Episode 19: It's Not WWII Anymore But Mitsubishi Is Still A Zero

The Chrysler New Yorker is a full-size luxury-oriented sedan nameplate from Chrysler. It’s often brought up when discussing classic American cars and how the model has been used over different eras. In the podcast, it appears as part of a dramatic, humorous statement rather than a technical discussion.

The Porsche 911 is a long-running sports car known for its distinctive shape and rear-engine layout. It’s often discussed because it’s a benchmark for performance and handling, and it has a huge enthusiast following. In a podcast, it may come up when talking about iconic cars or memorable driving experiences.

The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck line known for hauling capability and widespread use. It often comes up in pop culture and sports contexts because it’s a common, recognizable truck. In the podcast, it’s referenced as part of a joke or wordplay.

The Renault Twingo is a small city car designed for easy driving and parking in tight spaces. It’s often discussed because it’s compact and practical, and older versions can be popular with people who want a simple, lightweight car. The podcast context suggests interest in an older Twingo and possibly an electric variant.

The Hyundai Ioniq line is Hyundai’s family of electric vehicles, including models like the Ioniq 5. It’s often discussed because it represents Hyundai’s push into mainstream EVs with practical everyday usability. In the podcast, it’s mentioned in the context of an electric Ioniq model.

Cox Automotive is a major automotive data and services company that tracks vehicle pricing and market trends. In this segment, the host references its quarterly reporting to discuss how used-car prices are moving month to month.

The Manheim vehicle index is a pricing benchmark derived from auction and dealer data, used to track how used-vehicle prices change over time. When the host says Cox Automotive “dropped the Manheim vehicle index,” they’re referring to a specific, widely used dataset for month-to-month used-car market movement.

The used car market refers to pricing and supply/demand dynamics for vehicles that have already been sold once. In this segment, the host uses the Manheim index to argue that used-car prices are rising, which affects affordability for buyers.

The Honda Fit EV is an electric version of the Honda Fit, a small hatchback. It’s discussed because it’s relatively uncommon compared with more widely sold EVs, and availability can be limited depending on the market. The podcast context suggests it’s hard to find now, which affects its value.

EVs means electric vehicles—cars powered primarily by electric motors and rechargeable batteries. The host uses EV registration and sales share numbers to argue that new EV demand is changing while used EV prices are rising.

In auto-market reporting, “registered” refers to vehicles that have been officially recorded with state authorities, typically reflecting sales that have been processed for legal on-road use. The host uses registration shares to describe how EVs are distributed among models in the U.S.

The Tesla Model Y is a compact electric SUV built by Tesla. It’s significant because it’s one of Tesla’s highest-volume models and is commonly referenced when discussing EV popularity and sales. It may be mentioned in the context of choosing between Tesla models.

Tesla Model 3 is a mid-size electric sedan from Tesla, and it’s typically one of the most popular EVs in the U.S. Here it’s mentioned as an alternative to Model Y, showing the host is thinking about Tesla’s lineup when talking about which EV is “worst.”

Tesla Model X is a battery-electric SUV known for its large size and distinctive falcon-wing-style rear doors. The host says it’s discontinued and discusses how much unsold inventory may have remained when sales slowed, which is a common retail dynamic during model-year transitions.

The Tesla Model S is a full-size electric sedan from Tesla. It’s frequently discussed because it’s a flagship model and tends to show up in EV sales rankings. In a podcast, it may be referenced alongside other top-selling EVs.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is Ford’s all-electric version of the F-150 pickup. In this segment it’s grouped with the Tesla Model S as a top-registered new EV model for Q1 2026, highlighting how EVs are competing across both cars and trucks.

The Honda Prologue is Honda’s electric SUV offering. It’s discussed in the context of inventory and sales performance, which can matter to buyers looking for deals. The podcast mentions it as one of the models that made a top list.

Badge engineering is when a manufacturer sells a vehicle that’s largely the same as another model, but with different branding (badges, trim names, and sometimes minor styling). The host uses it to explain why Honda has historically offered “weird” versions of other companies’ vehicles.

The Honda S2000 is a compact two-seat sports car known for its high-revving engine and driver-focused feel. It’s often discussed among enthusiasts because it’s a “pure” sports car with a strong reputation for handling. The podcast context suggests a debate about which badge/model is real.

The Mazda MX-5, commonly called the Miata, is a lightweight two-seat roadster focused on fun, responsive driving. It’s often discussed because it’s relatively affordable for a true sports car experience and has a long history. The podcast context suggests a conversation about which badge/model is the “real” Miata.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are cars that combine an internal-combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery that can be charged from an external power source. Because they can run on electricity for part of their driving, they’re often positioned as a bridge technology when full battery-electric adoption is still limited.

