0:00 / 0:00
Radwood Recap - What To Look Out For When Buying & Selling A Car Sight Unseen

Radwood Recap - What To Look Out For When Buying & Selling A Car Sight Unseen

Analog and Grit Podcast Oct 29, 2025 58 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

Radwood's recent event sparked a lively discussion about the charm of ordinary cars from the 80s and 90s, with hosts Victor, Dylan, and Ed sharing their favorite finds. They dive into tips for buying and selling cars sight unseen, emphasizing the importance of low mileage and stock condition. The conversation also explores the nuances of auction platforms like Bring a Trailer and Cars & Bids, including the pitfalls of modified cars and the significance of vehicle history. Insights on market trends for classic vehicles, particularly JDM and OBS trucks, round out this informative episode.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Nissan Maxima

"Yeah. That Maxima was like, I think a mid 90s Maxima that everyone ..."

The Nissan Maxima is a big car that’s comfortable to drive and has a lot of nice features. People like it because it’s reliable and good for everyday use.

Concept

Radwood

"But then it reminded me like, you know what? This is, this is a car that's perfect for Radwood. You know, it's, you know, clearly not a car that like people aspire to own one day. Radwood kind of celebrates the ordinary cars like you just said."

Radwood is a car event that showcases cars from the 1980s and 1990s. It highlights regular cars that people might have owned or seen when they were younger, making it a fun trip down memory lane.

Car

Chevy Lumina

"And I think it was parked next to a Chevy Lumina. It was also parked, you know, just cars that like you didn't even look twice at growing up."

The Chevy Lumina is a family car that was popular in the 1990s. It was known for being roomy and comfortable, making it a common choice for families.

Car

Ford Capri

"...away that caught my attention is it was a Mercury Capri RS, which was basically the Fox body generation ..."

The Ford Capri is an old sporty car that people remember fondly. It’s known for its stylish look and fun driving experience.

Car

Mercury Capri RS Turbo

"There was one that really comes to mind right away that caught my attention is it was a Mercury Capri RS, which was basically the Fox body generation of the Mercury Capri. This one was the RS Turbo."

The Mercury Capri RS Turbo is a small, sporty car from the 1990s that had a turbo engine and was fun to drive.

Term

Fox Body

"which was basically the Fox body generation of the Mercury Capri."

The Fox Body is a type of car design used by Ford for models like the Mustang in the 1980s and early 1990s, known for being light and fast.

Term

turbo

"I think it's like a 1.4 1.8 liter turbo from the 90s."

A turbo is a part that helps a car's engine get more air, which makes it more powerful and faster.

Term

five speed manual

"This one was the RS Turbo. So it's a five speed manual."

A five-speed manual means the driver has to change gears by hand, and there are five different gears to choose from.

Car

Mazda Miata

"I couldn't figure out that it was a Capri, you know, because the Mercury Capri ended up becoming like the Miata car, right?"

The Mazda Miata is a small, two-seat sports car that is known for being fun to drive. It's popular among people who enjoy driving and is often seen as an affordable option.

Car

Mercury XR4 Ti

"I know Mercury had the XR4 Ti."

The Mercury XR4 Ti is a sporty car made by the Mercury brand in the 1980s. It had a turbo engine and was designed to be fun to drive.

Term

front wheel drive

"That's front wheel drive. Yeah."

Front wheel drive means that the car's engine powers the front wheels. This setup can help the car handle better in bad weather and gives more room inside the car.

Car

Ford Mustang

"It looked like a Mustang competitor, right?"

The Ford Mustang is a popular sports car that has been around for a long time. It's known for being fast and stylish, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.

Mercury Colony Park
Car

Mercury Colony Park

"There was like a Mercury Colony Park there that was cool. So that was one that stood out to me."

The Mercury Colony Park is a large station wagon that was made by the Mercury brand, which is part of Ford. It was popular for being roomy and comfortable, especially for families.

Car

Mitsubishi Starion

"my buddy brought his Mitsubishi Starion and they asked him to park it at the Hagerty booth, which was cool."

The Mitsubishi Starion is a sporty car from the 1980s that many car fans love. It's known for being fast and having a unique look.

Concept

showroom condition

"A lot of the cars that stood out to me there at Radwood were like those old forgettable cars that were just kept in showroom condition."

