Happy New Year - DWA! Podcast Ep. #916
About this episode
A lively discussion kicks off the New Year with the hosts reflecting on time, cars, and pop culture. They share amusing anecdotes about tire shop mishaps, including a frustrating experience with a tire installation gone wrong. The conversation shifts to the future of automotive culture, touching on electric vehicles, the rise of organized driving events, and the blending of car culture with lifestyle trends. The hosts also highlight memorable cars from a recent event, including a stunning Chrysler Town and Country convertible and a 1961 Impala. The episode wraps up with light-hearted trivia and a look ahead to 2026.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
"...ires came. New BFGritters went to a tire shop in Santa Cruz that I've used before."
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a smaller truck that’s good for carrying things and also comfortable for driving around town. It’s new and has a cool design, making it a fun choice for people who want both a truck and an SUV. It’s great for those who need a vehicle that can do a bit of everything.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact pickup truck that blends the utility of a truck with the comfort of an SUV. Introduced in 2021, it has gained attention for its unique design, versatility, and modern technology features, appealing to those who need a vehicle for both work and leisure. Its innovative cargo bed and spacious interior make it a standout in the growing compact truck segment.
BFGritters
"the tires came. New BFGritters went to a tire shop in Santa Cruz that I've used before."
BFGritters are a brand of tires made by BFGoodrich. They are known for being tough and providing good traction, especially for off-road driving.
BFGritters refers to a type of tire made by BFGoodrich, known for their performance and durability, especially in off-road conditions. They are popular among car enthusiasts for their grip and reliability.
alignment
"I'm not doing the alignment there. That's like so such a crucial thing, right?"
Alignment is about making sure the wheels of a car are pointing in the right direction. If they aren't, it can cause problems like uneven tire wear and difficulty steering.
Alignment refers to the adjustment of a vehicle's suspension system to ensure that the wheels are set to the correct angles. Proper alignment is crucial for vehicle handling, tire wear, and overall safety.
tire age
"I've heard some stories of five year old tires being sold as new. No, I looked at those. Those are, those are new."
Tire age is how long a tire has been sitting around since it was made. Older tires can become hard and unsafe, even if they look new.
Tire age refers to how long a tire has been manufactured and can significantly affect its performance and safety. Tires older than six years may have degraded rubber, leading to reduced traction and increased risk of blowouts.
siping
"So these also have way more siping in the tread for water and and it's still..."
Siping is when small cuts are made in a tire's tread to help it grip the road better when it's wet. This makes it safer to drive in the rain.
Siping refers to the small slits or grooves cut into the tread of a tire to improve traction on wet surfaces. This design helps to channel water away from the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning.
KO2
"...because I know KO twos are notorious for being tanks, right? And then now they make a KO three, which are even more insane."
The KO2 is a type of tire made by BFGoodrich that is designed for driving on rough surfaces, like dirt and mud. It's known for being very tough and reliable.
The KO2 is a model of all-terrain tire produced by BFGoodrich, known for its durability and off-road performance. It features an aggressive tread design that provides excellent traction on various surfaces, making it popular among off-road enthusiasts.
KO3
"...And then now they make a KO three, which are even more insane."
The KO3 is the newest tire model from BFGoodrich, made to perform even better than the KO2. It's built for tougher off-road driving.
The KO3 is the latest version of the KO tire series from BFGoodrich, designed to offer even greater performance and durability than its predecessor, the KO2. It is engineered to handle more extreme off-road conditions and provide better traction.
Porsche 911
"...I'm driving highway 17 and. Like I drove Rick's 9 11 with KO twos. Oh yeah."
The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that many people love for its speed and unique shape. It's known for being fun to drive and has been around for a long time.
The Porsche 911 is a high-performance sports car known for its distinctive design and rear-engine layout. It has a long history of being a favorite among car enthusiasts and is recognized for its handling and performance capabilities.
horsepower
"...like with a, you know, normal three, two Carrera, 220 horsepower. You just like give it gas and second gear..."
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and more powerful the car can be.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to describe the power output of engines. In automotive terms, it indicates how much work an engine can perform over time, influencing a vehicle's acceleration and top speed.
Lexus Lc
"...a brand new car with like a light, light interior or something on, you know, a new Lexus LC or something."
The Lexus LC is a fancy two-door car made by Lexus, which is a luxury brand from Toyota. It's known for being stylish and having a lot of cool features.
The Lexus LC is a luxury coupe that combines performance with high-end features and design. It is known for its striking looks and advanced technology.
Go Westy
"...I got these door panels from Go Westy for the interior. And then I finally took the box apart and looked at it and they were like..."
Go Westy is a company that sells parts for older Volkswagen vans. They help people fix and improve their classic VW vehicles.
Go Westy is a company that specializes in parts and accessories for Volkswagen Vanagons and other classic VW vehicles. They offer a range of products to help restore and maintain these vehicles.
torque
"...real quick, yeah, I would check the torque on your lug nuts."
Torque is how much twisting force you use to tighten something. In cars, it's important to make sure parts like wheel nuts are tight enough to keep the wheels on safely.
Torque refers to the rotational force applied to an object, such as a bolt or nut. In automotive contexts, it's crucial for ensuring that components like lug nuts are tightened to the correct specification for safety and performance.
Toyota
"...he's like, oh man, those Toyotas are hard to align. I was like, what's like half the cars and Santa Cruz or Toyotas Toyota trucks."
Toyota is a car company that makes many popular vehicles, especially trucks and SUVs.
Toyota is a well-known automotive manufacturer recognized for producing reliable vehicles, including trucks and SUVs.
Chrysler Town and Country
"Um, I really, really like the, um, Chrysler Town and Country. Oh yeah. It's a, it's a convertible, um, with huge white walls."
The Chrysler Town and Country is a type of minivan that is great for families. It has a lot of space inside and is designed to be comfortable for passengers.
The Chrysler Town and Country is a minivan that was produced by Chrysler, known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features. It has a long history and has been popular for its versatility and comfort.
Chevrolet Impala
"...the 61, uh, Impala, dude, nothing was so nice."
The Chevrolet Impala is a large car that was first made in 1958. The 1961 version is famous for its unique design and is popular among car collectors.
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size car that was introduced in 1958 and became one of Chevrolet's most popular models. The 1961 model is known for its distinctive styling and is often sought after by collectors.
Porsche 944
"But dude, and you're seeing your 944 is such a trip. It's been a while since I've seen it."
The Porsche 944 is a type of sports car made by the German company Porsche. It was popular in the 1980s and 1990s for its good handling and performance.
The Porsche 944 is a sports car produced by Porsche from 1982 to 1991. It is known for its balanced handling and front-engine layout, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts.
Myers Manx
"Um, I see the, the, that Myers Manx was kind of cool. That was like, it's like a 2000s Myers Manx when Bruce, my, my, is it Bruce Meyer or whatever when he was like still involved..."
The Myers Manx is a type of dune buggy known for its lightweight fiberglass body and fun driving experience. The version discussed was made in 2008, which is a more recent model of this classic vehicle.
The Myers Manx is a fiberglass dune buggy that became iconic in the 1960s and 70s. The 2000s version mentioned was built in 2008 and reflects a modern take on the classic design.
BFGoodrich
"It has like BF, Goodrich, comp, TAs or something."
BFGoodrich is a brand that makes tires for cars, including those used for racing or off-roading. The 'comp TAs' are a specific type of tire made for better grip and performance.
BFGoodrich is a well-known tire manufacturer that produces a variety of tires for different vehicles, including performance and off-road applications. The 'comp TAs' refer to their Competition T/A line, which is designed for high-performance driving.
oil cooler
"...and he has an oil cooler in one of them. It looked pretty good."
An oil cooler is like a small radiator for your engine oil. It keeps the oil from getting too hot, which helps the engine run better and last longer.
An oil cooler is a component that helps to regulate the temperature of the engine oil, preventing it from overheating. This is crucial for maintaining optimal engine performance and longevity, especially in high-performance vehicles.
Corvette Z06
"...Doug brought his ST Ben Roget brought his new zero six, which I didn't even look at for more than two seconds."
The Corvette Z06 is a special version of the Chevrolet Corvette that is designed for better performance, making it faster and more fun to drive.
The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is a high-performance variant of the Corvette sports car, known for its powerful engine and track-focused features.
ST
"...that ST is a fricking buzz saw, man."
The 'ST' is a special version of some Ford cars that are designed to be faster and more fun to drive. They usually have a more powerful engine and better handling than regular models.
The 'ST' refers to a performance-oriented variant of certain Ford models, particularly the Ford Focus ST and Ford Fiesta ST. These models are known for their sporty handling and turbocharged engines, making them popular among enthusiasts.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06
"What's the power on those zero six is like 670 horsepower or something crazy?"
The Z06 is a special version of the Chevrolet Corvette that is faster and more powerful than the regular Corvette. It's designed for performance and racing.
The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is a high-performance variant of the Corvette sports car, known for its powerful engine and track-ready features. The Z06 typically features enhanced aerodynamics and a more powerful engine compared to standard Corvette models.
Nissan Maxima
"there was that, uh, was like third gen Maxima green."
The Nissan Maxima is a larger car that's comfortable and has good performance. The third generation refers to the version made in the late 80s and early 90s, which was known for being sporty.
The Nissan Maxima is a full-size sedan known for its performance and luxury features. The third generation of the Maxima, produced in the late 1980s to early 1990s, is recognized for its sporty design and advanced technology for its time.
Radwood
"There was this article about Radwood, like values of cars kind of rising steadily, obviously, since we've done our thing and which is cool."
