Retro-Review: Ford Maverick Grabber, 1970-’75

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist There is an interesting species of near muscle car that came into being and briefly existed for a handful of years, beginning in the early 1970s -- just as the high tide of the real muscle ...

Car Repairs You Can Still Do Yourself

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Is it harder -- or easier -- to work on "new" cars? Many people have been intimidated into submission -- and don't even check their car's fluids anymore. This is too bad -- because while it's true ...

Diesel Dilemma

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Summer's coming -- and so (probably) are higher gas prices. There has already been a nationwide uptick of about 40 cents a gallon over the past few months -- and we're still a few weeks away ...

New Enough

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist There's a sweet spot I'd like to tell you about. It's not a great place to eat -- or the RPM at which an engine really starts to sing. I'm talking about the sweet spot that ...

The Fixer

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist It's said -- and it's absolutely true -- that one can save a great deal of money by avoiding new cars and buying used ones instead. Thirty-plus percent (sometimes more) off MSRP "sticker price" after just ...

Money – and Hassle – Savers

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist The wise mechanic says: Avoiding the need for repairs is the best way to save money on repairs. Here are a few tips and tidbits along those lines:

The Hazards of Tired-Out Tires

When it comes to keeping tires up to spec, NMA members are second to none. They know the safety and performance benefits of maintaining proper tire inflation, not to mention routine tire inspection, rotation and balancing. So, we wanted to discuss ...

Cold Weather Crutches

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist You think it's hard on you when it's 10 degrees outside? Think about your car. You may feel cold. Your car is cold. If it's 10 degrees outside, that's the temperature of your car. Its engine. The oil ...

Does it Make Sense to You?

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Some ideas sound great... or at least, ok -- until you think some more about them. Let me give you some examples:

Avoiding The Ethanol Blues

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist Ethanol-laced "gas" (10 percent ethanol today, 15 percent soon) isn't all bad. Just mostly bad.