The Smoking Tire

What are the best EVs yet? Is charging getting better? Can the grid handle it? Which electric pickup would win in a cross-country race? Are batteries recyclable? All that and more with Kyle Connor.   Kyle Connor is a YouTuber in command of a whopping 17 different channels. He focused on EVs, covering the space comprehensively. He has road tripped, towed with, tested, charged, and driven more EVs t...

There are some cars out there that seemed like a good idea at the time but ended up failing. There are other cars that seem crazy on paper and were even worse in metal, but got built anyway. Today we're talking about 10 of history's automotive moon shots that failed to take hold. From odd propulsion choices to super cars that didn't deliver, overpriced economy badges to hypercars made obsolete by...

What's the best bang for your buck right now, new or used? We've got ten cars you can buy that are a great value for the most fun and performance. 5 used cars, 5 new cars. Spoiler alert: the answer is not Miata. We'll explain why.   Plus, Matt talks about the all new Porsche Panamera's crazy dancing suspension and what it means for speed; we also discuss that Cyber Truck's steering/brake failure;...

We're listing our top 5 Grand Touring cars ever with our favorite British transplant, music expert Christian James Hand. Also, he and Matt got a behind-the-scenes tour of the Sphere in Las Vegas AND saw the U2 show. A verbal description doesn't do the show justice but it will make you want to attend.   Plus Q&A includes:      How the 911 name is similar and different from AMG and M    The closest...

What's faster around a track: a NASCAR or an 800HP Gymkhana car? Tony Quiroga knows. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Car and Driver magazine. He's here to talk about the newest Lightning Lap, his favorite LL cars over the years, and more! Recorded February 21, 2024 Read it here: https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a46575000/lightning-lap-2024/ Check out the Subaru Air Slayer: https://vtcar.com/cars...

Morgan is a legendary company and for good reason. Yes, the cars are made of wood but the company has continued along while so many small companies have gone to rest.   Jon Wells has that job so many of us covet: car designer. With a very brief stop at TVR, Jon went right from university to the design department of Morgan, becoming part of the team that designed so of the best and fastest cars Mor...

What's a muscle car? What are the top 5 of all time? That's what we're discussing today. From the '60s to present day and every decade in between, Matt Farah and Zack Klapman have their own lists. Do any overlap? Do their cars fit the definition of muscle car? We'll see. Plus, Matt's used Bentley is back in the shop.   Recorded February 12, 2024   Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets!...

Why are Nissan GT-Rs so coveted? Why was it illegal to import them? Why did Japan build them in the first place? All that and more is covered in the excellent book, "Cult of GT-R, A Story of Crime, Obsession, and the World's Most Coveted Car". It is a detailed history of the Nissan GT-R, Japanese manufacturing, Japanese car culture, the world of import laws, and why the GT-R means so much to so ma...

What's the collector market up to? Will GT-Rs ever take the place of pre-war Brass Era cars? Gord Duff is the man with answers. He is the Global Head of Auctions for RM Sotheby's. If anyone knows what's going on with car collecting trends, it's him.     https://rmsothebys.com/en/home/specialists/gord-duff/509891   Recorded February 7, 2024   Head to factormeals.com/tire50 and use code tire50 to ge...

Jonny Lieberman is here to talk about his time street-driving the new Porsche GT3 RS, his drive in the crazy Guntherwerks Prototype, and our main topic: our five favorite European Tuner Cars.   Plus questions about how much money you need to be a car enthusiast; why to keep your sports car when the snow comes; a good affordable bourbon; Audi S3 vs Golf R; and the great speed limits vs guns debate....

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman go through their respective Top 5 cars that were sold to the Japanese Domestic Market only. Then we answer LOTS of Patreon Q&A   Other topics include: adventures with Turo; the Bentley paint correction; a Prius that somehow failed smog.   Recorded February 1, 2024   “Get 20% off Groove Life products with my link: groovelife.com/TIRE20   Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fi...

After an unfortunate surprise in the Koenig Ferrari, we're recording a podcast! We have plenty to talk about!!      The Koenig Ferrari is a wild, weird thing.    Supercar tuner differences    Electric Macan configurator    Cyber Truck differential update    Scott Wiener wants to set a 10MPH speed limiter in CA    Q&A   Recorded January 26, 2024   Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets!...

