Car Pro Radio Show June 06 26 Hour 2
About this episode
CarPro Radio Show tackles how to choose and buy or lease cars, including EV vs hybrid decisions, and encourages listeners to use CarPro’s vetted dealer network. Hosts stress editorial neutrality, share recall-focused value, and warn about scam messages that demand gift cards or cryptocurrency. Callers bring real ownership questions: a 2016 Audi Q3 Quattro, hail damage repair vs claim, and ownership-cost math using Section 179 and leasing residual value. The show also compares Tacoma vs Ranger and discusses why electrical diagnostics can get expensive.
Buick Roadmaster
"That's Todd Chambliss. It's me, the old roadmasters, they call me. It wasn't called that till I joine..."
The Buick Roadmaster is an older, large car made by Buick. It was designed to be comfortable for everyday driving and longer trips. The podcast brings it up as a recognizable name tied to the speaker’s story.
The Buick Roadmaster is a full-size car model that’s best known for its classic, older-era American styling and role as a comfortable, family-oriented cruiser. In the podcast context, it’s referenced through a nickname/identity (“old roadmasters”), suggesting it’s being discussed as part of a personal or historical story. Classic cars like this often come up because they represent a specific time period in design and driving character.
2016 Audi Q3 Quattro
"And we ended up finding a 2016 Audi Q3 Quattro and picked that up a couple of weeks ago. I was curious, it was very unfamiliar with the Audi's."
This is a small luxury SUV from Audi. “Quattro” means it has all-wheel drive, which can help the car grip the road better. If you’re considering one, it’s smart to ask what problems are common for that exact model year.
The Audi Q3 is a compact luxury SUV, and the 2016 model is known for its practical size and upscale interior. “Quattro” refers to Audi’s all-wheel-drive system, which helps with traction in rain and light snow. Listeners may want to know common issues specific to this drivetrain and model year when buying or maintaining one.
Audi Quattro
"And we ended up finding a 2016 Audi Q3 Quattro and picked that up a couple of weeks ago. I was c..."
Quattro is Audi’s all-wheel-drive system. That means the car can send power to multiple wheels to help it grip the road better. In the podcast, it’s mentioned because the Audi Q3 they bought has this feature.
“Quattro” is Audi’s branding for its all-wheel-drive system, designed to send power to more than just the front or rear wheels depending on traction needs. In the podcast, it’s mentioned alongside the 2016 Audi Q3 Quattro, highlighting that the vehicle has all-wheel drive. It’s discussed often because it affects how the car handles in rain, snow, and uneven road conditions.
Quattro system
"Quattro system right up there with Land Rover and Subaru as far as being a good [418.7s] system, not that she's going to need one in Central Texas."
Quattro is Audi’s all-wheel-drive system. Instead of sending power to just one axle, it can send power to all four wheels to help the car grip the road better. That can make the car feel more stable when the weather is bad.
Audi’s Quattro system is the brand’s all-wheel-drive setup. It sends power to all four wheels to improve traction and stability, especially in low-grip conditions like rain or snow. The host is comparing it to other AWD systems from Land Rover and Subaru.
trade it
"it's somewhere around 100 to 100 and 25 [441.5s] thousand miles are going to start to get expensive. [444.2s] And that's a good time to look to trade it."
“Trade it” means you take your current car to a dealer and use it as part of the payment toward a different car. The idea here is that once a car gets older and starts costing more to keep running, it can make sense to switch.
“Trade it” refers to swapping the current vehicle for a newer one through a dealer trade-in. The host is tying this to a cost inflection point for older German cars, implying that maintenance and repair expenses tend to rise as mileage increases.
2016 Dodge Durango
"I my wife has a 2016 Dodge Durango, and it's got about two [475.1s] hundred and 50000 miles on it."
A Dodge Durango is a larger SUV meant for families and everyday driving. Here, the host is talking about his wife’s 2016 Durango and planning to replace it later this year. It’s being used as a work vehicle, not just for occasional trips.
The Dodge Durango is a full-size three-row SUV, and the 2016 model is a common family-hauler choice. In this segment, the host mentions his wife’s 2016 Durango as a practical vehicle used for driving to patients’ homes, with the discussion shifting toward replacing it around October.
BMW X five
"I've driven X five BMWs for the last 20 years. And because of what information, what I've heard about repairs getting costly and and I'm kind of looking at"
The BMW X5 is a luxury SUV from BMW. Here, they’re talking about what it costs to keep one running over time, especially with higher repair costs.
