The Weekly Driver Podcast

Perhaps the most competitive price point in the car industry is the available of quality cars — sedans, sports cars, sport utility vehicles and crossovers — for less than $25,000. It's particularly impressive since the average price of a new car in the United States in recent years has hovered around $32,000.

Competition is increasingly intense. Whether you're considering a luxury vehicle or a moderately priced car, there's an abundance of choices as carmakers try to outdo each other.

The 2017 Toyota Camry is among the best cars for less than $25,000.

In Episode 5 of The Weekly Driver Podcast, co-hosts James Raia and Bruce Aldrich share our respective lists of vehicles we like, all for less than $25,000.

Bruce is particularly fond of the 2017 Toyota Camry for its overall styling, driving and fuel efficiency. James is equally impressed with the Honda Civic Hatchback. Its overall quality, cargo area and resale value is hard to beat.

Bruce and James also reveal short lists of vehicles also with price tags of less than $25,000 they can't recommend.

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Automotive legend Enzo Ferrari began his legacy under the brand name Auto Avio Costruzioni in 1940. Seven years later, the Ferrari brand debuted with the 125S with a 1.5-liter V12 engine.

The exotic Italian supercar with its famous black prancing horse, yellow background and Italian flag logo forever changed the automotive industry.

1962 Ferrari GTE 2x2

Bill Finkbeiner, a landscape contractor and car collector in Auburn, California, has owned a Ferrari for nearly 40 years. He's our guest on Episode 4 of The Weekly Driver podcast.

Finkbeiner purchased a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2x2 on Feb. 18, 1979, Enzo Ferrari's 80th birthday. It was the first mass-produced four-seat Ferrari.

The Weekly Driver Podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich (tahoetruckeeoutdoor.com) and James Raia (theweeklydriver.com) talk with Bill about his ownership of his rare and underappreciated sports car. We also discuss with Bill his knowledge of the iconic brand and its vast global appeal.

Enduring through ownership changes, enormous success in Formula One racing and unmatched status at vintage car auctions, Ferrari is considered the most influential carmaker. It’s involved in nearly every avenue of high-end racing and exotic consumer cars.

Ferrari brand merchandise is a world phenomenon. Retail Ferrari stores are located 29 countries, Azerbaijan to Ukraine and Kuwait to three locations in the United States — Los Angeles, Miami and New York.

Ferrari currently manufacturers about a dozen vehicles, including the 488 GTB, 488 Spider, California T and other legendary models. While sales haven’t increased every year since 2000, the brand’s overall popularity has impressively improved. Ferrari sold 4,070 units in 2000 and 7,664 in 2015.

Ferrari celebrated its 70th anniversary in August with the renowned brand featured in many events through the Monterey Peninsula during Monterey Auto Week.

The Weekly Driver Podcast welcomes your comments. Email: co-host [email protected], automotive columnist for Bay Area News Group and Gulfshore Business in Naples, Florida and the editor and publisher of TheWeeklyDriver.com.

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The 2000 Toyota Prius was the first nationally available hybrid vehicle in the United States. A few months earlier, Honda introduced the Insight, the so-called "Peanut Car." But it's never made much of an impact in its original edition or the current generation that debuted in recent years.

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But in the nearly 18 years since alternative fuel vehicles — gas/electric, electric only, natural gas, etc. — have been manufactured, has the technology made a difference? Environmental and green car advocates are likely to say "yes." And every major manufacturer has at least one alternative fuel vehicle in its lineup.

The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Hybrid: Dominated by a sharp-angled exterior design. It averaged 58.2 mpg during a 10-day, 1,600-mile test drive. Image © James Raia/2017

BMW to Mitsubishi and Ford to Lexus, manufacturers promote hybrid and other alternative fuel vehicles with enthusiastic marketing plans. Even Cadillac had a hybrid Escalade trim for a few years.  It's the massive SUV the size of a small apartment and its hybrid edition had EPA mileage estimates of 20 mpg in city driving and 23 mpg on the highway. Few were sold and production stopped in 2013.

But there are interesting and impressive hybrids on the marketplace, although neither has changed the automotive landscape to any significant degree.

