Aaron Turpen
Latest from Aaron Turpen
Like With Smartphones And Tablets, There Are Many Ways Your Car Spies On You
Your smartphone, tablet and other devices are spying on us. Your car does the same thing. You may want to read the user agreement. Nissan, for example, includes things like: “sexual activity, health diagnosis data and genetic information."
Aaron TurpenFebruary 02, 2025
Aaron Turpen: Odometer Fraud Is Getting More Commonplace, Thanks to Electronics
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, "As the change from physical to virtual odometer readouts has commenced, so has the number of odometer fraud cases. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that around 450,000 vehicles are sold every year with false odometer readings."
Aaron TurpenJanuary 26, 2025
Sheriff's Auction: How Much Life Is Left In These Cars & How Much Should You Bid?
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen says the three police cruisers being offered at a sheriff's auction on Wednesday could be a good purchase for the right amount. He thinks there should be plenty of life left in them, but, as always, buyer beware.
Aaron TurpenDecember 17, 2024
Bentley’s Amazing Paint Protection Film and Why It’s Not for the Rest of Us -- Yet
There are few things as expensive as the paint on a Bentley. Many of them have a paint cost that is equal to the average price of a car for the rest of us. There's a reason for that.
Aaron TurpenDecember 17, 2024
Aaron Turpen: Is 2024 The Last Model Year For The “Real” Toyota 4Runner?
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, “There are a lot of Toyota 4Runner enthusiasts who see the 2024 model year, which marks the end of the fifth generation for the SUV, as the ending of the 4Runner."
Aaron TurpenNovember 10, 2024
Aaron Turpen: AA is for Automotive Acronyms
Like any industry, automotive has a lot of jargon. Including a host of acronyms that are used without much explanation. It's not at the level of the military when it comes to letters that mean words, but it’s not far behind. Here are some of the most popular.
Aaron TurpenNovember 09, 2024
Should You Put Winter Tires On Your Vehicle In Wyoming?
Should you get snow tires this winter? Automotive writer Aaron Turpen says it depends on where you live in Wyoming, how much winter driving you actually do, and what type of vehicle you’re going to be doing it in.
Aaron TurpenOctober 12, 2024
Aaron Turpen: After More Than A Decade, Toyota Finally Redesigned The Sequoia
Automotive columnist Aaron Turpen writes, “Toyota finally redesigned the aged Sequoia into a new third generation for the big SUV. The new version has a hybrid powertrain, lots of towing capability and an afterthought third row.”
Aaron TurpenSeptember 22, 2024
Aaron Turpen: How To Avoid Some Common Auto Repair Scams, And Some That Aren’t
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, "There are a lot of scams, many of which are legal, in the car selling and repair business. Luckily, it doesn’t take a lot of knowledge to avoid most of them."
Aaron TurpenSeptember 07, 2024
Is It Possible To Get A Good Car At A Police Auction? Yes, But It's A Gamble
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen says there are two types of vehicles at police auctions: impounded or confiscated vehicles and surplus police and government agency vehicles. You stand a better chance of finding a serviceable car with the latter, he says.
Aaron TurpenAugust 31, 2024
Aaron Turpen: Common Car Myths vs Reality
Aaron Turpen writes, "A while back, I wrote about gas saving tips, debunking some of the common misconceptions and validating a few others. Now let’s look at some other automotive myths and see if they have any footing in reality."
Aaron TurpenAugust 25, 2024
Aaron Turpen: 2024 Honda Passport Is A Ticket To 2-Row SUV Goodness
Automotive columnist Aaron Turpen writes, “I’m mostly positive about the 2024 Passport. I think Honda hit a mark with this one and it doesn’t get the attention it should. It’s a strong contender in a competitive market.”
Aaron TurpenAugust 10, 2024
Why Are There So Many New Car Washes In Wyoming?
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, "The last few years has seen a veritable explosion in the number of car washes opening around us in Wyoming. Why is that? It's all about the subscriptions, baby."
Aaron TurpenJuly 31, 2024
Aaron Turpen: The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Gets Tougher As It Grows Up
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, “The payoff for all of that my two-car garage no longer fits two cars change is interior roominess. And there’s a lot of it. Seating for six or seven is standard (depending on second row options) and its third row is actually usable.”
Aaron TurpenJuly 20, 2024
Aaron Turpen: People In Wyoming Drive A LOT
The average Wyoming driver drives 24,000 miles per year. No other state is remotely close to that. Vermont is in second place with 13,000 miles per year. By contrast, drivers in Rhode Island drive the least amount at 9,900 miles per year.
Aaron TurpenJuly 18, 2024
Aaron Turpen: When Will Cars Be Affordable Again? Very Soon
Wyoming automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, "By mid-July, most manufacturers will be offering heavy incentives to buy new. If you’re looking to buy, this summer might be your chance to get past some of those high prices that might have made you wince."
Aaron TurpenJune 21, 2024
Aaron Turpen: I Jawed At High Schoolers About My Job and It Was Bussin, No Cap
Wyoming automotive columnist Aaron Turpen writes, "Recently, I went to East High to talk to about what I do for a living. I told this group of ninth graders about myself. I drive brand new cars, supplied by manufacturers, and then write about those cars."
Aaron TurpenJune 16, 2024
Aaron Turpen: Electrify America Chargers In Cheyenne -- A Case Study
Wyoming automotive columnist Aaron Turpen test drove a Mercedes-Benz EQE, a BMW i4, and a Genesis GV60. He charged them all at the Electrify America chargers at the Target parking lot in Cheyenne. He was less than impressed.
Aaron TurpenJune 02, 2024
Aaron Turpen: New Car Reliability Sucks. And It’s Getting Worse
Columnist Aaron Turpen writes, "Quality issues with new cars have doubled since 2010. Every automaker has lower reliability now than it did 14 years ago. We can mostly blame technology."
Aaron TurpenApril 29, 2024
Aaron Turpen: 2024 Nissan Sentra Proves That Sedans Are Still a Great Place To Start
Columnist Aaron Turpen writes, "There aren’t many sedans left on the market today. The Nissan Sentra remains one of the few truly affordable options outside of the subcompact genre."
Aaron TurpenApril 27, 2024
Aaron Turpen: Wyoming Has Fewer Auto Loan Defaults Than Any Other State
Columnist Aaron Turpen writes, "Wyoming has the lowest rate in the country of automotive loans that fall into delinquency at just 1.48%. That compares to a near 13% delinquency in the state of Washington which fares the worst."
Aaron TurpenApril 26, 2024
Aaron Turpen: Yellowstone From the Back of a Snowmobile Is the Best Way To Go
Columnist Aaron Turpen writes, "Going to Yellowstone in the winter is a bucket list item. I’ve been to Yellowstone a few times. Always during tourism season. This was the first time I actually heard Old Faithful when it erupted."
Aaron TurpenMarch 23, 2024
Aaron Turpen: Why Are Pickup Truck Beds Separate From the Cab?
Columnist Aaron Turpen writes, "Have you ever wondered why the cargo bed of large pickup trucks is separate from the cab of said truck? The engineering reasons, and the notable exceptions that proved it was needed, are an interesting story."
Aaron TurpenMarch 16, 2024
Aaron Turpen: The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Keeps On Truckin’
Automotive columnist Aaron Turpen writes, “The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers all the truckiness small truck owners need and looks good in the process. The Santa Cruz shares the comfort and smooth driving quality of that SUV, but adds a truck bed and better-tuned all-wheel drive system.”
Aaron TurpenMarch 10, 2024
Aaron Turpen: The Crown Is Proof Toyota Can Make Pretty Cars
Automotive columnist Aaron Turpen writes, “The Crown has a lot in common with its predecessor, including similar drivetrains and a similar interior size. Unlike the ‘this is basically a Camrolla’ look of the Avalon, though, the Crown is … well … beautiful.”
Aaron TurpenFebruary 25, 2024
Aaron Turpen: When It Comes To Minivans, The Kia Carnival’s My MVP
Automotive columnist Aaron Tupen writes, “Of all of the minivans I’ve driven in today’s market, the Kia Carnival is my favorite, and not just because its name makes me think of half-dressed samba. It’s the only peppy, good-handling minivan of the current crop.”
Aaron TurpenJanuary 31, 2024
Aaron Turpen: Why Cars Struggle to Start In the Cold
Automotive columnist Aaron Turpen writes, "Why does your car have such a tough time starting when the weather is cold? I can explain. In about 800 words or so. Without once using the word 'shrinkage!'"
Aaron TurpenJanuary 12, 2024
Aaron Turpen: Drive A Ram Truck Or Tesla? Data Says You’re A Bad Driver
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, “The most incident-prone (accidents, DUI, citations) in Wyoming is ... Saturn. Only in Wyoming would a brand that hasn’t produced a vehicle in more than a decade be one of the highest on any list.”
Aaron TurpenJanuary 06, 2024
Aaron Turpen: 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E EV Floats My Boat
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, “The new 2023 Mustang Mach-E drives really well, can blow the doors off almost any other vehicle around it and it’s comfortable. Plus, it has somewhere between 247 and 312 miles of range, depending on which model you choose."
Aaron TurpenNovember 20, 2023
Aaron Turpen: The Indian Hooligan e-Bike Is The Coolest Thing Since, Well, Ever
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, “The Indian eFTR Hooligan is the adult version of the banana seat Huffy, but without the skinned knees, questionable homemade ramps for getting air and constant chain and sprocket maintenance.”
Aaron TurpenNovember 03, 2023
Aaron Turpen: 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Hauls People And Rocks, But Not Donkeys
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, “The upside to a huge vehicle like this in Colorado traffic is that you automatically gain some respect from the speedsters in their Prius and smart car choices. The downside is that, like most Colorado drivers, they still seem to have a death wish.”
Aaron TurpenOctober 20, 2023
Aaron Turpen: The Aragon Collection — Four Generations Of Corvettes And Other Beauties
Automotive Writer Aaron Turpen writes, “I could see that he was in love. He didn’t just like this car. He like liked it. His eyes had that gleeful enamor-filled glaze a fifth grader gets when he meets his first crush. A few weeks later, he had one in his driveway.’
Aaron TurpenAugust 31, 2023
Aaron Turpen Car Review: 2023 Toyota Venza Wagons The Station Out Of It
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, "Toyota knows there are people who still love station wagons. And not just people who own five windbreakers that say Columbia on them, order coffees with six names in the description, and cover the back of their car in bumper stickers involving the name 'Bernie.'"
Aaron TurpenJuly 27, 2023
Wyoming Car Collectors: The Many Motors of Dave Shimerka
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, "I met Dave at a recent car show in Cheyenne. I was immediately attracted to his AMC Rebel, which is a rare model of 'The Machine.' I went to Dave’s home later on and got a glimpse of his car collection. It’s fantastic."
Aaron TurpenJune 30, 2023
Wyoming Places: Seven Great Finds For A Car Nut At Gillette’s Frontier Auto Museum
Gillette’s Frontier Auto Museum is a must for anyone’s bucket list, even if you’re not a car nerd. Here are my seven favorites I spotted while there.
Aaron TurpenJune 25, 2023
Aaron Turpen: The Tesla Cybertruck Is A Joke That’s Trolling The Automotive World
Automotive Writer Aaron Turpen writes, “Tesla will release the Cybertruck, eventually, and get the initial splash from it. But Elon will, however, laugh this off since the Cybertruck is clearly just another one of his trolls.
Aaron TurpenJune 23, 2023
Aaron Turpen: Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Is All Luxury That’s Not Quite Fit For the 1%
Automotive Writer Aaron Turpen writes: “The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is, like most luxury models, a lot of letters and numbers that mean little to the average person on the street. This one is destined to just be called “the Mercedes” by its owners.”
Aaron TurpenJune 22, 2023
Aaron Turpen: Here’s a 30 Facts About Cars That You Probably Don’t Know
Columnist Aaron Turpen writes, "Call these conversation starters or random 'know stuff' factoids, but there are some fascinating things to know about cars. If you’re a car nerd like I am, you definitely love spouting weird facts whenever it can be worked into everyday conversation."
Aaron TurpenMay 30, 2023
Aaron Turpen: The 2023 Toyota Tundra Can Go To The MAX
Automotive Writer Aaron Turpen writes: “Toyota used its expertise in hybrid electric systems to add more power to its pickup. Basically, Toyota took some Prius stuff and shoved it into the Tundra and then went all Tim Allen on it. Arr augh aurgh!”
Aaron TurpenMay 19, 2023
Aaron Turpen: To Infiniti (QX60) and Beyond
Automotive Writer Aaron Turpen writes: “Buyers in the mid-size luxury SUV segment should definitely look at the QX60. It’s a beauty of a vehicle with a nice balance of things for the price being paid.”
Aaron TurpenMay 03, 2023
Aaron Turpen: 2023 Kia Telluride Is An OK Snow Hamster
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes: “The 2023 Telluride has a 3.8-liter V6 that outputs about 1,309,500 hamsters (aka 291hp) to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This is a solid combo that feels good in most driving situations. The all-wheel drive models are good goers, but aren’t as sure-footed as some rivals in the snow and ice."
Aaron TurpenApril 18, 2023
Car Review: 2023 Nissan LEAF is the Everyman Electric Car -- Even In Wyoming
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes: "Your knee jerk reaction to an electric car aside, the Nissan LEAF is the longest in production, most affordable, and most realistic electric car. And it has a use in Wyoming, despite what naysayers will claim."
Aaron TurpenApril 12, 2023
Aaron Turpen: Compact Pickups Are Like Mullets
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes: "Tiny, compact trucks are definitely making a comeback. And like mullets, they’re popping up everywhere and only gaining in popularity again."
Aaron TurpenApril 10, 2023
Car Review: 2023 Chevrolet Equinox is the One You Settle Into
Cowboy State Daily Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes: As young adults, we tend to chase after the blingy eye candy. The pushup bras and bare midriff shirts. The football muscles and coiffed hair. Then, as we get older, we realize that those things are fleeting and that there are more important attributes to aim for. Boring can actually be a good thing. The steady partner who may not have a midriff worth bearing or a full head of hair becomes a realistic option. Enter the Chevrolet Equinox...
Aaron TurpenApril 04, 2023
Aaron Turpen Car Review: The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor Makes Me Want To Play Viking Metal
Automotive columnist Aaron Turpen writes, "The 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor checks all of the good times boxes. The doors come off. The roof comes off. The front axle disconnects. And when driving around without the roof panels or front doors on, you can stow those in the back cargo area."
Aaron TurpenMarch 23, 2023
Sunday Car Review: 2023 Lexus GX 460 Is Hay Bale Ready
After getting annihilated by readers for suggesting a hybrid mid-sized SUV was 'perfect for Wyoming's families,' automotive writer Aaron Turpen reviews the largest and "oldest-school SUV still being sold as new today" -- the 2023 Lexus GX 460.
Aaron TurpenMarch 12, 2023
Aaron Turpen: 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is My Recommend for Wyoming
In my career as an automotive journalist, I have driven a lot of cars, trucks, and SUVs. Never have I met a small family sport utility as perfect for Wyoming as the new Mitsubishi Outlander in its plug-in hybrid format.
Aaron TurpenMarch 06, 2023
Aaron Turpen: Used Car Market Saw Prices Briefly Cool Off But It’s Not Going To Continue
If youre looking to buy a new or used vehicle, dont expect current price drops to continue for long. And dont hang your hopes on interest rates dropping very soon. Were still in a sellers market.
Aaron TurpenMarch 02, 2023