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Car Trends That Need To END & The BEST Budget Cars To Own in 2026!

Car Trends That Need To END & The BEST Budget Cars To Own in 2026!

MartiniWorks Podcast Dec 26, 2025 50 min
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About this episode

Exploring the automotive trends that enthusiasts hope will fade away in 2026, this episode dives into the cringe-worthy car modifications and styles that have overstayed their welcome. From excessive LED lighting to questionable roll cages, hosts discuss what needs to be left behind. They also highlight budget-friendly car options for 2026, featuring gems like the Toyota MR2 Spyder and Volkswagen Golf R, emphasizing their performance and affordability. The episode is packed with humor and insightful commentary on the current automotive landscape.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Cobalt SS

"Dakota you said late 90s and like the y2k era coming back hard like SRT fours cobalt SS"

The Cobalt SS is a sportier version of the Chevrolet Cobalt, which is a compact car. It has a more powerful engine and features that make it fun to drive.

Car

Honda Civics

"We interviewed some Honda civics and stuff that were like period correct, I would say, okay"

The Honda Civic is a small car that many people like because it's reliable and good on gas. It's also popular for modifications and racing.

Car

Chevrolet Corvettes

"Corvettes continue to be cool. I think our vats are still still pretty dang cool"

The Corvette is a famous sports car made by Chevrolet. It's known for being fast and having a unique look, and it's been around for a long time.

Term

tariffs

"And then oddly enough we we did kind of call out the tariffs and the price increases and that did happen"

Tariffs are extra charges that the government puts on products coming from other countries. This can make cars and parts more expensive for buyers.

Part

Nitto Neo Gen

"A Nitto Neo Gen is a really great budget stretchy tire. That's what it's good for..."

The Nitto Neo Gen is a tire that looks good and is affordable, but it's not made for racing or high-performance driving on tracks.

Term

R888

"I put like the best tire on there the R888 and it's like dude that tires like 15 years old. It looks cool. It is not a good tire."

The R888 is a type of tire made for racing and high-performance driving. It's designed to provide better grip on the road but may not be the best choice for everyday use.

Concept

track day

"People don't know how to set the proper tire pressure in their car and then they go for a track day for the very first time."

A track day is when people take their cars to a racetrack to drive fast and have fun. It's a chance to see how well their car performs in a safe place.

Term

flame tunes

"flame tunes and anything similar with that kind of that was a huge thing for a while..."

Flame tunes are changes made to a car's engine that make it shoot flames from the exhaust. This happens when fuel burns in the exhaust instead of the engine.

Term

RGB

"I think RGB can kind of be okay sometimes..."

RGB means Red, Green, and Blue. It's a way to mix colors using these three lights, and in cars, it can make the lights change colors for a cool effect.

Car

Datsun 240Z

"...in the S2000 and the 240Z in our next car that we have right here..."

The Datsun 240Z is an older sports car that many people love for its stylish look and good speed. It was made a long time ago but is still popular among car fans.

Car

Honda S2000

"...very single time We install one, you know in the s2000 and the 240z in our next car that we have right h..."
Term

roll cage

"...when people go and they put the roll bar in the roll cage in and then they do the harnesses..."

A roll cage is a strong frame inside a car that helps keep people safe if the car flips over. It makes the car stronger and can prevent serious injuries in accidents.

Term

roll bar

"...when people go and they put the roll bar in the roll cage in and then they do the harnesses..."

A roll bar is a strong bar inside a car that helps keep people safe if the car rolls over. It's not as complicated as a roll cage but still helps protect passengers.

Term

submarining

"...if that angle is greater than a certain degree, it'll actually cause submarining..."

Submarining happens when someone slides under their seatbelt in a crash, which can cause serious injuries. It's important to wear seatbelts correctly to avoid this problem.

Part

safety harnesses

"It's like the roll cages the the safety harnesses all that sort of shit like it just doesn't need to be..."

A safety harness is a type of seat belt that holds you tightly in your seat, especially in race cars, to keep you safe during fast driving or accidents.

Car

Nissan Z

"You know make sure you're you're taking your time on it like with the Z for instance..."

The Nissan Z is a sports car made by Nissan that is known for being fun to drive and fast. It's part of a long line of Z-cars that have been popular for many years.

Term

counterfeit wheel

"And that is the whole counterfeit wheel a.k.a. Alibaba wheel"

Counterfeit wheels are fake wheels that try to look like expensive ones but are usually made poorly. They can be dangerous to use and are often against the law.

Company

BBS

"And then you go put bbs center caps in it. I just know that you know like we need to go back to with there needs to be a Little bit of public shaming."

BBS makes wheels for cars that are popular in racing and among car fans. They are known for making high-quality products.

Car

Chevrolet SSR

"...doing that guys. No work wheels is not doing that SSR is not doing that like these companies are not D..."

The Chevrolet SSR is a cool-looking truck that can also be a convertible, meaning the roof can come off. It's different from regular trucks and is popular among people who like unique vehicles.

Company

Work Wheels

"But bbs is not doing that guys. No work wheels is not doing that SSR is not doing that like these companies are not doing that when you say, oh, well, you know, it's it's it's this, you know, it's the same thing"

Work Wheels makes special wheels for cars that help improve performance and look good. They are popular among car enthusiasts.

Term

rep wheels

"...we got rep wheels happening, but there's also rep wraps that are happening..."

Rep wheels are fake wheels that look like fancy, expensive ones. People use them to make their cars look nicer without spending a lot of money.

Term

rep wraps

"...but there's also rep wraps that are happening..."

Rep wraps are stickers that cover a car to make it look like it has a special design or brand on it. It's a way to change how the car looks without painting it.

Car

Nissan Skyline GT-R R34

"an American torque thrust on an R34 GTR"

The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 is a famous sports car that many people love for its speed and ability to be customized. It's especially popular among car fans.

Part

DWS 06 Plus

"...if you need a little more of an all-season more of a daily driver the DWS 06 Plus gonna preach about it till the day I die because I love that tire..."

The DWS 06 Plus is a type of tire made by Continental that can be used in different weather conditions. It's good for everyday driving and helps keep the car stable and safe.

Company

Continental

"...Continental has some magic figured out with their wet performance..."

Continental is a brand that makes tires for cars. They are known for making tires that perform well in rain and snow, helping drivers stay safe on the road.

Term

snow tires

"...and then if you have their snow tires I swear the snow tires are better in snow than the dry tires on dry pavement..."

Snow tires are types of tires made to help cars drive better on snow and ice. They have special designs that help them grip the road when it's cold and slippery.

Car

Toyota MR2

"... kind of the ugly duckling of the Generations of MR2 that you can buy and technically it's an MRS. It ..."

The Toyota MR2 is a small sports car that's fun to drive because of its unique engine placement. It's known for being affordable and giving a sporty feel without breaking the bank.

Car

Volkswagen Golf

"...I'm gonna start with the mark six Volkswagen Golf R..."

The Volkswagen Golf R is a sporty version of the regular Golf. It has a powerful engine and all-wheel drive, which helps it handle well in different driving conditions.

Car

Toyota Camry

"...re expensive maintenance than your typical Right Camry, you know, it's you get that European supreme del..."

The Toyota Camry is a popular car that many people use for daily driving. It's known for being dependable and not costing too much to take care of, making it a good choice for families.

Car

Ford Mustang GT

"...I got bit by like the s550 bug a little bit. Oh, and it's like the GTs are awesome..."

The Ford Mustang GT is a powerful sports car that many people love for its speed and style. The S550 is the name for the generation of Mustangs made from 2015 to 2023.

Car

Mazda Rx8

"... on the video Exactly. I'm telling you the Mazda Rx8 is a is a difficult pickle to understand But it ..."

The Mazda RX-8 is a sporty car that has a special type of engine called a rotary engine, which makes it light and fun to drive. It's known for being different but can have some problems that buyers should be aware of.

Car

Porsche 911

"...lked to somebody that owned an air-cooled Porsche 911 Before they were expensive. They tell you the sa..."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that's been around for a long time. It's known for being really fast and fun to drive, and many people admire it for its unique look.

Car

Mazda Miata

"...t year The Rx8 was a one to three to every Mazda Miata that was there I mean the car's platform is supe..."

The Mazda Miata is a small, two-door car that's really fun to drive. It's light and sporty, making it a favorite among people who love driving and want an enjoyable experience on the road.

