Latest / In Wheel Time Podcast / Seat Belt Recalls, Surprise Auction Prices, And A Fresh Look At The 2026 Lexus IS350 F Sport

Transcript

Seat Belt Recalls, Surprise Auction Prices, And A Fresh Look At The 2026 Lexus IS350 F Sport · In Wheel Time Podcast

• 0:06
  Don Armstrong: And welcome to the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show just ahead.
• 0:09
  Don Armstrong: This week's recalls and our Hemings.
• 0:13
  Don Armstrong: How much did the auction car sell for?
• 0:16
  Don Armstrong: Give us your guess.
• 0:18
  Don Armstrong: 17.
• 0:19
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, it's too early.
• 0:21
  Don Armstrong: It's a little bit too early for that.
• 0:23
  Don Armstrong: But you're in the ballpark.
• 0:25
  Don Armstrong: Not.
• 0:27
  Don Armstrong: Jeff has the racing calendar.
• 0:28
  Don Armstrong: We'll have this week in auto history, and I'll have some stories making automotive news headlines this week, all coming up in this segment of the In Real Time Car Talk Show.
• 0:35
  Don Armstrong: Howdy, along with Mike out of this world, Mars, we always need more Jeff Zeke.
• 0:39
  Don Armstrong: David Ainsley is listening to every word I'm saying.
• 0:42
  Don Armstrong: And I'm sure as soon as the show is over, he'll call me and say, Don, why did you do that?
• 0:46
  Don Armstrong: Is he writing it down?
• 0:48
  Don Armstrong: Probably.
• 0:48
  Don Armstrong: He doesn't have to.
• 0:49
  Don Armstrong: He can still remember it.
• 0:51
  Mike Marrs: All of it.
• 0:52
  Mike Marrs: Yeah, he said he doesn't take off only on days that end in Y.
• 0:58
  Mike Marrs: There's that.
• 0:59
  Don Armstrong: He is listening.
• 1:00
  Don Armstrong: All right, so let's do some recalls, shall we?
• 1:03
  Don Armstrong: This one kind of a surprise, but it's not that big of a deal, I don't think.
• 1:06
  Don Armstrong: Give us the initial of the car company and we'll tell you.
• 1:10
  Don Armstrong: Well, um, it would be st-l-a-m.mi.
• 1:17
  Don Armstrong: Stilantis manufacturing?
• 1:19
  Don Armstrong: I think that you're pretty close.
• 1:21
  Don Armstrong: All right.
• 1:21
  Don Armstrong: Uh they said Friday it is going to recall 1.5 million 1,500 RAM pickup trucks worldwide over a seat belt issue.
• 1:30
  Don Armstrong: Recall covers 2019 to 2026 RAM 1500 vehicles that may have been built with a second row center or second row driver seat belt buckle anchor that was not properly attached to the vehicle body.
• 1:43
  Don Armstrong: Wow.
• 1:44
  Don Armstrong: And I'm going to ask you to repeat what I just said.
• 1:48
  Jeff Dziekan: It's either the front seat belt or it's in the back seat third row, unable to attach it.
• 1:53
  Don Armstrong: Well, there is no third row in a pickup truck that I'm aware of.
• 1:56
  Don Armstrong: There, it's the reason why it doesn't work.
• 1:57
  Don Armstrong: I see.
• 1:58
  Don Armstrong: So elsewhere in recalls this week, steel wheels may crack and separate in the Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Wrangler for 2026.
• 2:08
  Don Armstrong: Oops, I missed that weld.
• 2:09
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 2:10
  Jeff Dziekan: Yeah.
• 2:10
  Jeff Dziekan: I saw a Jeep uh Cherokee, I guess it was, and it was rumbling.
• 2:15
  Jeff Dziekan: It had dual exhaust.
• 2:16
  Jeff Dziekan: It was, I think it had a the big motor in it.
• 2:18
  Jeff Dziekan: No problem.
• 2:18
  Jeff Dziekan: It's fairly new.
• 2:20
  Don Armstrong: Winter may damage the rear view camera, and it is being recalled by Land Rover, and it is the discovery model for 21 to 25.
• 2:29
  Don Armstrong: We need to worry about that.
• 2:31
  Don Armstrong: Water damage rear view camera.
• 2:33
  Don Armstrong: And lastly, but not uh completely, is the engine compartment fire that has been noticed by the Ford Motor Company, 21 to 26, Ford Broncos.
• 2:45
  unknown: Oh boy.
• 2:46
  Don Armstrong: So we don't want to have an engine compartment fire.
• 2:48
  Don Armstrong: And if it's those, even though it doesn't say, I think I'd park it outside for the city.
• 2:52
  Jeff Dziekan: We parked next to a Bronco at the restaurant last night.
• 2:54
  Jeff Dziekan: It was a nice vehicle.
• 2:55
  Jeff Dziekan: It was all lifted, big tires, very shiny.
• 2:57
  Jeff Dziekan: Man, they're expensive.
• 2:58
  Jeff Dziekan: Yeah.
• 2:58
  Jeff Dziekan: Wow.
• 2:59
  Don Armstrong: Okay.
• 2:59
  Don Armstrong: Time now for uh our sold car roundup game.
• 3:03
  Don Armstrong: If you'd like, you're more than welcome to play.
• 3:05
  Don Armstrong: What is the uh address to get in to play the game, Mike?
• 3:09
  Mike Marrs: Actually, you can go to uh either YouTube or Facebook, the chat, and we can pick it up through there.
• 3:15
  Don Armstrong: Okay, we'll do that.
• 3:16
  Don Armstrong: Because we usually have uh George uh joins us, and uh Jeff Heitzmann joins us, and the uh Lusk family joins us, so you can join us too and play along.
