Jeffrey Wiley
Editor · 12 articles published
Editor
Jeffrey Wiley has spent more time than he'd like to admit thinking about what makes a car look right. He writes about automotive design, car culture, and the opinions people have strong feelings about. He lives in north Georgia.
Articles by Jeffrey Wiley
GeneralAug 3, 2026
Why Pickup Trucks Keep Getting Bigger
Park a new full-size pickup next to a 1990s truck and the old one looks like a toy. Hood heights are up about 11 percent since 2000. Fuel economy rules that reward a bigger footprint, buyers treating trucks as family cars, and styling chasing toughness all pushed in the same direction.
Beginner HelpJul 31, 2026
Who Are BYD, Nio, Zeekr and Leapmotor?
BYD, Nio, Zeekr, Leapmotor and Xpeng are Chinese electric car brands, several of them huge, and most people can't tell them apart. One makes its own batteries, one swaps them in three minutes, one is owned by Volvo's parent, and one is partly owned by the company behind Jeep.
Beginner HelpJul 27, 2026
FWD vs RWD vs AWD: Which Layout Actually Drives Best?
Front-wheel, rear-wheel, and all-wheel drive send power to the wheels in three different ways, and each gives a car a completely different character. One is cheap and safe, one is the enthusiast's choice, and one splits the difference. Here is the honest breakdown of which layout drives best, and why it depends on what you want.
GeneralJul 22, 2026
How Cadillac Got Its Looks Back
For a long stretch, a Cadillac was something you rented, not something you wanted. That has quietly changed. The brand's Art and Science design language, all sharp creases and vertical lighting, turned Cadillac into one of the most distinctive-looking marques on the road.
GeneralJul 17, 2026
What Is Bosozoku Style?
Bosozoku is the most extreme corner of Japanese car culture: cars with exhaust pipes that stab into the sky, body kits that defy aerodynamics, and color schemes that refuse to be ignored. It started with rebel bikers, and it has never been about subtlety.
GeneralJul 8, 2026
Why Is the Ferrari 250 GTO Worth $70 Million?
The Ferrari 250 GTO is the most valuable car in the world. One changed hands privately for a reported $70 million, and the public auction record sits above $50 million. Only 36 were ever built. But the price is a symptom, not the reason, and the reason is rarer than the car.
ModsJul 1, 2026
What Is a Widebody Kit and Does It Make a Car Look Better?
A widebody kit is a set of body modifications, usually flared or replaced fenders and quarter panels, that makes a car physically wider so it can cover wider wheels and a wider track. Done with intent, it gives a car the planted stance of a race car. Done as a costume, everyone can tell.
MaintenanceJun 26, 2026
Is Ceramic Coating Worth It?
Ceramic coating is worth it if you care how your paint looks and you understand what you are buying: a semi-permanent chemical layer that protects against UV fade, chemical etching, and dirt adhesion for two to five years. It is not worth it if you expect it to stop rock chips and scratches, because it will not.
AdviceJun 22, 2026
What Is the 20/4/10 Rule for Buying a Car?
The 20/4/10 rule is a car-buying guideline that says you should put at least 20 percent down, finance for no more than 4 years, and keep your total monthly transportation costs under 10 percent of your gross monthly income. Transportation costs means everything: the loan payment, insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
GeneralJun 17, 2026
Why Do New Cars Have Fake Exhaust Tips?
New cars have fake exhaust tips because designers want the look of a performance exhaust without the cost, packaging, and emissions headaches of actually routing one there. The real pipe usually exits lower down, pointed at the ground behind the bumper, while a chrome trim piece sits in the bumper doing nothing.
GeneralJun 12, 2026
What is the Best Color for the Honda Civic Type R?
The Honda Civic Type R comes in five colors and the answer to which one is best is more settled than almost any other car color debate. It's Championship White. It has been Championship White...
AdviceJun 9, 2026
Why the Kia Sorento Is a Great Value
The Kia Sorento occupies a specific and underrated spot in the three-row SUV market: it's smaller and cheaper than the full-size three-row crowd while still offering genuine three-row functionality. Starting at $33,885 for 2026...