Podcasts about avants

New Cyber Truck data puts Ford to shame; Matt Farah has a driving update on his airplane-engine-powered Meyers Manx; when they sold bricks; a Cadillac limo you should want; Grand Seiko ambassador; and Patreon questions include: Did America make ANY good cars in the 80s?? Are Boxsters and Caymans undervalued? The old commuter cars we'd love to drive What to do with that family heirloom car Isn't that just a rebodied Boxster? The WORST thing spilled in a cabin was... Used EV for $20k? Are people cross-shopping the C8 with Porsche and Ferrari? Why do people hate the Grand Seiko Spring Drive? Would we ever race dirt bikes? The best cat toys are Why doesn't every car have an LSD? Ever miss the C5 Corvette or Fox Body? How to fail after the first time Our experience with the C208 CLK And more! Recorded July 28, 2026 The TST hoodie jackets: https://www.thegrottomenswear.com/thesmokingtire/ Tickets to our LIVE show at the Irvine Improv are going quick! https://improv.com/irvine/event/the+smoking+tire+live+feat.+smith+and+sniff+with+matt+farah%2C+zack+klapman%2C+richard+porter%2C+and+jonny+smith/14213624/ DeleteMe Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/TIRE and use promo code TIRE at checkout. Avants Go to https://www.Avants.com and use code TST for 10% off your membership! Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman Enter to WIN our AMAZING 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S!! https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST. Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Tweet at us!https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Matt Farah reviews the all new C8 Corvette Grand Sport and compares is to the Z06 as well as the new base model; he also tells of his week in the blistering Lamborghini Temerario (the good, bad, the mud flaps); Zack Klapman discusses Flock's PR nightmare regarding its inability to read license plates; and Q&A answers questions including: Do economy cars look TOO edgy? Are used car salespeople STILL sus? Which of these 3 dreams cars to sell? M Roadster vs 2008 Vantage Roadster automatic Does this make fancy cars look cheap or vice versa? Soft road build: RX300 or Rav4? Pivotal childhood road trips? Why did Polestar leave but Waymo's Zeeker stays? How to Road America Choose: a car with a steering wheel on the ceiling or pedals all mixed up The perfect car for long Utah trips is... Why are restomods so expensive? And more! Recorded July 23, 2026 The TST hoodie jackets: https://www.thegrottomenswear.com/thesmokingtire/ Tickets to our LIVE show at the Irvine Improv are going quick! https://improv.com/irvine/event/the+smoking+tire+live+feat.+smith+and+sniff+with+matt+farah%2C+zack+klapman%2C+richard+porter%2C+and+jonny+smith/14213624/ DeleteMe Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/TIRE and use promo code TIRE at checkout. Avants Go to https://www.Avants.com and use code TST for 10% off your membership! Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman Enter to WIN our AMAZING 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S!! https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST. Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Tweet at us!https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

This episode is a little bit all over the map in the best possible way. We kick things off talking about surviving the heat, house projects that cost more than we'd like to admit, and a surprisingly perfect ride on our Honda Monkeys through Mount Rainier National Park. Sometimes the best automotive experiences aren't in a 700 horsepower sports car. They're on tiny bikes puttering through some of the most scenic roads in the Pacific Northwest. We also dive into the realities of fire season, road trip planning, and why having a backup route is always a good idea. From there, the conversation wanders into the growing trend of van life and overland rigs, and whether a camper van or expedition vehicle actually makes more sense than buying a house in today's market. We compare EarthRoamers, Sprinter builds, remote work, and the appeal of having your home on wheels when mortgages seem to have lost their minds. On the car side, we talk about a missing Koenigsegg One:1 that turned into an international mystery involving leasing schemes, Interpol, and a multi-million-dollar hypercar. We also get into one of our favorite topics: helping people choose the right off-road vehicle for what they actually want to do, instead of what the internet tells them they should buy. Broncos, Jeeps, 4Runners, INEOS Grenadiers, Raptors and more all get their moment in the spotlight. Of course, there's also breaking Monkey news, questionable ideas about starting a motorcycle cult, thoughts on brand loyalty, and why small motorcycles continue to be some of the most fun you can have on two wheels. As always, we wrap up with a couple questions for listeners: Would you ever trade a traditional house for van life or an expedition rig? And what's the best motorcycle experience you've ever had? The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Nat is a serial entrepreneur. He went to school with Farah and then ran a series of hot dog carts before opening GPNY, a premiere indoor karting business in NY. He then started HK to sell race cars at Monticello Motor Club but now sells the cool and weird in his own store. The Kimera, the Fifteen Eleven, Gunther Werks. If you want something from these famous boutique builders, Nat is your guy. Recorded July 16, 2026 https://www.hkmotorcars.com/ Tickets to our LIVE show at the Irvine Improv are going quick! https://improv.com/irvine/event/the+smoking+tire+live+feat.+smith+and+sniff+with+matt+farah%2C+zack+klapman%2C+richard+porter%2C+and+jonny+smith/14213624/ Show Notes Factor Head to https://Factormeals.com/tire50off and use code tire50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details). Quince Make your summer wardrobe easier. Go to https://Quince.com/tire for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Avants Go to Avants use code TST for 10% off your membership! Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman Enter to WIN our AMAZING 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S!! https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST. Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Tweet at us!https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman recap their time racing in the July 18, 2026 Cleetus 900. This event is much, MUCH more than a race. Show Notes Factor Head to https://Factormeals.com/tire50off and use code tire50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details). Quince Make your summer wardrobe easier. Go to https://Quince.com/tire for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Avants Go to Avants use code TST for 10% off your membership! Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman Enter to WIN our AMAZING 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S!! https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST. Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Tweet at us!https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

This week we're all over the map in the best possible way. We kick things off talking about how AI is quietly changing everything from resumes to project work, and whether we're already at the point where talking to a chatbot feels a little too normal. From there it's back to the stuff we love: a quick tip on why new tires need a proper break-in period, Todd finally buying the monkey he's been threatening to buy for years, and a look at some of the biggest stories coming out of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. We discuss rumors surrounding Polestar's future in the U.S., McLaren's new 788 High Sport, and whether reliability will ever stop being part of the McLaren conversation. Megan joins us in the studio to talk square-body Chevys, classic truck nostalgia, and an unexpectedly deep debate about Ferrari, intellectual property, and whether automakers should have any say in what owners do with the cars they've already paid for. We wrap up with motorcycle ride plans, upcoming events around the Pacific Northwest, car show season, Goodwood highlights, and plenty of the random detours you've come to expect. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Matt Farah has some spicy thoughts on his drive in the new Ferrari 849 Testarossa Spider; he and Zack Klapman discuss the terrifying situation between Flock cameras and Range Rovers; the Manx is even better now; and Patreon questions include: When will Audi etron GTs bottom in price? Quirk battle: Pajero vs Jimny Should a seller supply the PPI? Should this Canadian trade their car for a motorcycle? Mercedes used to be the tech leader. Who is it now? Common car enthusiast financial mistakes. The car with the most diverse fan base is... The OEM we think would "win" the Goodowood FOS Ugly cars that drive great Do nannies REALLY ruin the thrills? Is carbon fiber trim the boomer chrome of our time? And more! Recorded July 15, 2026 Tickets now on sale for our LIVE Show, Aug. 18 in Irvine with Richard Porter and Jonny Smith:https://improv.com/irvine/event/the+smoking+tire+live+feat.+smith+and+sniff+with+matt+farah%2c+zack+klapman%2c+richard+porter%2c+and+jonny+smith/14213624/#showinfo Show Notes DeleteMe Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/ TIRE and use promo code TIRE at checkout. Casper Right now, save up to 20% on mattresses and up to 25% on everything else when you go to Casper.com. #sponsored Avants Go to Avants use code TST for 10% off your membership! Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman Enter to WIN our AMAZING 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S!! https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST. Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Tweet at us!https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Ferrari just can't help itself, can it? First there was the Purosangue, then came the F80, then the joke that is the Luce, and now Maranello has decided what the world really needed was a "manual" 12Cilindri that isn't actually a manual. Is it a gimmick? Absolutely. Does it matter if it looks like a manual, feels like a manual, and makes people smile like a manual? Maybe not... at least while it's still under warranty. We dig into Ferrari's latest attempt at giving enthusiasts what they want without actually giving them what they want. We also recap an epic day on the little bikes, early Audi adopter quirks, discuss Avants Classics on the Green, and cover a bunch of other automotive nonsense along the way.   The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

This week, Brian Dallas and Megan Zalud join us in the studio for a wide-ranging conversation about how fast the automotive and overland world is changing. Products that used to be reserved for hardcore enthusiasts are suddenly everywhere—and in a lot of cases, they're actually getting better. We talk about the shift happening across the industry as companies like Wolfbox, Viofo, and others push out surprisingly high-quality gear at prices that would've seemed impossible just a few years ago. From air compressors and vehicle tech to rooftop tents, portable fridges, portal axles, and track conversions, many of the niche products we used to obsess over are now becoming mainstream and more accessible than ever. Along the way, we discuss what's happening in the overland event scene, why some of the smaller specialty builders seem to be disappearing from major shows, and whether today's wave of affordable manufacturing is creating more competition—or simply changing the rules entirely. Of course, it wouldn't be an Avants Podcast episode without a few detours. We also swap stories about rooftop tent failures, camping gear, fridges, motorcycles, Jeeps, broken bones, old trucks, and the projects currently taking over our garages. Is this the golden age of affordable adventure gear? We dive into that and a whole lot more on this week's episode.   The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Our good friend Brian Elich is back on the show, and we're catching up the only way we know how—talking cars and bad financial decisions. This time around we get into trade-ins, specifically whether it actually makes sense to de-tune your car before handing over the keys. The answer? It depends… and probably not how you'd hope. Brian's been busy since the last time he was on, so we run through his latest additions (none of them boring, obviously), and then jump into what's happening in the market right now. We talk about the slow death of the V10—and why it's probably not coming back—plus Corvette casually smashing the Pikes Peak production record with the ZR1X. We also get into the totally-not-controversial Nitro Circus America situation, relive some of the worst mods we've ever done, and talk about how we somehow ended up loving cars we don't even want to touch anymore. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!  

This week we had the pleasure of meeting our new friend Pete Nielson! Pete had messaged on the show about a few great topics and took us up on our offer to have him swing by and hang out on the show. Little did we know Pete has had one heck of life of riding motorcycles, racing cars, working on race teams, and working with the aerospace industry.  Nick brings us this weeks question of the week: What mod do you regret doing and why?  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

This week we're talking tires—and no, not just the dangerously tempting Avants member deals you should be taking advantage of!  California is rolling out a new tire efficiency regulation that's already stirring up debate across the auto world. On paper, it's about improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. In reality, it could significantly reshape what tires you can actually buy and make you buy more of them. A lot more.  The rule centers around rolling resistance—basically how much energy your tires waste as they roll down the road. Under the proposed program, replacement tires sold in California will need to meet stricter efficiency standards, similar to the low rolling resistance tires that come on new cars from the factory.  Here's where it gets interesting: Tires that don't meet the standard may no longer be legal to sell in the state. The regulation is expected to roll out in phases starting around January 1, 2028.  It applies to most passenger vehicle and light truck replacement tires, with some exemptions (like certain off-road or low-volume tires).  The goal is improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions, with "projected" cost savings for drivers over time (hint: that won't happen). Critics argue this could reduce tire choice, especially for enthusiasts, and potentially push the market toward a narrower set of approved options. Some also raise concerns about cost, availability, and how these efficiency-focused tires balance performance factors like grip and longevity. So what does it actually mean for drivers? Fewer options, more regulation—and a lot of unanswered questions about how it'll play out in the real world. We break it all down, what's fact vs. speculation, and whether this is a meaningful step forward… or just another case of California virtue signaling with no actual beneficial impact.   The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

This week we're talking tires—and no, not just the dangerously tempting Avants member deals you should be taking advantage of!  California is rolling out a new tire efficiency regulation that's already stirring up debate across the auto world. On paper, it's about improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. In reality, it could significantly reshape what tires you can actually buy and make you buy more of them. A lot more.  The rule centers around rolling resistance—basically how much energy your tires waste as they roll down the road. Under the proposed program, replacement tires sold in California will need to meet stricter efficiency standards, similar to the low rolling resistance tires that come on new cars from the factory.  Here's where it gets interesting: Tires that don't meet the standard may no longer be legal to sell in the state. The regulation is expected to roll out in phases starting around January 1, 2028.  It applies to most passenger vehicle and light truck replacement tires, with some exemptions (like certain off-road or low-volume tires).  The goal is improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions, with "projected" cost savings for drivers over time (hint: that won't happen). Critics argue this could reduce tire choice, especially for enthusiasts, and potentially push the market toward a narrower set of approved options. Some also raise concerns about cost, availability, and how these efficiency-focused tires balance performance factors like grip and longevity. So what does it actually mean for drivers? Fewer options, more regulation—and a lot of unanswered questions about how it'll play out in the real world. We break it all down, what's fact vs. speculation, and whether this is a meaningful step forward… or just another case of California virtue signaling with no actual beneficial impact.   The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

What happens when you buy a vintage Ferrari in Italy, drive it through the Alps in August with failing alternators, and then rally it to Monterey Car Week? Naturally… you plan on doing it again. This week on the Avants Podcast, Dan and Nick sit down with Brian McLean — a man who believes old cars are meant to be driven, not hidden away in climate-controlled garages. From a long-wheelbase Rolls-Royce Shadow to a manual V12 Ferrari 400i, Brian shares stories of cross-country breakdowns, roadside repairs, sketchy one-way flights, questionable financial choices, and why the best automotive adventures usually begin with, “This is probably a bad idea.” The crew dives into: Driving vintage cars thousands of miles on rallies and road trips Buying a Ferrari sight unseen in Italy Why old cars aren't unreliable — deferred maintenance is Rally culture, road-trip philosophy, and building the next generation of enthusiasts Fuel leaks in Nevada, seized bearings in Nebraska, and why every adventure needs a backup plan Pop-up headlights, oddball wagons, V12 obsessions, and the joy of weird cars It's equal parts automotive therapy session, comedy show, and reminder that the destination is never the point — the drive is. As always: Don't just get there… enjoy the drive. Our question of the week: What old car do you want to take on a rally adventure? The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

In this episode of The Avants Podcast, Dan and Nick cover everything from road trip chaos to the dismal launch of the Ferrari Leaf, we mean Luce.  Nick shares a quick getaway to Vancouver Island that turns into a four-hour border detention saga (yes, really), while Dan recaps time spent as a temporary food delivery person during a hospital stay and discovering one of the best burgers he's ever had in Seattle. From there, the conversation shifts back to cars. They break down real-world lessons from off-road and motorcycle ownership—including why something as simple as using Loctite can save you from catastrophic failures. Need help deciding on which threadlocker to use? Bookmark this page! https://www.permatex.com/threadlockers/  The episode also dives into the latest automotive news, including new EV trends, upcoming trucks, and a brutally honest reaction to Ferrari's controversial new bomb. Plus, shout-outs to the Avants community, highlights from recent car events, and a discussion around where the industry is headed—both the good and the questionable. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

It's that time again—Forza Horizon 6 has officially dropped, and somehow it's even better than the hype. Nick is now in the market for a new Xbox, while Dan is fully locked in—couch-bound and completely obsessed. And honestly? It's justified. The latest Forza is absolutely stunning and might just be one of the best arcade racing experiences we've ever seen. On the automotive side, Ford unveils the new Filson Edition Bronco—a collaboration that feels like a perfect match of rugged capability and outdoor style. It may not be the classic Eddie Bauer partnership, but it definitely brings its own kind of legacy energy. Meanwhile, things are getting interesting in the world of oil. With several retailers warning about a potential shortage, DIY enthusiasts might want to stock up sooner rather than later—Costco runs might be in your near future.   The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

OVERHYPED! No, not us, we're pretty self aware. It's why we cry in the shower. In this episode we're talking about overrated cars. Not cars we hate, but cars we actually love, but still think are overrated like the Vector W8, the Jaguar XJ220, the Jeep Wrangler, and several classic cars. Are they bad cars? Not at all, and we want all of them in our garages, but the comprises these cars come with or came with are pretty hard to ignore. What's on your list?  On the life side of things, Nick and Kate picked up a new car, and we've gotta give another shoutout to our friends at Carter Subaru for hooking that up. Nick also spent some time in the new S5 this week, which is fully wrapped in STEK, so at least it's surviving this absolute mess of weather—sun, rain, pollen, and whatever else the trees feel like throwing at it. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!  

The future of driving just took another step away from… driving. BMW is bringing brake-by-wire to production—ditching traditional hydraulic systems in favor of fully electronic control. It's a big leap forward in technology, but also raises a bigger question: are we slowly being disconnected from the driving experience altogether? EV drivers already rely heavily on regen braking—so does this even matter anymore, or is this the tipping point? Meanwhile, Lucid just dropped a $1B loss, proving once again that building high-end EVs isn't for the faint of heart (or wallet). Backed by Saudi funding, they're not going anywhere—but can the next wave, like the Rivian R2, finally deliver the EV breakthrough the market actually needs? On a more hopeful note, Nissan might be back. A new Skyline is on the horizon, and somehow Infiniti could be the one bringing back a proper manual sports sedan. Is this the comeback enthusiasts have been waiting for? And speaking of performance—how fast is fast enough? Dan shares his run at 193 mph in a GT-R, still chasing that elusive 200 mph club. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!  

Dan took the Bronco Raptor down to the beach—and honestly, nothing happened. It handled everything like it was built for it, no drama, no stories… which, let's face it, isn't exactly great podcast material. Meanwhile, somewhere across the globe, two guys successfully the exact opposite: a 14,000-mile journey from London to Cape Town in a Reliant Robin. And as you'd expect, they would never do it again. Naturally, that got us thinking—we might need to step up our own adventure game. So in this episode, we dive into that wildly ambitious road trip, swap stories about motorcycles and Avants, and start asking ourselves what it would actually take to make things a little more… interesting. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

This episode kicks off with a bit of well-earned self-hype as Avants Magazine Issue 23 drops—featuring us! Huge shoutout to Brian Elich for capturing some incredible photos that made the feature even better. From there, we dive into some big industry news: GM pulling out of the electric truck market. What went wrong for legacy automakers like Ford and GM, and how did Rivian manage to get it so right? We break down the challenges—and we want to hear from you. If you've owned (or ditched) a Ford Lightning or GM EV truck, tell us what you loved… or didn't. Next up, we talk about Ford Raptor cost-cutting, and why enthusiasts are starting to notice some questionable decisions in a premium product. Over in motorsport, Formula 1 changes the rules yet again, and surprise—fans and drivers aren't thrilled. We unpack the latest shake-ups and what they mean for the sport. On the brighter side, Porsche reveals yet another 911 variant, proving once again that they somehow never miss. Is it necessary? Maybe not. Does it look amazing? Absolutely. And finally, Dan makes a life decision: buying his first e-bike (an Amflow PR Carbon Pro)—which also happens to be only his third bike ever… at 46. What could possibly go wrong?  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

This week's episode takes a few fun detours and a few hard turns into the reality of today's car market. We kick things off in unexpected territory with a discussion on Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching and the strange, entertaining world of accidental ornithology—proof that bird watching can be far more intense (and competitive) than anyone expects. With the GMC Jimmy officially making a return, we ask the obvious question: does this finally give us hope that Ford might bring the Everest stateside? That leads into a bigger “what if” conversation—cars that *should* have been massive hits but were held back by baffling decisions. We argue the Cybertruck may have been more popular as a true SUV instead of a polarizing pickup, and the Honda Prelude is our go-to example of a car that was absolutely nerfed by its manufacturer. We also ask listeners which car they think deserved better. Truck talk continues as Toyota announces the Tundra TRD Hammer Edition, a clear shot across the bow of the Raptor. We think Toyota nailed this one and expect it to be a serious competitor. On the performance side, pricing for the new Grand Sport X has dropped, and at $113K we make the case that it's one of the best bang‑for‑your‑buck cars on the market right now. We then dive into the brutal reality of depreciation—especially in the EV space. The Tesla Model 3 RWD losing roughly 62% of its value raises a bigger question: is this a reflection of the EV market as a whole, or is Tesla dealing with its own unique set of problems, including brand fatigue and Elon‑induced polarization? Along similar lines, Ford officially confirms what many saw coming—the death of the F‑150 Lightning. The twist? We think it's actually fixable, and we break down how Ford could have saved it. We wrap up with some real‑world pain: gas prices. When a full tank in a Raptor is flirting with $200, it begs the question—what's the most you've ever paid to fill up? And finally, our Question of the Week: what shop or garage upgrades are you planning this year? Dan thinks a mini‑split is non‑negotiable before summer hits—do you agree?   The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

On this week's episode Nick experiences the fun of current fuel prices as he fills up the Storyteller with diesel for the first time. At the time of publishing this episode, Diesel is currently sitting at $7 a gallon! If you're on the hunt for a new vehicle, have you reconsidered due to fuel prices or are you betting on prices dropping? Let us know in the comments!  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

The weather's warming up and the roads are finally drying out—which means it's prime time to wrap up those long‑overdue mods. What projects are you finishing this season? Nick's juggling upgrades across his bike, the Storyteller Van, and possibly a rack upgrade for the Ranger Raptor. Dan confesses his F‑150 Raptor is a certified mall crawler, so he's leaning into practicality with airbags for towing, while the Bronco still has a long list of unfinished upgrades. Brian drops back in after some travel to hang out, share a few favorite roads, and talk about his time with Raptor Junkies—along with some hard‑earned tips on how not to be a total newb.   The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!      

Brett Berk might be the busiest freelance journalist we know. He has the incredible power to drive one car and extract 3 interesting, unique stories from the experience. That's why he's driven Jaguar's new EV, a very special Bentley, driven cars on boats (yes, that's a thing), and toured factories.   Patreon questions include: Best used AMG car for under $40k? Can we fix bad drivers? Will Aston make an entry-level mid-engine car? Cameras vs lidar Toddlers vs supercar owners Best bang-for-buck car EPA's move to 15% ethanol Do Alpina's last longer than BMWs? Are convertibles always worth more than coupes? Is car-themed luggage gauche? BRZ: best chassis you can buy under $100k? And more! Recorded March 31, 2026   Find links to all Brett's work here: https://muckrack.com/brett_berk http://brettberk.com/   DeleteMe Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/TIRE and use promo code TIRE at checkout.   Hello Fresh Go to https://HelloFresh.com/smokingtire10fm to Get 10 free meals + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box. Offer valid while supplies last. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan.   Drive Season 4 Listen to Drive with Jim Farley Season 4 at https://lnk.to/drivewithjimfarleyPS!thesmokingtire   Avants: Enter code “TST” to get 10% off your Avants membership https://www.avants.com/tst   Enter to WIN a 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S! Podcast Link: https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Use Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE   Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities.   New merch! Grab a shirt or hoodie and support us! https://thesmokingtireshop.com/   Want your question answered? To listen to the episode the day it's recorded? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast   Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST   #cars #comedy #podcast Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman   Click here for the most honest car reviews out there: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST. Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Tweet at us!https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

  Matt Farah tells the tale of driving and drifting the incredible thing that is the Aston Martin Valhalla. 1,064HP of active aero-wearing carbon fiber; a big new step for the British company known for Grand Touring sports cars. Plus, why watching can be better than owning, and Patreon questions include: Am I garbage for this Amazon delivery situation? Was DUB magazine important? What's Top Gear for the younger generation? Best concept car at a recent show Valhalla vs Koenigsegg vs Pagani Is Safari-ing dead? Matt's plan for an air-cooled Porsche Zack's next car How to get rid of gas fumes in a garage Normal cars that get attention An overlanding van for $15k Manual swap a C63 AMG? Are used Lucid's a smart buy at $30k? Old stuff that we do Things we miss about YouTube's past And more!   Recorded March 30, 2026   DeleteMe Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/TIRE and use promo code TIRE at checkout.   Hello Fresh Go to https://HelloFresh.com/smokingtire10fm to Get 10 free meals + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box. Offer valid while supplies last. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan.   Drive Season 4 Listen to Drive with Jim Farley Season 4 at https://lnk.to/drivewithjimfarleyPS!thesmokingtire   Avants: Enter code “TST” to get 10% off your Avants membership https://www.avants.com/tst   Join Sam Smith and Travis Okulski at the greatest motorsports event on Earth! https://www.revivalspark.com/   Enter to WIN a 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S! Podcast Link: https://www.dreamgiveaway.com/tickets/porsche?promo=SMOKINGTIRE Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities. Use Podcast Promo Code: SMOKINGTIRE   Promo Code Offer: Get 4X bonus tickets with any donation of $25 or more. With every donation you are helping benefit some wonderful veterans' and children's charities.   New merch! Grab a shirt or hoodie and support us! https://thesmokingtireshop.com/   Want your question answered? To listen to the episode the day it's recorded? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast   Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST  Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST. Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Tweet at us!https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Nick and his family have been busy acquiring fun vehicles! Nick gets behind the wheel of the ultimate adventure van, a brand new Storyteller Beast Mode! Not just that, but spring is around the corner and he couldn't resist the need for another motorcycle, so he's the proud new owner of a KTM 390 Enduro too! Needless to say Dan probably needs to step it up and get another toy. That's the only logical conclusion we can draw from this. Our question of the week is, if someone gave you your dream car, what road are you putting it on? Dan and Nick both would head to Utah, but what about you?  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Brian Dallas drops in to give us some updates on the Overland scene for 2026, Nick goes snow wheeling and picks up hitchhikers, and Dan thinks F1 is boring now. Our Avants community question of the week, what is the most beautiful car ever made? Post a pic of your favorite!  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Consumer Reports has launched there worst of 2025 and much to our surprise, the new 4Runner made the list! We love the new 4Runner, but CR did have some good points about the underwhelming engine choice as well as it's ride quality on the road. While the other choices were somewhat expected, we were surprised to see the beloved 4Runner make the list, but what do you think?  And for our question this week, where are you most excited to travel to in the upcoming driving season?  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

With several emissions rollbacks already taking effect, the automotive industry finds itself at a rare and timely crossroads—one that opens the door for genuinely exciting cars once again. Horsepower figures are now pushing past the 1,000 mark from multiple manufacturers, signaling that the long-running horsepower war is rapidly reaching its natural conclusion. As that race winds down, there's hope that automakers will redirect their energy toward what truly defines a great car: delivering a more engaging, rewarding, and memorable driving experience.    Speaking of memorable driving experiences, what automotive related destinations have you felt called to go back to? For us, it's clearly Moab, Idaho, Colorado, and the hidden roads of Sierra Nevada's. What place has you itching to come back and drive? The Tail of the Dragon, the Alps? Let us know!    The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!    

For almost all of us out there, affording a new car means selling the old one. As we get older and more settled in life, sometimes the idea of a project car or buying a replacement for that vehicle you wish you still had becomes more obtainable. Which vehicle would you repurchase and why? Which project car is right around the corner for you? We also talk about the rise of the Chinese automakers that we can't get in the States, but Chinese motorcycles have already snuck in and they're actually good! Will the Chinese motorcycle market direction be an indicator of the upcoming automotive market?  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

We talk about cars all the time, but we're not out there test driving them very often so we don't really consider ourselves “car reviewers”. Reporting in general has changed significantly over the years, and the latest “review” on the F250 by Dan Neil in the WSJ shows how even car reviews aren't safe from bad taste and political soap boxes. In better car review news, the real car reviews on the new Rivian R2 have started to drop and we all seem to think it's a great step in the right direction EVs as a whole, but we would love to hear your thoughts on it. Dan is more excited for the Scout and Rivian R3, and we both think the new Slate is unfortunately doomed due to increasing costs. Who do you think was the biggest brand loser of 2025? We give our vote to Ford for having more recalls than we didn't think possible and the huge failure of the Lightning, which should have been an easy win. In really good consumer news, the Michelin and BF Goodrich discount is renewed for 2026 and you can save more than ever by buying from our partners at Discount Tire! Considering how warm it has been in the PNW, it's getting close to time to get those new summer tires anyway! The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

On this episode we respond to a helpful listener voicemail, a great suggestion from Juan on the one car that just needs one change, and Brian Dallas swings by to talk about the Ford seat issues that plague their vehicles equipped with Recaros.   The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Bring back stereo dolphins! We think there's a market for simplified vehicles that will outlast you with proper maintenance, and we think diesel, non-hybrid, trucks with no built-in infotainment, and manual options would be just the thing. Doug DeMuro disagrees, but do you? It turns out about 1/2 a million Washington drivers have expired tabs. In a surprise to no one living in the area of constantly increasing taxes and costs, more drivers than ever are skipping tab renewals. We often forget the tabs on our motorcycles and trailers, but what about you? Did you hear this episode then suddenly realize your tabs are still from 2021? Living in that RTA zone and it just doesn't make sense to renew them for you? Tesla pulls the plug on the Model S and Model X; is it a sign of decreasing demand for EVs?  Questions for the audience this week!  Is simplicity something you want and would actually pay for? Is there an actual market for vehicles like the 70 series or is it just a nice idea?  What vehicles is close to perfect, except for 1 or 2 glaringly obvious flaws like the Prelude?   What other manufacturers are obviously missing the mark on their models besides the Honda Prelude? Did you "forget" to renew your tabs? Is it just too expensive now?  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

"Good as new!" "...Yeah... good as new..." This week we talk about rebuilt and salvaged titled cars. There are good deals to be had buying rebuilt titled cars and rebuilding salvaged title cars, but you really need to know what you're looking and when to know you're getting scammed. Episode spoiler alert, you're almost always getting scammed. Also, we're mourning the loss of the local white 250 GTO that sold at auction for a $38.5 million; we will miss seeing it's surprise appearances at Exotics and other local events. Do you think it sold for the right price? Is any car worth that much to YOU? We go back and forth on it. Dan doesn't think any cars is, but Nick wishes it was in his garage.  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

The last few years have been a rollercoaster for wagon fans in the US and around the world - we've gained some and lost many more. But could the tides be changing? Tailgates opening to new beginnings? We dive into the origins of the station wagon to find out... === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Both fans of the station wagon, Jason and Derek discuss their personal origin stories with wagons. Jason's begins with a 1975 Chevrolet Impala Wagon that he grew up in the back of - which spurs a conversation around 1970s and 80s American station wagons from the GM clamshell tailgate, the Buick Estate Wagon and Roadmaster, to the rare Cadillac Castilian. Derek discusses growing up in the ‘90s (1890s, of course) - while his family cars were convertibles and sedans, the school run was enveloped in Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable wagons, Volvo 240 and 740, Mercedes 300TE and E320, E34 BMW 5 series, and Audi 5000 and 200 Avants. Exploring how many consider wagons to be uncool or frumpy, he explores the advent of new at the time SUV offerings starting in the same time period, like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. Jason and Derek then explore what has become of the wagon market and why- noting the recent departure of the Volvo V90 and V60. Many wagons have inflated greatly in cost, ending up under or over-contented due to lower demand and cost of federalization - a trend explored via the Acura TSX Wagon and Jaguar XF Sportbrake. The classification of wagons has also changed over the years, now grouping CUVs like the new Subaru Outback and Buick Envista that have no business being classified as a wagon. Favorite niche wagons are also discussed, like the Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion 6 Speed, the euro-only Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG, and modified variants of BMW wagons like the E46 Touring with ZHP drivetrain. All this and more, on this week's episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We love it when our audience gives us feedback about a topic, so we want to hear how you have used your car for maybe more than its originally intended purpose. The big stories are always fun, but we would love to see and share some of your moments of your car being used to it's fullest. Camping out of your supercar? Towing your track bike with your track car? Converted your Smart car into a tank? Used your Hilux to help overthrow annoying government regime? Let us know in the comments, or send us a voicemail or text message!  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

We here at the Avants Podcast welcomes Kevin Nielsen and Daniel Piker to the crew! Kevin has just started the new San Diego chapter of Avants and is a car person through and through. Daniel joined us back in October and you have probably noticed all the upgrades on the Avants social media. Honda's new Prelude has bombed in the US market, selling just 126 units in the last 2 months. Probably because it's a rebodied Civic with better suspension and brakes and they're asking an insane $40+ thousand dollars for it. Want to see something cool though? Check out this story from VinWiki on the Ganassi racing "secret" tunnel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJR8Ke6Tw6A The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Are you giving your insurance and law enforcement everything they need to ruin your fun drive? If you've opted in to driving monitoring apps, or even just your cars infotainment system user agreement you just might be. We talk a little about the inevitable use of your data against you, yet another Corvette variant coming around the corner, and more on this weeks show! The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Chaque jour, retrouvez le journal de 19h de la rédaction d'Europe 1 pour faire le tour de l'actu.Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

The ZR1 and Mustang GTD finally have gone head to head and the ZR1 proves it's almost impossible to beat, not just by the GTD, but by basically anything on the market. We can't wait to see the ZR1X and what numbers it's going to put down. If you're willing to wear the jorts, the Corvette is likely going to be king for a long time. In other good news, Porsche has finally back peddled on the full EV Cayman/Boxster that no one wanted.  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Carvana came to the used car market with big promises and a unique buying experience, but loose spending habits took them to the brink of bankruptcy. Now seemingly out of nowhere Carvana is back and has a market value exceeding Ford and even GM! Will this change the way dealers sell used cars so they can compete? Have you bought or sold a car from Carvana? Let us know!  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!  

This week we talk about the real cost of those pesky speeding tickets, the controversial rollback of the emissions standards and what good news that may bring for enthusiasts, and Jaguar finally realizes that their customers aren't interested in pink and blue toasters being sold by interpretive dance and fires their former design chief, Garry McGovern. We wish him not well.  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

We're dropping this one early because it's time to shop for holiday shopping! Obviously the first thing on your list should be an Avants membership of course, but we've got a great list of things you or someone you know probably wants!  None of these links are affiliate links; we just love this stuff and think you will too!  An Avants Membership! Griots Products A quiet compressor The DeWalt Stealthsonic Vac (Dan has this one) A battery conversion for that old Dyson hand vac so you can use it again A battery powered hand vac that matches your tools Mini Lowes, Home Depot, or Harbor Freight bucket cups We're not above gift certificates and no other car people are either Icon or Gearwrench 1/4 drive mini ratchet set Get that shop minisplit and heat and cool your space efficiently like this 18k BTU YitaHome for $555 Quick Jacks! Or reach out to our friends at Hydraulic Solutions!  Get some lights or some other custom work from our partners at HKP Customs! And rumor has it they're doing a little extra for Avants members.  Starlink Mini is a game changer, they're on sale for $230, and we swear everyone who road trips or overlands should have one!  OnX Offroad is on sale for 30% for Black Friday, and if you enjoy exploring it's the app to have.  Baofeng GMRS Radios are dirt cheap and great for communicating with your friends on rallies, out while offroad, hiking, and more!  Silicon Gun Cleaning mat - we use these for cars projects, not guns, and they're great!  Mackie Studio Monitor speakers for the best shop speakers I've used to date The EDC pocket knife I think everyone should have, the Kershaw Leek The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!  

