Car Stuff Podcast

Whether you drive a car, need a car, or just occasionally bum a ride with friends, you’ve come to the right place. Join the editors of Consumer Guide Automotive as they break down everything that’s going on in the auto world. New-car reviews, shopping tips, driving green, electric cars, classic cars, and plenty of great guests. This is the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast.

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Meet the Hosts

Jill Ciminillo

Host & Contributing Editor

Jill Ciminillo

Jill Ciminillo is the Managing Editor for Pickup Truck + SUV Talk as well as a Chicago-based automotive writer, YouTube personality and podcast host, with her articles and videos appearing in outlets throughout the U.S. Previously, Jill has been the automotive editor for both newspaper and broadcast media conglomerates. She is also a past president for the Midwest Automotive Media Association and has the distinction of being the first female president for that organization. Jill is currently a juror for the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY).

Tom Appel

Host & Publisher

Tom Appel

Beginning with a high school service-station job pumping gas and turning wrenches, Tom has usually managed to work around cars. Earlier, Tom was often found holding the flashlight for his father while he performed some needed repairs on a family vehicle. During college, Tom worked for Chrysler as a product specialist, staffing one of six experimental in-mall showrooms set up around the country. Tom also tried his hand at selling cars, spending several months learning (but not mastering) the trade at a domestic-brand dealership in the early 1990s. He has also worked in fleet leasing, specializing in Chevrolet and GMC light-duty trucks. During his time as a market research analyst and focus-group moderator, Tom worked with manufacturers and suppliers including General Motors, OnStar, and Porsche. Tom joined Consumer Guide in 2001 as an editor and became Associate Publisher in 2008. Tom moved into the publisher’s role in 2012. Tom is also a past president of the Midwest Automotive Media Association. He lives in suburban Chicago with his wife, daughter, two cats, about 50 fish, and several antique German tube radios.

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Massive Ford Recalls, Subaru WRX, Best Cars for Teen Drivers July 14, 2025
Jill and Tom opened the show with a brief acknowledgment of the podcast’s apparent popularity in Sweden. Amusingly, the show is described on Poddtroppen—a Swedish podcast download site—as a “Komedie.” Moving on, the hosts discussed yet another—massive—Ford recall. Tom suggests a reason why Ford might be in the trouble its in. Still in the first segment, the […]
Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo
General Motors EV Sales, Driving the BMW iX, Nissan Armada Deep Dive July 7, 2025
Jill and Tom opened the show discussing the demise of the federal electric-vehicle tax credit. The new and used credits expire on September 30. As a result of the credit situation, Nissan has officially announced the delay of two EV crossovers, one each for Nissan and Nissan luxury-division Infiniti. The hosts also discussed Q2 EV sales […]
Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo
Future for Fuel Cells, New Honda CR-V Trailsport, Remembering American Motors June 30, 2025
Tom and Jill opened the show welcoming new listeners to the program. June proved to be the Car Stuff Podcast’s best download month yet. Tom went on to share news of hydrogen pockets located underground. Tom noted that were these pocket large enough, and easily accessed, it’s possible that fuel-cell vehicles may play a significant […]
Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo
Ram Sweetens Pot, Cadillac Optiq Review, Ranking the Most American Made Vehicles June 23, 2025
Jill and Tom opened up the show by clarifying a point made last week. Indeed, the only Mercedes-Benz wagon offered for sale in the U.S. is the “All-Terrain” variant of the midsize E-class. Tom noted similar wagon offering limitations in the Volvo, Audi, and BMW lineups. The hosts also chatted briefly about Ram’s extended powertrain warranty […]
Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel, Jill Ciminillo