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Top Gear Says These Are The BEST 20 Japanese Cars.. WTF

Top Gear Says These Are The BEST 20 Japanese Cars.. WTF

MartiniWorks Podcast May 15, 2026 60 min
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About this episode

The MartiniWorks Podcast kicks off with season-opener car-show logistics and sponsor talk, then dives into Japanese-car rankings from a Top Gear article. The hosts debate entries like the 1997 Toyota Prius, Mazda MX-5 ND, FD RX-7, Honda Integra Type R (DC2), Nissan Leaf, and GR Yaris, arguing about reliability, rarity, and what “best” even means. Between list reactions, they also share hybrid powertrain impressions, EV-mode behavior, and a bunch of off-topic supercar/drivability banter.

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Part

HKS coilovers

"We're working on HKS coilovers. There's a lot of stuff that they have in their catalog, but because it's on Japanese, nobody knows how to get fitment for it."

Coilovers are aftermarket suspension parts that you can adjust. With HKS coilovers, you can usually change how low the car sits and how firm it feels. People buy them to make the car handle better and look right.

Term

fitment

"There's a lot of stuff that they have in their catalog, but because it's on Japanese, nobody knows how to get fitment for it. So we've been spending a long time on that."

Fitment just means whether a part will work on your exact car. It covers things like whether it clears other parts and mounts correctly. If the fitment isn’t right, the part may rub or not install properly.

Term

V8 twin turbo

"So the Tamarario, so that's like the Huracan replacement? [416.1s] Yeah. [416.9s] V8 twin turbo, correct?"

A “V8 twin turbo” is a V8 engine with two turbochargers. The turbos cram extra air into the engine so it can make more power, especially when you accelerate.

Term

turbochargers

"Like there's three electric motors in that car plus two turbochargers plus a V8 engine [439.2s] plus an eight speed transmission."

Turbochargers are devices that use the engine’s exhaust to spin a compressor. That pushes more air into the engine, helping it make more power when you press the gas.

Term

eight speed transmission

"Like there's three electric motors in that car plus two turbochargers plus a V8 engine [439.2s] plus an eight speed transmission. [442.4s] Okay."

An eight-speed transmission is a gearbox with eight different gear ratios. It helps the car choose the best gear so the engine and motors can stay in the “right” range for quick response.

Term

power curve

"You know how like a power curve is like, you know, like it does that gradual thing or [452.8s] like sometimes it does this little like that. [454.6s] Yeah."

A power curve is a graph of how strong the car feels at different engine speeds. With turbo and electric assist, the car can deliver strong pull more smoothly instead of waiting for the engine to reach a certain RPM.

Car

Lamborghini Aventador

"But if you've driven older Lamborghinis before, even like the Aventador, for instance, that thing is insanely difficult to drive and get it right and see and turn."

The Lamborghini Aventador is a very high-end Lamborghini supercar. The hosts are saying it can be hard to drive smoothly and confidently, especially compared to more “everyday” supercars.

Car

Lamborghini Huracan

"The, the Huracan up until like the early generations, they were kind of tricky to drive to the, the Gallardo's were a little bit of had a lot of blind spots."

The Lamborghini Huracan is another Lamborghini supercar. The point being made is that early versions could feel a bit difficult to drive well, even if they’re still fun.

Car

Lamborghini Gallardo

"The, the Huracan up until like the early generations, they were kind of tricky to drive to the, the Gallardo's were a little bit of had a lot of blind spots."

The Lamborghini Gallardo is an older Lamborghini supercar. The host is saying it can be annoying to drive because you may have a lot of blind spots.

Car

Renault R8

"... blind spots. That's why a lot of people like the R8 so much. Yeah."

The Renault R8 is an older small car. The podcast is mentioning it because of how it affects your view while driving, especially blind spots. So it’s being remembered for a specific driving/visibility trait.

Car

Audi R8

"That's why a lot of people like the R8 so much. Yeah. Because the R8s were just a little bit more of an easy day to drive it, but it was very fun."

The Audi R8 is a supercar from Audi. The host’s point is that it’s generally easier to drive and live with than some older Lamborghinis, especially in terms of visibility and day-to-day usability.

Term

electric motors

"I can imagine it did, but they put in a twin turbo V8 with electric motors. [526.2s] So hybrid."

Electric motors are the parts that use electricity to make the car move. In a hybrid, they can help the gas engine so the car feels stronger, especially at low speeds.