The BMW X5 is a midsize luxury SUV known for its strong driving dynamics and available turbocharged engines. In this segment, the host is discussing long-term ownership costs for a BMW X5 used as a daily driver.
section 179 qualified car
"It has to has to be a section 179 qualified car or vehicle. And I'm just wondering what your opinion is of switching to"
Section 179 is a U.S. tax break for businesses. If a vehicle qualifies, the business may be able to deduct more of its cost sooner, which can make the vehicle cheaper overall.
“Section 179” is a U.S. tax rule that lets businesses deduct the cost of certain qualifying assets (including some vehicles) more aggressively than standard depreciation. A “Section 179 qualified” vehicle can reduce taxable income, which can change the effective cost of buying or leasing.
leasing
"Have you given any thought to leasing? No, I never have. Well, you should."
Leasing means you pay to use the car for a few years instead of owning it. The total cost can be different from buying because leases often have mileage limits and you usually return the car at the end.
Leasing is a way to drive a car by paying for its use over a set term, rather than buying it outright. It can change the “overall cost” because monthly payments, mileage limits, and end-of-lease options (like buying the car or returning it) affect the total expense.
Nissan Maxima
"What can I help you with? I have a maxima, a 2000 and fifty maxima that has just turned ove..."
The Nissan Maxima is a mid-size car (a sedan). The podcast talks about a 2000 Maxima and mentions its mileage, which usually comes up when people are discussing how long a car can last. It’s the kind of car people may keep for years if it’s maintained well.
The Nissan Maxima is a midsize sedan known for offering a more performance-oriented feel than a typical family sedan. The podcast mentions a “2000” Maxima that has just turned over a certain mileage figure, which is a common kind of discussion point for long-term ownership. It’s often brought up because owners compare how these cars hold up over time.
Ford F150
"I have an O9 F-150 Lariat Super Crew."
This is a Ford F-150 pickup truck. The “Lariat” and “SuperCrew” are trim/cab versions, and they can affect what electronics and wiring the truck has. The discussion is about electrical problems on this specific truck.
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup known for its broad engine/transmission options and massive aftermarket support. In this case, the speaker specifies a 2009 Ford F-150 Lariat with a SuperCrew cab, which matters because electrical issues can be tied to specific wiring/trim equipment found on that configuration.
charging system warning
"And I've been getting some electrical like gremlins where the charging system warning is always on."
That warning means the truck thinks it’s not charging the battery properly. Usually it’s related to the alternator or the wiring that connects the battery and alternator.
A charging system warning indicates the truck’s alternator and battery aren’t maintaining proper electrical voltage. When it stays on, it often points to alternator output problems, battery issues, or wiring/ground faults that prevent the system from charging correctly.
braking system warning
"And recently, the braking system warning has come on. I've checked."
That warning means the truck detected a problem with the brakes. Sometimes electrical problems can cause brake warnings too, especially if the battery voltage is unstable.
A braking system warning is a dashboard alert that the vehicle’s brake-related systems aren’t operating within expected parameters. Because the truck also has charging/lighting/fan symptoms, the warning could be triggered by low voltage or electrical faults affecting brake control modules or sensors.
alternator
"I've checked. I've replaced the alternator twice and put in a new battery."
The alternator is what keeps your battery charged and runs the truck’s electrical stuff while the engine is on. If the alternator gets replaced but the problem comes back, the issue may be in the wiring or connections instead.
The alternator is the engine-driven generator that powers the vehicle’s electrical system and recharges the battery while you drive. Replacing it twice without fixing the warning suggests the root cause may be wiring, a bad ground, or another component in the charging circuit rather than the alternator itself.
electrical problems are so hard to isolate
"Electrical problems are so hard to isolate. You're going to spend $175 to $200 a labor hour for somebody to go in there and try to figure it out."
Electrical issues can be tricky because the problem might happen only sometimes. One bad connection or voltage problem can cause several warning lights and weird behavior at the same time.
Electrical faults can be difficult to isolate because symptoms may be intermittent and caused by shared wiring, grounds, or modules. Unlike many mechanical failures, the same underlying voltage or connection issue can trigger multiple unrelated warning lights and behaviors.
labor hour
"You're going to spend $175 to $200 a labor hour for somebody to go in there and try to figure it out."
A labor hour is how a repair shop charges for time spent diagnosing and fixing the car. Electrical problems often take longer to figure out, so the cost can add up quickly.
A labor hour is a shop’s billed unit of time for diagnostic work and repairs. Electrical diagnostics are often billed at high labor-hour rates because technicians may need to test circuits, scan modules, and trace intermittent faults.
Toyota Tacoma
"And I was looking at like the Toyota Tacoma or something in that line. ... I've seen Tacoma make a million miles literally. Typically 400,000 is not unusual. ... there's no better midsize truck than the Tacoma."
The Toyota Tacoma is a popular midsize pickup truck. The point here is that it’s known for lasting a very long time, even with high mileage.
The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup known for durability and long-term ownership. In this segment, the host emphasizes Tacoma longevity by citing very high mileage examples and frames it as a top choice if you want to keep a truck for a long time.
Ford Ranger
"then for sure go with either the Tacoma or the Ford Ranger. ... With the Ranger, you get a better ride. It's less money up front. And for me, it's got a roomier, quieter cab."
The Ford Ranger is another midsize pickup option. Here it’s being recommended because it’s comfortable (ride and cabin noise) and can cost less initially, even if it might not last quite as long as the Tacoma.
The Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup that’s positioned here as a strong alternative to the Toyota Tacoma. The host argues it offers a better ride, lower money up front, and a roomier, quieter cab—while acknowledging it may not match Tacoma’s extreme longevity reputation.
midsize truck
"You're going to keep this thing a long time. ... there's no better, there's no better midsize truck than the Tacoma."
A midsize truck is a “middle-sized” pickup. It’s not as big as the largest trucks, but it’s still meant for real hauling and everyday driving—so comparing Tacoma vs Ranger is comparing two trucks in the same general size class.
A midsize truck is a pickup class that’s smaller than full-size trucks but bigger than compact pickups. This matters because the Tacoma and Ranger are being compared within the same size/usage category, which affects ride comfort, cabin space, and long-term ownership tradeoffs.
swivel bucket seat
"My wife had a 76 Laguna Chevrolet Laguna with a swivel bucket seat. [1478.7s] I remember it well."
A swivel bucket seat is a single-seat “bucket” design that can rotate, usually to make it easier to get in and out or to face another direction. In older cars, this was a comfort/convenience feature that could be tied to specific trim packages.
real low production car
"We since learned that a real low production car. [1484.0s] So wish I had that one back."
“Low production” means the model or configuration was built in relatively small numbers. That can make the car rarer today and can increase collector interest, especially when the specific interior/exterior details are also uncommon.
two-tone paint
"In those cars, they had, they were two-tone paint, but the paint went over the wheels [1493.0s] and along the bottom in 76 if I recall."
Two-tone paint is a factory paint scheme that uses two different colors on the same vehicle. The segment also describes how the color break was arranged relative to the wheels and lower body, which is a common way enthusiasts remember specific era styling cues.
Toyota Tundra
"Then I had an old three Toyota Tundra regular cab five-speed long bed. Yeah. That drove for almost 20 years sold and always missed the eight-foot bed. So I bought an old four Tundra. That's what I'm driving now."
They owned a Toyota Tundra pickup truck. They liked the version with a long bed, and they specifically mention missing the longer “eight-foot” bed when they moved to a different one.
The speaker discusses owning a Toyota Tundra in regular-cab form with a long bed and a five-speed manual. They also mention switching to another Tundra later, emphasizing how the bed length (the “eight-foot bed”) affected their day-to-day use.
residual values
"even though it's a more expensive truck because of residual values. [1796.2s] And residual value is nothing more than a prediction of resale value. [1799.8s] So Tacoma holds its value so well."
A lease has a predicted “future value” for the car at the end of the lease. If that prediction is high, your monthly lease payment is often lower.
In a lease, the residual value is the predicted value of the vehicle at the end of the lease term. Because the lease payment is based partly on that predicted end value, higher residual values usually mean lower monthly payments.
Elk Grove Ford
"But if you're just looking for a daily driver, [1860.8s] I want you to go over to Elk Grove Ford and talk to Rachel Wood. [1865.2s] Her and Kale are the owners there."
Elk Grove Ford is a car dealership. The host is saying to go there and talk to the people working with them if you’re shopping for a daily driver.
Elk Grove Ford is a dealership location mentioned as the place to talk to a specific salesperson. The host directs listeners there if they want a daily-driver recommendation rather than focusing on lease math.
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