Posts

Getting Real about EV Charge Times

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    New EVs like this Lexus RZ550e now use the North American Charging Standard NACS, the kind you'll find on Tesla Super Chargers - Photo by Brian Moody  There's a lot of talk about electric vehicle charging times, but it might not be as rosy as you've been led to believe. Look at the small print. The owner's manual sometimes says, "frequent fast charging may impact battery life." Or "For best battery performance, don't charge beyond 90 percent."  Ok, so then your new EV's stated range isn't really true.  Also, when looking at charging times, notice how it often says "from 10 percent to 80 percent." Who wants to charge up 3/4 of the way to full? Not me.  Also, that extra 40 minutes to charge... 40 minutes is a long time. Try powering through that extra time with a toddler in the car. Besides, 80 percent of EV owners charge up at home.  The bottom line - no matter which EV you get, you'll need the optional quick charger or l...

Used EVs Have Great Warranties

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 Used electric cars have impressive warranties - don't let fear of battery replacement costs scare you off a great deal.  Most of the time, a used-car buyer receives the remainder of the new-car warranty, no matter how the car is powered.  Electric cars like this 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E make excellent used cars   - photo courtesy Ford Motor Company If you're looking for a used electric car and are concerned about battery replacement, your worries are misplaced. I'm not saying electric cars are good for everybody. In fact, for a good portion of the U.S. population and a good portion of the geographical country, an electric car simply won't work or, at the very least, it's inconvenient.  The reasons for this are many – terrain, topography, population density, weather, infrastructure, and simple human preference are a few.  Still, used electric car prices are very attractive. As lease returns begin to reflect the era of the taxpayer-funded incentive, th...

Oldsmobile Trofeo - I Want One

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 Years ago, I wrote something about the early 90s Oldsmobile Trofeo. I still think it looks cool. Have you ever experienced something that left an indelible mark on your mind, body, or soul? Oldsmobile is one of those things for me, but there are others.  The Oldsmobile Trofeo began as a top trim level for the Toronado; later, it was its own distinct model   - Photo by Cars for Sale. I admit it - I like a lot of 80s and 90s GM cars. In my dream collection, I will have a 1996 Buick Roadmaster wagon and a 2003 Buick Park Avenue. Plus, a Reatta, Cadillac Allante, and probably a 1992 Oldsmobile Trofeo. It looks awesome. Like the Regal Grand National, the Trofeo looks like your grandparents' car with blacked-out trim, fog lights, and bigger wheels. Something about that formula is really cool. I know it's not blisteringly quick or even all that fast. Mechanically identical to the Toronado and Buick Riviera of the era, the Trofeo is little more than an appearance package, but it...

February Numbers

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 We're off to a good start - in the first "solo" month for Super Moody Group media appearances, the numbers are strong. The total estimated publicity value of $5.8M is pretty good, too. Source: Critical Mention Highlights include multiple KNX radio commentaries regarding Tesla's Full Self-Driving Feature, several segments on the nationally syndicated The Drive with Lauren and Karl , a dozen or more local news interviews from Roanaok to Detroit to Phoenix, as well as commentary for the LA Times and Sacramento Bee. The complete list of media outlets is at the bottom of the page. Topics included car collision rates, cars built in the USA, GM Super Cruise, Hyundai awards, Honda Civic, Kia EV9, KBB awards, length of car loans, Robotaxi, self-driving cars, electric cars, new car prices, Tesla FSD, and Uber.  Televised segments include cities like Green Bay, WI, Palm Desert, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Norfolk, VA, Richmond, VA, and Scripps National News Service.  Our Tesla Full Self...

Growing Small SUVs

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Is it just me, or are subcompact SUVs now compact size, and compacts are now midsize?  This 2026 Kia Sportage is slightly larger than the previous generation. Compact SUVs are becoming more like midsize SUVs - Photo by Brian Moody 

2011 Toyota Avalon Limited Review

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For 2011, the Toyota Avalon received a few cosmetic updates  Updated March 1, 2026

2026: More Hybrids

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This 2027 Kia Telluride is the 5 millionth vehicle built by Kia in West Point, GA. Now available as a hybrid, it's popular vehicles like this Telluride that will have many mainstream buyers getting hybrids in 2026.  2027  Kia Telluride is now offered as a hybrid  -Photo by Brian Moody