This Hot Wheels Die-Cast Drag Strip Galvanized Me As A Gearhead
Just the other day, I was talking to my wife, Mercedes, about how I used to have this Hot Wheels drag strip set. I’d race all of my Hot Wheels,…
We Talk Alcan 5000 and TSD Rally on OPB’s ‘Think Out Loud’ Radio Show
We recently got an invite from Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) to appear live on the show “Think Out Loud” with Dave Miller. This show is OPB’s daily conversation covering news,…
Car Culture Can Cross Boundaries (Even In Iceland)
I’m currently flying to Phoenix. As I stare aimlessly through the seat back in front of me, awaiting my complimentary child-sized Coke Zero, I noticed my hands. They’re lightly stained…
Mitsubishi Adding an Off-Road-Focused Outlander to its Growing Lineup
Mitsubishi is committed to continuing its fight in the North American market. Today, they announced there will be an off-road variant of its best-selling Outlander model. Here’s what we know.
EV Adventuring: Nine Countries and 16 Days in a Volkswagen ID. Buzz Van
Some people’s idea of adventure is trying Starbucks’ newest coffee drink. Others may venture out and visit little-known towns, like Gold Hill, Utah, or Sargents, Colorado. But what if you…
We Won Our Alcan 5000 Rally Class (And Took 2nd Overall)
We did it! Team Crankshaft Culture won the 2S class (trucks/SUVs, “seat of pants”) again at this year’s Alcan 5000 Summer Rally! We won this class in 2024 at the…
2025 Chevrolet Trax ACTIV: An Entry Level SUV Starting Under $22,000
Will consumers be drawn to the Chevrolet Trax’s low entry price of under $22,000? Seeing as the average price of an SUV is double that, it’s a good bet Chevrolet…
Honda Passport TrailSport to Tackle North America’s Longest Rally Covering Nearly 6,000 Miles
Mercedes and I are doing the 2025 Alcan 5000 Summer Rally in a 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite. In fact, Honda actually just put out a press release about it;…
2026 Subaru Solterra EV: Improvements For The Second-Generation All-Electric Crossover
Subaru brought automotive journalists to Denver, Colorado for first drives of the 2026 Solterra EV. The second-generation Solterra EV has improvements in almost all areas, making it an even more…
Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept: Could We FINALLY Get A Factory AWD Camper Van?
Chrysler debuted the Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept at Overland Expo Mountain West (Aug. 22–24) and, frankly, we couldn’t be more excited. Why? Because only Ford and Mercedes-Benz are offering AWD…
Guest Posts
How to Make Friends in the Car Community When You’re New to Town
(Designed by Magnific) Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming, especially when you leave behind your social circle and familiar routines. If cars are your passion, though, you already have a powerful advantage: the car community is one of the most welcoming and connection-driven spaces out there. Whether you’re…
LED vs Pod Off-Road Lights: Which Is Better for Trails?
When it comes to upgrading your vehicle for off-road performance, lighting is one of the most impactful improvements you can make. But once you start exploring your options, you’ll quickly run into a common question: should you go with LED light bars or pod lights? Both options offer serious advantages,…
Driving Under Suspension: What It Means
The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators links license suspensions and revocations to intoxicated driving, aggressive driving behavior, and repeated offenses. These measures become major enforcement tools for road safety. Millions of people struggle to survive with debt-related driving restrictions. With a suspended license, there are several challenges that individuals…