. We know people are texting. We see it all the time. Maybe we’re even doing it.

“But the numbers are pretty high and when we asked people if they thought they were using their phones more than they should and 39 percent said yes but they haven’t changed their behaviors.”

In addition to its availability on this website, the Weekly Driver Podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher and Podtail

All episodes of our podcasts are also archived on this website, TheWeeklyDriver.com.

We welcome your comments and episode suggestions. Please also consider forwarding episode links to family, friends and colleagues.

The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com.

Chris Warren, sales manager for Premier Financial Services in Florida, knows the vintage car market well. He works for the prominent national company that for more than 20 years has provided financing for previously owned exotic, vintage and luxury cars.

What Warren has observed is an increasing renaissance among purists who want to buy vehicles with manual transmissions.

New vehicles with manual transmissions are more difficult to purchase and are more desirable in vintage exotic cars.

Warren is our guest on Episode 55 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the automotive industry and the increasing lack of manual transmissions in new vehicles and the increasing importance of manual transmissions in collectible cars.

“It's interesting with the advent of clutchless transmissions and all of that in modern car times that purists are seeking a manual gearbox,” said Warren. “We find that the renaissance back to that and the love of it is something that fuels that classic market.”

Warren uses a family story as an example of the changing industry:

“My oldest nephew is now a junior in college, but when he was learning to drive, my sister made an effort to try and find a new car with a manual gearbox for him to learn to drive on,” said Warren. “That's what we learned to drive on back in the '60s.

“Those cars are just really hard to get. We see people who may be inclined to purchase a newer car, but because they have a specific love for a manual transmission, they move to the vintage market. If I were to close my eyes and think about cars I know that are current year model cars available with manual transmissions, I'd struggle to think that's it even four percent.”

Warren also relates the popular brands among his clients, Lamborghini, McLaren and Ferrari, are now all equipped with automatic clutches.

All episodes of our podcasts are also archived on this website, TheWeeklyDriver.com.We welcome your comments and episode suggestions. Please also consider forwarding episode links to family, friends and colleagues.

The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com.

Kerrie Kelly knows style. She owns a design company and works in a home office worthy of recognition in an upscale home decor magazine. Kelly also knows what style she likes in her automobiles. She and her husband own a BMW sedan, but it's a 1986 Chrysler Jeep Wagoneer she prefers to drive.

The Sacramento businesswoman, formerly employed by fashion mogul Ralph Lauren, is our guest on Episode #54 of The Weekly Driver Podcast.

Kerrie Kelly of Sacramento owns a BMW sedan with her husband. But she prefers driving a 1986 Jeep Wagoneer. Images © Bruce Aldrich/2018 and courtesy of Kerrie Kelly.

The deep navy blue paint complements the faux wood paneling

Kerrie Kelly owns a BMW sedan, but she prefers driving a 1986 Jeep Wagoneer. Images © Bruce Aldrich/2018 and courtesy of Kerrie Kelly.

The Jeep Wagoneer was the precursor the modern-day SUV

Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss Kelly's passion for her 32-year Jeep Wagoneer, and what she and her husband did to renovate the vehicle. We hear the story of how the couple bought the wagon and where they've driven it.

Introduced in 1962, the Jeep Wagoneer was marketed as the first luxury 4x4 station wagon by Jeep and several other automakers. It became the first sport utility vehicle when Jeep used the term for the 1974 Jeep Cherokee version.

With an almost unchanged body style for 29 years until its demise in 1991, the Jeep Wagoneer is the third longest-produced single generation car in U.S. automotive history.

"When I worked for Ralph Lauren Home Collection and is so many of the ads they used the navy blue Jeep Wagoneer with the back open, the dog the blanket," explains Kelly. "They used all of those design elements, and I've always been drawn to it."

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All episodes of our podcasts are also archived on this website, TheWeeklyDriver.com. We welcome your comments and episode suggestions.

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The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com.

Steve Povolny is head of the Advanced Threat Research Lab at McAfee in Hillsboro, Oregon. He's not a fearmonger, but he has concerns about the increasing dilemma of cyber attacks on vehicles.

Povolny, who uses the term "mobile attack space on wheels" to discuss the predicament, is our guest on episode #53 of The Weekly Driver Podcast.

Vehicle cyber attacks are an increasing concern.

Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the quickly evolving and potentially catastrophic phenomenon in a wide-ranging session. Povolny doesn't speak with a suggestion of an imminent driving apocalypse, but consider his opening remarks:

"In the last few years alone, we've seen a pretty significant move in the attack surface for vehicles. Pretty much every new vehicle that comes out on the market now for the last has some kind of 'smart' capabilities or features."

"And certainly many of them have a network component to them. If you're a Tesla owner, instead of your key, you use your key to remote start, or the unlock the doors and pretty much every other feature."