Term

twin turbo V8

"So, I think, so they dropped the V10 that pissed off a lot of people. [521.9s] I can imagine it did, but they put in a twin turbo V8 with electric motors."

A twin-turbo V8 is a V8 engine that’s helped by two turbochargers. The turbos cram more air into the engine so it can make more power.

Concept

hybrid

"I can imagine it did, but they put in a twin turbo V8 with electric motors. [526.2s] So hybrid. [528.5s] Honestly, I'm about it."

A hybrid uses both a gas engine and an electric system. The electric part can help the car move, but the battery adds extra weight.

Term

weight

"They like, they always have a lot of weight. [545.3s] And even when they're, you're trying like the batteries in the moment. [552.2s] But like you put more and more systems into a car like the M5, no matter how much power"

Weight matters because it changes how the car responds. A heavier car needs more effort to speed up, slow down, and turn quickly.

Term

batteries

"They like, they always have a lot of weight. [545.3s] And even when they're, you're trying like the batteries in the moment. [547.7s] Yeah."

The battery stores electricity for the electric part of the car. When you ask for power, the car pulls energy from the battery to help move you.

Car

BMW M5

"...you put more and more systems into a car like the M5, no matter how much power it has, the power itsel..."

The BMW M5 is a fast, performance version of a regular BMW sedan. It’s made to be powerful but also usable day to day. People talk about it because modern versions include a lot of technology and electronics, not just engine power.

Car

Volkswagen Gti

"...I would get a brand new 20th anniversary mark for GTI that got lost and was found and they're like, it ..."

The Volkswagen Golf is a small hatchback car. The podcast is talking about a special “20th anniversary” version of the GTI, which is the sportier Golf. Special editions like that are often remembered because they’re limited and have unique details.

Concept

new old stock

"You're banking on the new old stock mark for 20th anniversary. Yeah."

“New old stock” (often shortened to NOS) means a vehicle or part that was produced in the past but never sold or used, so it’s still effectively new. It matters to enthusiasts because it can combine older styling/trim with the condition of a fresh item, but availability is limited and pricing can be high.

Term

Corsa mode

"And the car is very aggressive when you're in the Corsa mode and the Strata mode and all that sort of stuff."

Corsa mode is a “sporty/aggressive” driving setting. It usually makes the car respond faster when you press the gas. The speaker is saying the Lamborghini feels especially punchy in that mode.

Term

Strata mode

"And the car is very aggressive when you're in the Corsa mode and the Strata mode and all that sort of stuff."

Strata mode appears to be another selectable driving mode on the car, likely tuned for a different balance of comfort vs. responsiveness. The speaker groups it with Corsa mode as part of the car’s mode system and says the car feels aggressive in both. Without more context, the exact calibration (throttle mapping, shift logic, steering feel) can’t be confirmed from the transcript alone.

Term

EV mode

"I put the Lamborghini in EV mode to quiet all the noise. It's a full EV mode? Yeah."

EV mode is when the car runs on electricity instead of using the gas engine. The goal is usually to make driving quieter and smoother. In this case, it sounds like the engine stopped completely while they cruised.

Term

revs

"It's like... Because it's like getting the engine up the revs and stuff."

“Revs” means how fast the engine is spinning (RPM). Higher revs usually mean the engine is ready to make more power.

Term

full EV

"Let's say it's going 40 miles an hour, full EV to strata or sport where the IC engine has to turn on, the turbos have to spool, yet there's no change in driving experience."

“Full EV” means the car is driving using electricity only. The gas engine isn’t powering the wheels at that moment.

Term

IC engine

"Let's say it's going 40 miles an hour, full EV to strata or sport where the IC engine has to turn on, the turbos have to spool, yet there's no change in driving experience."

“IC engine” just means the normal gas engine. It’s the part that burns fuel to make power.

Term

turbos have to spool

"Let's say it's going 40 miles an hour, full EV to strata or sport where the IC engine has to turn on, the turbos have to spool, yet there's no change in driving experience."

When they say the turbos “spool,” they mean the turbo has to spin up and start forcing more air into the engine. That takes a moment, so the car has to coordinate everything so you don’t feel a big lag.

Term

RPM

"I don't like it's making a lot of noise anyway, but all of a sudden it was just like there was no RPM."

