Episodes

North Wilkesboro’s return takes center stage, with the hosts celebrating a points race coming back and Joey Logano’s dominant weekend—plus how driver feedback and setup focus can swing results. The conversation then widens to the championship picture: mile-and-a-half track questions, mistake-avoidance, and Shane van Gisbergen’s qualifying-driven oval run. IndyCar coverage follows, including Nashville’s weather delay and silly-season chatter, before the show pivots to Kimi Antonelli’s Spa surge and the broader motorsport roundup.

The Car Stuff Podcast jumps from a Mazda CX-5 first-look—where the rotary dial is gone and controls are now screen-based—to a Mitsubishi Outlander update and strategy chat with Jeremy Barnes. The episode also revisits a rare carbon monoxide tragedy tied to idling vehicles and discusses why there are “no standards for CO emissions inside a car.” EV ownership concerns shift to charging at home, with Level 1 vs Level 2 timing and costs. It closes with mobile dealership service and more car talk.

Gas prices are climbing and federal EV credits expired in October, reshaping how people shop for electric and hybrid vehicles. Guests compare automaker EV bets, battery investment risk, and emerging players like Rivian and Slate, while hosts dig into why smaller, more affordable EVs are the new focus and how deposits gauge demand. The show also covers practical buying decisions—new vs rental used cars, warranty strategy, and maintenance tips—plus a forward-looking debate on electrification and autonomous, on-demand mobility.

Rumors and reality collide as the hosts talk through a possible “2028 Ford Ranchero” as an all-electric truck, including talk of pricing and how its size could mirror the Ford Maverick. They debate whether Ford’s EV strategy can recover, pointing to marketing missteps, dealer influence, and hiring talent from Tesla/Rivian. The conversation broadens to vehicle surveillance cameras like Flock, then shifts to practical ownership issues—headlight repair costs, tight access jobs, and rising used-car prices.

The 2026 Audi A6 TFSI is framed as an old-school, gas-only sedan—complete with four-wheel steering—built on Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion Architecture (PPC). The host breaks down the drivetrain (seven-speed dual-clutch, Quattro, and Sport Plus changes), then contrasts it with the A6 Sportback e-tron’s naming and practicality. Cabin tech gets attention too: natural voice, connected-service data-plan costs, and a “digital stage.” Rear-seat comfort, aero, and customizable lighting round it out.

EV vs hybrid purchase talk turns into a practical decision guide: the host pushes leasing EVs, arguing the used EV market is weak and depreciation/battery uncertainty make buying risky. Charging reliability and costs—especially fast Level 3 versus home charging—shape the recommendation, with Tennessee/TVA used to frame electricity pricing. Hybrids are presented as a steadier resale bet until the powertrain warranty ends, after which depreciation can drop sharply. The episode also covers EV safety, technician training limits, and charging network realities.

Hosts connect NASCAR fandom and short-track revival to the practical grind of racing: North Wilkesboro’s comeback funding, why short-track renovations and setups matter, and how teams adapt without simulation tools. The conversation then pivots through late-model economics, carbon-seat testing, and pit/strategy details like lead-lap goals, stage breaks, and green-white-checker dilemmas. Joey Logano’s playoff mindset gets framed as pressure-proof, while SVG’s on-track instincts and setup decisions get dissected.

Belgian GP 2026 fallout takes center stage as the hosts and guests try to decode George Russell’s weekend mystery—why his car seemed to lose time on the straights and even drop power early in the race. They connect the issue to hybrid energy recharging and deployment timing, debate whether it’s power-unit behavior or driving, and weigh Toto Wolff’s comments about Mercedes engines. Along the way, they also recap the championship shake-up and discuss why Belgium (and Spa) can expose inexperience.

Ride-share discounts may be misleading, and the show walks through Consumer Reports’ investigation into “fictitious pricing” and “fake discounts.” Hosts connect that to how Uber and Lyft use algorithmic, upfront, and surge pricing—sometimes varying fares for the same trip at the same time. They also discuss controlled testing, targeted promotions, and the “black box” behind app pricing. The conversation closes with how regulators are responding, including “surveillance pricing” bans.

Inventory “days supply” becomes the episode’s main lens for why Ram, Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler can’t cut prices fast enough. Hosts explain the metric as a supply-vs-demand gauge and use it to show how high days supply signals slow turnover, weaker bargaining power, and costly aging past 90 days. They connect oversupply to incentives, financing offers, and dealer floor-plan pressure—arguing MSRP cuts can also worsen negative equity for existing owners.

The hosts kick off with how their F1 driver ratings work, stressing that VSCs and stewarding decisions can swing the grades. Belgian GP grades start with Sergio Perez (5/10) and Valtteri Bottas (5/10), then move to standout overtakes and midfield context. Franco Collapinto earns 7–8/10, while Alpine’s drop-off and VSC timing shape ratings for others. The discussion widens to pit-lane procedure, penalties, and upgrade/gearbox issues, before ending with a quick Hungarian GP preview.

Dealers are spending nearly $10 billion on advertising, but the panel argues the industry’s visibility is lagging—especially as connected TV and streaming buys move into fast auctions and “black box” systems. They break down why transparency gaps happen (missing program data, opaque placement, and bid-request limitations), how to measure beyond impressions (reach/frequency, downstream behaviors, post-impression traffic), and what dealers should demand from partners. The discussion also ties accountability to fees, verification, and even dealer review communication.