This week Niko Pagones, owner and founder of Amaxi Autosport joins us in the studio to talk about how he started his shop, the excitement and challenges that came with that, and how he's using the latest tech to solve the problems of restoration in older cars. We talk 3D printing, 3D scanning, 3D printed metal, and a whole lot more. If you want to get a hold of Niko to do some work on your ride, you can find him over at Amaxi Auto!  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!  

Our friend and neighbor Brian Dallas swings by the show to join us again this week! If you're in the area and would like to join us for a show, send us a message! We don't open the studio every week, but we always enjoy good company.  On this weeks episode, Koenigsegg randomly decided to take their Sadair's Spear, which is a more track focused Jesko, over to Laguna Seca and break the lap record! Of course to do that they had to put the worlds ugliest muffler on it to comply with Laguna Seca's noise ordinances. We still love it and we're always glad to see Christian Von Koenigsegg breaking records and pushing limits. We also discuss Motorcycle etiquette, Whitworth and JIS tools, and a YouTuber we think you should be watching with your family, Matt Spears.  While talking about the Rever mapping app, which is really useful for finding curvy roads, we talk about how AI could potentially replace all these apps very easily. What useful ways are you using AI today in your cars?  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!  

Karissa Haydon and Trista Smith join us to give us all the details on their 2025 Rebelle Rally Adventure. Spoiler alert; they did AWESOME! They give us all the dirt on (ba-dum-tiss) on their 2025 Rebelle Rally adventure, how the move to the Ranger Raptor went, those amazing dresses, and why you don't turn at the dead badger. Follow Team Velocity at https://team-velocity.com The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Porsche profits dropped a whopping 99% this year. And as usual, this was extremely easy to predict. They already pulled back on the full electrification of the Boxster and Cayman, but add in weakening sales in China, tariffs, and people just plain tired of paying ridiculous ADMs and Porsche had an easy to see plan to fail. Car companies to fire their bean counters in our opinion. We also ask the question, if you had to keep one car forever, what would you drive? Also, a big shoutout to our friends at Team Velocity for their second place finish in the Rebelle Rally! We love supporting them and are so proud of them. Check them out here! https://team-velocity.com/  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

From CVTs with Paddle Shifters to that radio you pretty much forgot existed, we go down the list of features we're wondering why still exist. We can't remember the last time we actually used the factory GPS, when it even worked, and self parking is a great way to lose a spot to the person behind you and cause a small traffic jam as a bonus. What features do you forget your car has? Which ones can't you live without? Which one is underutilized? Cooled seats for all! The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!  

What was your favorite car movie? Do any of you have your movie car?! We're talking about movie cars, tv cars, and what we think is missing from movies that needs to come back to reignite car culture a little. It sounds like Spyker is going to be making a comeback in spite of their seemingly endless legal battles. Spyker holds a special place in our hearts as being a truly unique automobile and we're hoping their comeback stays true to the soul of the brand. We also follow up on previous conversation about oil catch cans and why you might actually want one and talk about what movie and tv car shows actually should come back.  The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Matt rode in a Waymo; tells tales from the Avants event in Seattle; Zack's car is falling apart while being put back together; Florida has a new law for speeders; Toyota showed off a concept; and we answer Patreon questions including:What's a good car for an artsy college student?Is my car too fast for track days?Is the T.33 worth the money?Could Porsche bring back the 912?What should the next Miata be?Favorite automotive conspiracy theoryBest car for a new driverLeast desirable million dollar carBest watch no one has heard ofWhich seats are the best to watch a motorsports event?And more!Recorded July 14, 2025https://www.theautopian.com/customers-outraged-with-hertz-ai-scanners-they-say-automatically-charge-for-questionable-damages/Houston Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-smoking-tire-one-of-the-worlds-biggest-car-podcast-coming-to-houston-tickets-1439944967159?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl Dallas Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-smoking-tire-one-of-the-worlds-biggest-car-podcast-coming-to-dallas-tickets-1447301911979?aff=oddtdtcreator Show Notes:DeleteMeTake control of your data and keep your private life private by signing up for DeleteMe. Now at a special discount for our listeners.Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/TIREand use promo code TIRE at checkout.  FitBodJoin Fitbod today to get your personalized workout plan.Get 25% off your subscription or try the app FREE for seven days at Fitbod.me/TIRE. SmallsFor Smoking Tire listeners, you can get 60% off your first Smalls order PLUS free shipping when you head to Smalls.com/TIRE. That's 60% off when you head to Smalls.com/TIRE, plus free shipping! New merch! Grab a shirt or hoodie and support us! https://thesmokingtireshop.com/ Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST. Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Tweet at us!https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman