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MotorBiscuit Contributing WriterMore articles: Tips, Tricks & Trends

Joe Santos

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.

2,773 posts From Author
Trends

How Do You Know If Your Car’s Head Gasket Is Blown?

Your car’s engine is a wonderful, yet complicated air pump that runs on a mixture of gasoline, oil, and coolant. However, none of the three fluids are allowed to mix in the engine, and if they do, then there’s a likelihood that your engine’s head gasket is blown. But how do you know if it …
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Trends

Do Individual Throttle Bodies Add Horsepower?

When you step on the gas pedal in your car, the air gets sucked in through the air filter, past the throttle body, and into the intake manifold, which is basically a chamber. After that, the air goes into each cylinder to enter the combustion cycle. However, with individual throttle bodies, there are separate throttle …
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2001 Acura Integra Type R
Trends

The Easiest Way to Keep Your Honda or Acura From Being Stolen

If you own an older Honda or Acura, then you have probably heard of just how easy they are to steal. In fact, the Honda Civic and the Honda Accord are still among of the top 10 most stolen cars in America and Acuras like the Integra and the RSX are not too far behind. …
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Trends

Did the Terrafugia Flying Car Ever Get Off the Ground?

Considering it’s the year 2020 and we have everything from electric cars to global pandemics, it’s interesting to think that flying cars aren’t more prevalent. After all, a car that can fly at a moment’s notice and get you out of ugly traffic situations or possibly even hover around like the cars in the Jetsons …
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2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid driving on road in the sun
Hybrids & EVs

Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Worth the Extra Money?

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid was revamped for the 2020 model year and with its revisions came a less-powerful powertrain, but bolder styling and a comfortable ride. And while the thought of buying a hybrid three-row SUV might sound foreign to some shoppers, we have spent time with the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and it has proven …
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Trends

Recall Alert: Over 87,000 Volvo XC60 Models Recalled Over One Simple Issue

While the Volvo XC60 is a safe and well-appointed luxury SUV, not everything on it is as tight as it should be. The Swedish automaker just announced a recall for over 87,000 XC60 models built from 2018 to 2020 due to the possibility of an incorrect torque specification used on the windshield wiper bolts during …
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2021 Volkswagen Atlas on country road
Trends

2020 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2020 Hyundai Palisade: Which One Works Best for You?

For those in the market for a large three-row SUV, there is plenty to choose from. In fact, there are currently 25 different three-row SUVs on the market today, so choosing the right one for your family can be more daunting than choosing the right wine to go with your dinner. Even more daunting would …
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Trading in your vehicle
Trends

Why Do Dealers Make Low Offers When You Trade in Your Car?

If you’re shopping for a new car, then you’re likely thinking about trading in your current car to the dealer. We don’t blame you as it’s fast, convenient, and much easier than posting the car up for sale and finding the right buyer for it. While we do always suggest to sell it yourself if …
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Trends

Do Dealers Make More of a Profit When You Lease a Car?

Leasing a car is always more attractive to a customer than financing mainly due to the appeal of having lower monthly payments. Leasing also typically means that a customer can afford much more of a car than they originally bargained for, so at the end of the day, it’s a win-win situation as they will …
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Hybrids & EVs

5 Reasons the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Is Perfect for Realtors

Are you in the real estate business and are need of a sensible, spacious, and semi-luxurious car to do double-duty as a daily driver and client hauler? Are you looking to spend less than $50,000? Then look no further than the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. This three-row SUV has all of the cargo and passenger …
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a white subaru forester crossover SUV at speed on a scenic road
Trends

Why Is the Subaru Forester So Popular?

If you’re in the market for a compact crossover, then chances are that you’re deciding between stalwarts like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. But one rival in the segment that tends to fly under the radar, yet has almost a cult-like following is the Subaru Forester. And what’s not to like? It’s capable and …
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Hybrids & EVs

Do Hybrid Cars With Manual Transmissions Exist?

The words “fun” and “sporty” are usually never really in the same sentence as the term “hybrid car,” however, those words could possibly be used if they were referring to a hybrid car with a manual transmission. While being able to drive a stick shift car is quickly becoming a lost art these days, for …
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Trends

The 2021 Kia Seltos Is Safe, But Not Safe Enough

The Kia Seltos is a compact crossover that’s packed full of handy features and safety tech. However, it unfortunately didn’t live up to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s safety standards as it narrowly missed the mark for being a “Top Safety Pick,” which is an esteemed rating in the automotive world. But that doesn’t …
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Trends

The Gold-Plated DeLorean Was a Unique and Expensive Failure

Although the DeLorean DMC-12 has a cult-like following and was arguably one of the most popular cars in automotive history, it was a failure. But what you might not know is that a gold-plated DeLorean existed as well, and it was an even bigger failure. Only 8,583 DMC-12 models were built from 1981 to 1983, …
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A white Ford Fusion at a car wash with several workers carefully polishing it
Trends

Is the Paint Protection from the Dealership the Same as a Ceramic Coating?

If you have ever purchased a new car from a dealer, then you might have had them try to sell you on products like PermaPlate, Xzillon, or Cila Jet in order to protect the paint on that brand new car that you’re buying. It’s a tempting proposition, however, a professional ceramic coating sounds like a …
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When he's not racing IndyCar, Rossi drives a gray 2020 Honda Passport
Trucks & SUVs

Can We Consider the Honda Passport a Flop?

The Honda Passport nameplate was resurrected for the 2019 model year, and while we would think that a two-row SUV made by Honda would sell well, the numbers say otherwise. Of course, it could be too early to tell, considering that it’s only been in the market for a year or so. But if sales …
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Trends

How Do You Charge an Electric Bike?

Electric bikes have become more popular in the past year and if you have been toying with the idea of buying one, then you have likely been doing your research. And while it’s easy to get caught up in all of the specs, features, and prices of the vast amount of electric bikes currently in …
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Trends

5 Ways the Toyota Camry TRD Makes the Honda Accord Sport Seem Boring

While the Toyota Camry has always been an amazing family car, it’s also carried the stigma of being boring. However, the new-for-2020 TRD trim level kicks things up a notch by adding some much-needed flair and breathing in new life to the Camry’s normally subdued driving characteristics. On the other end of the coin, the …
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