A federal probe into UAW President Shawn Fain is put in context with what it could mean for union leadership and the next Detroit Three contract in 2028. GM’s brand strategy comes up via how the Sierra and Silverado can feel distinct despite shared underpinnings. Honda signals possible North American growth with an additional assembly plan. The rest of the show digs into EV adoption: survey intent vs registration reality, the role of tax credits and gasoline prices, and why charging access still matters—especially for apartments.

UAW federal oversight could be extended beyond January, after the corruption scandal that put it under federal watch for six years. Honda is weighing new North American capacity because its US, Canada and Mexico facilities run at about ninety percent of capacity, and it has also extended its China joint venture with GAC through 2038. Germany’s EV momentum is accelerating—pure EVs outsold all other powertrain types in June for the first time—while rare-earth magnet supply concentration raises supply-chain concerns.

Door design turns out to be an ops problem, not just a styling choice—“Swinging doors got to go away.” George Kalligeros connects that to Aseon Labs’ broader approach: deploy relocatable, robotic “pods,” prove an autonomous pit stop, and then scale fast with conditional approvals. Their model combines DC fast charging with frequent cleaning, inspections, and data offload to reduce deadheading and keep utilization high. They also discuss incident handling, depot economics, and why empty miles can kill unit economics.

Collector-car insurance and the ugly results of U.S.-market regulations collide in Carmudgeon Ep. 245. Hagerty coverage gets credited for keeping a Rover SD1 project alive after a crash and for valuing cars by replacement cost. The show then zooms out to explain why U.S. bumpers and sealed-beam lighting often look worse in Europe, with examples like the 1996 Chevy Impala and a long list of bumper offenders. Between the styling talk, there’s plenty of real-world SD1 gearbox and oil-pressure drama.

Hosts set out to “pick the best Ferrari for every price point,” then work through how Ferrari values and tiers have shifted upward—plus what you can realistically buy around $50k and $100k. The conversation spotlights the Ferrari Mondial 3.2 Coupe for belt-service practicality, compares 308/328 vs 348 maintenance, and weighs 360/599/612 choices as budgets rise. Along the way, they debate collector value, manual desirability, and even non-Ferrari “Ferrari DNA” alternatives.

The Mustang Owner's Podcast recaps the Mid-Michigan Mustang Club’s annual “stampede,” now held at Birch Run Speedway near Frankenmuth and I-75. Hosts walk through standout cars and styling trends, from a 1969 Mach 1 and Fox-body “cheese grater” tail lights to SN95 and S550/S650 builds with vented hoods, split spoilers, and 60th-anniversary stripes. They also share collector talk on Cobras, Mach X, and why GT350 “Voodoo” engines are increasingly recognized.

After returning from Goodwood, the hosts kick off with the BSA Rocket 3—complete with George Lazenby provenance—and use it to frame how documentation and desirability shape classic prices. They then pivot to buying decisions in the modern market, comparing a CFMoto 675SRR with a Triumph Daytona 675, including vehicle-history checks and whether to buy new or used. Honda recall talk and a run of auction results follow, ending with Norton Commando 750 pricing shifts and a look at Triumph Thruxton searches.

From engine coverage and recall talk to phone-aided diagnostics, the Motor Medics walk through real repair scenarios and what to check before you spend big. They discuss Hyundai engine replacements, why some failures leave drivers stranded, and how oil changes (or neglect) can drive warranty disputes. The show also covers suspension and ADAS calibration costs, plus practical troubleshooting for smoke, sensor issues, and transmission problems—often with scanner-based checks and smart inspection habits.

“Widowmaker” is introduced as a slang catch-all for cars with a reputation for being “a bit tricky, bit spiky,” often tied to specific Porsche 911 Turbo eras. The hosts trace the term to aviation, then dig into why certain 911s and other performance cars feel dangerous: tire grip changes, turbo lag, lift-off weight transfer, and wet-weather behavior. They broaden beyond Porsches into swing-axle quirks, traction-control limits, and even motorcycle instability—where sudden loss of grip can be unforgiving.

Celebrating Car Torque with Matty J hitting its 600th episode and a 10-year run, the hosts kick off with road-trip and “car talk race” memories—complete with live-stream mishaps and cars that didn’t cooperate. The conversation then swings through breakdown stories, rust and flood repairs, and comfort/tech details like air-con quirks. Between nostalgia debates (Falcon/Magna heritage) and community event planning, they also share Japan museum highlights and a few “what could go wrong” ownership anecdotes.

A brake job can turn into an all-day ordeal when seized hardware and neglected lubrication show up. The host frames the tutorial with a “five things” approach—what the component is, where it’s located, how it works, and how you broke it—then starts with a brake fluid check reminder. Real stories explain why calipers can fail and why wheel removal can take hours, plus how brake fluid absorbs moisture and can make pedals feel spongy.

Reliability for long-distance towing takes center stage, with the hosts framing it as “getting from A to B” and sharing real-world breakdown stories. One Cummins-oriented truck suffered a lifter tick, then a harsh downshift with an incorrect gear ratio, and even limp-mode trouble that required multiple transmission repairs—until a gauge pack helped them manage the situation. They also break down towing build priorities: intake/air-temp control, exhaust braking, staged tuning, and why “you don't want to over complicate the setup.”