Car

Volvo C30

"...s not on any of your radars. Okay, it's the Volvo C30 T5 R You thought I'm just kidding"
Car

Volvo C30

"...ay it's not on any of your radars. Okay, it's the Volvo C30 T5 R You thought I'm just kidding"

The Volvo C30 is a small car with a hatchback design that makes it look sporty. It's known for being safe and fun to drive, making it a good option for those who want something different.

Term

front-wheel drive

"I don't even know that is hear me out. It's front-wheel drive. Love it or hate it. I don't care. That's dope"

Front-wheel drive means the front wheels of the car are the ones that get the power from the engine. This can help the car handle better in bad weather and makes the inside of the car more spacious.

Car

Nissan 370Z

"...that's the Nissan 370Z. That's a good over the 350 because if it were like last year..."

The Nissan 370Z is a sporty car that is fun to drive. It has a powerful engine and is designed for performance, making it a good option for people who enjoy driving fast.

Car

Nissan 350Z

"It's rear-wheel drive. It's... you could still drift the 370Z pretty much the same way..."

The Nissan 350Z is a fun sports car that drives the rear wheels, making it great for drifting. It has a reliable engine that doesn't use a turbo, which means it has power available right away.

Term

naturally aspirated

"It's naturally aspirated. It's so nice to have the reliability of a naturally aspirated motor and the power is right there..."

A naturally aspirated engine gets air from the atmosphere without any extra help from turbochargers. This makes it simpler and often more reliable.

Part

coilovers

"Because if they are you are in luck for some of the best coilovers on the market hand made and assembled in virginia"

Coilovers are parts of a car's suspension that help control how the car rides and handles. They can be adjusted to change how high or low the car sits.

Car

Nissan Leaf

"...here's anything wrong with them Nissan sent me a leaf a few months ago and honestly, I can see why they..."

The Nissan Leaf is an electric car that doesn't use gas, which means it's better for the environment. It's a practical choice for people who want to save money on fuel and reduce their carbon footprint.

Car

Toyota Prius

"...o when they drop the vehicle off, they were in a Prius, I think um, which was whatever, you know, that's..."

The Toyota Prius is a car that uses both gas and electricity to drive, which helps it save on fuel. It's known for being very efficient and is often seen as a good choice for people who want to be more environmentally friendly.

Car

BMW M5

"matte black BMW m5 touring what are they doing over there fully deck..."

The BMW M5 is a really fast and powerful version of a regular BMW sedan. It's designed for people who love to drive and want a mix of luxury and speed.

Car

Nissan Juke

"nismo leaf Oh god, they're bringing the juke back They already have nismo juke. I know"

The Nissan Juke is a small SUV that stands out because of its unusual shape. It's fun to drive and is a good choice for people who want something different from regular cars.

Car

Nissan Armada

"...ings are huge, right? The Nissan version of that armada a good name for like a huge suv. Yeah armada like..."

The Nissan Armada is a big SUV that can fit a lot of people and stuff. It's strong and can tow things, making it a good choice for families or anyone needing extra space.

Car

Dodge Viper

"...e every year Uh, so the headlights for the dodge viper mark one were originally meant for the bmw z one ..."

The Dodge Viper is a super-fast sports car that looks really cool and has a big engine. It's made for people who love speed and want an exciting driving experience.

Car

Ferrari Ff

"...kay The first car to have apple car play was the ferrari ff The first car"

The Ferrari FF is a fancy sports car that can also carry luggage, making it good for long trips. It's powerful and stylish, and it's known for being one of the first Ferraris with all-wheel drive.

Car

Renault Clio RS

"...ke Nismo RS that is based on the mark for Renault Clio RS With the key difference being that the juke was ..."

The Renault Clio RS is a sporty version of a small car called the Clio. It's made for people who enjoy driving and want a fun, compact car.

Car

Renault Clio

"...issan Juke Nismo RS that is based on the mark for Renault Clio RS With the key difference being that the juke w..."
Car

Subaru Impreza

"...till being produced in iran today And the Subaru Impreza 22B takes his name from 555 and hexadecimal code ..."

The Subaru Impreza is a small car that can handle different types of weather because it has all-wheel drive. It's reliable and a good choice for people who want a car that works well in many situations.

28 cars featured

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