Later this month, we're heading out to Dallas to pick up a 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid and then spending a week driving it more than 2,000 miles across seven states in the Southwestern United States. As you know, I love road trips and this is going to be an incredible experience. We're going to explore national parks and road-side america while we explore local cuisine  from Texas BBQ to Santa Fe Chile and cactus milkshakes in Arizona!

While most people think about the coastal California cities Los Angles, San Francisco and San Diego, the reality is that this state is enormous and most of it is really only accessible by driving. A few weeks ago, we packed up our cars and joined 9 other bloggers on a once in a lifetime adventure exploring the deserts of California. From majestic Joshua trees to weird art, post apocalyptic scenery, wonderful weather, fun roads, and amazing people, this was a trip that I recommend trying for anyone who agrees that Driving Matters!

Hopefully by now, you've had a chance to recover from holiday spending and maybe you're expecting a refund. Even so, money is money and it's always good to have more. Plus, I feel like us men are "expected" to know how to do stuff, but honestly, I'm not a mechanic... and I know a lot of you guys aren't either. Don't worry though, while installing a supercharger or replacing an exhaust pipe might be beyond most of us, there are things we can do our selves that will help save money compared to sending the car to the garage to get it fixed.

Of all the different parts of your car, spark plugs probably aren't at the top of your list of things to tweak when looking for performance. However, If you’re one of those drivers who know that true performance is more than just speed, then you'll understand there are lots of things to consider when trying to get the best performance out of any engine. One key component that can often be overlooked is the right spark plug.

As you know, I'm a huge fan of Kia and I own a Soul. The company is something very special that you don't find that often - in the auto industry or really anyplace else. There is a sense of confidence that comes from being a winner and that's true for the 2017 Kia Sportage as well. Having first launched in 1995, the Sportage (like its sister models) has moved from "this cheap Korean brand" to one of the best in the industry. What makes it special though is that they are laser focused on brand integration and catering to a certain lifestyle that just makes you crave getting an invite to the party. To help celebrate the launch of the new Sportage we were invited to drive it around San Diego, eat some great food, hang out with some amazing people, and party the way only a true rock star can!

We did more than just eat and drink while exploring San Antonio. It was also a chance to strap into one of the finest trucks on the market today - the Toyota Tacoma. For some reason, we haven't done a lot of truck reviews here, so the last time I have actually driven a truck was years ago in my father's Toyota Tundra. It was a good solid truck and did what it was asked to do... but it certainly wasn't something I'd aspire to ever own. Times have changed though and today's Tacoma feels bigger than that Tundra and drives almost like a car. 

During the 2016 Chicago Auto Show KIAannounced their global debut of the all-new 2017 Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle (HUV). Niro falls under Kia Motors EcoDynamics an offshoot brand of sorts focusing on environmentally friendly ”eco” vehicles like the Optima Hybrid and Soul EV. Kia states that Niro is differentiated by the fact that it’s the first Kia to use of an all-new, dedicated eco-car platform.

I still remember that day back in the 80's when my friend at school told me about his dad's new Miata. Years later I recall a friend telling me how much fun he had driving around the canyon roads in LA in his Miata... there are few cars that can evoke memories like that - and even fewer that are affordable, fun, and accessible enough that virtually anyone can afford to own one. That's what this car represents to me and while the car is anything but practical,... who the hell cares when it is this much fun to drive!

I can't believe that we aren't even to the end of the first quarter of 2016 and Hyundai has already decided to launch the new 2017 Elantra. Lucky for me, I was one of the first people invited to test it out. I'm generally not a fan of compact cars except for when they pack a lot of muscle. This car however did impress me in a lot of ways.

This is not a sponsored post, so I can say honestly that the Hyundai Tucson is currently one of my favorite cars to drive. It's small enough to be nimble but big enough to be comfortable and while it is missing some critical electronics (smart cruise control!) it comes as close to a perfect vehicle as I've had a chance to try out in a long time. As you guys know, last summer I had a chance to drive it in Minnesota but now I've had a chance to get some time in it driving to Las Vegas and exploring the city with my good friends from ConsumerQueen.com, Daniel and Melissa.

