Talking Cars (MP3)

On this week's episode, after 30 years and roughly $6 million spent buying cars for Consumer Reports, Mike Quincy shares his best car-buying advice, worst dealership experiences, and the tricks and fees buyers should watch out for. Plus, a surprise guest drops in to help send him off before he takes one final ride into retirement.
 
Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
 
 
SHOW NOTES
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0:00 - Intro
00:41 – Mike Quincy's Last Ride
02:08 – 171 Cars and $6 Million: Mike's Car-Buying Career
04:48 – The Most Memorable Cars Mike Bought
08:27 – How Car Buying Has Changed Over the Years
13:28 – What's Better—and Worse—About Buying a Car Today
16:00 – How to Handle the Finance Office
20:27 – Mike's Worst Dealership Experiences
28:02 – The Best Car-Buying Experiences
33:23 – What Car Will Mike Buy for Retirement?
37:15 – Looking Back on 30 Years at Consumer Reports
37:29 – A Surprise Guest Joins the Podcast
43:56 – What Mike Will Miss Most
46:42 – Buying a New Car Should Be Exciting
51:10 – Mike Quincy's Final Sign-Off
 
 
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How to Spot and Avoid Unnecessary Car-Buying Fees
https://www.consumerreports.org/money/fees-billing/how-to-avoid-car-buying-fees-a7209896255/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
What to Know Before Buying a Car: 7 Questions to Ask at the Dealership
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/questions-to-ask-before-you-buy-a-car-a6387933582/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
How to Buy a New Car in Today's Challenging, High-Priced Market
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/how-to-buy-a-car-in-todays-challenging-market-a7648220054/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Which Brands Make the Best Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Find an Efficient Vehicle That's Right for You
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/buying-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

This week we drive the 2026 Ineos Grenadier on pavement, dirt roads, and CR's challenging Rock Hill to see whether this purpose-built, BMW-powered SUV is worth nearly $90,000. We discuss the driving experience, its unusual steering, noisy cabin, quirky controls, where it excels, and whether we'd actually buy one. Plus, we answer an audience question about what to do with an older BMW whose necessary repairs cost more than the car is worth.
 
Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
 
 
SHOW NOTES
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0:00 - Intro
00:37 Overview: 2026 Ineos Grenadier
02:22 The Story Behind the Grenadier
04:00 Why it SUV Stands Out
07:28 Off-Road Test
10:12 Locking Differentials and Low-Range Gear
12:28 Built to Be Repaired in the Middle of Nowhere
13:40 BMW Power in a Serious Off-Roader
15:33 The Grenadier's Quirky Interior
17:20 Compromises
19:06 The Steering
22:31 Buttons, Switches, and an Airplane-Style Cockpit
27:31 Driving Position and Seat Comfort
30:32 Cabin Noise
32:05 On-Road Handling
33:45 Would We Spend $90,000 on One?
36:22 What It's Really Like to Live With
38:44 How Would the Grenadier Score in CR Testing?
39:36 Audience Question: Should I sell a car that costs more to repair than it's worth?
 
 
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Find the Best SUVs
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/10-best-suvs-you-can-buy-right-now-a8518508556/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
How It Works: FWD vs. RWD vs. AWD vs. 4WD
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/automotive-technology/2wd-vs-awd-vs-4wd-a5663578720/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Which Brands Make the Best Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
CR Car Value Estimator
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-value-estimator/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

