Daily Recap: Monday, March 23, 2026
35 episodes · If you only listen to one: Driving The BMW Z1 — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 230 — The Carmudgeon Show
Gas prices sparked discussion across multiple shows, with hosts examining how fuel costs are shifting buyer interest away from trucks and toward more efficient vehicles. The podcasts also covered a teen driver safety guidebook, diesel engine performance comparisons, and pricing struggles in the EV market. Porsche, Land Rover, and Chevrolet models came up frequently, along with practical topics like snow tires and heated steering wheels.
More Shows Weigh In on Rising Gas Prices Impacting Vehicle Purchase Decisions
Gas prices have risen to almost $4 per gallon, significantly impacting buyer behavior across the automotive market.
Ram, GMC, and Dodge drivers face the biggest fuel cost increases among major brands, with some Ram trucks showing 177 days on the market as consumers shift away from fuel-intensive vehicles.
"We are up to almost $4 a gallon. We're not going to spend the whole show on gas prices here, but it does have a big impact."
Additionally, gas stations on Indian reservations in California can legally purchase fuel from Nevada refineries, offering cheaper alternatives at prices like $4.79 per gallon compared to standard California stations.
026 | California Gas Prices Are INSANE… The Secret Loophole Saving Drivers Money
"Those stations, those deliveries, because they're Indian reservation, they do not need to buy gas from California refineries because they are on Indian reservations... So that gas they actually are getting, they said it's from Nevada."
Headlines
Luxury Automakers Cut Costs Amid Tariff Pressures and Market Challenges
Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche combined lost $3.3 billion to tariffs last year, with European automakers collectively losing at least $6 billion.
Additionally, Volkswagen is cutting about 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030, citing high labor and energy costs plus heavy regulation.
"The automaker says tariffs cost it, Audi and Porsche $3.3 billion last year."
Meanwhile, ZF is wrestling with over $11 billion in debt and has shed assets including its driver assistance unit to Samsung's Harman for $1.7 billion.
Episode Spotlights
A practical guide for parents on building real driving skills and confidence in teen drivers.
The First 3000HP Diesel on Fuel Only
On achieving 3000 horsepower with a common rail diesel:
"you have an engine that did 3000 horsepower on fuel only... I think you had mentioned like that's the only common rail you know of on the planet that's done 3000 horsepower on an engine dyno on fuel only."
On which truck brands face the worst fuel cost increases:
"These are the brands where drivers are going to face the biggest fuel cost increase. And that would be Ram GMC Dodge."
026 | California Gas Prices Are INSANE… The Secret Loophole Saving Drivers Money
On California gas price alternatives at Indian reservation stations:
"You go 10, 15 miles down the road to another gas station that's, you know, getting California gas and their $5, maybe $6 possibly. And, you know, the Indian reservations kind of got an end with this, like Nevada, you know, maybe less tax gas situation."
Why Community Makes Car Culture Last - Tailpipes & Tacos in Beaumont
On restoring a rare 1957 Ford Fairlane single-owner car:
"We're 20 months into redoing a '57 Ford Fairlane. One owner car, black California black face car, gray and white."
If You Only Listen To One
Covers BMW Z1 design and engineering, including its electrically operated drop-down doors and their practical limitations.
By the Numbers
Most-Discussed Cars
| Car | Mentions |
|---|---|
| Porsche 911 | 9 |
| Land Rover Range Rover | 5 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | 5 |
| Ford Mustang | 5 |
| BMW i3 | 5 |
| Porsche 356 | 4 |
| Porsche 959 | 4 |
| Porsche Boxster | 4 |
Trending Terminology
| Term | Mentions |
|---|---|
| EV | 6 |
| snow tires | 3 |
| fuel economy | 3 |
| F1 | 3 |
| heated steering wheel | 2 |
| concept car | 2 |
35 episodes. 399 car mentions. 734 terms explained. Browse every episode with searchable annotations and plain-language term definitions in the Car Curious app.