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Which Cars Are The Best Cars, An Existential Car Crisis, Goth Girlfriends Rock | Episode 1,024

Which Cars Are The Best Cars, An Existential Car Crisis, Goth Girlfriends Rock | Episode 1,024

Everyday Driver Car Debate Dec 09, 2025 81 min
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About this episode

A lively discussion kicks off with a big announcement about an upcoming live podcast. The hosts reflect on their recent $12,000 used car comparison, highlighting fun options like the Fiesta ST. They dive into exciting Toyota news regarding the GR GT and LFA EV, emphasizing Toyota's commitment to performance. The episode also touches on the latest Consumer Reports rankings, revealing surprising shifts in brand reliability. The hosts tackle listener questions about car choices, including practical family vehicles that maintain driving fun, and share their thoughts on the evolving automotive landscape.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Skoda Rapid

"It'll be questions only from you guys. It'll be rapid fire. Those always fly by."
Car

Ford Fiesta ST

"and so many people are loving the Fiesta ST. We love that car."

The Ford Fiesta ST is a sportier version of the regular Fiesta, designed to be more fun to drive. It's small and nimble, making it great for city driving and twisty roads.

Car

Toyota GR GT

"the reveal of the Toyota GR GT. We've been talking about it and discussing it for a long time."

The Toyota GR GT is a new sports car from Toyota's performance division, designed for speed and excitement. It's part of their effort to create high-performance vehicles.

Car

Lexus LFA

"they're reusing the nomenclature LFA, but it's an LFA EV which is fine with us."

The Lexus LFA is a supercar made by Lexus, known for being very fast and having a unique design. It was made in limited quantities and is highly regarded among car enthusiasts.

Term

EV

"but it's an LFA EV which is fine with us. But we watched the reveal last week"

An EV, or electric vehicle, runs on electricity instead of gasoline. This makes them better for the environment and can save money on fuel.

Term

GT3 racing

"You can go GT3 racing. The FI GT3 rules is what they followed here."

GT3 racing is a type of car racing where modified versions of regular sports cars compete against each other. It's popular among car manufacturers because it allows them to show off their cars' speed and performance.

Term

FI GT3 rules

"The FI GT3 rules is what they followed here. Offer into that segment..."

The FI GT3 rules are guidelines that tell car manufacturers how to modify their cars for racing in GT3 events. These rules help keep the competition fair and safe for all drivers.

Term

hybridized V8

"because we're talking about a twin turbo hybridized V8, somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower..."

A hybridized V8 means the car has a V8 engine that also uses electric power. This helps it save fuel and be more environmentally friendly while still being powerful.

Term

twin turbo

"because we're talking about a twin turbo hybridized V8, somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower..."

Twin turbo means the engine has two turbochargers that help it produce more power. This makes the car faster and more efficient.

Term

horsepower

"somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower..."

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

Term

halo car

"This is a big halo car moonshot for Toyota. They have the hybrid background..."

A halo car is a really impressive car that a company makes to show off what they can do. It's meant to attract customers and make the brand look good.

Car

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

"It does look big. AMG GT kind of big. Like last gen AMG GT."
Car

Toyota Supra

"Which it looks like you crossed that with a Supra and you got this thing."

The Supra is a popular sports car made by Toyota. It's known for being fast and is often modified by car enthusiasts to improve its performance.

Term

torque

"at least 641 horsepower and 627 foot pounds of torque with an eight speed automatic transaxle."

Torque measures how much twisting force an engine can produce. It's important for how quickly a car can accelerate and how well it can pull heavy loads.

Term

electric motor

"And in EV, the electric motor replaced in the torque converter. So right at the engine, battery above the transaxle in the rear,"

An electric motor is a part of electric cars that uses electricity to make the car move. It replaces traditional engines that run on gasoline.

Concept

GT3 class racing

"...but it also just bodes well for GT3 class racing in general. Aluminum chassis, entirely new,..."

GT3 class racing is a type of car racing where different brands can race their modified street cars. It's known for being competitive and includes famous races like the 24 Hours of Spa.

Term

weight distribution

"...designed for the GT3 version here. And a 45 to 55 weight distribution."

Weight distribution is how the weight of a car is balanced between the front and back. A car with 45% weight in the front and 55% in the back can handle differently than one with a different balance.

Car

Toyota Gt

"...the Toyota GT and the GT3 will be sold through Lexus dealers."

The Toyota GT is a sports car made by Toyota that focuses on high performance and exciting driving experiences. It's designed to be fast and fun to drive.

Car

Toyota Sienna

"...er than buying a $200 plus thousand car next to a Sienna minivan. I think it could work"
Term

high performance vehicle

"It's positioned as a high performance vehicle, which is what the Toyota brand is all about."

A high performance vehicle is a car that is built to go faster and handle better than regular cars. They usually have powerful engines and special features that make them fun to drive.

Car

Dodge Viper

"This looks like it could be the next gen Viper. That's no bad thing. It's not a bad thing, but think about the Viper's perception. The size. The size perception of the Viper."

