{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Honda Kills 0 Series & Acura RSX EVs – Market Reality Check | Hard Parking","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/honda-kills-0-series-acura-rsx-evs-market-reality-check-hard-parking","audioUrl":"https://anchor.fm/s/b319574/podcast/play/116891508/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-2-14%2F419973635-44100-2-560bbfd26c123.mp3","description":"          Hard Parking EP316 - Honda Cancels Zero Series EVs, Acura MDX Issues & Jimny Rental Review            body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 20px; }        h1, h2 { color: #333; }        ul { list-style-type: none; padding-left: 0; }        li { margin-bottom: 10px; }        .chapters { background: #f9f9f9; padding: 15px; border-radius: 8px; }    Hard Parking EP316: Honda Cancels Zero Series EVs + Acura MDX AWD Probe & Suzuki Jimny Costa Rica RentalEpisode SummaryIn the latest Hard Parking episode, Jhae dives into big automotive headlines: the NHTSA's investigation into over 137,000 Acura TLX and MDX models for intermittent all-wheel-drive failures, sharing his own experiences with the glitch on a 2023 MDX. He breaks down Honda's shocking cancellation of the Zero Series EVs—including the 0 SUV, 0 Saloon, and Acura RSX—citing EV market struggles, infrastructure limits, and a smarter pivot to hybrids. Jhae recounts the family vehicle hunt, from Toyota test drives to landing a sleek new 2026 Acura MDX A-Spec with Advance package upgrades like massaging seats. He also delivers a fun, honest review of renting a Suzuki Jimny in Costa Rica, praising its off-road prowess despite its quirks like slow acceleration and CarPlay delays. What do you think about Honda ditching those EVs—smart move or missed opportunity?Chapters / Timestamps            00:00 - 00:45 - Intro & opening banter        00:45 - 01:43 - Sponsor segment (tech/business service)        01:43 - 02:19 - Episode focus intro & transition to car topics        02:19 - 05:06 - Acura AWD investigation & personal MDX experience        05:06 - 07:56 - Honda cancels Zero Series EVs (0 SUV, Saloon, Acura RSX) & host's take on EV/hybrid future        07:56 - 09:49 - Scottsdale photo ticket story & Barrett-Jackson anecdote        09:49 - 15:23 - New vehicle shopping process & leasing another 2026 Acura MDX A-Spec Advance        15:23 - 23:22 - Suzuki Jimny rental review in Costa Rica (pros, cons, driving experiences, recommendations)        23:22 - End - Closing thoughts, calls to action, Patreon/supporter mentions, sign-off    Contact Information    Email: info@hardparking.com    Website: www.hardparking.com    Patreon: patreon.com/hardparkingpodcast    Instagram: @hardparkingpod    YouTube: youtube.com/@HardParkingThanks for listening! Subscribe, rate/review, and join us next week. Drop your thoughts on Honda's EV shift below!\n"},"annotations":[{"startTime":27.3,"endTime":27.8,"type":"brand","title":"Acura","url":"/glossary/acura","quote":"Acura has recalled 137,000 vehicles.","canonicalId":"brand:acura","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Honda, known for producing premium cars with advanced technology and performance features.","simplifiedExplanation":"Acura is a car brand that makes fancy and comfortable cars, kind of like the luxury version of Honda cars."}},{"startTime":133.7,"endTime":184.2,"type":"term","title":"all-wheel drive system","url":"/glossary/all-wheel-drive-system","quote":"Feds investigate over 137,000 acres for failing all-wheel drive system. This caught my attention. ... the car goes, could you, I looked down and it said something about the all-wheel drive system has failed and you're now using front-wheel drive.","canonicalId":"term:all-wheel-drive-system","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"An all-wheel drive (AWD) system distributes power to all four wheels of a vehicle to improve traction and handling, especially in slippery or off-road conditions. Failure of this system can cause the vehicle to operate in front-wheel drive mode only.","simplifiedExplanation":"All-wheel drive means the car sends power to all four wheels to help it grip the road better. If this system breaks, the car might only use the front wheels to move."}},{"startTime":145.8,"endTime":156.3,"type":"term","title":"National Highway Traffic Safety Administration","url":"/glossary/national-highway-traffic-safety-administration","quote":"Like it can't be the car has been recalled or national highway traffic and safety. There's an NTSA, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Yeah, the NTS, I already screwed that up.","canonicalId":"term:national-highway-traffic-safety-administration","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a U.S. government agency responsible for enforcing vehicle performance standards and investigating safety issues, including recalls.","simplifiedExplanation":"The NHTSA is a government group that makes sure cars are safe and checks if there are problems that need fixing or recalls."}},{"startTime":193.3,"endTime":195.0,"type":"term","title":"Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)","url":"/glossary/office-of-defects-investigation-odi","quote":"the office of defects investigation, ODI report, the probe involves an estimated","canonicalId":"term:office-of-defects-investigation-odi","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is a division of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) responsible for investigating safety defects in vehicles and equipment.","simplifiedExplanation":"The ODI is a government group that checks if cars have safety problems that could hurt people."}},{"startTime":211.8,"endTime":215.0,"type":"term","title":"splines","url":"/glossary/splines","quote":"The NHTSA, there it is, says that the splines that connect these parts can foil. Cutting off power to the rear axle.","canonicalId":"term:splines","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Splines are ridges or teeth on a mechanical shaft that fit into grooves on a mating piece, allowing torque to be transmitted between parts such as the transmission and the driveshaft.","simplifiedExplanation":"Splines are like little teeth on a car part that help connect and turn other parts together so the car can move."}},{"startTime":217.5,"endTime":219.0,"type":"term","title":"rear axle","url":"/glossary/rear-axle","quote":"Cutting off power to the rear axle. When that happens, the car is basically running as a front-wheel drive model,","canonicalId":"term:rear-axle","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The rear axle is the shaft or assembly that transmits power from the transmission or differential to the rear wheels of a vehicle.","simplifiedExplanation":"The rear axle is the part that helps turn the back wheels of a car so it can move."}},{"startTime":219.4,"endTime":221.0,"type":"term","title":"front-wheel drive","url":"/glossary/front-wheel-drive","quote":"When that happens, the car is basically running as a front-wheel drive model, even if the badge and price tag says all will drive.","canonicalId":"term:front-wheel-drive","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a drivetrain layout where the engine's power is sent only to the front wheels, which handle both driving and steering.","simplifiedExplanation":"Front-wheel drive means the car's engine powers only the front wheels to make it move and turn."}},{"startTime":398.6,"endTime":403.1,"type":"brand","title":"Honda","url":"/glossary/honda","quote":"...I think Honda is trying to figure that out or I think Honda has figured that out.","canonicalId":"brand:honda","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Honda is a major Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing reliable and efficient cars, motorcycles, and power equipment. The brand is actively involved in developing hybrid and electric vehicle technologies.","simplifiedExplanation":"Honda is a big company from Japan that makes cars and motorcycles. They are working on making cars that use electricity or a mix of gas and electricity."}},{"startTime":430.3,"endTime":435.0,"type":"brand","title":"Tesla","url":"/glossary/tesla","quote":"...Tesla is king and they're not the best vehicles, but Tesla is still king.","canonicalId":"brand:tesla","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Tesla is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for popularizing electric cars with long range and advanced technology. Despite some criticisms, Tesla remains the leading brand in the EV market.","simplifiedExplanation":"Tesla is a company that makes electric cars. They are very popular and sell more electric cars than anyone else, even though some people think their cars have problems."}},{"startTime":445.1,"endTime":448.2,"type":"car","title":"Type S NSX","url":"/cars/honda/nsx","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/1995_Honda_NSX_Type_T.jpg","quote":"It's funny that rear splitter looks like my Type S NSX. I never noticed that till right now.","canonicalId":"car:honda:nsx","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Type S NSX is a high-performance variant of Honda's NSX sports car, known for its enhanced power and aerodynamic features like a rear splitter. It's a flagship model showcasing Honda's engineering capabilities.