A few months ago, The Weekly Driver reviewed the 2017 Lincoln MKZ. It's the first sedan I've driven with the same price for the gas and hybrid models, about $36,000. The vehicles' hybrid model has an EPA estimate of 41 mpg in city driving and 38 on the highway. It will be on my top-10 cars of the year list in December.

Last May, I drove the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime round-trip during the Tour of California bike race. I covered 1,600 miles in 10 days and averaged 58.2 mpg. It's a hybrid I'd recommend without reservation.

Tesla, the high-performance all-electric car, has attracted a lot of attention. But until its affordable model is readily available, Telsa is still a novelty car for elitists. And then there's the new Chevy Bolt, the spacious sedan with a 238-mile range. Will it make a difference in consumers' buying habits?

So far, the general public hasn't adapted to "green car" technology, with only about 3 percent of new cars sold annually classified as alternative fuel vehicles.

Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich (www.tahoetruckeoutdoor.com) and James Raia (www.theweeklydriver.com) discuss alternative fuel vehicles on this episode of The Weeekly Driver Podcast. We welcome your comments. Contact the podcast via email, [email protected].

Every family has cars, some long gone, some inherited by children or found in grandpa's garage decades later. A vehicle's pedigree is at least half the fun when discussing family cars. It could be something rare or a just a favorite old station wagon the family took on a trip when you were a child.

The Weekly Driver Podcast, Episode 2 - Cars We've Owned

In episode 2 of The Weekly Driver podcast, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss our first cars and other vehicles we've owned through the years. We also discuss our families’ cars, old Volkswagen models to Ford Falcons, tough old Buick sedans to a few “lemons" we've owned and wouldn't mind owning again, just for nostalgia.

Bruce Aldrich, co-host of The Weekly Driver Podcast, drove across the United States with his mother and father and two sisters in a 1958 Volkswagen Van.

My first vehicle was a 1962 Volkswagen Bug. I purchased it from close family friends in 1972 for $500. It was the only vehicle I ever worked on. Old Volkswagens were simple machines, and I learned how to change the oil and spark plugs. I knew how to adjust the valves, and I kept the car pristine.

Bruce’s family drove across the United States from California to the New York World’s Fair in a 1958 Volkswagen Van. His father also bought a 1959 VW Bug new. Bruce inherited the car, restored it and still drives it on occasion. My mother, grandmother and I drove from San Francisco to visit my sister in college in Riverside, California in a 1973 Volvo 144 sedan. It was heavy and slow, but it was safe, even with an 18-year-old-driver (me) who thought he knew everything behind the wheel.

We hope you enjoy the episode and we encourage and appreciate your comments. Cheers, James and Bruce. Email contact: [email protected].

Every family has had cars, some long gone, some inherited by children or found in grandpa's garage decades later. A vehicle's pedigree is at least half the fun of discussing family cars. It could be something rare or a just a favorite old station wagon the family took on trips when you were a child. The memories remain throughout our lives. We discuss our first cars and other vehicles we've owned through the years. We also discuss our families’ cars, old Volkswagen models to Ford Falcons, tough old Buick sedans to a few "lemons" we've owned and wouldn't mind owning again.

Welcome to the debut of The Weekly Driver podcast. Co-hosted by James Raia and Bruce Aldrich, the weekly podcast is an extension of the website, theweeklydriver.com The latter has been published since 2004 and features new car reviews and articles on automotive trends. In Episode 1, we discuss visiting four events we attended during Monterey Auto Week. We were hosted by Lisa Guthrie at The Santa Lucia Preserve and attended a private event she began seven years ago called the Concours & Cocktails.

A recall and a stop-sale order has been issued for the Honda Odyssey minivan for two separate issues by American Honda. The recall affects 641,302 vehicles built between Aug. 17, 2010 and Oct. 24, 2016.

The majority of the recall, covering 633,753 minivans built between Aug. 17, 2010 and Oct. 1, 2015, involves a faulty seat mechanism.

The 2016 Honda Odyssey has automatic sliding side doors. Image © James Raia/2016

In a statement, the automaker said one of the recalls involves a mechanism that “allows the outboard second row seats to tilt and slide forward for access to the third row seating area may not properly lock the seat into place when the seat is returned to its normal position,” which increases the risk of injury to passengers seated in the second row.

The 2016 Honda Odyssey was selected on the 10th annual TheWeeklyDriver.com’s best cars of the year list. The Honda Odyssey was also chosen on the end-of-the-year list by the website in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

No crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of the issue, Honda reported. The issue was discovered through warranty claims.

Dealerships will install additional brackets and springs to both second row outboard seats. Honda said that the necessary parts will not be available until spring 2017 because of the large volume of new parts needed.

Honda will begin notifying affected Odyssey owners in mid-February and again when parts become available.

The automaker said that until the repair has been made, owners should “slide the seat into the desired position and manually lock the seat into a fixed position by pushing down on the horizontal position adjustment bar.”

Separately, a noncompliance recall was issued for certain 2016 Odysseys. It covers 7,549 Odysseys built between Sept. 23, 2016, and Oct. 24, 2016.

In this recall, Honda said, the latch mechanism that allows the second-row center seat to slide forward and rearward “may not properly lock the seat into place when the seat adjustment handle is released, increasing the risk of injury to passengers seated in the second row.”

The automaker will begin notifying affected Odyssey owners in late January.Honda dealerships will inspect the latch mechanism and adjust it to ensure proper operation, if needed, the automaker said.

The issue was discovered during internal quality checks and no crashes or injuries have been reported because of it, Honda said.

The Odyssey’s U.S. sales fell 4.7 percent to 110,435 vehicles during the first 11 months of 2016.

Is there a recall on Honda 2016 odyssey sliding door?

The Honda Odyssey, a popular minivan choice for families, has been plagued by a series of recalls over the past decade. While this article highlights a significant recall affecting 641,302 Odyssey vehicles, subsequent developments have expanded the scope of concerns for owners.

Initially, the recall focused on a faulty seat mechanism in the second-row outboard seats, potentially compromising passenger safety. However, as time progressed, attention shifted to a more persistent issue: the minivan's sliding doors.

In August 2020, Honda announced a recall of over 324,000 Odyssey minivans from the 2018-2020 model years. The problem centered on the power sliding doors, where water infiltration into the outer door handle cables could lead to freezing in cold temperatures. This malfunction posed a significant risk, as it could cause the doors to open while the vehicle was in motion.

This wasn't an isolated incident. In November 2018, Honda had already recalled more than 100,000 Odysseys from the 2018-2019 model years due to problems with rear latch assemblies on the power sliding doors.While the 2016 model year Odyssey hasn't been specifically targeted for sliding door recalls as of January 2025, owners should remain vigilant. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued multiple recalls for 2016 Odysseys, addressing issues with seats, fuel systems, and airbags.

The recurring nature of these problems across multiple model years suggests a systemic issue with the Odyssey's sliding door design. Owners have reported intermittent problems, particularly in extreme temperatures, which have proven challenging for dealerships to diagnose and repair effectively.

As the situation continues to evolve, Honda Odyssey owners are advised to stay informed about potential recalls and promptly address any concerns with their vehicles. Regular checks for recall notices and maintaining open communication with local Honda dealerships are crucial steps in ensuring the safety and reliability of these family-oriented vehicles.

What steps should owners take if their Honda Odyssey is affected by the recall?

Check Your Vehicle's Recall Status

Locate your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You can find it on the driver's side door frame, the bottom corner of the windshield on the driver's side, or on your vehicle registration card.

Visit Honda's official recall website (www.recalls.honda.com) and enter your VIN to check if your Odyssey is subject to any open recalls.

Contact Your Honda Dealer

If your vehicle is affected, contact an authorized Honda dealer to schedule a free repair appointment.

When scheduling, be prepared to leave your vehicle at the dealership for at least half a day, as some repairs may take several hours.

Get the Recall Repair Completed

Bring your vehicle to the dealership at the scheduled time. The recall repair will be performed free of charge.

After the repair, the dealer should provide you with a Vehicle Emission Recall – Proof of Correction certificate. Keep this for your records, especially if you live in California, as you may need it for vehicle registration.

Follow Up if Necessary

If you're not satisfied with the service received from your Honda dealer, you can contact Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009.

If you previously paid for a repair related to the recall issue, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Contact Honda customer service or your dealer for information on the reimbursement process.

Stay Informed

Keep your contact information up to date with Honda to ensure you receive future recall notices.

If you have any questions about the recall or the repair process, don't hesitate to contact Honda's recall information line at 1-888-234-2138.

Remember, addressing recall issues promptly is crucial for your safety and the proper functioning of your vehicle. Even if you've had a previous repair for the same issue, you may need to have it done again with updated parts.

Use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Website

Visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls

Use their VIN lookup tool to check for any open recalls on your vehicle.

Winter driving means different potential problems to different drivers in different parts of the country. But many commonsense practices remain universal, whether you’re driving in the snow in the Sierra Nevada or in strong winds and torrential rain in Florida.

Most importantly, if you drive in winter weather, make sure to use your vehicle's headlights — even during daylight hours. During bright day days, precipitation can add to the difficulty of seeing other vehicles on the road.

It also means other drivers will have difficulty viewing your car or truck. During these situations, using headlights helps drivers see other vehicles.

Be careful about using your high beams, as they could reflect off the snow, making it difficult for other drivers to see. It also increases the possibility of accidents, which means you'll likely need the services of a good car accident lawyer. Use your headlights to make it easier for people to spot you.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has a downloadable pamphlet for best winter driving practices and it also offers a comprehensive top-10 tips list:

1. Before starting out, remove snow from the entire car so it doesn't blow onto your windshield or the windshields of other drivers. Make sure your mirrors and lights are clean as well.

2. Don't use cruise control in precipitation and freezing temperatures.

3. Remember that four-wheel drive helps you to get going quicker, but it won't help you stop any faster.

4. Familiarize yourself with your vehicle's braking system. Drivers with anti-lock brakes should apply firm, constant pressure while those without may need to pump the pedal in order to avoid loss of traction while stopping.

Winter driving requires best safety practices.

5. Always drive at a speed that matches the prevailing visibility, traffic and road conditions - even if that means driving below the posted speed limit.

6. Compensate for reduced traction by increasing your following distances (normally three to four seconds) to eight to ten seconds.

7. Allow sufficient room for maintenance vehicles and plows, stay at least 15 car lengths (200 feet) back and, if you need to pass, go to the other vehicle's left.

8. Watch for icy surfaces on bridges and intersections, even if the rest of the road seems to be in good condition.

9. If you get stuck in the snow, straighten the wheel and accelerate slowly. Add sand or cat litter under the drive wheels to help avoid spinning the tires.

10. If your tires lose traction, continue to look and steer in the direction you want to go. If the drive wheels start to spin or slide while going up a hill, ease off the accelerator slightly and then gently resume speed.

Additional winter weather driving tips are available in AAA's How to Go on Ice and Snow booklet, which can be downloaded HERE.

Content provided by The Weekly Driver News Service and additional news sources.

Elio Motors, the Arizona-based experimental vehicle maker whose three-wheel, futuristic-looking prototypes have generated polarizing interest, will introduce its fifth generation vehicle at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.

The vehicle's CAD renderings detail a similar but update version of the car's previous concepts. The company, building what it's touting as the cheapest car in the United States in a former General Motors plant in Shreveport, Louisiana, has collected different levels of reservation deposits online for several years.

But Elio Motors and its founder, Paul Elio, have suffered many setbacks and have changed public delivery dates several times. The Elio project has been as controversial as an in the auto industry, with the exception of the the current Volkswagen diesel scandal.

The latest edition of the vehicle, called the P5, has many of the same features as the previous concepts. The front wheels are completely enclosed in order to reduce drag and a narrow, highly-aerodynamic body. The cockpit seats two and there's a comprehensive list of equipment that includes power locks and windows, cup holders, parking sensors, and a USB port. There's A rear-view camera but no rear window.

The Elio Motors' three-wheel concept vehicle will be displayed at the Los Angeles Auto Show

Power for the P5 is provided by a 0.9-liter three-cylinder gasoline-burning engine developed specifically for Elio Motors by Germany-based IAV Automotive Engineering.