We tried to drive a modified Ferrari; a deep-dive review of the 2024 Subaru WRX TR; what's it cost to repair a Bentley?; Zack's flight in an electric aircraft; Q&A Recorded January 23, 2024   Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TSTPOD for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to  https://www.offtherecord.com/TST   Store your car with WCCS! htt...

When is a car "safe enough"? Turns out it's not such a simple answer. From a lack of software oversight to self-certification issues to more recalls (from every company) than you could imagine, building cars is challenging, especially as ADAS systems get more common and complicated. Phil Koopman is an Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University in the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Enginee...

Parker Nirenstein is the creator and host of Vehicle Virgins, a popular YouTube channel with over 2 million subscribers. He joins us to talk about YouTube, work/life balance, cars he's owned, and more   Recorded January 15, 2024   Say goodbye to harsh smoke and coughing attacks by shopping the smoothest pipes, bubblers, bongs and more at https://www.thefreezepipe.com  and use code TIRE for 10% off...

Shima Hamidi is a transportation planner and a smart growth advocate. She is an expert in measuring urban form and its quality of life impacts. Shima has been published extensively on walkability, non-motorized transportation, public transit, housing and transportation affordability, public health, life expectancy, upward mobility, and traffic safety. https://www.shimahamidi.com/ https://narrowlan...

Racing driver and car show creator, Patrick Long, joins us to talk about:  - The literal pain of high-g race cars  - Racing in Le Mans  - Waiting nearly 2 decades to get his first watch - The Porsche 911 S/T  - Driving a car with portal axles and no steering shaft  - Why differentials can make a difference  - Expanding his car shows Luftgekühlt and Air/Water. Recorded Friday, December 12, 2024  Fo...

Should we be able to go 100MPH? Should we have speed limiters, walkable cities, bike in the winter, or even be allowed to buy certain cars? All that and more on this podcast with David Zipper. David is a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Taubman Center for State and Local Government, where he examines the interplay between transportation policy, technology, and society.   https://www...

Magnus Walker drove a 911 powered by an F1 engine, a 917 in the snow, snuck down to the LA river with a West Coast art icon, braved the desert of Australia, explains his new Jaguar project with The Kyza, and shares the ups/downs of driving a luxurious relic.   Let CrowdHealth help with your healthcare needs. You can get started today for just $99 per month for the first three months if you use cod...

Nicole Johnson is a badass in so many ways. She was the first female to land a backflip in competition IN A MONSTER TRUCK. She was the first woman to cross the finish line at King of Hammers; 2x Rockcrawling Champion; competed in short course off-road racing; holds the title for most racing wins by a Rookie in a single season of Monster Jam.   Nicole educates us on how to stay off your roof; the c...

Jason Cammisa brought a binder full of facts to settle some misunderstandings (and drama) surrounding the Tesla Cyber truck.   Recorded December 15, 2023   Go to PrizePicks.com/tire and use code tire for a first deposit match up to $100!   Visit OmahaSteaks.com , take advantage of 50% off sitewide plus use promo code TIRE at checkout to get that EXTRA $30 OFF your order. Minimum order may be requi...

Betim Berisha on keeping gas cars - and himself - alive. Betim is the owner of BBI Autosport, one of the premier Porsche shops for performance, maintenance, and custom builds. BBI has built several Pikes Peak winners, savagely fast runway cars, and the Hoonipigasus.   Recorded December 8, 2023   https://bbiautosport.com/ @bbbiautosport   Thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring the show. Visit   Better...

 Hanna Farah joins us to announce the winner of the Nodus watch from the BetheMatch.org fundraiser; Matt and Zack have a surprising review of the new Prius Prime; charging in Florida doesn't make sense; and we analyze the Cyber Truck in regard to Matt's past statements, it's current abilities, and what it means for the future.   Recorded December 11, 2023   Thanks to BetterHelp for sponsoring the...

Eric Wind is one of the world’s leading experts in vintage watches. Eric founded and owns Wind Vintage, a company he started in 2017 that is dedicated to offering exceptional watches for sale at all price points and providing advisory services to top vintage watch collectors around the world. Eric previously served as Vice President, Senior Specialist for Christie's where he helped lead the sale o...

Matt and Zack talk about their drive in the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse; how it compares to a Camaro SS 1LE; whether or not Ford can sell a Safari Mustang;   whether or not the GT350 should have had a DCT option; our experience  with the Prius Prime; and we answer Patreon questions.   Recorded November 29, 2023   Head to factormeals.com/tire50 and use code tire50 to get 50% off.   Take the guesswork o...