149. The Pile Up EP30: New Cars are Dumb
About this episode
A lively discussion unfolds around the frustrations and quirks of modern cars, with hosts Emily and Rose sharing personal anecdotes about their vehicles and experiences. They debate the merits of new technology versus classic cars, highlighting the charm of older models and the pitfalls of contemporary designs. Notable stories include a humorous breakdown incident and reflections on the automotive industry’s direction. The episode is filled with humor and relatable car troubles, making it a fun listen for those who appreciate the character of older vehicles.
Emily and Rose discuss 2026 cars and why you shouldn't buy one.
Recorded @iapdx
Recorded & mixed by Emdognightmare & Queen of the Vans
Editor: Emdognightmare
Production & research Queen of the Vans & Emdognightmare
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Hugs, thank you & high fives to Greg Meleney for the killer tunez!
Chevrolet Corvette
"...the thing is with the Corvette, I don't hit curbs. And she also called me a badass..."
The Corvette is a fast sports car made by Chevrolet. It's known for its cool looks and great performance on the road.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a high-performance sports car known for its sleek design and powerful engines. It's often celebrated for its handling and speed, making it a popular choice among car enthusiasts.
Volvo
"...I had the Volvo special spare. Like mine was like museum quality..."
Volvo is a car brand from Sweden that is famous for making safe and reliable cars. They often have features that help keep drivers and passengers safe.
Volvo is a Swedish automotive brand known for its focus on safety and reliability. Many of its models are designed with advanced safety features and a reputation for durability.
lug nuts
"...maybe the lug nuts are loose. Maybe not over tight, but they're pretty damn tight..."
Lug nuts are the bolts that hold the wheels on your car. If they're too loose or too tight, it can cause problems with the wheels.
Lug nuts are fasteners used to secure a wheel to a vehicle's hub. They are crucial for keeping the wheels attached and must be properly tightened to ensure safety while driving.
tire
"...I kind of don't think about looking at my tire wheel combo because I'm like, it's just gonna clunk home..."
A tire is the round rubber part of a car that touches the ground. It helps the car move and stay stable while driving.
A tire is a rubber covering that fits around a wheel and provides traction, stability, and cushioning for vehicles. Proper tire maintenance is essential for safe driving and vehicle performance.
alternator
"...I've had to get on the bus with an alternator before. Okay. And you know, that was fine..."
An alternator is a part of the car that helps keep the battery charged and powers the electrical systems when the engine is on.
An alternator is a crucial component in a vehicle's electrical system that generates electricity to power the car's electrical systems and recharge the battery while the engine is running.
Ford Model T
"... you know, like, he said that his aunt had like a model T or something and that she had broke down and, uh,..."
The Ford Model T is an old car that was made a long time ago, and it was one of the first cars that regular people could buy. It changed how cars were made and helped many families own a car for the first time.
The Ford Model T, produced from 1908 to 1927, is often regarded as the first affordable automobile, making car ownership accessible to the general public. Its mass production revolutionized the automotive industry and set the stage for modern manufacturing techniques.
petrolhead
"...this one guy used the, uh, term petrolhead, like this will excite some petrolhead in talking about an electric vehicle..."
A petrolhead is someone who loves cars and is really interested in everything about them, like how they work or their performance.
'Petrolhead' is a slang term used to describe someone who is very passionate about cars and enjoys discussing or working on them.
torque
"...if you're hauling a lot of stuff, you need more torque than you need. Horsepower isn't really that big..."
Torque is the force that helps a car move, especially when it needs to pull something heavy or speed up quickly.
Torque is a measure of rotational force in an engine, which is important for moving a vehicle, especially when carrying heavy loads or accelerating quickly.
horsepower
"...you need more torque than you need. Horsepower isn't really that big..."
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is, showing how fast it can make a car go or how quickly it can speed up.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, indicating how quickly work can be done. In cars, it reflects the engine's ability to perform work over time, affecting speed and acceleration.
Ford Ranger
".... And then, and then the next one is the Corvette Ranger. You know, like. Uh, the top one. Then you've go..."
The Ford Ranger is a small truck that's great for carrying stuff and driving on rough roads. It's known for being tough and reliable, making it a favorite for people who need a vehicle for work or adventure.
The Ford Ranger is a compact pickup truck that has been popular for its versatility and off-road capability. It has undergone several generations of redesigns, with the latest version reintroduced in 2019, offering modern features and improved performance.
zero to 200 time
"Rose EP30: this one was like, it was irrelevant. It was a zero to 200 time."
Zero to 200 time is how long it takes a car to go from a complete stop to going really fast—200 kilometers per hour. It's a way to see how quickly a car can speed up.
The 'zero to 200 time' refers to the time it takes for a vehicle to accelerate from a complete stop to 200 kilometers per hour (or 0 to 124 miles per hour). This metric is often used to measure a car's performance and acceleration capabilities.
Chevy Lumina
"Rose EP30: if there were a shortage of cars, people would still be driving the Chevy Lumina, wildly expensive."
The Chevy Lumina is a car that Chevrolet made from the early 1990s to the early 2000s. It's a mid-size car that many people found comfortable and roomy.
The Chevy Lumina is a mid-size car that was produced by Chevrolet from 1990 to 2001. It was available in various body styles and was known for its spacious interior and comfortable ride.
T5 transmission
"Rose EP30: a little ball socket for the shifter on a T5 transmission. That was amazing."
The T5 transmission is a manual gearbox used in some cars, especially Ford models. It helps the driver change gears smoothly when driving.
The T5 transmission is a type of manual transmission that was commonly used in various Ford vehicles, including the Mustang. It is known for its durability and smooth shifting capabilities.
TBI
"So many people get TBI now instead of going carb. So I"
TBI means Throttle Body Injection, which is a way to deliver fuel to the engine. It's like a modern version of a carburetor that helps the engine run better.
TBI stands for Throttle Body Injection, a type of fuel injection system where fuel is injected into the intake manifold, similar to a carburetor. It's often used in older vehicles as a simpler alternative to multi-port fuel injection.
Edelbrock 1406
"you could put just dump an Edelbrock 1406 on top of there and just drive away."
The Edelbrock 1406 is a type of carburetor that helps mix air and fuel for the engine. It's well-known for making older cars run better.
The Edelbrock 1406 is a popular carburetor model known for its reliability and performance. It's a four-barrel carburetor that is often used in classic cars to improve engine performance.
smog compliant
"but it had to be smog compliant for what year that motor came out."
Smog compliant means that a car meets certain rules about how much pollution it can produce. This is important in places that want to keep the air clean.
Smog compliance refers to meeting environmental regulations for emissions set by state or federal authorities. Cars must pass emissions tests to be considered smog compliant, especially in areas with strict air quality standards.
Trans Am
"when I had the TransAm, I da the TransAm."
The Trans Am is a sporty car made by Pontiac. It's known for being fast and having a cool design, popular in the 70s and 80s.
The Pontiac Trans Am is a performance version of the Pontiac Firebird, known for its sporty design and powerful engine options. It gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, especially among muscle car enthusiasts.
Geo Prizm
"I love seeing a prism out there, like a 94 or 93."
The Geo Prizm is a small car from the 90s that is known for being reliable and not too expensive.
The Geo Prizm was a compact car produced in the 1990s, known for its reliability and affordability. It was essentially a rebadged version of the Toyota Corolla.
Geo Prism
"...u legacy or like, yeah, I don't know. Or like geo prisms. I love seeing a prism out there, like a 94 or 93..."
The Geo Prism is a small, budget-friendly car from the 90s that people liked for being easy on gas. It’s similar to a Toyota Corolla, which means it’s usually dependable and good for getting around.
The Geo Prism was a compact car produced in the 1990s, known for its affordability and fuel efficiency. It was a rebadged version of the Toyota Corolla, which contributed to its reliability and popularity during its production run.
Subaru Legacy
"Like the Subaru legacy or like geo prisms. I love seeing a prism out there, like a 94 or 93."
The Subaru Legacy is a car that's good for different weather conditions because it has all-wheel drive, which helps with traction and stability.
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car that has been known for its all-wheel drive capabilities and reliability, making it a popular choice among drivers in various conditions.
head gasket
"You do get to a head gasket around, I think 200,000 in the, two forties."
The head gasket is a part of the engine that keeps oil and coolant separate. If it breaks, it can cause big problems for the engine.
The head gasket is a critical component in an engine that seals the cylinder head to the engine block, preventing coolant and oil from mixing. Failure of the head gasket can lead to serious engine damage.
Holden Caprice
"...though? You know what I've been wanting is like a caprice or like a Caprice wagon. I don't know. Look, loo..."
The Holden Caprice is a big, comfortable car that was made in Australia and is often seen as a fancy vehicle. It has a lot of room inside and is known for being powerful and smooth to drive.
The Holden Caprice is a full-size luxury sedan that was produced in Australia, known for its spacious interior and powerful performance. It has been used as a police car and a luxury vehicle, making it a significant part of Holden's lineup until its discontinuation in 2017.
Chevrolet Caprice
"You know what I've been wanting is like a caprice or like a Caprice wagon."
The Chevrolet Caprice is a big car that was popular in the past, known for being comfortable and having a lot of space inside.
The Chevrolet Caprice is a full-size car that was popular in the United States, especially during the 1970s and 1980s. It is known for its spacious interior and comfort.
Chevrolet El Camino
"I hope that these repelled you away and then you were like, yeah, you know what? I'm gonna buy the El Camino."
The Chevrolet El Camino is a car that has a truck bed, making it useful for carrying things while still being able to drive like a regular car.
The Chevrolet El Camino is a unique vehicle that combines the features of a car and a pickup truck. It was produced from the late 1950s to the early 1980s and is known for its versatility.
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