The Dodge Viper is a fast sports car made by Dodge. It's famous for its strong engine and unique look, making it popular among car enthusiasts.

Car

Porsche 911

"...granted, I've juxtaposed this before. The current 911 is as long as a Viper. It doesn't seem like it."
Brand

Mercedes-AMG

"I've read the Mercedes AMG, it's cool, big screen, a lot of buttons, but what are we looking for, I suppose?"

Mercedes-AMG makes faster and sportier versions of regular Mercedes cars. They focus on performance and luxury, making them popular among car enthusiasts.

Company

Pagani

"Does it have to be crazy Pagani-like to feel super car-like, or would you rather have a purpose-built environment here?"

Pagani is a brand that makes very expensive and fast sports cars, known for their special designs and technology.

Brand

Lexus

"The Lexus will look, I think, pretty interesting, pretty driver-focused, but we're hearing pricing based on what current GT3 cars cost."

Lexus is a brand that makes luxury cars, which are designed to be very comfortable and have lots of features.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...that really evokes luxury, and anytime any SUV manufacturer is designing something new, I think they're looking at Ranges."

The Land Rover Range Rover is a high-end SUV that is both stylish and capable of going off-road. It's often seen as a standard for luxury in the SUV market.

Brand

Lincoln

"...Lincoln did, and they're successful. Lincoln looked at those and went, you know what? Ranges."

Lincoln is a brand that makes luxury cars and SUVs. They focus on providing a comfortable and high-tech driving experience.

Car

Land Rover

"And I've always thought that the current Land Rover is about as far towards slabs as they could go, and that we found them too far."

Land Rover is a brand that makes high-end SUVs designed for both off-road and on-road driving. They are known for their luxury and performance.

Car

Porsche Taycan

"...al transmission into their EVs, starting with the Taycan, it's understanding, because Porsche apparently i..."
Car

Hyundai i5N

"...Porsche is looking at the i5N and the i6N and going, how'd they do this?"

The Hyundai i5N is a sporty electric car made by Hyundai. It's designed to be fun to drive and has special features for better performance.

Car

Hyundai i6N

"...Porsche is looking at the i5N and the i6N and going, how'd they do this?"

The Hyundai i6N is also a sporty electric car from Hyundai, designed to be exciting to drive, just like the i5N.

Term

shift points

"...the shift points is what made us fall in love."

Shift points are the moments when a car changes gears. Knowing when to shift can help the car run better and save fuel.

Term

all-wheel drive

"Now, Toyota is only selling this right now as an all-wheel drive hybrid. That's the way the Sienna comes."

All-wheel drive means that the car can send power to all four wheels at the same time. This helps the car grip the road better, especially when it's rainy or snowy.

Car

Subaru BRZ

"How did that get up there? The BRZ is way at the back. They drove at it early in the..."
Car

Hudson Hornet

"...odge is below Alfa Romeo. You don't want to buy a Hornet? I don't."
Car

Alfa Romeo Tonale

"...e that the Alfa has the, it's Hornet variant, the Tonale, the Tonale is there. Not a good name."
Car

Alfa Romeo Giulia

"...icles. And look, I have championed the Alfa Romeo Giulia. I'll probably do it again this podcast."
Car

Mini Cooper

"...there, which is pretty cool to see. Even the Mini Cooper in yellow. Look at that."
Car

Chevrolet C8

"...ports cars, $40,000 and above, amazing to see the C8 Stingray at the very top of the list"
Car

Mazda Miata

"...xers up there as well, which I'd like to see. The Miata didn't rank quite as high as I thought it was goi..."
Car

BMW Z4

"but at least it's, you know, up here. It's good, Z4, all the stuff that we do like. And then talking ..."
Car

Ford F150

"And then talking a little bit about trucks, the F-150 took all the categories in hybrid and regular form, so it's"
Car

Hyundai Santa Cruz

"But what was interesting is we currently have a Santa Cruz press vehicle, and here it is at the top of consu..."
Car

Toyota 4Runner

"...ou're doing this list. Very top is the new Toyota 4Runner. That's why you did that."
Car

Jeep Wranglers

"And yeah, so off-road focused SUVs. The Wranglers up here, which is good, but the scoring isn't too..."
Car

Porsche Cayenne

"But then moving on to the luxury versions, the Cayenne is very, very in the top three here as well. Inte..."
Car

Subaru Crosstrek

"...in this market. The very bottom is the new Subaru Crosstrek hybrid. So it is still in test."
Car

Mitsubishi Outlander

"... much dead last in my opinion. But the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has taken the crown from the Tows for being..."
Car

Mazda Rx8S

"Well, but the cars, the $12,000 car piece we just did. The RX-8's in it. Yeah."
Car

Oldsmobile Tempest

"Any car, anywhere, at any price, Auto Tempest searches all the major car listing sites on the w..."
Car

Jeep Grand Cherokee

"...huge car for a new driver. Although I had a cheap Grand Cherokee. True, but GLS is, that's big."
Car

Jeep Cherokee

"...ar for a new driver. Although I had a cheap Grand Cherokee. True, but GLS is, that's big."
Car

