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OTOSOT 88

OTOSOT 88

Smith and Sniff Feb 06, 2026 33 min
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About this episode

A lively discussion unfolds as Richard and Johnny dive into songs that mention car brands, sharing their favorites and debating the merits of various tracks. From Oasis to Beyoncé, they explore how cars are woven into music culture, with humorous anecdotes about their own experiences. The conversation also touches on listener questions about European cars that could impress their Kiwi friends, leading to a nostalgic look back at iconic models. The episode is filled with banter, personal stories, and a unique blend of music and automotive passion.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Jaguar X Type
DieselFordMondeo (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Jaguar X Type

"...ather seats and a CD player, and it's probably a Jaguar X type, it got me thinking about other songs that drop ..."

The Jaguar X-Type is a small luxury car that looks nice and is comfortable to drive. It was made to appeal to more people, but some folks had mixed feelings about how well it performed.

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BMW 8 Series
Navigator84 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW 8 Series

"...given when that song came out, George Michael in our heads had an eight series,..."

The BMW 8 Series is a fancy car made by BMW that is designed for comfortable long drives. It has a stylish look and is known for being powerful and luxurious.

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Brand

Buick

"Oh, Buicks and Datsons. Yeah, shiny Datsons and Buicks."

Buick is a car brand from America that makes cars known for being comfortable and a bit luxurious. They have been around for a long time and are part of General Motors.

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Chevrolet Corvette
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"I'm not sure. Oh, Prince Little Red Corvette, of course. Oh, yes."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a famous sports car from America that looks really cool and goes super fast. It's been around for a long time and is loved by many car fans for its style and performance.

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Citroen 2CV
Krzysztof Golik (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Citroen 2CV

"... It's not a car brand, but there's a song called 2CV by Lloyd Cole. And it starts with, she drove her..."

The Citroen 2CV is a very simple and cute little car from France that was made for many years. It's famous for being affordable and easy to drive, and many people love its unique look.

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Citroën 2CV
Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Citroën 2CV

"...there's a song called 2CV by Lloyd Cole."

The Citroën 2CV is a small, simple car from France that many people love. It was made for a long time and is known for being easy to drive and very economical.

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Term

fuel injection

"So they did lots of other things about fuel injected Corvettes and stuff like that."

Fuel injection is a way to get fuel into a car's engine. It's more modern than older systems and helps the car run better and use less fuel.

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Land Rover Range Rover
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...ver. Yes, where they're obviously referring to a Range Rover or they think they're obviously referring to a R..."

The Land Rover Range Rover is a fancy SUV that can drive on rough roads and still feel comfortable inside. People like it because it looks nice and can handle tough conditions while also being a luxury vehicle.

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Ford Everest
Ethan Llamas (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Everest

"...where the Ranger, Everest and Land Cruisers roam so free. I work as a Ford main dealer..."

The Ford Everest is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) that can carry more people and is good for both city and off-road driving. It's often used by families.

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Toyota Land Cruiser
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Toyota Land Cruiser

"...where the Ranger, Everest and Land Cruisers roam so free. I work as a Ford main dealer..."

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a big SUV that is very strong and can drive on tough roads. Many people trust it for long trips and off-road adventures.

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Ford Ranger
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Ranger

"...where the Ranger, Everest and Land Cruisers roam so free. I work as a Ford main dealer..."

The Ford Ranger is a type of pickup truck that is good for carrying things and driving on rough roads. It's popular in many places, including New Zealand.

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Brand

Peugeot

"...the cars that we had and loved growing up with, such as Renault's, Peugeot's, Alfa's..."

Peugeot is another car company from France that makes different kinds of cars. They are known for their good-looking cars that are also economical to drive.

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Brand

Alfa Romeo

"...the cars that we had and loved growing up with, such as Renault's, Peugeot's, Alfa's..."

Alfa Romeo is an Italian car brand that makes stylish and sporty cars. They are often loved by people who enjoy driving and appreciate good design.

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Brand

Renault

"...the cars that we had and loved growing up with, such as Renault's, Peugeot's, Alfa's..."

Renault is a car company from France that makes different types of cars, including small cars and vans. They are known for being stylish and affordable.

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Car

Renault Mégane R26

"I'm going to just go straight out there, whether it's too late or not, I don't know. Renault-Morgan R26 or R26R, please. Yes. Because it remains my favourite hot hatch of all time."

The Renault Mégane R26 is a sporty version of a regular hatchback car. It's known for being fast and fun to drive, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.

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Peugeot 106 Rally
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Peugeot 106 Rally

"Yes, for some reason I suddenly thought 106 Rally. I mean, yeah, 106 Rally because it's very, very small and heavy and a small engine."

The Peugeot 106 Rally is a small car that was designed for racing. It's light and quick, making it fun to drive, especially on twisty roads.

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Commodore
NZ Car Freak (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Commodore

"...the opposite of a Commodore with a V8 in it or something like that..."

The Commodore is a big car from Australia, often with a strong V8 engine. It's known for being roomy and good for families, but also for speed.

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Vauxhall Zafira VXR
DieselFordMondeo (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Vauxhall Zafira VXR

"What about a Vauxhall Zafira VXR with a really vapy remap?"

The Vauxhall Zafira VXR is a sportier version of a family car called the Zafira. It's designed to be faster and more fun to drive than the regular version.

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Vauxhall VX220
Handelsgeselschaft (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Vauxhall VX220

"So what about a Vauxhall VX220? Yes. Because obviously, it's a good idea."

The Vauxhall VX220 is a small sports car that is fun to drive and very light. It shares some parts with another car called the Lotus Elise, which is also known for being sporty.

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Lotus VX220 Turbo
Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Lotus VX220 Turbo

"...the Turbo VX220 was, I think, quicker than any Lotus iteration. In my own words, it was bastard fast and quite a hard car to better for the cash."

The Lotus VX220 Turbo is a small sports car that is very light and fast. It has a turbocharged engine, which means it can go faster than regular engines of the same size.

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Ford Focus Rs
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Focus Rs

"Did Australia and New Zealand get the Ford Focus RS or Five Pot ST?"

The Ford Focus RS is a sportier version of the regular Ford Focus. It's built for speed and has features that make it fun to drive, like a powerful engine and all-wheel drive.

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Car

Austin Metro HLE Mark I

"And my recently purchased Opeline Green Austin Metro HLE Mark I. Is it Opeline or Opeline?"

The Austin Metro HLE Mark I is a small car made by the Austin brand. It was designed to be economical and easy to drive, especially in cities.

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Part

brake lines

"I mean, the obvious ones for me are fuel lines and brake lines. I mean, check and replace."

Brake lines are tubes that carry brake fluid to the brakes, allowing your car to stop. Older cars may have rusty or worn brake lines that need to be checked and replaced.

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Part

fuel lines

"I mean, the obvious ones for me are fuel lines and brake lines. I mean, check and replace."

Fuel lines are pipes that carry fuel from the gas tank to the engine. In older cars, these pipes can wear out and need to be replaced to avoid problems.

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Term

fire extinguisher

"I would also say it's essential to carry a fire extinguisher of some sort. I know I sound like a right dad..."

A fire extinguisher is a tool that helps put out fires. It's important to have one in your car, especially older ones, to stay safe in case of an emergency.

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Metro Turbo
Ryanandlenny (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Metro Turbo

"I've got a solid lead on getting hold of some OEM coolant hoses for my Metro Turbo because"

The Geo Metro Turbo is a small car that is designed to be very fuel-efficient. The Turbo version has a more powerful engine, making it faster than the regular models.

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Part

OEM coolant hoses

"I've got a solid lead on getting hold of some OEM coolant hoses for my Metro Turbo because"

OEM coolant hoses are the original parts made for a car to carry coolant. They help keep the engine cool and prevent overheating.

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Term

tires

"And yeah, I would say that also includes tires. Don't muck around with tires if they're a bit old."

Tires are the round rubber parts that help a car move and grip the road. If they get too old or worn out, they can be dangerous to drive on.

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Term

discs and pads

"...to get decent, the best kind of discs and pads you can get for that car. So not going as far as going bigger calipers or anything that heavy duty, but buying the bittiest pad and the best disc because old brakes are notoriously sketchy..."

Discs are the round metal parts that help stop the car when you press the brake pedal, and pads are the pieces that press against the discs to create friction. Better quality discs and pads can help your car stop more safely and effectively.

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Car

Citroën Saxo

"So we went out and bought a 1.1 liter Citroën Saxo. After fabricating a sump guard, we went to compete in the Exeter Trial."

The Citroën Saxo is a small car that was made in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It's known for being fun to drive and is often used in racing events.

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Car

Citroen Saxo

"...ry trials. So we went out and bought a 1.1 liter Citroen Saxo. After fabricating a sump guard, we went to comp..."

The Citroen Saxo is a small, four-door car that is easy to drive and park. It's known for being affordable and great for getting around town.

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BMW 325
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW 325

"...thoughts. Mini R53 or Jaguar XJ308 spec or a BMW 325 Ti. Basically, it needs to be interesting and ch..."

The BMW 3 Series is a small luxury car that is fun to drive and has lots of nice features. It's popular because it works well for both daily driving and sporty adventures.

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BMW 325 Ti
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW 325 Ti

"because I think that suggestion of a BMW 325 Ti, so that's the compact, isn't the Ti, they're really nice."

The BMW 325 Ti is a small car that is part of the 3 Series lineup, designed for sporty driving. It's known for being fun to drive, especially because it has rear-wheel drive.

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Audi A8
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Audi A8

"I just watched... Audi A8. Top-dead Centres video of the cheap Clio they b..."

The Audi A8 is a big, fancy car that is very comfortable and packed with cool technology. People like it because it feels luxurious and drives smoothly.

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Lexus GS
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Lexus GS

"...final answer, I'm going to go Lexus GS because why not?"

The Lexus GS is a comfortable and stylish luxury car. It's known for being reliable and has different versions that have gotten better over the years.

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BMW E61
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW E61

"... tragic, he's put. I currently run a 2008 Beamer E61 530i touring and a 2004 E64 645CI. I bought the ..."

The BMW 5 Series is a bigger luxury car that is comfortable and has lots of tech features. It's great for families and people who want a nice car that drives well.

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BMW E64
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW E64

"...tly run a 2008 Beamer E61 530i touring and a 2004 E64 645CI. I bought the touring six years ago."

The BMW 6 Series is a stylish and comfortable car that is great for long drives. It's designed to look good and perform well, making it a favorite for those who enjoy a sporty ride.

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BMW M6
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M6

"Oh, yes. The M6 version was devastatingly quick for its time. I ..."

The BMW M6 is a really fast and sporty version of the BMW 6 Series that also feels luxurious inside. It's popular because it offers a thrilling driving experience while still being comfortable.

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BMW Z4
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW Z4

"...ver saw that, I guess he still did. I'm thinking Z4, but I don't think that fits any of the criteria ..."

The BMW Z4 is a small, sporty car that you can drive with the top down. It's designed to be fun to drive and looks really stylish, making it a popular choice for people who like sporty cars.

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BMW Z3
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW Z3

"...ally get a great deal of mentions compared to the Z3, you know, the clown's shoe. But the Z4M, whethe..."

The BMW Z3 is a small, two-seater car that you can drive with the top down. It's known for being fun and sporty, and many people love it for its unique look.

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BMW M3
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M3

"...angalay designs. I don't like the look of the V8 M3 that he did. Was it the E90?"

The BMW M3 is a super sporty version of the regular BMW 3 Series that goes really fast and handles well. It's popular among car enthusiasts because it’s fun to drive and looks great.

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Alpina Z8
Mr.choppers (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Alpina Z8

"... go. Why doesn't he buy a completely crashed BMW Z8? Because that might fit his budget."

The Alpina Z8 is a special version of the BMW Z8 that has been upgraded to be even faster and fancier. It's a rare car that many collectors want because of its unique features.

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Bmw Z8
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Bmw Z8

"...e we go. Why doesn't he buy a completely crashed BMW Z8? Because that might fit his budget."

The BMW Z8 is a beautiful sports car that looks like a classic but has modern features. It's very powerful and special, which is why many people want to own one.

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Rolls-Royce Phantom
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Rolls-Royce Phantom

"...echnically, he was in charge when the Rolls-Royce Phantom was signed off. And I mean, if Brett wanted some..."

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is an extremely luxurious car that is very expensive and made with the finest materials. It's known for being super comfortable and is often seen as a sign of great wealth.

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