Sidekick Takes
Timely takes on the auto industry from your car's financial sidekick
Nebraska Spends 37,000 Dollars Per Mile. Still the 3rd Worst Roads in America.
Another state proving that more money does not fix roads if you spend it wrong.
Wisconsin Ranks 4th Worst for Road Quality. One in Three Roads Are in Poor Condition.
Brutal winters, moderate spending, and a road network that cannot keep up.
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Both Rank in the 30 Worst Metros for Road Damage.
Two major metros with bad roads, a harsh climate, and aging infrastructure. Pennsylvania drivers pay for all of it.
New Orleans Roads Are Sinking. Louisiana Ranks 7th Worst for Road Quality.
Subsidence, flooding, and neglect make Louisiana roads uniquely expensive to drive on.
Massachusetts Spends Less Per Mile Than Almost Any State. Boston Drivers Pay the Price.
9th worst roads in America. 49th in spending intensity. And tariffs are making every repair more expensive.
Rhode Island Spends 35,000 Dollars Per Mile on Roads. Still the Second Worst in America.
The smallest state is the biggest example of why more spending does not mean better roads.
Five of the Ten Worst Metros for Road Damage Are in Florida. Orlando Is Number One.
It is not just the hurricanes. Florida's heat, traffic, and sandy soil eat roads and tires year-round.
Chicago Fills 143,000 Potholes a Year. Drivers Still Pay 50 Million in Damage.
The second-worst metro for road damage in America. 170 pothole complaints per day. And repair costs are climbing.
New York Roads Cost Drivers 38 Billion Dollars a Year. Pothole Complaints Just Hit a Record.
30 percent of New York roads are in poor condition. The state ranks 5th worst nationally. And 2026 pothole reports are breaking records.
California Has the Worst Roads in America. Here Is What That Costs You.
The Golden State spends 24 billion dollars a year on highways. Its roads are still the roughest in the country.
4.2 Million Potholes and a 25 Percent Tariff on Parts. Here Is What Bad Roads Actually Cost You.
Roads are crumbling. Parts are getting more expensive. Nobody is telling you what this actually costs by city.
What I Wish I'd Known: A Single Mom Who Changed the Math on Car Ownership
A hypothetical letter from a Phoenix mom who cut her car costs by $460 a month by rethinking everything.
A Note to My Younger Self: A Dealership Owner Closes After 31 Years
A hypothetical letter from a retiring Chevrolet dealer reflecting on the forces that ended the franchise model.
To Whoever Reads This: A Couple Who Sold Their Second Car and Didn't Look Back
A hypothetical letter from a Chicago couple navigating life with one car and autonomous rides.
Dear Mom and Dad: A Letter from a 22-Year-Old Who Doesn't Own a Car
A hypothetical letter from 2029, reflecting on the end of car ownership as a rite of passage.
Is BYD Competitive to Tesla? The Numbers Say Yes.
BYD outsold Tesla globally. They make their own batteries, chips, and semiconductors. This is not a future threat. It is a current reality.
What If the Haval H6 Competed Against the Honda CR-V in America?
The world's best-selling SUV is not the CR-V. It is a Chinese vehicle most Americans have never heard of.
What If the Xiaomi SU7 Competed Against the Porsche Taycan in America?
A phone company built a Porsche competitor. It costs one-third the price. And it is selling like crazy.
What If the Geely Galaxy E5 Competed Against the Toyota RAV4 in America?
The company that owns Volvo makes a RAV4 competitor for $15,000. Toyota should be paying attention.
What If the NIO ET5 Competed Against the BMW 3 Series in America?
NIO's battery swap technology lets you refuel an EV in 3 minutes. BMW does not have an answer for that.
What If the BYD Dolphin Competed Against the Nissan Leaf in America?
A $14,000 electric car exists. Americans just cannot buy it.
What If the BYD Han Competed Against the Tesla Model S in America?
A $32,000 flagship sedan vs a $74,000 one. The BYD Han raises uncomfortable questions about what luxury EVs should cost.
What If the BYD Atto 3 Competed Against the Chevy Equinox EV in America?
An affordable electric crossover from China at $26,000 vs Chevy's $33,000 entry. The value gap is real.
What If the BYD Seal Competed Against the Tesla Model 3 in America?
The BYD Seal costs $25,000 globally. The Model 3 starts at $39,000. Here is how they actually compare.
24 takes and counting
Get Personalized Insights
Add your vehicle to see how these trends affect your specific situation.
Get Your Free Score →
