I LOVE THE US - Edgar Millan: Patriotism, EVs, Batman & Right to Repair | EP332
About this episode
Jhae Pfenning celebrates the Fourth of July weekend with Edgar Millan of the Arizona Adventure Crew. Millan shares his unique perspective as a Colombian immigrant on American patriotism, opportunity, and community building. The duo also dives into the latest automotive headlines, including a presidential memorandum on the Right to Repair, the viral "Mexican Batman" targeting motorcycle thieves, and the chaotic opening of the new Arizona Buc-ee's. It's a candid conversation blending car culture, current events, and personal stories of freedom.
EP 332: Edgar Millan on Patriotism, EVs, Batman Vigilante & Right to Repair
Jhae Pfenning starts with thoughts on declining American pride per Gallup, the "Mexican Batman" story, Trump's vehicle repair memo, and LeBron news. He welcomes friend Edgar Millan (OneAuto Movement, Arizona Adventure Group) for conversations on 4th of July meaning to immigrant families, EV road tripping, and community life.
Authentic, conversational episode full of gratitude, real talk, and car-adjacent insights.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 Intro & Sponsors
- 00:30 4th of July & Gallup Poll
- 09:00 Mexican Batman Vigilante
- 13:00 Trump Right to Repair Memo
- 22:00 Edgar Millan Joins
- 32:00 Holiday Reflections & Immigration
- 40:00 EV Experiences & Road Trips
- 55:00 Arizona Adventure Group & OneAuto
- 1:00:00 Wrap-Up
Guest: Edgar Millan (@AZ_M3who on Instagram - recently updated)
Links: Gallup: https://news.gallup.com/poll/692150/american-pride-slips-new-low.aspx Batman Vigilante: https://www.visordown.com/news/mexican-batman-cleans-streets-duct-taping-bike-thieves-lampposts Trump Memo: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/lowering-the-cost-of-living-by-promoting-the-freedom-to-fix/
Contact: [email protected] | www.hardparking.com | Patreon: patreon.com/hardparkingpodcast
Follow: @hardparkingpod (IG) | @HardParking (YouTube) | @hard.parking.jhae (TikTok)
Sponsors: Right Honda, Right Toyota, Arcus Foundry, Autocannon
Right to Repair
"There was a video of our current President Donald Trump signing a right to fix your own vehicle thing... It's a presidential memorandum, not full executive order signed by President Trump on June 29th aimed at expanding Americans freedom to fix their own vehicles..."
A movement that fights to make sure you can fix your own car—or take it to any local mechanic you trust—instead of being forced to go to an expensive dealership because they are the only ones with the secret software codes and tools.
A consumer rights movement advocating for the legal right of vehicle owners and independent mechanics to access the same diagnostic tools, repair manuals, and software codes as dealership service centers. In the automotive sector, this often centers around access to telematics data and onboard diagnostic systems.
CARB
"...including heavy reliance on California's carbs processes, you know, everything you buy says this, except for California."
A powerful government agency in California that sets very strict rules on car pollution. If you want to buy certain engine parts or upgrades, they often have to be officially approved by this group first.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is California's clean air agency. It sets its own strict vehicle emissions standards that are often adopted by other states, requiring aftermarket parts manufacturers to obtain specific certifications (CARB Executive Orders) to sell their products legally in California.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...hows and people have a question about a Chevrolet Corvette and they're to answer those questions, you know, ..."
The Corvette is a famous two-seat sports car made by Chevrolet. It is designed to go very fast, look sleek, and sound powerful. Unlike most regular cars, the newest version has its engine placed behind the seats instead of under the front hood, which helps it grip the road better.
The Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car known for delivering high performance that rivals exotic European supercars at a fraction of the price. The current eighth-generation (C8) model represents a historic shift for the brand by moving the engine from the front of the car to the middle, drastically improving its handling and acceleration. It is a frequent topic of discussion due to its impressive engineering, everyday usability, and massive enthusiast following.
BMW M2
"So let's talk about your cars right now. So you have the, what color is the blue? What's the technical term? Like Zendorf blue or something like that. M2. Yeah. You know, when did you guys get that and why?"
A small, very fast two-door sports car made by BMW. It is loved by driving enthusiasts because it is incredibly powerful, handles curves like a race car, and can still be bought with a manual stick-shift transmission.
The BMW M2 is a high-performance compact coupe powered by a twin-turbocharged S58 inline-six engine sending power to the rear wheels. It is highly regarded by enthusiasts for retaining a manual transmission option and offering traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive dynamics in a modern, tech-heavy package.
BMW M240I
"...years that we've had it. Before that, we had that M240i X drive 24. We've always talked about getting lik..."
The 2 Series is a small, upscale car made by BMW, usually available as a two-door coupe. It is designed for drivers who want a luxury vehicle that is small, easy to park, and fun to drive on twisty roads.
The BMW 2 Series is a line of compact premium cars, most notably recognized in its two-door coupe form (G42 generation) which emphasizes traditional rear-wheel-drive dynamics. Models like the M240i xDrive offer a compelling blend of daily comfort, modern technology, and serious performance from a turbocharged inline-six engine. It serves as an entry point into BMW's sporty driving lineup.
BMW M240i xDrive
"Before that, we had that M240i X drive 24. We've always talked about getting like a real M car. Just that was been one of my extremes to have a BMW, but another one is like to have an actual M car."
A quick, all-wheel-drive luxury coupe from BMW. It uses a highly praised six-cylinder engine that makes it very fast in everyday driving, even in wet or slippery conditions.
The BMW M240i xDrive is a performance-oriented version of the 2 Series coupe, utilizing a turbocharged B58 3.0-liter inline-six engine and an all-wheel-drive system. While not a full 'M' car, it offers near-supercar acceleration and daily-driver usability.
BMW iX
"But we drove something different over here today. Yeah. EV, IX4. Yeah. Tell us about that. We love it. It's nice."
A large, luxury electric SUV made by BMW. It runs entirely on battery power, has a very quiet and spacious cabin, and is packed with high-tech screens and self-driving features.
The BMW iX is a mid-size luxury electric SUV featuring dual electric motors and standard all-wheel drive. It serves as BMW's technological flagship, showcasing advanced carbon-fiber reinforced plastic construction and a highly futuristic interior design.
Nissan Pathfinder
"...0 to maybe $240 a week that I was spending on our Pathfinder, where now we're spending maybe like $90 a month,..."
The Pathfinder is a large family SUV made by Nissan that has three rows of seats to carry up to eight people. It is built for everyday tasks like driving kids to school, hauling groceries, and going on family road trips.
The Nissan Pathfinder is a mid-size three-row SUV designed for families, offering a balance of passenger space, towing capability, and modern technology. The fifth-generation model, introduced for the 2022 model year, ditched the previous generation's continuously variable transmission (CVT) in favor of a traditional 9-speed automatic, greatly improving its driving dynamics and rugged appeal. It is often discussed in the context of family road trips and daily commuting costs.
Acura MDX
"We almost ran out of gas this last weekend too, by the way, because I drove, we drove the MDX, so that you're thinking about not having to worry about that. Just reminding me, you wake up in the morning with a fuel charge, a full charge. So we drive, you know, the MDX and those MDX's are like, they're kind of gas guzzlers."
A popular, premium three-row family SUV made by Honda's luxury brand, Acura. It is spacious and reliable, though it can use a lot of gasoline compared to newer hybrid models.
The Acura MDX is a mid-size three-row luxury crossover SUV powered by a V6 engine. It is known for its comfortable ride, family-friendly packaging, and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.
Chevrolet Volt
"... one point, we had two of them because there's 12 volt behind the driver and passenger seat. Yeah. In th..."
The Volt is a hatchback car made by Chevrolet that runs on electricity for short trips and has a backup gasoline engine that turns on to keep you going when the battery runs out. This design allows drivers to do most of their daily driving without using any gasoline at all.
The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid compact car produced across two generations from 2011 to 2019. Unlike traditional hybrids, the Volt operates primarily as an electric vehicle until its battery is depleted, at which point a gasoline engine kicks in to generate electricity and extend the driving range. It remains a popular used car choice for commuters looking to minimize gasoline consumption without the range anxiety of a pure electric vehicle.
Acura NSX
"...lly, but I've never really tested the car. In the NSX, if you hit zero, I told a story about it before...."
The NSX is a high-tech, expensive sports car made by Acura, which is the luxury division of Honda. It uses a combination of a traditional gasoline engine and electric motors to go very fast while remaining easy and comfortable to drive every day.
The Acura NSX is a legendary mid-engine sports car, with its second generation (produced from 2016 to 2022) featuring a highly advanced hybrid powertrain. It combines a twin-turbocharged V6 engine with three electric motors and an all-wheel-drive system to deliver instant acceleration and precise handling. It is celebrated for bringing supercar performance together with Acura's signature daily drivability and reliability.
Challenger Hellcat
"...lt big, you know, it's like you're driving like a Hellcat compared to like a M2 or you know, it's like you ..."
The Challenger is a large, retro-looking two-door car made by Dodge. It is famous for having very large, loud gasoline engines and is designed to go very fast in a straight line rather than taking sharp turns.
The Dodge Challenger is a classic American muscle car celebrated for its retro styling, spacious cabin, and powerful engine options, culminating in the supercharged Hellcat variants. Unlike its more agile sports car competitors, the Challenger is a large, heavy coupe built for straight-line speed, highway cruising, and dramatic tire-smoking acceleration. Production of the gas-powered generation ended recently, cementing its status as a modern collectible.
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