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Cheap Cars No One Thinks To Mod!

Cheap Cars No One Thinks To Mod!

MartiniWorks Podcast Feb 06, 2026 59 min
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About this episode

Exploring the thrill of ice racing, the MartiniWorks crew shares their firsthand experiences from a recent event on a frozen lake. They discuss the variety of cars present, from SUVs to modified sports cars, and the unique challenges of driving on ice. The conversation dives into the effectiveness of studded tires versus regular winter tires, the process of modifying cars for ice racing, and the camaraderie among participants. Listeners can expect insights into lesser-known cars that make great candidates for modification and racing in icy conditions.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Concept

autocross

"Been in the cars practically my whole life, too. I've just avoided ice autocross... It was amazing. It was so cool"

Autocross is a type of car racing where drivers take turns driving through a course marked by cones. It's usually done in a parking lot and focuses on how well you can control your car rather than how fast you can go.

Term

Fox Valley Sports Car Club

"They the Fox Valley Sports Car Club had a one-to-one replica or pretty close of a racetrack..."

The Fox Valley Sports Car Club is a group of car lovers who organize events where people can race their cars and have fun. They help bring together people who enjoy cars and racing.

Term

Blackhawk Farms

"We have nearest Blackhawk farms and they just plowed it on the ice to drive on dang"

Blackhawk Farms is a racetrack in Illinois where people can drive their cars fast and participate in racing events. It's a popular place for car enthusiasts.

Car

Mazda Miata

"but then there was Corvette's and Camaro's Mustangs Miata's Miata's with the top down Miata's with the top up."

The Mazda Miata is a small sports car that's really fun to drive. It's known for being light and having great handling, making it a favorite among car lovers.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"but then there was Corvette's and Camaro's Mustangs Miata's..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast sports car that many people love for its style and performance. It's a popular choice among car enthusiasts.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"They kind of more expect to be out there ice racing, but then there was Corvette's and Camaro's Mustangs Miata's Miata's with the top down Miata's with the top up. I'm not joking. I've seen it all Subaru's SDI Evo's everything and Lars had his M5 out there. What were you running out there like for"

The Chevrolet Camaro is a sporty car that looks really cool and goes fast. It's been around since the 1960s and is popular for racing and fun drives.

Car

Ford Mustang

"...cing, but then there was Corvette's and Camaro's Mustangs Miata's Miata's with the top down Miata's with th..."

The Ford Mustang is a famous car that has been around since the 1960s. It's known for being fast and stylish, making it a favorite for people who love cars.

Car

Mazda Miatas

"They kind of more expect to be out there ice racing, but then there was Corvette's and Camaro's Mustangs Miata's Miata's with the top down Miata's with the top up. I'm not joking. I've seen it all Subaru's SDI Evo's everything and Lars had his M5 out there. What were you running out there like for"

Mazda is a car company from Japan that makes fun-to-drive cars. They are known for being reliable and good on gas, especially models like the Miata.

Car

Subaru WRX STI

"Subaru's SDI Evo's everything and Lars had his M5 out there."

The Subaru WRX STI is a sporty car that's great for driving fast and handling well, especially in tough conditions. It's known for its success in rally racing.

Car

BMW M5

"Subaru's SDI Evo's everything and Lars had his M5 out there."

The BMW M5 is a fast and luxurious car that many people enjoy driving. It's known for being powerful while still being comfortable.

Part

Michelin Pilot Alpine PA4

"Yeah, I slapped the... Put some Michelin Pilot. What are they? Pilot Alpine PA4 is that name is really difficult..."

The Michelin Pilot Alpine PA4 is a type of winter tire that helps cars grip the road better in snow and ice. It's made for performance cars to drive safely in winter weather.

Car

BMW M2

"... it These are the same winter tires I had on the M2 for four years, but I've also never been on the i..."

The BMW M2 is a small, fast car that is really fun to drive. It's designed for people who love speed and performance.

Car

Mazda MX-5 Miata

"...like you were saying all kinds of random cars. We saw an old like Riley Audi's with like the safari lights and everything. So sick. Miata's with studs a bunch of Corvettes..."

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a small sports car that is fun to drive. It's known for being light and easy to handle, making it popular with people who enjoy driving.

Term

studded tires

"...speaking of studs too like I've always known of studded tires and like I've seen some on dirt bikes and stuff. But like to see them on a car..."

Studded tires have little metal spikes that help cars grip the road better when it's icy or snowy. They are especially useful in winter weather.

Term

winter tires

"But if you don't know about ice, I don't care what winter tires you have on it doesn't really matter."

Winter tires are special tires made to work better in cold weather and on snow or ice. They help cars drive safely when it's really cold outside.

Car

Toyota 4Runner

"You like need studs to have traction at that point when it's glare ice like I was even in the forerunner..."

The Toyota 4Runner is a tough SUV that can handle rough roads and off-road adventures. It's great for people who like to explore outdoors and need a strong vehicle.

Term

studs

"But just sliding until I hit some snow or you know land in something... Studs are a game changer out there for specifically for ice."

Studs are little metal spikes that you can put in tires to help cars grip better on icy roads. They make it easier to drive safely in winter weather.

Term

drift

"...when he would flick it in for a drift..."

Drifting is when a driver makes the back of the car slide while still controlling it. It's a popular technique in racing and can look very cool when done right.

Car

Chrysler PT Cruiser

"...there's a PT Cruiser out there with studded tires ripping it..."

The PT Cruiser is a small car made by Chrysler that has a distinctive, old-fashioned look. It's known for being practical and spacious inside, making it a popular choice for many drivers.

Term

intercooler

"I see an intercooler hanging out the front. I'm like, oh sick..."

An intercooler is a part that cools down the air before it goes into the engine. This helps the engine run better and makes the car faster.

Car

Dodge SRT4

"he swapped an SRT for engine into the regular PT Cruiser... he had SRT seats and then so it was it was rough"

The Dodge SRT4 is a faster version of the Dodge Neon, made for people who want a sportier car. It has a turbocharged engine that makes it quicker and more fun to drive.

Term

custom fabrication

"that's fair that they custom fab their own metal bumper on the front of it"

Custom fabrication means making special parts for a car that aren't usually available. This is done to improve how the car looks or performs.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

"You think but there's a C7 Corvette stingray out there... they custom fab their own metal bumper on the front of it"

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is a fast sports car that looks really cool and is known for being powerful. It's a popular choice for people who love driving and speed.

Part

bumper

"Oh really custom fab that bumper. Oh, he hit something hell Broke it and then oh, it's a nice car now. Yeah, it said it"

A bumper is the part of a car that helps protect it in case of a crash. Sometimes people make special bumpers to make their cars look cooler or to make them stronger.

Term

clearance

"the studs are scary too because you look in the fenders like there's no clearance No, some of them like the studs it looks like they're touching the in the fender line"

Clearance is the space between different parts of a car, like the tires and the body. It's important to have enough space so that parts don't touch each other when the car moves.

Term

traction

"I want to experience driving a car with studs and how that feels it's got to just be so what they actually have quote-unquote traction on ice like that"

Traction is how well your car's tires grip the road. If you have good traction, your car won't slip or slide, especially in bad weather.

Term

daily commuter car

"But if you just have a daily commuter car at stock ride height dude Go send it in it is so much dang fun to open it up lars."

A daily commuter car is the car you drive every day to get to work or do errands. It's usually a reliable and practical vehicle, not meant for racing or high speeds.

Part

transmission cooler

"...the oil cooler which sits and the transmission cooler which sits directly behind that are safe..."

A transmission cooler is a part that helps keep the fluid in the car's transmission from getting too hot. This is important for the transmission to work well and not break down.

Part

oil cooler

"...the oil cooler which sits and the transmission cooler which sits directly behind that are safe..."

An oil cooler is a part that keeps the engine oil from getting too hot. This helps the engine run better and last longer.

Car

GR86

"...there's a person in front of us in a lifted GR86 just like hers just on winter tires..."

The Toyota GR86 is a small sports car that is fun to drive and has a rear-wheel-drive setup, which means the back wheels get the power. It's popular among people who like to drive fast and enjoy the feeling of the road.

Car

Toyota Supra

"...I brought the Supra gels brought his BMW and we got a crazy winter storm..."

The Toyota Supra is a popular sports car that many people love for its speed and style. It's often modified to go even faster and is used in racing.

Term

ice racing

"...with the winter or the ice racing. The snow was just ice essentially."

Ice racing is a type of racing that happens on ice instead of on a regular road or track. Cars have special tires to help them grip the slippery surface.

Term

bent wheel

"...I think I bent a wheel or something."

A bent wheel happens when a wheel gets damaged and is no longer round. This can make the car drive poorly and might need to be fixed or replaced.

Car

Honda Ridge Lines

"...ing anything and just have a ball with it We saw honda ridge lines. Yeah, like yeah, literally anything tons of mead..."

