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Cars To AVOID In 2026!

Cars To AVOID In 2026!

MartiniWorks Podcast Jan 09, 2026 63 min
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About this episode

The MartiniWorks Podcast dives into the cars to avoid in 2026, highlighting models that may not be worth the investment due to reliability issues, high maintenance costs, or poor driving experiences. The hosts discuss various vehicles, including entry-level Volkswagens, BMWs, and the 3000 GT VR4, while also sharing personal anecdotes and resolutions for the new year. The conversation is light-hearted yet informative, making it a fun listen for those looking to navigate the automotive landscape in 2026.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Nissan 240

"...the 240 obviously would be the the focus. But, you know, there's always hopefully the potential to pick up something."

The Nissan 240 is a type of sports car that many people like to modify and race. It's known for being fun to drive and easy to work on.

Car

BMW M2

"...I'm going to get a discount on an M2. I'm stoked, man."

The BMW M2 is a fast and sporty car made by BMW. It's designed for people who love to drive and want a car that feels exciting on the road.

Term

V12 engine

"...I would, quite frankly, really enjoy a vehicle that has a V12 in it."

A V12 engine is a type of car engine that has twelve cylinders, which helps it produce a lot of power and run very smoothly.

Car

Toyota Century

"...Toyota Century is a V12. OK. So if I need a cop out, I'll go by a, you know, $16,000 century."

The Toyota Century is a high-end car made by Toyota that has a powerful V12 engine. It's known for being very comfortable and is often used by important people in Japan.

Car

Honda S2000

"The S2000 would not be that way if I would have just left it alone. Well, you kind of got that in shambles."

The Honda S2000 is a small sports car that is fun to drive and has a powerful engine. It's popular among car lovers because of how it handles on the road.

Term

CV axle

"...I'm going to type it in. Oh god, I typed in CV. Now things I'm talking about CV axles, which are bad experiences. V12, Aston Martin, V12s or CV axles?"

A CV axle is a part of a car that helps transfer power from the engine to the wheels. It allows the wheels to move up and down while still getting power, which is important for driving smoothly, especially when turning.

Car

Aston Martin V12S

"...V12, Aston Martin, V12s or CV axles? Martin. I've never owned an Aston Martin. I don't think I ever will."

Aston Martin V12 cars are high-end sports cars that have a powerful 12-cylinder engine. They are known for being very luxurious and fast, often associated with James Bond movies.

Car

Aston Martin

"You can get one of those new Aston's with a V12 for 80. That's expensive, but could be fun."

Aston Martin is a famous British car brand that makes luxury sports cars. They are known for their stylish designs and powerful engines, often seen in movies like James Bond.

Brand

Rolls Royce

"I would immediately start to like think of like Rolls Royce. So British, but then it's like, yeah, those aren't like you need a sports car."

Rolls Royce is another famous British car brand that makes very luxurious cars. They are known for their high-quality craftsmanship and comfort.

Car

Ferrari Ff

"OK, what would you do? The Ferrari FF is more budget than the V12 Aston. How much are ..."

The Ferrari FF is a fancy sports car that can also be used for longer trips because it has more space. People mention it as a more affordable option compared to other super expensive cars like Aston Martins.

Company

Bring a Trailer

"Oh, oh, God, bring a trailer. Has the moth is going for."

Bring a Trailer is a website where people can buy and sell special cars through auctions. It's a popular place for car enthusiasts to find unique vehicles.

Term

low miles

"Well, these are all really low miles."

'Low miles' means the car hasn't been driven much, which usually means it's in better condition and worth more money.

Car

Aston Martin V12 Vantage

"The one that I want is the V12. It's a vantage. Yep. Late twenty tens."

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a fancy sports car with a powerful engine. It has a long front and special doors that open in a unique way, making it stand out.

Concept

modified

"Yeah, that would look good modified."

'Modified' means that someone has changed parts of the car to make it look or perform better, usually to fit their personal style.

Part

pilot bearing

"...you also need to go buy a pilot bearing. Yeah. OK."

A pilot bearing helps keep the parts of the car's engine and transmission lined up correctly. It makes sure everything works smoothly when you shift gears.

Term

K24

"...OK, K 24 pilot bearing."

The K24 is a type of engine made by Honda. It's known for being powerful and fuel-efficient, and it's found in several Honda cars.

Part

pilot bushing

"That's one is a pilot bushing. The other is a pilot bearing."

A pilot bushing is a small part that helps keep the engine and transmission lined up properly. It makes sure everything turns smoothly when you change gears.

Part

NOx sensor

"...because then we need a nox sensor. I can do that. I know what a nox sensor does. Easy enough."

A NOx sensor checks for harmful gases in the car's exhaust. It helps the engine run better and produce less pollution.

Car

Lamborghini Diablos

"... went on break, we got tacos from a place called Diablos Tacos here in the Fox. Oh, it's so good."

The Lamborghini Diablo is a really cool and fast sports car that looks amazing. People talk about it because it’s one of the classic supercars that many car fans admire.

Car

Mazda RX-7 (FD)

"...when we go to Japan, you'll see an FD and it's just going to like solidify it in you."

The Mazda RX-7 (FD) is a sports car famous for its unique rotary engine, which is different from regular engines. It's loved by many for its speed and handling.

Car

GR86

"...we're putting it on a Ford Mustang, we're putting on the GR86 and we're putting on a BMW X3."

The GR86 is a sporty car made by Toyota that is fun to drive. It's designed for people who enjoy a more engaging driving experience.

Car

Ford Mustang

"...we're putting it on a Ford Mustang, we're putting on the GR86 and we're putting on a BMW X3."

The Ford Mustang is a popular sports car that has been around for many years. It's known for being fast and stylish, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.

Car

Bmw X3

"...we're putting it on a Ford Mustang, we're putting on the GR86 and we're putting on a BMW X3."

The BMW X3 is a luxury SUV that provides a comfortable ride and plenty of space. It's a good choice for families or anyone who needs more room in a vehicle.

Company

Continental

"So Continental makes some incredible tires. They've got factories all across the world..."

Continental is a company that makes tires and other parts for cars. They are known for making high-quality products that help improve vehicle performance.

Car

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4

"But the 3000 GT VR fours, man, they're cool cars."

The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 is a fast sports car from the 1990s that has a powerful engine and special features like all-wheel drive. It's considered a cool car by enthusiasts.

Term

V6 twin turbo

"...especially when you have the V six twin turbo under that hood, it's a big hood. Yeah, but it's a big engine and there is no room for activity in that engine bay."

A V6 twin turbo engine has six cylinders shaped like a V and uses two turbochargers to boost its power. This makes the engine more powerful and efficient.

Car

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (Evo)

"...when it was competing against, you know, the RX sevens and the GTRs and the evos and the WRX STIs..."

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, or Evo, is a sporty car that was designed for racing. It has a lot of power and great handling, making it popular among car fans.

Car

Nissan GT-R

"...when it was competing against, you know, the RX sevens and the GTRs and the evos and the WRX STIs..."

The Nissan GT-R is a fast sports car that is famous for its speed and technology. It's often seen in racing and is loved by car enthusiasts.

Car

Subaru WRX STI

"...when it was competing against, you know, the RX sevens and the GTRs and the evos and the WRX STIs..."

The Subaru WRX STI is a fast car that is built for racing. It has a powerful engine and is known for its ability to handle well on different types of roads.

Car

Toyota Supra

"Oh my God. The Mark five Toyota Supra. Don't pick it up in 20."

The Toyota Supra is a fast and stylish sports car that many people love. The Mark V version, which came out in 2020, is popular, but some people think you should be careful about buying that specific year because it might have some issues.

Car

Honda That Honda

"Gotcha. My biggest mistake was investing in that Honda S 2000 instead of getting a Mark 5 Supra."