• 3:28
  Jeff Dziekan: So Mr.
• 3:28
  Jeff Dziekan: Ainsley might be uh and maybe Ainsley if he's still listening.
• 3:32
  Don Armstrong: He probably fell back asleep.
• 3:33
  Mike Marrs: I haven't seen Jeff today, but uh he may be out there.
• 3:36
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, okay.
• 3:37
  Don Armstrong: So here we go a 1964 Buick Wildcat convertible.
• 3:44
  Jeff Dziekan: Oh, priceless.
• 3:46
  Don Armstrong: You cannot fit that in your garage.
• 3:48
  Don Armstrong: I don't care what I would love to have.
• 3:52
  Jeff Dziekan: Knock walls down, huh?
• 3:53
  Jeff Dziekan: I'd knock a wall down to park.
• 3:55
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, exactly.
• 3:56
  Don Armstrong: Uh, but uh great big V8 motor in it, and uh this is a fun car.
• 4:02
  Don Armstrong: I that this would be a car to take on the hot rod tour of Texas.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_01: I'm going to say$15,000.
• 4:10
  Don Armstrong: $15,000.
• 4:12
  Don Armstrong: I'm not.
• 4:12
  Don Armstrong: Okay.
• 4:12
  Don Armstrong: I just said$15,000.
• 4:14
  Don Armstrong: That's all.
• 4:14
  Don Armstrong: Karnak the Great is not going to give it away.
• 4:16
  Don Armstrong: Jeff Heitzman is here, and he guessed$40,000 is what it's sold for.
• 4:22
  Don Armstrong: What is your guess?
• 4:23
  Don Armstrong: Uh the Lusk family says$27,000.
• 4:28
  Don Armstrong: Okay.
• 4:29
  Don Armstrong: And of course, George says$16,999 and 95 cents.
• 4:36
  Don Armstrong: Well, you know, it is the Lusk family.
• 4:38
  Don Armstrong: So, and this I would consider a family vehicle.
• 4:41
  Don Armstrong: I would too.
• 4:41
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, because there's two in the front.
• 4:43
  Don Armstrong: You might be able to squeeze three in there.
• 4:48
  Mike Marrs: You could push three into the backseat easy.
• 4:50
  Jeff Dziekan: Even though it's a family vehicle.
• 4:51
  Don Armstrong: Three.
• 4:52
  Mike Marrs: I'm the only one driving it.
• 4:53
  Jeff Dziekan: Nobody else.
• 4:54
  Don Armstrong: You you could you could put the you know the entire nine children's in the back seat.
• 4:58
  Don Armstrong: In the trunk.
• 4:59
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 5:00
  Don Armstrong: It sold for 21,000 vehicles, uh,$21,000.
• 5:03
  Don Armstrong: So the lost family wins that bidding episode.
• 5:06
  Don Armstrong: Next up, a 1972 Volvo 1800.
• 5:12
  Don Armstrong: Now, my fifth grade teacher, Mrs.
• 5:16
  Don Armstrong: Rogers, had the earlier version of this.
• 5:19
  Don Armstrong: I just think this is one of the coolest looking vehicles anywhere.
• 5:24
  Don Armstrong: She lived in a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
• 5:26
  Don Armstrong: And a 72 Volvo 1800.
• 5:29
  Don Armstrong: What do you think that that sold for?
• 5:31
  Don Armstrong: When's the last time you saw one?
• 5:32
  Don Armstrong: I want to say 10 grand.
• 5:33
  Mike Marrs: That is pretty, but I do have a manual transmission in it.
• 5:36
  Mike Marrs: I mean, you can kind of tell that from the front top picture there.
• 5:40
  Don Armstrong: Okay, well, any guesses?
• 5:43
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, well, let's see what Mr.
• 5:45
  Mike Marrs: Heisman thinks that it's a$29,000 car.
• 5:49
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 5:50
  Mike Marrs: Oh Lusk likes that one.
• 5:52
  Don Armstrong: A lot, yeah.
• 5:53
  Don Armstrong: I and I do too.
• 5:54
  Don Armstrong: I don't know if I'd pay$43,000 for it.
• 5:57
  Don Armstrong: George says$23,000.
• 5:59
  Don Armstrong: Well, um, it sold for$32,235.
• 6:06
  Don Armstrong: David says$9,000.
• 6:07
  Don Armstrong: Come on, man, that's a rare car.
• 6:08
  Don Armstrong: You don't find many of those.
• 6:10
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, I don't see many of them either to unpack.
• 6:11
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, no, I know.
• 6:12
  Don Armstrong: So it is rare, and$32,000 seems like a fair price.
• 6:15
  Don Armstrong: Next up, okay, all you hot rotters.
• 6:18
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 6:18
  Don Armstrong: This is a 1915 Studebaker.
• 6:22
  Don Armstrong: Clearly doesn't have the Studebaker motor in it, but it looks cool.
• 6:27
  Don Armstrong: Uh, it kind of looks like a tea bucket.
• 6:29
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 6:29
  Don Armstrong: And uh, you know, it's got the struts for the windshield to hold it up and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
• 6:34
  Don Armstrong: How much the 1915 Studebaker?
• 6:36
  Don Armstrong: Has it got a small block shoving in the middle?
• 6:38
  Don Armstrong: Yep.
• 6:38
  Mike Marrs: 327, Tom Ram, 24s, Muncie 4 speed.
• 6:42
  Mike Marrs: You can get the aluminum Muncie.
• 6:43
  unknown: Yeah.
• 6:44
  Don Armstrong: There you go.
• 6:44
  Don Armstrong: How much?
• 6:46
  Mike Marrs: 21.
• 6:47
  Don Armstrong: You when I saw Jeff says 21.
