Regrettable Rides, Texas Trains, and the new Palisade
About this episode
Exploring Texas' rich train heritage leads to a discussion on various scenic railroads, including the Texas State Railroad and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, which offer unique experiences for families and adults alike. The conversation shifts to dream cars that owners regret purchasing, highlighting models like the Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake and Tesla Roadster, which turned out to be more trouble than they're worth. Finally, a review of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade reveals its strengths and weaknesses, particularly its underpowered engine and high price point compared to competitors.
Climb aboard as we journey through Texas heritage railways and drive some of the most disappointing dream cars ever made. This episode starts with a nostalgic look at Texas' historic train routes transformed into tourist attractions. From the inmate-built Texas State Railroad to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad's themed excursions (including beer trains and Thomas the Tank Engine days), we explore how these metal ribbons of history now create new memories for visitors.
The conversation shifts gears dramatically when we reveal six dream cars that owners deeply regret purchasing. The Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake with its endless repair bills, the eco-friendly but perpetually broken Fisker Karma, and the gorgeous but temperamental Alfa Romeo 4C all made the list. These automotive heartbreakers promise exotic looks and driving thrills but deliver wallet-draining disappointment. We explore why the first-generation Tesla Roadster, futuristic BMW i8, and even James Bond's Lotus Esprit leave owners shaken, not stirred.
We wrap up with a comprehensive review of the redesigned 2026 Hyundai Palisade. This seven-passenger SUV impresses with its distinctive styling, comfortable interior with customizable lighting, and competitive pricing at $58,300 for the tested Calligraphy AWD trim. However, the 3.5L V6 engine struggles with the vehicle's substantial 5,000-pound weight, particularly during highway passing maneuvers. Is the Palisade the right family hauler for you? Listen to our full assessment and compare it to competitors like the Chevy Suburban Premier ($78,095) and Ford Expedition King Ranch ($86,000). Have you experienced any dream car regrets or train adventures? Share your stories with us!
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Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake
"First one is Mercedes Ben CLS shooting break. It seemed cool and adventurous. But if you... air suspension failures expensive parts tech that didn't work more than it did bad roof."
The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake is a fancy car that looks great but can be very expensive to maintain. It has some complicated parts that can break down often, leading to high repair bills.
The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake is a luxury wagon variant of the CLS-Class, known for its stylish design and performance. However, it has been criticized for high maintenance costs, particularly related to its air suspension and complex technology.
Fisker Karma
"And the next one we have is a fiscal karma who hadn't heard of one of them. It's an eco friendly vehicle promises kept no not really..."
The Fisker Karma is a fancy car that was supposed to be good for the environment. However, it had many problems, like battery issues, which made it hard for owners.
The Fisker Karma is a luxury plug-in hybrid sports sedan that aimed to combine eco-friendliness with high performance. Unfortunately, it faced numerous reliability issues, including battery failures and recalls, which disappointed many owners.
Alfa Romeo 4C
"The next one we have Michael is an Alpha Romero 4C. It's a lightweight exotic looks Italian passion. What could go wrong? Well you see it's in the shop already."
The Alfa Romeo 4C is a small, fast sports car that looks amazing. However, it can have some problems that might require frequent trips to the mechanic.
The Alfa Romeo 4C is a lightweight sports car known for its agile handling and striking design. While it offers an exhilarating driving experience, it has been criticized for its build quality and reliability issues.
Tesla Roaster
"So there you go and eats onion rings. There you go. The next one Mike is a Tesla Roadster is the first generation not the second. This was Tesla's first attempt at revolutionizing cars while it broke ground and also broke down..."
The Tesla Roadster is an electric sports car that was the first car made by Tesla. It had some problems with how well it was built and how long it took to fix when it broke.
The Tesla Roadster was Tesla's first production vehicle, known for its innovative electric powertrain and sports car performance. However, it faced issues with build quality and reliability.
Bmw I8
"Well you put an LS in it. That's what you need. There you go. Okay Michael the BMW i8 the i8 look like a spaceship and promise hybrid supercar thrills but it wasn't that fast..."
The BMW i8 is a hybrid sports car that looks very modern and cool. It combines gasoline and electric power, but many owners found it expensive to fix when it broke.
The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car that combines a turbocharged engine with an electric motor. It was praised for its futuristic design but criticized for its high repair costs and lack of practicality.
Lotus Esprit
"Mike and the last one we got here is a Lotus Esprit made famous by James Bond. This car was cool but owners quickly discovered the British electronics were questionable build quality was poor..."
The Lotus Esprit is a stylish sports car that was featured in James Bond movies. However, many owners found that it had problems with its electronics and was expensive to fix.
The Lotus Esprit is a sports car that gained fame through its appearances in James Bond films. While it is known for its sleek design, it has been criticized for unreliable electronics and high repair costs.
