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Don't throw your phone in the river

Don't throw your phone in the river

Smith and Sniff Jan 05, 2026 60 min
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About this episode

Jonny Smith and Richard Porter kick off the new year with a lively discussion about car culture, including the peculiarities of British vehicle registration and the fate of an abandoned Honda Jazz. They share amusing listener stories, including a wild encounter with a Jaguar buyer and a humorous take on the quirks of public transport snack vendors. The duo also dives into car sales statistics, reminiscing about iconic models like the Subaru Impreza and C4 Corvette, while pondering the future of brands like Maserati and Subaru. Expect plenty of banter and car-related musings.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Part

catalytic converter

"...with two windows down and the cat converter stolen."

A catalytic converter is a part of the car that helps clean up the exhaust gases so they are less harmful to the environment. It's important for passing emissions tests.

Car

Honda Jazz

"...it's a sad abandoned Honda Jazz with two windows down and the cat converter stolen."

The Honda Jazz is a small car that's great for city driving. It's known for having a lot of space inside, making it a popular choice for families.

Car

Jaguar Stype

"...my 2003 S-Type 3.0L V6 manual. This car was lovely in nearly every way, super smooth, comfortable with immaculate bodywork and full service history."

The Jaguar S-Type is a fancy car known for being comfortable and smooth to drive. The 2003 version is one of the years it was made, and many people liked it for its nice looks and features.

Term

V6 engine

"...my 2003 S-Type 3.0L V6 manual. This car was lovely in nearly every way..."

A V6 engine is a type of car engine that has six cylinders arranged in a V shape. It provides a nice mix of power and fuel efficiency, which is why it's often used in cars like the Jaguar S-Type.

Car

Jaguar Xjs

"several other S types and two 90s XJs, all of which looked in rather poor condition."

The Jaguar XJ is a large, luxurious car that has been around for many years. It's known for being very comfortable and stylish.

Term

supercar

"I heard what sounded like a thoroughbred supercar or possibly a racing car approaching."

A supercar is a very fast and expensive sports car that is designed for high performance and speed.

Car

Ferrari 458

"...ng car approaching. To my amazement, it wasn't a Ferrari 458 or a Pagani Zonda. It was my S type, with the ba..."
Car

Pagani Zonda

"To my amazement, it wasn't a Ferrari 458 or a Pagani Zonda."

The Pagani Zonda is a supercar known for its unique style and incredible speed, made by the Italian manufacturer Pagani.

Car

Ferrari 458 Italia

"...pproaching. To my amazement, it wasn't a Ferrari 458 or a Pagani Zonda. It was my S type, with the ba..."
Car

Lamborghini Aventador

"The Jag was being driven in a similar manner to an Aventador going around Knightsbridge..."

The Lamborghini Aventador is a high-end supercar known for its extreme speed and striking design, made by Lamborghini.

Term

MOT

"...before failing its MOT and is now parked up in the python's front garden..."

The MOT is a yearly check in the UK to make sure cars are safe to drive and meet pollution standards. If a car fails this test, it can't be driven legally until it's fixed.

Car

Chrysler 300C

"...replaced by a ropey-looking Chrysler 300C and a chrome-riddled oversized mobility scooter. Now, hang on, did he say this S-type was manual?"

The Chrysler 300C is a big, stylish car that offers a lot of comfort and power. It's known for its unique look and is often seen as a luxury vehicle.

Car

Honda Element

"Instead of buying my Honda Element, I nearly bought one as a budget family car a couple of years ago."

The Honda Element is a unique SUV made by Honda from 2003 to 2011. It has a boxy design and is known for being roomy and practical, great for families or people who like to carry a lot of stuff.

Brand

Saab

"...because I was chasing an interesting Saab? Yes. Which I thought was an AeroX..."

Saab is a car brand from Sweden that made unique cars, often with turbo engines. They are known for their distinctive style and engineering.

Car

Saab Aero X

"...because I was chasing an interesting Saab? Yes. Which I thought was an AeroX, but it wasn't, so it was a..."

The Saab Aero X is a special concept car made by Saab, known for its futuristic design and innovative features. It was introduced to show what cars might look like in the future.

Car

Mazda Premisee

"Do you remember that model? The Mazda privacy... The Premisee."

The Mazda Premisee is a type of car known as a multi-purpose vehicle, or MPV. It's designed to be roomy and practical for families, with lots of space inside for passengers and cargo.

Car

Volkswagen Golf 7.5 R

"...I had to sell my perfectly good 17-plate Lapis Blue Golf 7.5 R estate,..."

The Volkswagen Golf 7.5 R is a fast version of the Golf car, designed for people who want a sporty driving experience. It has a powerful engine and can handle well on the road.

Term

DSG

"I'm all right in thinking that the estate was only available as a DSG, whereas the other one was available with a manual as well."

DSG is a special kind of automatic transmission that shifts gears very quickly. It makes driving easier while still giving you a sporty feel.

Car

Toyota GR Yaris

"He tried the GR Yaris, but too small for him. So then he started looking at Audi's, BMW's and Merck's."

The GR Yaris is a special version of the Toyota Yaris that's designed for performance. It has a powerful engine and all-wheel drive, which helps it handle well on the road.

Brand

Audi

"So then he started looking at Audi's, BMW's and Merck's."

Audi is a car brand from Germany that makes luxury cars. They are known for their stylish designs and advanced technology.

Brand

BMW

"So then he started looking at Audi's, BMW's and Merck's."

BMW is a German car brand that makes luxury cars known for being fun to drive. They focus on performance and quality.

Car

Mercedes-Benz Eclass

"They'd still be on the drive. A large print edition of an E-Class to be able to operate it if you're old."

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a fancy car that many people like because it's comfortable and has a lot of cool features. It's a good car for people who want something nice to drive, especially if they have a family or need to go to work.

Car

Alfa Romeo Giulia

"...the Alpha Giulia Quadrifoglio on the podcast. Oh, goodness. Future Classic, et cetera, et cetera."

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a fast and sporty version of a car called the Giulia. It's known for being fun to drive and has a powerful engine that makes it exciting on the road.

Term

Ferrari engine

"...she said, does your car have a Ferrari engine?"

A Ferrari engine is a powerful engine made by the car company Ferrari. These engines are famous for being fast and well-designed, often found in their sports cars.

Car

Volkswagen Golf R

"...the Golf R, as we've said, is a very, very fast capable thing."

The Volkswagen Golf R is a fast and powerful version of the regular Golf, designed for performance enthusiasts.

Car

Westfield

"...so I took out a graduate loan and bought a cheap Westfield,..."

Westfield makes small, sporty cars that are fun to drive. They are known for being light and quick, and are often built for racing or spirited driving.

Term

1700cc

"...1700cc,..."

1700cc means the engine can hold 1700 cubic centimeters of air and fuel. Bigger engines usually make more power, which helps the car go faster.

Car

Ford Mondeo

"Also there was a recent white Ford Mondeo wagon, and even in the gloom,"

The Ford Mondeo Wagon is a family car that has a lot of space inside for people and their stuff. It's a good option for families because it's comfortable and not too expensive to run.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"...ant to know what car it was. I'm guessing it's a Corvette? Or is it a Camel?"

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and stylish sports car that many people love to talk about. It's known for being really powerful and fun to drive, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.

Car

Suzuki Jimny

"I do wonder whether or not... The Jimny body modification tuner people in Japan,"

The Suzuki Jimny is a small SUV that can go off-road and handle tough terrains really well. It's popular with people who like to explore nature because it's easy to drive and has a fun, old-school look.

Car

Lancia Delta

"where they've turned Jimny's into, like, Lancia Delta and Renault 5 turbo lookalikes and strange stuff..."

The Lancia Delta is a small car that was really popular in racing a long time ago. People still like it today because of its cool looks and how well it performs, so some even change it to make it look like other famous cars.

Car

Renault 5

"...y've turned Jimny's into, like, Lancia Delta and Renault 5 turbo lookalikes and strange stuff."
Car

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

"Because the Mercedes G-Wagon does not have that. Or everything lines up on a G-Wagon."

The G-Wagon is a luxury SUV made by Mercedes-Benz. It's known for its square shape and is built to be very durable and capable off-road, often seen as a status symbol.

Car

Porsche 911 (C4) convertible

"but this, a red C4 convertible on those are some really good wheels."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car, and the 'C4' means it has all-wheel drive, which helps with traction. The convertible version has a roof that can be opened, making it great for enjoying the outdoors while driving.

Brand

Maserati

"Do you know how many Maserati's they sold?"

Maserati is a famous car brand from Italy that makes luxury sports cars. They are known for being stylish and fast.

Car

Subaru Impreza WRX

"I suddenly found myself browsing in Pretz RB5s, because they were the first in Pretz a Turbo I ever drove."

The Subaru Impreza WRX is a sporty car that's designed for speed and handling, often used in racing. It's known for its powerful engine and ability to drive well in different weather conditions.

Car

Subaru SVX

"...l in on a stupid Subaru, I think we'd have to go SVX or go home. Yeah."

The Subaru SVX is a special sports car from the 1990s that looks different from most cars. It's known for being fun to drive and has a cool design that some people really like, even if it wasn't super popular when it came out.

20 cars featured

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