"What we have seen is that as more new vehicles come on to the market and they contain additional smart features and great pieces of technology, those do come with a pretty heavy security concern."

In addition to its availability on this website, the Weekly Driver Podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher and Podtail.

All episodes of our podcasts are also archived on this website, TheWeeklyDriver.com. We welcome your comments and episode suggestions. Please also consider forwarding episode links to family, friends and colleagues.

The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com.

Joey Hand is among the country's most versatile race car drivers. He's competed as a solo driver on more than a half-dozen series through the years, the American LeMans Series to Formula BMW and Toyota Atlantic to Star Mazda.

Like his father, Hand began his career in kart racing. Hand's son is now the family's third generation in racing and is also involved in kart racing.

Sacramento race car driver Joey Hand will compete Sept. 7-9 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Hand, 39, from Sacramento, currently a Ford Factory driver, is our guest on Episode 52 of The Weekly Driver Podcast.

Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Hand his versatile victories in the 24-Hour of LeMans, Rolex 24 at Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. We also discuss Hand's current successful season and the season-ending finale.

In what he describes as his home race course, Hand will race Sept. 7-9 in the IMSA Weather Tech SportsCar Championship series at Laguna Seca Raceway in Salinas. He’s currently in third place in the standings.

When he's not competing, Hand’s supports his son Chase (age 11) when he races throughout the West Coast.

Joey Hand is also an Internet phenomenon. A video showing his car crash and repeated flips during a 2006 race in Lexington, Kentucky, is viral. It’s often referenced when Hand, who suffered no major injuries in the crash, meets fans at races.

Hand also discusses raising his son during the podcast episode, details participating at the highest levels of racing and discusses endurance racing when a vehicle has multiple drivers.

In addition to its availability on this website, the Weekly Driver Podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher and Podtail

All episodes of our podcasts are also archived on this website, TheWeeklyDriver.com.

We welcome your comments and episode suggestions. Please also consider forwarding episode links to family, friends and colleagues.

The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com.

The Weekly Driver Podcast gets support from www.offtrack.net

Vendors at the yearly Outdoor Retailer Show do an impressive job of attracting customers. But none of the companies had a better presentation than Helinox. It used a 1976 restored VW van.

Helinox, which makes efficient compact lawnchairs, cots, umbrellas and other outdoor equipment used a VW restored by John Buschmann in his business called Urabus. The name is Subaru spelled in reverse, and Buschman is adapt using Subaru engines in vintage VWs.

A 1976 Volkswagen Bus was used as part of the display for Helinox during Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver. Image © James Raia/2018

Buschmann is our guest on Episode 51 of the Weekly Driver Podcast. Buschmann joins us from his shop Englewood, Colorado. He discusses his long interest in Volkswagen and why Subaru engines are an ideal fit for vintage vans. And he tells us about the process of converting and restoring vintage vehicles.

Beyond Volkswagen, Buschmann is busy with a variety restorations: A 1969 Dodge A100, 1973 VW Beetle, 1970 Red VW camper, 1976 VW Green Bubble Top and a 1962 Tan VW Vanagon.

Urabus currently has for sale: a 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel, 1977 Green Volkswagen Bus, 1969 Karmann Ghia, 1982 Burnt Orange Vanagon and a PGSG Adventure Bus

As described in the company’s website, www.urabus.net. The company’s motto: “Go Forth. Your Adventure Awaits."

In addition to its availability on this website, the Weekly Driver Podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher and Podtail

All episodes of our podcasts are also archived on this website, TheWeeklyDriver.com.

We welcome your comments and episode suggestions. Please also consider forwarding episode links to family, friends and colleagues.

The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com.

The Weekly Driver Podcast gets support from automotive/pop cuture podcast Off Track

Car auctions are a significant component of Classic Car Week, attainable vehicles to one-of-a-kind rarities. Every auction house has its own style, and many auction attendees are veteran bidders with years of experience.

Still, a refresher course for experienced car auction buyers and an introduction to proper bidding etiquette for new auction enthusiasts is a good thing.

A Rolls-Royce on the auction block at the 2017 Mecum Auction during the 2017 Classic Car Week on the Monterey Peninsula. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2017

Chris Warren of Premier Financial Services, a leading provider of lease financing for exotic, vintage and luxury cars, is our guest Episode 50 of The Weekly Driver Podcast.

Bruce Aldrich and I have a lively discussion with Warren about proper etiquette and the ins-and-outs of car auctions.

Classic Car Week includes six major auctions beginning Tuesday, Aug. 21. A vast selection of the world's finest and most expensive exotic and vintage cars, rare motorcycles and muscle cars and many attainable vehicles will be auctioned.

