Best Selling Cars of 2025 - The Corvette ZR-1 Modern American Supercar. Landcruiser FJ-40
About this episode
A dive into the best-selling cars of 2025 reveals a mix of classic favorites and emerging competitors. Hosts Victor and Dylan discuss the Corvette ZR-1's impressive performance against rivals like the Porsche GT3 RS and Mustang GTD, sparking a debate on what defines a supercar. The episode also highlights the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40's restoration and its significance in off-roading history. Listeners will appreciate insights on the automotive market trends, including the rise of hybrids and the enduring popularity of models like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
Dylan joins the show to discuss a topic we rarely ever talk about on this podcast; New cars! We delve into Car & Driver’s list of the top selling new cars of 2025. We talk Sweet Spot Generation from 95-05. Which cars in Hyundai’s lineup can give Toyota a run for their money. The Chevy Corvette ZR-1 is a track monster and it proves it on Sonoma Raceway against the Porsche GT3RS and Ford Mustang GTD. Why the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 is a steal at its current market value.
Syllinder deactivation
"Syllinder deactivation because everyone was obsessed with getting better gas mileage."
It’s a way to save gas: the car shuts off some cylinders when you’re cruising, so it uses less fuel.
Syllinder deactivation is a technology that turns off the cylinder heads of an engine when full power isn’t needed, improving fuel efficiency by reducing pumping losses.
OBD2
"You know, another thing is like, you think of like just OBD2, right?"
It’s a computer in the car that checks how everything is working and can tell you if something needs fixing.
OBD2 (On‑Board Diagnostics II) is a standardized system that monitors vehicle performance and reports issues via a diagnostic port.
OBD-II
"They like to call it like Lexus is, even in 2000, the Lexus is how to OBD2 plug connector, right?"
OBD‑II is the current computer system in cars that lets mechanics read detailed error codes and data. Every U.S. car made after 1996 has the same plug for this system.
OBD‑II (On‑Board Diagnostics II) is the modern, standardized diagnostic system that became mandatory in U.S. cars by 1996. It provides detailed engine data, emissions information, and a universal 16‑pin connector.
circle pin connector
"But to do full diagnostics, you still have that circle pin connector."
The circle pin connector is the round plug you use to connect a scan tool in cars. It has 16 pins and lets mechanics read the car’s error codes.
The circle pin connector refers to the 16‑pin OBD‑II diagnostic port, shaped like a circle with pins. It is the standard interface for reading and writing data to a vehicle’s computer.
blind spot monitoring
"So, like, for example, blind spot monitoring, running the departure. Review camera 2015, right?"
Blind spot monitoring warns you if there's a car in the lane next to yours, helping you avoid accidents when changing lanes.
A safety feature that alerts the driver to vehicles in adjacent lanes when turning or changing lanes.
automated cruise control
"But like, lane departure warning, automated cruise control, blind spot monitor, these are features that like now are becoming standard."
Automated cruise control keeps your speed steady and automatically slows down or speeds up to stay a safe distance from the car in front.
An advanced cruise control system that automatically adjusts speed to maintain a set distance from the car ahead.
lane departure warning
"But like, lane departure warning, automated cruise control, blind spot monitor, these are features that like now are becoming standard."
Lane departure warning tells you if your car is drifting out of its lane, so you can correct it before an accident.
A system that detects when a vehicle drifts out of its lane and provides alerts to the driver.
rearview camera
"They're the new rearview camera, right? And they're the kind of stuff that you would see emerging on a lot of those early 2000s cars"
A rearview camera shows you what’s behind the car on a screen, making it easier and safer to back up.
A camera mounted at the rear of a vehicle that displays a live feed to help drivers see obstacles when reversing.
S Class
"So, I think that's another good case for what we're trying to say about cars from that period is if you buy an S class from that time period, it's going to have nav, it's going to have"
The S-Class is a top‑tier luxury car from Mercedes-Benz, famous for its smooth ride and fancy features.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a flagship luxury sedan known for its advanced technology and high level of comfort.
nav
"it's going to have nav, it's going to have"
‘Nav’ is a shorthand for navigation; it’s the GPS system in cars that tells you where to go and how to get there.
Short for navigation, referring to built‑in GPS systems that provide turn‑by‑turn directions.
curtain airbags
"curtain airbags, it's going to have a lot of stuff that you would see in modern adaptive cruise"
Curtain airbags are safety cushions that pop up from the roof to help keep people safe if a car hits something on the side.
Curtain airbags deploy from the roof lining to cover the side windows, protecting occupants in a side collision.
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
"the latest one is a 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 that was completely frame off restored in Colombia"
The Land Cruiser FJ40 is a classic Toyota off‑road truck that many people still use today because it’s very tough and reliable.
The FJ40 is a legendary 4×4 body‑on‑frame SUV produced by Toyota from 1968 to 1984, famous for its off‑road capability and durability.
rods
"They got new pistons rods, valve springs, rings"
Rods are metal pieces that connect the pistons to the engine’s crankshaft, helping the car run.
Connecting rods link the pistons to the crankshaft, transmitting motion and force from the engine’s combustion chambers.
pistons
"They got new pistons rods, valve springs, rings"
Pistons are the parts inside an engine that push and pull to make the car move.
Pistons are cylindrical components that move up and down inside engine cylinders, converting pressure into mechanical motion.
valve springs
"They got new pistons rods, valve springs, rings"
Valve springs are small metal coils that keep the engine’s valves shut and open them again.
Valve springs keep the engine’s valves closed and return them to their seat after opening during combustion.
1972 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"So, it's basically a brand new 1972 FJ40. Nice. And this is the model of the Land Cruiser that looks like it was pre-war, right?"
It’s a Toyota truck from 1972 that can handle tough terrain. It looks like an old military Jeep but is a full‑size SUV.
The 1972 FJ40 is a generation of Toyota’s Land Cruiser, known for its rugged off‑road capability and boxy design that resembles early military Jeeps.
wind shield
"You can put the wind shield down, and it has the hardware to keep it down and secure it"
It’s a piece of metal you can lower or fold to keep wind and rain out when you’re driving in rough places.
A wind shield is a removable or fold‑down panel that protects the driver from wind, rain, and debris while driving off‑road.
Ford Bronco
"like a Ford Bronco, like 60s Broncos, a lot of them get resto modded."
The Ford Bronco is a classic off‑road vehicle from the 1960s and 70s. It’s famous for its simple, sturdy design that many people like to bring back to life or improve with new parts.
The Ford Bronco is a rugged off‑road SUV produced by Ford in the 1960s and 1970s, known for its boxy design and removable hardtop. It was popular among enthusiasts who later restored or upgraded it.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
"[728.6s] like, yeah, it has this orange cloth and all these things, but it still looks like an FJ 40."
The FJ Cruiser is a small SUV made by Toyota that looks like a mini Jeep. It’s popular for off‑road adventures and has a unique, boxy design.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a compact SUV known for its off‑road capability and distinctive boxy styling. It was produced from 2007 to 2014 in the U.S., and later reintroduced as a limited‑edition model.
gearbox
"The clutch and gearbox feel that long first gear that you can ride the clutch a little to creep over rocks"
The gearbox is the part of a car that lets you choose how fast or slow the wheels turn compared to the engine. It’s what makes a car go faster or slower when you shift gears.
The gearbox, or transmission, is the component that transmits engine power to the wheels and allows the driver to select different gear ratios. A three‑speed gearbox has three forward gears.
clutch
"The clutch and gearbox feel that long first gear that you can ride the clutch a little to creep over rocks"
The clutch lets you shift gears in a manual car. When you press the pedal, it temporarily disconnects the engine from the wheels so you can change gears without stalling.
The clutch is a mechanical device that connects and disconnects the engine from the transmission, allowing the driver to change gears smoothly. In a manual car it is operated by a pedal.
heated seats
"and it has wood grain. It has heated seats. It's still capable, but it's more to kind of like coddle of the owner."
Heated seats are seats that can warm up, so you stay cozy in cold weather.
Modern Land Cruisers include electrically heated seats, a comfort feature that warms the seat surfaces using electric heating elements.
carburetor
"for a carbureted vehicle. It starts, it cold starts like a brand new fuel injected car."
A carburetor is a device that mixes gasoline with air so the engine can run. Older cars used them, but newer ones use a different system called fuel injection.
A carburetor mixes air and fuel before it enters the engine’s combustion chambers. Modern cars use fuel injection, but carbureted engines are still prized for their simplicity and tunability.
in-board suspension
"[1187.1s] it's now out for the most recent 911. But the GTD Mustang with the in-board suspension, like we saw it a car week and, you know..."
In‑board suspension means the parts that control how the car’s wheels move are tucked inside the body, which helps the car handle better.
In‑board suspension places the shock absorbers and struts inside the vehicle’s body, reducing unsprung weight and improving handling.
Sonoma Raceway
"[1201.1s] they took it to Sonoma raceway and they had the same driver, his Randy Popes..."
Sonoma Raceway is a race track in California where cars drive around turns and straightaways for competitions.
Sonoma Raceway is a 2.52‑mile road course in California, known for hosting various racing series and events.
lap record
"But the result was, I think a lap record for Sonoma raceway for the Corvette ZR1."
A lap record means the car finished one loop around a race track faster than any other car before.
A lap record is the fastest time a car has completed a single circuit of a race track, indicating superior performance.
Model 3
"What would you guess be? Model three. Yeah. Yeah. Model three. Yeah. 130,000 units sold."
The Model 3 is an electric car from Tesla that many people buy because it’s affordable and has good range.
The Tesla Model 3 is a mass‑produced electric sedan that has become one of the most popular EVs in the United States.
Toyota Rogue
"days because like I said, we're running out of time. The Rogue 161,000 units."
The Rogue is a small SUV from Toyota that many people buy for everyday driving. It’s comfortable and gets good gas mileage.
The Toyota Rogue is a compact crossover SUV produced by Toyota, known for its practicality and fuel efficiency.
Hyundai Venue
"you know, instead of them buying, you know, like a cheap Hyundai venue, let's say, because it's an SUV..."
The Hyundai Venue is a small SUV that can seat four people. It’s inexpensive and easy to park, but it doesn’t have much room for extra stuff like strollers or luggage.
The Hyundai Venue is a subcompact crossover SUV introduced in 2018. It offers basic features and affordable pricing, but its small size limits cargo space compared to larger SUVs.
Tesla Model Y
"Okay. Model 3 is a sedan. Well, this is not a sedan. It's a SUV version. So it outsold the Model 3. Gotcha. It's not the model. It's the Model Y."
The Model Y is like the Model 3 but shaped more like a small SUV. It’s taller and can seat five people comfortably.
The Tesla Model Y is a compact all‑electric SUV that shares many components with the Model 3 but offers more interior space and a higher driving position.
Cars and Coffee
"[3984.2s] I'm sure we'll have our regularly scheduled cars and coffee at the end of the month."
Cars and Coffee is a meetup where people who love cars get together, drink coffee, and show off their cars to friends.
Cars and Coffee is a grassroots automotive event series where car enthusiasts gather for coffee, networking, and to showcase their vehicles.
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