“Phebs” is almost certainly a mishearing of “PHEVs,” meaning plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The speaker is comparing market share trends and arguing that PHEVs are where buyers could save the most money under certain energy-price scenarios.

An “oil crisis” here is shorthand for a period of unusually high oil prices or supply disruption. The speaker connects that scenario to why plug-in hybrids might become more financially attractive compared with other powertrains.

Revolutionary defeatism is a political stance that argues a country should not fight on in a war, even if that means losing, because the war is seen as serving oppressive interests. In practice, it often means opposing one’s own government’s war effort rather than supporting it.

A MANPADS (often casually called a “man pad”) is a shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile system used to shoot down aircraft. It’s a portable air-defense weapon, which is why it’s a major concern for pilots and ground forces.

“F/A-18” refers to the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F/A-18 Hornet family of fighter jets, used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It’s a multirole aircraft, meaning it can do both air-to-air combat and air-to-ground missions.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a long-running model name that spans multiple generations and body styles, including sporty versions that enthusiasts associate with the 1990s/2000s era. In this segment, the host contrasts the “cool eclipses” people remember with later, more crossover-leaning Eclipse variants.

“Nameplate electrifying” means keeping the same model branding (the nameplate) while changing the powertrain to electric. The host’s point is that reusing a familiar sporty name can be appealing, but the execution matters—especially if the new product doesn’t match the character of the older cars.

“Lazy crossover” is an enthusiast-style put-down for a crossover that prioritizes easy, mainstream driving over the sharper, more performance-focused feel of earlier sports-car versions. In the segment, it’s used to criticize the later Eclipse direction that the host says sold well but didn’t excite them.

In automotive marketing, “heritage” refers to using a model’s history and recognizable identity to shape the new product. Here, the host contrasts “cool eclipses” from pop culture with the newer electrified direction that’s meant to follow the Eclipse legacy.

The Nissan Leaf is a mainstream battery-electric hatchback that became one of the best-known EVs globally. Here, the host uses it as the baseline for comparison, claiming the Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV looks and reads like a “Leaf” with only minor styling changes.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV is an upcoming electric crossover concept that’s being positioned as a modern take on the Eclipse name. In this segment, the host argues it’s visually and conceptually too close to existing EVs rather than feeling like a truly new design.

“Lighting signatures” are the distinctive shapes/patterns of a car’s lights—like how the headlights and taillights look in outline. Automakers use them so the car is recognizable at a glance, even if the rest of the bodywork is similar to other models.

The host compares the new EV’s styling to a “Ferrari” model, using “luce” as a stand-in for a specific Ferrari design reference. The point isn’t a technical spec—it’s a reaction that the EV’s proportions and styling cues feel like they’re borrowing from luxury/exotic design language.

Alloy wheels are rims made from metal alloys (most commonly aluminum), typically lighter and often more stylish than steel wheels. The host mentions “sporty alloy wheels” as part of the car’s feature/appearance package.

A subprime auto loan is financing offered to borrowers with weaker credit histories, usually at higher interest rates and stricter terms. The host ties Mitsubishi branding to the idea that the dealership experience may be associated with these higher-risk financing deals.

The Dodge Challenger is a long-running American muscle car known for powerful V8 options and a retro-inspired design. In this segment, it’s used as a visual comparison—“a Dodge Challenger parked in front of a marine barracks”—to contrast with the host’s view of Mitsubishi dealerships and deals.

The subprime mortgage crisis refers to the late-2000s financial collapse driven by risky home loans to borrowers with poor credit. The host uses it as a reference point for how Mitsubishi dealerships may have changed or been perceived after that period, especially regarding financing.

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a track-focused version of the Porsche 911, built for maximum performance with a strong emphasis on aerodynamics and driver feel. Here, the host uses it as an example of the only person who might be happy at a Mitsubishi dealership—because a GT3 RS ended up there through a dealer inventory shuffle.

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a compact crossover SUV known for being a mainstream, family-oriented Mitsubishi. In this segment, the hosts discuss Mitsubishi’s plan to introduce a rugged off-road derivative of the Outlander, which highlights how the model is being positioned with different trims and use-cases.

The Nissan Z is a long-running sports car line from Nissan, known for its classic styling and performance focus. It’s often discussed because newer generations aim to modernize the look while keeping the Z identity. The podcast context suggests a conversation about restyling and branding.

The Honda Civic is a mainstream compact car known for practicality, efficiency, and broad availability. It’s a common choice for families and commuters, and it often comes up when discussing everyday reliability and ownership costs. In the podcast, it’s referenced in the context of a Civic hybrid purchase.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a compact crossover SUV that Mitsubishi uses to cover the “smaller SUV” buyer segment. The hosts quote a press-release statistic about shoppers who considered the Eclipse Cross and then purchased one, using it to question how Mitsubishi defines “new car” offerings.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a smaller crossover SUV (often positioned below the Outlander) aimed at buyers who want an SUV footprint without going full-size. The segment cites purchase-rate statistics for people shopping for an Outlander Sport, framing it as a key product in Mitsubishi’s lineup strategy.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander that can run on electricity for part of its driving before switching to its gasoline engine. The segment uses press-release shopping/purchase percentages for plug-in hybrid shoppers to argue Mitsubishi’s product strategy is more about re-packaging than truly new models.

Flexible financing arrangements are loan/lease terms designed to be easier to qualify for or more accommodating to the buyer’s budget. The host ties this to how some brands (like Mitsubishi, in the host’s framing) can attract customers who may not have strong credit.

The Mitsubishi Mirage is a low-cost subcompact car that was sold for many years as an ultra-budget option. The host describes it as a “cheapest thing you could buy,” which helped bring buyers who needed low monthly costs (and were worried about unexpected expenses).

In this context, a warranty is a contract that covers certain repairs for a set time or mileage. The host argues that for high-mileage, budget-sensitive buyers, a warranty can feel like financial protection against unexpected costs.

The Ferrari 499P is a prototype race car built by Ferrari for top-level endurance racing. It’s significant because prototype cars are designed specifically for competition, with advanced aerodynamics and performance systems. The podcast context suggests the host is referencing buying or experiencing the 499P in a racing-related way.

The Toyota Supra is a performance sports car known for its strong acceleration and enthusiast appeal. It’s often discussed because it has a reputation for being a serious driver’s car and a popular platform for modifications. The podcast mentions it in a playful, pop-culture style way.

iRacing is a racing-focused sim platform known for realistic driving physics and online competition. The speaker contrasts it with a crash-focused game, implying they’d rather drive in a more traditional racing simulation.

Suspension travel is how much the suspension can move up and down before it reaches its limit. More travel helps a car absorb bumps and landings from jumps without bottoming out, which is why the speaker says it changes the outcome in the crash-simulation scenario.

Assetto Corsa is a driving simulator game famous for its handling feel and track/car variety. The speaker mentions it in the context of needing a wheel, which is a common setup for better control in sim racing.

Forza Horizon is a long-running open-world racing game series known for free-roam driving and events. The speaker mentions “Forza Horizon 6” in an ad-style segment about VIP membership and in-game credits.

Netcode is the networking software that controls how an online game synchronizes players’ actions over the internet. In racing games, bad netcode can make collisions feel unfair because the game may “see” impacts at the wrong time or attribute blame incorrectly.

The Dodge Viper is a hardcore American sports car built for dramatic performance and a raw driving experience. It’s significant because it became an icon for straight-line speed and aggressive styling. In a podcast, it may come up when talking about street-racing vibes or memorable performance cars.

The Porsche 963 is Porsche’s modern Le Mans–class prototype race car built for top-level endurance racing. In the game context, it’s notable because it represents the current generation of Porsche’s Le Mans prototype technology rather than a road car.

Laguna Seca is a famous road course in California known for its distinctive “Corkscrew” corner. In racing games, it’s a popular track for testing how well prototypes and supercars handle braking, turn-in, and traction.

“M hybrid V8” refers to a hybrid powertrain built around a V8 engine, paired with an electric motor for additional power and energy recovery. In racing, that typically means the car can “discharge” energy under acceleration and “recharge” it through braking or other energy-recovery phases.

In a hybrid race car, “discharging” is when the battery releases stored energy to the electric motor for extra acceleration. “Recharging” is when the system recovers energy—often during braking—so the battery can store it again for later boosts.

Prototype racing is endurance-style racing where purpose-built cars are designed for speed and efficiency rather than being based on production vehicles. The speaker frames it as especially exciting because prototypes are engineered to maximize performance over long stints, often with hybrid systems and advanced aerodynamics.

“Stick shift” is a casual way to say the car has a manual transmission. That means the driver selects gears with a clutch pedal and gear lever instead of relying on an automatic gearbox.

In this segment, “manual” is being used to describe the transmission type—i.e., the car is a manual gearbox rather than automatic. It pairs with the earlier “stick shift” mention.