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)
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!
The Scottsdale Auction Attendees Didn't Get the Memo
Apparently no one told anyone at Scottsdale auction week that inflation and interest rates have gone crazy, because sales figures were nuts. Unfortunately, people buying KTM motorcycles did get the memo and the company is barely alive. Also, does ANYONE have a good wireless CarPlay or Android auto dongle? We keep trying them and keep coming to the same conclusion; these devices absolutely suck. It's a good week for Shop Talk even though Nick is super sick.
Just Go Buy a Truck Already
We have driven everything from the terrible compact commuter death traps of old to some of the latest hypercars and just about everything between and we still think a truck is the right answer for most of you. In our professional opinion, not owning a proper offroad vehicle at least once in your life, and using it as such, means you're in fact missing out on one of the greatest joys of driving in America - exploring! More than that, todays modern trucks are the new luxury vehicle of choice by offering a better ride, just as many - if not more, luxury options, and the peace of mind of ignoring that giant I-90 pothole. With today's modern hybrids and EVs, even the old mileage concerns are quickly fading away.
The Burden of Being a Car Person
Have you ever considered what life would be like if you weren't into cars? Can you imagine just walking out to your driveway and only caring that the thing in the driveway got you from point to point efficiently and safely? Yeah we can't either. We discuss the idea of how to convert those people in your life to the dark side with us. Also, does anyone know actually want the new EV Charger? Anyone? We can't find a single person who actually does and we're genuinely curious if any of you do. Give us some good reasons to check it out! Speaking of the worst of the worst, we explored Doug Demuro's Doug Score list to see the best and the worst. What is the worst car you've ever driven? https://www.dougdemuro.com/dougscore
Class is in Session with Wryann Van Riper
This week we welcome Automotive Instructor at Clackamas Community College, Wryann Van Riper! Wryann tells us about how he went from the industry to teaching, his many very cool project cars, his love for flying, and how you put a motorcycle engine in your classic Mini!
Crawling Through Arizona and Crawling Right Back
Now that Dan is able to mostly breathe again, we regroup for the new year to encourage you to get out there and drive! Dan crawled through the Arizona mountains in the BRaptor, Nick finished the prep on his Ranger Raptor and picked up a new toy, and we have a ton of fresh Avants events coming up to get you excited for 2025!
Merry Christmas and Don't Forget the Batteries
If you didn't get a Porsche GT3RS for Christmas like some of the Avants members, maybe you got a battery powered one. If so, we recommend some Lithium batteries. We already planned our next Moab trip, Nick mods his Ranger Raptor, Dan gets ready to mod the F150 Raptor, and more automotive news. If you're still looking for that very last minute gift, an Avants membership never fails!
The 4Runner Crashes!
Toyotas highly anticipated new 4Runner has finally launched on the Toyota website! People were so excited that the traffic crashed the configurator. We talk about the new 4Runner, the not-so-shameful minivan, and naming your car.