Car Stuff Podcast · Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo

Nissan Kills EV, Driving the Audi SQ8, Shopping for Car Insurance

·55 min·5 clips

Herb Weissbaum warns that letting your car insurance lapse for even one day can clobber you with higher rates.

This episode of the Car Stuff Podcast features hosts Tom and Jill Simonello discussing recent automotive news, reviewing the Audi SQ8, and interviewing consumer expert Herb Weisbaum about car insurance. Tom is a host and Jill is a contributing editor at Consumer Guide and a North American Car of the Year juror. They cover the discontinuation of the Nissan Ariya EV, noting its price range was $41,000 to $56,000 and only 12,000 units were sold in the first half of the year. They compare this to the 36,000 Chevrolet Equinox EVs and 135,000 Tesla Model Ys sold in the same period. The upcoming Nissan Leaf refresh is mentioned, with an estimated price range of $26,000 to $40,000 and a potential dual NACS and CCS charge port configuration. Tom and Jill also mark the end of Subaru Legacy production on September 18th, a model first introduced in 1990. The hosts share their experiences driving different variants of the Audi Q8, with Jill in an RS Q8 priced around $140,000 and Tom in an SQ8. Both are powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Jill critiques the lack of a convenient phone storage spot and the suede steering wheel material in her test vehicle. Tom notes the rakish roofline reduces rear headroom compared to the more utilitarian Q7, with the Q8 starting around $73,000. Herb Weisbaum explains that car insurance rates have increased by over 8% in the first half of 2025 and 30% since 2023, citing an average annual premium of $2,679. He attributes rising costs to more expensive vehicle repairs, higher medical costs from accidents, and increased legal actions. Weisbaum breaks down the core components of a policy: liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. He advises maintaining sufficient liability limits, recommends at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per claim, and stresses the importance of uninsured motorist protection. A surprising claim is that hitting a deer is covered under comprehensive insurance, not collision. Weisbaum also suggests considering an umbrella policy for broader protection and warns never to let an insurance policy lapse, even for a day. The tone is conversational and informative, blending casual banter between the hosts with structured interview segments. The style is educational, offering practical car shopping tips, vehicle impressions, and consumer advice. This episode is ideal for car enthusiasts interested in new model reviews, industry news, and listeners seeking actionable advice on navigating car insurance. It might be less appealing to those seeking deep technical analysis or exclusively EV-focused content.

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