Joe Santos has been an automotive journalist since 2013 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2020. He writes strongly on consumer advice and new cars, and we consider him an asset to readers looking for guidance in buying and selling autos.
Joe earned a Bachelor’s in Journalism from California State University, Fullerton, and spent years as a Road Test Editor at Kelley Blue Book, after which he served in various automotive-related roles, including an autonomous vehicle trainer for GM, a vehicle sales manager, and an Audi brand specialist.
Joe’s prized possession is a 2008 Honda S2000 in Laguna Blue Pearl, with which he attends local car meets. Joe is also a content creator for LTD Global, a B2B support firm. He greatly admires writers Dan Neil and Neal Pollack.
In all my years of working as a car salesperson, I can only remember one time where I had to tell a customer to slow down during a test drive. I worked at a Honda dealership and the customer and I were test driving a 2007 Honda S2000. During the test drive, he proceeded to …
Once upon a time, it was cool to hang a pair of fuzzy dice from your rearview mirror, but if that type of personalization didn’t suit your style, then a graduation tassel or air freshener would usually do the trick. And while that “new car” scented freshener might make your car’s interior smell nice while …
Modifying your car isn’t limited to extracting more horsepower, changing its ride height, or outer appearance, it can even mean modifying the parts that you don’t normally see upon first glance. For example, if you want to make your pride and joy a show car, then you have probably thought about wire tucking your car’s …
When it comes to buying any car, new or used, there can be some confusion when it comes to the price that you see on the car’s windshield and the total price that you have to pay. The price on the window or on the window sticker is the car’s selling price, but the total …
What do you get when you take a hatchback, lift it, and then install black plastic cladding and a turbocharged engine? No, not a Subaru Crosstrek. You get a 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo, which ironically is the brand’s answer to the Crosstrek. However, it’s much more sophisticated than that car. But what about the Mazda3 …
Some financial experts will tell you that buying a car is better than leasing one. But is leasing a car a really stupid idea?
Owning an electric vehicle is great for saving money on fuel and saving the environment all year. But cold weather affect an EV’s range?
I’m driving the 2021 Mazda CX-30 for a week and I noticed one annoying feature. Fortunately, it’s a safety feature.
I had the 2021 Toyota Sienna for a week and noticed that its hybrid engine is so efficient that it could take a while to see the gas gauge move.
The 2021 Mazda CX-30 is the automaker’s compact crossover that’s large enough for a family of five, but small enough to fit in just about any garage or parking space. And considering it’s available with an all-wheel-drivetrain, the CX-30 is the perfect answer for anyone that’s looking for the capabilities of a Subaru, but with …
Shopping for a cheap, used sports car can be exciting, but tough at the same time. There have been many great choices in the market over the past 20 years, such as the Subaru BR-Z, the Nissan 370Z, and even the Mazda Miata. But there are two choices that many sports car enthusiasts tend to …
If you’re looking for a used compact car, then it’s easy to want something economical like a Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. But what if you something a little more luxurious? In that case, your options for a small luxury are limited, but U.S. News has a handy list of their top picks of the …
Driving around semi-trucks, or 18-wheelers can be annoying and scary at the same time. Their sheer mass can inflict a lot of damage on the cars around or in front of them should the worst happen. In fact, more than 4,000 fatal car crashes occur every year, and most of the time, it’s due to …
If your car’s engine is emitting a ticking noise at idle or upon acceleration, then it could be due to one of these five reasons.
Did you receive your third stimulus check? Here is when you should or should not use it as a down payment on a car.
Are you planning to get into auto racing? If so, you’ll need a helmet. But not every helmet is created equal. Here is how to choose one.
If you currently drive a hybrid car or are planning to buy one, then the main highlight of owning it is to get the best fuel economy possible. However, everyday traffic congestion, driving over different types of terrain, and even the weather can have an effect on any car’s overall fuel efficiency. But can cold …
Autocross racing is one of the safest and most fun ways to enjoy your car. Here are some tips to get you started in it.
If you’re in the market for a car and are looking to get a good deal, then common knowledge would likely tell you that buying a used car is your best bet. And that would typically be the case had the pandemic not occurred. Over the past year, the used car market has gone haywire …
Owning and driving a BMW is one of the most sought-after experiences for those in the market for a new car and, thanks to leasing, it’s one very obtainable one. In fact, most of the new BMWs that you see driving next to you, or blowing past you, on the freeway are most likely leased. …
If you can get over the stigma of driving a minivan, then you’ll grow to like the 2021 Toyota Sienna. Its bold styling, luxurious interior, and family-friendly amenities are on par with what you’ll find in most three-row SUVs today, and its quiet cabin and plush ride rival many luxury cars. Despite its recent redesign, …
You might think that getting into an electric car is an expensive endeavor. But if you look into a used 2017 Chevy Bolt, you might think differently.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a powerful and rare crossover SUV. But is it really worth the marked-up price that dealers are selling them for?
“You have a Honda S2000?! Those cars are going up in value” are words that I have heard over and over during the past four years that I have owned my car. Of course, the value of my 2008 Honda S2000 has been something that’s been on the back of my mind. But I’ve never …
If you want to experience your sports car at its maximum potential without getting in trouble, then autocross racing might be for you. But what is it?
Have you ever wanted to watch TV in your car? If so, here is how to add a TV tuner to your car and enjoy shows to go.
Take one look at the Polaris Slingshot and you’re bound to say, “What the heck is that?” We wouldn’t blame you, considering it’s not every day that you see a three-wheeled half-car, half-motorcycle thing rolling down the road. It definitely looks weird, but could you technically drive on every day? The Polaris Slingshot is technically …
The Toyota Sienna was redesigned for the 2021 model year and now sports a new look and bevy of tech-savvy features. Additionally, the interior was redesigned with a new, futuristic look and is filled with enough cubby spaces, storage solutions, and cupholders to keep your whole family satisfied. It drives smooth as well, which made …
Whether you participate in amateur racing or just like to hit the track on the weekends, your personal safety is important. This means that you should always wear a helmet, make sure that your car passes the safety tech inspection, and maybe even use a HANS device. But what if you don’t have a proper …
Modifying a car means more than just adding a bunch of parts under the hood and on the exterior to make it look and feel fast. In reality, in order to squeeze more power and performance out of your modified car, you’ll need to ensure that all of the parts that you add on are …
If you’re in the market for a new mid-size sedan, then leasing a 2021 Honda Accord could be a great way to get into one right now.
If you live in a snow state, then you’re probably used to having to switch your car’s tires twice a year. As a good general rule of thumb, your car should have summer tires in the summer and winter tires in the winter in order to get the best performance through every season. And while …
Since the pandemic hit last year, dealers have been changing the way they do business in order to make the car sales process easier and safer for their customers. This means that they’re doing things like contactless delivery of the vehicle and even signing contracts online. However, if you’re shopping for a used car, then …
“Granny shifting, not double-clutching like you should” are the famous words said by Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) in the 2001 hit The Fast and the Furious. Ironically, when it comes to drag racing or daily driving, that line doesn’t really make much sense. So you might be wondering what “double clutching” actually is and if …
Finding a good used car and then going through the whole process of buying it can be a daunting process, especially if you have bad credit. There are plenty of good used cars to be had, but you might end up paying a lot more than you should if you’re not privy to the car-buying …
Whether you commute to work daily or just go out for a leisurely drive from time to time, you’ve probably come across that one car that we all shake our heads at. You know, the one car that’s driving slower than everyone else on the highway and they just have to get in front of …
Buying a sports car is exciting, however, having to buy car insurance can be a drag. Considering your technically paying monthly, semi-annually, or annually for coverage in the case that something “might” happen to your car, insurance can be looked at as being an unnecessary expense. And that expense can fluctuate depending on what kind …
With Spring and Summer right around the corner, it could be time to check on your car’s air conditioning system. Of course, turning on your car’s A/C while it’s still cold outside might seem odd, but it’s a good idea to make sure that it doesn’t need to be recharged before the warm weather hits. …
If you read almost any other review of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime, it will most likely talk about how quick the car is and that it’s the most powerful crossover hybrid on the market. While both of these claims are true, there’s more to this plug-in crossover than performance numbers and a curious “wow” …
The Acura Integra Type R was one of the most revered and rarest cars that the brand ever produced, but this 1995 Honda Integra Type R sedan is even rarer. Imagine taking the high-revving engine, tight suspension, and racecar driving characteristics from the Integra Type R coupe and sticking them into a more sensible sedan …
Are you in the market for a gas-sipping economy compact car? Then the Geo Metro is a great option if you want to save fuel and tempt fate.
If you’re in the market for a compact car, then the 2021 Hyundai Elantra is a great choice. But which trim level can give you the best value?
Now that vaccines are rolling out, are you planning a post-pandemic road trip? If so, here are five important tips to get your car on the road safely.
The two main in-car interfaces found in most new cars today are very similar. But what is the difference between Apple Carplay and Android Auto?
The long-awaited 2021 Acura TLX Type S is set to show up in dealer showrooms in May and will cost a little more than you might think.
If you’re looking to strike a good deal on a stylish mid-size sedan, then buying or leasing a 2021 Hyundai Sonata could be a great idea.
We bet you didn’t think a 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid could pull cars out of a ditch in a snowstorm. Watch this video and prepare to be amazed.
Among all of the switches, buttons, and levers in your car, the parking brake is probably one mechanism that you commonly overlook every day. If your car has an automatic transmission, then you most likely just throw it into “park” when you get to your destination and exit the car. However, your car’s parking brake …
Having your car stolen is one of the most devastating experiences you can ever go through, but there are several ways to prevent that from happening. An aftermarket alarm can help and a steering wheel lock can add another layer of security, but a “kill switch” can do wonders in keeping your car firmly planted …
Car repairs can get expensive and you might not always have a way to pay for the bill. Here are some options if you can’t pay for your car repairs.
The Hyundai Elantra was completely redesigned for the 2021 model year and even won the prestigious 2021 North American Car of the Year award. After driving the Elantra in its top-tier Limited form, I can definitely see why it took home such an esteemed honor. In addition to its striking exterior aesthetics, the all-new Elantra …
