What Happened to the Amer. Convertible?, Monthly Car Payments New Record - Shift & Steer EP576

TireRack is a tire retailer that helps shoppers pick tires using test results, ratings, and customer reviews. It also offers services like shipping and installation options.

Road hazard protection is coverage offered with some tire purchases to help with damage from punctures or impacts like nails, debris, or potholes. The exact terms vary by provider, but it’s meant to reduce the cost of unexpected tire damage.

Progressive Insurance is an auto insurance provider that offers policies for vehicles and also bundles discounts with home insurance. The segment emphasizes checking eligibility to save money by bundling.

Bundling means buying multiple insurance policies from the same insurer—here, home and auto—to qualify for a discount. It’s a common way insurers reduce customer acquisition costs and reward multi-policy customers.

A motorhome is a self-contained recreational vehicle (RV) where the living space is built into the vehicle, so you can drive and sleep in the same unit. The host discusses the practical side of RV travel—like where it parks overnight and the convenience of having a restroom and kitchen on hand.

A Jeep is a brand of vehicles commonly used as a tow vehicle for RV trips, because many models can be configured for towing behind a motorhome. Here, the host says they haven’t bought the Jeep yet, implying it will be used for the second part of the trip.

A car payment is the recurring monthly amount you pay to repay an auto loan (principal plus interest). When average payments rise, it can reduce affordability and increase the chance of taking on larger loans or longer terms.

Negative equity is when you owe more on your current car loan than the car is worth. When you trade in, that shortfall gets added to the new loan, which can make the new loan amount larger than the new car’s price.

New car price refers to the typical transaction price for brand-new vehicles. When new prices are high, it becomes easier for borrowers to end up financing more than the car is worth—especially if they’re trading in a vehicle with a loan balance.

Seven years here refers to the common auto-loan term length. Longer loan terms can lower the monthly payment, but they also increase the total interest paid and can make it easier to remain “upside down” if the vehicle’s value drops faster than the loan balance shrinks.

In car buying, “devalue” is shorthand for depreciation—how much a vehicle’s value drops over time. Depreciation matters because it affects whether you can sell the car later for close to what you paid.

“Build equity” refers to the difference between a car’s market value and what you still owe on the loan. If the car depreciates faster than you pay down the loan, you may not build equity.

“0% financing” means the lender charges no interest on the loan for the promotional period. It can be a big deal because it reduces the total cost compared with typical auto loan rates.

An “electric vehicle” (EV) is a car powered primarily by electricity stored in a battery, rather than by a gasoline engine. The host discusses EVs specifically because they’re often the focus of manufacturer incentives and discounting.

“Lease deals” are promotional terms that reduce the monthly cost of driving a car for a set period. The host’s point is that leasing can be a way to access EVs at lower effective prices before deciding whether to buy later.

The Mercedes EQS is a battery-electric luxury sedan from Mercedes-Benz, known for its aerodynamic “electric grand touring” design and long-range EV positioning. The host uses it as an example of how EVs can be discounted heavily relative to their original price.

Polestar is an EV brand associated with Volvo/Geely, known for performance-leaning electric sedans and SUVs. In this segment, the hosts discuss Polestar exiting the US market, which affects how easy it is to buy, service, and source parts for their cars.

Volvo is a major automaker that, in the context of this segment, is positioned as the remaining presence while Polestar exits the US. This matters because Volvo’s dealer/service network can be a practical support channel for customers in the same corporate ecosystem.

Car devaluing refers to a sharp drop in a vehicle’s market value after a change that reduces future confidence—like a brand exiting a market. When support and parts availability seem uncertain, buyers price in higher risk, which can hurt resale value.

Fisker is an EV startup brand referenced here as an example of a company that effectively disappeared, leaving owners with parts and repair challenges. The comparison is used to highlight how market exits can range from “still supportable” to “no parts at all.”

Karma is referenced as another EV brand used for comparison. The hosts are using it to illustrate the risk of buying from smaller EV startups if the company later fails to provide ongoing parts and service support.

In EV and modern-car contexts, a “brick” is a car that can’t be repaired or made operational—effectively unusable. The hosts use it to describe the worst-case scenario when parts or service support vanish after a brand exits.

Owners groups are communities where vehicle owners share troubleshooting tips, sourcing information, and workarounds—especially important for niche or exiting brands. The segment suggests these groups help owners keep cars running by finding compatible parts.

Door switches are the electrical controls in a car door (for functions like windows, locks, and mirrors). If they fail, the host suggests troubleshooting the wiring and possibly replacing the switch rather than replacing the whole door system.

A junkyard is a salvage yard where you can buy used parts from wrecked vehicles. The host mentions it as a practical source for door-related components when simple repairs (like tracing wiring or replacing a switch) aren’t enough.

The Fisker Ocean is an EV whose value proposition depends heavily on its electronics and battery management. In this segment, the host is describing what happens when the car’s computer systems fail and the vehicle becomes effectively unusable (“bricks”), which is why they’re talking about an engine swap as a workaround.

A drive shaft is the rotating shaft that transfers power from the transmission to the driven axle(s). When converting a car’s layout (like changing from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive), you often need a compatible drive shaft and related drivetrain components.

“Cut and weld” refers to fabrication work where metal is cut and reassembled to fit new components or perform a chassis/powertrain conversion. The host is describing that drivetrain and chassis changes may require custom metalwork.

The Cadillac Escalade is a large luxury SUV, and in this segment it’s used as an example of how expensive “normal” vehicles have become. The host contrasts it with older ideas of what $100,000 used to buy.

The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck and one of the most common “new truck” benchmarks in the U.S. Here it’s mentioned to emphasize that $100,000 can also buy high-trim versions of mainstream trucks.

“Chevy truck” refers to a pickup from Chevrolet (often called “Chevy” for short). The host uses it as a benchmark for what they’d prefer to drive—something that feels like a brand-new Chevrolet truck.

The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck known for its off-road capability and strong popularity in the U.S. The hosts discuss Toyota building the Tacoma in the United States, which matters because it affects supply chains, pricing, and how quickly parts and trucks can be produced locally.

San Antonio, Texas is the specific location where Toyota plans to build a new plant for the Tacoma. For listeners, this is a real-world manufacturing shift that can influence local jobs and the truck’s production timeline.

The “agreement between Mexico and America” refers to a trade framework that affects how easily parts can cross the U.S.-Mexico border for vehicle production. The host says a prior administration removed it, and manufacturers want it back because many parts are made across the border.

The Nissan pickup truck is mentioned as an example of how brands can start to look similar over time. The host’s point is about design language becoming more uniform across different manufacturers.

The Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup truck known for its car-like ride and unibody construction (unlike many body-on-frame trucks). Here it’s used to illustrate the host’s observation that modern pickups from different brands can look surprisingly similar at a glance.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact crossover-style pickup that stands out because it doesn’t follow the most common “traditional pickup” styling cues. The host brings it up as an exception to their “they all look alike” observation.

Supercharging refers to Tesla’s high-power DC fast-charging network and the process of charging an EV quickly at those stations. The host credits it with making Tesla EVs feel more convenient and “easy” for everyday use.

“Falcon doors” is the nickname for the Model X’s upward-opening rear doors. They’re designed to make getting in and out easier in tight parking spaces and are a signature styling feature of the Model X.

“Warranty issues” refers to problems where a vehicle’s covered repairs are denied, delayed, or repeatedly needed under the manufacturer’s warranty terms. The host is using it to explain why certain used EVs can become costly after coverage ends.

Tesla Model S is an all-electric luxury sedan that helped kick off the modern EV boom in the U.S. The host is discussing how earlier Model S units are now out of warranty, which can make repairs—like door-related issues—much more expensive.

Tesla Model 3 is a mass-market electric sedan that became one of the highest-volume EVs. The host is contrasting newer, more expensive examples with used ones that sell for far less, implying a big depreciation curve.

Tesla Model Y is Tesla’s compact electric crossover (SUV-style) built on the same general EV platform strategy as the Model 3. The host groups it with the Model 3 as a high-volume Tesla that’s widely available used at much lower prices.

Polestar is an EV brand, and the host is considering it as a possible example of a model that doesn’t show up often on the road. The key point is about real-world presence/volume: fewer cars sold means fewer sightings.

The Dodge Charger is a long-running American muscle-car nameplate. The host is criticizing a newer EV version of the Charger, arguing it didn’t match the expectations of the brand’s traditional muscle-car customer base.

EV stands for electric vehicle, meaning the car is powered primarily by one or more electric motors instead of a traditional gasoline engine. In this segment, the hosts are discussing whether an EV version will appeal to a specific buyer group.

A six-cylinder engine has six combustion cylinders working in sequence to produce power. Here, the host is contrasting a six-cylinder setup against a V8, arguing that the driving feel and buyer perception won’t be the same without the V8 sound/character.

