Rivian R1S Quad review; I Hate Sims; 1st Waymo Ride
About this episode
The Smoking Tire podcast dives into a review of the Rivian R1S Quad motor, questioning the need for a 1,000 horsepower off-roader. The hosts share their experiences with racing simulators, highlighting the challenges faced while practicing for an upcoming race in Texas. They also discuss the firing of Jaguar's design boss and Zach's first ride in a Waymo, touching on the unique quirks of autonomous driving. With a mix of humor and automotive insight, this episode offers a blend of car culture and personal anecdotes.
Matt Farah hates racing simulators; a review of the new Rivian R1S Quad motor; Zack Klapman rides in a Waymo for the first time (and has questions); Jaguar fires a very important person; and we answer Patreon questions including:
- Is the 986 Boxster the best value for money?
- Which options had an outsized effect on a car's value (for better or worse)?
- Driving experiences worth MORE than they cost?
- Best practices to sell a vehicle that has high miles
- We disappoint a Ferrari 612 owner
- Did we watch Mischief 3000?
- Help my friend avoid a used G wagon
- Thoughts on the 2000s Pontiac GTO
- Do we enjoy wrenching?
- Why doesn't anyone like black wheels?
- Are 911 owners afraid of miles?
- And MANY more
Recorded December 2, 2025
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Rivian R1S
"...we review the Rivian R1S Quad motor and ask, who needs a 1,000 horsepower off-roader?"
The Rivian R1S is a new electric SUV that can go off-road and has four motors for better control and power. It's built for people who like outdoor adventures.
The Rivian R1S is an all-electric SUV designed for off-road capabilities, featuring a quad motor setup that allows for exceptional power and traction. It is part of Rivian's lineup aimed at adventure and outdoor enthusiasts.
1,000 horsepower
"...who needs a 1,000 horsepower off-roader?"
Horsepower is how we measure how strong an engine is. When a car has 1,000 horsepower, it means it can go really fast and perform well, especially off-road.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to describe the output of engines. A vehicle with 1,000 horsepower is extremely powerful, allowing for high performance and speed, especially in off-road conditions.
Hyundai Santa Fe
"...ur and two hours flying from here. I was thinking Santa Fe, a night in Santa Fe. That's a nice place to spen..."
BMW E92
"but apparently this M3 E92 that is the car, the expected car is like, something's wrong with it, it's not running right."
The BMW M3 E92 is a sporty two-door version of the M3, which is known for being fast and fun to drive. It's part of a special line of BMW cars designed for performance.
The BMW M3 E92 is the coupe variant of the M3, part of the fourth generation of the M3 series. Known for its performance and handling, it features a powerful engine and sport-tuned suspension.
BMW M2
"they've upgraded us to the factory, the M2 or M240 Club Sport, like the BMW turnkey race car."
The BMW M2 is a small, powerful car made for people who love to drive fast. It's known for being fun and easy to handle on the road.
The BMW M2 is a high-performance version of the 2 Series, designed for driving enthusiasts. It offers a powerful engine and agile handling, making it a popular choice for those looking for a compact sports car.
Mazda Miata
"...'s going to be, that'll be fabulous. That's BMW's Miata, basically. Yeah, it's like when we went down to,..."
Mazda MX-5 Miata
"if you're a 17-year-old hot shoe who really wants to be somebody, then you're racing Miatas. But if you're 65 and joining a racetrack country club, you are not starting in Miatas."
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a small sports car that many people love because it's fun to drive and not too expensive. It's often used in racing by beginners.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a lightweight, two-seat sports car known for its excellent handling and fun driving experience. It's often praised for its affordability and is a popular choice for amateur racing.
BMW M240i
"that's a, it's like a 350 horsepower or so car. Oh, okay. Is it? It's the M240."
The BMW M240i is a sporty car that has a strong engine, making it feel fast when you drive it. It's part of BMW's 2 Series and is designed for people who enjoy performance.
The BMW M240i is a high-performance variant of the 2 Series coupe, featuring a powerful inline-six engine that delivers impressive acceleration and handling. It's known for its sporty characteristics and luxury features.
rear-wheel drive
"...These are not all wheel drive. These are rear wheel drive, obviously, but I think this is..."
Rear-wheel drive means that the back wheels of the car get the power from the engine. This setup can help the car handle better and go faster, especially in sports cars.
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a vehicle layout where the engine's power is sent to the rear wheels. This configuration often provides better handling and acceleration, especially in performance cars.
ZF eight-speed
"...but I think this is but they're the ZF eight speed. Yeah, that's it."
The ZF eight-speed is a type of automatic transmission that helps cars shift gears smoothly. It's often found in fast and luxury cars, making them perform better while saving fuel.
The ZF eight-speed is an automatic transmission known for its smooth shifting and efficiency. It's commonly used in high-performance vehicles and luxury cars, providing a balance of power and fuel economy.
Volkswagen Beetle
"...they caught a bit of a Volkswagen Beetle boomer nostalgia, that's basically what that was."
The Volkswagen Beetle is a famous small car that looks very different from most cars. It's known for its round shape and was popular in the 1960s.
The Volkswagen Beetle is an iconic compact car known for its distinctive rounded shape and rear-engine layout. It has a rich history and is often associated with the 1960s counterculture.
Saturn Auras
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solid axle
"...this is a solid axle race car. Okay. This is what this is a car is a race car from like 12 years ago..."
A solid axle is a simple way to connect the back wheels of a car. It makes the car strong but can make it harder to handle well on turns.
A solid axle is a type of rear suspension design where the wheels are connected by a single beam. This design is often used in trucks and older race cars, providing durability but less precise handling compared to independent suspension systems.
Ford Mustang
"...p time that they had in iRacing is the Ford FR500 Mustang was the closest he could find. Okay. This is a ca..."
naturally aspirated
"This car made like 370 naturally aspirated fucking horsepower. Like, so I'm just like I keep spinning out and crashing."
A naturally aspirated engine gets air into it just by using the natural pressure from the atmosphere, without any help from turbochargers or superchargers. This means it can be very responsive when you press the gas pedal.
Naturally aspirated refers to an internal combustion engine that relies on atmospheric pressure to draw air into the combustion chamber, rather than using a turbocharger or supercharger. This type of engine typically has a more linear power delivery and is often favored for its simplicity and responsiveness.
slicks
"You're on slicks, I assume, like in the sim. Yeah. Sticky tires, you're not overpowering them very easily in real life."
Slicks are special tires used in racing that don't have any grooves or patterns on them. This design helps them grip the road better, especially when it's dry.
Slicks are racing tires that have a smooth surface without any tread pattern, designed to maximize grip on dry surfaces. They are commonly used in motorsports for better traction during high-speed cornering and acceleration.
iRacing
"...I think I drove it like played it once or twice and I was shocked at you know, none of the Sims..."
iRacing is an online racing game where you can race against other players. It's known for being very realistic and has different racing events you can join.
iRacing is a popular online racing simulation game that emphasizes realism and competitive racing. It features a subscription model and offers various racing series and events where players can compete against each other.
Assetto Corsa
"...it happened in Assetto. The other ones it's just the way that the tire modeling..."
Assetto Corsa is a racing game that lets you drive different cars on real-life tracks. It's designed to feel very realistic, making it popular among car enthusiasts.
Assetto Corsa is a racing simulation video game known for its realistic physics and extensive car customization options. It allows players to experience driving a wide range of vehicles on various tracks.
traction control
"Will the car have traction control?"
Traction control helps your car stay on the road when it's slippery. It stops the wheels from spinning too much when you accelerate, making it safer to drive.
Traction control is a safety feature in vehicles that helps prevent wheel spin during acceleration by adjusting engine power or applying brakes to individual wheels. This is particularly useful in slippery conditions to maintain grip and control.
stints
"...how many stints do you guys get each during the race? Is it just one each..."
A stint is how long a driver drives the car during a race before switching with another driver. It's important to manage these times well to do well in the race.
In endurance racing, a stint refers to the period a driver spends on the track before handing the car over to a teammate. Managing stints effectively is crucial for overall race strategy.
practice day
"...Plus practice day. So there's a practice day Thursday..."
A practice day is when drivers get to drive on the track before the race to practice and make sure their cars are ready. It's like a warm-up before the big event.
A practice day in racing allows drivers to familiarize themselves with the track and fine-tune their cars before the actual race. It's essential for teams to gather data and make adjustments based on conditions.
qualifying
"...And qualifying is Friday. But Thursday is supposed to be like a fucking pissing rainstorm..."
Qualifying is when drivers try to set the fastest lap times before the race. The better your time, the closer you start to the front when the race begins.
Qualifying is a session in motorsport where drivers compete for the best lap times to determine their starting positions for the race. The fastest drivers start at the front of the grid, which can significantly impact their chances of winning.
Plymouth Cricket
"...s wet canned food. It's helping my cat, Nikki and Cricket, my two girls. They're a little round. It's helpi..."
Mercedes-Benz E450
"Doug's car, the E450 Mercedes, the all-road kind of... Is there still an A6 all-road?"
The Mercedes-Benz E450 is a fancy car that combines speed and comfort. It's known for being very nice inside and has a lot of cool features.
The Mercedes-Benz E450 is a luxury sedan that offers a blend of performance, comfort, and advanced technology. It's part of the E-Class lineup, known for its spacious interior and high-quality materials.
Audi Allroad
"say that because I want to look up the competitors. Everyone loves the Volvo. The competitors are like Doug's car, the E450 Mercedes, the all-road kind of... Is there still an A6 all-road? I think... Is that the only all-road? I don't know what the Audi's all-road lineup is, but"
Audi A6 Allroad
"say that because I want to look up the competitors. Everyone loves the Volvo. The competitors are like Doug's car, the E450 Mercedes, the all-road kind of... Is there still an A6 all-road? I think... Is that the only all-road? I don't know what the Audi's all-road lineup is, but"
depreciation
"They depreciate. They all have looked the same for a while."
Depreciation is when a car loses its value as it gets older. This means that if you buy a new car, it won't be worth as much after a few years.
Depreciation refers to the reduction in the value of a vehicle over time, typically due to wear and tear, age, and market demand. New cars often lose value quickly in the first few years after purchase.
body control
"...the body control on the suspension is so nice. It's really, really good body control the way the height settings work..."
Body control is how well a car handles turns and bumps without feeling wobbly. If a car has good body control, it feels stable and comfortable when driving.
Body control refers to how well a vehicle maintains its composure during dynamic movements, such as cornering or over bumps. Good body control means the car stays stable and doesn't lean excessively, providing a more comfortable and controlled ride.
damper settings
"...the way the damper settings are. Really nice, just beautiful riding car..."
Damper settings are how you adjust the shock absorbers in a car's suspension. They help control how bumpy or smooth the ride feels when driving over uneven roads.
Damper settings refer to the adjustments made to the shock absorbers in a vehicle's suspension system. These settings control how quickly the suspension reacts to bumps and road imperfections, affecting ride comfort and handling.
wheelbase
"...the short wheel, I wish it had a different steer, slower steering ratio, because when they shorten the wheelbase from the truck..."
Wheelbase is how far apart the front and back wheels are on a car. A shorter distance can make a car easier to turn but might make it less stable at high speeds.
Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axles of a vehicle. A shorter wheelbase can enhance maneuverability but may affect stability, especially at high speeds.
steering ratio
"it's like a Ferrari 812 steering ratio in something with a shorter wheelbase."
Steering ratio is how much the wheels turn when you turn the steering wheel. A smaller number means the wheels turn more with less effort, making the car feel more responsive.
Steering ratio refers to the relationship between the angle of the steering wheel and the angle of the wheels. A lower steering ratio means the wheels turn more for each degree the steering wheel is turned, allowing for quicker responses.
Ferrari 812
"it's like a Ferrari 812 steering ratio in something with a shorter wheelbase."
The Ferrari 812 is a fast sports car made by Ferrari. It has a powerful engine and is designed to handle really well, making it fun to drive.
The Ferrari 812 is a high-performance grand tourer known for its powerful V12 engine and advanced handling characteristics. It features a precise steering system that enhances driving dynamics.
Rivian R1T
"...to higher speeds. Well, because when we drove the R1T years ago in the Canyon, both of us were like, it..."
stability control
"...you can change like things like the level of stability control, the amount of wheel slip you'll get. You can change how much brake assist and steering assist..."
Stability control helps keep the car from sliding or losing control when you turn sharply or drive on slippery roads. It uses the brakes to help keep the car stable.
Stability control is a safety feature that helps prevent skidding and loss of control during extreme steering maneuvers. It works by automatically applying brakes to individual wheels to help maintain traction and stability.
damping
"...I liked to turn up the damping a little bit above their setting in comfort. So the suspension was like somewhere between comfort and sport for the damping..."
Damping is how a car's suspension controls bumps and movements. Changing it can make the ride feel softer or firmer, depending on what you prefer.
Damping refers to the process of controlling the oscillations of a vehicle's suspension system. Adjusting the damping can affect ride comfort and handling characteristics, allowing for a balance between comfort and sportier performance.
wheel slip
"...the settings really make more sense when you're off-roading, such as wheel slip, unless you want to do burnouts..."
Wheel slip happens when a car's wheels spin faster than the car is moving forward, which can happen when you accelerate too quickly. It's useful for tricks like burnouts but not great for regular driving.
Wheel slip occurs when the wheels of a vehicle lose traction, often during acceleration or when driving on slippery surfaces. It can be beneficial for performance driving, such as during burnouts, but detrimental in other situations.
Rivian Teen Wolf
"I looked up the Rivian Teen Wolf. I mean, obviously they wouldn't buy the IP. Not sure what the logo means, but it's cute. I mean, I like a cartoon."
The Rivian Teen Wolf is a new electric vehicle concept from Rivian, a company that makes electric trucks and SUVs. This vehicle is designed to be fun and adventurous.
The Rivian Teen Wolf is a concept vehicle that showcases Rivian's innovative design and technology. Rivian is known for its electric trucks and SUVs, emphasizing adventure and sustainability.
automatic wipers
"The laser headlights, the automatic wipers, all of those expert level. Awesome. The lights turn with you."
Automatic wipers are windshield wipers that turn on by themselves when it starts to rain. This helps drivers see better without having to manually control the wipers.
Automatic wipers are a feature in modern vehicles that detect rain and activate the windshield wipers automatically. This enhances driver convenience and safety by ensuring clear visibility during wet conditions.
Hyundai Satellite
"...heir Sirius XM is the Sirius app, it's not actual satellite. I did think it worked well. The cameras are grea..."
Porsche Taycans
"...the Taycan's camera sucks horribly. She was so blown away with the Rivian's backup camera. That stuff matters..."
The Porsche Taycan is a high-end electric car that offers impressive speed and technology, including cameras that help with parking and safety.
The Porsche Taycan is an all-electric luxury sedan known for its performance and advanced technology features, including its camera systems.
Toyota Rav4
"...e ones from like six years ago compared to Sirius RAV4, which is a one-year-old car. It's much clearer. ..."
Tesla Cybertruck
"...ing probably more towards men that are looking at Cybertruck and other ones and they just have to say it has t..."
Toyota Land Cruiser
"... good that is. How much it makes something like a land cruiser feel like a clunky piece of shit. No disrespect t..."
Buick Rainier
"...well as a day at Dirtfish. It's going to be Mount Rainier, Olympic Park, all those beautiful roads, the Mou..."
Chevrolet Suburban
"... it would be heading north on a really big, empty suburban road. We're heading north towards Beverly Hills a..."
Porsche Boxster
"... kill them all said my dad and I each picked up a Boxster S 986 for 10 K. Can you think of any car that del..."
Toyota MR2
"..., for less, there's an argument for like a Toyota MR2 maybe. That's pretty good bargain. Yeah. It's a g..."
Chevrolet C8
"...ang on. Driving experience, I should, I think the C8 Corvette Z06 is a great place to start. Great pla..."
Ferrari 348
"...to start. Absolutely 100%. How about I will say a Ferrari 348 GTS or GTB, which is 94. Most of the way to a 355..."
Shelby Cobras
"...u, I know you don't like them, but I will say Kit Cobras and some other replicas because the price of a re..."
Porsche 356
"...ow. How about like a non numbers matching Porsche 356 that's worth like 60 grand, but if the numbers ma..."
Ferrari 612 Scalietti
"...ge against the Mach-E. I have a manual conversion 612 Scalietti. It's actually kind of awesome, but I want to sel..."
Ferrari 400i
"...ely expensive. Which just happened to the Ferrari 400i. People my age, all of a sudden, are deciding tha..."
Ferrari 400
"It was great. I mean, I happen to think the Ferrari 400 is a pretty nice looking car in the right color a..."
Honda Accord
"...rom here, the front all I think is like early 90s accord. Late 80s accord."
Honda Prelude
"Okay. The Stiggs-Lautchen cousin drove the Prelude, the new Prelude, and at no markup didn't find it..."
Toyota GR Corolla
"...markup didn't find it good enough to trade in the GR Corolla. Yeah."
Toyota Corolla
"...kup didn't find it good enough to trade in the GR Corolla. Yeah."
Pontiac Gtos
"...st, actually. Josh J says thoughts on the Pontiac GTOs, the early 2000s ones."
Chevrolet Camaro
"...was doing the F-body and GM was finishing out the Camaro SS, and these guys and Pontiac had the GTO,"
Chrysler PT Cruiser
"...zed, oh, we fucked up? Well, no, first we had the PT Cruiser and the Prowler. So that goes, the Prowler was 90..."
Plymouth Prowler
"...up? Well, no, first we had the PT Cruiser and the Prowler. So that goes, the Prowler was 90, the concept ca..."
Pontiac G8
"...ike a Neon. No, you driven a Chevy SS or a G8, GX Pontiac G8? They drive like that,"
Pontiac Firebird
"...y they did that. They didn't have the money for a Firebird replacement. Obviously, they were like on their w..."
Holden Commodore
"...car. Yeah, and they've changed the bumpers on the Holden Commodore and made it the G8."
Genesis G70
"...just a request for a guest. Nobody cares about my G70. Straight up."
Honda Civic
"...at you would get on the factory wheels of a Honda Civic that are like fairly crappy aluminum wheels,"
Ferrari 458 Speciale
"... ago, you partnered with a dealership to review a 458 Speciale. Would you partner with another dealer"
Porsche 911
"all driven by the original owner, which begs the question, why are so many 9-11 owners afraid to put miles on their cars? Well, I think first that makes an assumption that isn't necessarily true."
Porsche 911 GT3
"...in not driving it. If you get an allocation for a GT3 at Sticker and you don't drive it, you're going t..."
Lamborghini Kuntosh
"...s own. Shabby says, have I thought of trading the Kuntosh into a Diablo or Mercy? No."
Lamborghini Diablos
"Not fucking rollover minutes. Diablos are okay. They're lovely."
Chevrolet Beretta
"... sure probe is not the answer, but always thought Beretta was cool. Beretta is cool."
Ford Galaxy
"...ctric car, when we were doing electric stuff like Galaxy. Yeah, that's true."
Chrysler New Yorker
"...ville was right up there along with the Chrysler, New Yorker, the Chevy Monte Carlo."
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
"...re along with the Chrysler, New Yorker, the Chevy Monte Carlo. That's the Monte Carlo."
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
"...at memory should I relive? A 2010 Viper ACR, 2008 V8 Vantage, an R8 V10 Spyder, C6 ZR1, Nissan GTR, AMG GTR, o..."
Nissan Gtr
"...r ACR, 2008 V8 Vantage, an R8 V10 Spyder, C6 ZR1, Nissan GTR, AMG GTR, or 997 Turbo Cab."
Dodge Viper ACR
"What memory should I relive? A 2010 Viper ACR, 2008 V8 Vantage, an R8 V10 Spyder, C6 ZR1, Nissa..."
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