Mercedes-Benz GLS

"Although I had a cheap Grand Cherokee. True, but GLS is, that's big. Anyway, he's gonna drive that thr..."
Car

Jeep Wagoneer

"...has his description here. The behemoth Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series 3 for family and hauling duty."
Car

Jeep Grand Wagoneer

"... wife has his description here. The behemoth Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series 3 for family and hauling duty."
Car

Willys Jeep

"His wife has his description here. The behemoth Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series 3 for family and hauling du..."
Car

Chevrolet Suburban

"So that's covered. That's suburban size now. Yeah, that's extra big."
Car

Dodge Durango

"Yeah, that's extra big. He's had a Durango 392 in the past, a Focus RS. He's looking at mayb..."
Car

Ford Focus RS

"... extra big. He's had a Durango 392 in the past, a Focus RS. He's looking at maybe a GR Corolla or Golf R."
Car

Toyota GR Corolla

"... in the past, a Focus RS. He's looking at maybe a GR Corolla or Golf R. But he's wondering about the ability f..."
Car

Toyota Corolla

"... the past, a Focus RS. He's looking at maybe a GR Corolla or Golf R. But he's wondering about the ability f..."
Car

Audi SQ7

"...re we are. Tony's wandering mind is considered an SQ7 or SQ8 Audi, GLE 53, McConn, Cayenne, GLC 43,"
Car

Audi Sq8 Audi

"...re. Tony's wandering mind is considered an SQ7 or SQ8 Audi, GLE 53, McConn, Cayenne, GLC 43,"
Car

Bmw X5

"...'s a great choice here. I also had considered the BMW X5 Competition because I know this is something"
Car

Porsche Macan

"... an excellent choice here. I have others like the Macan. It's good."
Car

Hyundai Ionic 5

"...ut a hitch on one of these. However, the standard Ionic 5, toes like crazy. You can find pictures all over ..."
Car

Subaru Outback

"...ce. He needs to upgrade from his loathsome Subaru outback. His word, but interesting."
Car

Ford Mustang GT

"... down to the Golf R, 7.5, maybe the 8, 7.5, and a Mustang GT. He gives us a list of cars that are off the list..."
Car

Genesis G70

"...e's the cars that Douglas is not considering. The G70 and Stinger, no tow and kinda boring. CT4, Cadill..."
Car

Cadillac CT4

"The G70 and Stinger, no tow and kinda boring. CT4, Cadillac Blackwing, over $40,000. The IS350 is b..."
Car

Chevrolet Ss

"The IS350 is boring. The Chevrolet SS, too old, he writes. Charger, scat pack, too heav..."
Car

Volkswagen Arteon

"Charger, scat pack, too heavy. The Volkswagen Arteon is boring. Cadillac ATSV, well, it's a little bit..."
Car

Cadillac Atsv

"The Volkswagen Arteon is boring. Cadillac ATSV, well, it's a little bit older right now, but hor..."
Car

Subaru WRX

"but horrible interior. And the WRX, he says, another CVT, please no. Love it, good s..."
Car

Acura TLX Type S

"How about a TLX? How about a TLX Type S? Ooh, that'd be cool."
Car

Mini Countryman

"Here it is. Ooh, the Mini Countryman JCW. Hopefully not the current one."
Car

Volkswagen Golf

"...no German brands. And then you said, what about a Volkswagen Golf R? Well, that's true."
Car

Chevrolet Malibus

"Okay? And it has a better interior than the Malibus and that stuff that Chevy was selling at the same..."
Car

BMW M2

"...ome back seats for the kids. Is the first gen BMW M2. You're right, I thought of this"
Car

BMW M3

"Yeah, got it. He also liked the idea of the E93 M3 that is the V8 retractable hard top."
Car

BMW E93

"Yeah, got it. He also liked the idea of the E93 M3 that is the V8 retractable hard top."
Car

Volvo 440S

"...it of a dice roll. His wife loves the BMW 430 and 440s even with the beaver teeth."
Car

Volvo XC90

"...y drove a number of SUVs, they settled on a Volvo XC90 Ultimate Recharge T8. That's the end of the words..."
Car

Mazda Cx50

"so it transcribed incorrectly. But when he sold his Mazda CX-50, it had 90,000 miles on it."
Car

Pontiac Firebird Convertible

"his first car and still owns that 1969 Z28. A 69 Firebird convertible will be his daughter someday. Whoa, whoa, whoa, h..."
Car

BMW M240I

"...ar. And now the new work car, which is a 2025 BMW M240i. Again, with the hitch through line."
Car

Volvo V60

"... our response from episode 941 to go with a Volvo V60. The problem in California seems to be no one has..."
Car

Renault Laguna

"...en working home, he says the car has even been at Laguna Seca during an HOD track day,"
Car

International Scouts

"...nes whereas Volkswagen's investment in Rivian and Scouts and the same 10-speed transmission"
Car

Ford Mustang GTD

"and the same 10-speed transmission in the Mustang GTD and Corvette ZR1. Well, does that mean they're ju..."
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