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Car Pro Radio Show May 2 26 Hour 3

Car Pro Radio Show May 2 26 Hour 3

CarPro Radio Show May 02, 2026 34 min
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About this episode

Jerry mixes dealer advice, listener Q&A, and blunt commentary on automaker strategy. He warns that Ford employee pricing can be gamed unless you work with the right dealer, recommends the Toyota Sienna or Chrysler Pacifica for a wheelchair conversion, and says modern engines may use oil without trouble. The show also covers a strong Ford Explorer deal, the end of the Kia Soul, and his criticism of GM and Ford’s EV spending and executive pay.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

Ford employee pricing

"So I've been asked a couple of times today talking about Ford employee pricing because it's a big deal... a lot of the dealers want to play games with employee pricing because they're getting paid by Ford Motor Company in the case of Ford employee pricing."

This is a special discount on a Ford where the price is based on what Ford employees can pay. The host is saying some dealers may not be fully honest about how that discount is handled, so you should verify the actual price.

Car

Porsche 911

"This is not the first time Ford employee pricing has ever been done. In fact, the first time employee pricing was done was right after 9-11. 25 years ago this September."

The Porsche 911 is a sports car made by Porsche. It’s known for being fast and for having a recognizable design. It’s brought up here because the discussion includes how special employee pricing has worked over time.

Brand

Lincoln

"Same with Lincoln. Lincoln's getting paid by Lincoln, but it's a stipend, if you will."

Lincoln is Ford’s luxury car brand. The host is saying Lincoln also has an employee-style discount program, and dealers get some support money to handle those sales.

Term

stipend

"Lincoln's getting paid by Lincoln, but it's a stipend, if you will. Ford pays them a minimal amount to handle the sale and do employee pricing."

A stipend is a set amount of money paid for a specific purpose. In this case, the host means Lincoln gives dealers a fixed payment to help cover the work of processing employee-price deals.

Term

factory invoice

"So my dealers will show you the actual factory invoice. Ask them to have it notarized if you have any doubts on whether it's the real invoice or not."

The factory invoice is a paper from the manufacturer that shows what the dealer paid for the car. If you see it, you can negotiate with more confidence because you’re not guessing the dealer’s cost.

Company

Ford Motor Company

"And on that invoice, it'll show what Ford Motor Company employees pay. It's called A Plan."

Ford Motor Company is the company that makes Ford cars. In this segment, they’re talking about Ford’s internal pricing programs that affect what different people pay for the same vehicle.

Term

A Plan

"It's called A Plan. There's a D Plan."

A Plan is a Ford program that gives eligible people a discounted price on a new car. Instead of negotiating from scratch, the price is based on Ford’s rules for that program.

Term

D Plan

"There's a D Plan. That's what dealership employees pay, which is about $100 more than factory employees."

D Plan is another Ford discount program, usually tied to dealership employees. It’s meant to give a set price rather than relying on bargaining.

Term

trade-in

"They're going to give you full value on your trade-in. If you go somewhere else, they're going to hold back on your trade-in."

A trade-in is your old car being used to reduce the price of the new one. The dealer can offer less than you expect, so it’s important to compare the numbers carefully.

Concept

use the process

"So, use the process. It's there for you. Todd."

“Use the process” means don’t rush the car-buying decision. It suggests doing things step-by-step—like checking the full price and what you’re actually getting—before you sign.

Term

dealer add-ons

"...that they're not going to go pull any fast ones on you, dealer add-ons, and they're going to be there to support you after you make the purchase with maintenance on your car."

Dealer add-ons are extra add-on items the dealership tries to sell when you’re buying the car. They can make the final price higher, so you should ask what they are and whether you can remove them.

Term

maintenance on your car

"...they're not going to go pull any fast ones on you, dealer add-ons, and they're going to be there to support you after you make the purchase with maintenance on your car."

“Maintenance” here refers to the scheduled service work that keeps a car running properly over time, such as oil changes, inspections, and replacing wear items. A dealer that supports you after purchase typically means they’ll help with service scheduling, warranty/coverage questions, and ongoing upkeep.

Concept

sticker

"[402.4s] I go, yeah. [403.7s] I don't want a better deal than my listeners get. [405.5s] Just give me the same deal. [406.9s] Yeah. [407.5s] You know, I don't want to pay a sticker, but my listeners don't pay stickers. [410.9s] So give me the deal that you give my listeners."

