Adam's Autos

Welcome to Adam's Autos! "Where I rate autos to help YOU find an A-Rate ride!" Adam’s Autos is a creative medium dedicated to providing consumers with the appropriate information to make an informed new or used automotive purchase. Additionally, Adam’s Autos highlights and promotes local businesses, alongside a variety of today’s latest automotive trends and topics. I also discuss my own personal cars and projects. So fasten your seat belts! We're going for a ride!

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Throwback Thursday - Traffic JAMS

I admit it - I had a crush on Cassie in middle school (along with Rihanna).

We've all been at a complete standstill on the road before... Or just bored at work. Never fear, the weekend will soon be here! Until then, let's switch into memory lane and rock out while we roll on!

This week's jam: Cassie - Long Way 2 Go (2006)

I always liked the beat of this song. It makes me think of driving around at sunset with the windows down in the summer. Also, I reminisce about riding in the back seat of my grandparent's silver Mercury Grand Marquis with my laptop listening to this and other songs of this era while playing my Nintendo DS. Those were the days!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GK7XNLQw1M

Monday, June 27, 2022

Chevrolet Malibu: Throughout the Years

The Chevy Malibu has been around for so long now, until its likely that you or someone you know has or will own one at some point.

The Malibu has long been a bread-and-butter staple of the Chevrolet brand's midsized car lineup, though it has taken different forms over the years, such as the Malibu MAXX. The Malibu actually began its life as a trim level of the Chevelle, but was eventually promoted to being its own model in the late '70s. Past Malibus were produced in Arlington, Texas among other places, but the current North American Malibu is built at GM Fairfax Assembly in Kansas City, Kansas - where the Cadillac XT4 is also built. We'll see if the Malibu lives on for another generation, especially given sedan vs. SUV sales these days.

All of that said, here's a look at the Malibu, from past to present. Which is your favorite? I like the 2008 Malibu best personally (red car in the middle picture). Its the most similar overall to my Saturn Aura.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Kia K5 vs. Civic Si!

A couple of car guys talking car things!

I love meeting other car enthusiasts, and that's what happened recently as I was going down the highway. I ran into Joe Regits and we promptly had to have a quick (and safe) pull. He ended up coming out the victor, because his 9th Gen. Civic Si has some pretty serious mods on it. But it was fun! We stopped after and talked cars for a good while, and we even had a chance to talk about our car collections. His collection also included an Acura Integra Coupe, which he's now sold, but got plenty of use out of.

If you have the time, follow him on Instagram, @slow_joe_fg4! Thanks for the fun Joe, let's meet up again! I'll likely have a few more upgrades besides just a K&N air filter on my K5 by then!

(SN: A short time after this pull, I encountered some stalling issues with my K5 due to improper fuel being in the tank. To see how I handled this, visit my YouTube page and watch the video.)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AdamRichardsonAdamsAutosBlog/featured

Stalled Out Photos:

If you contact UVO Roadside Assist, the info will be displayed on your navigation screen. Also,
getting towed to your local Kia dealer via the UVO services is complimentary.

I believe I had bad gas in the tank, as I normally put midgrade in and then stopped once
gas prices went up. Thus, if you have a K5, I recommend using AT LEAST midgrade for
optimal performance.

VW Will Revive Scout as an EV Off-Roading Brand

Volkswagen is one of many automakers dedicated to having a portfolio of electric vehicles. If they’re recent products such as the ID.4 and Electrify America charging network didn’t have you convinced, then reserve further judgement until you hear about Scout.

Scout was a name last used by International Harvester in the 60s and 70s, but VW is planning to revive the nameplate on an off-road focused SUV and truck around 2026 in the United States. Scout will be financially supported by VW. I think this is a great idea on VW’s part, given America’s never-ending thirst for SUVs and trucks. Plus, demand for EVs is growing steadily, especially given current gas prices. I like VW’s electrification and current product lineup, and Scout will only enhance that strategic direction further. This also heats up the rugged EV truck arena even more, with the upcoming HUMMER EV and Rivian models. This represents a unique opportunity for Scout to establish itself as perhaps a more “unique” alternative with a tie-in to the International Harvester past.

Will you be looking to buy a Scout? Prototypes and additional sketches are expected to be released within the next year or so. Direct competition for Scout once they’re released would be the Rivian R1S and R1T as well as future electrified Jeep and Ford Bronco variants.

Update, Aug. 28th 2023:

Scout Motors has selected South Carolina as the site for their manufacturing facility. This is a wise strategic move in my opinion, as this would make Scout’s vehicles eligible for the federal EV tax incentive up to $7,500.

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Spring Cleaning

I recently completed the spring/summer cleaning on my Aura, Bravada, K5 and Telluride! This is your friendly reminder to do the same for your cars - they'll look good and run even longer! Now, its time to plan some *shorter* road trips - that way we save a little gas too, right?