McLaren's Entry Level Car Costs $255,000?!
About this episode
The crew kicks off with springtime “rebirth” stories—how adding small accessories (Bronco tire covers, Rivian mounts, recovery gear) can make an old vehicle feel brand new, plus a few laughs about neighborhood antics and Tiger Woods’ latest rollover. The main car segment is the McLaren Artura: an “entry-level” McLaren that starts around $255k but climbs with options, using a twin-turbo V6 hybrid setup. They debate whether it’s a great supercar or just another superlative in a crowded class, then pivot to Jay Leno’s classic-car smog bill, Porsche value talk, and a wild Reacher/Waymo controversy discussion.
one new element makes it feel like you have a new car
"Johnny, though, before the show, you and I were talking about this automotive phenomena [46.7s] that you and I are both experiencing simultaneously with our vehicles... [54.0s] and how the addition of one new element makes it feel like you have a new car."
This is about the psychological effect of personalization: adding a single new accessory or modification can change how the car feels and looks, creating a “new car” sensation. It’s especially common with exterior mods (like wheels, covers, or trim) because they’re immediately visible every time you use the vehicle.
Ford Bronco
"And here's mine right here. This is the Bronco. See on the back there?"
The Ford Bronco is a type of SUV made to handle rough roads and off-road trails. People talk about it a lot because it’s designed to be tough and capable. It also has a distinctive look, so it’s easy to point out when someone shows theirs.
The Ford Bronco is a rugged SUV built for off-road driving, with a focus on durability and capability. It often comes up in conversations because it represents a modern take on classic off-road styling and practicality. In a podcast, it’s a natural topic when someone is showing their own vehicle or talking about what they use it for.
rear view camera
"Well, you have to, you have to slip it on. There's that rear view camera right over the Bronco. You can't see it."
A rear view camera shows what’s behind the car on a screen. If something you install covers the camera, you can’t see as well when backing up.
A rear view camera helps drivers see behind the vehicle, especially when backing out of tight spots. If an accessory blocks or interferes with the camera’s mounting area, it can reduce visibility and make the install more frustrating.
phone mount
"So I ordered, I got some like, I got a phone mount and a iPad mount for the Rivian."
A phone mount is a holder that keeps your phone in place. In a car, it’s often used for navigation or filming, and it can take some trial-and-error to install.
A phone mount is an accessory that holds a smartphone securely in a fixed position, usually for hands-free use. In-car mounts are common for filming, navigation, and driving-related workflows, but installation can be fiddly depending on the vehicle’s interior surfaces.
iPad mount
"So I ordered, I got some like, I got a phone mount and a iPad mount for the Rivian. Cause we use it for, for filming my YouTube stuff."
An iPad mount is a bracket or stand that secures a tablet (here, an iPad) in a vehicle. Tablet mounts are often used for filming setups, dashboards, or reference screens, and can require careful placement to avoid interfering with controls or visibility.
all original / never been apart
"And we know this car is all original. It's never been apart. 56,000 miles in 60 years."
“All original” and “never been apart” are big deal terms in classic-car circles. They suggest the car’s major components haven’t been disassembled for restoration, which can matter for authenticity, originality, and collector value.
low mileage (56,000 miles in 60 years)
"It's never been apart. 56,000 miles in 60 years. And I always thought it ran great."
They’re pointing out the car has very low mileage for its age. That usually means less wear from driving, but it’s still important to check maintenance and storage because old cars can have issues from sitting.
The speaker highlights “56,000 miles in 60 years,” which is extremely low usage for a car that old. Low mileage can be a positive for wear, but it can also raise questions about how the car was stored and maintained (e.g., rubber aging, fluids, and corrosion).
hesitations
"[219.1s] You know, a little hesitations, a little, little, little idiosyncrasies. [223.6s] The minute it came off the truck, I drove it to the garage and I said, brand new car. [228.1s] Wow."
Hesitation means the car feels like it “thinks” for a moment before it accelerates. It can happen when the fuel/air delivery isn’t quite right.
Hesitation is when the engine doesn’t respond immediately to throttle input, often feeling like a brief pause before power comes in. Common causes include fuel delivery issues, carburetor tuning problems, vacuum leaks, or worn linkage.
carburetors
"[228.5s] Brand new car. [229.5s] He fettled the carburetors. [231.6s] He, he, some of the shift linkage and the throttle linkage was a little rotty and stretchy and"
Carburetors are how an older-style engine mixes fuel and air. If they’re not adjusted right, the car can feel a little off, like it hesitates when you press the gas.
Carburetors are devices that mix air and fuel before it enters the engine. If they’re not tuned correctly, you can get hesitation, rough running, or inconsistent throttle response.
shift linkage
"[229.5s] He fettled the carburetors. [231.6s] He, he, some of the shift linkage and the throttle linkage was a little rotty and stretchy and [238.6s] it's so perfect."
Shift linkage is the set of parts that connects your gear shifter to the transmission. If it’s loose or worn out, the car may not shift smoothly.
Shift linkage is the mechanical connection between the gear selector and the transmission. When it’s worn or misadjusted, shifting can feel sloppy, delayed, or difficult to engage.
petrol
"I put some petrol in it. Petrol is very, petrol is very expensive."
“Petrol” just means gasoline. They’re saying it costs a lot, which affects how expensive it is to drive.
“Petrol” is gasoline, and the speaker notes it’s expensive—highlighting real-world running costs. In car discussions, fuel type and local fuel prices can strongly affect total ownership cost, especially for high-performance or low-efficiency vehicles.
winch
"It's something, weird psychological thing, because I got a new, don't even ask, I have a tree strap for the Rivian, you know, if you're going to winch, what does that mean?"
A winch is like a heavy-duty puller with a cable. People use it to pull their car out when it gets stuck, especially off-road.
A winch is a powered cable system used to pull a vehicle out of mud, snow, or a ditch. It’s often paired with a recovery strap and used with proper anchoring to avoid cable snap-back hazards.
tree straps
"they're like, you should have two tree straps. And I go, yeah, what if you have to go off another tree?"
Tree straps are wide, protective straps used as anchor points around trees during vehicle recovery. They spread load and reduce damage to the tree and the strap compared with using narrower or harder materials.
traction boards
"And then I got another set of traction boards. Don't ask. Don't need them."
Traction boards (often called recovery boards) are placed under a tire to improve grip when the vehicle is stuck in mud, sand, or snow. They’re typically used with a slow, controlled drive or winch pull to get the tires back on solid ground.
accessories
"Vin 5,020. Getting accessories. That's what we're doing."
Accessories are extra items you add to a car after (or along with) buying it. They can be for looks, convenience, or protection.
“Accessories” are aftermarket or dealer-installed add-ons that aren’t part of the base vehicle. Examples can include appearance items, storage, lighting, protection packages, and performance add-ons.
Volcano Yellow MSO
"It's called Volcano Yellow MSO. But this is not the best looking McLaren."
Volcano Yellow is a named paint color. “MSO” means McLaren’s customization program, so this kind of option is usually extra-cost compared to standard paint.
“Volcano Yellow” is a specific paint color, and “MSO” refers to McLaren Special Operations, the division that handles bespoke options and customizations. This matters because special paint and tailored specs can significantly raise the final price beyond the base MSRP.
base price
"What is an entry level McLaren cost when they say? 255 base price. Everything costs 286 even."
Base price is the starting sticker price before you add extras. They’re saying the final number ends up higher than the headline amount.
Base price is the starting MSRP before options, destination, taxes, and dealer-related add-ons. In this segment, the base figure is contrasted with a higher “everything costs” number, illustrating how real-world pricing differs from the headline.
total system output
"I think it's 691 horse, uh, total system output."
Total system output means the combined power from the gas engine and the electric motor together. It’s the overall “how much power the car can make” number.
“Total system output” is the combined power from all power sources in a hybrid (engine + electric motor(s)). It’s a key metric because it reflects what the car can deliver as a complete system, not just the engine alone.
full electric
"...you can run around in full electric for about 12 miles, something like that. So, and it starts up always in full electric."
Full electric means the car can drive using electricity alone. The range you get can vary, but it’s how far you can go before the gas engine needs to help.
“Full electric” means the car can propel itself using only the electric motor(s), without the internal combustion engine providing drive. The speaker also mentions an estimated electric-only range, which depends on battery capacity and driving conditions.
exhaust melted
"We, we had a standard mount. We had a GoPro, uh, you know, pointed at the exhaust melted, like literally just melted"
They pointed a camera at the exhaust and it got so hot that it melted. It’s basically a dramatic example of how hot the exhaust area gets.
