Stephen Fogel

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Location

San Diego, CA

School

University Of Rochester (B.A.), University Of Southern California (M.F.A.)

Expertise

Automotive Technologies, Electric Vehicles, New Vehicle Releases

• Stephen wrote a history of Tesla, both before and after Elon.
• He has enjoyed peak driving experiences throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
• Throughout his career, he has written extensively on all aspects of new automotive technologies, covering topics from infotainment and IoT to ADAS and EVs.

Experience

Stephen's love affair with cars started at the age of seven, when he started building scale models. It has continued throughout adulthood with the driving and ownership of a wide variety of full-size vehicles, from sports cars through sedans and SUVs. His career included the creation of an advertising agency, which acquired an auto racing school as a client. This gave Stephen the opportunity to learn how to drive and compete in open-wheel racing cars, giving him an added appreciation for vehicle dynamics and performance. After several decades in marketing and advertising, Stephen has been a freelance automotive writer for the past eight years, covering all aspects of the automotive scene he knows so well. He has written extensively for RepairPal, as well as for Tier 1 suppliers, EV startups, and automotive M&A consultants. Stephen has also provided content for aftermarket suppliers of exhaust systems, lighting, wheels, tires, and branded warranty products worldwide.

Education

Stephen has a bachelor's degree in film and photography from the University of Rochester (NY) and a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing and film production from the University of Southern California. These courses of study prepared Stephen well for both the visual aspects and the writing-related responsibilities of his advertising/marketing career – and the one as an automotive writer that followed.

Stories By Stephen Fogel

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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Toyota GR86 Vs Subaru BRZ: Are They Actually The Same Car?

  The Toyota GR86 and the Subaru BRZ obviously have a lot in common, but that doesn't mean there aren't still some slight differences for buyers to consider.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  8 Of The Best-Looking Corvettes Ever Designed By Chevrolet

  Chevrolet Corvettes are good-looking cars to begin with, but these particular examples show off a unique beauty that sets them apart from other models.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  What Year Was The Split-Window Corvette And How Much Is One Worth Today?

  The splint-window Corvette didn't last long on the market after complaints from drivers, and that rarity results in a car that's worth a pretty penny today.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  What Were The Chevrolet Corvair's Biggest Problems & Why Did Chevy Stop Making Them?

  While Chevrolet had good intentions, the Corvair was an epic failure. Here's the biggest problems that forced the company to stop making them.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Every Car Powered By Bugatti's W16 Engine Ranked By Top Speed

  In two decades of Bugatti's W16 engine, the marque has produced the Veyron, Chiron, Divo, Centodieci, Mistral and Bolide. Here they are, in order of top speed.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Here's Why You Can't Buy The 2025 Dodge Attitude In The U.S.

  The 2025 Dodge Attitude is an affordable sedan sold in Mexico, but you why can't you buy one in the United States? Here's everything you need to know.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  6 Non-Mercedes Cars That Use Mercedes-AMG Engines

  AMG has a longstanding reputation for building great engines, which have appeared in far more models than just those manufactured by Mercedes-Benz.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  9 Limited Edition Mustangs Every Ford Fan Should Know About

  As the only pony car still in production today, the Ford Mustang has a ton of variants. These limited editions are more than just a fancy trim.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Which Pontiacs Were Powered By A Corvette Engine?

  A Pontiac with a Corvette engine? Unthinkable in GM's early days -- but by the late 1990s, the savings offered by standardizing made it happen.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  What Causes Engine Knocking And How Do You Fix It?

  Is that knocking sound your engine is making just a case of low-octane fuel, or is it something more serious? The answer is crucial for your engine's health.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  What Is A GT And How Does It Differ From A Sports Car?

  Sports cars and GT cars aren't the same thing, though many automakers have certainly made it more confusing as many vehicles have similar 'GT' variants.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  What Makes A Pontiac Firebird A Formula, And How Is It Different From A Trans Am?

  An offshoot of the 1970 Pontiac Firebird, the Formula was toned-down on the outside but still a beast on the inside. What makes it different from a Trans Am?

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Why Used Toyota Mirais Are So Cheap (And Are They Worth Buying?)

  If you spot a used Toyota Mirais available for cheap, there's a couple reasons for the price. Here's what you should know before deciding to buy one.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  7 Cars That Jay Leno Loves And What Makes Them Great

  Jay Leno's car collection is the stuff of legends, and these seven vehicles stand out as special, unique pieces of history.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  What Is An Interference Engine And How Is It Different From A Regular Engine?

  You may not have ever heard of an interference engine, but odds are you're more familiar with them than you think. What makes them different from regular ones?

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Toyota 2JZ-GE, GTE, & FSE Engines – What's The Difference?

  The 2JZ engines are sturdy, powerful, easy to modify, and no matter whether it's the 2JZ-GE, the 2JZ-GTE, or the 2JZ-FSE, there's plenty to tell.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  The Engine That Brought Lotus Into Their V8 Era

  As other exotic cars such as Ferrari were offering at least eight cylinders and as many as 12, Lotus had to up the ante.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  What Happens If Coolant Mixes With Engine Oil (And What May Be Causing It)

  Having coolant and motor oil mix in an engine is never good. This is what happens when they blend together, and some possible causes for the issue.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  5 Of The Most Powerful Flat-Plane V8 Engines

  Flat-plane V8 engines are some of the most powerful ever designed, so naturally, the cars they're in are potent as well. These five are the most impressive.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  How Long Do Timing Chains Last And Do They Need To Be Replaced?

  If your engine has a timing chain, do you know how long it's designed to last and if it needs to be replaced. Here are the answers to those questions.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  Tesla Doesn't Use Real Leather, So What Is It?

  Tesla pledged to not use leather in its vehicle interiors after PETA pressured it to years ago. But if it's not leather covering its seats, what is it?

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  What Are Suicide Doors And How Did They Get Their Name?

  There is one undeniable benefit to suicide doors - improved ease of entry to the vehicle - but how did they get their name?

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  What Engine Came In The 1972 Pontiac Catalina & How Much Horsepower Did It Have?

  With any car from the 1970s, but especially the Pontiac Catalina of the era, emissions restrictions and the oil crisis hampered horsepower for many cars.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  How Rare Is A Chevy SS? Here's How Many Units Were Made

  A little over 12,000 examples of the Chevrolet SS were ever made, but if you want a specific color, or a few more desirable features, the number drops a lot.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  What Years Did Chevrolet Make The 302 Engine And How Much Is One Worth Today?

  The Chevrolet 302 small-block V8 engine was developed for the Camaro Z/28 but had a fairly short run.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  All About The T-56 Six-Speed Manual Transmission (And Which Cars Use It)

  The T-56 was flexible, versatile, and a popular manual transmission choice for vehicle manufacturers, engine swappers and restorers alike.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More
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  Cars

  Cars By Stephen Fogel

  All About 700R4 Transmissions: Who Made Them & Are They Any Good?

  The 700R4 transmissions has gone by different names over the years, so who made them and are they reliable? Here's everything you need to know.

  By Stephen Fogel Read More