It’s been a long week. We’ve had some folks out, my wife and I have been caring for crying newborn and moving homes at the same time, I had to drive a Vector M12 yesterday because I’d be a fool to pass that up, I’ve been trying to help edit a book, and that’s all on top of my job as editor. But now it’s Friday, and it’s time to take a few minutes to reflect — not just on this week, but on the site overall and on our future. So, dear Autopian readers, let’s talk!
I always enjoy our “let’s chat’ sessions in which you not only tell us how you’re liking (or not liking) The Autopian, but also just generally talk about what’s going on in your car-worlds. Consider the comments section here a great place for both feedback and car-related discussion with fellow Autopians.
I’m about to drive to U-Haul to pick up a 6ft x 12ft trailer to tow with my 1989 Chevy K1500 because I’m too cheap to get the box truck (which has a per-mile fee) and also too cheap to hire movers. This weekend is going to be rough. I’m still trying to figure out how to transition from “single dude who did everything himself” to “married dad who hires things out.” The number of projects at this new house – plus all the cars I own (though I’ll whittle that down soon) — means I’m going to have to fundamentally change my mindset should I want to spend time with baby-Delmar (and I do; that’s my #1 priority).
So that’s what’s on my mind right now. What’s on yours?
The Autopian is now over three years old. We’ve gone from being literally just an idea into a site that outperformed The Drive back in March. That’s wild! And we have you to thank for it. As we look ahead at ways we can not only improve (we just cut autoplay videos for paying members!), but expand in different directions, we’re keeping our ears open to you, dear readers. How are we doing? How are you doing?
The site is great, but it is getting stagnant in some areas. Im tired of reading about electric vehicles with horrible range. Give me an article on how battery life could improve.
To me, the transition from “too cheap to hire movers, just buy friends pizza and beer” happened when said friends (and I) just decided we are too old for that s**t and we had “made it” enough to hire movers.
As far as the site, I find the commenters are respectful, funny and interesting. I am not sure how much moderation goes into that. But please keep that up. Please don’t let it degrade like other sites into name calling, trolling, and politics.
I’m just glad the Autopian exists, content quality is just amazing and I genuinely learn something new every time I open this site. Especially the suspension deep-dives and that Model S HV battery design article, as an EV enthusiast they really scratch my itch.
Plus you get to shoot the shit with car people worldwide in the comments, used to be you could only do that on model or brand-specific forums.
Keep it weird and keep that content coming!
I’m in a van-shaped conundrum at the moment. I blew up the turbo vantruck because I had too much fun with too much boost and fueling, so it’s in need of (minimum) a head gasket. Problem of course is that doing any of that diagnostic in the van chassis just tells you how hard to pull the engine out, not if.
So my options are yoink it out and take it apart and see what’s going on, and assess from there or yoink it out and have a replacement ready or an exchange scheduled.
I have a lead on a low-mile 7.3 IDI from a U-Haul truck… with the attendant issue that it’s still in the truck. I’d have to mobilize my facilities and bring it 2 hours away to the middle of a dirt lot.
All of these things cost varyingly high amounts of money, of course, and I was one of those people who pulled forward some life spending in anticipation of Tariffmania. No matter the outcome, I think I’m gonna turn it down quite a bit after the R&R…
But at least I finished putting the chrome stacks on it. That’s what led to the “Having too much fun with too much boost”…
Why have you stopped posting on BlueSky?
You guys are doing great, I really enjoy the articles. I open this website first, then the local sharepoints and sites at work lol
And I’m doing fine I just sold my 95 mercury tracer wagon with 56k miles to a teacher that needed a car for $1000. I could probably got a little bit more but I used the money to buy a 96 Mustang V6 in very good condition, no rust!
Mercedes, when is time to sell my Insight Gen 1, you are the first one to know about it 🙂
I love the site, the writers and many of the regular commenters. I try to read at least an article every day. Best car site on the innertubes.
Had a special car sighting day today. A first series Honda Insight at Costco and a new Lucid Air. Love to have both of them.
I just wanted to say I enjoy the site very much and sincerely hope you don’t incorporate AI into your articles like some other sites have already begun to do. It’s extremely noticeable and just a waste of time as a reader to see and filter through.