• 6:49
  Mike Marrs: I was surprised that this was a Studebaker.
• 6:53
  Mike Marrs: I'd never seen a study big.
• 6:54
  Mike Marrs: I know, me too.
• 6:55
  Jeff Dziekan: We miss George's.
• 6:55
  Jeff Dziekan: I miss George's.
• 6:56
  Jeff Dziekan: 21 for Jeff.
• 6:57
  Jeff Dziekan: 1996.
• 6:58
  Mike Marrs: I'll back up.
• 6:59
  Mike Marrs: So George was 19,999.
• 7:02
  Mike Marrs: Okay.
• 7:02
  Mike Marrs: Jeff's 21 like me.
• 7:04
  Mike Marrs: All right.
• 7:04
  Mike Marrs: All right.
• 7:05
  Mike Marrs: And then Ainsley.
• 7:06
  Mike Marrs: Ainsley likes this one a little bit better.
• 7:08
  Mike Marrs: So he sets up at 25.
• 7:09
  Don Armstrong: Well, listen, so you're going to save the and the Lust family says 25 as well.
• 7:15
  Don Armstrong: They say 2,500.
• 7:16
  Mike Marrs: Ainsley wants$25,000.
• 7:18
  Don Armstrong: It's sold for$12,075.
• 7:21
  Don Armstrong: Oh, wow.
• 7:22
  Don Armstrong: See, I I I would consider something like that.
• 7:25
  Don Armstrong: That looks pretty cool.
• 7:26
  Don Armstrong: $12, maybe.
• 7:27
  Mike Marrs: It does, but I don't care for the T buckets at all.
• 7:29
  Mike Marrs: I don't care what model it is.
• 7:30
  Mike Marrs: It's just okay.
• 7:31
  Don Armstrong: Well, that everybody's got their own thing.
• 7:33
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 7:34
  Don Armstrong: Next up.
• 7:34
  Mike Marrs: I'd be like Lusk.
• 7:35
  Mike Marrs: I'd give them$2,500.
• 7:37
  Don Armstrong: Here is here's Jeff's here's Jeff's next new ride.
• 7:39
  Don Armstrong: Oh, yeah.
• 7:40
  Don Armstrong: A 1955 Ford Courier.
• 7:42
  Don Armstrong: Now, this I would imagine Ford built to answer the Chevy nomad.
• 7:47
  Jeff Dziekan: I think I've seen this before.
• 7:48
  Don Armstrong: You would think because this but they built these for deliveries.
• 7:53
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 7:54
  Don Armstrong: There's no second door in it.
• 7:55
  Don Armstrong: It's got a great big, huge back end there that you can, you know dump in all sorts of stuff, including transmissions or whatever.
• 8:03
  Don Armstrong: 1955 Ford Courier.
• 8:05
  Don Armstrong: I don't know whether that's the original paint scheme or not, but that's pretty ugly.
• 8:11
  Mike Marrs: Um, it's not the original paint, but it's supposed to be the original 272 engine uh backed by a manual transmission.
• 8:19
  Don Armstrong: There's another reason not to buy it, but that's just me.
• 8:22
  Don Armstrong: How much did this sell for?
• 8:23
  Jeff Dziekan: I'm gonna go 40.
• 8:24
  Jeff Dziekan: I'm blowing it out.
• 8:25
  Don Armstrong: David says 12.
• 8:27
  Don Armstrong: Uh Jeff Heitzman says 13.
• 8:33
  Don Armstrong: George says 999 junker.
• 8:40
  Don Armstrong: And the Lost Family says 16.
• 8:42
  Don Armstrong: It sold for 19,950.
• 8:45
  Don Armstrong: Wow.
• 8:47
  Don Armstrong: So David and Stacy have got a leg up on this stuff.
• 8:50
  Don Armstrong: Okay, next up, a 1963 Mercury Monterey.
• 8:54
  Don Armstrong: This is the one at that weird back window.
• 8:57
  Jeff Dziekan: It's got, yeah, yeah, yeah.
• 8:58
  Don Armstrong: That you can roll the back window down.
• 9:00
  Don Armstrong: And you could also drive it when it was raining with the window down because the wind, the wind would just take the rain right over the top of it.
• 9:08
  Don Armstrong: But I thought this was one of the ugliest vehicles ever been.
• 9:10
  Jeff Dziekan: When it would go down.
• 9:10
  Don Armstrong: That's what I said, yeah.
• 9:11
  Don Armstrong: So how much did this thing sell for?
• 9:14
  Don Armstrong: It looks completely stocked.
• 9:15
  Don Armstrong: Somebody's done a good job restoring this thing.
• 9:17
  Mike Marrs: I don't know why, but it's got the original or supposedly the original period correct.
• 9:24
  Mike Marrs: I think it's the time 399.
• 9:25
  Jeff Dziekan: It's got the FOMOCO bag on it.
• 9:27
  Jeff Dziekan: Yep.
• 9:27
  Jeff Dziekan: Uh I'm gonna go, oh gosh.
• 9:30
  Jeff Dziekan: I'm gonna go 12.
• 9:32
  Jeff Dziekan: That's probably low.
• 9:33
  Don Armstrong: Heitzman says 22.
• 9:39
  Don Armstrong: George says 16, basically.
• 9:41
  Mike Marrs: 15,999.
• 9:43
  Mike Marrs: Yeah, we got it.
• 9:44
  Don Armstrong: We got it, we got it.
• 9:46
  Don Armstrong: Ainsley says 10.
• 9:49
  Don Armstrong: And it's that's a boat.
• 9:53
  Don Armstrong: That is a boat.
• 9:54
  Don Armstrong: That is a boat, yeah.
• 9:54
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, it is.
• 9:55
  Don Armstrong: Um, with a roof on it, it's ugly.