Here are a few of the topics discussed to during the podcast:

• Don't Jump in the Pool Right Away – Attend one or two auctions strictly as an observer, to gain a first-hand understanding of how they work. Pay attention to how serious buyers conduct themselves and the bidding tactics they use.

• Get Pre-approval Before You Show Up – At many auctions, you'll need to apply for credentials to participate in the bidding. The auction company will likely review your financial situation. If you plan to finance or lease the car you purchase, you should obtain pre-approval from a firm that specializes in exotic and vintage cars.

• Don't Follow the Herd – Bid on a vehicle that you really want to own and drive, not just because there's a lot of buzz or interest in a particular car.

In addition to its availability on this website, the Weekly Driver Podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher and Podtail

All episodes of our podcasts are also archived on this website, TheWeeklyDriver.com.

We welcome your comments and episode suggestions. Please also consider forwarding episode links to family, friends and colleagues.

The Weekly Driver Podcast gets support from www.americanmuscle.com.

Leo Sens is an outgoing 12-year-old boy with lots of interests. He's a musician and photographer. He likes automobiles, and he’s comfortable giving his opinion as a car reviewer.

When his parents were shopping for a new car, Sens was in the back seat. Visiting car dealerships to purchase a vehicle isn’t often anyone’s favorite thing to do. But the younger Sens, who lives with an older sister and his parents in Oakland, California, was into it.

A 2017 Audi A3 e-tron similar to the car reviewed by 12-year-old Leo Sens of Oakland, California.

While his parents were in the front seat, he thought they needed the perspective of someone sitting in the back seat, a 12-year-old car reviewer. Thus, Backseat Driver, comprised of two YouTube videos, was born.

Backseat Driver isn’t a novel name, but it likely is unique as the name of the auto reviews created by a grade school boy.

Leo Sens is our guest on Episode 49 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich was on assignment, so I interviewed Leo while he was with his family in a rental car and driving near Washington, D.C. We discussed his favorite cars, the pros and cons of the car his parents purchased and the making of his YouTube videos.

Josh Sens, Leo’s father, is a restaurant critic for San Francisco Magazine and a writer for Golf Magazine. I met Josh for the first time last month during a media day in advance of the U.S. Amateur Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course on the Monterey Peninsula.

Says the elder Sens about his son, the car reviewer:

“The idea came about when my wife and I were looking for a new car. We test drove a bunch with him in the back seat and he was very opinionated about them all. He kept saying that parents don’t think about how cars drive for their kids.

“He’s only done a couple of episodes but has written directed and edited them himself. He wants to do more but is also busy with guitar and a million things that kids waste time on.”

Leo reiterated his father's thoughts. He said he plans to do additional car reviews when he has more time. Here’s his review of his parents’ car, a 2017 Audi A3 e-Tron.

We welcome your comments and episode suggestions. Please also consider forwarding episode links to family, friends and colleagues.

In addition to its availability on this website, the Weekly Driver Podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher and Podtail

All episodes of our podcasts are also archived on this website, TheWeeklyDriver.com.

The Weekly Driver Podcast gets support from www.americanmuscle.com.

Classic Car Week, the all-encompassing presentation on the Monterey Peninsula of all things automotive, including vintage cars, revitalizes itself yearly. Many auction and collection names remain the same. But newcomers, including Heather and Rob Gardner, help the collective refresh.

The Gardners, who live in Carmel Valley, don't host a rally, auction or concours. But they could.

A Mercedes-Benz limousine is among the vintage cars available for rent from Monterey Touring Vehicles. Image courtesy of Robbie McCay.

Instead, the couple will experience their first year of the nearly two-week gathering as owners of Monterey Touring Vehicles (montereytouringvehicles.com). Rob, a physician, and Heather, a research scientist, recently decided their fleet of 36 vintage cars is best served when driven.

Heather Gardner is our guest on Episode 48 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I discuss how Monterey Touring Vehicles began as well as the vintage cars the couple rents.

The Gardner's collection is varied — muscle cars to kit cars and classic convertibles to an 81-year-old Mercedes limousine. The business has a new 10,000-square-foot location in Monterey so potential customers can view the fleet.

Interest is expected to be strong during Classic Car Week, Aug. 17-26. And while Monterey Touring Rentals isn’t officially hosting an event, it's a sponsor of the Prancing Ponies Car Show (Aug. 22) and Legends of Auto Gala Dinner (Aug. 23).

A 1965 Ford Mustang GT and 1965 Ford Shelby Cobra replica have been the most requested rentals.

In addition to its availability on this website, the Weekly Driver Podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher and Podtail

All episodes of our podcasts are also archived on this website, TheWeeklyDriver.com.We welcome your comments and episode suggestions. Please also consider forwarding episode links to family, friends and colleagues.

The Weekly Driver Podcast gets support from www.americanmuscle.com.