A V8 is an engine with eight cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. Enthusiasts often associate V8s with a particular sound and feel, and this segment argues that removing the V8 can hurt how the car “resonates” with buyers—even if power numbers are high.

A shared platform means multiple vehicles are built using the same underlying architecture (major structural components and engineering base). The host argues this helps spread development and production costs across more models, improving the business case if one model doesn’t sell as well.

The Chevrolet Silverado EV is an electric version of GM’s full-size Silverado pickup. In this segment, it’s used to illustrate how GM can spread development costs by sharing a platform across multiple vehicles, including an EV truck.

A universal EV platform is a single standardized vehicle architecture intended to underpin many different EV models. The host frames it as Ford’s big plan: using one platform to reduce cost and speed up development across multiple EVs.

Ford is the automaker discussed here as the company pursuing a universal EV platform strategy. The host is using Ford as an example of how manufacturers plan EV lineups around shared engineering foundations.

This refers to a target pricing point for a Ford electric pickup truck, framing it as an affordable entry into the EV market. The host uses the price to emphasize the strategy of competing on cost as well as product.

The Hummer EV is an all-electric Hummer pickup/SUV line from General Motors, known for its off-road styling and heavy-duty electric torque. In this segment, the hosts focus on U.S. sales numbers, which helps explain how the EV’s market demand is tracking versus expectations.

The Chevrolet Colorado is a mid-size pickup, and the hosts are specifically praising the newer Colorado’s off-road-oriented appearance and upgrades. They mention features like an upgraded suspension, bigger wheels and tires, and a roll bar, which are common ways manufacturers improve stance and trail capability.

Suspension is the system that connects the wheels to the vehicle and controls ride height, wheel travel, and how the truck absorbs bumps. An upgraded suspension typically means improved shock/strut tuning and/or lift components to better handle rough roads and off-road impacts.

Bigger wheels and tires change the truck’s contact patch and ride/handling characteristics. Larger tires can improve off-road traction and obstacle clearance, while wheel size can also affect ride comfort and steering feel.

A roll bar is a protective structure—often used on off-road vehicles—to help protect occupants if the vehicle tips over. It can also be part of a vehicle’s rugged, trail-ready hardware package.

The Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV known for large interior volume and cargo space. The host mentions using a roof rack and fitting long items, using the Suburban as an example of why a smaller truck bed can be harder for hauling.

The GMC Yukon XL is the longer-wheelbase version of the Yukon, built as a full-size family SUV. The segment focuses on lease math and incentives, including a 2026 Yukon XL four-wheel-drive offer and the tradeoffs of mileage limits.

“Due at signing” is the amount you pay upfront when you sign a lease agreement, before monthly payments begin. The hosts compare deals by including these upfront costs, since they can significantly change the effective price of the lease.

The Porsche Taycan is Porsche’s all-electric sports sedan, known for high-performance EV dynamics. The hosts use “Taycan money” as a shorthand to say the Hummer EV lease terms feel expensive compared with typical mainstream EV deals.

The Porsche Panamera is Porsche’s luxury performance sedan (not electric by default, though there are plug-in hybrids). The hosts reference it as another benchmark for “expensive” lease pricing, implying the Hummer EV’s payments resemble luxury-car territory.

A mileage charge is the fee a lease customer pays when they exceed the allowed miles in the contract. In this segment, the hosts cite a per-mile penalty (25 cents per mile over a set limit), which can make a “cheap” monthly payment more expensive in real life.

The GMC Yukon is the standard-length full-size SUV in the same family as the Yukon XL. Here, the hosts use it to compare lease mileage allowances (30,000 miles over three years) and explain why the “per year” mileage limit matters for drivers who rack up more miles.

The GMC Sierra EV is an electric pickup truck in the Sierra lineup. The hosts mention a low monthly lease-style offer and then critique it using the same themes—leasing vs owning and how mileage limits can make the deal less attractive.

The Kia K4 Turbo GT is a Kia model variant positioned as a sportier, turbocharged trim. The hosts mention it as a “new car” topic and plan to discuss it after a break, suggesting it’s part of the next segment’s focus.

Tread is the textured rubber on the outside of a tire that contacts the road. Its pattern and compound affect grip, wet-weather performance, and how quickly the tire wears.

The host is talking about a Kia turbo hatchback, specifically a “GT turbo hatchback” in their price discussion. The key details they mention are a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a turbo, plus an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

A shooting brake is a body style that blends the look of a coupe with the practicality of a wagon. It typically has a longer rear roofline and a more stylish, compact cargo shape than a traditional station wagon.

