Cars They Got WRONG From The Factory

The Subaru WRX is a turbocharged performance sedan/wagon platform known for rally-style all-wheel-drive traction and a strong aftermarket. In this segment, the host calls out a specific factory design choice—plastic cladding—implying it could be improved with better materials or styling.

Plastic cladding is an exterior trim layer (often around wheel arches, lower bumpers, or side skirts) used to protect the body from road debris and to give a rugged look. On performance cars like the WRX, it can be controversial because it may affect perceived quality, durability, and how the car ages visually.

Olands is presented as a coilover brand focused on motorsport-oriented suspension setups. Coilovers are aftermarket suspension components that let you tune ride height and handling characteristics more precisely than many stock setups.

Coilovers are adjustable suspension units that combine a coil spring and shock absorber into one package. They’re popular for performance builds because they can improve handling and allow tuning ride height and damping to match driving style or track conditions.

A “coiler” is slang for a coilover suspension setup: an adjustable shock/strut paired with a coil spring. It’s commonly used to fine-tune ride height and damping for a more performance-oriented feel.

This appears to be a mis-transcription of a “carbon fee break”/“carbon fee break” style phrase, but the context is about adding exterior parts and a discount. Because the exact term is unclear, it’s not possible to reliably define it as a specific automotive concept.

Mounting and balancing are the shop steps required to install tires onto wheels and ensure the assembly spins smoothly. Proper balancing reduces vibration and helps tires wear evenly.

Catapult is referenced as a checkout partner that provides a “two percent back” incentive. In this context it functions like a rewards or payment/financing platform rather than an automotive component.

“Cars and coffee” refers to a casual car meet where enthusiasts gather to show cars, talk, and often do short drives together. In this segment it’s the destination for taking the car after the host’s weekend trip.

“Second gear” is a specific gear ratio in a manual or automatic transmission that changes how engine speed (RPM) relates to vehicle speed. Mentioning second gear alongside a speed number is a clue about how the car is being driven hard (high load) rather than cruising.

The BMW 3 Series is BMW’s long-running compact luxury sports sedan line, often associated with balanced handling and a driver-focused feel. It’s a common car to reference in enthusiast stories because many generations are widely owned and modified. In the podcast, it’s mentioned alongside an E46 reference, suggesting a specific era of 3 Series ownership.

A “wiring rats nest” is an informal way to describe messy, poorly routed, or poorly connected wiring—often from previous modifications. It’s a red flag because it can cause intermittent electrical problems and make future repairs harder.

3M is a brand commonly used for automotive adhesives and tapes. Here, the host uses a 3M adhesive to help reattach or reinforce a broken plastic trim area.

“Tabs” are the small plastic retention features used to hold trim pieces, covers, or panels in place. When they break, the part may not stay secure and can rattle or expose wiring.

Hella is an automotive lighting brand known for headlamps and tail lights used across many vehicle applications. In enthusiast circles, Hella parts are often sought for fitment and quality when upgrading or replacing factory lighting.

In this context, the seal is the weatherproof gasket that prevents water from entering where the tail light meets the car’s body. Missing or degraded seals are a common cause of trunk leaks after washing or rain.

The tail light housing is the structural enclosure around the rear lamp assembly. If the seal between the housing and the body fails, water can enter and collect in the trunk area.

Black Forest Industries is an aftermarket parts brand that makes interior and shifter-related accessories for enthusiast cars. Here, they’re referenced for a limited-run harlequin shift knob and a custom shift boot with harlequin stitching.

A shift boot is the flexible cover around the gear shifter’s base. It keeps dirt and debris out of the shifter mechanism and helps prevent wear, while also protecting the interior from grime.

A shift knob is the hand-grip on top of the shifter. Changing it is a common interior mod because it affects feel, grip texture, and sometimes shift leverage.

A concealed carry permit is legal authorization to carry a handgun hidden from view in public. The speaker references it to explain why they bought a handgun and a holster for their car.

“365 excel” appears to refer to the SIG Sauer P365 (often mis-transcribed as “365”), a compact handgun line. The speaker compares it to another Glock model based on how it feels and how they like it.

Glock 19 is a specific handgun model from the Glock brand, commonly used because it’s compact and widely available. The speaker mentions it as their preferred handgun for the “home defense” and car-holster story.

“810” is ambiguous in this transcript and could be a mishearing of a handgun model number or another product reference. It’s not clearly tied to a specific, verifiable automotive part in the surrounding context.

An engine hoist is the lifting device used to raise and lower an engine during an engine-out job. It’s essential for safely removing the engine and then reinstalling it with correct alignment and clearance checks.

The Honda S2000 is a lightweight two-seat sports car famous for its high-revving engine and driver-focused character. It’s often discussed as a “workable” enthusiast car because it’s engaging to drive and has a strong aftermarket. In the podcast, the speaker references it as something that’s “going to get worked,” implying planned modifications or maintenance work.

Clearances are the small gaps between components that must be maintained so parts don’t rub, overheat, or interfere with each other. Here, they’re delaying engine installation until the brace is ready so they can verify the engine and surrounding components have the required space.

A coolant leak means the engine’s heat-transfer fluid is escaping, which can lead to overheating and potential engine damage. They mention it’s in the lower hard-piped section, so they’re planning a pressure test to pinpoint the exact leak location.

A V-band is a clamp-style connection used to join two pipes with a V-shaped flange, commonly seen in exhaust and sometimes in other high-flow piping. It’s designed to seal reliably and make disassembly/reassembly easier than traditional clamps.

“Hard piped” refers to coolant or fluid lines made from rigid tubing rather than flexible hoses. Rigid lines can be more sensitive to fitment and vibration, so leak diagnosis often focuses on joints and connections.

A pressure test pressurizes a system (here, the cooling system) to find leaks that may not be obvious under normal conditions. By monitoring pressure drop or observing where fluid escapes, you can pinpoint the failure point before repairs.

A turbocharger (“turbo”) uses exhaust gas to spin a turbine that compresses incoming air, allowing more air (and fuel) to be packed into the engine for extra power. Turbo setups are also more sensitive to oiling and sealing, so small oil leaks around the turbo area matter.

A bolt-down check means verifying that fasteners are properly tightened and seated, often after parts were removed, installed, or modified. In this context, they’re checking components around the turbo area to address an oil leak.

An aftermarket power steering column is a non-OEM steering column assembly installed to change steering feel, compatibility, or features. Because it’s part of the steering system and may include electronics, it can introduce new failure modes or calibration issues compared with the factory setup.

In this context, “electronic” indicates the power steering column includes electronic control components rather than being purely hydraulic/mechanical. Electronic steering systems can behave differently when sensors, wiring, or software calibration are off, which can show up as unusual steering assist behavior.

ECU (engine control unit) is the car’s computer that monitors sensors and controls systems by sending electrical commands. When someone suspects the ECU is involved, they’re usually thinking about a sensor reading or control logic that’s causing the wrong behavior (like cutting or mismanaging power assist).

Ishimoto is referenced as the source of new parts that will be installed on the BMW M4. In enthusiast circles, this kind of mention usually points to aftermarket components rather than factory parts.

This phrase refers to routine service intervals and wear-item upkeep based on odometer mileage. In practice, “mileage maintenance” often means scheduled inspections and replacements rather than a single one-off fix.

Wheels are the rims the tires mount to, and changing them can affect steering feel, ride quality, and fitment. The host also mentions “new lips,” which suggests a wheel modification where the outer rim section is replaced.

“Blown up” is enthusiast slang meaning the engine or major mechanical system has failed catastrophically—often from overheating, lubrication loss, or severe internal damage. It’s not a repairable “small issue” in most contexts; it usually implies major work or replacement.

The BMW M4 is BMW’s performance coupe (and convertible) in the M division, known for its high-output turbocharged straight-six and track-capable chassis tuning. In this segment, it’s mentioned as one of the cars that “works great,” but still not “perfect,” implying there are minor issues or quirks to address.

The Ford Crown Victoria is a full-size, body-on-frame sedan that became especially known in the U.S. for durability and fleet use (police taxis, rideshare, etc.). In this segment, the host uses it as the “pine tree” of the car world—strong, long-lasting, and not always stylish.

The Subaru Outback is a wagon-like crossover built around Subaru’s all-wheel-drive focus and a reputation for being practical and durable. The hosts treat it as another “pine tree” example—common, tough, and able to handle rough conditions, even if it’s not always considered the most exciting choice.

A “back parking lot” is being used as a practical staging area for a vehicle that’s not being driven, effectively turning it into a temporary storage location. While not a technical automotive term, it’s part of the logistics problem they’re describing (a car that won’t get moved).

The Nissan R34 refers to the 1999–2002 Skyline generation, famous with enthusiasts for its performance potential and motorsport legacy. Here it’s mentioned in a personal story about backing into a driveway/garage, but the key point is that the host is talking about a specific, enthusiast-known Skyline variant.

The Mazda RX-8 is notable for using a rotary engine (Wankel) instead of the more common piston engine layout. In this segment, it’s referenced as the car the speaker used to back into the garage, showing how parking habits differ between cars and spaces.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a lightweight, affordable two-seat roadster designed for simple, engaging driving. It’s significant because it has a huge enthusiast following and is commonly used as a “flip” car—buying, modifying, and reselling—because it’s relatively straightforward to work on. The podcast context is about how many Miatas could fit in a space and how the speaker used to flip them for money.

Wheel chocks (often misspoken as “wheel chucks”) are blocks placed against a tire to prevent the car from rolling. They’re especially useful when loading, parking, or moving cars around in tight spaces.

