Holiday Gift Guide 2025 - DWA! Podcast Ep. #914
About this episode
The Driving While Awesome crew dives into their 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, sharing unique gift ideas for automotive enthusiasts across various price ranges. From tools like Knipex water pump pliers to subscriptions for sports car market magazines, they cover it all. The conversation also touches on memorable movies, including Rob Reiner classics, and the emotional impact of recent celebrity losses. With a mix of humor and nostalgia, the hosts engage in lively debates about cars, movies, and holiday traditions, making for an entertaining and informative episode.
On this episode of the DWA! Podcast, all three of us give gift suggestions for under $100, under $500 and one for an unlimited budget.
Under $100:
-Knipex 5" Cobra® Water Pump Pliers
-Sports Car Market Magazine Subscription
Under $500:
-Conway Electric Power Exstension Cord, and AVOLT Power Cord
-Solo Stove Pi Dual Fuel Pizza Bundle
Unlimited $$$$$:
-The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week
water pump pliers
"Cobra five inch water pump pliers… Water pump pliers"
These are special pliers that help you take off or put on the water pump, which keeps your engine cool. They make it easier to grip the bolts that hold the pump in place.
Water pump pliers are a specialized tool used to remove or install the water pump on an engine. They provide extra leverage and grip, especially when dealing with tight or corroded bolts.
Cobra
"Cobra five inch water pump pliers"
Cobra makes tools that many car owners and mechanics use, like the water pump pliers mentioned earlier.
Cobra is a well-known manufacturer of automotive tools and accessories, including high-quality pliers, wrenches, and other hand tools used by mechanics.
claw
"[460.0s] And these are claw. [461.0s] These are like a vice grip where it has like the, you know, [465.0s] clawed grippy end that'll like kind of fuck up a bolt."
A claw wrench is like a pair of pliers that you can adjust to fit different nuts or bolts. It has a hooked end that grabs the bolt so you can turn it with a wrench.
A claw wrench, also known as a claw spanner, is an adjustable tool with two jaws that can be moved to fit different bolt sizes. The clawed end grips the bolt head, allowing you to tighten or loosen it without a separate socket.
vice grip
"[461.0s] These are like a vice grip where it has like the, you know, [465.0s] clawed grippy end that'll like kind of fuck up a bolt."
A vice grip is a wrench that you can squeeze to make it tighter. It has a hooked part that grabs onto bolts so you can turn them.
A vice grip is a type of adjustable wrench that uses a jaw with a serrated or clawed edge to grip bolts and nuts. It can be tightened by turning the handle, providing a firm hold on fasteners of various sizes.
Garmin inReach Mini 2
"So this is the Garmin in Reach Mini 2. They have a new one. It’s the Mini 3 and it got like a color screen…"
It’s a small GPS gadget that can talk to satellites, so you can send short messages and get help if you’re in a remote area.
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a compact satellite communication device that lets users send text messages, track their location, and receive emergency alerts via the Iridium satellite network.
Garmin inReach Mini 3
"They have a new one. It’s the Mini 3 and it got like a color screen…"
It’s the updated version of the Mini 2, with a nicer screen and the ability to take pictures before sending them.
The Garmin inReach Mini 3 is the newer version of the satellite communicator, featuring a color screen and improved photo capture capabilities.
Solo Stove
"Um, it is a solo stove dual fuel pizza oven. And um, I was in our backyard…"
It’s a company that sells small, camp‑style stoves and pizza ovens you can use in your backyard or on a hike.
Solo Stove is a brand that makes portable, dual‑fuel wood stoves and pizza ovens designed for outdoor cooking.
Tansu
"go next here on limited budget. I'm going with the Tansu 19 preference."
Tansu makes big boats that people can rent or buy. They’re popular for luxury sailing and motor cruising.
Tansu is a Japanese yacht manufacturer known for building large, high‑performance sailing and motor yachts.
yacht charter
"Look at the charter. They do charter it for one week, 200,000."
You can rent the boat for a week to go on vacation or host parties.
Yacht chartering is the practice of renting a yacht for a set period, often used for leisure trips or events.
Goodwood Revival
"I think it's, it is like probably the coolest car show in the world right now. Like in many ways, you know, it is a really awesome place. We have not been to the Goodwood revival or the Goodwood festival speed, which is option number two."
Goodwood Revival is a big car event where people bring old, classic cars to race and show off. It’s famous for its vintage atmosphere and historic races.
Goodwood Revival is a historic motor racing event held annually at the Goodwood Circuit in England, featuring classic cars and vintage racing.
Goodwood Festival Speed
"We have not been to the Goodwood revival or the Goodwood festival speed, which is option number two. But planning, you know, sort of a car week experience around the quail."
Goodwood Festival Speed is another big car event where people bring fast cars, race them on a track, and show off new models. It’s popular among car enthusiasts.
Goodwood Festival Speed is an annual motor show and racing event at Goodwood Circuit, showcasing high-performance cars, track days, and automotive exhibitions.
Ferrari Daytona SP3
"I had some other stuff on my unlimited list was the Ferrari Daytona SP3. Those are pretty safe."
Ferrari makes very fast, fancy cars. The Daytona SP3 is one of their newest models and only a few were made, so it’s very special and expensive.
The Ferrari Daytona SP3 is a high‑performance, limited‑edition sports car produced by the Italian automaker Ferrari. It features a 6.5‑liter V12 engine, advanced aerodynamics, and lightweight construction for extreme speed and handling.
Subaru CX-50
"I don't think I've seen one in like other than a CV thing. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I don't ... It's basically my the CX 50 on steroids."
The CX‑50 is a small SUV from Subaru that looks like a tougher version of their Crosstrek. It’s meant for people who want a car that can handle light off‑road use but still drive comfortably on city roads.
The Subaru CX‑50 is a compact crossover SUV introduced in 2023, built on the same platform as the Subaru XV Crosstrek but with a more rugged, off‑road‑oriented design and higher ground clearance.
12-cylinder engine
"But still 12 cylinder, right?"
A 12‑cylinder engine is a big, powerful engine that has twelve parts called cylinders. It can make a lot of power but uses more gas than smaller engines.
A 12‑cylinder engine has twelve pistons arranged in a V or inline configuration, providing high power and smoothness but also higher fuel consumption.
Ferrari F40
"...Of course, we all want F1s and F40s and all that shit."
The F40 is a very fast, classic Ferrari that people love for its speed and style. It’s a special car that many collectors want to own.
The Ferrari F40 is a high‑performance sports car produced from 1987 to 1992, famous for its lightweight construction and powerful V8 engine. It was created to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary of racing success.
300 SL roadster
"[2496.3s] sales and purchases. And I'm like, yeah, man, 300 SL roadster for me still is up there."
The 300 SL roadster is a famous Porsche car from the 1950s. It’s very light and fast, so people love it.
The Porsche 300 SL roadster is a classic sports car from the 1950s, known for its lightweight design and rear‑engine layout. It’s highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
vinyl wrap
"would you then wrap that in vinyl or just leave it all? You can. Okay. You can wrap those in vinyl."
Vinyl wrap is a big sticker you stick over a car to change its color or add pictures. It keeps the real paint safe and can be taken off later.
Vinyl wrap is a large sheet of vinyl material that can be applied over a vehicle’s paint to change its color or add graphics. It protects the original paint and can be removed later.
Volkswagen Vanagon
"You can actually some people have painted them to have the same like because the stock Vanagan has you know, plastic chrome and valour."
The Vanagon is an old VW minivan from the 70s and 80s. People still use it today, especially for camping or as a quirky car.
The Volkswagen Vanagon is a 1970s–1980s minivan produced by the German automaker Volkswagen, known for its boxy shape and pop-up windows. It was popular in the U.S. as a family vehicle and later as a camper conversion.
ABS
"Westy version that's ABS. That's the one I have."
ABS is a system in cars that stops the wheels from locking up when you brake hard, so you can still steer and avoid skidding.
ABS stands for Anti‑Lock Braking System, a safety feature that prevents the wheels from locking during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control.
rivets
"They offer black or gray. My car's gray interior... I had to order gray rivets on Amazon."
Rivets are little metal or plastic pieces that hold parts of a car together, like the panels inside the cabin.
Rivets are metal fasteners used to join panels together, often in automotive interiors. Plastic rivets are a lighter alternative.
BMW M3
"[2923.7s] email and they said, Hey, just so you know, the 95 M3 is special. Are you kidding me for speakers? [2931.8s] For the speakers."
The BMW M3 is a special, faster version of the regular 3 Series car. The 1995 model has a powerful engine and is popular with car fans.
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, known for its powerful engine and sporty handling. The 1995 model was part of the E30 generation, featuring a 2.3‑liter inline‑six engine and rear‑wheel drive.
Toyota Tundra
"some stuff of the Tundra new tires, which I'm excited for. Sweet."
The Tundra is a big truck made by Toyota. It’s good for hauling heavy loads and doing tough jobs.
The Toyota Tundra is a full‑size pickup truck known for its durability and towing capability. It has been popular among work fleets and off‑road enthusiasts.
all-season tire
"[3163.0s] It's just an all-terrain like a, like an all-season tire that is for a truck."
All‑season tires give you decent traction on most roads, whether it’s sunny, rainy, or lightly snowy, so you don’t need to change tires often.
An all‑season tire is built to perform adequately in a range of weather conditions—dry, wet, and light snow—without specializing in any one extreme.
all-terrain
"[3163.0s] It's just an all-terrain like a, like an all-season tire that is for a truck."
All‑terrain tires are made to work well on both roads and rough ground, so you can drive anywhere without needing a special off‑road tire.
All‑terrain refers to tires designed for use on a variety of surfaces, including pavement, gravel, mud, and light off‑road trails. They balance grip with durability.
Michelin
"I was looking for Michelin sells, they still make some vintage tires, X, WXs or, yeah, well, I don't know, that was you would know what I'm talking about."
Michelin makes the rubber wheels that go on cars. They’re famous for being safe and long-lasting.
Michelin is a French multinational tire manufacturer known for producing high-performance, touring, and specialty tires. Their products are used on everything from everyday cars to racing machines.
AMG
"the tires that were on the AMG were master tracks"
AMG makes sporty, faster versions of Mercedes cars. Think of it as the racing branch of Mercedes.
AMG is the high-performance division of Mercedes‑Benz, known for producing powerful, track‑ready versions of standard models.
Euro bumper
"I finally got the Euro bumper on the car with the mtec one air dam."
A Euro bumper is a new front or back part that fits cars from Europe. It usually looks sportier and can be lighter than the original piece.
A Euro bumper is a replacement front or rear bumper designed for European cars, often made from lightweight materials like polycarbonate and featuring a more aggressive styling than stock bumpers.
MTEC One air dam
"I finally got the Euro bumper on the car with the mtec one air dam."
An air dam is a small piece that sits under the front of a car to help it stay down at speed. The MTEC One is a popular brand for this part.
The MTEC One air dam is a front aerodynamic accessory that reduces lift and improves airflow under the car, often used on performance or modified vehicles.
OEM
"but the trim is all OEMBMW"
OEM means the part comes straight from the company that made the car, so it should fit perfectly.
Original Equipment Manufacturer; refers to parts that are made by the vehicle’s original manufacturer and fit exactly as designed.
Classic Euro Parts
"That's the way that they build the kits. This company, classic Euro parts."
Classic Euro Parts makes replacement parts for old European cars, like special body pieces or performance upgrades.
A specialty aftermarket parts manufacturer known for producing high-quality European car components, often used by enthusiasts to upgrade or restore classic models.
Hella
"So my ordered hellas, which are the correct ones, the OEM style, to put in there."
Hella makes car lights that are used by many manufacturers; they’re known for being bright and reliable.
A German automotive lighting manufacturer known for producing high-quality headlights, fog lights, and other illumination components used in OEM and aftermarket applications.
Comparo
"Comparo, especially because the main thing is, yeah, the front is really clean."
Comparo makes parts that help cars run better and sound nicer. They are popular among people who like to upgrade their Honda cars.
Comparo is a brand that specializes in aftermarket performance parts, particularly for Honda vehicles. They are known for their high-quality components such as intake manifolds and exhaust systems.
Patrick Lynn Motorsports
"Patrick Lynn is a formerly of Patrick Lynn Motorsports. He's like one of the OG's original gangsters born in the Honda Performance Parts business."
Patrick Lynn Motorsports sells parts that make Honda cars faster and more fun to drive. They are a well-known shop in the performance community.
Patrick Lynn Motorsports is an aftermarket performance parts company that focuses on Honda vehicles. Founded by Patrick Lynn, it offers a range of upgrades from intake systems to suspension components.
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