The John Clay Wolfe Show – Episode #11 (02/06/16 – Hour 2)
Date: February 11, 2026
Host: John Clay Wolfe
Co-hosts: Charlie, Turley
Overview:
This hour of The John Clay Wolfe Show reflects its signature blend of unscripted car talk, guy banter, pop culture, sports, and irreverent discussion. Alongside the usual live appraisal and banter about cars, the show veers into current events (the 2016 presidential race, NFL Hall of Fame), personal stories (death, memory lapses), and unexpectedly deep dives into topics like the used car market and oil prices—all in the show's freewheeling, unfiltered style.
1. The (Nonexistent) Top 10 List, Personal Loss & Show Banter
[00:43 – 01:27]
- Charlie’s Absence & Personal Struggles:
- John jabs Charlie for missing shows and asks about his top 10 list. Charlie admits he didn’t prepare it because he's dealing with a friend's memorial and searching for housing.
- Quote:
- John: “Did you write the top 10?” [01:05]
- Charlie: “No, I didn’t.”
- The mood blends dark humor and genuine sympathy, setting a loose, personal tone for the hour.
2. Car Calls & Buying Appraisal Comedy
[01:27 – 03:14 | 11:04 – 13:47 | 29:23 – 31:39 | 34:24 – 35:36]
- GiveMeTheVIN.com as a Platform:
- Listeners call in to get fast, live, unsugarcoated appraisals (often unfavorable) on their vehicles.
- John delivers "brutally honest" valuations, pokes fun, sometimes goes too far and apologizes.
- Memorable Quote:
- John: “Go run an ad. God, I don’t know. No, that was okay. Let me, let me. I don’t like what I just did there. I’m gonna backtrack.” (to the O2 Ranger caller, [11:41–12:27])
- The team riffs on the randomness of calls and John’s occasionally abrasive humor.
- “We’re all grown men. We’re all bored. We all hate our lives. This is our escape. This is why you’re listening to me.” – John, [12:55–13:05]
3. Radio “Clock” Inside Baseball
[03:27 – 05:53]
- Launching the Show on a Dallas Radio Station:
- John discusses station programming logistics and the infamous "jocks break" on the station clock, blending radio shop talk with signature gross-out humor.
- “I mean, I think I should poop in it and send it back to him.” – John, [04:04]
- “This is obnoxious. This is an FU clock.” – John, [05:40]
4. Johnny Manziel – A Sad Football Saga
[06:09 – 11:04]
- Prognosticating Manziel's Fate:
- John and crew analyze football player Johnny Manziel's public implosion—allegations of drug abuse, declining rehab, family pleas in the press, and rumors of domestic violence.
- The team makes dark-humor bets on how he’ll hit rock bottom (jail, car wreck, suicide).
- Notable Quotes:
- “If he doesn’t get help, he’ll be dead before his 24th birthday.” – John (quoting Manziel’s father), [07:26]
- “So, you’re saying the bottom will be jail...” – John, [09:47]
- “I’ll take injury car accident for $20.” – John, [10:15]
- “Death by suicide for $20, Pat.” – John, [11:02]
5. Guy Talk, Show Philosophy, and Male Camaraderie
[13:05 – 13:44]
- The show admits it’s a space for men to be themselves—irreverent, unfiltered, sometimes immature.
- They joke about arguing for fun, questioning sexual orientation, and making gross jokes for laughs.
6. The 2016 Presidential Race as Bad TV Casting
[14:42 – 19:56]
- Satirical Breakdown:
- The hosts riff on the absurdity of the candidate lineup, likening it to a casting call for a wacky drama/comedy.
- Assign characters to each:
- Bernie Sanders: “crazy old uncle who wants to give everything away”
- Ted Cruz: “politician who looks like a politician, but could be a car dealer… something’s deeply, deeply dark”
- Donald Trump: “billionaire crazy man… with crazy hair”
- Hillary Clinton: “female lead, dark side, possible bodies in the closet”
- Notable Quotes:
- “He says the right things, but there’s something deeply wrong with him. That's Ted Cruz.” – Charlie, [17:08]
- “Rubio is the most polished... but he seems like he can be bought, which—that's what you need.” – Turley, [17:44–17:52]
- “I keep thinking Trump is going to go 'psych, your mind, I had no intention of being president, I just wanted to see how far you idiots would take this.'” – Charlie, [19:56]
7. Car Market, Oil Prices, and Investment Tangents
[21:07 – 28:39]
-
Live Car Negotiations:
- A Mercedes diesel owner (also an oil analyst) calls in. John tries to tie a car deal into a mutual investment in oil futures/options.