Silvercar is a brand spanking new car rental company that is taking the country by storm and doing so with a great product and fantastic customer service. Just like how Uber and Lyft transformed a dreaded necessity into a pleasure, Silvercar has the potential to do the same for the car rental industry. However, I was a bit skeptical - what was the trick here? Luckily a rep from Silvercar reached out to me and invited me to test it out the next time I had a trip where I needed a car. So I took her up on the offer during a recent trip to Chicago and will likely be returning again as a paying customer!

A few months ago I had the chance to take a spin in the 2015 Optima and now I have had the chance to put the all-new 2016 version through it's paces too. Kia refers to their objective with the Optima as being to "Defy Ordinary" and that's why they chose the setting of Aspen, Colorado to showcase their latest version of this great family sedan.

Last week I had the chance to attend one of the most amazing trade shows ever - The SEMA Show. If you've ever wondered what might happen if you brought thousands of car geeks together to show off their creations and passion for all things car related then you have to visit this show. Thankfully I was invited as a special guest of Kia to see some of their latest creations as part of this year's marketing theme #KiaWanderlust.

I’ve seen it all before: You just got a new car, but it isn’t exactly the souped-up muscle machine of your dreams. Instead of waiting 40 years and saving up for that fantastic beast, you have decided to mod out the dinky model you can afford today. There’s just one problem: You don’t know anything about modding.

Are you getting ready for fall by dusting off that rake and raising the mower blade to mulch leaves? While you are getting ready for fall chores don't forget to check your tires too. After a long summer driving on hot dusty roads, you need to make sure that they are ready for the ice and snow that's coming soon.

The Indianapolis 500 has been run 99 times in the past 104 years. Beginning with the very first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 a pace car has led the field to the green flag. During the previous 98 races there have been some odd, improbable and just plain goofy vehicles selected or modified to lead the field, but the Indianapolis 500 established the role of the pace for the race and all other circuit-style races.

With the exception of twisty turny roads, driving to Las Vegas from San Diego is a great way to test out what a car is made of. There is a great combo of stop and go traffic, high speed roads that are long and flat to test mileage, and it's just long enough at about 4.5 hours to tell if the car will be comfortable on a long road trip... without finding out and being stuck with it. The Hyundai Azera is an interesting beast - somewhat stuck between two incredible cars, the Sonata and the Genesis and it blends the two extremely well to create a fantastic option for someone that still needs a "family car" but wants many of the features and comforts found a luxury car like the Genesis.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sam’s Club for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's summer and that means that it's time for road trips. Before you head out though, you need to make sure your tires are ready for the trip! From climbing mountain trails to flying across the desert or even just stop-and-go traffic on the way to soccer practice, a good set of tires is key to your piece of mind this summer. There are a lot of options out there for places that you can go to get new tires and sometimes that only adds to the confusion. Here's five reasons why Sam's Club is a great place to shop for your new tires this summer!

Ok, so we don't all work for some rich guy who let's us borrow his Ferrari convertible whenever we want. However, we can still have that dream.

There is nothing quite like a warm, breezy summer afternoon to make you wish for the wind in your hair as you drive through the city streets or back roads on the way to the beach. Convertibles are made for summertime and they are surprisingly affordable if you know where to look, so there is no better season to invest in a drop-top dream car. This year, you can indulge your fantasies without breaking the bank by buying any of the following seven especially affordable — yet still supremely satisfying — convertibles. (Hint - Magnum's Ferrari 308 isn't on this list!)

Raise your hand if you'll be taking a road trip this year. Probably most of you reading are planning a trip with the family or maybe out with the guys and you've likely thought about the importance of checking your oil before you go but it's also critical to consider the part that actually keeps you on the road and safely between the lines. Yup, that's right - I'm talking about your tires!