My favorite articles from the old site was the time Jason’s bug was stolen in LA and the community sleuthed it back. I also oddly remember Jason’s weird article about his idea for a pickup truck with an asymmetrical bed shaped like a tetris piece. I don’t know what that says about me.
Personally I need to replace the ripped top on my Miata at some point. It’s been 4 years and I just drive it around like that. Most of the time the top is down anyway. But just had an accident working on an electric go kart that sparked and melted my apple watch to my wrist.
In no particular order:
The site is doing great. Lots of content, and unflagging quality. It feels like the borderline clickbaity headlines we discussed a while back are completely gone and you’ve found your groove with headlines. I love that all the writers have their own beats, and at the same time they’re very competent and can pick up other stories when a writer is not available. For example but not exclusively, Thomas’s TMD are great TMDs, different from Matt’s, but extremely informative and well-written.
Everyone’s enthusiasm and depth of knowledge is shockingly good. I ask myself “how the f would anyone know this?” several times a week reading stories. I haven’t seen a roster as strong as you lot since I started reading car writing online 20 years ago maybe?
I do wish some of the writers had the ability to post MOAR, e.g. SWG, Andrea, Grouchy Goth, Huibert. But there’s already a lot of stuff I can’t keep up with.
To David
A big move and change in circumstances sure can focus the mind. The fact you’re “only” moving across town should not distract you from your solemn duty not to hoard shit you only perhaps might need in several years when you get around to fixing your holy grail manual one-year-only pearlescent green RHD Liberty you found (and left) in a barn in Lubbo. Get rid of it.
Suggestion
I’m of two minds about the suggestion I’m about to make, because it’s a lot of work to get right, it can lead to a lot of work to maintain, the site doesn’t really have an endemic problem with assholes, and you’ve probably already thought about it.
Here goes: maybe add a button to report assholes in the comments, and automatically collapse comments that got x numbers or reports?
Thanks for asking and for kicking ass.
I’m wondering what the little red two-seater car is in the picture. Apparently, it has just one seat in the front and one in the back.
Glas 1004 – Wikipedia
You’re doing great. My only comment is that I’d like the notification bell to work on mobile again. It shows I have responses but clicking the bell does nothing.
But damn, that’s really it. The content has been great. One of the rarest things about this place is that I’ve enjoyed multiple pieces by every single writer here. And this is the internet in 2025.
Edit: And I’m doing fine. Actually on vacation this upcoming week. Which, ironically, means I probably won’t be on the site a lot until after Memorial Day (eh, I’ll probably still impulsively pull it up twice a day).
Suggestion; Please resist the urge to “pin” comments. Turns into a mess when replies fill the page. Thought of a possible alternative; have a banner, or thumbnails across the top of the comments section with links to editor recommends, any staff could then highlight something.
Or collapse the replies to the pinned comment, maybe?
Great idea!
I need this site.
The writing is genuine from people who really do give a shit. You’re a quirky, diverse bunch who all have distinct writing styles. And you write about things I give a damn about. You bring a bit of joy into my day, everyday, and that’s damn rare from anything online in 2025.
Thank you!
Also I’m looking for a good suspension guy to rebuild my KX450 front end.
you’re a peach!
This is the main site I visit to just chill out and enjoy. I showed it to another guy at work recently and he was genuinely surprised at the decorum of the comment section, he said it was the nicest comment section he’d read in 10 years and I wouldn’t say I take that for granted as much as it just struck me as I hadn’t thought about it in a while.
I don’t think that’s an accident, I think the mission statement you all have done, and the team you’ve assembled is really great, so thanks.
The articles are great, the community is great, I’ll definitely be renewing in a few months when it comes due, glad to support you all.
I guess as far as chat, of the following 90s sport coupes, which would make the best sporty fun EV conversion using a Nissan leaf motor swap and non-child-labored batteries?
Plymouth Laser(the weaker Eagle Talon sibling)
Dodge Neon
Ford Probe
Toyota Celica
Nissan NX2000(would be fitting)
Saturn SC2
Hyundai Tiburon
I feel all have that optimistic future vibe that we could’ve had instead of the current crossover blandy blah timeline we ended up with.
Hey! The Laser had better, less fussy lines than the Talon, at least to my eyes.
IDK, I love the Talon.
Yeah, I have to vote Talon too. My sister had a red 91 Talon TSI AWD with a stick in high school. It was so fun to drive. I just can’t think of anything to compare it to now, and they were somewhat obtainable cars at the time. 6.5 seconds 0-60 was a rocket at the time.compared to the competition. I would have expected these to be a future classic, but they have been modded or driven nearly out of existence.
Yeah it was definitely cleaner but that 1st gen Talon just had this Knight Rider coolness to it, I also ponder the Chrysler Laser from the decade before, with digital display, but like the bubbly future ones.
Chrysler Laser would be fantastic, esp if it had those awesome milled aluminum salt shaker wheels!
I bet they aren’t bad for aero either! Nevermind the block shape of the rest of the car lol.
I am going to go with the Toyota Celica. I had a 1995 GT back in the day and it was a ton of fun, but the 5sfe engine is painfully under powered. Only produces 135 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque on premium. Replacing this with 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque from the Nissan Leaf would be a huge improvement.
I’d love to see a Leafy Saturn!
The Saturns were pretty light and could practically be taken apart with a Phillips head screw driver. I don’t have a lot of other good things to say about it, but you could probably also find one for pennies.
Although I think if you’re going for “alternate future,” the Probe was really the most “CAR OF THE FUUUUTUURE” design of that set.
Yeah it looks awesome, just not sure I can get over the name lol.
Oh man, an EV-swapped SC2 would be amazing as a spiritual baby brother to the EV1, which was also leased through Saturn dealerships.
Actually the refreshed 1997+ SC2 wheelbase is identical to a Bolt EV, and the SL/SW wheelbases were identical prior to the refresh, so I had considered a body swap since I already have a Bolt, and then it’d all be GM parts, but I think width would be an issue.
A body swap would remedy a lot of the common issues Saturn’s have, but just, ugh, all the things with that. I think in the end a Leaf swap is much more practical, especially with the resolve controller.
Oooh, Bolt power is an interesting proposition. I’m not saying a wild widebody treatment would fix the width issue, but I’m also not not saying that a wild widebody treatment would fix the width issue.
I think you will be amazed how far onto the back burner cars go. Houses have been stealing my car money for a couple decades now, but at least I enjoy wood working and painting and such. Now that I finally have a 3-car garage and some money to I could conceivably spend on cars, I have no interest in doing so (OK, I have a little interest, but not enough to draw much money). Also, while nobody GAF about anything I accomplish with my cars, they are easily impressed by home projects. While I don’t do any of the things I do for external validation, that doesn’t mean it isn’t nice to have.
I just finished a long talk with my editor about marketing ideas for my book series, which I needed since my brain views self-promotion with disdain. It’s refreshing to finally have content that (older) kids can read so that it’s actually marketable to people outside a cosplaying assassin’s convention.
Tomorrow, I have a niece’s dance recital and nephew’s HS graduation and party to attend. It will be a long day, but I’m proud of those kids.
The site is wonderful. Oddly enough, my only “complaint” is that there’s too much content for me to be able to read it all! It would be great to add quick links to the authors’ pages, though. Sometime I don’t get to visit the site for a few days and I want to see if author so-and-so has written anything new. My only option is to scroll until I find an article by that person, then click the article, then click the author’s name to go to their page. I have limited time to poke around the webs and this would make my precious Autopian time more efficient.
As for me, I’ve recently found and installed a single DIN stereo with Android Auto in my ’88 XJ Wagoneer and I frickin love it. SINGLE DIN with a friggin live map of my movements! In an ’88 XJ! It looks futuristic and stock at the same time. Wild stuff, man. Next up is the pesky door locks. I have to run better power and add some relays so that the power locks work again. Working on this vehicle is always frustrating but never gets old.
As for hiring work out, my advice is to hire out the physical stuff that doesn’t bring you joy (moving) and keep the physical stuff that does bring joy (working on cars). The mental stuff you should never hire out. Keep it up, folks we’re all excited to ride this wagon with you wherever it goes!
That would be me, right? You need to see if I’ve written anything new.
Absolutely. How else will I know what to be angry about?
Unironically, non-brown-nosingly yes.
Yeah, that too. 😉
Do what I do, catch up on weekends.
Okay, since there’s a hive mind here…I am all but finished with a big, massive, above-my-pay-grade project, swapping the M54B30 engine and transmission (ZF 5HP19 auto, rebuilt) from a 2003 BMW 530i into my ’03 525iT. Everything’s in, bolted back up, plugged in, etc.—as far as I can tell.
Yesterday, I filled up the oil, put in and bled the coolant, and started filling the transmission fluid. Part of the fill process for the ATF involves running the car until the fluid gets up to temp, so I took the plunge and turned the key. It started!
…And ran really badly for a minute, then died. During which time I also got a “Trans Failsafe Prog” warning on the dash. Reading codes on the engine came up with a misfire on cylinder 5. Starting from the possible cause that was easiest to access, I swapped the ignition coils on cylinders 4 and 5, ran it again (still sounded horrible)…and got a code for a misfire on 3. I also got a P1895 code from the transmission, which is a little vague, but points to some issue with the ECU.
So I have an engine problem and a transmission problem. I have a couple of theories; curious if anyone here thinks they’re any good, or has any others.
Theory on the engine: the various plastic pipes in the crankcase ventilation system were a bear to hook up, and maybe I didn’t get one all the way on, leading to a vacuum leak that’s causing misfires. Checking this requires removing the airbox and the throttle body, and then a fair bit of blind contortion to reach the CVV to check the connections; a pain, but a relatively minor one.
Theory 1 on the transmission: there are two wiring harnesses that both hook up in kind of weird ways; maybe one of them isn’t on as tight as I thought. Both are easy to access from under the car, but neither is easy to get much visual information from; they both look like they’re on fine.
Theory 2 on the transmission: according to others who have done this swap, it will start and run just fine without doing any coding to the computers, but there are flashes that should be done to the engine (DME) and transmission (EGS) computers to optimize the performance of the more powerful engine/trans combo. Maybe the EGS module is having a hard time recognizing the new transmission, and I need to do the coding before proceeding?
Anyway, thought I’d float it here since this is a great group and forums are dead (not really, at least for BMWs, but folks there do tend to be a lot snottier than here).
Those sound good to me as a non-BMW guy, but rough shot in the dark thinking of common causes, did you confirm the connectors are clean and undamaged? Sometimes it’s the head-slappingly simple stuff that can trip you up.
Giving the transmission connectors another pass with cleaner is probably a good idea, as long as I’m checking the connections. Thanks!
Are you still running the stock M54B25 DME map?
At the moment, yes, though flashing DME and EGS is on my to-do list before the car really gets driven again.
I’d try flashing the M54B30 map and see if that fixes the misfires. I know airflow’s different from B25 to B30, so I have a feeling the MS43 isn’t seeing the input values it expects to see, likely contributing to rough running. Also, gearbox detection may be set up wrong for the 5HP19, so I’m guessing you’re likely chasing more software gremlins than hardware ones. MS4x Wiki should be able to help you get it done on the cheap.
FWIW my M50 ran similarly when the plastic connector under the intake manifold that connected to the idle control valve broke and cause a major vacuum leak.
Your entire project is giving me chills of fear, and I also applaud you for taking the plunge to make it happen. I run a M54B25 in the rally car and when I either blow it up (more likely) or get good enough to need more power (less likely) I’ll need to do the same swap you’re working on. Godspeed and good luck!
Couldn’t just bring the DME & EGS module w/ the swap?
No problems with the site, can’t wait for dark mode, though I’ll miss the red, white and teal aesthetic.
The LSD in the Leaf is still working to my knowledge, won’t really know how well it works till next winter sadly, didn’t get any snow that stuck after I got the Leaf.
I’m a full BEV convert because of the Leaf, it’s so damn nice having no vibrations and no noise, along with air independent power, and seamless cruise control.
Yesterday I saw a mid 2000’s Audi with either a chopped or aftermarket exhaust weaving through traffic like an asshole and thought to myself
‘If I bought something as loud and slow as that I’d take it back to the Harley Dealership’.
It’s remarkable how quick BEVs are, I’ve never found myself once wanting for extra horsepower, torque, etc. in my Leaf with all of it’s 147 HP and 236 LB-FT.
That all being said the only “wrenching” I’m doing now in regards to automobiles is coming up with a custom floor plan for an Airstream Basecamp Xe I’m seriously considering living out of full time.
Since it’s just going to be me living in it and maybe a couple of dogs I can get rid of a lot of the existing seating/sleeping quarters.
I want to put a quality bathtub in it that is either 6ft long so I can fully lay down in it, or one of those old people deep tubs with a door in it (trading horizontal space for vertical). Probably going to rip out the rear benches to fit the tub, a small woodstove (for emergencies), and a small workbench.
I’m not really a fan of the rear door on the Basecamp. The original ones had the floor drop down with built in steps and clamshell rear doors. It made loading motorcycles and such super easy, though it was more complex.
The current rear door is pretty high up, to the point you need a serious step stool to get up there, and beside being a physically larger door than the side door I really don’t see the advantage of it, and with the angle it is at it seems like it would be way more prone to leaks in heavy rain than the side door.
Current plan is to get it two years from now, buy a plot of land to have a small metal garage building built on it for the off season, then buy plots of land in other states I like near friends where I have power, sewer, and water hookups, so I can just head down to X state, hook up, and be set up same day. Current planned tow rig is the Telo Truck, as it should have the towing capacity necessary, but when not towing it will be an extremely practical automobile. However if the Telo never reaches production and or the final tow rating is lower than the weight of the Basecamp Xe, I’ll probably settle for a NACS equipped F-150 Lightning.
Make sure you shore up the flooring area under the tub as a larger tub is probably close to at least 900 lbs in water weight when full (assuming ~110 gal.).
Thank you for the heads up.
I think a used F150 lightning with all the pro-power would be a good option. The Telo, we need more small trucks so hope it succeeds, but just am not sure it will, and that it’ll have all the specs they’re claiming.
I can hit the “smart invert” in the accessibility settings on my iPhone to make the background black and the text white. Good for late night reading.
Ooooooooooooh I’d love to see updates on this Airstream project. It’s awesome when people really get crafty with trailers. Well, that, and I usually hate RV showers. 🙂
Thanks, will do.
Baby carriers my man. You can do all the house work you need and they get a comfy ride. Never hire people for repairs because they will do a bad job.
Also wanted to say, I saw Beau on the first episode of Mike Rowe’s new YouTube show “People You Should Know” and that was so awesome of him to donate that Expedition!
We are also moving in less than 2 weeks and I have to say, after 30 years of marriage and multiple inter-state moves, there’s nothing like a move to clean out junk. We are hiring it out, because I was never young and stupid enough to think I could move a piano by myself. We already have the new place and one of the first things to go was the Miata, so at least our priorities are straight. As far as the site goes, thank you for stopping the autoplay for members, there’s only so many times I can watch the same 3 seconds of the same videos. I want to thank Hardigree for his music selections, he continues to expand my voluminous Spotify favorites list. To Torch for keeping it weird, to David for keeping it real, to Mercedes for the uninhibited glee, and to Adrian for keeping it Goth. The beauty of the Autopian is the diversity, and that’s a precious thing.
Knowing what David’s shared about his background (Army brat, big family) I have to wonder how multiple moves with limited space affected his carbuying habits.
As a former army brat, I’m used to moving, used to being frugal, and used to not complaining.
It’s a life I wish I could have given my son, if I’m honest.
3 moves equals a fire.
I am also cheap and moved with an open Uhaul utility trailer. It was only a mile, and I moved over the course of 2 months with my truck and then did a weekend push with the large stuff and the trailer. I did hire a couple movers to help with big stuff (appliances, couch, player piano, etc).
Funny story about the player piano. I tried to give it away with the house sale because everyone who ever gets a free piano never wants it after. So my buyer never says anything about it even after we ask through our agents. I paid extra to move the piano and basically have it sit in my garage until I can burn it for firewood or something (it was not in good shape).
We get to closing and the buyer says, “what did you end up doing with that piano? I meant to tell you I wanted it.” (seriously!). So I told him it’s in my garage and he can have it, but make sure he rents a trailer with ramps and brings people to help him load it because I’m not interested in a hernia or something. Dude shows up with the smallest non-ramp Uhaul utility trailer, one friend, and is towing with a Chrysler Sebring. Somehow we get this several-hundred pound piano on the trailer and he leaves, never to be seen again. But at least I don’t have a piano anymore.
Good luck with the move and congrats again on the addition to the family.
Ah pianos. When I purchased my current personal house there was an old upright piano in the otherwise vacant house. They did say that they could look into moving it if I really insisted. So I agreed to get it. Fast forward to the following summer the leaves/grass clippings that had been thrown over the edge had compressed/rotted. What do I see but another upright Piano that had been partially broken up. Fast forward several more years and my Daughter is heading off to College. I buy a house for her to share with some roomates and of course it came with an upright piano. The last couple of tenants accepted it with the piano but I think it is time to finally haul it off before I rent it out again. I’m definitely going full sawzall with it if I get no takers on FB market place as I expect.
Frequent lurker, occasional commenter, recent member. I love this site and thank you all for running it! I know David that you are against a box truck but an engineering deep dive into a Ford V10 would be the kind of cheap, offbeat content that gets reread by me. Other than that, maybe an Autopian project fleet update (has the Ski-Classe been crushed? Has the taxi found a new tree? Is the Murano cruising the Sunset Strip?) would be awesome
If David doesn’t do the V10, that sounds like my kind of thing! I keep looking at V10 E-Series vans. 🙂
Hmmm…Ski-Klasse. I haven’t seen it since I broke it, broke it again, broke it a third time, got it stuck, and then gave it back to Bill Caswell. Sorry, Bill!
Hell yeah! I would love that, I think I have read your iQ road trip article at least 7 times
U-Haul pitch Approved, Merc.
Please have plans ready for (or at least spend some time thinking through) Autopian response to pressures that will corrupt its soul.
Example #1: If a venture capital firm decides there’s “unrealized value” here to be extracted, and start flashing big tempting dollar signs.
Example #2: If the government… “encourages”… avoiding criticism of policy such as tariffs.
We never want to sell, so I think #1 is a low risk. Not sure what to do about #2, other than come up with a fun euphemism for tariffs. “Barbecuing”
Could just call them levees(levies)? As in drove the Chevy to, but it was dry.
I thought someone was barbecuing! And then the smoke got me…I got bronchitis!
I finally got a second car… to be a first car.
A 2014 C63 AMG Coupe Edition 507.
Ideally I wanted a dark gray or silver non-matte sedan, but they are unicorns. Only two have transacted on the major platforms in the past five years, both of which were “collector grade” and carried too much premium.
I and others (detailer, Merc specialist) agree that the prior owner clearly cared for/about the car, but this was above his pay grade. Though some of it may just be ignorance. The car was tinted/blacked out to, er… poser-spec? The detailer noted the “gangster lean” the passenger seat arrived in.
As I go through it the to-do list grows. Thankfully, outside of a bumper scrape — which between that and a clown having installed the PPF requires a repaint — and a full reupholster of an Alcantara steering wheel and gear knob, it seems to be checking out. Cared for, but not cared for as it should’ve, with some deferred maintenance and scrimping. Mechanically it’s sound.
Yet it’s a list. The number to get it to “2-year old condition” is… a number, and some must wait until winter when I can wait for paint to cure before XPEL Ultimate goes on. Though I’ll still end up at ~$20K cheaper than a less-equipped collector grade one to get this back to 97% of collector grade condition, mileage aside. Besides, I wanted one that had been driven, and hadn’t just sat.
Now that’s a special, special car. Ten pounds of engine in five pounds of compact executive coupe in the best way possible. Congratulations!
I’ve always appreciated them, but when they were new, they didn’t make sense as an only and “primary fun” car, so I went with my original plan of a 981 Spyder which I kept until I got the RS.
Yet I need a “normal-ish” car, opportunity was there…
For me it’s a “20-70mph” car that makes silly noises, that you can genuinely drive with your right foot. Two car garage is done.
TIL you could get a 6.3 litre 507HP Mercedes the size of a Honda Civic. That’s awesome.