When people say “sticker” in car shopping, they mean the price printed on the car’s window sticker. The caller is asking not to pay that printed price, but to get the same discount deal as other listeners.

Concept

average profit

"[413.4s] If your average profit on a car is $1,200, charge me the $1,200. [420.0s] I'm fine with it. [421.0s] Yeah. [421.3s] I don't want anything extra. [423.1s] It's that simple."

They’re talking about how much the dealer typically makes on a car. The caller wants to pay that usual dealer profit amount instead of paying a higher price or adding extras.

Term

lift

"And I bought a Sprinter 2012 Sprinter and converted it with United Access with a lift. [466.2s] Yep."

A lift is a device that helps someone get into or out of the vehicle more easily, especially if they use a wheelchair. It’s usually built into the van so it can raise and lower a person safely.

Car

2012 Sprinter

"And I bought a Sprinter 2012 Sprinter and converted it with United Access with a lift."

A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a van that people often modify for special needs. Here, the person bought a 2012 one and had it changed so it could work better for someone who needs a lift to get in.

Car

Honda Element

"By the way, one question. [481.4s] You asked, what did I learn after I brought my 2009 Honda Element? [487.1s] Yeah."

The Honda Element is a Honda vehicle from the late 2000s with a roomy, practical interior. In this story, it’s the car the person bought before learning that dealership perks aren’t really free.

Term

dealership

"Is that I got a lifetime oil change for free from another dealer and I was pissed. [496.5s] Well, there you go. [498.0s] That's the question of the day. [499.6s] What would you wish you had done differently when you bought your last car? [504.2s] But let me tell you something, Nelson. [507.2s] You don't get anything free for free at a dealership."

A dealership is where you buy a car and usually get service like repairs and maintenance. The point here is that “free” offers often aren’t truly free—you’re paying for them somewhere in the deal.

Car

Chrysler Pacifica

"All right. You're paying, you're paying it in the price or you're paying it somewhere. There ain't nothing free. If I were you, I would go with the Toyota Sienna or the Chrysler Pacifica. Why the Chrysler Pacifica?"

The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan. The host says it’s a good choice for accessibility because the floor is lower, which can make it easier to use and modify.

Car

Toyota Sienna

"If I were you, I would go with the Toyota Sienna or the Chrysler Pacifica. Why the Chrysler Pacifica?"

The Toyota Sienna is a minivan. The host is saying it’s one of the easier vans to use if you need to make it more accessible, like for wheelchair use.

Term

converts to handicap use

"Because it's going to be the least expensive. It's got a very nice interior and it converts to handicap use easier than most. The Sienna would be next on that list of vans that convert easier."

This means changing the van so it works better for someone with mobility needs. The host is talking about making it easier to use, like for wheelchair access.

Term

lower floor

"But the Pacifica's got a lower floor and that makes them real easy to convert. That's probably your best bet right there."

A “lower floor” means the inside of the van is closer to the ground. That can make it easier to get in and out, especially if you’re using a ramp or lift.

Company

Mary Barra

"No, you don't. We're talking about Mary Barra of General Motors. Highest paid chief executive among the Detroit three took home nearly 30 million last year."

Mary Barra is the top executive at General Motors. The host brings her up while talking about how much the highest-paid auto executives make.

Company

General Motors

"No, you don't. We're talking about Mary Barra of General Motors. Highest paid chief executive among the Detroit three took home nearly 30 million last year."

General Motors is a major car company. The host is talking about its top leader and how much she earned.

Company

GM

"[624.0s] That's up 1.4% from 2024, but she's earned over 300 million and that's in the wake of a reported $2.7 billion of net income. [635.7s] 55% decline for GM in 2025. [641.1s] She drove the ship of rushing into electric vehicles."

GM is short for General Motors, one of the big car companies. They’re talking about GM’s money and how their electric-car plans impacted it.

Concept

electric vehicles

"[641.1s] She drove the ship of rushing into electric vehicles. [647.2s] Oh, yeah. [648.6s] And have cost that car company billions of dollars by rushing into it. [654.8s] Yeah."

Electric vehicles are cars that run on electricity from a battery. The discussion here is about how much money car companies are putting into EVs and whether that gamble is paying off.

Company

Ford CEO

"[744.3s] Are you kidding? [745.1s] Let's keep her in the job and let's reward her for doing all that. [748.3s] Fine idea. [749.6s] Yeah, Ford CEO. [751.3s] Hey, you did the same thing, pal."

A CEO is the top boss at a company. The host is saying Ford’s top leader should be held accountable for problems the company had, like recalls.