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Type S NSX is a fast and sporty car made by Honda. It has special parts that help it go faster and look cool, like a rear wing at the back.","imageAttribution":"TTTNIS (CC0)"}},{"startTime":683.5,"endTime":690.7,"type":"term","title":"third row seating","url":"/glossary/third-row-seating","quote":"But the problem with the Land Cruiser is it does not have the third row for the five or six times a year that my wife's going to use it. She really wants to have that seven passenger.","canonicalId":"term:third-row-seating","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Third row seating refers to an additional row of seats in a vehicle, usually in SUVs or minivans, allowing more passengers to be carried, typically increasing capacity to seven or eight people.","simplifiedExplanation":"Third row seating means the car has an extra row of seats in the back so more people can ride inside, like seven or eight in total."}},{"startTime":717.9,"endTime":724.0,"type":"term","title":"vehicle allocation","url":"/glossary/vehicle-allocation","quote":"The problem with the Lexus is you can't. You you can't spec it online. They're just we've learned they're just allocated.","canonicalId":"term:vehicle-allocation","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Vehicle allocation refers to the process where manufacturers limit the number of certain models available to dealerships, often due to supply constraints or high demand, making it difficult for customers to order specific configurations online.","simplifiedExplanation":"Vehicle allocation means the car company only lets a few of certain cars go to dealers, so you can't always pick exactly what you want online because they have limited numbers."}},{"startTime":828.4,"endTime":831.5,"type":"term","title":"A-spec","url":"/glossary/a-spec","quote":"And so the difference between an A-spec and a non-A-spec is styling. That's it. So we have the aggressive bumper, the black wheels, the black trim, no chrome.","canonicalId":"term:a-spec","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A-spec is a trim level offered by Acura that emphasizes sportier styling and appearance upgrades such as unique bumpers, blacked-out wheels, and trim, differentiating it from standard trims.","simplifiedExplanation":"A-spec is a special style package for Acura cars that makes them look sportier with things like black wheels and special bumpers."}},{"startTime":843.5,"endTime":849.7,"type":"term","title":"360 camera","url":"/glossary/360-camera","quote":"But it has all the all the upgraded technology speakers, a 360 camera, massaging front seats.","canonicalId":"term:360-camera","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A 360 camera system uses multiple cameras around the vehicle to provide a bird's-eye view, helping drivers see obstacles and park more easily.","simplifiedExplanation":"A 360 camera is a set of cameras on the car that show you a full view from above, so you can see everything around your car when parking or driving slowly."}},{"startTime":849.7,"endTime":869.1,"type":"term","title":"massaging front seats","url":"/glossary/massaging-front-seats","quote":"massaging front seats. What I was, I drove it back from the dealership. My wife wasn't able to go with me to pick it up. But you hold down the massage seat button. And this is probably the same for any vehicle that has this. I wouldn't know we've never had a vehicle massages before. And then you could select and there's like five or six different type of massages you can pick from. You can customize it to the person, which is great.","canonicalId":"term:massaging-front-seats","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Massaging front seats are seats equipped with motors and mechanisms that provide various massage patterns to increase comfort during driving.","simplifiedExplanation":"Massaging front seats are car seats that can gently massage you while you sit, making long drives more comfortable."}},{"startTime":883.8,"endTime":887.7,"type":"term","title":"warranty","url":"/glossary/warranty","quote":"And, you know, now we have warranty because she was just going to buy the old car. And I said, why would you buy a car you complain about every time we're driving it?","canonicalId":"term:warranty","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A warranty is a guarantee from the manufacturer or dealer that covers repairs or defects for a certain period after purchase, providing peace of mind to the buyer.","simplifiedExplanation":"A warranty means if your car breaks or has problems, the company will fix it for free for some time after you buy it."}},{"startTime":948.8,"endTime":951.5,"type":"term","title":"two wheel drive","url":"/glossary/two-wheel-drive","quote":"you can probably survive with a two wheel drive configuration like an SUV or a light pickup truck as well.","canonicalId":"term:two-wheel-drive","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Two wheel drive (2WD) means the engine powers only two wheels, either front or rear, which is common in many vehicles but less capable off-road compared to 4x4.","simplifiedExplanation":"Two wheel drive means the car only moves two wheels with power, which works fine on normal roads but is not as good on rough or slippery surfaces."}},{"startTime":998.8,"endTime":1001.4,"type":"part","title":"electronic traction control","url":"/glossary/electronic-traction-control","quote":"This is a very compact SUV, has a five speed manual slash automatic gearbox, electronic traction control, starting aid, hill descent control,","canonicalId":"part:electronic-traction-control","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Electronic traction control is a system that helps prevent wheel spin by automatically applying brakes or reducing engine power when it detects loss of traction. This improves vehicle stability, especially on slippery or uneven surfaces.","simplifiedExplanation":"Electronic traction control helps your car keep its grip on the road by stopping the wheels from spinning too much. This keeps you safer when driving on slippery roads."}},{"startTime":998.8,"endTime":1001.4,"type":"part","title":"ABS braking system","url":"/glossary/abs-braking-system","quote":"electronic traction control, starting aid, hill descent control, ABS breaking system, two rigid axles with manually swishable four by four drive","canonicalId":"part:abs-braking-system","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking, helping maintain steering control and reducing stopping distances on slippery surfaces.","simplifiedExplanation":"ABS helps stop your car safely by making sure the wheels don’t get stuck when you brake hard, so you can still steer."}},{"startTime":998.8,"endTime":1001.4,"type":"part","title":"hill descent control","url":"/glossary/hill-descent-control","quote":"This is a very compact SUV, has a five speed manual slash automatic gearbox, electronic traction control, starting aid, hill descent control,","canonicalId":"part:hill-descent-control","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Hill descent control is a system that automatically controls the vehicle's speed when driving down steep slopes. It applies braking as needed to maintain a safe and steady pace without driver input on the brake pedal.","simplifiedExplanation":"Hill descent control helps your car go down steep hills slowly and safely without you having to press the brakes all the time."}},{"startTime":1001.4,"endTime":1006.5,"type":"part","title":"two rigid axles with manually swishable four by four drive","url":"/glossary/two-rigid-axles-with-manually-swishable-four-by-four-drive","quote":"ABS breaking system, two rigid axles with manually swishable four by four drive and power steering vehicle has space for four people","canonicalId":"part:two-rigid-axles-with-manually-swishable-four-by-four-drive","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Rigid axles are solid beam axles that connect the wheels on each side, providing durability for off-road use. Manually switchable four-wheel drive allows the driver to engage or disengage four-wheel drive modes as needed for different terrain.","simplifiedExplanation":"Rigid axles are strong parts that hold the wheels together, good for rough roads. You can turn on four-wheel drive yourself to help the car drive better on dirt or rocks."}},{"startTime":1018.8,"endTime":1024.1,"type":"term","title":"off road tires","url":"/glossary/off-road-tires-35759e1d-012f-4bb1-a775-9174c6cafce1","quote":"The vehicle is equipped with off road tires rolling on 195 15 80s. Jimny all grip, which is kind of their all wheel drive.","canonicalId":"term:off-road-tires-35759e1d-012f-4bb1-a775-9174c6cafce1","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Off road tires are designed with deeper treads and stronger sidewalls to provide better traction and durability on unpaved surfaces like dirt, mud, and rocks.","simplifiedExplanation":"Off road tires are special tires that help your car drive better on rough or muddy roads because they grip the ground more."}},{"startTime":1034.6,"endTime":1037.5,"type":"term","title":"four wheel drive high and low","url":"/glossary/four-wheel-drive-high-and-low","quote":"You can switch it from two wheel drive to a four wheel drive high or four wheel drive low if you want to go rock climbing,","canonicalId":"term:four-wheel-drive-high-and-low","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Four wheel drive high (4H) is used for driving at normal speeds on slippery or rough roads, while four wheel drive low (4L) provides increased torque and traction at low speeds for challenging off-road conditions like rock climbing.","simplifiedExplanation":"Four wheel drive high helps the car drive on slippery roads at regular speeds. Four wheel drive low helps the car go slowly but with more power when climbing rocks or rough trails."}},{"startTime":1076.4,"endTime":1081.6,"type":"term","title":"Apple CarPlay","url":"/glossary/apple-carplay","quote":"...a about a seven inch touchscreen give or take and half inch or so, maybe closer to like a six and a half inch touchscreen in the middle. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is an absolute must.","canonicalId":"term:apple-carplay","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Apple CarPlay is a system that allows you to connect your iPhone to your car's infotainment system, enabling you to use apps, make calls, send messages, and listen to music through the car's touchscreen and controls.","simplifiedExplanation":"Apple CarPlay lets you use your iPhone safely while driving by showing apps and controls on the car's screen, so you can do things like make calls or listen to music more easily."}},{"startTime":1118.0,"endTime":1120.76,"type":"term","title":"horsepower","url":"/glossary/horsepower","quote":"...Well, you realize it's because this thing only has 105 horsepower.","canonicalId":"term:horsepower","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Horsepower is a unit of measurement that indicates the power output of an engine. It helps determine how fast and strong a vehicle's engine is, affecting acceleration and top speed.","simplifiedExplanation":"Horsepower tells you how powerful a car's engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster and accelerate quicker."}},{"startTime":1136.3,"endTime":1141.9,"type":"part","title":"A-pillars","url":"/glossary/a-pillars","quote":"\"And I got to tell you, at night, in a vehicle like this, the A-pillars are so thick, you can't really see through them. That's a major complaint.\"","canonicalId":"part:a-pillars","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A-pillars are the vertical supports on either side of a car's windshield. Thick A-pillars can create blind spots, reducing driver visibility, especially at night or in tight driving situations.","simplifiedExplanation":"A-pillars are the parts of the car frame that hold up the front windshield on both sides. If they are thick, they can block your view and make it harder to see around corners or at night."}},{"startTime":1151.7,"endTime":1163.2,"type":"part","title":"high intensity discharge bulbs","url":"/glossary/high-intensity-discharge-bulbs","quote":"\"It does not have HIDs. For the life of me, I do not understand why any vehicle made in 2026 does not come with high intensity discharge bulbs. Those incandescent ones suck.\"","canonicalId":"part:high-intensity-discharge-bulbs","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"High intensity discharge (HID) bulbs are a type of automotive headlight that produces brighter and more efficient light compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. They improve nighttime visibility and safety.","simplifiedExplanation":"HID bulbs are special car headlights that shine brighter and use less energy than regular bulbs. They help you see better when driving at night."}},{"startTime":1170.0,"endTime":1173.1,"type":"term","title":"AWD","url":"/glossary/all-wheel-drive","quote":"\"We actually used the AWD maybe once or twice. Otherwise, it just rained the whole time we were there...\"","canonicalId":"term:all-wheel-drive","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"AWD stands for All-Wheel Drive, a drivetrain system that powers all four wheels simultaneously to improve traction and handling, especially in slippery or off-road conditions.","simplifiedExplanation":"AWD means the car sends power to all four wheels at the same time. This helps the car grip the road better when it's wet or slippery."}},{"startTime":1272.9,"endTime":1277.9,"type":"term","title":"reverse camera","url":"/glossary/reverse-camera","quote":"The reverse camera was super basic. It felt like one of those aftermarket ones. It was adequate enough, but probably one of the worst ones I've ever seen.","canonicalId":"term:reverse-camera","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A reverse camera is a rear-facing camera that helps drivers see behind their vehicle when backing up. It improves safety by providing a clear view of obstacles or pedestrians.","simplifiedExplanation":"A reverse camera is a small camera on the back of a car that shows you what's behind when you are backing up, so you don't hit anything."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Jhae Pfenning","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/honda-kills-0-series-acura-rsx-evs-market-reality-check-hard-parking/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}