The Honda That's is a small car that’s practical and good for everyday use. Someone mentioned wishing they had chosen a different car instead because they think the other car is more exciting.

Car

Acura Tlx

"Okay. The Acura TLX, the new one, the new TLX. Yeah."

The Acura TLX is a comfortable and stylish car that’s good for driving around in luxury. The new version has some updates that make it even better than before.

Car

Acura TLX Type S

"The TLX. Okay, the TLX type S. Yeah."

The Acura TLX Type S is a sportier version of the TLX that’s made to be more fun to drive. It has a stronger engine and special features that make it feel more exciting while still being a nice car.

Car

Honda Prelude

"I'm jumping. Don't buy the Honda Prelude. The new one."

The Honda Prelude is a small sports car that used to be really popular. People are saying not to buy the new version because it might not be as good as the older ones.

Car

Nissan Z

"...no sense for that car to be more expensive than a Nissan Z. And for a Nissan Z to be Nissan Z prices makes ..."

The Nissan Z is a new sports car that’s meant to be fun to drive and not too expensive. People are talking about its price because they think it should be cheaper than some other cars that are similar.

Car

Ford Focus RS

"Yeah. I remember when the Focus RS hit the States and it was 40 K MSRP. And I thoug..."

The Ford Focus RS is a sporty version of a small car that’s really fun to drive fast. People remember when it first came out because it was priced higher than regular Focus models.

Car

Nissan 240SX

"...ike I look back on it and it's like the S13 like 240SX was always like these starter shit box car in al..."

The Nissan 240SX is a small sports car that many people start with when they get into cars. It’s popular because it’s easy to modify and fun to drive, especially for drifting.

Car

Fiat 500S

"...d see that in the crystal ball too. Fortune auto 500s are like the best of the best. I feel like if yo..."

The Fiat 500 is a small car that’s cute and easy to drive around the city. People really like it because it’s fun and good on gas.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"...ix minute and 50 second from the 1064 horsepower Corvette ZR1 and a 649 from the 1250 horsepower ZR1 X. Je..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a famous sports car that’s really fast and powerful. The ZR1 models are some of the strongest versions, and people talk about them because they can go super fast and are exciting to drive.

Car

Dodge Charger Daytona

"I think Ram will be fine. The Charger Daytona. Is this about takeovers?"

The Dodge Charger Daytona is a sporty version of the Charger that looks cool and goes fast. People talk about it because it has a lot of power and is part of a classic American car tradition.

Car

Lucid Air

"... miles per hour with ease and even cars like the Lucid Air Sapphire. It's kind of terrifying to think about..."

The Lucid Air is a fancy electric car that can go really fast and has a lot of high-tech features. People talk about it because it’s one of the new options in the electric car world that can compete with other luxury cars.

Car

BMW E36

"Those are the ones that piss you off. My E36 left the factory with a hole in the roof. That's..."

The BMW 3 Series is a luxury car that’s fun to drive and has a lot of nice features. Some older models, like the E36, had problems, including issues with the roof, which can make them frustrating to own.

Car

Porsche Taycan

"That makes more sense. My Taycan has air suspension and surround cameras. If you ..."

The Porsche Taycan is a fast electric car that’s designed to be both fun to drive and comfortable. It has cool features like air suspension that helps it ride smoothly and cameras that help with parking.

Car

Volkswagen Jetta

"So this guy, great, great response. 2012 Jetta two point slow. It's so fucking slow and the aut..."

The Volkswagen Jetta is a small car that’s good for everyday driving. Some people think the 2012 model is a bit slow, which means it might not be as fun to drive as other cars.

Car

Volkswagen Passat

"...mn car is an inconvenient design. Then goes 2013 Passat two and a half. The only way to pause, play or s..."

The Volkswagen Passat is a roomy car that’s good for families and everyday driving. Some people think the 2013 model has some design issues that make it less convenient to use.

28 cars featured

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