Company

Jim Farley

"[753.7s] And I like you. [754.8s] I like you, Jim Farley. [756.5s] You're a nice guy. [757.8s] Chris Farley's cousin. [759.6s] That's kind of crazy, isn't it?"

Jim Farley is Ford’s top executive. The host is bringing up his name to point blame at Ford’s leadership.

Term

recalls

"[761.8s] But guess what? [763.2s] Under your leadership, they had more recalls than any car company in the history of cars. [769.0s] What are we doing over there in Detroit? [770.8s] And you're knocked down millions too."

A recall is when a car company admits there’s a problem and tells owners to get it fixed. It’s usually related to safety or something that could cause trouble later.

Car

Kia K5 Kia

"Anyways, we bought a K5, Kia K5 2024 lease. Sorry, lease. And as soon as we bought it, my wife said I started doing acceleration, losing power."

The Kia K5 is a Kia sedan. Here, the speaker is talking about a 2024 K5 lease that started acting like it was losing oil soon after they bought it.

Term

oil change

"And then we got our 5,000 mile oil change and then at 10,000, the dipstick is at zero, lights are flashing."

An oil change is when the car’s engine oil is replaced. The speaker is comparing what the oil level looks like after the normal time/mileage since the last change.

Term

dipstick

"And then we got our 5,000 mile oil change and then at 10,000, the dipstick is at zero, lights are flashing."

The dipstick is a small metal stick you pull out to see how much engine oil is in the engine. Here, the speaker says the dipstick showed essentially no oil, and warning lights started flashing.

Term

oil loss consumption

"And my question is, what is the standard for oil loss consumption? Well, nowadays, it's more than it's ever been."

Oil consumption means the engine uses up some engine oil over time. The question here is: how much is normal before you should worry or get the car checked?

Term

quart of oil

"The factories will tell you now that 800 to 1,000 miles, you'll use a quart of oil."

A quart is a measure of how much liquid. The host is saying some manufacturers consider it acceptable for the engine to use about a quart of oil over roughly 800 to 1,000 miles.

Term

engines use oil

"Their engines use oil, and yet they'll go 300,000 miles. So, if it's less than a quarter of a thousand miles, it's within their specs."

The caller mentions that engines use oil, which is normal to a degree because oil lubricates moving parts and helps seal the combustion process. Excess oil consumption, however, can indicate wear or a problem that may need inspection.

Company

1-800-926-7777

"So, if it's less than a quarter of a thousand miles, it's within their specs. At 1-800-926-7777. Tina is calling from Hamlet, California on the chaise.com carpro hotline."

That’s the phone number people can call to talk to the show. It’s just contact info, not something about the cars.

Brand

Cabe Toyota

"And I wanted to share a comment about Cabe Toyota. I heard Happy Customer a minute ago. I purchased my last vehicle from Cabe and had wonderful experience with the same gentleman,"

Cabe Toyota is a car dealership. The caller is saying they had a good experience there and wanted to share that.

Term

gold certified

"Sorry, it's a 2023 VINZA, and it has 26,000 miles on it. It's being refurbished now to be gold certified. Nice."

“Gold certified” usually means the dealer is reconditioning and certifying the used car. The details depend on that dealer’s program, but it often comes with extra checks and coverage.

Term

platinum vehicle service package

"And, yeah, I'm pretty happy with the purchase, but the question I had for you today was whether or not I should invest in the platinum vehicle service package that's being offered because I mean, I've had a Toyota for 16 years now, and so I'm very familiar with how the longevity"

This is an extra plan the dealer offers to help pay for certain repairs or maintenance. Whether it’s worth it depends on what it covers and what it doesn’t.

Term

hybrid engine

"[1044.4s] it said the hybrid is not covered, and I mean, the hybrid engine part is not covered. [1050.8s] And I just wanted to hear your thoughts on that."

A hybrid engine system is the gasoline engine plus the electric parts working together. If a warranty excludes “the hybrid,” it usually means certain hybrid components may not be covered.

Term

extended warranties

"[1059.6s] Okay. [1060.6s] I get extended warranties myself, and I think one thing is it just makes me feel more secure"

An extended warranty is extra protection you buy after the regular warranty runs out. If something covered breaks later, the warranty can help pay the repair bill.

Term

hybrid battery

"[1075.5s] because of repair costs today, and I think what I think when they tell you that the hybrid [1080.6s] is not covered, I think they're talking the battery, probably not the engine. [1088.4s] I've never seen a warranty that didn't cover a hybrid engine, but many don't do a hybrid [1088.4s] battery."

