The Smoking Tire

Matt rode in a Waymo; tells tales from the Avants event in Seattle; Zack's car is falling apart while being put back together; Florida has a new law for speeders; Toyota showed off a concept; and we answer Patreon questions including: What's a good car for an artsy college student? Is my car too fast for track days? Is the T.33 worth the money? Could Porsche bring back the 912? What should the nex...

A CyberTruck technicality; the tragic life of his Rover SD1; why insurance is important; when small cars REALLY matter; the unsung Corvette King; cars are too fast; and more!   Patreon questions include: Would Jason get a Golf R or R32? Why did he create his famous Excel file? What new car are we excited about? Ever drive an Audi A2? Which "performance" cars couldn't keep up with Jason's Pacifica...

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman review the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Meridian; talk about a journey to Seattle; recall the craziest thing they've seen a vehicle do; discuss the twin-turbo Porsche Cayman video; give our thoughts on the new 911 T 70th anniversary; Matt scratched his steering wheel; and we answer Patreon questions including: What's the best, fast, used SUV? Would the Renault 5 EV sell in the U.S....

A crash (everyone is ok) during one of the 'Ring's popular "tourist days" has the internet debating who is at fault; Matt spent a week riding around an electric motorcycle and changed his mind, maybe; a Bentley Bentayga's options surprise us; and we answer Patreon questions including: Honda S2000 vs Z3 vs M roadster vs Boxster What supercar would a bad Altima driver buy? When is it better to buy a...

We review the new 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro (and compare it to the Ranger Raptor, Wranger, and Bronco); Zack shows off the progress of his custom interior; take a look at Mercedes new electric super sedan (and the media event that debuted it); and answer Patreon questions including:    How expensive is new air suspension?    Can I make my old 5 series handle like a brand new car?    When do you...

A review of the new F1 movie (without spoiling it); we tested Apple's new CarPlay Ultra; a weird Toyota ad; the DUMB reason we can't have the Alpine A110.   Plus we answer Patreon questions including:   Would you want to tune the sound of your starter? EV off-roading vs ICE Underrated car communities that deserve attention The fear of wearing a watch 2004 Ford GT or 911 S/T? Would you want to take...

After 8 years of dreaming, Matt Farah and Zack Klapman review the Alpine A110 GT, a car that every European journalist heralds as one of the greats; is it? We also celebrate Zack's 15th anniversary with The Smoking Tire, reminiscing about motel floors and supercharged cars. There's something in the Big Beautiful Bill that affects cars and car makers; plus a new bit inspired by Reddit called "Can I...

Matt is back from an 1,100 mile drive in the Lexus LC500 and has notes; Zack talks about the lawsuit against Toyota regarding its hydrogen cars (something he knows all too much about); some kittens get rescued; and questions from our Patreon members include:   What has better steering feel than a Porsche? Best car to take your dad for exciting rides Thoughts on Lexus' new halo car Why do some mode...

Reviewing the Ferrari Roma Spider; the Corvette ZR1X is unveiled; a hint at our drive in the Meyers Manx radial; why Lotus is struggling; a new ultra-light stunner; and we answer a WHOLE bunch of questions. Funniest tire names Replace my E30 track car with? The stunning, ultra-light Shoreline coupe What car would we co-own? Who most needs a halo car? A car book we disagree with Best normal commute...

Eric Kendricks is a professional football player who is a true car enthusiast with what might be the perfect 6-car fleet. On this episode we talk about: His cars Why his mod level is OEM+ Thoughts on the new Mustang FX wheel How to speed up his CRX Si What he wants to buy next The best and worst cars in an NFL parking lot Advice for people about to buy their first cool car Other players with excel...

Sergio Siderman is an Immigration Attorney whose origin story includes kidnappings, random, and of course, the asylum process.  We invited him on the show to inject some facts into the goings on with ICE in an effort to fight through the noise and pundits. Sergio explains what is really happening to immigrants of varying immigration status, why this whole thing began, crime statistics, the effects...

Zack Klapman has tales of attending poor man's Goodwood in a sauna; Matt notices cars in Italy; Ford unveiled a new Foxbody-inspired Mustang GT that has us confused; and we answer Patreon questions including:   Why we would only do a TST charity event a certain way Would Matt order a Spyder again? Color change with a wrap or paint? Why your friend tells you his WRX is an STI Vintage watch vs new w...

Matt's Lamborghini engine is done! Sort of. There's good news and confusing news. Plus we talk about why the new M5's wagon-ness doesn't excuse it's heaviness; which fan car we'd drive; answer a lot of automotive F/M/K questions; and revisit the worst dashboard ever. Plus, Patreon questions include:  What's the ugliest interior feature ever? How to make your watch look perfect for my wedding Which...

