The Avants Podcast
Avants
Updated 6 days agoJoin hosts Dan Putnam and Nick Bergeron as they get to know industry leading guests beyond just what they drive. The Avants Podcast is never scripted and never predictable, but it’s always a good time and full of surprises. You won’t find any boring reviews that sound like reading off a pre-planned info sheet, ”history of” shows that are reworded Wikipedia articles, or advertisements for the next new foam mattress here! The Avants Podcast focuses on making sure guests are always authentic, just like your hosts.
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Episodes (447)
A Deep Dive In This Crazy Car Market with Brian Elich
When we first recorded this episode we thought we had a pretty good idea of how the market was working, but after talking through it we realized we needed to bring in an expert. We reached out to our good friend of the show, Brian Elich, who gave us some great insights on buying a car in the current market, a different point of view on ADM, and some insight on the Tesla effect.
Get Your Kicks on 66 with Justin Osmer
We welcome back Justin Osmer, founder of Turn-In Point Consulting, as he shares stories from the Forza Horizon 5 launch, driving Route 66 in his RS6 Avant, and a little info on a recent Bring A Trailer auction. If you don't want to take a massive road trip after hearing this episode, you might just be dead inside. To see more of Justin's travels find him on Instagram at FatherFlywheel.
Chad Haugen of Leather Tech is a True Master of Interior Repair
If we're being totally honest, we never really know what we’re going to get when we book a guest. Chad Haugen, owner of Leather Tech in Bellevue, came highly recommended and he absolutely lived up to the hype! We went to Chad to see his shop and some of his work first hand and left booking him to do some work for us! Not only is he an expert craftsman, but he turned out to be an all around interesting person and a great interview for anyone to enjoy, well beyond just be an expert on interior repair. From starting his business at 19 to talking about learning Hindi to relate to the people in his community more, we know you’re going to love getting to know Chad. Check out Chad’s business, Leather Tech at https://leathertechrepair.com/ and don’t forget to use your Avants discount for 15% off! And to keep your interior from needing Chad’s work, use our RCS10 code at Griots Garage for Interior Care and Cleaning products, which Chad does personally use and recommend (and they don’t even pay him to!)
We Go Tow to Tow!
On this episode we walk you through all the basics of towing a trailer! We discuss all those acronyms about weights, how to load a trailer properly, how trailer brakes work, and even balls and shackles! We also talk about the film Dan was in, "F#", by our friends at Driven Motion!
A Couple of Tools Talking About Tools
When the members in Avants asked what basic tools everyone should have, we answered in a big way with this extended length show and a huge write-up on our Tips and Links page. We believe these are the most essential tools you should own, and also a few you may not have thought of that come in really handy. We also talk about different price points and why some tools are absolutely worth the money and some just are not. Check out the giant write-up here where we talk about everything form pick sets to fluid pumps: The Home Mechanic’s Automotive Arsenal
All Those Exotic Rental Stories You Always Wanted to Hear With Zadart!
By many popular requests we finally got the guys from Zadart in to tell us all the fun stories about the exotic car rental world! Eric Reiff and Chris Roberts join us and give you all the info you want to know.
The 2022 Hagerty Bull Market
In this episode we discuss Hagerty’s 2022 Bull Market List. The whole market feels like a bull market right now, but these are the top picks from our friends at Hagerty. Some of these seem extremely predictable, but who knew the Volvo wagon was going to spike like this!? Check out the full article here from our friends at Hagerty! Also, be sure to secure your load! Thanks to our friend Bob for this week’s Carter Automotive Group tip of the week!
Island Car Culture and Snowpocalypse 2021
Dan is working on his tan and Nick is adding as many layers as possible, but we still managed to put together a new episode discussing the polar opposites of car culture we are currently in. Dan gives an update on the car culture he’s found on Oahu (and is looking for more!) and Nick gives an update on the crazy PNW Snowpocalypse that is keeping even the most prepared drivers indoors.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Etc, Etc...
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from us! It’s just the two of us for this holiday episode. We wish you all the best and hope you’re spending some quality time with the people you love.
The Life, Times, and Adventures of Otis Porsche
You’ve probably heard that name before - Otis Porsche. If you’re like us, you probably didn’t realize Otis is actually the name of Richard and Dolores Ranhofer’s Porsche Cayenne, which sat on the dock of a bay a little too long. We meet with the elusive couple who have truly been pioneers in getting the Cayenne it’s off-road credit it actually deserves. These two have been overlanding before overlanding was a word, and continue to take their Porsche on truly challenging adventures. Listen to their stories ranging from how they met to how they started taking just about every backroad and rally around, including the infamously challenging Alcan 5000.
Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Car People
You’re running out of time, but you can still get really cool Christmas gifts for that special car person in your life! In fact, we made a non-affiliate link list so you know you’re not buying anything just because we make money off it. We genuinely love these products and hope you will too! You can find this list on our website in the episode notes with links!
The Incredible Verena Mei
We don’t use that word to describe a lot of people - incredible - but it fits. From drag racing, to stunt driving, to road racing, to drifting, to rally, AND MORE, Verena Mei has basically done it all. In spite of all that, she’s still humble, charming, and was an absolute joy for us to have on the show. Enjoy this very special, extended podcast featuring a guest you won’t forget and definitely enjoy. To find out more about Verena (because we still couldn’t cover it all in 2 hours), check out her website: http://www.verenamei.com/ You can find Verena on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/verenamei/ Update: Pastrana’s “record” for rolls is 7 3/4 rolls. Now you know.
Happy Thanksgiving! Now Go Off-Roading or Autocrossing!
We had a fun time making this kind of random episode, but we wanted to make sure you had something to listen while stuck in traffic. Thank you to all of you who are listening! We really love doing this and you are the reason we do! We talk about electric cars, autocross, the latest Avant’s Off-Road event, and more! Check out the gallery on this episode if you’re looking for a little motivation to join us for an Avant’s Off-Road event as I don’t think we’ve had a more fun one to date!
It’s Porsches All The Way Down With Nathan Merz
We had a really great and honest interview with Nathan Merz, owner of Columbia Valley Luxury Cars. More than that, Nathan is extremely involved in the PCA, a writer, a content creator, and all around great guy. Nathan has been selling and flipping cars, especially Porsches, since he was 13 years old. From giving credit to his wife and family to being open and honest about inflated values, transporting, and auctions, we liked Nathan the minute we met him and we know you will too. Nathan will be coming back very soon to give us some great stories and advise on how to transport your vehicle the right way!
Ann Doherty Reminds Us You Can Start Racing Whenever You Want
Did you know you can just go sign up for a track day and go? I mean, you’ll want your car in good mechanical shape, but that’s really it. You can just go. Ann Doherty decided after receiving her dream car for her 50th birthday she was going to do just that, and now she is racing a Porsche Cayman GT4 CS.
A Brief History of SEMA and SEMA Updates!
It’s SEMA time, which means if you’re following any automotive news you’re seeing all sorts of new products coming out you probably won’t be able to buy for 6 months thanks to supply chain issues! We give a brief history of SEMA, talk winter tires (not snow tires), and a few other project updates.
Moab vs COTA!
Our audio here is a little rough due to limited infrastructure! Nick went to COTA and Dan went to Moab, but you definitely need to go to both! It’s an adventure update that hopefully inspires you to get out and explore!
The Avants School For People Who STILL Don‘t Off-Road Good
Did you know it’s ok to change your beliefs and opinions when you get new, more credible information? Well, we do, so we thought we’d update Episode 159 and the contents of our Off-Road List, which is housed under our Tips and Links section of our website. In this longer, extensive episode we talk about updates to that list, new tips for getting out on the trail, and you NEED to check out the video from Dan’s webcam on our YouTube page and embedded here. You’re not going to believe what we found trying to drive WABDR Section 3!
Dashcams, Moab, F1, and We Didn‘t Start the Fire
Dan got to watch a police chase which he caught on his dashcam so we figured now would be a good time to discuss what makes a good dashcam, how to mount it properly, and some other tips and tricks. We also go over the next few weeks as Nick is going F1 in Austin and Dan is going off-roading in Moab! There’s some serious Billy Joel talk in here too. If you’re looking a great Dashcam, our friend Ariel at Vortex Radar knows his stuff and is a source we trust: www.vortexradar.com/best-dashcams/ If you’re looking for the greatest Wikipedia page ever made, it’s We Didn’t Start The Fire by Billy Joel: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Didn%27t_Start_the_Fire
Circuit of the Northwest Update! YES, IT IS HAPPENING!
We welcome Brian Nilsen with Circuit of the Northwest back as he confirms the track is coming! We also talk about customer service during COVID, DSRP vs MSRP, and welcome Daniella Lewis - head of membership for Circuit of the Northwest. We are very excited to have another track that's really happening, but it's going to be so much more than just another track!
Ray York Finds You The Right Garage
Ray York joins us and finally answers the age old mystery of why there are never enough garage photos in home listings! He also shares his story of growing up not far from Dan, meeting Dale Earnhardt, getting fired by his dad at 18, and starting in real estate at the perfect time… 2007. Text RCS to 59559 to get a hold of Ray!
Deerly Departed
In episode 201 we talk about a deerly departed friend Nick met on the way home from Dan’s house. Luckily this was a low-speed mishap, but we will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the worst jaywalkers on the road. Tune in to find out if Nick is still pulling fur out his grill.
Still Enjoying The Drive
We made it all the way to episode 200! We’ve come a long way from Nick’s kitchen and we recorded this one in Dan’s dining room. We present the two best car tips we could think of, talk about the cross-plane crankshaft 4 cylinder, and take a short walk down memory lane.
199 for 199! Pro Rally Co-Driver Rhianon Gelsomino!
For episode 199 we get Professional Rally Co-Driver Rhianon Gelsomino! Not only is she the 2021 ARA National Champion along with driver Travis Pastrana, she’s legitimately one of the most knowledgeable people we’ve ever met when it comes to all things rally and co-driving. She walks us through all of it in a way even we can understand and gives us all the good stories about her racing life, racing with Travis, and she’s even married to Alex, Ken Block’s co-driver. Talk about a power couple!
Living The Dream With Daniel Pilling
Karl introduced us to someone else you’ll want to know, Daniel Pilling! Daniel learned to drive at the track, watched the XJ220 go into production, and has worked with everything from F1, to NASCAR, to Goodwood, and more! Listen in for some great stories!