A hybrid battery is the battery that powers the electric part of a hybrid car. Some warranties cover the engine but may not cover the battery as well, since battery repairs can cost a lot.

Company

chaise.com

"[1088.4s] battery. [1089.7s] Talk to them and talk to chaise.com, C-H-A-I-Z.com, and let's see what they can do on a warranty. [1097.5s] Whether you're buying the lowest price car or the most expensive luxury vehicle, call"

chaise.com is mentioned as a way to get help with warranty questions. They suggest calling to see what coverage options you can get.

Company

State Farm

"[1141.3s] Having the right people in your corner for life's biggest milestones makes all the difference. [1146.8s] Like a friend who's there when you're house hunting or checking out a new ride, State [1150.6s] Farm is there too, helping you choose the coverage you need."

State Farm is an insurance company. They’re mentioned here because they help customers pick an insurance coverage plan.

Concept

auto theft ring

"There was like an auto theft ring that was broken down. And then now I'm reading the story about this doctor who changed the vans on vehicles..."

An auto theft ring is a group of people working together to steal cars. It’s more organized than just one person stealing a vehicle.

Concept

stolen vehicles

"...put these cars into service and using stolen vehicles, basically to build up his business, felony charges..."

Stolen vehicles are cars or vans that were taken illegally. Sometimes criminals use them for work or try to pass them off as legitimate.

Term

warranty runs out

"But things can still go wrong after the warranty runs out. And, you know, a transmission is going to cost you seven thousand to eight thousand dollars these days."

When the warranty runs out, repairs usually stop being covered. After that, you generally pay the costs yourself unless you bought extra coverage.

Term

transmission

"a transmission is going to cost you seven thousand to eight thousand dollars these days."

A transmission is the drivetrain component that transfers engine power to the wheels and manages gear changes. Repairs can be expensive because it’s a complex system and often requires significant labor to access.

Car

Ford Explorer

"Employee pricing for twenty twenty five Ford Explorer. This is the S.T. This is their took the place of the XLT."

The Ford Explorer is Ford’s family-sized SUV. Here they’re talking about what the 2025 model costs through employee pricing and how trims are being described.

Car

Ford Five Ford

"...h. All right. Employee pricing for twenty twenty five Ford Explorer. This is the S.T."

The Ford Five Hundred was a mid-size sedan made by Ford. It was meant to be a comfortable family car for everyday driving. The podcast mentions it because the conversation is about Ford employee pricing and older Ford models.

Term

rebate

"And then in Texas. There's a six thousand dollar rebate on top of that. Oh, that gets it to forty thousand and nineteen dollars four oh one nine."

A rebate is money back that lowers the price of the car. It’s like an extra discount that can make the final cost much less.

Term

out-the-door

"That's ninety five hundred and sixty one dollars off sticker. That's crazy. Mad money for an explorer."

Out-the-door price is the final total you pay when everything is included—like taxes and fees. It’s the number you care about most when comparing deals.

Car

Kia Soul

"...ry about that diversion. My fault. I had two Kia souls. The second one was the victim of the Kia boys, ..."

The Kia Soul is a small SUV with a distinctive, box-like shape. People usually choose it for everyday driving and space. The podcast mentions it because the speaker’s Kia Soul was targeted by theft attempts.

Concept

Kia boys

"The second one was the victim of the Kia boys, not once, but wait for it twice. [1560.2s] So I went a different direction, was not happy. [1564.6s] And I've been without a car for a few months, trying to get everything lined up."

“Kia boys” is slang for people who steal certain Kia cars. In this story, the host says their Kia Soul was stolen twice because of that kind of theft. It’s basically talking about a real-world theft problem.

Concept

2025 and 2026

"Is it is there a significant difference between the 2025 and 2026? [1582.9s] No, there's no difference. [1585.1s] And you know, I mean, you know, the soul is going away. [1590.2s] This is the last year."

They’re talking about whether the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2026 Kia Soul are different. They say there’s no real difference, and they also mention the car is being discontinued. So the model year matters less if the changes are minimal.

Term

electric car

"If you wonder whether an electric car is right for you, talk to the car pro about it."

An electric car (EV) is powered by one or more electric motors drawing energy from a battery pack, rather than using a gasoline engine. The segment suggests discussing EVs with the show’s host to decide whether the lifestyle and charging needs fit you.

