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Waymo Danger; Our Award; Spyder Milestone

Waymo Danger; Our Award; Spyder Milestone

The Smoking Tire Nov 28, 2025 100 min
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About this episode

Thanksgiving brings a mix of humor and automotive discussions as the hosts share their holiday plans and experiences. They dive into the quirks of Waymo self-driving cars, recounting amusing incidents and the challenges of navigating urban environments. The episode also highlights the hosts' recent adventures, including a trophy win at an award show and a milestone reached in one host's car ownership. With a blend of personal anecdotes and automotive insights, this episode captures the essence of car culture during the holiday season.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Volvo V90 Cross Country
Herranderssvensson (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Volvo V90 Cross Country

"Right. V90 cross country. We said we'd never go back there."

The Volvo V90 Cross Country is a fancy wagon that can handle different types of roads and weather. It's known for being comfortable and having a lot of nice features inside.

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Dodge Viper SRT-10
ArildV (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Dodge Viper SRT-10

"I drove the SRT-10. It sucks. I don't like the way it sounds. Sounds like garbage."

The Dodge Viper SRT-10 is a fast sports car with a big engine. Some people love its power, but others think it doesn't sound good or feel comfortable to drive.

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BMW E92
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW E92

"... I got one for myself also enters me to win Vin's E92 track car, which I'm sure I will win. I will."

The BMW 3 Series is a small luxury car that many people love for its fun driving experience and comfortable interior. It's been around for a long time and is often seen as a great option for those who want a stylish and sporty vehicle.

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Rivian
Mliu92 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Rivian

"The, uh, the Rivian was really good in the, in the rain."

Rivian is a company that makes electric vehicles, including trucks and SUVs. They are designed for outdoor activities and are environmentally friendly.

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Term

Pikes Peak

"...I didn't watch Pikes Peak this year, but Zword told me later that he was her coach. They never met, but she did the GT4 class forever."

Pikes Peak is a mountain in Colorado where a famous car race takes place every year. Cars race up the mountain, and it's known for being very difficult and exciting.

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Porsche 718 Cayman GT4
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4

"...he was her coach. They never met, but she did the GT4 class forever. And she almost won her class."

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is a super sporty car that's built for speed and handling on the racetrack. It's known for being really fun to drive and has a powerful engine.

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Ford F150
UltraTech66 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford F150

"So it's just waiting for everybody. So P cars back and out, cars trying to thing, this F-150 makes a wide turn, and it just like sits there, stops and waits for the F-150 to do anything, it's just, that's going"

The Ford F-150 is a popular pickup truck that many people use for work and everyday driving. It's known for being tough and able to carry heavy loads, which is why so many people choose it.

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Concept

autonomous vehicles (AVs)

"...if you want to improve road safety, and in certain types of situations, particularly highways, AVs, definitely."

Autonomous vehicles are cars that can drive themselves without needing a person to control them. They use technology to see their surroundings and make decisions while driving.

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Company

Waymo

"...because I was walking the dog a few days ago, and a Waymo pulled up, they're in my neighborhood a lot, but it pulled in front of a driveway..."

Waymo is a company that makes self-driving cars. They started as part of Google and are now working on technology to allow cars to drive themselves without a human driver.

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Honda Civic
MercurySable99 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Honda Civic

"...the waymo pulled up in front of him, and blocked him, and because there's no one to talk to, he honked, and the car didn't move..."

The Honda Civic is a small car that many people drive because it's dependable and gets good gas mileage. It's been around for a long time and is very popular.

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BMW 1800S
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW 1800S

"...ork taxi out in the middle of a past year and the 1800s. There were like 30 of these things."

The BMW 1800 is an older sedan from the 1960s that's known for its stylish design. It's a classic car that many collectors appreciate.

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Fiat 1400S
Unknown photographer (Public domain)
Car

Fiat 1400S

"...very royally dressed like clearly a king from the 1400s, but then wearing Max for Stappens helmet."

