The Autopian

In some ways, it’s a great time to love cars. Internet aggregators have made it easier than ever to search for cars, 3D printing means out-of-production parts can be reproduced at home, and communities exist for just about every make and model. In some ways, it’s also not a great time to be into cars because the ones you like are probably getting more expensive. This week, ca...

The Fisker Karma is fascinating for a lot of reasons. When it went on sale in 2011, it was one of the first production series hybrids America had seen, with a GM-sourced turbocharged four-cylinder charging a battery pack that spun two electric motors at the rear. It also looked unlike anything else on the road, with low-slung, concept-like proportions penned by famed designer...

Never make blanket assumptions. Almost everything has the ability to surprise you. Even the least interesting things can transform into remarkable creations.

You might think of the Pontiac “Iron Duke” four-cylinder as a durable engine that vies with the Chrysler “Leaning Tower of Power” or the Ford “Thriftpower” six for the title of World’s Most Boring Motor. You’d nev...

How much of eighth-grade biology do you remember? For whatever reason, I feel like I remember a lot. For example, I still remember that the difference between rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulums – reticuli? – has to do with the presence of ribosomes. Do I remember what ribosomes do? No, not really. I do sort of remember the Golgi apparatus and, of course, the powerhouse o...

I’m not the type of person to buy something just to be different. That’s certainly one factor, don’t get me wrong, and I do love giving underappreciated oddball cars a chance. But when the time came to purchase a new-to-me winter vehicle, options seemed limited. My requirements were simple: manual, AWD, under $4,000, and at least moderately modifiable. To many car en...