Car

Dodge Charger

"I do. I've been driving a 2026 Dodge Charger. It's the four door version, which we haven't had in a long time. It's gasoline. They were electric."

The Dodge Charger is a popular American car model from Dodge. In this episode, they’re talking about a 2026 Charger that’s a four-door sedan and uses gasoline instead of electricity.

Term

420 horses under the hood

"It's got 420 horses under the hood. It's a nice, good size, midsize sedan, 10"

“Horses” here refers to horsepower, a measure of engine/motor power output. It’s used as a quick performance indicator, though real-world feel also depends on gearing, weight, and drivetrain.

Car

Audi Q3

"And a 2026 Audi Q3 S line, [1786.1s] which is a sporty little compact luxury SUV. [1790.4s] Yeah, I recommend the Lexus NX a lot"

This is an Audi Q3 with the “S line” package. It usually makes the SUV look and feel a bit more sporty inside and out, but it’s not automatically a super-fast performance car.

Car

Lexus IS 350 F Sport

"Next week, I've got the Lexus IS 350 F Sport. [1828.2s] Oh, a nice little sedan. [1830.2s] Let's talk to Eric in Humboldt, Texas."

This is a Lexus IS 350 with the “F Sport” package. It’s meant to feel more sporty than the base versions, with changes to how it drives and how it looks.

Car

2006 forerunner

"And I've got a question. [1840.3s] And I bought a 2006 forerunner, [1843.7s] the four wheel drive as a project and went back and forth with the guy."

This is a 2006 Toyota 4Runner that the caller bought as a project. They found rust holes near the front tires after purchase, which is the kind of issue that can get expensive to fix.

Term

four wheel drive

"And I've got a question. [1840.3s] And I bought a 2006 forerunner, [1843.7s] the four wheel drive as a project and went back and forth with the guy."

Four-wheel drive sends power to all four wheels, which helps the car grip better on rough or wet roads. It can also mean more parts to maintain, so it’s worth checking everything works correctly.

Term

rust holes

"[1853.7s] but I bought it at night and up underneath the next morning, [1859.8s] I looked and it had a couple of rust holes just behind the two front [1865.2s] tires, I guess"

Rust holes mean the metal has corroded so badly that it actually has holes in it. That’s a serious problem on a used car because it can spread and may be expensive to repair.

Concept

frame

"and asked him specifically about the frame. And he said nothing wrong with it. Two side shots and sent it to me."

The frame is the main metal structure under the car that everything else bolts to. If it’s rusted or damaged, it can be expensive to repair and can affect safety.

Term

rust issues

"And so I'm dealing with the rust issues. I've already kept the vehicle. I started working on it."

Rust is metal corrosion. It usually lowers what the car is worth because fixing it can be costly, especially if it’s on important parts like the frame.

Term

Safety Cat

"There's a thing called Safety Cat, which is a northeast type company that sells prefabricated sections that you can weld in."

Safety Cat is a company that makes pre-made metal repair pieces. Instead of building the repair from scratch, a shop welds these sections in to fix rust or damage.

Term

prefabricated sections

"that sells prefabricated sections that you can weld in. Yeah. And I had that done by a fabricator here in Houston."

Prefabricated sections are pre-made replacement pieces. For rust or damage, they’re welded in so the repair is more straightforward and consistent.

Term

warrantied

"And it's been fixed and it's warrantied and everything else."

Warrantied means the repair comes with a promise from the shop or supplier. If something goes wrong with the repair later, you may be able to get it fixed under that coverage.

Brand

Nissan Rogue

"[2029.8s] Hey, Jerry, thanks for taking my call. You bet. [2032.9s] I I have been driving a Nissan Rogue. [2036.2s] I the last two cars that I bought have been [2039.5s] Nissan Rogues have been very happy with them. [2041.9s] And I but I'm thinking of just upgrading a little bit."

The Nissan Rogue is a popular SUV model made by Nissan. In this segment, the caller says they’ve been driving one and is thinking about upgrading.

Car

Lexus NX

"But if you're not, then the NX is a wonderful SUV. How long do you think you're going to keep this thing?"

The Lexus NX is a small luxury SUV. The hosts are comparing it to other SUVs to figure out which one fits your needs and will last you a long time.

Topic

CarPro Jerry Reynolds

"It's better to be good than look good when it comes to your next vehicle. Call the CarPro Jerry Reynolds for advice."

That’s the name of a person on the show you can call for advice. It doesn’t refer to a car part or a car system.

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