The Fiat 1400 is an older car from the 1950s that's known for its distinctive look. It's a piece of automotive history and is appreciated by classic car fans.

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Car

Ravology

"...you took him for a ride in the Ravology."

Ravology makes new versions of old cars, like the classic Volkswagen Beetle, but with updated features and better performance.

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Term

horsepower

"...it's like 500 horsepower. Yeah, and 3,300 pounds or something. It ripped."

Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster and accelerate quicker.

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Ford Mustang
Hans-Jürgen Neubert (CC BY 4.0)
Car

Ford Mustang

"And you know what? It doesn't feel like Mustang horsepower because it's light and actually kind o..."

The Ford Mustang is a classic sports car known for its speed and cool looks. It's been around for a long time and is loved by many for its powerful engine and fun driving experience.

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Nissan 300 ZX
Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Nissan 300 ZX

"Mine was the 300 ZX twin turbo, which I was able to buy after years of looking for a new one."

The Nissan 300 ZX twin turbo is a fast sports car from the late 80s and 90s. It has a strong engine and a stylish look, making it popular among car enthusiasts.

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Acura NSX
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Acura NSX

"...00 was my high school. So, I mean, you've got the NSX and I've got the O5. You've got, I mean, a lot of..."

The Acura NSX is a fast and fancy sports car that was first made in the 1990s. It's known for being really well-designed and fun to drive, making it a dream car for many people.

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Toyota Supras
Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Toyota Supras

"the Supras, and I mean, there, there was a couple of like really rich kids in my"

The Toyota Supra is a popular sports car known for being fast and powerful. It became famous in the 1990s and is loved by car fans for its ability to be modified for even better performance.

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Mitsubishi Eclipse Gsx
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mitsubishi Eclipse Gsx

"There was a kid with a, an eclipse GSX brand new."

The Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX is a sporty car that was popular in the 90s. It's known for being fast and has a lot of fans who like to modify it for better performance.

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Audi S4
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Audi S4

"A lot of kids got S-Force, Audi, we talked about the Audi S-Force."

The Audi S4 is a faster, sportier version of the regular Audi A4. It has better performance and is designed for driving enthusiasts who still want luxury.

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Mitsubishi 3000GT
Steve Glover (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Mitsubishi 3000GT

"...new Lamborghini SV or 3000 GT or whatever, like cool, but I don't see many of them and I can't buy one."

The Mitsubishi 3000GT is a sporty car from the 1990s that had some cool features like four-wheel drive and adjustable wings for better performance. It was popular among car enthusiasts at the time.

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Lamborghini Kuntosh
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Lamborghini Kuntosh

"...it wasn't high school, it was the Kuntosh from when I was a kid and, and that, you know, that really did it."

The Lamborghini Countach is a famous sports car that looks very unique and has doors that open upwards. It became very popular because of its cool design and speed.

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Mazda Miata
Yaktatel (Public domain)
Car

Mazda Miata

"I've got an E30, I've got a Miata, I've got a this, I've got an FRS..."

The Mazda Miata is a small sports car that is very light and fun to drive. It's known for being affordable and great for driving on winding roads.

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Porsche 911
David Villarreal Fernández (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

Porsche 911

"... of these and I could have one, you know, awesome 911 or something like that."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car known for its unique shape and fast speed. It's been around for a long time and is loved by car enthusiasts for how well it drives.

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Concept

Dakar Rally

"I think, you know, be fun about Dakar. I bet if you traveled with the circus because you'd be the only spectator, you could go to the pits and see everything happening."

The Dakar Rally is a tough race that happens every year, where drivers and their vehicles go through really rough and wild areas. It's known for being very challenging and exciting.

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Concept

Le Mans

"Whereas Le Mans, unless you buy the pit pass, which will be expensive, then you're just in the woods with a bunch of drunk, rich dudes and German people and like, that's fun, but I don't really drink that much anymore."

Le Mans is a famous car race that lasts for 24 hours, where teams compete to see who can drive the farthest in that time. It's a big deal in the racing world and attracts a lot of attention.

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BMW M340i
Damian B Oh (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M340i

"Don't make it weird. Edward M340 hands. Yeah."

The BMW M340i is a sportier version of the BMW 3 Series. It has a powerful engine and is designed for better performance and handling, making it fun to drive.

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Acura Rdx
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Acura Rdx

"...to mid-size SUV for my wife. You've mentioned the Acura RDX in the past. It would not be garage, so no electr..."

The Acura RDX is a small luxury SUV that's comfortable and has a lot of tech features. It's a good choice for families because it has plenty of space inside.

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Term

plug-in hybrid

"It would not be garage, so no electric or plug in hybrid. Anything else?"

A plug-in hybrid is a car that can run on both gasoline and electricity. You can charge it by plugging it in, which helps save fuel and reduce emissions.

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Car

Mazda Cx50

"Anything else? CX-50. Yeah."

The Mazda CX-50 is a small SUV that's designed to be fun to drive and looks good. It's a practical choice for people who want a car that's easy to handle and has space for passengers.

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Honda Crv
EurovisionNim (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Honda Crv

"Those are pretty much your choices. The CRV is not fun. Neither is the Rev4."

The Honda CR-V is a small SUV that many families like because it's roomy and reliable. It's not the most exciting car to drive, but it's very practical for everyday use.

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Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

"other than people with SVJs can't help but rev them all the time."

The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ is a very fast and expensive sports car. It's famous for its loud engine and flashy design, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.

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Plymouth Cricket
Frank Lodge (Public domain)
Car

Plymouth Cricket

"... four are just variations on American short hair. Cricket, fin, and Nikki are all American short hair, fins..."

The Plymouth Cricket is a small car from the 1970s that's known for being affordable and practical. It's a bit quirky and has its own charm, making it interesting to some car lovers.

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Porsche Turbo Ls
David Villarreal Fernández (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

Porsche Turbo Ls

"builds. Once that got really took off, it was LS plus turbo, LS plus supercharger, because you need to get that headline and have more power than the other guy making a restomod, and now"

The Porsche 911 Turbo S is a super-fast version of the 911 sports car that has a turbo engine. It's known for being really powerful and fun to drive.

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Term

LS engine

"...it was LS plus turbo, LS plus supercharger..."

The LS engine is a type of V8 engine made by General Motors that is often used in many cars because it is powerful and lightweight. People like to swap it into older cars for better performance.

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Chevelle
Mr.choppers (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Chevelle

"everyone has a 900 horsepower chavelle that's terrifying, just to say you have an LSA that's boosted."

The Chevelle is a classic car made by Chevrolet, known for its powerful engines and sporty design, especially popular in the 1960s and 70s.

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Term

R&D

"...you could spend all this money on R&D, the chassis, and whatever..."

R&D means Research and Development. It's what companies do to come up with new ideas and make their products better, like improving cars.

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Term

push-button keyless start

"I think there's a lot of companies that try to use push-button keyless start on a lot of particularly American cars, and it doesn't work that well."

Push-button keyless start means you can start your car by just pressing a button instead of using a regular key. You just need to have the key fob with you.

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Ford Broncos
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Broncos

"...'t work that well. I can't tell you the number of Broncos that customers have kept with us, with a shitty, ..."

The Ford Bronco is a tough SUV that's great for off-roading and outdoor adventures. It's known for being strong and capable, making it a favorite for those who like to explore.

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Chevrolet C8
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Chevrolet C8

"the key is fine. I blow horn, should Chevy add a C8 to the lineup with a Z06 engine and the E-ray fro..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast sports car that's famous for its cool looks and powerful engine. It's been around for a long time and is often seen as a great value for a high-performance car.

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Chevrolet Stingray
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Chevrolet Stingray

"...the E-ray paired with the Stingray engine is kind of boring..."

The Stingray is the standard version of the Corvette, known for its great performance and stylish looks.

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BMW M3
MB-one (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M3

"...e advantage. I'm about to take delivery of my new M3. Congratulations."

The BMW M3 is a super sporty version of the regular BMW 3 Series. It's known for being really fast and fun to drive, making it a favorite among car lovers.

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Term

torque

"it was early BMW turbo and it was all torque from zero basically. But I like it."

Torque is how strong the engine is when it starts moving. More torque means the car can speed up quickly, especially from a stop.

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Audi RS4
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Audi RS4

"No. I think the S4 and RS4, if you were talking about highway cars, probably..."

The Audi RS4 is a fast version of the regular Audi A4, known for its powerful engine and all-wheel drive. It's a luxury car that feels sporty and is fun to drive.

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

"Julia Quad, kind of."

The Giulia Quadrifoglio is a super sporty version of the Alfa Romeo Giulia. It has a very powerful engine and is designed for people who love to drive fast and enjoy sharp handling.

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Ford Focus RS
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Focus RS

"Holy shit. OK, I just picked up a Focus RS. Are there any advice for worthwhile mods?"

The Ford Focus RS is a sporty version of the regular Focus hatchback, designed to be really fun to drive. It has a powerful engine and special features that make it great for racing.

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Chrysler Daytona
Dodge Division of Chrysler Corporation (Public domain)
Car

Chrysler Daytona

"Yeah. Daytona Black Bike Week definitely must see a rally cross..."

The Chrysler Daytona is a cool-looking car from the 1980s that's known for being sporty. It's a bit of a classic now and many people like it for its unique style.

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Honda S2000
Handelsgeselschaft (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Honda S2000

"... the jag. I currently have a 400 horsepower Honda S2000 and a Honda beat, not a Honda guy, I just happene..."

The Honda S2000 is a small sports car known for being really fun to drive and having a powerful engine. It's a convertible, which means you can take the top down on nice days.

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Honda Civic Type-R
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Honda Civic Type-R

"...maybe 23, performance car of the year, we had the Civic Type R and the Alontera N. These Civic Type R came on an..."

The Honda Civic Type-R is a sporty version of the regular Civic that's really fun to drive. It's known for being fast and has special features that make it great for racing.

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Porsche 911 GT3
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Porsche 911 GT3

"...doing that versus the fucking ones that come on a GT3 or something. I'm not saying that they're wrong a..."

The Porsche 911 GT3 is a super-fast version of the 911 sports car, built for racing and track days. It's known for its amazing handling and speed, making it a dream car for many.

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

Ford Explorer

"... like a scale, you know, our friend bought a fake Explorer 2, I have a real Explorer 2. And I was pretty imp..."

The Ford Explorer is a medium-sized SUV that's great for families because it has a lot of space inside. It's good for driving around town and can handle some outdoor adventures too.

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Porsche 918 Spyder
Chelsea Jay (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche 918 Spyder

"So a keel and toe. What makes the Porsche 918 different from the Ferrari SF90 in terms of enjoy..."
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Car

Ferrari Sf90

"...oe. What makes the Porsche 918 different from the Ferrari SF90 in terms of enjoyment? On paper, they seem simila..."
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Toyota Sprinter
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Toyota Sprinter

"Yeah. How about, like, luxury Sprinter Van being rolled up is a pretty big, dick energy ..."

The Toyota Sprinter is a small car that was popular a while back for being reliable and easy to drive. It's a good choice for people looking for something simple and affordable.

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Dodge Srt10 Ram
Bull-Doser (Public domain)
Car

Dodge Srt10 Ram

"I'm more patient. Legally, wiggly, deluxe says nobody ever seems to talk about the SRT-10 Ram Trucks. That's because they're bad."

The Dodge Ram SRT-10 is a super fast version of a pickup truck that has a really powerful engine. It's known for being able to do truck things while also being really fun to drive.

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Chevrolet Silverado
LukaCali (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Chevrolet Silverado

"We don't need it. Is the Silverado SS any good? No."

The Chevrolet Silverado is a big pickup truck that's used for work and everyday driving. It's known for being strong and able to carry heavy loads, which is why many people like it.

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