Should Porsche put a 911 Turbo S engine in a Cayman? We've all said as much for a long time and someone finally did it: BGB Motorsports. We describe what the drive was like. Plus, Zack Klapman's VW Beetle story; PCH has reoponed to the public; and we answer Patreon questions including: How cheap will a BMW M4 GTS get? Commuter/canyon: IS500 vs Alfa Giulia Quad Deman vs BGB How would you build a C5...

IMPORTANT update on the ID.Buzz. A thing we hated we may not hate anymore. Plus, why did Matt's 6'5" dad and his equally large brothers own a VW Beetle? The EV mandate is over, plus we answer Patreon questions including: Used Audi R8 or AMG-Mercedes GT Imperfect cars that are perfect for ONE thing? Which cars have we changed our mind on? Favorite camera gear right now Is there a V8 Lotus could put...

ID.Buzz Full Review; Kei Cars Legal! (Sort of); Nostalgia Gone Wrong; and we polled our Patreon members! Plus, questions include:   - Automated manuals: how we felt then and now - Thoughts on the RAM Charger? - Stories of outrageous business expenses - Why NOT buy an R34 GT-R? - How to add whimsy to an '80s truck - Thoughts on the Oscar Weinie 500 - Been to Japan? Why not? - Craziest attempted gif...

Flyin' Miata built a new 5-state legal turbo kit for the NC generation Miata and we drove it! What's the power? How does it feel? Is it even worth it if it's allowed in CA? Plus, we give our first impressions on VW's nostalgia-inspired ID.Buzz, the EV version of it's famous hippy bus. Tesla is finally letting Cybertruck owners return their leases, and we answer Patreon questions.    DeleteMe Take...

How in the heck do Mustang GTDs get priced over HALF a MILLION dollars? It's tricky. Matt Farah and Zack Klapman talk about the most expensive option on Ford's newest speed machine. They also discuss the Avant WagonFest at the Petersen Automotive Museum; why swapping the transmission on your cool Mercedes is the perfect upgrade; some strange goings on with a transmission shop; and answer questions...

Theon Design is a new competitor in the Porsche 911 restomod space and Matt Farah lets us know how it drove. He and Zack Klapman also discuss the psychology of buying a car you never plan to drive; why "bubble wrapping" a sports car is not a good financial decision; Bring-a-Trailer and CarandBids selling advice; when perfect is TOO perfect; and more. Plus questions from our Patreon members include...

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman review the new 2025 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster and discuss it's German competitors like the Porsche 911 GTS; then we answer Patreon questions including:      Which car brand has the best community?    Miata engine upgrade: Turbo or V8 swap?    What will Singer do when they run out of 964s?    Most memorable travel moments?    Would you buy a car that's been engine sw...

    What is a "MILFY" car (this term was used by a female listener, we swear)    How to sent boundaries as a freelancer    Are manual pickup trucks an decent manual-transmission experience compared to a sporty car?    Challenge: Buy 3 cars from one company from the same year: Sports car, SUV, Luxury sedan.   And more!   Recorded May 5, 2025   Aura Frames For a limited time, listeners can save on t...

Abbas Wahab is a standup comedian but we found him through his short-form videos that poke fun at the car market. From drivers to owners to dealers and OEM marketing teams, Abbas has a great knack for getting to the core of a topic.  On this episode we talk about the new record set by the Mustang GTD; the I.D. Buzz Abbas is driving around in; range anxiety; airlines; Altima energy; driving in NY;...

Chip Foose is a legendary designer of hot rods and concept cars. His name became famous with the hit TV show "Overhaulin'", in which they would "steal" someone's beloved project and give it the glow-up of a lifetime. The show was one of Discovery's biggest hits, lasting ten seasons, and was a predecessor to so many flip/repair shows across television. But Chip's journey began years before that and...

Sam Byrne and Maz Fawaz are part of the group that bought Willow Springs Raceway. On this exclusive interview they lay out their big plans for the iconic race track. Recorded April 22, 2025   For more information on Willow Springs' Future: https://www.willowspringsraceway.com/   Check out the full lineup and get 15 percent off your first order at TRUEWERK.com/TIRE   CarGurus Go to CarGurus.com to...

Matt Farah reviews the 2025 Bentley Flying Spur Speed and has a conundrum regarding its hybrid power-train; Zack Klapman's BMW unfixed a new part of itself; what car do we want to be (but what are we really); and we answer Patreon questions including:   Is the W202 Mercedes C43AMG exciting enough to buy? How to store your watch bands. Favorite car-related activity? $30k-40k for a fun, used, sport...