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Zack's Game Show; M5 Touring (Again); Aston Vanquish Review

Zack's Game Show; M5 Touring (Again); Aston Vanquish Review

The Smoking Tire Aug 21, 2025 96 min
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About this episode

Zach introduces his new game show, 'Zach Clapman's Drivers Test,' inspired by British panel shows, sparking a discussion on its format and execution. The hosts also revisit the BMW M5 Touring, sharing insights from a second test drive that revealed significant improvements over the first. Additionally, they review the Aston Martin Vanquish, highlighting its impressive performance and luxurious features, while also discussing quirks like the lack of a nose lift. The episode wraps up with listener questions covering a range of automotive topics.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
BMW M5
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M5

"...the M5 touring. The first one was broken. So they sent us another one and review the new Aston Martin vanquish..."

The BMW M5 Touring is a fast and sporty version of a BMW wagon. It has a powerful engine and is great for people who want a family car that can also go really fast.

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Aston Martin Vanquish
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Aston Martin Vanquish

"...and review the new Aston Martin vanquish, Yausa, plus me and Zach almost ran out of gas in the same car..."

The Aston Martin Vanquish is a fancy sports car that looks really good and goes really fast. It's known for being luxurious and is often seen as a status symbol.

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

Ford Mustang

"... okay. I casually refer to both as Mr. Chrome and Mustang nerd Mustang nerd. Actually, it's actually just m..."
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Shelby Cobra
Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem (CC BY-SA 2.0 de)
Car

Shelby Cobra

"...it was a first or second gen. Roundy one or new edge. A new edge. That's Mr. Chrome. The 96 one, the SN95 was just mystic..."

The Ford Mustang is a popular sports car that has been around for decades. The SN95 is a specific version made between 1994 and 2004, which has a unique look compared to other Mustangs.

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Term

fuel economy

"Um, and, uh, and it was comfortable. Uh, this, you know, the seats were comfortable. Um, it, it actually got shockingly good fuel economy."

Fuel economy is how far a car can go on a certain amount of gas. If a car gets good fuel economy, it means you won't have to fill up the tank as often.

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Term

gas gauge

"...I looked out the gas gauge, which I hadn't looked at all morning because I'm idiot."

The gas gauge tells you how much fuel is left in your car. It's important to check it so you don't run out of gas while driving.

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Porsche Panamera Turbo
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Panamera Turbo

"If you think you like this and you try a Panamera turbo with the hydraulics suspension, you're going to be in for a world of surprise."

The Porsche Panamera Turbo is a fancy and fast car that feels like a sports car but has the comfort of a luxury sedan. It's designed to handle well and provide a smooth ride.

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Term

double polarized NIR lens technology

"...it is like HD life. The double polarized NIR lens technology is exactly the right thing for bright sunny days behind the wheel of a car driving across the desert."

Double polarized NIR lens technology is a special kind of lens that helps reduce glare and makes things look clearer. It's great for driving on sunny days because it helps you see better and keeps your eyes comfortable.

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Ford Mustang GTD
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Mustang GTD

".... I'll drive the fucking to go. I'll go drive the Mustang GTD around the track for free. You're paying your I n..."

The Ford Mustang GTD is a super-fast version of the classic Mustang that is built for racing. It's made for people who love speed and performance.

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Hyundai Santa Cruz
Zeometric (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

Hyundai Santa Cruz

"...se is related to this. I'm sitting with my mom in Santa Cruz a few days ago. And she goes, what is this email,..."

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a small pickup truck that looks a bit like an SUV. It's good for carrying stuff while still being easy to drive.

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Part

wheel weight

"Uh, the front left wheel had thrown a weight. Um, and the rear steer was out of alignment."

Wheel weights are used to balance your car's wheels so they spin evenly. If a weight falls off, it can cause the car to shake or handle poorly.

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Honda S2000
Handelsgeselschaft (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Honda S2000

".... That's that. So it was doing was like the Honda S2000 AP one. Yeah, when it would compress would change..."

The Honda S2000 is a small sports car with two seats that is really fun to drive. It has a powerful engine that makes it exciting, especially for those who love speed.

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Porsche Panamera
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Panamera

"..., but I think this thing is cool, but don't try a Panamera. That's right. If you, if you think you like this..."

The Porsche Panamera is a fancy car that looks like a sports car but has four doors for more space. It's fast and comfortable, making it great for both driving and everyday use.

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

Porsche 911 Turbo S

"...nt on the road. There's zero difference. Panamera turbo S will handle, we'll handle just as well as this. A..."
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Rolls-Royce Phantom
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Rolls-Royce Phantom

"... handle just as well as this. And it rides like a phantom. This, this feels more like the Panamera or Tycon..."

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a very fancy car that is all about luxury. It has a super smooth ride and a beautiful interior, making it one of the most expensive cars in the world.

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Porsche Taycan GTS
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Taycan GTS

"This, this feels more like the Panamera or Taycan GTS, which I guess it should."

The Porsche Taycan GTS is a high-performance electric car that is fast and luxurious, designed for those who want an exciting driving experience without using gasoline.

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Term

launch control

"If you do a full bore launch control through four gears, it is violently fast."

Launch control is a system in some fast cars that helps you start quickly from a stop. It makes sure the car accelerates as fast as possible without spinning the wheels.

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Lexus LFA
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Lexus LFA

"Like people when they drove the LFA, they were like, this is actually kind of cool. And I disagree because it's slow."

The Lexus LFA is a special sports car that has a unique engine sound and design. It's not very common because only a few were made, which makes it popular among car lovers.

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Term

mid-engine car

"...it's a mid engine car with a V12 or something behind you. This is, this is a sort of, it's not front mid because some of the engine is, is over."

A mid-engine car is one where the engine is placed in the middle of the car, rather than at the front or back. This helps the car handle better when driving fast.

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Term

V12

"...it's a mid engine car with a V12 or something behind you. This is, this is a sort of, it's not front mid because some of the engine is, is over."

A V12 is a type of engine that has twelve cylinders. It's known for being powerful and smooth, and is often used in fancy sports cars.

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Ferrari 812
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ferrari 812

"...it's not like the 812. 812 also, the front wheels are very sharp, but very far away. That, it's like that."

The Ferrari 812 is a fast and fancy car that has a powerful engine. It's designed for people who love to drive quickly and enjoy luxury features.

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Term

RPM

"Um, but this thing, when you get the engine above 4,000 RPM, holy fucking hell, the earth spins the other way."

RPM means how fast the engine is spinning. When the number is higher, it usually means the car can go faster.

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Term

CarPlay

"...my Bluetooth would work, but not CarPlay ultra three days later, I deleted my phone from the car..."

CarPlay is a way to connect your iPhone to your car so you can use apps and listen to music through the car's screen.

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Aston Martin Vantage Roadster
Mr.choppers (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Aston Martin Vantage Roadster

"Now, starting the Thursday, I have a Vantage Roadster, which obviously you can have for a couple days as well."

The Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is a fancy sports car that you can drive with the top down. It's known for being fast and stylish.

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Aston Martin DB12
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Aston Martin DB12

"...it's like almost $200,000 more than a DB 12. DB 12 is like 250 to 300..."

The Aston Martin DB12 is another luxury car from Aston Martin, designed for both speed and comfort. It's a bit more practical than the Vantage.

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Term

tramlining

"What software ride? No, no tramlining. Bigger trunk. Just still very fast. Still sounds good, but a little easier to live with better, a little better visibility."

Tramlining is when a car's tires get pulled along the grooves in the road, making it feel like the car is steering itself. It can be annoying, especially in fast cars.

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Term

MSRP

"...How much is this MSRP? This one was like 460. So an 812. I mean, these are definitely competitors..."

MSRP is the price that the car maker suggests dealers sell the car for. It can change based on what the dealer decides to charge or any extra features you choose.

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Term

nose lift

"No nose lift, scrapes everywhere. Oh, I must have scraped this thing probably three times a day."

A nose lift is a mechanism that raises the front of a car to prevent it from scraping on bumps or steep driveways. It's helpful for cars that are very low to the ground.

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Part

front splitter

"and a front splitter right here. I don't know if it's carbon, but it ain't rubber. It's black. It's just black."

A front splitter is a part attached to the front of a car that helps it stay stable when driving fast. It works by pushing the car down onto the road, which can improve handling.

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Part

carbon rear diffuser

"Like, it's not, you know, a carbon one on a McLaren or something."

A carbon rear diffuser is a part at the back of a car that helps control how air flows under the car. It can make the car more stable and faster, especially at high speeds.

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Term

downforce

"You lost all your downforce. So now your quarring speed is reduced."

Downforce is a force that pushes a car down onto the road, helping it grip better and stay stable when going fast. It's important for sports cars to handle well.

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Term

carbon diffuser

"...on a bare carbon diffuser where the guy hit a curb stopper on three fins. Repair it and then, you know, using..."

A carbon diffuser is a part of a car that helps control the air flowing underneath it, making the car more stable when driving fast. It's often made from a lightweight material called carbon fiber.

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McLaren 765LT
Liam Walker (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

McLaren 765LT

"...It was on a seven, six, five L. T. Pinstripe Chris. It was, it was, it wasn't safe. Yeah, what this guy did."

The McLaren 765LT is a very fast sports car made for racing. It's built to be lightweight and powerful, making it great for driving on a track.

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Term

radar cruise control

"Now Bentley radar cruise exceptional. Although it doesn't seem to adjust for towing because I wanted to creep pretty close in traffic. So I put it at one bar of distance. And it got way too fucking close breaking."

Radar cruise control helps your car keep a safe distance from the car in front of you. It can slow down or speed up automatically, so you don't have to keep adjusting the gas pedal, especially in stop-and-go traffic.

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Term

gas station

"There was a gas station, not 10 miles past the accident. And it was all downhill there. That would ever find."

A gas station is where you go to fill up your car with fuel. They usually have pumps where you can get gas or diesel to keep your vehicle running.

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Term

massage seat

"The massage button is on the side of the seat where you move it forward and back. And you press it and it brings up the massage touch screen, which is eight modes."

A massage seat is a special feature in some cars that can give you a massage while you sit in it. It has different settings to help relax your back and other areas.

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Term

postural adjustment

"But you were in the postural adjustment menu. 100%. Postural adjustment is stress relief. That's designed to just move you slightly."

Postural adjustment is a car seat feature that helps you stay comfortable by moving slightly so you don't sit in the same position for too long. It's designed to help reduce stress while driving.

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Honda Civic
MercurySable99 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Honda Civic

"...ves a stick says the Honda fairy grants you a new civic or vintage civic or civic based model for free to..."

The Honda Civic is a small car that many people like because it's dependable and saves on gas. It's been around for a long time and comes in different styles, making it a good option for many drivers.

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

Honda Civic Type-R

"..., the two door coupe. Yeah. Civic SI or the S the civic type are hatched from Japan of that same era. Yeah. I ..."

The Honda Civic Type-R is a sportier version of the regular Civic that is really fun to drive. It has a cool look and is made for people who love speed.

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Audi Rs
Corqe (CC0)
Car

Audi Rs

"...it sort of it. So okay, the question is about the Audi RS 3. When I reviewed the Audi RS 3, there was this ..."

The Audi RS e-tron GT is a fancy electric car that is really fast. It has a lot of modern features and is part of the new wave of electric vehicles.

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Audi 100
Lothar Spurzem (CC BY-SA 2.0 de)
Car

Audi 100

"...does. The discrepancy was that Audi said it sends 100% of available torque to the rear wheels. The word..."

The Audi 100 is a comfortable and stylish car that was made for many years. It's known for being well-built and reliable.

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Audi RS3
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Audi RS3

"...or a weekend in northern California. So I have an RS3 for all of that. So I'm doing an RS3 for seaside ..."

The Audi RS3 is a fast and fancy small car that is really fun to drive. It has a powerful engine and lots of cool tech features.

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Pontiac Gtos
W. Bulach (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Pontiac Gtos

"...think look you were talking about the auction 250 GTOs are going softening in price. That was a car that..."
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Ferrari 250 Gtos
Unknown photographer (Public domain)
Car

Ferrari 250 Gtos

"...t I think look you were talking about the auction 250 GTOs are going softening in price. That was a car that..."

The Ferrari 250 GTO is a very rare and beautiful classic car that people love to collect. It's famous for being fast and has a rich history in racing.

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Porsche Cayenne
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Cayenne

"...ut part car play in your 997 or in your first gen Cayenne. And so that helps a lot certainly that retrofit ..."

The Porsche Cayenne is a fancy SUV that drives like a sports car. It gives you more space and comfort while still being fun to drive.

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Hummer H2
MercurySable99 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Hummer H2

"...I have a C6 Corvette a mini Cooper and F150 and a Hummer H2. Okay I'm on a budget and I want to spend up to 6..."

The Hummer H2 is a big, tough-looking SUV that can go off-road easily. It's known for being very noticeable and not the best on gas mileage.

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Ford F150
UltraTech66 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford F150

"...ollection. I have a C6 Corvette a mini Cooper and F150 and a Hummer H2. Okay I'm on a budget and I want ..."
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Chevrolet C6
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Chevrolet C6

"... I'm looking to diversify my collection. I have a C6 Corvette a mini Cooper and F150 and a Hummer H2. ..."
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Porsche 911
David Villarreal Fernández (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

Porsche 911

"... want to spend up to 60 K. I'm looking at obvious 911 choices but I'm starting to get interested in the..."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that looks and drives really well. It's been around for a long time and is loved by car enthusiasts for its speed and style.

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Lotus Elise
Thierry & Didier Descouens (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Lotus Elise

"...y're not like. Whole claims the same way that the Elise and the exegis but it's you know yet it's more an..."

The Lotus Elise is a small, very light sports car that is fun to drive. It doesn't have a lot of extra features, but it makes up for that with great performance.

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Cadillac DeVille
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Cadillac DeVille

"Pretty cool. The Deville went down to Georgia. Wife and I just adopted a g..."

The Cadillac DeVille is a big, comfortable car that was made for a long time. It's known for being very spacious and stylish.

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Mini Countryman
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mini Countryman

"How about this? The mini JCW Countryman. Our friend Alonzo Bowden the comic has a great D..."

The Mini Countryman is a small SUV that has a fun design and is easy to drive. It offers more space than a regular Mini, making it good for families or trips.

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Bmw X1
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Bmw X1

"...years ago it must have been like 10 years ago the BMW X1. That was fast."

The BMW X1 is a small luxury SUV that is comfortable and fun to drive. It has a lot of space inside, making it a good choice for families.

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Aston Martin Valhalla
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Aston Martin Valhalla

"...ow to like it. Bad Gardener says the Aston Martin Valhalla has no trunk. Is this not a serious miss when thi..."

The Aston Martin Valhalla is a super-fast car that uses both gas and electricity to go fast. It's designed to be very advanced and stylish.

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Gordon T50
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Gordon T50

"...ink a lot of very high performance cars, like the T50 and whatever, you know, Paganis and all kinds of ..."

The Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 is a very light and fast sports car made for people who love to drive. It's designed to be super fun and exciting.

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Volkswagen Gtis
Johann Jaritz (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Volkswagen Gtis

"...rack that they were putting on the jettas and the GTIs at the time. And I also did street glow neon on t..."
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Volkswagen Jettas
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Volkswagen Jettas

"...ully snowboard rack that they were putting on the jettas and the GTIs at the time. And I also did street g..."

The Volkswagen Jetta is a small car that is comfortable and easy to drive. It's a good choice for people who want something practical without sacrificing style.

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Ferrari Ff
Ben (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

Ferrari Ff

"... keep going. Gin and Teconic State Parkway is the Ferrari FF, a good buy at 100 to 110K. If you want a comfort..."

The Ferrari FF is a fancy sports car that can fit four people. It's designed for comfort and speed, making it great for long drives.

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Lamborghini Venenos
Klaus Nahr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

Lamborghini Venenos

"...the, um, the cyan and the, and the, whatever, the venenos. Those are the few off."

The Lamborghini Veneno is a super rare and super fast car that looks really wild. It's made for people who want the best of the best in performance and style.

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Lamborghini Diablos
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Lamborghini Diablos

"I think they look off. I think, I think the late Audi era diablo's are just much, much prettier. Just get one of them."

The Lamborghini Diablo is a super-fast sports car that looks really cool. It's known for its powerful engine and eye-catching design.

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