- “Let’s tie your car purchase into a mutual investment... let’s invest... I’ll give you 15 grand for the car, and I’ll buy us $5,000 worth of puts [on oil].” – John, [24:03–24:21]
-
Oil & Economy:
- Discussions on oil prices, the possibility of buying options, and Obama’s proposed oil tax.
- Riff on the oil industry’s cyclical booms and busts, impact on cities like Houston.
- “Houston, Texas is Saudi Arabia, North America. It is the oil capital of this hemisphere.” – John, [28:42]
8. Car Review of the Week: 2016 Chevy Equinox
[31:54 – 34:13]
- In-depth review of the 2016 Equinox LTZ—all-wheel drive, features, price, suitability for families.
- Positive notes on phone-syncing, comfort, and suitability for those not needing bigger SUVs.
9. Automotive News: Honda/Acura Airbag Recall Crisis
[37:04 – 39:42]
- Discussion of the massive 2.2 million vehicle recall due to faulty Takata airbags.
- Secondary impact: dealers stuck with un-sellable inventory; supplier likely facing bankruptcy.
- “Takata airbags. They’ve got to file bankruptcy, don’t you think? Like yesterday.” – John, [38:39]
10. How Dealers Make Money (or Not)
[42:05 – 43:29]
- Transparency about car dealership economics:
- Front-end profit (~$800 per used car) is declining.
- Real money comes from financing, warranties, add-ons.
- “The guy you see after you get the car… produces more income for the dealership than the car salesman.” – John, [42:54]
11. NFL Hall of Fame & Super Bowl Picks
[45:19 – 46:28]
- Debates who should be inducted: Brett Favre, Terrell Owens, Morton Anderson (potentially first kicker ever).
- Quick Super Bowl predictions, mention of a show bet.
12. “As Found in Cars” – Odd Finds in Trade-In Vehicles
[47:18 – 52:39]
- Recurring segment where they reveal bizarre items left in cars purchased (this week: champagne bottles, Clorox wipes).
- Guessing game and humorous analysis of what car fits the profile of a “box of hooch.”
- “I don’t think you could effectively hold all this liquor in an automobile… without it bothering you to the point you would forget it. …That’s the only reason I’m saying that.” – John, [52:16–52:30]
13. Used Car Market, Muscle Cars & Auction Trends
[53:25 – 55:24]
- Muscle/classic car prices are dropping—20% declines at major auctions (Barrett Jackson, Mecum).
- Warnings to listeners not to expect 2014 prices for their collector cars.
- Wranglers (Jeep) aren’t selling as well for the first time in John’s 20-year career.
14. Personal Anecdotes & “Getting Old”
[49:37 – 50:48]
- John shares concerns about forgetfulness, even as a private pilot, wondering if it’s age or stress.
- The panel discusses memory lapses, work-life stress, and aging, mixed with humor.
15. Rich People Parties & Oil Wealth
[59:09 – 60:20]
- Mark Cuban’s $3M+ Super Bowl party with the Red Hot Chili Peppers performing.
- Stories of oil moguls hiring bands like Bon Jovi for million-dollar private events.
16. Final Rapid-Fire Car Valuations & Off-Air Deals
[61:01 – 64:44]
- Live on-air buy/sell negotiation for a pristine, low-mileage 2004 Corvette.
- John explains the estate sale "hustle" and why some deals aren't as good as they seem.
- “You bought a great car, you gave full blown retail, but estate sales when you said that, I was like, I would love to. I would love for you to say I gave $10,000 for it.” – John, [64:44]
Notable Quotes, Moments & Timestamps (Selected Highlights):
- "I mean, I think I should poop in it and send it back to him." – John describing the radio ‘clock,’ [04:04]
- "Death by suicide for $20, Pat." – John, betting on Manziel’s fate, [11:02]
- "We’re all grown men. We’re all bored. We all hate our lives. This is our escape." – John, [13:02]
- "Rubio is the most polished... but he seems like he can be bought, which—that’s what you need." – Turley, [17:44]
- "Takata airbags. They’ve gotta file bankruptcy, don’t you think? Like yesterday." – John, [38:39]
- "Houston, Texas is Saudi Arabia, North America." – John on oil, [28:42]
Flow & Tone
The show embodies a blend of irreverence, guy-focused banter, and honest look at both the car business and American life. The hosts constantly poke fun at themselves and their listeners, never take themselves too seriously, and don’t shy away from dark or taboo topics—often with a level of candor rare on commercial radio. The hour delivers a moving target of entertainment, insight, and real talk, loosely connected by John’s gift for live negotiation and unfiltered commentary.
For Listeners:
If you missed this hour, you’ll get car appraisals (sometimes brutal but transparent), satirical political commentary, darkly funny football talk, inside car dealer knowledge, and reminders that life’s absurdities—whether in your wallet, your car, or your memory—are best handled with humor and a little perspective.