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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

The 2008 Volkswagen R32 Is a High-Performance Hot Hatch Bargain

The Volkswagen GTI is credited with being the original “hot hatchback” as its fun-to-drive nature was attribute to its high-performing four-cylinder engine, small dimensions, and stellar handling capabilities. However, what happens when you add a bigger engine and all-wheel drive? You get a Volkswagen R32. The Volkswagen R32 first appeared for the 2004 model year …
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Trends

The Truth About Used Car Dealers

If you’re shopping for a used car, then chances are you found a car at a private dealer lot and were enchanted by the car’s pictures on their website and wanted to go check it out. We don’t blame you. Private dealer prices are typically lower than most of the larger franchise dealers and, thanks …
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2020 Subaru WRX
Trends

The Base Subaru WRX is the Ultimate Minimalist Sport Sedan

The Subaru WRX is well-known for its rally-racing roots, powerful turbocharged engine, and impressive handling prowess. Due to its high-performance versatility, the WRX has long been heralded as the go-to sport compact sedan as it provides a great value for anyone in search of a car that’s more exciting than a Toyota Corolla. But what …
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Trends

The Best Modification You Can Do Isn’t To Your Car

Just about anyone that’s into cars has heard of making modifications to them at one time or another. Whether it’s modifying an engine component — like an aftermarket intake system or a performance exhaust manifold – or perhaps a computer reflash, the list is endless in terms of what can be modified on a car. …
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Trends

5 Car Maintenance Costs That Are Worth The Extra Money

Owning a car means that you’ll end up spending a good amount of money every year on insurance, maintenance, and possible repairs, not to mention your monthly car payment, if applicable. And while it might be no brainer when it comes to finding cheaper rates for car insurance or maybe even a lower rate for …
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James Stout pushes his 10-month-old daughter Allison in a stroller as he shops for a Dodge Dakota in 2006
Trends

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying an SUV

When it comes to car shopping, part of the research phase is asking yourself a few different questions that could help you locate the right vehicle that you need. For example, buying an electric car can come with its unique set of criteria in order to make sure that an electric car will fit well …
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Trends

Does “Sport Mode” Really Do Anything?

If you have purchased a new vehicle in the past decade, then you might have noticed that one of the buttons on the center console or the dashboard says “sport” or “sport mode.” Upon noticing it, you might be subsequently be wondering what that button even does. Does it make the car faster? Does it …
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burgundy 2020 Honda Odyssey driving along a shoreside roadway
Trends

Forget the Hyundai Palisade, Buy a Honda Odyssey Instead

The Hyundai Palisade has been receiving rave reviews and has experienced markedly good sales numbers since it debuted in 2018. It was so popular that dealers were commanding a markup up until earlier this year and availability was scarce. It seems like it’s a little easier to get one now, however, you might have to …
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Trends

Shopping for a New Porsche? The 911 Carrera Is All You Need

In case you have been saving all of your pennies to buy a shiny new Porsche, the good news is that you might be able to save some of them. That is, if your stash of pennies equals about $98,000. For that paltry sum of money, you can now buy Porsche’s “entry-level” 911 Carrera, which …
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2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel
Trucks & SUVs

Avoid the Ford F-150, Buy the RAM 1500 Instead

The Ford F-150 has been the top-selling truck in the country forever and there’s no way it’s sales figures will be slowing down any time soon. After all, 2019 was its best sales year ever as over 890,000 F-150s were sold that year, according to Motor1. That should be no surprise as its popularity is …
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Tesla Model X
Hybrids & EVs

The Tesla Model X Is the Worst Electric Car You Should Never Buy

The electric vehicle segment has a small roster of competitors, most of whom have been overshadowed and even outdone by every product that Tesla has produced since 2012. And while the niche brand has grown to epic proportions, thanks to extremely technically advanced features and an eccentric CEO, the quality of their products have always …
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a blue Toyota Corolla driving in the country
Trends

5 Reasons Why the Toyota Corolla Is Better than the Honda Civic

It’s always tough comparing two top cars from the same class against each other because they usually have so much in common that it’s tough to distinguish which one is really better. For example, the Honda Civic has been a fan favorite for decades and it’s hard to really say anything bad about it. And …
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Trends

5 Reasons the Kia Seltos Is Better than the Honda HR-V

You might be wondering why we keep comparing Kias and other random brands to Hondas. If so, the answer is simple: It’s fun! That, and we know that Hondas are amazing cars that sell themselves, so truthfully, you probably know what you’re getting into if you buy one of those. We’re here to show you …
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2019 GMC Canyon
Trucks & SUVs

This Is the Worst GMC Vehicle You Should Never Buy

The compact truck category has some tough competition. Competitors like the Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator, and the Ford Ranger all cast large shadows over rivals, and one competitor that can’t see get much of the spotlight is the GMC Canyon. While it does share parts and features with its parent-company cousin, the Chevy Colorado, the …
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Hybrids & EVs

5 Reasons Why the Audi E-Tron Is Better Than the Tesla Model X

The rising popularity of Tesla Model X in the past decade has made the brand a household name. And while the ubiquitous recognition is great for the company, it tends to overshadow other electric offerings in the market. One such contender is the Audi E-Tron. The E-Tron came out more recently and is Audi’s first …
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a gray Honda Accord at speed on a scenic road
Trends

Avoid the Toyota Camry, Buy the Honda Accord Instead

The Toyota Camry is the number one selling midsize sedan in America and it’s no wonder that Americans love it. With distinct exterior and interior styling, excellent fuel economy, and renowned build quality, the Camry is an easy pick among others in its class. However, the Honda Accord has long been a fan favorite and …
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Ford F-150 Trucks
Trends

Why Don’t American Cars Sell Well in Japan?

Japanese cars have been quite the hit in the U.S. for the past 50 years or so. Reliable, fuel-efficient cars like the Honda Civic and the Toyota Prius have sustained their popularity over time and their sales show no signs of slowing down any time soon. However, that’s not the case for American cars in …
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Trends

Subaru Will Give You a Merit Badge for Being a Loyal Owner

If you have ever been in the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, then you’re probably familiar with what merit badges are. For those not in the know, a merit badge is a badge (or patch) that you earn after meeting the prescribed requirements in learning about a specific trade, career, or craft. Subaru has something …
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Cars

Could This Be the New Acura TLX?

Acura has been pretty cryptic as far as their future offerings as of late. For example, they brought the Acura Type-S Concept to Pebble Beach late last year and while everyone was stunned at its beauty, it left us all wondering what would become of it. Could it be a glimpse of the new next …
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A vehicle submerged in flood waters is likely totaled
Trends

Avoid Salvage Title Cars Like the Plague

When it comes to used-car shopping, everyone is looking for a good deal. However, when skimming through classifieds, you might notice that some cars are much cheaper than others. They may look tempting, but upon closer inspection, you might notice that they have a “salvage” title. And while salvage titles don’t necessarily mean the car …
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