An eight-speed automatic is a transmission with eight forward gears that automatically selects the best gear ratio. More gears can help keep the engine in a more efficient or responsive range.

Paddle shifters are controls behind the steering wheel that let you manually command upshifts and downshifts. They’re typically used to make the automatic transmission feel more engaging.

“0 to 60” is shorthand for how many seconds it takes a car to accelerate from 0 mph to 60 mph. It’s a common way to compare straight-line acceleration between cars.

The Ram TRX is a high-performance pickup built for off-road and street use, known for its big power and aggressive stance. In this segment, it’s used as an example of a truck enthusiast’s daily-life “play” vehicle.

The Ram Rumblebee (as discussed here) is a street-focused performance truck version of the Ram TRX formula—lowered stance, tuned suspension, and very high output. The host frames it as a “street truck” alternative to the dirt-focused TRX, with performance numbers and packaging details.

Extended cab is a pickup body style where the rear seating area exists but the rear doors are shorter than on a full four-door configuration. It’s a packaging compromise between a two-door and a full crew cab.

Zero to 60 time is how quickly a vehicle accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph. It’s a common performance metric because it reflects launch power and traction.

The quarter mile is a drag-racing distance (about 402 meters) commonly used to compare straight-line acceleration. The “time” and trap speed in the quarter mile are key indicators of power and gearing.

The Chevrolet El Camino is a classic American “car-based” pickup that blends muscle-car styling with truck utility. Here, it’s used as a personal reference point for drag-strip performance when equipped with nitrous.

Nitrous (nitrous oxide) is an aftermarket power-add system that injects gas into the engine to increase oxygen availability, allowing more fuel to burn and boosting power. It’s often used for short bursts like drag racing.

The SRT-10 refers to Dodge’s high-performance Viper-engine pickup variant, known for using the V10 from the Dodge Viper. In this segment, it’s discussed as a market/collectibility reference point for the street-truck performance idea.

A six-speed manual is a transmission where the driver selects gears using a clutch and a shift lever, with six forward ratios. Enthusiasts often prefer manuals because they provide direct control over gear selection for acceleration and engine braking.

A convertible is a car with a roof that can be folded away, typically using a power soft-top or hard-top mechanism. The hosts discuss why convertibles became less common: they can be harder to make as rigid as a fixed-roof “hard top,” which affects structural integrity and performance.

The Chevrolet Corvette is an American sports car famous for strong performance and a mid-engine/track-capable reputation in recent generations. In this discussion, it’s used as an example of a convertible that still maintains the structural strength convertible designs require.

The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight, affordable roadster known for being a true “driver’s car.” It’s notable here because it’s one of the few modern cars that still offers a convertible body style.

The Mini Cooper is a compact car brand/model line known for its go-kart-like steering feel and distinctive styling. It’s mentioned here as one of the rare modern options that can be had as a convertible.

The Porsche 911 GT3 SC is a special, convertible-focused variant of the 911 GT3 line, positioned as an ultra-rare, manual-only “halo” car. It’s brought up to illustrate how expensive and niche convertibles have become in the modern supercar world.

Structural integrity is how well a car’s body and frame resist twisting and flexing under load. Convertibles often need extra reinforcement to maintain structural integrity, because removing the fixed roof can otherwise make the chassis less rigid.

A hard top is a fixed-roof body style (as opposed to a convertible). The hosts argue that hard tops generally provide better structural stiffness and “structural integrity,” which can help performance and handling because the body doesn’t flex as much.

DTC transmission appears to refer to a dual-clutch transmission (often abbreviated DCT in automotive contexts). Dual-clutch gearboxes use two clutches to pre-select the next gear, enabling faster shifts than a traditional automatic.

The Mustang Cobra refers to the performance-focused Cobra trim/variant of the Ford Mustang. In this segment, it’s used to show that convertibles used to be offered for high-performance Mustangs for longer than they are today.

DCT stands for dual-clutch transmission. It uses two clutches—one for odd gears and one for even gears—so gear changes can happen with minimal interruption, improving shift speed and drivability.

“Teatops” is a nickname for T-tops: removable roof panels that let you open up the cabin like a partial convertible. The hosts describe the practical downsides—needing to stop to remove/store the panels, and later security issues when thieves could quickly access the roof area.

The Chevrolet Camaro is a long-running American pony car, and the late-1980s model years are part of the 3rd-generation era. In this segment, the “teatops” (T-top roof panels) are discussed as a major ownership hassle on these Camaros.