We answer viewer questions this week, including: the best vehicle for a 14-hour road trip, why automakers have eliminated spare tires, debunk a myth about self-driving cars, and explore the pros and cons of all-weather tires. We also discuss the best ways to learn your vehicle's new features, with or without a dealer's help.
Have a question for our experts? Send it to TalkingCars@iCloud.com to be featured on a future episode.
 📝 SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
1:24 - Question #1 - Paul from St.Paul, MN: Which car brands make the best self-driving systems?
8:31 - Question #2 - Paul: Where did all of the spare tires go?
15:25 - Question #3 -  Darnley from Yonkers, NY: What's the best car for a 14-hour road trip?
18:30 - Question #4 - Noah from Richmond, VA: Do all-weather tires live up to the hype?
23:57 - Question #5: Steve from TN: What's the best way to learn about the new features on a car, when you don't buy from a dealer?
🌐 LINKS:
Car Features to Help You Stay Safe on the Road: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/cars-and-features-to-help-you-stay-safe-on-the-road-a1543711001/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Clearing the Confusion About Advanced Car-Safety Feature Names: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/clearing-confusion-about-advanced-car-safety-feature-names-a1035752654/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Some Newer Cars Are Missing a Spare Tire: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tires/some-newer-cars-are-missing-a-spare-tire-a9928775934/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Consumer Reports' Tire Selector Tool: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tires/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Is the all-new 2026 Lexus ES EV the luxury electric sedan we've been waiting for? On this week's episode we share our first impressions of the Lexus' newest electric sedan, discussing its whisper-quiet ride, comfort-first philosophy, real-world range, charging performance, interior technology, and whether it delivers a true luxury experience despite a few frustrating tech quirks. Plus, we answer a viewer question: Can you safely extend oil change intervals on a plug-in hybrid if you mostly drive in EV mode?
 
Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
 
 
SHOW NOTES
-----------------------------------
0:00 - Intro
00:16 - First Impressions of the 2026 Lexus ES 500e
03:42 - Ride Comfort
08:13 - Interior Design
10:17 - Controls & Tech Quirks
15:07 - Rear Seat Comfort
18:07 - Real-World EV Range & Charging
20:31 - Practicality
22:22 - EV Platform Explained
23:06 - Comfort vs. Performance
26:01 - One-Pedal Driving & EV Experience
28:26 - Everyday Usability
30:40 - Safety Features
33:32 - Audience Question: Oil Changes for Plug-in Hybrids 
 
 
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Test Results: 2026 Lexus ES
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/lexus/es/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
How to Find the Best Home EV Charger
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/how-to-choose-the-best-home-wall-charger-for-your-electric-vehicle-a6908889697/EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
How Long Does It Take to Charge These Popular Electric Cars
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/fastest-charging-electric-vehicles-a4112188427/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
10 Best Deals on Electric Vehicles
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/best-deals-on-electric-vehicles-a1198228201/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Most & Least Satisfying Hybrids, PHEVs, and Electric Vehicles
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/most-and-least-satisfying-electric-vehicles-and-hybrids-a2825600877/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Popular Electric Vehicles to Avoid and What to Get Instead
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/electric-vehicles-to-avoid-and-the-evs-to-get-instead-a6654236864/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Which Brands Make the Best Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
5 Things to Know About Oil Changes for Your Car
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/things-to-know-about-oil-changes-for-your-car-a9532249359//?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Is the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI the last great affordable sports sedan? On this week's episode, we debate whether Volkswagen's final manual-transmission sedan is destined to become a future classic—or if the DSG automatic is actually the better buy. We break down the GLI's turbocharged performance, handling, ride comfort, practicality, and why it may be one of the best cars left to learn stick shift. Plus, we answer audience questions about the best used manual cars for beginners and whether driving a stick can actually make teen drivers safer.
 
Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
 
 
SHOW NOTES
-----------------------------------
0:00 - Intro
00:15 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
02:01 Driving Experience
07:29 Performance, Handling, and Ride Quality
16:39 Comfort, Seats, and Interior Features
22:13 Manual vs. DSG Transmission Debate
26:50 Practicality and Interior Drawbacks
30:00 Would We Buy the Jetta GLI?
33:29 Questions #1: Where did Mike Quincy buy his classes?
36:25 Question #2: What is the best used manual transmission cars for teen drivers
 
 
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Test Results: Volkswagen Jetta
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/volkswagen/jetta/2026/overview/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
How Car Brands Stack Up on Repair Costs
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership-a1854979198/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Which Brands Make the Best Cars?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
 
Best used cars under $20,000 for teens
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/teen-driving/best-cars-for-teens-a2115540753/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 
 
Car Distractions: How to Stay Focused While Driving
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/car-distractions-how-to-stay-focused-while-driving-a1144545692/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT