0:00 / 0:00
#72 - The Best New Corvette, FX35 Reborn, Long Live The V12, Most Reliable Cars You Can Buy

#72 - The Best New Corvette, FX35 Reborn, Long Live The V12, Most Reliable Cars You Can Buy

Clutch Culture Podcast Mar 30, 2026 81 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

The guys kick things off with a heated, real-world rant about adults riding scooters and one-wheels on sidewalks—arguing for licensing/insurance and basic enforcement rather than banning the tech. They pivot to car culture debates: the “no manual” decision for the C8, why executives’ profit-and-loss excuses feel hypocritical, and what a Grand Sport manual could mean. Other highlights include the reborn Infinity QX65/FX nostalgia, a discussion of reliable “won’t die” classics (LS 400, Crown Vic, etc.), and a Mercedes note on where the V12 still lives. They also cover AI-assisted car buying, plus a few offbeat stories and buying/negotiation philosophy.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

moped

"...if you had a scooter capable of going to speed limit, would have been called moped back in the day, Vespa has a whole business around this."

A moped is a low-power, small-displacement motorized vehicle that’s typically regulated differently than motorcycles. The transcript is using “moped” to contrast older rules (where faster two-wheelers were treated more formally) versus today’s more casual scooter culture.

Term

scooters

"we got scooters going 30 miles an hour with adults that know better than to be on scooters that they really shouldn't be riding on unless they're just playing with their kids on the street they live on or whatever."

They’re talking about scooters—like the ones people ride around on. The debate is about where they’re allowed and how safe it is.

Term

e-bikes

"And he has, I mean, dude, he's got e-bikes over here that go 70 miles an hour. Those can't be on the sidewalk though, right?"

An e-bike is a regular bike with a motor that helps you pedal. Because it can go faster, it can be more dangerous around cars and in crowded areas.

Car

Cadillac Escalade

"sometimes to just say, I'm going to risk it for the brisket. Look down at my scooter. I'm knowing that there's a, a new Escalade who the mommy driving it is probably looking down as she's taking off from this light."

The Cadillac Escalade is a big luxury SUV. The point here is that even in expensive, modern vehicles, people are still distracted—like looking at their phones while driving.

Term

e-scooter

"I'm like, yeah, dude, I would have done that. Yeah, there's no, there's no, if I would have had an e-scooter, there's just no doubt I'm, I'm doing stuff I shouldn't have been doing."

An e-scooter is an electric scooter you ride around town. The key issue being discussed is that riders often look at their phones while they’re moving, which can be dangerous.

Car

Mustang Fox Body

"...e's basically like light to light racing, like a Fox body or like cars on this little one wheeler thing. A..."

The Mustang is a performance car from Ford. The podcast is talking about how some versions can feel quick in short, street-style races. It comes up because Mustangs are commonly used for that kind of comparison.

Car

3 Three Wheelers

"...lectric, but I rode dirt bikes. I wrote, I wrote three wheelers. Come on, man. Like I know what's cool. Some of t..."

A three-wheeler is a vehicle that has three wheels instead of four. The podcast is talking about it as something fun and different, like a niche ride style. It’s mentioned because it’s not a typical car.

Term

manual

"Like, come on. I did see that stupid answer... as much as we love it, you know, manual, you gotta you gotta enjoy, you know, a stick..."

“Manual” means the driver shifts gears with a clutch and gear lever. The argument is whether car companies should offer that option or treat it like a low-selling feature.

Car

Corvette

"So the head of Corvette is telling you that the manual was a profit and loss decision as if that's how they base their decisions."

The Corvette is Chevrolet’s famous sports car. The hosts are talking about how Corvette leadership explains decisions, and they think the reasoning is misguided.

Brand

GM

"they might be the businesses that like the most money on fire in the world. Yeah, GM in general or car companies?"

GM is a big American car company—General Motors. Here it’s mentioned because people debate whether the government should help companies like GM if they’re in trouble.

Concept

bailout

"bailout thing is an interesting thing that people got very, very up and on... I don't think the taxpayer should have to bail out GM and Ford."

A “bailout” is when the government provides financial support to a failing company to prevent collapse. In auto-industry discussions, it often comes up around the idea of protecting jobs and industrial capability, not just the company itself.

Brand

Ford

"I don't think the taxpayer should have to bail out GM and Ford."

Ford is another huge American car company. In this conversation, it’s brought up because people are talking about whether the government should step in financially when companies struggle.

Term

gear knob

"...to see, hey, that gear knob, that shift knob, not the most elegant feature you've ever seen."

A gear knob is the handle on top of the shifter. Its shape and placement can affect how quickly and confidently you can grab the shifter, especially during aggressive driving or off-road use.

Part

headrest speakers

"The speakers in the headrest, something you were clamoring for? I think it's the dumbest thing... those cars that have the headrest speakers have a good audio system all together... If you were to turn those off, you would get the whole ambiance in the car."

Some cars put small speakers in the headrests. The host doesn’t like them because it can make the sound feel more like it’s in your head than coming from the whole car.

Concept

crossover

"Yeah, I hear you. Yeah, but QX65. It is a crossover. It is a little bit obviously different-ish"

A crossover is basically a car-like SUV. It usually rides and drives more like a regular car than a traditional truck.

Concept

1.6 liter four cylinder

"This is a really cool 80s, late 80s, tiny 1.6 liter four cylinder."

That phrase means the engine is about 1.6 liters total and has four cylinders. In the late 1980s, small four-cylinder engines were a big part of compact racing.

Car

2002 100 series Land Cruiser

"I found a deal on Marketplace after taking Nick's advice on what looks what I can now say is a proud owner of a 2002 100 series Land Cruiser. I will spend a bit of money to make sure she's up to date on maintenance, but beyond stoked PS Team LX460 and LC 100 for the win."

This is a Toyota Land Cruiser from the “100 series” generation, and the speaker is talking about a 2002 version. It’s a rugged, long-lasting SUV that many people buy for reliability and off-road ability.

Concept

take it or leave it

"So I just send the email or I get on the phone and say, Hey, we'll give you $110,000 for this car, take it or leave it. And if they say, come get it, I just think there's a lot of people that are uneasy"

This is a firm offer where you basically say, “This is my price—yes or no.” It can make the deal faster, but it doesn’t leave room for back-and-forth.

Term

bronze wheels

"[2800.3s] video, it went pretty viral like a week or two ago, but I'm going to play it for people that [2803.7s] are watching on YouTube. No audio. Just them. Oh, it was Chick-fil-Ace at 7-Eleven. But yeah, [2808.0s] that's that green, actually. That's the one in the middle. I look so good with the bronze wheels,"

“Bronze wheels” refers to aftermarket or factory wheel finishes in a bronze/tan metallic color. Wheel color is a common part of visual customization and can strongly affect how a vehicle looks against exterior paint.

Part

carbon fiber hood

"[2827.3s] what was the Hellcat version? Look at that. I didn't even notice I was carbon fiber hood on [2830.8s] this one. Hey, I'm going to, the odds that that is really well done carbon fiber are as close to"

A carbon fiber hood is a hood made from a lightweight material called carbon fiber. People care because it can look cool and sometimes saves weight, but not all “carbon fiber” is the real thing.

Concept

airbags

"[2842.6s] fiber on that hood. Would you rather have this nice wheels, nice color slammed maybe airbags [2847.1s] or the off-road version? Off-road. Really? Okay. 100%. Safari Sienna would be off the hook."

Here “airbags” means air suspension. It lets you raise or lower the car’s height, often using a switch.

Term

SEMA

"[2924.7s] I know you want to do a lot of stuff, but we're getting a Sienna and we're going to go ahead [2928.8s] and safari that thing. I mean, why not? Take it to SEMA, have a clutch culture booth where you [2933.7s] just have your minivan."

SEMA is a major car show/trade event in the U.S. where companies and builders show off custom cars and aftermarket parts.

Concept

full electric

"we don't know performance, but we do know that it's probably going to be full electric. There's... it's going to be an electric platform."

They’re suggesting the next LFA would be an all-electric car. That means it would run on batteries instead of a gas engine.

Concept

P&L

"Yep. They're making it for three people. But everything's about the P&L, Rob. Everything's about the P&L."

P&L means “profit and loss.” It’s basically a way to measure whether a business is making money after costs.

Brand

Lexus

"And this is Lexus. So another, again, another company who you could just look at and say, a little reckless on your decision."

Lexus is a luxury car brand made by Toyota. They make nicer, more comfortable cars than regular Toyotas, and here they’re being discussed in terms of how they make business choices.

Car

Lexus LS 400

"And number five, probably one of Nick's favorites, the Lexus LS 400. Dude, I just saw a mint, one of these on the freeway."

The Lexus LS 400 is a luxury sedan made by Lexus. People talk about it because it’s comfortable and has a reputation for being dependable, especially compared to many other cars from the same time period.

Concept

mint condition

"I saw a black one with the gold badges, perfect condition, not an ounce of tint to be seen. That's crazy. Unbelievable. It was in mint condition."

“Mint condition” means the car looks almost brand-new, with little to no visible wear. It’s a compliment about how well it’s been kept over time.

Term

genuine leather interior

"...what it's like to sit in a genuine leather seat and have a genuine leather interior. Like that is not a thing that when you get into a lot of these vinyl faux leathers now..."

They’re talking about real leather seats versus fake leather. Real leather usually feels nicer and can wear in a more premium way over time.

Term

Luddite

"...is the phrase. All right, Luddite, you know, considering some people might think that we don't like tech that much..."

“Luddite” is basically a way of saying someone doesn’t like new technology. They’re saying that’s not really what they mean—they’re just pointing out some older things were better.

Term

V12

"Mercedes explains where the V12 survives and where it's dead... So the company's biggest engine has gone for Europe and other markets but not in the US... South Korea and the Middle East are still getting the V12 sedan."

A V12 is a very high-end engine with 12 cylinders. It’s usually associated with smooth, effortless power, and the big news here is that Mercedes is keeping it in the U.S. while dropping it in other regions.

Term

Facebook Marketplace

"it popped up on my marketplace when I got on Facebook and I'm like, huh. Marketplace might be the one reason why Facebook survives."

Facebook Marketplace is like an online yard-sale section inside Facebook. People post items locally, so you might find good deals—but you still have to be careful and verify what you’re buying.

Concept

cold plunge

"I'm not a believer in is cold plunge. Really? No, science doesn't, it's not, it's not real strong... there's a lot of also negative effects of a cold plunge... especially if you're doing it right after a workout... people that are doing it every day."

Cold plunge means getting in very cold water for a short time. People do it to feel better or recover, but the host says doing it too often—especially right after a workout—may not be a great idea.

Company

Vultra by Beyond Power

"it's called the Vultra by Beyond Power. Go look it up if you haven't things fucking cool."

The Vultra is a specific Beyond Power workout machine. They’re saying it looks really advanced and is designed for structured, tech-guided training.

6 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars