Drawing of the Wombat

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  • Zack Pradel, Shooting Cars – Off The Road Again Podcast: Episode 176

    Zack Pradel, Shooting Cars – Off The Road Again Podcast: Episode 176

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    Welcome back to the Off the Road Again podcast! We’ve missed you. The focus is on the off-road adventure, but we also dabble in all things SUVs, truck, and van, and maybe even some rally cars. In this episode, Chris and Ross welcome Zack Pradel, a true automotive aficionado, who has taken his passion for cars to new heights…

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  • 2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro: Review

    2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro: Review

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    This is my second time with the third generation Sequoia in the last year, I previously spent a lovely week with a 2023 Platinum back in September. My summary was that while the Platinum was good, I felt like the TRD Pro trim level “represents a much more interesting option just from a “damn that’s…

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  • 2024 Land Cruiser, Emme Hall – Off The Road Again Podcast: Episode 175

    2024 Land Cruiser, Emme Hall – Off The Road Again Podcast: Episode 175

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    Welcome back to the Off the Road Again podcast! We’ve missed you. The focus is on the off-road adventure, but we also dabble in all things SUVs, truck, and van, and maybe even some rally cars. Chris and Ross welcome the incredible Emme Hall, automotive journalist, race car driver, and offroad maven. She’s here to discuss her unique experiences and share expert advice.…

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  • 2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: Review

    2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: Review

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    The Volkswagen Jetta is now in its seventh generation. Seven! I don’t really remember the first gen Jetta (A1) but it was actually the best selling European car in North America. I guess that was relevant based on what was available at the time, but I can say for certain that I remember the second…

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  • 2023 GR Corolla vs. 2023 Corolla Cross: Which Non-Corolla Corolla is Best?

    2023 GR Corolla vs. 2023 Corolla Cross: Which Non-Corolla Corolla is Best?

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    I know what you’re probably saying “have you gone mad?”. Comparing Toyota’s “Gazoo Racing” (GR) Corolla with their Corolla Cross compact crossover makes absolutely no sense. However, there is a method to my madness. Which of these $35,000 Corollas, neither of which is actually a Corolla, is best? I’ll run them through a comparison test…

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  • The News for September 15th, 2023

    The News for September 15th, 2023

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    Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As (almost) always, this is a weekly recap of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. This week: Ford debuts refreshed F-150 with some major changes, Nissan embraces their heritage with the Frontier Hardbody Edition, GMC upscales the Acadia, Cadillac refreshes the CT5, and the UAW…

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  • My Land Cruiser Prado – Modifying It; Part 3

    My Land Cruiser Prado – Modifying It; Part 3

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    My 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has now been on US soil for over a year. For better or worse, it was completely stock when I bought it. It was well maintained but it needed some modernization. After some basic maintenance updates, I began modifying it. First, it received a new radio and suspension. I…

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  • GXOR, Dan Kunz – Off The Road Again Podcast: Episode 174

    GXOR, Dan Kunz – Off The Road Again Podcast: Episode 174

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    Welcome back to the Off the Road Again podcast! We’ve missed you. The focus is on the off-road adventure, but we also dabble in all things SUVs, truck, and van, and maybe even some rally cars. Join Ross and Chris on an off-road journey as we sit down with Dan Kunz, the off-road expert and founder of GXOR (GX Off-Roaders). In this adrenaline-pumping…

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  • Cars and Mountain Bikes: Everything is going electric?

    Cars and Mountain Bikes: Everything is going electric?

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    I love cars. I also have come to love mountain biking. And it’s been fascinating to watch the rise of electrification in both of them. The parallels are remarkably similar. Both weigh more and both cost more. The initial embrace has been a mixed bag. But more and more of them are finding favor with…

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  • Road-tripping the 2023 Toyota GR86 846 miles in 105-degree heat

    Road-tripping the 2023 Toyota GR86 846 miles in 105-degree heat

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    Small cars generally aren’t seen as ideal for long road trips, but I stand firmly in the camp of supporting small, light sports cars as the right tool for effectively any task they can reasonably handle. And so, I found myself road-tripping a 2023 Toyota GR86 Premium from Connecticut to Virginia Beach and back through…

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  • 2023 Volkswagen Arteon 2.0T SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION: Review

    2023 Volkswagen Arteon 2.0T SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION: Review

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    So, this is a little awkward, I’m not sure I’ve ever tested a car that I know is about to end production. Volkswagen has confirmed that after eight years of production, 2024 will be the final year of their Arteon sedan. However, this is still 2023, and you still have time to consider whether this…

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  • This is the story of the Free-B MGB GT we race in Lemons

    This is the story of the Free-B MGB GT we race in Lemons

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    We’re now a two-car team with respect to the West Coast efforts in the 24 Hours of Lemons. Yes, we still run the 1962 Ford Ranchero and it finally has V8 power. But we’ve added another headache; a 1966 MGB GT. And this one too, somehow, also has V8 power. Even better? Both cars finished…

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  • 2023 Toyota Prius Limited: Review

    2023 Toyota Prius Limited: Review

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    It’s automotive journalist tradition to dunk on the Toyota Prius. And in full disclosure, I’ll admit I’ve never really driven one that I was all that impressed with. While the driving experience was…fine, it was just “an car”, it was never a very good looking car. *Dramatic stinger noise* Until now! This new Prius, the…

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  • Tate Morgan, Sons of Smokey & Gambler 500 – Off The Road Again Podcast: Episode 173

    Tate Morgan, Sons of Smokey & Gambler 500 – Off The Road Again Podcast: Episode 173

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    Welcome back to the Off the Road Again podcast! We’ve missed you. The focus is on the off-road adventure, but we also dabble in all things SUVs, truck, and van, and maybe even some rally cars. In this episode of Off The Road Again, we journey into the heart of the Gambler 500 and Sons of Smokey with founder Tate Morgan. A revolutionary…

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  • Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance is a teleportation machine on four wheels

    Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance is a teleportation machine on four wheels

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    You’re here, and then you’re instantly over there when you’re driving the Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. That’s what happens when you have over 1,000 horsepower being put to the ground seemingly effortlessly. What a wild machine, this thing is… [Disclaimer: Lucid sent over the Air and tossed us the keys. They also gave us…

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  • 2018 Lexus GX460 Build: Out with the old, prep for the new

    2018 Lexus GX460 Build: Out with the old, prep for the new

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    My 2018 Lexus GX460 has come a long way in the roughly two years I’ve had it. It has received mechanical, livability, armor, and technology updates thanks to many partners joining in on the project along the way. In this update I’ll run through a few miscellaneous things that I’ve done to it recently, from…

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