Full technical details haven't been published yet, but the startup predicts its first car is capable of returning about 84 mpg on the highway thanks in part to an ultra-low weight. The P5 accelerates to 60 mph from a stop in 9.6 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 100 mph. It's predicted to get 84 mph and is marketed as having a price of $6,800.

The current public relations material from Elio details the car will be available to the pubic in late 2016.

However, the Elio Motors project has attracted plenty of detractors. The announcement of the appearance of the vehicle at the L.A. Auto Show on the website, leftlanenews.com, for example, drew wide-ranging pans.

The Los Angeles Auto Show will be held Nov. 20-29 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

To read more about the Elio Motors participation at the L.A. Auto Show and a strong sample of the public's opinion about the car visit: LEFTLANENEWS/ELIO

The Toyota Prius C, the fourth model in the Prius family, is the shortest, narrowest, lightest and thus most fuel efficient of the hugely successful carmaker's hybrid lineup.

The gasoline engine in the Prius has been reduced from 1.8 liters of displacement in the original Prius to 1.5 liters, and its dual electric motors are also smaller.

Combined, there's only 99 horsepower in the Prius C, while the original Prius has 135 horsepower. The C in the Prius C, according to Toyota, translates to "city," and it's being promoted as a new urban option with superior economy. It makes a lot of sense as fuel prices continue to rise and lower purchase prices in cars continue to attract more buyers.

As such, the Prius C is overtly appealing. Gas mileage averages are 53 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined. The Prius C sticker price begins at about $19,000, about $4,000 less than its oldest sibling. And the gas mileages in the city and highway averages are high than the original Prius.

Not surprisingly, reviews of the Prius C have been positive. Here are snippets from three reviews and links to the full reviews.

David Thomas/Cars.com

"In terms of driving performance, the Prius c is about as exciting as you might predict, which is not very. But compare it with traditional high-mileage subcompacts like the Hyundai Accent and Ford Fiesta, and it gives up little ground, despite its sub-100-hp rating. Toyota said it can reach 60 mph in 11.5 seconds, but the car seemed faster merging onto the highway."

"During a number of driving routes of between 20 and 50 miles apiece, the worst mileage my driving partner and I returned was 46.6 mpg, while the best was 54.4 mpg. The tests were done in hilly California in optimal 60-degree weather. While coasting downhill, you can shift the Prius c into a B mode for aggressive brake regeneration to fill the hybrid battery to its maximum level."

Full review: Toyota Prius C

John Heilig/AutoChnnel.com

"There are some features of the Prius c that make it more attractive than the original. For example, the battery pack is now located under the rear seat, making it possible to make the rear seat backs fold to increase trunk cargo capacity."

"The rear seats themselves are tight. Toyota's claim that the Prius c is a five-seater is very optimistic. The revised battery location also lowers the center of gravity, which contributes to better handling. Even with a fairly conventional MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear, handling is very good. I wouldn't put it in the sports car class, but if you're in a city and you have to duke it out with taxi cabs, it's nice to know you have a car that can hold its own."

Full Review: Toyota Prius

Edmunds.com

"It's worth noting that this is little different from the regular Prius liftback's 51/48/50 mpg rating. However, the C's sticker price starts in the $19,000 range . . . And for this outlay you still get a fairly roomy interior, decent utility and improved driving dynamics."

"On the downside, the Prius C isn't quite as refined. The ride quality is a bit harsh at times, for instance, and the interior has an overabundance of hard plastics, giving the C a definite economy-car feel. But overall we think the 2012 Toyota Prius C's strengths outweigh its weaknesses. It handily beats its closest competitors in terms of price, it's ahead of the Honda CR-Z and Insight in terms of fuel economy, and it has a nice price advantage over the regular Prius."

Full Review: Toyota Prius C

Facts & Figures: 2012 Toyota Prius C

SpecificationDetailsEngine4-cylinder, 1.5LTransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)DrivetrainFront-Wheel DriveFuel Economy53 city / 46 hwy / 50 combined mpgFuel TypeRegular Gasoline