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The Daily Dot

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

Mars Ramos

Screenshot from Tiktok user @ant_510 of a Michelin tire with the caption "Technology at its finest [thinking emoji]"; Photo of a Mechanic looking at a tire.

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‘Technology at its finest’: Mechanic grabs Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tire. Then he takes a closer look at the sticker

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

2 panel image: on the left is a Chevrolet Camaro car and on the right is a Chevrolet dealership sign.

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‘I throw up a prayer for every lane change’: Driver buys new Chevy Camaro. They didn’t expect this design flaw before purchasing

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

2 panel image: a mechanic removes a tire and the scream emoji.

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‘How did it make it over here?’: Customer’s spare tire won’t fit. The mechanic can’t believe their DIY fix

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

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‘Sounds like a brand new GM truck engine’: Mechanic reveals the engine noise you never want to hear—especially in a Hyundai or Kia. Then he reveals what you can do about it

2 image split. Truck totaled with overlaying text that reads: "How do we explain this to the customer!? (skull emoji)" on left. Toyota logo on right.

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‘That’s totaled’: Mechanic puts Toyota Tacoma on a lift. Then it snaps in half

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‘It’s made so horrible’: 2025 Toyota Camry driver locks her key in the trunk. Then she realizes the car has this design flaw

Phil West is a veteran professional writer and editor, and his works include two nonfiction books and articles in myriad print and online publications.

Phil West

2 image split. Toyota car logo on left. Hand on steering wheel with overlayed text that reads: "How do you keep the new car smell forever...asking for a friend" on right.

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‘No way was I willing to spend more than 60k on a Toyota’: Woman buys Toyota Land Cruiser. Then she figures out how to keep that new car smell ‘forever’

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

Nina Hernandez

Photo of the rear of a Honda Civic; Screenshot of Tiktok user @concept3performance looking under the hood of a car.

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‘Why do ppl never check carfax’: Driver buys 2015 Honda Civic. Then a mechanic’s inspection proves why he got ripped off

Ljeonida is a reporter and writer with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Tirana in her native Albania. She has a particular interest in all things digital marketing; she considers herself a copywriter, content producer, SEO specialist, and passionate marketer. Ljeonida is based in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Ljeonida Mulabazi

Toyota Rav4 Hybrid(l) Woman asks if she should trade in her vehicle(c) Toyota Dealer Logo on building(r)

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‘Dated and expensive’: Woman contemplates trading her car in for a Toyota RAV4 hybrid. Then she asks if viewers recommend them

3 panel image: in the middle is a person explaining and on the sides are scenes recorded from her dash cam.

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‘Ever wonder what they say about you?’: Woman takes her Jeep Wrangler into the dealership. Then she catches the worker on her dashcam

Makalah Wright is a writer for the Daily Dot. She has written articles for various publications based on mental health, relationships, and Gen Z-related topics. She is currently a senior at the University of West Georgia, where she studies public relations and music. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, shopping, traveling to new places, and playing the clarinet.

Makalah Wright

Screenshot of Tiktok user @littlemachine89; Photo of Dealership technicians working under a car.

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‘I paid $300 for the running boards’: Woman drops off her Toyota Highlander for routine job. Then the dealership calls her the next day and says it’ll be $1,200

Rebekah is a freelance reporter for the Daily Dot.

Rebekah Harding

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‘I’m so confused’: Driver pulls up behind Mini Cooper Countryman. Then they turn on their blinker

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

Photo of a Jeep; Photo of a vandal keying a car.

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‘Maybe the vandal gave me a blessing in disguise!’: 2017 Jeep driver’s car gets keyed. Then they hear from their insurance company

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

Braden Bjella

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‘Someone’s getting fired today’: Man takes his Chevy Silverado to Discount Tire. Then it falls off the jack

2 panel image: on the left is a Lexus vehicle and on the right is a Nissan vehicle.

Cars