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The Daily Dot

Steve Ecker is a freelance reporter based in Austin, Texas. He has an extensive background in consumer marketing and is also an artist running Get Lost Collages.

Steve Ecker

Photo of a 2025 Hyundai Elantra; Screenshot of Tiktok user @jrodsellscars.

‘I felt bad’: Woman leases Hyundai Elantra. It’s only been 3 months—and she’s already trying to get rid of it

Chad Swiatecki is a 30-year journalist who relocated to Austin, TX from his home state of Michigan in 2008. He most enjoys covering the intersection of arts, business and local/state politics. He writes regularly for Austin Monitor, and has written for Rolling Stone, Spin, New York Daily News, Texas Monthly, Austin Business Journal, Austin American-Statesman and many other regional and national outlets.

Chad Swiatecki

Man shares how easy it was to buy a vehicle online(l) Carvana building with logo on display(r)

‘The ONLY downfall with Carvana’: Man buys truck online through Carvana. Then he goes to pick it up

Mars Ramos is a museum educator and freelance writer. She loves long walks in nature, doing yoga, and baking brownies.

Mars Ramos

A photo collage image of a person talking and a dream bubble floats out of their head and inside is a 1990's Toyota Landcruiser.

‘I’m driving my Honda until it disintegrates’: Woman buys new SUV with leather seats. Then she regrets her $700 car payment—and not driving a ‘beater’

Rebekah is a freelance reporter for the Daily Dot.

Rebekah Harding

Screenshots from Boston News 25 of Dr. Dr. Kumait Jaroje and his Gold Cybertruck

‘Someone is watching me’: Cosmetic doctor wraps his Tesla Cybertruck in gold. Then his Google Business profile gets flooded with 1-star reviews

Ramon Ramirez was the managing editor and, formerly, the Dot&#8217;s news director, entertainment editor, and evening editor. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Grantland, Washington City Paper, Austin American-Statesman, and Austin Monitor.

Ramon Ramirez

A person talking to the camera next to a Toyota symbol on a car.

‘Broke the simulation’: Man buys a Toyota. Then the dealership opens a credit card in his name

Mustafa Gatollari has been an internet culture writer for over a decade. He has a passion for connecting what’s trending on social media to solid research—helping to separate clout-chasing claims from facts.

Mustafa Gatollari

Split image. Dealership owner looking shocked on the phone on the left. Mitsubishu Motors logo on building on the right.

‘My own employee SCAMMED me’: Dealership manager catches his own Mitsubishi salesman in shocking $80,000 move. Don’t let it happen to you

Split image. Photo showing car and palm leaf that was hit on left. BMW logo on steering wheel on right.

‘Toasted it’: BMW hits palm leaf. The mechanic can’t believe the damage

Braden Bjella is a culture writer. His work can be found in Mixmag, Electronic Beats, Schon! magazine, and more.

Braden Bjella

2 panel image: on the left is the Home Depot sign, and on the right a person stands on top of 3 large piles of sand in front of a garage.

‘They’re refusing to come pick it up’: Home Depot delivers 3,000 lbs of sand in front of woman’s garage. Her Toyota Prius is trapped inside

Nina Hernandez is a writer, journalist, music critic, and culture commentator based in Austin, Texas.

Nina Hernandez

Photo of a sign for an IN-N-OUT Burger; Screenshot from @_ilenay87's Tiktok of a truck in an In-N-Out Parking lot; Caption: "When you leave your truck at the mechanic shop then you see it at the In And Out drive thru"

‘Where’s it going? That is mine!’: Woman leaves car at the mechanic shop. Then she sees it in the In-N-Out drive-thru

Alexandra Samuels is a national political reporter and contributor to the Daily Dot, where she started as an intern covering politics in the summer of 2016. She enjoys all things Marvel, keeping up with the latest TikTok trends, long walks with her pup, and reading murder-mystery novels.

Alexandra Samuels

Ford Bronco on the road(l) Ford Dealer Sign(c) Blonde girl holding her hair(r)

‘Just found out’: Woman buys Ford Bronco. She didn’t check what it would cost to fill up first

Amara Thomas is a freelance writer and cultural worker. She has written for the FADER, the Village Voice, Gothamist, and Highsnobiety.

Amara Thomas

A Chick-fila-A exterior building; Screenshot of Tiktok user @im_adam_jr's car with the caption "Chick-fil-A-'what color is your vehicle?'"

What color is your vehicle?’: Chick-fil-A asks customer question about truck in drive-thru. There’s just one problem

Screenshot from @carsrme's Tiktok of a label that reads "2023 Nissan"; Screenshot from @carsrme Tiktok of the back of a 2023 Nissan.

Man catches Nissan dealership selling brand-new 2023s in 2025. What are these cars still doing on the lot?

Stacy Fernández is a freelance writer, project manager and communications specialist. She’s worked at The Texas Tribune, The Dallas Morning News and run social for The Education Trust New York. Her favorite hobby is finding hidden gems at the thrift store, she loves a good audio book and is a chocolate enthusiast.

Stacy Fernandez

Hertz sign(l), Couple talking(c), Car on road(r)

‘You’re gonna have to go through Delta’: Hertz makes couple pay for rental car 2 times. Then they try to get their money back

Screenshot of Tiktok user @notshaqlauren; photo of a Tesla in a Tesla dealership

‘This is the ninth time’: Woman buys a Tesla. Then she finds out an unintended consequence to owning one

Tiffanie Drayton is a geek culture and lifestyle reporter whose work covers everything from gender and race to anime and Xbox. Her work has appeared in Complex, Salon, Marie Claire, and elsewhere.

Tiffanie Drayton

Inside car in car wash(l), Woman talking(c), Tesla logo(r)

Cars