The Honda Ridgeline is a pickup truck that drives more like a car and has some cool features, like extra storage in the bed. It's great for people who need a truck but want something easy to drive.

Car

Nissan 350Z

"...I love this car. I love this car so very much..."

The Nissan 350Z is a sporty car that many people enjoy driving. It's known for being fun to drive and is often used in racing and drifting because of its good handling.

Car

Morgan Six Plus

"...ing up here So if you need some all season dws o six plus goaded and fun tires extreme contact sport o twos..."

The Morgan Plus Six is a fancy sports car that looks old-fashioned but has modern features. It's made by hand and is special for people who love unique cars.

Car

Subaru BRZ

"...ff He's always around and he used to have like a brz back in the day. I think he still has it And tha..."

The Subaru BRZ is a small sports car that is fun to drive and has a sporty design. It's great for people who love driving and want something exciting.

Car

Audi Q5

"...e other part That's awesome is you're getting an Audi q5. It's still luxurious and stuff on the inside. It..."

The Audi Q5 is a fancy SUV that is comfortable and has a lot of nice features. It's great for people who want a luxury car that can handle everyday driving.

Car

Chrysler 300

"Very real drive. Shit big Big chrysler 300 Oh"

The Chrysler 300 is a big, stylish car that is comfortable and has a lot of space inside. It's a good option for people who want a nice car to drive around in.

Car

Acura RSX

"...ey're kind of in the same category ish as like an rsx or like a hundred percent Early gen for focus"

The Acura RSX is a small, sporty car that is fun to drive and was made in the early 2000s. It's a good choice for people who want a reliable car that looks cool.

Car

Buick Regal GS

"... getting into it, but he had a early 2000s Buick regal gs Okay, so these look like traffic. Yeah, that's o..."

The Buick Regal GS is a sporty version of a regular Buick car that is fun to drive and has a nice interior. It's a good choice for people who want a mix of comfort and speed.

Car

Ford Crown Victoria

"...eat. Are those the ones that are basically like a crown victoria Yeah, right, right. I mean, yeah crown Vicks obv..."

The Ford Crown Victoria is a big car that was often used by police and taxis. It's known for being tough and having a lot of room inside.

Car

BMW 128I

"...is really weird. I got another one. Yeah, so The 128i Oh"

The BMW 1 Series is a small luxury car that is fun to drive and has nice features. It's a good option for people who want a stylish car for city driving.

Car

BMW M3

"...ike the same like power to weight ratio as an e36 m3 And we know how those are being gassed up right ..."

The BMW M3 is a super sporty version of the 3 Series that is built for speed and performance. It's a favorite among car lovers who enjoy driving fast.

Car

BMW E36

"...ve like the same like power to weight ratio as an e36 m3 And we know how those are being gassed up rig..."

The BMW 3 Series is a luxury car that is known for being fun to drive and comfortable. It's popular among people who want a nice car that can be used every day.

Car

Dodge Neon

"...nsane Like you can get them way cheaper than the neons And I don't know if they're just less desirable ..."

The Dodge Neon is a small, budget-friendly car that was popular for being easy to drive. It's a good choice for people looking for an affordable option.

Car

Chrysler Pacifica

"...but this this like random christler What is it a pacifica was so nice. Yeah, like I'm like I don't understa..."

The Chrysler Pacifica is a family minivan that has lots of space and cool features. It's great for parents who need a comfortable car for their kids.

Car

Honda Odyssey

"So I'm waiting to see somebody event at some point is gonna like just do a full like vip interior on them, right? Like I'd say like the odyssey's and stuff have definitely you know, it's crazy. They're Like crazy and you can get used ones for for dirt. The great thing about these is they last forever, right?"

The Honda Odyssey is another family minivan that is really roomy and has a lot of great features for kids. It's a good choice for families who need a lot of space.

Car

Mazda Mx3

"...Okay. I'm ready. You guys ever heard of the mazda mx3 Not the mx5 mx3. No"

The Mazda MX-3 is a small, sporty car that was made in the 1990s. It's fun to drive and has a unique look that some people really like.

Car

Chevrolet Monte Carlo

"Like a Ford Taurus or Monte Carlo coupe. Yeah, and it's got like a weird like windo..."

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo is a classic car that looks cool and was made for many years. It's popular among people who like older cars.

Car

Ford Taurus

"Like a Ford Taurus or Monte Carlo coupe. Yeah, and it's got like a w..."

The Ford Taurus is a big car that used to be very popular for families. It's known for being comfortable and having a lot of room inside.

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