J. Clarke articles

The AMC Matador didn’t become a cult favorite by accident—it earned that status by zigging while Detroit zagged. Introduced in the early 1970s, the Matador arrived at a moment when American car design was caught between muscle-car bravado and looming fuel anxiety. Instead of playing it safe, American Motors leaned into bold choices that confused critics and intrigued future fans. What once felt awkward, overstyled, or misunderstood would eventually become the very reason people couldn’t stop talking about it.

Tires are the most overlooked performance upgrade your car already has. They affect fuel economy, handling, braking, ride comfort, and—most importantly—how long you can go before shelling out for a new set. The good news is that getting more life out of your tires doesn’t require secret tools or mechanical wizardry. It just takes consistency, attention, and a few habits most drivers swear they’ll start “next month”.

Nothing kills pre-trip excitement faster than that little amber engine icon glowing at you like it knows your plans. The question isn’t just what the light means, but whether ignoring it will turn your road trip into an expensive cautionary tale. Let’s walk through what that check engine light is trying to tell you—and how to decide if you should still hit the road or hit the brakes.

You pull up to your house, ready to park, and there it is again—your neighbor’s car sitting right where your driveway should be. Maybe it’s the first time. Maybe it’s the tenth. Either way, it’s annoying, and now you’re wondering what you’re actually supposed to do about it.

Every road trip fantasy begins the same way: endless highways, a perfectly timed playlist, and a vehicle that doesn’t turn hour three into a chiropractor emergency. But once the romance fades, numbers matter. Fuel economy, seat comfort, cargo volume, range, and reliability quietly decide whether your trip feels legendary—or never-again. Looking at real-world metrics like efficiency, interior space, ride quality, and long-distance usability, these 20 vehicles consistently rise to the top as road-trip champions.

There’s nothing quite like the moment you turn your key, hear absolutely nothing, and suddenly question every life choice that led you to this parking lot. A car that refuses to start isn’t just inconvenient—it feels personal, like your vehicle decided it needed a dramatic break. But fear not. With a little patience, a little troubleshooting, and the right steps, you can figure out what your car is trying to tell you and hopefully get rolling again.

You know that moment when you glance at your car and think, “Wow… we’ve aged”. Maybe the paint has lost its sparkle, maybe the interior smells like the ghost of fast food past, or maybe the suspension squeaks like it's filing a complaint with HR. But good news—cars are basically big, metal cosmetics projects. With the right mix of elbow grease, strategic upgrades, and a little attitude, your faithful four-wheeled friend can look and feel surprisingly youthful again.

You think you’re finally catching a break. You put in a new engine, your car starts purring again, and for a brief, shining moment, everything feels right in the universe. Then your insurance company comes charging in, waving paperwork and declaring your car “totaled.” Suddenly you’re wondering if you can refuse their payout, keep your ride, and defend the honor of all the money you just sunk into it. Spoiler: you can push back, but it comes with a few twists, a couple of tradeoffs, and a small mountain of decision-making.

There you are, cruising home after a long day, humming to yourself and picturing that beautiful, empty rectangle of asphalt with your number on it. But when you pull up—bam. There’s your neighbor’s crossover sprawled in the exact space you’ve been looking forward to all afternoon. It feels personal, even when it’s probably not, and now you’re wondering if you can legally remove the offending vehicle. Here’s what you can actually do, what you definitely can’t do, and what will keep the peace without sacrificing your precious parking real estate.