• 9:58
  Don Armstrong: Um, it's sold for 14,175.
• 10:01
  Don Armstrong: It's close.
• 10:01
  Don Armstrong: It's close as one all day.
• 10:02
  Don Armstrong: Yep.
• 10:03
  Don Armstrong: I'd drive it.
• 10:04
  Don Armstrong: Of course you would.
• 10:04
  Jeff Dziekan: Yeah, I would.
• 10:05
  Mike Marrs: Okay, drive it next to your house and leave it.
• 10:07
  Don Armstrong: Next up, the Pontiac La Mans.
• 10:10
  Don Armstrong: Next up is the Pontiac La Mans.
• 10:13
  Don Armstrong: There it is.
• 10:14
  Don Armstrong: Oh, it it's also it also has a Landau vinyl top on it.
• 10:20
  Don Armstrong: Bench seat.
• 10:21
  Don Armstrong: Look at that.
• 10:22
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 10:23
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 10:24
  Don Armstrong: It's clean.
• 10:25
  Don Armstrong: It looks original, actually, the interior, especially.
• 10:28
  Don Armstrong: Uh, and it's clean.
• 10:29
  Don Armstrong: It looks good.
• 10:30
  Mike Marrs: 15.
• 10:31
  Don Armstrong: Jeff says 15.
• 10:33
  Mike Marrs: Yeah, I think it's got uh it's 350 V8 automatic, so it's it's pretty much basic.
• 10:39
  Don Armstrong: And I bet it I bet it comes with the bumper jack.
• 10:41
  Don Armstrong: Frigid air, yep.
• 10:42
  Don Armstrong: Frigid air.
• 10:43
  Mike Marrs: It does, yeah.
• 10:44
  Don Armstrong: 29,000.
• 10:45
  Don Armstrong: Okay.
• 10:46
  Don Armstrong: That would be uh Mr.
• 10:48
  Don Armstrong: Heitzman.
• 10:49
  Don Armstrong: And let's see who else is anybody else bidding on this?
• 10:52
  Mike Marrs: Dress it up a little bit and almost.
• 10:54
  Mike Marrs: Oh, yeah.
• 10:54
  Mike Marrs: No, some mods out there.
• 10:55
  Don Armstrong: No, you would you wouldn't want to, you wouldn't want to mess with it.
• 10:58
  Don Armstrong: Okay.
• 10:58
  Don Armstrong: I guess the other Hainsley says$11,000.
• 11:03
  Don Armstrong: And the Lusk family, oh, there's George,$13,000.
• 11:07
  Don Armstrong: You the man.
• 11:08
  Don Armstrong: That's right.
• 11:09
  Don Armstrong: And uh David and Stacy say$68,000.
• 11:12
  Don Armstrong: Well, it sold for$14,700.
• 11:15
  Don Armstrong: $14,700.
• 11:17
  Don Armstrong: See, I would consider something like that.
• 11:20
  Don Armstrong: Take that ugly vinyl top off of it.
• 11:22
  Don Armstrong: Next up, uh, the 67 Mercedes-Bins 250 SL.
• 11:28
  Don Armstrong: I had to throw this in there.
• 11:30
  Don Armstrong: Um, kind of a rare find.
• 11:32
  Don Armstrong: 67 Mercedes Benz 250 SL.
• 11:36
  Don Armstrong: It's got the stacked headlights on it.
• 11:39
  Don Armstrong: Um, and I guess you can take the roof.
• 11:41
  Don Armstrong: Well, you can.
• 11:41
  Don Armstrong: You can take that uh hard top roof off of it.
• 11:44
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, I want I guess it does it have a uh soft top as well.
• 11:47
  Don Armstrong: I don't know.
• 11:48
  Don Armstrong: Yes, it does.
• 11:49
  Don Armstrong: It does have a soft top.
• 11:50
  Don Armstrong: Okay.
• 11:51
  Don Armstrong: So uh how much?
• 11:52
  Jeff Dziekan: David, uh the lust family says uh 68.
• 11:55
  Don Armstrong: I say 32.
• 11:56
  Don Armstrong: 32.
• 11:57
  Don Armstrong: He says 68.
• 11:58
  Don Armstrong: Okay.
• 11:59
  Don Armstrong: Anybody else wants to uh chime in?
• 12:02
  SPEAKER_03: What did uh what did uh Jeff say?
• 12:05
  SPEAKER_03: Heisman says 30.
• 12:06
  SPEAKER_03: I say 32.
• 12:08
  Don Armstrong: 32, Mike.
• 12:09
  Don Armstrong: Okay.
• 12:10
  Don Armstrong: Anyone else?
• 12:11
  SPEAKER_03: I've lost my buttons here.
• 12:12
  Don Armstrong: David and Stacy, they they chimed in.
• 12:14
  Don Armstrong: Okay, well it sold for$54,600.
• 12:17
  Don Armstrong: And last up is going to be the 2001 Aston Martin DB7.
• 12:25
  Jeff Dziekan: There you go.
• 12:26
  Jeff Dziekan: Um 12 cylinders, baby.
• 12:28
  Don Armstrong: And you can say yeah, it's a V12.
• 12:32
  Don Armstrong: Um George says 30.
• 12:37
  Mike Marrs: I'm gonna go with it.
• 12:39
  Mike Marrs: I got I got my buttons off here.
• 12:45
  Jeff Dziekan: Okay, well we got the right picture up.
• 12:47
  Mike Marrs: I'm gonna say Yeah, yeah, no, that's the right picture.
• 12:49
  Mike Marrs: It's just uh comments I 32.
• 12:52
  Don Armstrong: 32,000.
• 12:53
  Don Armstrong: 32,000.
• 12:54
  Jeff Dziekan: Bond, James Bond, yeah.