Hyundai Palisade
"I had a chance to drive the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. It's been around a while. The review trim level was the calligraphy all-wheel drive."
The Hyundai Palisade is a new version of a family SUV that can carry up to seven people. The 2026 model has been updated with a new design and more features.
The Hyundai Palisade is a mid-size SUV that has been redesigned for 2026, marking its second generation. It offers various trim levels, including a high-end 'Calligraphy' trim with all-wheel drive.
trim levels
"The final assembly location is Ulsan Korea. 11 trim levels. 11. Count them."
Trim levels are different versions of a car that have various features. For example, one version might have more luxury options than another.
Trim levels refer to the different versions of a car model that come with varying features and options. The Hyundai Palisade offers 11 trim levels, each with unique specifications.
all-wheel drive
"The review trim level was the calligraphy all-wheel drive. This is a standard SUV and competes against all the big boys from all of the big manufacturers."
All-wheel drive means that all four wheels of the car get power from the engine. This helps the car grip the road better, especially in bad weather.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is a drivetrain system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle simultaneously, improving traction and stability, especially in adverse conditions.
complete redesign
"Complete redesign for 2026. This is the second generation of the Hyundai Palisade."
A complete redesign means the car has been changed a lot from the last version, including how it looks and what features it has.
A complete redesign means that the vehicle has undergone significant changes in its structure, style, and features compared to the previous model. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a complete redesign from the previous version.
horsepower
"287 horsepower 260 pound feet of torque."
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful a car's engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, indicating how much work an engine can perform over time. In vehicles, higher horsepower usually means better acceleration and performance.
3.5 liter V6
"It has a 3.5 liter V6 motor in it. Gasoline. 287 horsepower 260 pound feet of torque."
A 3.5 liter V6 is a type of car engine that has six cylinders shaped like a 'V'. It's 3.5 liters in size, which helps it produce a good amount of power.
A 3.5 liter V6 refers to an engine configuration with six cylinders arranged in a V shape, with a total displacement of 3.5 liters. This type of engine is commonly used in many vehicles for a balance of power and efficiency.
8 speed automatic transmission
"8 speed automatic transmission with a tow rating of 5,000 pounds."
An 8 speed automatic transmission is a system in a car that changes gears automatically, helping the car to drive smoothly and efficiently.
An 8 speed automatic transmission is a type of gearbox that automatically changes gears in a vehicle, providing eight different gear ratios for improved performance and fuel efficiency.
miles per gallon
"It gets 18 in the city, 24 in the highway for it combined at 20."
Miles per gallon (MPG) tells you how far a car can go on one gallon of gas. The higher the number, the less gas you need to use.
Miles per gallon (MPG) is a measure of fuel efficiency in vehicles, indicating how many miles a car can travel on one gallon of fuel. Higher MPG means better fuel efficiency.
torque
"287 horsepower 260 pound feet of torque."
Torque is a measure of how strong an engine is when it comes to moving things. It's important for how quickly a car can start moving or tow heavy loads.
Torque is a measure of rotational force in an engine, indicating how much pulling power it has. It is crucial for acceleration and towing capacity.
downshifting
"It's slow to recognize the fact that you're trying to go on the highway. You're at 50 miles an hour. You need to pass somebody."
Downshifting is when a car changes to a lower gear to get more power, especially when you need to speed up quickly.
Downshifting is the process of shifting to a lower gear in an automatic or manual transmission, which can provide more power for acceleration or climbing hills.
base price
"Base price. It's not cheap. 56 55 is the base trim price."
Base price is the starting cost of a car before adding any extras or taxes. It's what you would pay for the basic version of the car.
Base price refers to the starting price of a vehicle before any additional options, taxes, or fees are added. It gives a general idea of the cost of the vehicle.
Chevy Suburban Premier
"Chevy suburban premier 78,095."
The Chevy Suburban Premier is a large SUV that can carry many people and things. It's great for families and can tow heavy trailers.
The Chevy Suburban Premier is a full-size SUV known for its spacious interior, powerful engine options, and towing capacity. It's often used for family transport and heavy-duty tasks.
Ford Expedition
"the Ford Expedition King Ranch 86 170."
The Ford Expedition King Ranch is a big SUV that has a lot of room and nice features. It's good for families and can handle tough driving conditions.
The Ford Expedition King Ranch is a full-size SUV that combines rugged capability with luxury features. It's designed for families and those needing ample space and power.
Kia Telluride SX Prestige
"Kia tell you right. It's sister or brother. SX prestige starts at 52 885."
The Kia Telluride SX Prestige is a comfortable mid-size SUV that has a lot of space and nice features. It's a good choice for families.
The Kia Telluride SX Prestige is a mid-size SUV that offers a blend of luxury features, spacious seating, and advanced technology. It's popular for families and those seeking comfort.
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