The speaker describes a GoPro pointed at the exhaust that “melted” due to extreme temperatures. This is an anecdotal way to illustrate heat levels and can also hint at how close accessories/components may be to hot exhaust surfaces.
GoPro
"the GoPro. And we did this on every car. I'm saying the GoPro cases here."
GoPro is a small camera brand that records video. People mount them on cars to film what’s happening while driving or to show details like how things look from different angles.
GoPro is an action-camera brand commonly used to record driving footage. In car videos, people often mount it in or on the car to capture angles that show airflow, heat, and vibration effects.
McGuire's
"McGuire's at its core is undoubtedly about passion, passion for developing the best possible surface care products, including auto, marine and RV... join the global community of people who genuinely love their cars and reflect their passion using McGuire's."
McGuire’s is a company that makes products people use to clean and protect their cars. They sell things like wax and polish to help the paint look good and stay protected.
McGuire's (often spelled “Meguiar’s”) is a well-known detailing brand that makes car-care products like waxes, polishes, and surface cleaners. In this segment, they’re framed as a company built around “surface care” and enthusiast relationships.
Porsche
"Go check out Porsche Platica at Porsche dash Platica dot com."
Porsche is a German company that makes high-performance sports cars. Here, they’re mentioning a Porsche-related event or website you can check out.
Porsche is a German sports-car brand known for performance-focused engineering and a wide lineup from everyday sports cars to track-focused models. In this segment, it’s referenced in the context of an event/website tied to Porsche.
Jay Leno
"[1861.0s] Jay Leno's classic car emission exemption bill is back. [1863.9s] Yes. [1869.1s] Apparently, so as you know, Jay wanted to eliminate smog tests for classic cars."
Jay Leno is a famous car guy. In this story, he’s connected to a proposed law that would make it easier for classic cars to avoid emissions testing.
Jay Leno is a well-known automotive celebrity and car collector who has been involved in policy discussions affecting classic cars. In this segment, he’s tied to a bill aimed at changing emissions testing requirements for classic vehicles.
Race Deck
"OK, yeah. Let's talk about our friends at Race Deck. Race Deck, our longest running sponsor on Spikes Car Radio."
Race Deck is a company that makes garage/hangar storage products, especially flooring. The host is praising them as a sponsor and talking about using their products.
Race Deck is an aftermarket brand known for garage flooring systems and related storage products. The sponsor segment highlights how their products are used in a hangar/garage setting.
private jet
"Fire. Anyway, take me to the aircraft as a private jet card company built for people who care about efficiency control and how things actually work."
A private jet is like flying on your own plane instead of a regular airline. It’s usually for people who want more control over timing and privacy.
A private jet is an aircraft chartered or owned for personal or business travel, rather than using commercial airline schedules. In car-podcast contexts, it usually signals a luxury/efficiency brand pitch rather than anything mechanical about cars.
Indy
"I'm going to be there for three days and I'm headed to Indy this year as well. Oh, yeah. I'll tell you more about that soon."
“Indy” is shorthand for the big Indianapolis race. It’s one of the biggest events in U.S. racing, so people travel there and talk about it a lot.
“Indy” almost certainly refers to the Indianapolis 500 (often shortened to “Indy”), one of the most famous races in American motorsport. It’s a major event that influences how brands and teams market performance and engineering.
money laundering
"So we suspected for quite some time that that money laundering has moved into the car space. And now I think it's moving into the watch space here."
Money laundering is when criminals try to hide where their money really came from. They use fake business activity so the money looks legal.
Money laundering is the process of making illegally obtained money look legitimate. In the context of luxury goods, criminals may use businesses or transactions to “clean” proceeds so they appear to come from normal sales.
Waymo
"Oh, yeah. And also in the news, of course, our friends at Waymo. [2859.9s] This is for Zuckerman to look at."
Waymo is a company that builds and runs driverless cars. They’re often in the news because their cars can drive themselves in certain places.
Waymo is Google’s self-driving car company, known for operating autonomous vehicles in select cities. In the context of this segment, it’s mentioned as part of the “news” backdrop rather than a specific technical topic.
cool down lap
"But let's stick around. Let's talk it. Let's do a cool down lap. And we'll tell you everything we were chatting about."
A “cool down lap” is a short, gentle drive after spirited driving to let engine and brake temperatures come down gradually. It helps reduce heat soak and can improve brake longevity, especially after repeated hard stops.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.