• 12:55
  Don Armstrong: Heitzman says 40.
• 12:58
  Don Armstrong: And who else is gonna chime in?
• 13:03
  Don Armstrong: Um get George to come up.
• 13:11
  Mike Marrs: He keeps bouncing around.
• 13:13
  Don Armstrong: Well, that that's always been a problem.
• 13:14
  Don Armstrong: Uh uh 66,000 for him.
• 13:18
  Don Armstrong: You're not gonna believe this.
• 13:20
  Don Armstrong: 46.
• 13:21
  Don Armstrong: This is why I chose this.
• 13:22
  Don Armstrong: I don't know whether it runs or not because it they only got$19,688 for it.
• 13:29
  unknown: Wow.
• 13:29
  Mike Marrs: Kind of surprise.
• 13:30
  Mike Marrs: The B12 killed it.
• 13:32
  Don Armstrong: Well, that and the parts and the repairs.
• 13:34
  Don Armstrong: Oh my god, can you just imagine?
• 13:36
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, no, thanks.
• 13:38
  Don Armstrong: I'm good with that.
• 13:39
  Don Armstrong: All right.
• 13:40
  Don Armstrong: Um, I'm going to uh give you now my take on uh our next car review.
• 13:46
  Don Armstrong: And the car review that I have for this half hour, uh we're trying to play catch-up, so we're doing a two car reviews.
• 13:53
  Don Armstrong: This car review is the 2026 Lexus IS350.
• 13:59
  Don Armstrong: F Sport.
• 14:01
  Don Armstrong: It comes in the F Sport design, the F Sport itself, and the F Sport special appearance package.
• 14:08
  Don Armstrong: This is built in Aichi, Japan, which is the factory that's currently closed because of the uh earthquake over there.
• 14:15
  Don Armstrong: I just had the F- Sport.
• 14:17
  Don Armstrong: I think that this is one of the best-looking sedans on the market today.
• 14:23
  Don Armstrong: Five seats.
• 14:24
  Don Armstrong: Obviously, the back seats are going to be a little bit tight because of the it's a smallish kind of car.
• 14:29
  Don Armstrong: All new in 2014, refresh styling inside and out for 2026.
• 14:34
  Don Armstrong: Um front grille is still too big, uh, but the spindle look has been turned down just a little bit, too, toned down a little bit.
• 14:44
  Don Armstrong: So keep that in mind.
• 14:46
  Don Armstrong: I I I think that this is really a good-looking vehicle.
• 14:48
  Don Armstrong: Upswept rear wheel openings looks racy.
• 14:51
  Don Armstrong: Uh reworked trunk incorporates a new spoiler back there.
• 14:56
  Don Armstrong: I like it.
• 14:57
  Don Armstrong: Um, dual exhaust exits below the black painted panel.
• 15:03
  Don Armstrong: Uh what I liked about it overall, the body tweaks are spot on.
• 15:08
  Don Armstrong: I don't think anything could use improvement.
• 15:12
  Don Armstrong: Good looking wheels, yep, red calipers.
• 15:15
  Don Armstrong: It's got its going.
• 15:16
  Don Armstrong: Look at look at that interior.
• 15:18
  Don Armstrong: How could you not like that?
• 15:20
  Don Armstrong: That is good looking right there.
• 15:21
  Don Armstrong: I love that thing.
• 15:22
  Don Armstrong: Interior highlights include new infotainment system.
• 15:25
  Don Armstrong: It is the bomb.
• 15:26
  Don Armstrong: No more touchpad.
• 15:28
  Don Armstrong: Thank you, thank you, thank you.
• 15:30
  Don Armstrong: The red interior is one of the best looking out there.
• 15:33
  Don Armstrong: 12-inch infotainment screen is very nice.
• 15:36
  Don Armstrong: I'm gonna roll through these.
• 15:37
  Don Armstrong: It's got everything about this just speaks to me.
• 15:42
  Don Armstrong: This is a Don Armstrong vehicle.
• 15:43
  Don Armstrong: Oh, there you go.
• 15:44
  Don Armstrong: Trunk room is small.
• 15:45
  Don Armstrong: What I liked about quality, design, and materials top-notch in this thing.
• 15:49
  Don Armstrong: There's the phone charger.
• 15:51
  Don Armstrong: Or could use improvement.
• 15:53
  Don Armstrong: Some of the screens are a little bit difficult to find.
• 15:56
  Don Armstrong: This is not that I wrote to myself.
• 15:58
  Don Armstrong: This is an old school 3.5 liter V6 naturally aspirated that turns out 311 horsepower, 280 pound feet of torque.
• 16:09
  Don Armstrong: Not a ton of horsepower, but this is an everyday driver that looks good.
• 16:16
  Don Armstrong: Eight-speed automatic transmission gets 19 miles per gallon in the city, 27 on the highway for combined at 22.
• 16:23
  Don Armstrong: Guy got 27.2 miles per gallon over 347 miles.
• 16:28
  Don Armstrong: What I liked, no turbo lag because it doesn't have any.
• 16:31
  Don Armstrong: Normally aspirated.
• 16:33
  Don Armstrong: It could use a little bit more horsepower.
• 16:35
  Don Armstrong: Don't touch it.
• 16:36
  Don Armstrong: I like it.
• 16:36
  Don Armstrong: It's fine.
• 16:37
  Don Armstrong: Leave it alone.
• 16:39
  Don Armstrong: Run it forever.
• 16:41
  Don Armstrong: Ride and handling sporty, but not too rough or stiff.
• 16:44
  Don Armstrong: What could use improvement in the ride and handling department?
• 16:47
  Don Armstrong: Nothing.
• 16:47
  Don Armstrong: Base trim price,$47,950.
• 16:50
  Don Armstrong: Prices tested$60,473.
• 16:54
  Don Armstrong: The base model price,$45,500.
• 16:58
  Don Armstrong: Competitors, BMW 3 Series,$48,000.
• 17:02
  Don Armstrong: Mercedes-Benz C class,$49,000.
• 17:05
  Don Armstrong: These are base prices now.
• 17:06
  Don Armstrong: And the Genesis G70,$43,450.
• 17:11
  Don Armstrong: And that's my review.
• 17:12
  Don Armstrong: Next week, Hyundai Alantra Hybrid.
• 17:15
  Don Armstrong: Thank you for joining us.
• 17:17
  Jeff Dziekan: You called the uh engine old school.
• 17:19
  Jeff Dziekan: I would call it reliable because it, even though it's been around a while, it's it's reliable.
• 17:25
  Jeff Dziekan: That's why it's been around a while.
• 17:26
  Jeff Dziekan: Proven.
• 17:27
  Don Armstrong: There you go.
• 17:28
  Don Armstrong: Better word, proven.
• 17:29
  Don Armstrong: All right.
• 17:29
  Don Armstrong: Uh just ahead, racing calendar, and Mars has this week in auto history.
• 17:34
  Don Armstrong: Stay with us on the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show.
• 17:36
  Don Armstrong: Back after this.
• 17:38
  Don Armstrong: The Tex Max dining experience is defined by Lupi Tortilla, your destination for Texas's best beef fajitas and frozen margaritas.
• 17:46
  Don Armstrong: Since 1983, Lupi Tortilla has served authentic and time-tested recipes made with the freshest ingredients.
• 17:53
  Don Armstrong: Atmosphere is part of the award-winning experience of Lupi Tortilla, all developed in a little house near Highway 6 and I 10 in Houston.
• 18:00
  Don Armstrong: Visit any of the Loopy Tortillas and you will see the same attention to detail in each and every location.
• 18:05
  Don Armstrong: Start your loopy experience with queso flamingato and guacamole, along with a classic frozen margarita, done on famous loopy beef and chicken tour pepper shrimp crochet, or a finish or vegetarian entree, and finish with a scrumptious vlog for dessert.
• 18:19
  Don Armstrong: Find loopy tortilla in Houston, College Station, Beaumont, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, Fort Worth.
• 18:25
  Don Armstrong: There's a Texas location near you.
• 18:27
  Don Armstrong: The recipes are authentic and time-tested.
• 18:29
  Don Armstrong: The ingredients are always fresh.
• 18:31
  Don Armstrong: Loopy tortilla.
• 18:32
  Don Armstrong: Eat pretty good.
• 18:38
  Don Armstrong: The Inwheel Time Car Talk Show thanks you for 15 wonderful years.
• 18:42
  Don Armstrong: Yep, our first show aired May 7th, 2011, on the local radio station.
• 18:46
  Don Armstrong: Then it was a move to the digital world and social media, and you followed.
• 18:50
  Don Armstrong: Thank you.
• 18:50
  Don Armstrong: We continue to build and grow our fan base, and it's all because of you and your auto enthusiast friends.
• 18:55
  Don Armstrong: We appreciate your support.
• 18:57
  Don Armstrong: It's always great to see you at our remote broadcast, too, and we hope you'll continue to stop by and say hello.
• 19:01
  Don Armstrong: It's been a great ride, and we hope to bring you more fun and adventure right here on the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show.com, Facebook, and YouTube.
• 19:15
  Don Armstrong: And if you miss it, you'll be able to connect through a podcast from your favorite podcast channel anytime.
• 19:20
  Don Armstrong: Time now for the racing calendar sponsored by the Texas Muscle Car Club Challenge.
• 19:24
  Jeff Dziekan: Thank you for that.
• 19:24
  Jeff Dziekan: NASCAR is off this weekend.
• 19:27
  Jeff Dziekan: Formula One is off until the 23rd of August.
• 19:29
  Jeff Dziekan: Indy is off until the 9th of August.
• 19:32
  Jeff Dziekan: And NHRA is off until the 20th of August.
• 19:35
  Jeff Dziekan: Is this some sort of holiday that I missed?
• 19:37
  Jeff Dziekan: It's just a break, summer break.
• 19:39
  Jeff Dziekan: I got it.
• 19:40
  Don Armstrong: Trying to get the kids ready to be a good one.
• 19:41
  Jeff Dziekan: I guess so, yeah.
• 19:42
  Jeff Dziekan: But the only things running is uh lawnmower.
• 19:44
  Jeff Dziekan: So enjoy.
• 19:45
  Don Armstrong: All right.
• 19:45
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 19:46
  Don Armstrong: Well, mine ran yesterday and darn near kill me.
• 19:49
  Don Armstrong: Uh time now for this week in auto history, Mr.
• 19:51
  Don Armstrong: Mars.
• 19:52
  Mike Marrs: Howdy, sir.
• 19:53
  Mike Marrs: Okay, we got a few things that we found that would be of interest this week in auto history.
• 19:57
  Mike Marrs: We're gonna start out with in uh August the 3rd, 1981, Chrysler officially introduced the K-Car.
• 20:06
  Mike Marrs: Now, they weren't real flashy, but they were very important in bringing their front-wheel drive platform because it was they sold the heck out of these.
• 20:14
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 20:15
  Mike Marrs: Yes.
• 20:15
  Mike Marrs: And it was what gave it helped Chrysler manage to get through the financial collapse back in the 1980s.
• 20:22
  Mike Marrs: So it was really important for them to push this car out.
• 20:25
  Mike Marrs: Then the other thing we're gonna look at in on August 1st, way back in 1899, and I really wish Sergeant Woodard would pull me over under these circumstances.
