#2621: Worst Car of the Millenium
About this episode
The show reveals the worst cars of the millennium as voted by listeners, with the Hugo taking the top spot. The hosts share humorous and insightful commentary on notorious vehicles like the VW bus, Renault Dauphine, and Ford Pinto. They also tackle listener calls about car troubles, including CV joint failure, aftermarket air conditioning on a Kia, and cold-weather engine issues. The episode blends automotive advice with entertaining stories and a puzzler about frozen soup, maintaining the signature witty and conversational tone.
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Fiat
"Italian automaker Fiat is on the verge of striking a partnership deal with who? General Motors. And what's going to happen is the GM is going to buy, if they haven't already, 20 percent of Fiat."
Fiat is a car company from Italy that makes small and affordable cars. They sometimes work together with other car companies to make new cars.
Fiat is an Italian automaker known for producing small city cars and affordable vehicles. It has a long history in the automotive industry and has been involved in various partnerships and mergers.
partnership deal
"Italian automaker Fiat is on the verge of striking a partnership deal with who? General Motors. And what's going to happen is the GM is going to buy, if they haven't already, 20 percent of Fiat."
A partnership deal is when two car companies agree to work together to make new cars or share ideas and money.
A partnership deal in the automotive industry refers to an agreement between two companies to collaborate, often involving shared ownership, technology, or resources to develop new vehicles or expand market reach.
General Motors
"Italian automaker Fiat is on the verge of striking a partnership deal with who? General Motors. And what's going to happen is the GM is going to buy, if they haven't already, 20 percent of Fiat."
General Motors is a big American car company that owns many car brands like Chevrolet and Cadillac. They sometimes buy parts of other car companies to work together.
General Motors (GM) is a major American automotive manufacturer that owns several brands including Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC. GM has a history of partnerships and acquisitions worldwide.
takeover
"And I think this is the first step. I think this is the first step in a takeover. Who's going to take over whom? It really doesn't matter."
A takeover is when one car company buys enough of another company to control it and make decisions for it.
A takeover in business refers to one company gaining control over another, usually by purchasing a majority of its shares. In the automotive world, this can lead to changes in management, product lines, and company strategy.
CV joints
"Great. I have a problem with my CV joints. I have a 1990 Honda CRX."
CV joints help your car's wheels turn and move up and down without losing power. They make sure the car can steer and drive smoothly even when the wheels are moving.
CV joints, or constant velocity joints, are components in front-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles that allow the drive shaft to transmit power smoothly while accommodating the up-and-down motion of the suspension and steering. They are critical for transferring torque to the wheels while allowing for steering and suspension movement.
cracked boot
"There was a cracked boot on the driver's side. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I replaced that, you know, refilled it with the grease."
A cracked boot is a broken rubber cover on a car part that keeps it clean and oily. If it breaks, dirt can get in and cause problems.
A cracked boot refers to the protective rubber cover over the CV joint that keeps grease in and dirt out. When this boot cracks, it allows contaminants to enter and grease to leak, leading to joint wear and eventual failure.
axle
""My axle going to fall off or is the wheel going to fall off? All of the above. Well, the wheel will fall off. Yeah. The wheel will not fall off. It's very likely that the axle will just shear itself off.""
The axle is a part that connects your car's wheels and helps them turn. If it breaks, your wheel might come off and your car won't drive properly.
The axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. In cars, it transmits power from the engine to the wheels and supports the vehicle's weight. A failing axle can cause the wheel to detach or the axle to break, leading to loss of vehicle control.
timing belt
"On this car, I haven't replaced the timing belt either. And that should be done between 60 and 80 somewhere."
The timing belt is like a rubber band inside the engine that keeps parts moving together at the right time. If it breaks, the engine can get badly damaged, so it needs to be changed regularly.
The timing belt is a crucial engine component that synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft, ensuring valves open and close at the proper times. It typically requires replacement between 60,000 and 80,000 miles to avoid catastrophic engine damage if it breaks.
pushing the envelope
"Well, I mean, someone has to, you know, push the envelope as they say. Well, we don't know."
Pushing the envelope means trying something new or risky to see how far you can go. It's like testing the limits of what you can do.
The phrase 'pushing the envelope' means testing the limits of what is possible or safe, often by taking risks or trying new things. It originates from aviation and engineering contexts.
weather balloon flight
"Well, he may be closer to who's the guy that took the weather balloon flight. Larry Walters. Larry Walters."
A weather balloon flight means sending a big balloon up into the sky to learn about the weather. Here, it talks about a man who used balloons to float way up in the air while sitting in a chair.
A weather balloon flight involves sending a balloon filled with helium or hydrogen into the atmosphere to collect meteorological data. In this context, it refers to a famous stunt where Larry Walters used weather balloons to lift himself in a lawn chair to high altitude.
Kia Sephia
"Um, I just bought a brand new 2000 Kia Sepia about a month ago."
The Kia Sephia is a small, simple car made by Kia. The 2000 version is an older model that was cheap and easy to buy.
The Kia Sephia is a compact car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Kia. The 2000 model year represents an early generation of this model, known for being an affordable entry-level vehicle.
air conditioning
"And I also wanted air conditioning in my car. The guy at the dealership said, no problem. We can order an air conditioner and we can put it."
Air conditioning is what makes the inside of a car cool and comfortable when it's hot outside. Some cars don't come with it already, so it has to be added later.
Air conditioning (AC) is a system in a vehicle that cools and dehumidifies the air inside the cabin for passenger comfort. Some base models of cars may not include factory-installed AC, requiring dealer installation or aftermarket solutions.
window-mounted air conditioner
"Except they put it in the window, right? Right. That's exactly what happened. A wall mouth."
Instead of having air conditioning built into the car, some cars get a box that fits in the window to cool the air. It's not as good as regular air conditioning.
A window-mounted air conditioner is a type of cooling unit installed in a vehicle's window opening rather than integrated into the car's HVAC system. This is an uncommon and less effective solution typically used when factory AC is not available.
Emerson
"They ordered you an Emerson."
Emerson is a company that makes things like air conditioners. Here, it means the brand of the AC they put in the car window.
Emerson is a company known for manufacturing various appliances and HVAC equipment, including air conditioning units. In this context, it refers to the brand of the window-mounted AC installed in the car.
compressor
"All they've got to do is just hang the compressor on the block, and they've got to put the condenser and the evaporator in it."
The compressor is like a pump that helps the car's air conditioner blow cold air so you stay cool inside the car.
The compressor is a key component of a car's air conditioning system that pressurizes and circulates the refrigerant to enable cooling inside the vehicle cabin.
condenser
"All they've got to do is just hang the compressor on the block, and they've got to put the condenser and the evaporator in it."
The condenser helps the air conditioner get rid of heat from inside the car so the air feels cooler.
The condenser is part of the car's air conditioning system that cools down and condenses the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid, allowing the system to release heat outside the vehicle.
evaporator
"All they've got to do is just hang the compressor on the block, and they've got to put the condenser and the evaporator in it."
The evaporator is like a cold sponge inside the car that helps make the air cool and comfortable.
The evaporator is the part of the air conditioning system inside the car that absorbs heat from the cabin air, cooling it before it is blown back into the interior.
carburetor
""But I don't know if it's the carburetor or what it's like.""
A carburetor is a part in older cars that mixes the gas and air so the engine can run. Newer cars use a different system called fuel injection.
A carburetor is a device that mixes air and fuel for internal combustion engines. It was common in older cars before fuel injection became standard.
hesitation
""It starts to feel like it's going to hesitate. It starts hesitating.""
Hesitation means the car feels like it's slowing down or pausing when you try to speed up. It's like the car is having trouble going faster smoothly.
Hesitation in a car refers to a delay or stumble in engine response when accelerating, often caused by fuel delivery or ignition issues. It can make the car feel like it's struggling to gain speed smoothly.
idle
""Does it, does it idle? Does it idle smoothly? That was my question too. Does it? No. Okay.""
Idle is when your car's engine is running but the car isn't moving. A smooth idle means the engine is running nicely without shaking or noise.
Idle refers to the engine running at a low speed when the vehicle is stationary and the throttle is not engaged. A smooth idle means the engine runs steadily without vibrations or fluctuations.
automatic choke
"The automatic choke stopped working. Exactly. This is a simple solution. Well, it may not be simple to fix, but the choke is no longer opening as it should. It's supposed to be a thermostatically controlled device that opens the choke and that stopped working"
The automatic choke helps your car start better when it's cold by controlling how much air mixes with the fuel. When the engine warms up, it opens to let in more air so the car runs smoothly.
An automatic choke is a thermostatically controlled device on older carbureted engines that regulates the air-fuel mixture during cold starts by restricting airflow to enrich the mixture. It opens as the engine warms up to allow normal air flow.
spark plugs
"It's supposed to be a thermostatically controlled device that opens the choke and that stopped working and it's following the spark plugs. And that's causing the tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk. So you need to take it someplace where they can find out and fix, find out what's wrong with the choke and then fix that. And at the same time, maybe they can put some new spark plugs in it."
Spark plugs are small parts that help your car's engine start and run by creating tiny sparks to burn the fuel. They wear out over time and need to be changed to keep the car running well.
Spark plugs are components in gasoline engines that ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber by producing a spark. They are essential for engine performance and need regular replacement.
Volkswagen Bus
"Number 10, and there was a lot of controversy about this, but it got a lot of votes, was the VW bus. I mean, lots of people, Jimmy Buffett included, said we were crazy to think that the VW, but we didn't vote."
The Volkswagen Bus is an old van that many people liked for its look but it didn’t have things like good heating or strong safety, so it could be uncomfortable and unsafe.
The Volkswagen Bus is a classic van produced by Volkswagen, known for its distinctive boxy shape and association with the counterculture movement. It was often criticized for lacking modern safety features and comfort, such as heating and structural protection in accidents.
vinyl Landau roof
""The theme song, the vinyl Landau roof, the inability to pass another car on the highway.""
A vinyl Landau roof is a fake roof made of vinyl that some cars had to make them look fancier or older style.
A vinyl Landau roof is a decorative covering on the car's roof made of vinyl material, often used in the 1970s and 1980s to give a car a more luxurious or classic appearance.
Pinto bumper sticker
"Oh, remember the great Pinto bumper sticker hit me and we blow up together."
A 'Pinto bumper sticker' is a funny or sarcastic sticker people put on their cars to joke about how the Ford Pinto could catch fire easily.
The 'Pinto bumper sticker' refers to a popular phrase or joke related to the Ford Pinto's reputation for catching fire in crashes. It symbolizes the car's cultural notoriety.
emissions decal
"If you look under the hood, there's a decal, and it may tell you that this vehicle was designed to pass the California emissions test."
A sticker under the car's hood tells you what pollution rules the car was made to follow.
An emissions decal is a label found under the hood of a vehicle that indicates the emissions standards the vehicle was designed to meet, such as California or EPA standards.
EPA test
"The suburban, on the other hand, may say this is designed to pass the EPA test for the rest of the states."
Most states use a set of rules from the EPA to check how much pollution a car makes. These rules are not as strict as California's.
The EPA test refers to emissions and fuel economy testing standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for vehicles sold in most states outside California. These standards are generally less strict than California's.
gas-guzzling vehicles
"He feels guilty about driving these ridiculously monstrous gas-guzzling vehicles,"
Gas-guzzling cars use a lot of gas, which means they cost more to drive and can pollute more.
Gas-guzzling vehicles are cars or trucks that consume a large amount of fuel, often due to their size, engine type, or inefficiency, resulting in higher fuel costs and environmental impact.
unburned hydrocarbons
"So you can try to squeeze an extra half a mile per gallon or a fewer parts of hydrocarbons, unburned hydrocarbons out of the picture?"
Unburned hydrocarbons are bits of fuel that don't burn completely in a car's engine and come out as pollution. It's better for the air if cars burn fuel fully.
Unburned hydrocarbons are fuel molecules that do not combust fully in the engine and are released into the atmosphere as pollutants. Reducing these emissions is important for environmental and health reasons.
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