Explore Episodes

Toyota’s GR Yaris Ogier edition gets a deep dive, from its tiny production run and barely-used press car to the subtle but meaningful rally-inspired tweaks in its drivetrain modes and chassis setup. The hosts debate whether the special edition’s premium is justified when a standard GR Yaris or Aero Performance model delivers nearly the same experience. The conversation then pivots to Porsche’s Taycan eShift, a pricey optional system that adds simulated gear changes and paddles, raising questions about whether EV theatrics are worth the money.

The B Squad crew gears up for Hot Rod Power Tour, focusing on how to prep for a long car cruise (not a race). They discuss lessons learned from prior events, including why short test drives aren’t enough and the value of a proper maintenance checklist. Topics include carrying spare parts (like radiator hoses), bringing basic tools, planning the route and gas stops, and packing water/snacks. They also share the fun side—parking-lot camaraderie, stickers for fans, and autograph markers—while noting Power Tour’s bigger, more regimented scale (up to 6,000 cars) and the Root 66 theme for 2026.

A busy week of EV and tech talk sets the stage for three main segments: a quick discussion about the fallout from Sony ending disc-based PlayStation games (and what it could mean for second-hand markets and retail), a heads-up on potential NBN switching “loopholes” and traps, and a deep dive into TV tech with Chris Mayer from Hisense—especially RGB and backlighting. The heart of the show is Margaret’s aged-care song project, where Trev helps source 50 USB-ready speakers so residents can hear AI-made personal tracks.

The hosts kick off with light banter about aging performers and the pressure of staying “in prime,” then pivot to car talk. A big highlight is Scotty’s fresh praise for the Honda Prelude, calling it more engaging than reviews suggest—especially thanks to Type R-style suspension and gearbox/paddle simulation. David also discusses getting his SI Chord back after fuel/starting issues, with a cautious fuel-tank and filter cleaning fix. Scotty then lays out “homework” for a future car: around $15k, potential power upgrades, handling-focused, manual-friendly conversions, and good looks—while staying open to front-wheel drive.

Joe Costello’s WFO Radio Ignition blends motorsport talk with World Cup hype and fan banter. The crew celebrates the America 250/July 4th energy, then pivots to soccer matchups and the U.S. needing to advance through knockout rounds. On racing, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc scores again, with discussion of late-race caution strategy and how F1 could borrow NASCAR-style end procedures. NASCAR’s Chicagoland return is highlighted with Chase Briscoe’s win, plus quick reliability chatter about Mercedes.

The Dirt Nerds wrap up BC39 and set the stage for the King’s Royal week in Ohio, with plenty of sponsor talk and race-week planning. They discuss propane.com’s role in home and business (including racing and even a funny floating-tank sighting), plus local stops like Whistle Stop Bar & Grill and Sure Shot Taphouse for food, drinks, and games. Racing highlights include BC39’s strong Tuesday turnout, a fast, racy track, and a controversial finish involving an RPM limit that led to a disqualification and a win shift to KTJ.

Trevor Sheumack’s motorsport journey is equal parts pit-lane craft and lifelong fanboy energy. Growing up in NSW with a mechanic father tied to Ford and later connections to Bob Holden’s Escort RS 2000, he cut his teeth at iconic Sydney tracks like Warwick Farm and Amaru Park—once even sneaking through a fence for an Alan Moffat autograph. Before racing, he ran a bicycle shop at 19 and learned business by working Manly Fun Pier. The conversation also tees up his later work across Europe, Formula Ford fabrication, tyre logistics, rallying, and a lingering BMW guilty pleasure.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness returns with the familiar “go anywhere, stay practical” formula: all-terrain tires, retuned suspension, and about 9.3 inches of ground clearance, plus more cladding and approach/breakover/departure improvements. The review covers real-world off-road behavior on rough Forest Service roads, Subaru’s boxer 2.5L (180 hp/178 lb-ft), towing up to 3,500 pounds, and how X mode and the CVT feel in practice. On-road, it’s comfortable and safe, but less efficient (26 mpg) and slightly less dialed-in. The new Starlink interface is praised for looks but criticized for lag.

Rajah Caruth talks through a grueling NASCAR season split across rides, bouncing between the HendrickCars.com Camaro and Jordan Anderson’s No. 32 after a tough stretch that included Chicago travel delays and on-track heartbreak. He breaks down mistakes and lessons from Talladega, Dover, and Atlanta—especially when to push versus protect track position—plus what he’s learned from working with Dale Jr. and observing Cup-level routines. Caruth also reflects on how driving different teams (and resources) changes execution, not his mindset, and praises Jordan Anderson’s bootstrapped organization-building.

Silverstone’s British GP delivered a chaotic but compelling race: Charles Leclerc finally broke his win drought, with George Russell second and Lewis Hamilton third, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto both landed top-10 finishes. The hosts debate how much of the result was pure pace versus luck, then zoom out to the title fight—Kimi Antonelli leads, but reliability and momentum could still swing it. Ferrari’s turnaround is pinned on setup changes after the sprint reset, and the rumor mill is teased as “overdrive” with no confirmed breaking driver news yet.

Tony Kanaan talks through McLaren’s major IndyCar driver shakeup, explaining why the decision took years and why culture and long-term performance matter more than short-term comfort. He frames the move as a gamble to build dominance against Penske and Andretti, admitting oval strength is the immediate priority for winning the Indy 500 and championship. Kanaan also discusses the lineup’s development timeline (2026–2028), the tradeoffs fans may perceive on road/street courses, and the importance of team chemistry and leadership amid intense public scrutiny.

The Pits Are Open dives into the chaos and strategy of motorsports, starting with the importance of pit stops and race-day execution. The show looks ahead to IndyCar at Mid-Ohio and the IndyCar race in Washington, DC, then spotlights a wild Craftsman Truck Series event held at the San Diego Naval Base. Adam Andretti joins to discuss his drive from 27th to 14th, the role of Tricon Garage and crew chief Seth Smith’s risk-taking calls, and how a missed trackwalk and an early barrier hit reshaped his weekend. Later, the lineup teases NHRA Top Fuel with Ida Zetterstrom and promotes SVS Insiders’ “Driver to CEO” revenue ladder.

JD Power’s Frank Hanley breaks down the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which surveys new-vehicle owners about problems after 90 days and now also tracks repair visits. He argues the 90-day window still strongly predicts longer-term dependability, citing strong correlation with JD Power’s three-year Vehicle Dependability Study. The discussion highlights how “design quality” matters as much as mechanical quality—especially cup-holder usability, which drove year-over-year improvements. Connectivity issues (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi) remain a major pain point as software updates and vehicle integration get more complex.

Ray and Zach break down Edmunds data showing the affordability crisis worsening: record shares of new-car buyers are stretching loans to 73+ months, with 36.5% taking 73+ month terms in Q2. They connect it to higher prices (average new car up to about $52k) and explain how longer terms don’t prevent payment pain—monthly payments still hit highs due to higher amounts financed and more negative equity rolled in. They also discuss knock-on effects for trade-in liquidity, demand, and dealer profitability, plus pressure on the used market.

Dealership Guy Podcast’s Daily Dealer Live kicks off with busy buy-sell numbers, strong June sales for most brands, and a cautionary financing reality: average monthly payments hit $777, down payments are shrinking, and more buyers are stretching to 84-month terms. The show highlights rising auto loan refinancing (111,000 owners in Q1) as rates fall. The main segment tackles FTC pressure on dealer advertising/complaints—requiring proof, not claims—while Stream Companies explains how compliance and fraud/AI risks impact marketing. George Ripley discusses theft trends shifting from window-breaking to vehicle walk-offs using fake IDs and forged documents. Brian Huang of MIA Labs shares GM approval for a new AI provider category and co-op payment eligibility.

Tesla’s Model YL arrives as a longer, three-row family EV, filling the space left by the discontinued Model X. Continental is selling its Contitech rubber and plastics unit to LoneStar for about $4.6B, sharpening focus on tires. The finance side looks rough: 84-month-plus auto loans hit a record, and dealers say extended terms are pulling customers out of the trade-in cycle—especially as negative equity keeps worsening. Sonatus CMO John Heinlein breaks down where the software-defined vehicle shift stands, emphasizing hardware/software decoupling, zonal architectures, and the steady rise of open-source platforms.

The Revival Motoring Podcast hits episode 400 with the core crew plus guests Ed, “two tall Jones,” Shook D, and Mr. Corey. The conversation blends milestone banter, long-running Wednesday-night continuity, and summer planning. They trade stories about travel/work schedules, productivity and getting projects done, and then pivot to upcoming events: Grid Life at Lime Rock (likely just Friday), Roots/Historics, and especially “Climb to the Clouds” (race up Mount Washington) on September 20th. The group talks excitement for meeting fellow car people and checking out the scene, regardless of brand.

Bernie Pawlik and Mark walk through what a thorough pre-purchase inspection covers using a 2022 Toyota 4Runner with about 70,000 km. They explain the goal: avoid buying a “lemon” and uncover whether the price matches the vehicle’s real condition. The shop’s digital, 102-item inspection uses green/orange/red notes, includes battery and brake measurements, checks maintenance items, and documents underbody scrapes. They also highlight interesting 4Runner tech details like hydraulic power steering and an integrated brake system tied to modern safety features.

Jason Cammisa and Derek “Hyphen” Tam-Scott dig into the real-world headaches of California emissions rules while prepping a Volkswagen VR6 Cabrio with an engine swap. They compare Mark III vs Mark IV Golf-era build quality, joke about their shared red, open-top daily drivers, and discuss how “referee” inspections can turn a straightforward swap into a bureaucratic ordeal—especially when dyno-based smog checks and fees derail your day. The show also includes a collector-car auction guessing game tied to their guest/collector perspectives.

Entre felicitaciones, cotorreo y noticias internacionales, José Razabala y “Sopita de Lima” abren el programa con el Fiat Topolino Sport Special Edition como tema del día y un repaso rápido del mercado: un robot humanoide se suma a BMW, Lamborghini anuncia el Urus SE Performante y EE. UU. no renovará el tratado con México y Canadá. El foco fuerte cae en la SUV eléctrica Seeker 7X (Gilly): potencia, plataforma de 800V, carga rápida, autonomía, frenos, gadgets y precios/variantes, comparándola con rivales premium. También se mencionan alertas y asistencias de manejo, y cierran con dinámica de audiencia.

Robin Leech and Jay de Marcken swap notes on Jay’s Rivian R2 demo drive and the surprisingly involved reservation process. Jay paid a $100 online to secure a place in line, then booked a slot at a Rivian center inside a Westchester Mall. He praised the R2’s comfort, spacious feel, and competence, but didn’t find it as exciting as other EVs he’s driven—especially compared with his McLaren reference point. He also hit the R2’s 80 mph governor during a spirited attempt to keep up with a Corvette C8, and discussed real-world range, power use, and how EV driving should be smooth rather than constantly chasing acceleration.

Ross Evans and Shannon Nordstrom field listener calls on drivetrain maintenance and fuel choices. A key question compares whether to service the 10-speed automatic in a 2020 F-350 and a 2023 F-150 Roush, with discussion centered on internal thermostats, why full flushes are difficult/expensive, and why drain-and-fill plus filter/pan service may be the practical route. They also debate converting to E85, covering tuning costs, fuel economy tradeoffs, and station availability. The show ends with advice on buying a Honda Odyssey amid VCM bypass concerns.

Racing over the weekend kicks things off with a Bonnington blast in a 1960 Elba Courier, plus a look ahead to Andrew’s deeper dive later. The main focus is Formula 1’s British GP drama and why the rules were (mostly) followed this time—contrasted with Abu Dhabi 2021—sparking debate about race control timing, safety-car procedures, and whether lapped-car handling should be changed. They also discuss the “overtake button” style of passing: fine when it enables brave moves, but frustrating when it’s easily undone. The conversation hints at how driver confidence and setup philosophy are shifting this season.

A real-world diagnostic case study centers on a 2016 Cadillac Escalade (6.2L) stuck in limp mode with reduced power and a check-engine light. The recurring code is P2101 (throttle actuator position performance), triggered when actual throttle position doesn’t match predicted position for over a second or when throttle control exceeds reduced-power limits. After multiple throttle body replacements (including OE) and even an ECM swap/cloning, the issue persists. The episode focuses on why intermittent throttle problems are hard to catch, how aftermarket parts can mislead, and how deeper code criteria and data analysis finally point toward the real cause.