Wheel dollies are low-friction platforms that let you roll a car’s wheels around without fully lifting the vehicle. They’re commonly used in garages for repositioning cars, especially when you’re moving multiple vehicles or doing part-outs.

A hard top is a rigid roof panel (as opposed to a convertible soft top) for a convertible car. For Miatas, swapping to a hard top can change how the car looks and can make the car easier to store and sell to buyers who want less weather exposure.

Motegi Racing is a wheel brand known for aftermarket wheels aimed at driving enthusiasts, including fitments for track and drift use. Here, the host is highlighting them as a partner and explaining why they chose these wheels for their S15 drift setup.

“Cogens” appears to be a transcription of “cogens,” which in this context likely refers to a specific Motegi wheel model/finish. The key point is that they’re talking about the wheels they ran on their S15 after a drift session.

Road America is a well-known road course in the United States, famous for its long, flowing corners and elevation changes. The host mentions running their drift wheels there, tying the wheel choice to real event use.

Flow forming is a manufacturing process for wheel barrels where material is plastically deformed over a mandrel. It’s used to create lighter wheels with good strength, which matters for hard use like drifting where wheels take repeated impacts and high loads.

In enthusiast talk, “thrashing” means repeatedly stressing a component beyond normal everyday use—like hard launches, aggressive cornering, and frequent drifting. The host uses it to argue the wheels have held up under demanding driving.

The Honda Prelude is a sporty coupe from Honda’s lineup, known for being built around Honda’s front-wheel-drive layout and shared components with other Honda models. In this segment, the hosts argue the Prelude was priced too high and suggest re-positioning it as a more affordable entry-level front-wheel-drive “fun sports car.”

“EV projects” refers to a company’s development efforts for electric vehicles, including new platforms, batteries, motors, and related software. The host claims Honda was “hemorrhaging money” on EV work and suggests redirecting that spending toward improving car development efficiency for the Prelude.

Front-wheel drive (FWD) means the engine’s power is sent to the front wheels, which handle both steering and propulsion. The host frames the Prelude as an “entry level” FWD sports-style car, implying the layout should keep costs down and packaging practical.

A powertrain is the set of components that generate and deliver driving power—typically the engine (or motor), transmission, driveshafts, and final drive. The host says they wouldn’t change the powertrain when “fixing” the Prelude, meaning the solution is more about pricing/positioning than redesigning the drivetrain.

CVT (continuously variable transmission) is a gearbox that uses pulleys and a belt/chain to provide a seamless range of gear ratios instead of fixed steps. The hosts argue the Prelude should not use a CVT, implying they want a more traditional “sporty” feel that a conventional geared transmission typically provides.

“Earth Dreams” is Honda’s engine family branding used on many modern Honda powertrains, including 1.5-liter turbocharged setups. The hosts specifically reference using a 1.5-liter Earth Dreams engine (from the Civic Si) to give the Prelude a more performance-aligned powertrain.

The Honda Civic Si is the Civic’s performance-oriented trim, typically with a more driver-focused engine and tuning than the standard Civic. The hosts suggest dropping a specific 1.5-liter “Earth Dreams” engine from the 10th-gen Civic Si into a Prelude to make it more coherent as a sporty model.

“Global regulations” refers to worldwide rules that automakers must follow, such as emissions standards and fuel-economy requirements. When these rules change, manufacturers often redesign engines, emissions systems, and even vehicle architectures to comply.

“EV” is the automotive abbreviation for electric vehicle, meaning a car powered primarily by an electric motor and battery rather than a gasoline engine. The host’s “evy” likely refers to the broader industry shift toward EVs and EV-related compliance and product planning.

Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. “Tariff talk” here points to how import taxes can change the cost of building cars in one country and selling them in another, pushing companies to shift production locations.

A hybrid vehicle uses more than one energy source—typically a gasoline engine plus an electric motor/battery—to improve efficiency. Automakers often choose hybrid systems as a transitional step while regulations and EV infrastructure evolve.

The transmission is the drivetrain component that manages how engine power is delivered to the wheels through different gear ratios. When someone says they need to pull the transmission, they’re implying the car’s current power delivery/feel isn’t right and may require deeper mechanical changes.

This is about dealer markup—raising the price above the factory/advertised amount before a customer buys the car. In practice, it can make a “factory-correct” product feel even worse because the buyer is paying more for the same perceived shortcomings.

This is a special-edition Nissan Z, and the “heritage edition” is a trim package meant to evoke the Z’s classic styling. The key point in this segment is that the host is evaluating how the 2024 Nissan Z S30 Heritage Edition drives depending on whether it has a manual or automatic gearbox.

A nine-speed automatic is an automatic transmission with nine gear ratios, designed to keep the engine in a favorable RPM range. Here, the host is judging how quickly it responds when you request a gear change, especially in sport mode.