• 20:35
  Mike Marrs: Back in New York City police who made their first America's earliest automobile speeding arrest.
• 20:41
  Mike Marrs: Taxi cab driver was accused of driving his electric cab 12 miles an hour.
• 20:48
  Mike Marrs: And they pulled him over because the speed limit was eight miles per hour.
• 20:52
  Mike Marrs: Oh wow.
• 20:53
  Don Armstrong: So yeah, they didn't have radar detectors, so how did they know?
• 20:57
  Don Armstrong: Was it a lady driving?
• 21:00
  Mike Marrs: Could be, could be.
• 21:01
  Mike Marrs: Didn't really say how they know.
• 21:02
  Mike Marrs: That's a good question.
• 21:02
  Mike Marrs: How did they figure that out?
• 21:04
  Mike Marrs: Then moving on over to August the 5th.
• 21:07
  Mike Marrs: Now, this is traffic signals really became more sophisticated back in 1940.
• 21:12
  Mike Marrs: Uh they really started putting the electric traffic signals in Cleveland, Ohio, instead of the hand operated ones, so it actually created a lot more uh the better capability to synchronize these.
• 21:24
  Don Armstrong: And that is also where the phrase Cleveland steamer started.
• 21:29
  Mike Marrs: Okay, I thought that was oysters or something, but okay.
• 21:33
  Mike Marrs: Then uh looking again up here on August the 6th, back in 1926, the last piece of Route 66 was actually approved and put into position.
• 21:44
  Mike Marrs: Now, this took several years to put this highway together, but it really to go from Chicago out to uh the left coast, and uh it became a very famous highway.
• 21:54
  Mike Marrs: It still is.
• 21:55
  Mike Marrs: There's still a lot of people go out and try and find and drive sections that are still available.
• 21:59
  Mike Marrs: I was in Springfield uh one year when they were doing uh it was considered the middle point, and it was a big celebration, and I was doing some stories there on Route 66, and it was really interesting to see that particular area because everybody just kind of skips Springfield and goes on.
• 22:16
  Mike Marrs: Then in August Firestone tires really began their this is this is the first place that you could the first store that Firestone ever opened up to sell their rubber tires.
• 22:29
  Mike Marrs: And they really started out and became one of the largest tire manufacturers, and they were the early tire supplier to Henry Ford that helped get him going on his mass production of automobiles.
• 22:40
  Mike Marrs: So this was another important feature of automotive history that we ran across that uh we thought was rather interesting.
• 22:48
  Mike Marrs: That is some of the things we found this week in automotive history.
• 22:50
  Don Armstrong: Cool.
• 22:51
  Don Armstrong: Automakers face a new competitor in the battle for car buyers, and it's not another brand.
• 22:55
  Don Armstrong: Artificial intelligence agents are increasingly making purchase recommendations on behalf of consumers, fundamentally changing how the industry competes, according to a global study by consultancy Accenture.
• 23:10
  Don Armstrong: To remain competitive, automakers must make their product data machine readable and trustworthy for AI algorithms, according to Accenture.
• 23:21
  Don Armstrong: And the guy's name there is Jurgen Rears, great American.
• 23:26
  Don Armstrong: According to the study, 84% of consumers are open to AI, handling complex tasks such as negotiating deals and resolving complaints.
• 23:35
  Don Armstrong: Meanwhile, 42% say they would allow an AI agent to make the final purchase decision on their behalf.
• 23:42
  Don Armstrong: Now that's pretty scary.
• 23:45
  Don Armstrong: Uh we'll let somebody else go ahead.
• 23:47
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 23:47
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, yeah.
• 23:48
  Don Armstrong: And no cuts in line.
• 23:50
  Don Armstrong: The shift toward AI-driven decisions is eroding traditional brand loyalty, according to a survey of more than 1,500 consumers across 16 countries.
• 23:59
  Don Armstrong: More than a third, 37% of car buyers, would let an AI agent switch away from their current brand for a better fit.
• 24:08
  Don Armstrong: Uh, rear said this proves that we're really entering the next stage of AI.
• 24:13
  Don Armstrong: So let AI buy your car.
• 24:16
  Mike Marrs: Or your groceries at HEB or Walmart.
• 24:20
  Don Armstrong: Yeah, AI.
• 24:21
  Don Armstrong: Okay.
• 24:22
  Don Armstrong: Yeah.
• 24:23
  Don Armstrong: Uh global tariff disputes have disrupted traditional automaker-supplier relationships, squeezed profit margins, and ushered in an era of transparency and quicker damage control throughout the supply chain.
• 24:34
  Don Armstrong: The tariffs hit with such speed and scale that the supply chains did not have time to react and make meaningful changes.
• 24:41
  Don Armstrong: So that is something to look forward to with the next uptick in the price of your car.
• 24:47
  Don Armstrong: The result sacrifices to the bottom line.
• 24:50
  Don Armstrong: The median profit margin among 400 top suppliers has fallen to 3.5 to 4% range, according to the annual study.
• 24:58
  Don Armstrong: So there'll be more suppliers going out of business, I can guarantee you that.
• 25:02
  Don Armstrong: Among automakers, Toyota is eyeing short, medium, and long-term reactions, reducing unnecessary border crossings, examining parts, drawers, drawings for potential changes in future vehicle platforms, exploring different supply chain constructs, and only then looking at bigger investments in localization, meaning they're coming to America.
• 25:26
  Don Armstrong: U.S.
• 25:27
  Don Armstrong: auto safety regulators will start developing new requirements to ensure drivers and passengers can safely exit their vehicles, a significant move to address issues exposed by sometimes deadly incidents in which people have become trapped inside their cars.
• 25:41
  Don Armstrong: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said July 23rd that it would begin the process of imposing a new federal rule by granting a petitioner's request that the agency mandate a robust and obvious door egress system in all motor vehicles.
• 26:00
  Don Armstrong: According to a regulatory filing, all new vehicles in the U.S.
• 26:03
  Don Armstrong: would be subject to any of the new requirements if the request is finalized.
• 26:08
  Don Armstrong: Vehicles designed with flush, electronically operated door handles made by Tesla and other car makers have been involved in incidents in which occupants have been trapped inside their cars after the vehicles lost power, including after a crash.
• 26:23
  Don Armstrong: In several instances, occupants of Tesla vehicles survived the initial impact of a high-speed crash, only to die or sustain serious injury from subsequent fires after being unable to exit the car.
• 26:37
  Don Armstrong: That's a scary thought.
• 26:39
  Don Armstrong: And here we go.
• 26:40
  Don Armstrong: Amazon Zooks unit won U.S.
• 26:42
  Don Armstrong: approval July 29th for limited commercial deployment of its novel steering wheel-free robotaxis.
• 26:48
  Don Armstrong: Now, first for the autonomous ride industry.
• 26:51
  Don Armstrong: The exemption from NHTA rules requiring human controls, first reported by Reuters, marks a milestone for companies developing robo taxis from the ground up, rather than modifying conventional cars under safety regulations written long before self-driving technology emerged.
• 27:09
  Don Armstrong: And that's it for the Auto News this week.
• 27:12
  Don Armstrong: In real time continues, we're going to wrap things up right after this quick break.
• 27:16
  Don Armstrong: Your car is a direct reflection of you, so don't be satisfied with color fade or a dingy dull appearance.
• 27:22
  Don Armstrong: Get rid of those terrible automated car wash scratches.
• 27:26
  Don Armstrong: Gulf Coast Auto Shield is your save the paint company.
• 27:28
  Don Armstrong: John Gray and his team of detailing experts can help your cars finish without a full repaint.
• 27:33
  Don Armstrong: Searching for real experts in window tent or windshield protection, Gulf Coast Auto Shield.
• 27:38
  Don Armstrong: Dash cams, radar detectors, Gulf Coast Auto Shield.
• 27:42
  Don Armstrong: Got a new car?
• 27:43
  Don Armstrong: Get it protected as soon as you take delivery.
• 27:45
  Don Armstrong: If you don't know which of the multitude of protection products to go with, John Gray will give you an honest opinion and won't sell you something you don't need.
• 27:52
  Don Armstrong: John will help you understand the many options and pricing right on the spot.
• 27:56
  Don Armstrong: He's your guy to have your ride looking its best and protected too.
• 28:00
  Don Armstrong: See the state-of-the-art shop yourself, free tours anytime.
• 28:03
  Don Armstrong: Gulf Coast Auto Shield is easy to get to, located just south of the Southwest Freeway on the Sam Houston Parkway.
• 28:08
  Don Armstrong: Gulf Coast Auto Shield, full service luxury car care today and online at gcautoshield.com.
• 28:16
  Don Armstrong: Gift giving should be meaningful, and we have an idea.
• 28:19
  Don Armstrong: A hand-painted custom illustration of your car from one of the nation's leading artists.
• 28:23
  Don Armstrong: Now you can get one or a car show poster customized for you, a friend, or a loved one.
• 28:28
  Don Armstrong: Bill Sites will be happy to guide you through the process.
• 28:31
  Don Armstrong: No matter what the day, birthday, anniversary, or any day, an autographics custom illustration adds an extra touch of class to any home.
• 28:38
  Don Armstrong: Call Bill today, 832-922-0963.
• 28:42
  Don Armstrong: That's 832-922-0963.
• 28:48
  Don Armstrong: Well, you know what that sound means.
• 28:50
  Don Armstrong: It's time to go away.
• 28:53
  Don Armstrong: That's all for this week's In Wheel Time Car Talk Show.
• 29:00
  Don Armstrong: Where's that?
• 29:01
  Don Armstrong: Hey, we're always looking for new informative and great automotive things to bring to our global audience.
• 29:05
  Don Armstrong: If you have an idea, event, road trip, or tall tale you'd like to blab about, let us know.
• 29:10
  Don Armstrong: Our email address is info at inwheeltime.com.
• 29:13
  Don Armstrong: And you can find the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show 24-7 on the In Wheel Time app and website.
• 29:18
  Don Armstrong: Grab a podcast from your favorite podcast store.
• 29:21
  Don Armstrong: We video stream our live show every Saturday, 10 to noon on Facebook, YouTube, and InWheelTime.com.
• 29:28
  Don Armstrong: The In Wheel Time Video Coordinator is We Always Need More, Jeff Zeke, for booking agent and video editor, Mike Out of this World Mars, and Chief Engineer David Ainsley.
• 29:40
  Don Armstrong: I'm Don Armstrong.
• 29:41
  Don Armstrong: Thanks to our show contributors, Jeff Heitzman, George Skelton, and the Lusk family.
• 29:45
  Don Armstrong: Be sure to join us again next Saturday from our dual city studios in Texas, USA, 10 to noon Central Time.
• 29:52
  Don Armstrong: Thanks to all of our guests today.
• 29:53
  Don Armstrong: Hey, have a great weekend.
• 29:55
  Don Armstrong: Have it safe weekend as well.
• 29:56
  Don Armstrong: We hope you'll join us again next weekend on the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show.
• 30:00
  Don Armstrong: See you there.
• 30:19
  Don Armstrong: Inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and our InWheelTime.com website.
• 30:28
  Don Armstrong: Podcasts are available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Podcast, Podcast Addict, TuneIn, Pandora, and Amazon Music.
• 30:36
  Don Armstrong: Keep listening, and we'll see you soon.