The Avants Podcast
Avants
Updated 1 day 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 (454)
1,800 Miles in 2 days is Too Far
Dan drove 1,800 miles in just over 2 days and Nick is thankful he wasn't stuck in the car with him this time. We talk about the most recent road trip, overpriced Bugattis we can't afford, the sexy LC500, and Nick finally admits he doesn't like roundabouts. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!
We Dragged Brian Dallas Through Hell
This week we welcome Brian Dallas back to the show to talk all about Spot GPS, overlanding, off-road shows, Tackform mounts, and us dragging him through Hell's Revenge. Brian has moved on from our friend at Dirt Fish and is working for Spot Satellite tracking and communication systems, working the show circuit, and living the overlanding dream. There's something for everyone in this fun episode. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!
Is It Alright To Gatekeep Your Favorite Roads?
Dan and Nick talk about the many adventures of driving our favorite roads and why we often don't publish the routes. Dan still has Dan's Drives up and running for some of the more popular routes, but both he and Nick have dozens of routes they're afraid to share for multiple reasons. What do you think? Should we throw caution to the wind let Darwinism rule? Should people protect their favorite roads from the unhinged masses? The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Dan is Out of Roads
Things are heating up in Scottsdale, so we need some new roads to drive! The dilemma? Dan is pretty sure he's driven every fun road in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Colorado! Speaking of things getting hot in Scottsdale, welcome NiCole Wilson to Avants as the new Director of Scottsdale! We have known NiCole for a long time and she's another great, overqualified hire who is sure to bring the best of all things Avants to Scottsdale. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Episode 400! Amps, Watts, Volts, Starlinks, Rams, and Public Lands
Today we talk all about power! Nick wires up, and then rewires, his Starlink Mini, Ram steps it way up with a warranty that's hard to beat, and what is going on with all that public land in the big bill? It's never as simple as that Instagram Reel telling you how to think. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
ROOSTER BLOCKED! - The Chicken Tax
As much as we want to hate the Chicken Tax for blocking us from getting all those cool trucks we really want, we can't deny it brought out some of the best creativity from manufacturers. We dive into how the Chicken Tax started and the waves of creativity it forced upon the auto industry as a whole. It also helps explain the heat behind the current tariffs and why they might not be so terrible for us in the end. Also, if your car did not come with Lambo style doors, do not put Lambo doors on it. Period. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Factory Infotainment is Terrible and GM is Going to Make It Worse
GM decides CarPlay isn't necessary anymore, making their already terrible infotainment even worse. Just in case anyone at GM reads this, stop being stupid. On the smarter side of the industry, RAM finally admits mistakes were made and brings back the Hemi with a great comeback commercial. Check out the awesome new RAM commercial here: https://youtu.be/TseTzC3bQAk?si=9FWLPbSWPEfu19aZ The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
The Dude Magnet
While we often discuss the Countach as being the ultimate "don't meet your heroes" car, we have never driven any other car that got more attention than the mighty Countach. We talk about the news and a few other topics in this episode, but we got a laugh of out how the iconic Countach brings more attention from other guys than anything else by a huge margin. What car still grabs your attention when you see it? The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Stellantis Unplugs the Charger Daytona EV
While we could be more tactful about this, we won't be, because everyone who has ever driven a car knows the Charger EV was dead before it launched. Not only did no one really want one, but the reviews on them were terrible from the start with subpar range, awkward ergonomics, and the continued questionable build quality Stellantis is getting known for across their automotive range. While other Charger EV models are still out there, the Daytona trim lasted less than a year, and continues to signal the slow, extremely predictable demise of the Stellantis brand. On the bright side, someone over at the Ram brand decided that maybe discontinuing the TRX, the only real competition for the Raptor, was a bad idea and is slated to come back for 2026. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Michael Beats Moab
We conclude the Moab conversation with Megan, Michael, and Brian, and talk about all the things we learned, where we're going next, and how much of a beating Moab gave us all. Thanks to Michael Smith however, we feel more prepared than ever for out next adventures in the wild. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Rock Beats Megan
Megan, Michael, and Brian join us in the studio to discuss misadventures in Moab and Megan's impression of the drummer from Def Leppard. The guys talk about almost rolling on Hell's Gate and what they should have done different. Live and learn! The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Metal Beats Rock
We're back from Moab and mostly unscathed! Mostly. Some of our bodies took a beating, but our hitch sliders put in the real work. We definitely learned the real value of geometry and physics, but most importantly the value of a group member with experience. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Legend of Formula D, Time Attack, and Pikes Peak - Dai Yoshihara!
On this week's episode we have the pleasure of having Dai Yoshihara in the studio! Dai talks with us about growing up and street racing in Japan, moving to the US, and becoming a champion of Formula D, Time Attack, and Pikes Peak! The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Are Overlanders Killing Overlanding?
This week we we’re calling out you gatekeepers! No, not the good kind like the Sean at Exotics, but those people who say you can’t do something without a specific type of mod. Did you really need those Baja Designs lights? Is that Warn Platinum 12k winch necessary? How about the $2,500 roof top tent you use once a year? Yes, there is a difference in all that gear, but eventually you have to admit you don’t need the laser lighting as much as you want it to go down that well groomed gravel road. On top of that, chances are, you probably made your vehicle worse and don't want to admit it. We know, we've done it, and we are going to talk about it! Don’t let the car gatekeepers get you down! The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
It's a Pop Quiz!
Dan surprises Nick with a pop quiz of automotive knowledge! Can you beat Nick? Did we get a few wrong? Join us this week and have another good reason to yell at your radio besides listening to the news. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
The Lumpsucker.. or McMurtry Spéirling Pure!
In spite of what we think, the McMurtry Spéirling Pure is not in fact related to the Lumpsucker fish, but it does drive upside down and you've got to see it! We also talk about how basic hand tool installation usually means $700+ in power tools, Ferrari teases bringing back a manual transmission, Easter Jeep Safari brings out all the Jeeps we want but Stellantis probably won't build, Chevy pulls a Ford GT move, and.. Super Duty Ranger? Hell yeah! Check out the video of the McMurtry Lumpsucker Fish Car here: https://youtu.be/g6LYcgaQ46c?si=1ONcOUVxh1z0NTD_ The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Lightbars on Supercars and a Doozy of a Day at Singer
So many mods happened in the last few weeks! Our friends at HKP Customs installed a Baja Designs lightbar on the R8, Metropolitan Detail did another amazing job of STEK Paint Protection on the F150 Raptor, the Bronco Raptor got power step sliders, and Nick's Ranger Raptor is getting more armor. On top of all that, Dan went to Singer and saw how the million dollar "sausage" is made! The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Lee Luna Keeps the Quality Going at Metropolitan Detail
Avants and this podcast have a long history with John Kleven and Metropolitan Detail and now Metropolitan has moved on to the capable hands of Lee Luna. Lee and John join us in the studio this week to talk about how Lee was chosen to take over ownership and continue the highly respected Metropolitan Detail name. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review! It’ll be worth it!
Buying a Car is as Easy as You Make It
Is buying a car still hard for you? It doesn’t have to be! If you know how to prepare and how to talk to the sales and finance people you can be in and out in almost no time with no drama. We brought Brian Elich back this week to talk about the buying process, the quickly changing market, ADM, the new truck, and of course the mods that have already started for the truck that isn't getting any mods. We also discussed why the oval piston Ferrari V12 is nothing like the Honda design, more issues for our poor friends at Dodge/Stellantis, and why your service intervals are probably wrong if you're one of our listeners. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873 We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review and we promise it will be worth it!
Turbocharging Vs Supercharging, FIGHT!
We tackle one of the oldest arguments of all time, turbocharging versus supercharging! Both have their advantages and disadvantages of course, but either is better than none. So how about both!? It's been done, even on a few production cars! Check out this great video that explains everything you'd ever want to know! The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Leave us a voicemail! 425-298-7873
Cars Don't Belong Underwater and Neither Do Car Loans
More car buyers than ever are in a pretty rough spot right now due to Covid ADM pricing. If only someone could have foreseen this completely expected and avoidable crisis! It was us. We saw it. We also talk about bumper disappointment and paint by numbers with your tools.
The Best Tire Deal You Can Get!
Avants now has THE BEST tire deal in the business! We are proud to announce our official partnership with Discount Tire and Americas Tire! All Avants members now get 10% off at all locations, nationwide. This discount can stack with already awesome 10% off discount on Michelin and BF Goodrich tires, meaning you can up to 20% off! No one has a better deal than that. We also take about why your fuel door is on the side it's on, more mods make their way to the Bronco Raptor and Ranger Raptor, and the F150 Raptor comes soon. Don't forget the Women's Off-Road day coming up this weekend! We'll be there cooking and helping out, so come on by and say hello! Read more about the Discount Tire and Americas Tire deal here: https://www.avants.com/news/2025/discount-tire
The Functional Touch of the Perfect Floormats from Inhabit Design Works
This week we met up with Jon Hickman and Brian Glass, the partners behind Inhabit Design Works. Inhabit is widely known for their luxurious and functional mats, which have gone in everything from Overland Vans to Singer Porsches. They're now branching slightly beyond that and we got a chance to talk with them about their products as well as touch base on how the Overland business is going, post the Covid boom. Get the best floormats you can buy here! https://www.inhabitdesignworks.com/
Hack the Planet! Or at Least Your Car
Did you know your car probably has a ton of features that are just hidden away in the software and not enabled? Auto folding mirrors, brighter headlights, fog lights with high beams, disable annoying sounds, warmer seats, and so much more are just a few clicks away if you know what you're doing. There is some inherent risk to this, but we think it's worth it. Just take your time and ask on the Avants Facebook pages if you need help!
Flaming Grinders, Flaming Ladas, and Even Some Not-So-Flammable Moments with Rory Carroll
This week Rory Carroll joins on the show to talk about his life in the automotive industry. From his early days at the New York Times all the way to Jalopnik and Gizmodo and beyond, Rory has driven, written about, and tested some of the most interesting cars to ever exist. We loved making this episode and we know you're going to love listening to it!