A six-speed manual is a gearbox where you choose gears yourself using a clutch pedal and a shift lever. In this segment, the host contrasts it with the automatic and points out a specific drivability issue they noticed with the manual.

“Rev hang” is a drivability behavior where the engine speed stays elevated for a moment after you release the throttle or clutch, delaying the RPM drop. The host says the manual had a “really bad rev hang issue,” which can make shifts feel less crisp and reduce the sense of connection.

In this context, “sloshy” is a subjective description of how the drivetrain and throttle response feel—like the car doesn’t react immediately and the power delivery feels delayed or unsettled. The host links it to a lack of connection and responsiveness, which they interpret as making the car feel sluggish.

Sport mode is a driving setting that typically changes throttle mapping and transmission shift logic to make the car feel more aggressive. The host’s complaint is that, even in sport mode, the automatic transmission in this Nissan Z shifts slower than expected.

“Flappy paddles” refers to steering-wheel paddle shifters that let you manually request gear changes on an automatic transmission. The host notes there are no paddle shifters, which they think could limit how quickly you can influence the automatic’s behavior.

The host uses the Chevrolet Equinox as a comparison point for shift behavior, saying the Nissan Z’s automatic in sport mode was slower than the Equinox’s. This is less about the Equinox itself and more about highlighting how delayed the Z’s gear changes felt.

The Toyota Supra is a sports coupe known for strong performance and a reputation as a desirable enthusiast car. It’s brought up in the podcast as a benchmark for what people might pay or what competitors cost. The context suggests a comparison around pricing and availability versus its “direct competitors.”

The Toyota GR 86 is a modern lightweight sports coupe built for fun handling and an engaging driving feel. It’s often discussed alongside the Subaru BRZ because they share a similar platform and design goals. In the podcast, it’s mentioned in the context of pricing and as a “second car” the speaker had.

MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is the sticker price a carmaker publishes before taxes and dealer fees. The host suggests chopping $10k off MSRP would make the GR86 feel “perfect,” meaning the price-to-value balance is the issue.

The Porsche 911 is Porsche’s iconic rear-engine sports car, and it’s known for having a huge range of options and trims. Here, the host complains that in 2026 you can spec a 911 so aggressively that it reaches “Ferrari territory,” implying the factory option pricing has ballooned.

“Ferrari Luce” appears to be a reference to a Ferrari model name mentioned in the podcast, but it’s not a widely recognized Ferrari model designation as stated. Because the transcript context is about fixing it by combining ideas from another Ferrari and making it an EV, the discussion seems speculative or conceptual rather than about a specific production car. If you can share the exact model name as spoken (or a link), I can tailor the explanation more accurately.

“Spec out” means configuring a car by selecting options and packages (trim, wheels, interior, paint, etc.) in a factory configurator. The speaker’s point is that the price can balloon quickly when you add many high-cost customization items.

“Paint to sample” is a custom paint program where you choose a specific color (often provided by the customer) rather than picking from the standard palette. Because it requires extra mixing, approvals, and production handling, it can add significant cost and lead time.

The DuPont Registry is a collector-car listing site that focuses on high-end vehicles, including rare and expensive examples. The speaker uses it as a place to browse custom “paint to sample” and bespoke builds.

A “bespoke program” refers to a manufacturer’s custom-order process where the car is built to a customer’s specific requests (often beyond normal option packages). In practice, it can include unique exterior/interior combinations and special materials, which is why it can produce very expensive, highly individualized builds.

“Steelies” are steel wheels, usually the basic factory-style wheels that are cheaper than alloy wheels. The host is arguing that even a simple wheel choice is fine if you’re modifying the car, because the money can go toward the parts that matter more to them.

“BMW engine” here refers to the Supra’s factory powerplant being sourced from BMW’s inline-six family rather than using a Toyota-designed engine. The host’s point is that this collaboration helped the Supra meet performance goals while staying cost-effective compared with alternatives.

“3JZ” refers to the Toyota 2JZ/3JZ family of straight-six engines that became famous in the JDM and tuning world, especially in earlier Supra generations. The host is asking whether a 3JZ swap would have been “cool,” but notes it would likely have been far more expensive and harder to get than the factory setup.

The Toyota GT 86 (often referred to as the 86) is a lightweight sports coupe focused on affordable, enjoyable driving. It’s frequently discussed in the same breath as the Subaru BRZ because they were built with similar goals and shared core engineering. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as something the speaker wanted but couldn’t get, and as a “Toyota GT” they couldn’t afford.

The Datsun 240Z is a classic early-1970s sports car that helped establish the Z-car reputation for performance and style. It’s often discussed as a milestone because it became a benchmark for affordable sports cars. In the podcast, the speaker mentions it as a success story and highlights the 240Z’s standing among enthusiasts.