When someone says a car is in 'showroom condition', it means the car looks brand new and is very well taken care of, just like it would look if you saw it in a car dealership.

Car

Eagle Talon

"...t I really like couldn't stop looking at was the Talon TSI. Oh yeah, the black one."

The Eagle Talon is a sporty little car from the 90s that’s known for being fast and fun to drive. It’s similar to another car called the Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Car

Mitsubishi Eclipse Gsx

"As soon as you walked in on the right hand side and inside there was an Eclipse GSX."

The Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX is a sporty car that has a turbo engine and all-wheel drive, making it fun to drive and popular among car fans.

Car

GSX

"So when you look at that GSX and, you know, you look at the guy opened the hood..."

The GSX is a performance car made by Buick in the early 70s. It’s famous for being fast and having a unique look.

Part

timing chain

"you can see what is it? The timing chain, the cover for the, that drives the belt."

The timing chain is a part of the engine that helps keep everything working together. It makes sure the engine parts move at the right times.

Car

Mitsubishi Galant

"...when they see the hood of an eclipse or a talent, that's why that bump is there. You know?"

The Mitsubishi Galant is a larger car that was made for families. It had a lot of space inside and was available in different styles, like sedans and wagons, which made it good for road trips.

Car

Alfa Romeo Milano

"You know, Hiram, the guy you introduced me to that owns the Milano."

The Alfa Romeo Milano is a type of car made by Alfa Romeo in the 1980s and early 1990s. It's known for being fun to drive and has a sporty feel.

Car

Lamborghini Diablos

"...like Diablo's and, you know, I don't think there was any Diablo's there, but there was a Kuntas and there was a, an EB 110 Bugatti,..."

The Lamborghini Diablo is a famous sports car made in the 1990s. It has a powerful engine and a unique look, making it very popular among car enthusiasts.

Car

Lamborghini Countach

"...there was a Kuntas and there was a, an EB 110 Bugatti,..."

The Lamborghini Countach is a classic sports car known for its unique shape and doors that open upwards. It was very popular in the 1980s and 1990s.

Car

Bugatti EB110

"...and there was a, an EB 110 Bugatti, which I couldn't..."

The Bugatti EB110 is a fast sports car made in the early 1990s. It has a very powerful engine and was known for its advanced features.

Car

Deloreans

".... It was mainly like, you know, cars that fit in Deloreans and things like that. Sure."

The DeLorean DMC-12 is a unique car that has doors that open up like wings. It’s famous because it was in a popular movie, which makes it really special to many people.

Term

modified cars

"You don't like modified cars because most times they don't bring more money. They actually bring less."

Modified cars are cars that have been changed from how they were originally made. People often change things like the engine or wheels to make them look or drive differently.

Car

BMW E39

"... sell. Well, it didn't sell on cars and business E39 and five and he had like a CSL style trunk and c..."

The BMW 5 Series is a fancy car that’s comfortable and fun to drive. The E39 model is especially liked because it has a good mix of luxury and performance.

Car

Audi 5000

"... a very clean M five and he's like, well, I spent 5000 on audio. I'm like, you're not going to get that..."

The Audi 5000 is a luxury car from the 80s and 90s that was known for being comfortable and having cool features. It’s remembered for its unique design and technology.

Car

Nissan 300 ZX

"And you ruin the car. It's like my 300 ZX, the Z 32, it was cobalt green, really rare color..."

The Nissan 300 ZX is a fast sports car that looks really nice and is fun to drive. It’s part of a family of cars known for being sporty and exciting.

Car

Toyota Corolla

"I bought a 1994 Toyota Corolla. I didn't even run off my buddy for 400 bucks."

The Toyota Corolla is a small car that many people buy because it is dependable and gets good gas mileage. The 1994 version is one of the older models that many still remember fondly.

Car

BMW M5

"... like if you had an E39 wagon, he did a S62 swap, M5 swap, an E39 wagon, that's going to bring all th..."

The BMW M5 is a fast and fancy car that's built for people who love driving. The E39 model is special because it combines comfort with a lot of power, which makes it exciting to drive.

Car

BMW E46

"to bring all the money. I sold the E46 wagon with the, Doug did a video on it, M3 swappe..."
Car

BMW M3

"...d the E46 wagon with the, Doug did a video on it, M3 swapped E46 wagon, but the body work and everyth..."

The BMW M3 is a sporty version of the 3 Series that’s designed for people who enjoy driving fast. The E46 model is popular because it’s fun to drive and looks great.

Term

supercharger

"Yeah, it was a solid brand, but people get scared of supercharger because it's forced induction. They think it's going to, you know, the motors ruined all of a sudden..."

A supercharger is a part that helps an engine get more air, which makes it more powerful. It's like giving the engine a boost to make it go faster.

Car

Porsche 911

"Like a 996, 911. It's the easiest, cheapest, 911 you can buy. Easiest even drive."

The Porsche 911 (996) is a version of the famous 911 sports car made between 1999 and 2004. It's often considered the most affordable and easiest to drive among the 911 models.

Car

Honda CRX

"...ot for 400 bucks? Wasn't it? I think there was a CRX side Radwood. Probably. Yeah, most likely."

The Honda CRX is a small car that’s great on gas and fun to drive. Many people like it because it’s affordable and easy to handle.

Car

Honda Civic

"I had bought an 84 Civic hatch. Doug did a video on it."

The Honda Civic is a small car that many people like because it's reliable and gets good gas mileage. The 1984 version is one of the earlier models and is known for being simple and easy to drive.

Term

interference engine

"...issue with a lot of whatever car, right? Like for example, a car with an interference engine is going to require time and belt change."

An interference engine is one where the parts can hit each other if something goes wrong, like if the timing belt breaks. This can lead to serious damage to the engine.

Car

Jeep Wagoneer

"...at's his name, Walter White owned. Like the S.J. Wagoneer that his wife drove. Those started going up in v..."

The Jeep Wagoneer is a big SUV that people loved in the 60s to 90s. It’s known for being tough and has a classic look that many find appealing.

Car

Toyota Tacomas

"...is and for one third gen for others and first gen Tacomas too are everywhere here. But my point is with th..."

The Toyota Tacoma is a tough little truck that’s great for carrying things and going off-road. Many people like it because it lasts a long time and can handle rough terrain.

Car

Chrysler Voyager

"...e something I know for a fact, it's not like that voyager we got. That's not going to sell a marketplace t..."

The Chrysler Voyager is a family minivan that has a lot of room for kids and stuff. It’s popular because it’s practical and comfortable for family trips.

Car

Jeep Wrangler

"...e like, oh, it makes sense. I sold the Y.J. Jeep Wrangler on bring a trailer and I had to go down to the t..."

The Jeep Wrangler is a cool, tough car that’s made for driving on rough roads and trails. People love it because it can go almost anywhere and has a fun, open design.

Car

Cadillac Escalade

"... worth much anyways. OK. Or like recently did an Escalade. 2000 Escalade for his agenda that I thought wou..."

The Cadillac Escalade is a fancy SUV that has a lot of space and nice features inside. People like it because it’s comfortable and looks really stylish.

Car

Gmc Ck

"Like 95 to 99 is what the people because usually people want last model year cars. And I think like F 250, F 350 turbo diesel, GMC, CK 1500, stuff like that. The old body style with the 7.3 liter."

The GMC C.K. is a big truck that was made in the late 80s to late 90s. People like these trucks because they are strong and last a long time.

Car

Chevrolet C10S

"...w. Yeah. Or like, you know, if you look at older C10s or C20s, those are worth a ton of money."

The Chevrolet C10 is an old pickup truck that many people love because it looks cool and works well. Collectors pay a lot of money for these trucks because they are special.

Car

Chevrolet Silverado

"...ws everything about General Motors and he owns a Silverado. He owned his first car was a Dodge Ram 50,"

The Chevrolet Silverado is a big truck that can carry heavy loads and is great for work or family use. It’s known for being strong and comfortable to drive.

Car

Dodge Ram

"...e owns a Silverado. He owned his first car was a Dodge Ram 50, which apparently won an award at Radwood, ri..."

The Dodge Ram is a big truck that’s built to carry heavy stuff and do tough jobs. It’s popular because it’s strong and comfortable to drive.

36 cars featured

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.

Explore Terms

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.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars