National
Motorists
Association

Is Your Old Car A Classic – Or Just A Used Car?

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Is that nicely preserved '88 Buick in your garage a "classic " -- or just another old car? The answer depends on who you ask. Most states won't issue a "classic" (or "antique") vehicle license plate and registration ...

California Considering License Plate Ads

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Just when you thought it wasn't possible to find another way to try to shove pushy advertising down your throat, the DMV comes up with a new one. California may be about to turn your car into ...

Fast Driver? There’s An App For That

By Spike Roberson, NMA Member For many years the tools available to enable Fast Drivers to carry out their mission have been stagnant: Effective radar detectors have been around for decades and although they've been steadily refined, there hasn't been ...

Do Modern Cars Lack Imagination?

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Do modern cars lack "imagination"? It's a not-uncommon criticism, especially from old car buffs who remember the "good old days" of jutting fins and big chrome bumpers and quirky touches like His n' Hers shifters, Wonderbars, dual ...

The Bamboozled American Driver?

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Just the other day I saw a TV commercial for the 2011 Infiniti M56. It has a 420 hp 5.6 liter V-8 engine. It can reach 60 mph in about 5 seconds and will run to ...

The Return of the Blue Light Special

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Really basic, really inexpensive cars are coming back. The car companies recognize that there are millions of Americans who just can't afford a $17,000 "economy" car and are retooling prices (and cars) to reflect this new ...

Yesterday’s Auto Industry: 16 Things That Used To Be

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist I am in my early 40s and like most people do as they enter mid-life, I have started to notice how much has changed since I was a kid. Here are a few things I can remember ...

Economy Car Catch 22

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist One thing that's interesting but unnoticed by most is that economy car performance (fuel efficiency wise) was stronger 15-20 years ago. In the '80s, for example, there were several models getting 40-plus MPG. I think there may ...

GM’s $4,000 Car That We Won’t Get

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Here is a startling tidbit: In coverage of GM's reported intention to produce a $4,000 car, the company revealed that its near-term "goal" is to "have 75 percent of its sales" outside the United States. Your tax dollars ...

The Cash For Clunkers Program Throws A Rod

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist When you give stuff away for free it tends to go away fast. Especially if it's money you're giving away for free. The government, of course, seems not to understand this concept. Perhaps because it is other ...