RPM is a measure of how fast the engine is spinning. If the car is running on electricity, the gas engine may not be spinning, so it can feel like there’s “no engine” and the RPM display drops away.

Car

Mazda Cx70

"was no RPM. Mazda, my CX-70 does that too. I don't know how it works, frankly."

The Mazda CX-70 is a larger SUV meant for everyday driving and family use. The podcast is talking about how it feels when you drive—specifically how the engine revs or responds. It’s basically about the driving “feel,” not just the specs.

Term

engine turns off while the vehicle is still moving

"And I'm pretty sure the engine turns off while the vehicle is still moving. Sure. And if let's say I'm going to a stop and I'm like, oh, the light turns green and I press"

This is when the car shuts off the gas engine even though you’re still rolling. It saves fuel, and it turns back on when you accelerate or need more power.

Company

Continental Tire

"but not before talking about one of our partners in the martini works podcast continental tire. [1249.3s] We're very, very excited to continue our incredible relationship with the guys and gals."

Continental Tire is a company that makes tires. Here, the hosts are talking about their tires and a deal you can buy through their partner site.

Term

ECSO 2

"The DWSO 6 ECSO 2. [1257.5s] There's actually a beautiful $110 rebate right now on martiniworks.com. ... [1272.0s] But extreme contact sport of two is an absolutely fantastic tire."

“ECSO 2” is the name of a particular tire. They’re saying it grips well for fun driving and track events, but it’s also usable for normal street driving.

Term

DWSO 6

"They make incredible tires. [1254.7s] The DWSO 6 ECSO 2."

“DWSO 6” sounds like a specific tire model name. Different tire models are built for different driving conditions, so the name tells you what kind of tire it is.

Concept

time attack

"I drove it at grid life for some time attack stuff. [1279.4s] It's super, super well."

Time attack is when drivers try to get the quickest lap time on a track. Tires matter a lot because you’re pushing hard repeatedly, not just cruising around.

Concept

200 treadwear super slick compound

"It's like, well, you don't always need a 200 treadwear super slick compound. [1289.0s] Sometimes you just need something that can grip up, have some fun and go home."

“Treadwear” is a tire rating (often from standardized tests) that roughly indicates how long the tire’s tread is expected to last under specific conditions. A “super slick compound” is formulated for maximum grip with less tread pattern, typically trading durability and street comfort for performance—so the hosts are arguing you don’t always need that extreme setup.

Car

Rolls-Royce Phantom

"We got the Thunder Chief. I think we got the F4 Phantom. That's fucked."

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a very expensive luxury car. It’s designed to feel extremely comfortable and quiet. The podcast is making a joke about the name and how it sounds.

Car

Suzuki Cappuccino

"Japanese car. Suzuki Cappuccino. Okay."

The Suzuki Cappuccino is a small Japanese sports roadster. It’s remembered for being light and entertaining to drive.

Car

1997 Toyota Prius

"It is the 1997 Toyota Prius. Not the first hybrid car, but the one that took the technology mainstream, marrying a 1.5 liter engine to a 40 horsepower electric motor."

The 1997 Toyota Prius was one of the first widely sold hybrid cars. It uses both a gas engine and an electric motor together, which is why it became a big deal for fuel economy.

Term

1.5 liter engine

"marrying a 1.5 liter engine to a 40 horsepower electric motor."

“1.5 liters” describes the engine size. Bigger displacement usually means the engine can move more air and fuel, which affects power and fuel use.

Car

Mazda Mx5

"20. We have the Mazda MX-5, the ND, okay, the 2015 era. What?"

The Mazda Miata (MX-5) is a small two-seat roadster. It’s built to feel light and easy to drive, with handling that’s meant to be fun. The podcast is talking about the newer ND generation from around 2015.

Concept

NA

"Every generation is better than the last, which is why the NA is the third. [1558.0s] All right."

“NA” usually means the engine is naturally aspirated, meaning it doesn’t use a turbocharger. Power comes from the engine itself rather than forced air from a turbo.

Term

trunk release in the fuse box

"In the trunk specifically. There is no way to get into the trunk. We literally had a hot wire, the trunk release in the fuse box to get the fucking keys out"

A car’s trunk release can be controlled by electrical parts and protected by fuses. If the keys are locked inside, people sometimes try to trigger the release by accessing the fuse box.

Car

Honda Integra Type R

"Number 17. We have the Honda Integra Type R. The DC5? DC2."

The Honda Integra Type R is a special, track-minded version of the Integra. People like it because it’s fun and responsive to drive, not just fast on paper.

Car

Acura Integra

"Number 17. We have the Honda Integra Type R. The DC5?"

The Acura Integra is a compact car made by Acura. The Type R version is the sportier, performance-focused model. The podcast is referencing the DC5 generation of the Type R.

Car

Nissan Fairlady Z, 1969

"Alex, what do you think of one of those? The Nissan Fairlady Z, 1969. The first Japanese sports car to attract international appreciation."

The Nissan Fairlady Z from 1969 is one of the first Japanese sports cars that really impressed people outside Japan. It helped build the reputation of the “Z” line as a fun, real-world usable sports car.

Concept

top five

"Well, we can't put every car in the top five. Well, I've just put 16 through 21 in the top five. That's the best thing about top five is only five stars."

“Top five” just means a list where only five cars can be considered the best. When people argue about it, it’s usually because they disagree on which cars should make that final group.

Car

Toyota GR Yaris

"Yeah. You're going to put the GR Yaris. Over the FDR."

The Toyota GR Yaris is a sporty version of the Yaris. It’s made to be quick and fun to drive, with a focus on handling. The podcast is saying they’d choose it over another car in their list.

Car

Datsun 240Z

"You're going to put the GR Yaris. Over the FDR 7 and the Datsun 240Z. And the Honda Integra Type R."

The Datsun 240Z is an older Japanese sports car that became a legend for being fun and stylish. The hosts are comparing newer hype (the GR Yaris) to this classic.

Car

Honda S2000

"Number 14, Honda S2000. [1731.4s] I think the Honda S2000 was a game changer. [1745.1s] To find a sweeter, revier, more eager four cylinder, you need to go to a super bike shop [1767.4s] I love an S2000."

The Honda S2000 is a Honda roadster known for revving very high and feeling really sharp to drive. People love it because the engine is naturally aspirated and the car feels light and fun.

Term

four cylinder

"[1745.1s] To find a sweeter, revier, more eager four cylinder, you need to go to a super bike shop [1750.3s] for that."

A “four cylinder” engine has four combustion chambers. Here, they’re talking about how this particular four-cylinder engine feels exciting and revs freely.

Car

Lexus LS 400

"[1760.6s] Lexus LS 400 number 13, that's pretty high up. [1766.6s] That's pretty far. [1771.5s] I love the LS 400. [1774.0s] It's an odd place for it."

The Lexus LS 400 is a Japanese luxury car that’s known for being smooth and well-built. It’s often included in top lists because it was a big deal for how good a Japanese luxury sedan could be.

Car

R35 Nissan GTR

"Number 12, R35 Nissan GTR. [1790.9s] Good car. [1792.6s] I feel like that's a reasonable place. [1798.8s] R35 is a good car."

The Nissan GT-R (R35) is a super-fast Japanese sports car. People love it because it grips the road well (all-wheel drive) and it’s known for being brutally quick.

Car

Toyota 2000 Gt

"Good car. Number 11, the Toyota 2000 GT. Iconic."

The Toyota 2000GT is a classic sports car from Toyota. The podcast is highlighting it as an iconic model that many car fans recognize. It’s remembered for being a special, high-status vintage Toyota.

Brand

Yamaha

"“Did you know that the wood grain interior is from Yamaha and the reason that the wood doesn't warp is because of a special compound that Yamaha did on the dash for the heat?”"

Yamaha is a Japanese brand best known for motorcycles, but here it’s being credited with helping with the car’s interior materials. The point is that the wood trim was treated so it wouldn’t warp from heat.

Term

side compartment of the car on the behind the front wheel

"“You also know that there's also a side compartment of the car on the behind the front wheel? That's cool. You can throw stuff in there.”"

They’re talking about a hidden storage space near the front wheel area. It’s like a built-in compartment where you can stash small items.

Term

homologation requirement

"“I feel like we should set a homologation requirement for this list because that is the rarest of the hard luck.”"

Homologation is a racing rule that says the car has to be built in enough numbers for regular buyers. That way, the race car is based on something that actually exists on the road.

Car

Nissan R33

"[1854.5s] Which generation? [1855.4s] Because they're going for the specific heaters. [1856.6s] I'm going to say R33. [1858.1s] Okay."

The Skyline comes in different generations, and the R33 is one of them. The hosts are guessing which generation matches what they’re talking about, because different years/generations can have different equipment.

Car

Toyota Celica GT4

"[1858.6s] Toyota Celica GT4. [1860.4s] Okay. [1860.8s] Oh, that's a good point. [1861.5s] You were close, but no cigar."

The Toyota Celica GT4 is a special Celica version that’s tied to rally racing. The hosts bring it up as a comparison while they’re trying to identify the right Skyline.

Car

Nissan Leaf

"Number 10. [1864.4s] We have the Nissan Leaf. [1869.0s] Nissan paid for this article. ... [1894.6s] As the first ever mass produced electric car, the Leaf was understandably a tad crude."

The Nissan Leaf was one of the first electric cars that lots of people could actually buy. The hosts are basically saying it was important for EV history, but it wasn’t as refined as newer electric cars.

Concept

mass produced electric car

"[1892.7s] Yeah, let's read the blurb. [1894.6s] As the first ever mass produced electric car, the Leaf was understandably a tad crude."

“Mass produced” just means the car was made in big numbers for regular customers. The point here is that the Leaf helped bring electric cars to the mainstream, not just to a niche market.

Term

battery degradation

"Battery degradation was catastrophic in the design while there wasn't one."

Battery degradation means the battery slowly gets worse as you use it. For an EV, that usually shows up as less driving range over time.

Term

rapid charge EVs

"its time, we'd still be waiting on the 300 plus mile rapid charge EVs. ... They're putting it out there because it was one of the first rapid charge EVs. It was the first rapid charge EVs."

“Rapid charge” means charging an EV faster than usual. The hosts are saying early EVs were held back by charging speed, and the Leaf was one of the early examples that supported faster charging.

Concept

EV

"we'd still be waiting on the 300 plus mile rapid charge EVs. ... They're putting it out there because it was one of the first rapid charge EVs."

EV means electric vehicle. It’s a car that runs on electricity stored in a battery, and the discussion here is about early EV problems like range and charging speed.

Car

Honda Civic

"I don't even know anymore. FL-5 Honda Civic Type R. OK."

The Honda Civic is a small, everyday car. A Civic Type R is the high-performance version, made to be quicker and more fun to drive. The podcast is referencing a specific newer Type R generation.

Term

front wheel drive

"The greatest front wheel drive driver's car ever made under $100,000. ... I would not put it."

Front-wheel drive means the front wheels do the work of both steering and moving the car. The hosts mention it because it affects how the car feels to drive, especially in a sporty “driver’s car” context.

Car

Nissan R35 Gtr

"Yeah. I would not put that car up in front of the R35 GT-R. No."

The Nissan GT-R is a very fast sports car. The R35 is the generation being mentioned. In the podcast, they’re comparing it to other cars and deciding it doesn’t belong at the very top of their list.

Term

transaxle

"Because the 4 is when they rotated the engine and the transaxle and all that stuff. And then 5 is when they put the big brakes on it."

A transaxle is basically the car’s gearbox plus the final drive/differential in one unit. It’s common on cars where the engine is closer to the middle or rear.

Term

turbine wheel

"And then 6 is when they upgraded the turbine wheel. The 6 and a half had a Tommy TME edition."

The turbine wheel is the spinning part inside a turbocharger. It’s what the exhaust gas pushes to help the turbo make boost.

Car

Mitsubishi EVO

"I guess so did the EVO. They all did."

“EVO” is short for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. It’s a fast, rally-inspired car that’s famous with car fans, especially because it’s built to grip well and accelerate hard.

Car

Toyota Supra

"Getting into serious JDM fanboy territory. We have the Mark IV Toyota Supra."

The Toyota Supra is a famous Japanese sports car. The “Mark IV” generation mentioned here is the 1990s version that car people love because it’s quick and has a huge parts and tuning community.

Car

Nissan Skyline GTR R32

"Number 4 is the R32 Nissan Skyline GTR. [2138.6s] You got to be kidding."

The Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) is a famous Japanese sports car. People love it because it was quick and capable, and it helped make the GT-R name legendary.

Car

Mazda MX-5

"From out of left field, we have the Mazda MX-5. [2150.0s] Oh, there we are. [2151.8s] We are the NA."

The Mazda MX-5 is a small, fun-to-drive roadster. It’s known for being light and nimble, and in this discussion they’re calling out a specific MX-5 generation.

Car

Mazda Miata

"Love a good Miata, though. Yeah. Sure. So we are labeling the Miata as better than the R34, the Mark IV Supra, the R35, the 22B."

The Mazda Miata is a small, lightweight sports car that’s built to be fun to drive. Here, the hosts are saying it’s a better pick than some bigger-name Japanese sports cars.

Car

Subaru Impreza 22B

"So we are labeling the Miata as better than the R34, the Mark IV Supra, the R35, the 22B."

The Subaru Impreza 22B is a very rare Subaru made for rally racing rules. The hosts mention it as part of a list of legendary Japanese cars.

Car

Honda Nsx

"Number 2. Honda NSX. Honestly, I would put. I would almost put the S2000 over the NSX."

The Honda NSX is a famous Japanese supercar with a mid-engine layout. Here, the hosts are arguing about whether it’s still the best deal compared with other options, even though they agree it looks amazing.

Term

dollar value

"It's also not that fantastic of a sports car for dollar value nowadays. Nowadays. It's tough."

“Dollar value” means whether a car is worth the money. They’re saying the NSX might be amazing, but it may not be the best deal compared to other sports cars right now.

Car

Acura NSX

"You know what you could get with $120,000 on NSX? A Ferrari 360."

The Acura NSX is a famous Japanese supercar. It’s mid-engine, meaning the engine sits near the middle of the car for balance. Here, they’re comparing it to other cars you could buy for similar money.

Car

Ferrari 360

"You know what you could get with $120,000 on NSX? A Ferrari 360."

The Ferrari 360 is an Italian mid-engine supercar (the engine sits behind the front seats) that became a benchmark for “entry-level” Ferrari ownership. In this segment, it’s mentioned as an alternative purchase relative to the Acura NSX price point.

Car

Honda Beat

"The AutoZam easy one. That's a good guess. I was going to put the Honda Beat."

The Honda Beat is a small Japanese sports car. It’s famous for being light and playful, and they’re suggesting it as a likely pick for their “best Japanese cars” list.

Concept

K car route

"So I went like the K car route. But now I'm going to go like. R33 GTR."

“K car route” means they’re thinking about kei cars—tiny Japanese cars designed to fit strict rules. They’re usually efficient and cheap to run, not big fast sports cars.

Car

Toyota Camry

"Fuck. I was going to say Camry. The Nissan Z."

The Toyota Camry is a regular, everyday family sedan. It’s usually chosen for comfort and practicality rather than being a sports car. In the podcast, it’s brought up as a mainstream option in their car list.

Car

Renault Twingo

"... It's going to be something stupid like a Renault Twingo. Oh, no."

The Renault Twingo is a small car made for city driving. It’s meant to be easy to park and drive around tight streets. The podcast mentions it as an odd or surprising pick.

Car

Nissan 350Z

"It is. Nissan 350Z. We talked about Nissan the whole list."

The Nissan 350Z is a sports car coupe. The podcast is talking about it as part of a list of Nissan performance cars. It’s brought up because it’s a well-known Z-car that many enthusiasts like.

Concept

engineering and development time

"if it's insanely long engineering and development time that Lexus still pays media companies to talk about the LFA ... It took them 10 years to engineer the car."

This phrase means how long it takes to design and perfect a new car before it’s built. Spending more time usually costs more money, but it can help the final product turn out better.

Car

Lexus LFA

"the LFA is top of the list. Somebody's like, yeah, but like, is it that good? Well, no, no, it is. It is. Alex hates the LFA. No, I like it."

The Lexus LFA is a special Japanese supercar. People love it because it has a very exciting engine sound and feels like a real performance machine.

Car

Nissan Z

"It's the same thing as I mean like, the 400, the Nissan Z is the best iteration of the Z platform."

The Nissan Z is a sports car line that’s been around for a long time. Here, they’re saying the newest/best version they’re talking about is the best one in the Z family.

Term

six-speed manual

"And it took an iteration of iteration twin-turbo 400 or six-speed manual."

A six-speed manual is a car where you choose gears yourself using a clutch. The hosts are basically saying some versions of these cars are great with a manual.

Term

naturally aspirated

"We've got a naturally aspirated 300 ZX. Yep."

Naturally aspirated means the engine breathes on its own, without a turbo or supercharger. That usually makes the power feel smoother as you rev.

Car

Nissan 300 ZX

"We've got a naturally aspirated 300 ZX. Yep."

The Nissan 300 ZX is a famous Japanese sports car that enthusiasts still talk about. Here they mention it’s naturally aspirated, which means it doesn’t use a turbo to make boost.

Car

Mazda RX-7

"I always look at the Mark IV Supra and the FDRX-7 and tell myself that the RX-7 is a squished downed version of the Supra. The FDRX-7's bone stock do look kind of..."

The Mazda RX-7 is a well-known Japanese sports car with a unique engine design. The speaker is basically saying it’s an iconic “JDM” car and comparing its style to the Supra.

Term

JDM legend

"It's JDM legend. It is."

“JDM” means Japanese-market cars and the fan culture around them. Saying it’s a “JDM legend” means it’s a really famous, respected car among enthusiasts.

Term

spring rates

"We can change your spring rates. [2576.7s] Fortune Auto is a really dope company."

Spring rates are how stiff the suspension springs are. Stiffer springs usually help the car feel more controlled in corners, but they can make the ride feel bumpier.

Brand

Fortune Auto

"Fortune Auto is a really dope company. [2578.1s] They make really good stuff. [2579.6s] They have a bunch of enthusiasts that work over there"

Fortune Auto is a company that makes aftermarket car suspension parts. People use their products to tune how the car handles, and the hosts say they’re enthusiast-focused.

Car

Volkswagen Carmen Ghia

"...rs that we never heard of, maybe. 1969 Volkswagen Carmen Ghia, but not just any Carmen Ghia. This is a full on ..."

The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is an older classic car. The podcast is specifically talking about a 1969 model. People bring it up because it has a unique vintage design and is considered a collectible classic.

Term

wide body

"1969 Volkswagen Carmen Ghia, but not just any Carmen Ghia. [2613.7s] This is a full on like custom metal wide body drift"

A wide body means the car’s fenders are widened. That lets you run bigger tires and wheels, which can help with grip and clearance—especially for drifting.

Concept

drifting

"[2658.1s] Just building something like this for drifting and just [2660.7s] be like, yeah, we'll figure it out is fucking insane to me."

Drifting is when a driver makes the car slide through a turn with the rear end out. It takes special tuning so the car stays controllable while it’s sideways.

Term

cantilever suspension

"[2663.2s] It's on a rotisserie and it's got cantilever suspension. [2665.5s] Yeah, every single part of this has been somewhat like"

Cantilever suspension is a type of car suspension where the wheel’s movement is handled by a lever arm. It’s used to help engineers tune how the car grips and rides, especially on track-focused builds.

Term

rotisserie

"[2663.2s] It's on a rotisserie and it's got cantilever suspension. [2665.5s] Yeah, every single part of this has been somewhat like"

A rotisserie is a workshop stand that holds a car by its body so it can be rotated for easier access during restoration or fabrication. It’s commonly used when doing extensive bodywork, chassis work, or welding where you need to reach all sides.

Term

inline 6

"[2675.2s] I don't know exactly what engine is in it, but in one of the pictures [2678.5s] it looks like probably like an inline 6? [2683.4s] 5 maybe? I don't know. [2685.0s] Something inline 6 with a big old turbo on it"

An inline 6 is an engine with six cylinders lined up in a row. It usually runs smoothly, and here the speaker suggests it’s been turbocharged for extra power.

Car

Wisefab rear RX 8 kit

"It's got a Wisefab rear RX 8 kit on it. That is fucking insane."

This is an aftermarket add-on for a Mazda RX-8. “Wisefab” is the company that makes the kit, and it’s meant to change the rear of the car—usually for looks and sometimes for how the car handles airflow.

Part

coil packs

"And actually, now that I'm looking at the coil packs here, I don't think it's an inline 6. No, it is a V6."

Coil packs are part of the ignition system. They create the electrical spark that lights the fuel in the engine, and their layout can hint at how the engine is built.

Term

62 millimeter turbo

"Cantilever suspension, angle kit, all sort of stuff. 62 millimeter turbo sitting on ECU Masters for..."

This is a turbocharger that’s about 62 mm in size. Turbo size affects how quickly it boosts and where the power shows up in the rev range.

Brand

ECU Masters

"62 millimeter turbo sitting on ECU Masters for... This is so cool."

ECU Masters makes aftermarket engine computers. If the car is running on it, the owner is using a custom-tunable computer to manage things like fuel and spark for performance mods.

Car

Honda Civic Type R

"Fastest around the Nurburgring in a front wheel drive production car is now claimed by the Volkswagen GTI beating out the Honda Civic Type R."

The Honda Civic Type R is the sporty, track-oriented version of the Civic. In this discussion, it’s the car the GTI is supposedly faster than around the Nürburgring.

Term

Nürburgring

"Fastest around the Nurburgring in a front wheel drive production car is now claimed by the Volkswagen GTI beating out the Honda Civic Type R."

The Nürburgring is a very famous racetrack in Germany. People use lap times from it to judge how fast and capable a car really is.

Concept

Sim on the ring

"And I would assume, so I've done the ring on the Sim. And actually, Ben has a ton of experience running on the Sim on the ring,"

They’re talking about a racing video game/simulator that uses a version of the Nürburgring track. It’s a way to practice and learn, but it won’t feel exactly like driving a real car.

Term

real wheel drive configuration

"but that track one is like insanely difficult in real wheel drive configuration. I have never even attempted to drive a front wheel drive car on the Sim on that track."

They mean which wheels the car’s power goes to (front, rear, or all-wheel drive). That choice changes how the car grips and turns, so it can feel totally different on the same track.

Term

clutch kick

"I do miss me a good front wheel drive SRT4 clutch kick. You know, just like, I get a bunch of torque here."

A “clutch kick” is when you quickly slip/engage the clutch to make the car lurch and spin the tires. It can create a sideways feel, especially on front-wheel-drive cars.

Term

torque

"You know, just like, I get a bunch of torque here. Like you're going to go into the curb."

Here, “torque” means the engine’s twisting force that pushes the car forward. If it comes on hard, the tires can lose grip and the car can start to slide.

Concept

crab walk sideways

"Like you're going to go into the curb. You just crab walk sideways. That's what it's all about."

They mean the car slides sideways while still moving forward. That can happen when the tires lose grip and the driver is trying to control the slide.

Concept

dump a skiddle

"When you see, when you have a crown on a road, right? And it's, it's pitched and you dump a skiddle and the whole car, like you're looking out to,"

They’re using slang for starting a skid—basically making the tires lose grip so the car slides. The point is that the car can suddenly move in a wild way when traction breaks.

Concept

crown on a road

"When you see, when you have a crown on a road, right? And it's, it's pitched and you dump a skiddle"

A “crown” is the road’s slight hump in the middle for drainage. When you’re driving hard, that shape can change how much grip each side of the tires has.

Term

skid pad

"Because it's got like a little access road. And then it's just a skid pad. It's just a chunk."

A skid pad is a special flat section of pavement made for practicing controlled sliding. It helps drivers learn how the car behaves when the tires lose grip.

Concept

rezoned

"And when apparently GLD was purchased and that's what ended up causing this whole thing to get rezoned or something like that."

Rezoning is a change to local land-use rules that can restrict what activities are allowed on a property. In this context, it likely affected whether drift events could continue at that location.

Car

Volkswagen I

"... some good news I bought a super rare part for my Volkswagen I did some hunting I got a made in Germany Zender m..."

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an electric van-style vehicle. The podcast is talking about finding a rare replacement part for it. That’s a practical ownership topic for less common EV models.

Part

Zender midwing

"I got a made in Germany Zender midwing so it goes on the hatch of the spoilers very hard to find"

A midwing is a wing piece that sits in the middle of a spoiler setup. It’s meant to help the car’s airflow at the back, and they’re excited because this specific one is hard to find.

Term

customs

"I got it shipped from Taiwan and I was so fucking scared that customers was going to break it because it was stuck in customs for a month."

Customs is the border-check process for imported packages. They were worried the part could get damaged while it was waiting to be cleared.

Term

body panel

"you think well with the Harlequin every body panel that touches is supposed to be different"

A body panel is an outer part of the car’s body, like the fender or hatch. The host is talking about how the paint colors are supposed to vary across those outer pieces.

Term

counterfeit

"I had to go through and made sure it had all the official stamping and stuff so it's not a counterfeit one"

A “counterfeit” part is a fake that’s being sold like it’s the real branded item. The host is saying they checked details to make sure the part was authentic.

Term

OEM plus parts

"they worked with manufacturers to essentially make OEM plus parts and body kits and pieces"

“OEM plus” means upgrades that look like they belong on the car from the factory. The goal is to improve the car without making it look like a cheap aftermarket hack.

43 cars featured

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