Radwood is a fun event that focuses on cars from the 1980s and 1990s. People celebrate these older cars, which are sometimes seen as not very valuable, and this has made more people interested in them.
Radwood is a car culture event and movement that celebrates vehicles from the 1980s and 1990s, often referred to as 'sh*t boxes' in a lighthearted manner. It has gained popularity for showcasing the unique style and nostalgia of these cars, leading to an increase in their values and appreciation among enthusiasts.
zero to sixty time
"...and a zero to sixty and two point six seconds. Geez, dude."
Zero to sixty time tells you how fast a car can go from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour. It's a way to measure how quickly a car can speed up.
Zero to sixty time measures how quickly a vehicle can accelerate from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour. It's a common performance metric used to evaluate a car's acceleration capabilities.
automatic transmission
"Probably revs super high, very automatic transmission. Yeah, I'm looking through the photos that you posted."
An automatic transmission helps you drive without having to change gears yourself. The car does it for you, making driving easier.
An automatic transmission is a type of vehicle transmission that automatically changes the gear ratios as the vehicle moves, allowing the driver to focus on steering and acceleration without manually shifting gears.
Volkswagen Caddy
"That's because obviously I wasn't there, but I do like the pepperpot wheels on that cabbie. There was a VW cabbie little pickup truck."
The Volkswagen Caddy is a small truck that can carry things. It's useful for work and everyday tasks.
The Volkswagen Caddy is a small utility vehicle that combines the features of a van and a pickup truck. It's known for its practicality and versatility, making it popular for both commercial and personal use.
electric vehicle investments
"...the mandates that are being eliminated and car companies essentially just giving up on their huge electric investments is pretty wild."
Electric vehicle investments are the money car companies spend to make electric cars. Recently, some companies are pulling back on these investments, which shows they're unsure about the future of electric cars.
Electric vehicle investments refer to the significant financial resources that car manufacturers allocate to develop and produce electric cars. Recent trends show some companies are scaling back these investments, indicating uncertainty in the market.
Ford Lightning
"Like Ford Lightning is just dead. The ID buzz dead after one model year."
The Ford Lightning is an electric truck from Ford. It's designed to be powerful and useful, but it has been discontinued, which shows some difficulties in the electric vehicle market.
The Ford Lightning is an all-electric version of the Ford F-150 pickup truck, known for its performance and utility. Its discontinuation reflects broader challenges in the electric vehicle market.
Volkswagen Id Buzz
"The ID buzz dead after one model year. I mean, major investments in this stuff to change the industry really are essentially being abandoned like it's just, it's really unfortunate to in some ways though."
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an electric van that looks like the old VW buses. It didn't last long in production, which suggests it faced issues in the market.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an electric van inspired by the classic VW Microbus. Its short production run indicates challenges in the electric vehicle segment and market acceptance.
hybrid
"And if it's a hybrid or what have you, like that's, that's great. And I want great, you know, fuel economy."
A hybrid car uses both a gas engine and an electric motor. This helps it save fuel and produce less pollution than regular cars that only use gas.
A hybrid vehicle combines an internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. This technology allows for better fuel economy compared to traditional gasoline-only vehicles.
fuel economy
"And I want great, you know, fuel economy. I'm just really concerned for the automotive and the American automotive industry..."
Fuel economy is how far a car can go on a certain amount of gas. If a car has good fuel economy, it means it doesn't use much gas to drive a long distance.
Fuel economy refers to the distance a vehicle can travel per unit of fuel consumed, typically measured in miles per gallon (MPG). Higher fuel economy means a vehicle uses less fuel for the same distance, which is more efficient and cost-effective.
Buick Grand National
"... standpoint. I mean, even the Kendrick Lamar like Grand National thing blew up, you know, like that's massive. So..."
The Buick Grand National is a classic car from the 1980s that people love because it’s fast and has a cool look. It’s special because it was one of the powerful cars of its time, and many people remember it fondly. It’s often talked about in car culture and music.
The Buick Grand National is a high-performance version of the Buick Regal, produced in the 1980s, known for its turbocharged V6 engine and sporty design. It has become a classic among car enthusiasts, particularly for its role in the muscle car era and its cultural significance in music and media. The Grand National is often discussed for its performance capabilities and nostalgic value.
Mercedes-Benz Eclass
"gatherings? If so, what kind? We've got a Subaru guy and an electric car guy in the group. So I have the same conversation. Like my uncle has a Mercedes wagon, like a newer e-class, and we have the same conversation about it like every time. Oh, really? It's just like,"
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a fancy car that many people like because it’s comfortable and has lots of cool features. It’s often used by business people or families who want a nice ride. People talk about it because it represents luxury and style.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a line of executive cars known for their luxury, performance, and advanced technology. It has been a significant model in the Mercedes lineup since its introduction in the 1990s, often praised for its comfort and safety features. Discussions around the E-Class often highlight its blend of sophistication and practicality, making it a popular choice for both personal and business use.
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