The John Clay Wolfe Show – Episode #5 (01/23/16 Hour 2)

Airdate: February 11, 2026
Host: John Clay Wolfe
Main Theme: Cars, culture, and candid conversation—live auto appraisals, auto dealer insights, personal stories, and the playful irreverence the show is known for.

Episode Overview

This episode strikes the signature Wolfe balance of cars, humor, pop culture, and listener call-ins. John takes live calls to appraise and discuss cars, dives into the realities (and pitfalls) of the car market and Carfax reports, shares wild “S Found in Cars” moments, and mixes in topical banter about the band Eagles, used car values, and America’s best cars. Throughout, the tone is sharp, cheeky, and conversational—part car pro, part stand-up comic.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Remembering Glenn Frey & The Eagles

• [00:19]–[01:55]
• John reminisces about the Eagles’ enduring legacy, sparked by the recent passing of Glenn Frey. He mentions his cousin Janie Beggs, who was once married to Frey, teasing stories from “the glory days” of the Eagles.
• Tone: Affectionate nostalgia mixed with irreverent humor.

“Glenn Frey kicked the can this morning. Well, not this morning, but, I mean, this week...My cousin Janie Beggs, I got to get her up here and tell her Eagle story. She was married to Glenn Frey for about five years...” — John Clay Wolfe (00:31)

2. Live Car Appraisals & Listener Q&A

• Throughout the episode, John fields calls about selling/buying used vehicles.
• He gives honest, rapid-fire appraisals, explaining both his logic and the realities of the wholesale market.

Saturn Aura Appraisal

• [02:19]–[04:00]
  • 2009 Saturn Aura, leather, 81k miles—Caller wants $5,550, John offers $4,000 due to Saturn’s defunct status and parts availability.
  • Explains the difference between retail and wholesale value.

“The neat thing about me is I'll show up. I'll have a guy at your doorstep Monday with a check in his hand if you've got a title.” — John (03:16)

Honda Accord Price Reality Check

• [04:00]–[07:29]
  • Caller thinks dealer is overcharging. John walks through real dealer costs and fair offers—delivers candid advice about negotiating (“If you offered them 14 [k], you probably get it bought.”)
  • Hilarious “hook a brother up” with a dealer's direct cell—“He's got your weed, dog. He's ready.” (06:51)

F-150 Appraisals and Hard Bargaining

• [07:42]–[09:54], [18:47]–[23:29]
  • Two calls about Ford F-150s; detailed option/mileage breakdowns. John explains hassle-free selling vs. wrangling for a better private-party price.
  • Real talk about overpaying and market drops.

“The difference between you know and you can you get 33 [k]? Maybe. But will you have to run ads and jack with a bunch of people...that goes along with making a big purchase?” — John (09:02)

Corvette Convertible Dilemma

• [32:42]–[37:26]
  • ‘14 manual Corvette convertible, ultra-low miles. John educates on market preference (autos sell better than sticks), youth/sex appeal, and honest wholesale offer.
  • Hilarious “perfect woman” age calculation for Corvette owners.

“Let's take 62 divided by 2 is a woman half your age plus 7. That's my math on the perfect woman for you, Dale...she's not gonna want to drive a stick.” — John (33:50)

3. Carfax Realities, Accidents & Value

• [09:54]–[14:57]
  • John rails about how minor issues can kill a car’s resale value due to Carfax entries.
  • Tells a hard-luck dealer story about hail repair, drilled holes, and a 20% value drop from “structural damage” on Carfax.
  • Introduction of new company “True Frame” offering Carfax repair/contest services.
  • Strong stance on need for Carfax reform/class action.

“Carfax has become the FICO score of the world...At least get it right. And when you don't have it right, open your mind up...They need to get their asses sued off so that they straighten up and quit gestapo-ing people around.” — John (14:02)

4. “S Found in Cars” Segment

• [28:07]–[32:36]
  • Detail of ongoing game where staff finds odd items left in used cars (this week: “fresh as F” sticker on a matte black Cadillac).
  • John shows off deductive reasoning guessing the car (correctly)—turns into a riff about Krylon paint jobs and mileage guesses.

“For you and your homeboy to grab Krylon and do that to a car, you gotta—it's got to be a 500 sled to them. But 101 on that...that's seven thousand dollar rig.” — John (32:09)

5. Mileage Myths, Certification, and When to Sell

• [23:31]–[28:08]
  • Caller asks if 90k mileage cutoff is “real” for resale—John confirms and explains how “hard outs” have moved from 60k to 80k miles as cars have improved.
  • Offers practical advice on certified resale, values plummeting after certain thresholds.

“That 80,000 mile hard out...used to be 60, but the cars have improved...Audi, definitely sell it if you’re in the market before it hits 80...once it crosses 90, it farts and falls, and then once it crosses 100, it throws up on itself.” — John (25:36, 28:08)

6. Oil Prices, Dealerships, and Local Economy

• [20:53]–[23:29]
  • Caller from Lafayette, LA discusses selling Ford F-150 amidst oil industry downturn.
  • John warns about how regional economic shocks impact vehicle values and buying behavior.

7. Pop Culture, Coffee Stands, and Humor

• [23:01]–[23:19]
  • Sidetracks into topless coffee stands in Washington state, and a theoretical “breastfest burritos” in Texas. Reflects show’s blend of car talk and off-color humor.

8. Top Ten American Cars—Debate and Banter

• [37:28]–[41:07]
  • Following a Corvette call, John and co-host read and riff on AskMen’s top ten American cars list, arguing the merits of each (Thunderbird, Firebird, Viper, Eldorado, Mustang, Corvette, etc.).
  • John maintains “the new body Corvette” is likely America’s best-ever car.

“I said Corvette. Yes, I agree...the new body Corvette...technology, it's unbelievable.” — John (40:15, 41:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On why Saturns are low-value used cars:
  “They bankrupted back in 08 and they quit making them and they're hard to get parts for and they're just not an easy sell. That's all. Good, good car.” — John (03:29)

• On Carfax effects:
  “That’s a twenty thousand dollar heater off of that.” — John, on a $60k Lexus flagged for frame damage due to hail repair holes (11:36)

• On auto-market realism:
  “The market does, you know...once it crosses 90, it farts and falls, and then once it crosses 100, it throws up on itself.” — John (28:08)

• Dealer street wisdom:
  “When they start trying to sell me ‘come drive it’...they want you to fall in love with it, they want you to pay their price...I won’t be in business very long if I start using emotion. I got to stick to...the numbers.” — John (41:02)

• Pop culture moments:
  “We need some drops from The Big Lebowski. I hate the Eagles, man… Turn that off. I hate the Eagles.” — John (17:43)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|----------------| | Glenn Frey/Eagles segment, personal stories | 00:19–01:55 | | Saturn Aura appraisal/caller negotiation | 02:19–04:00 | | Accord caller: used car pricing reality | 04:00–07:29 | | F-150 Platinum appraisal, price vs. hassle | 07:42–09:54 | | Carfax pitfalls and True Frame discussion | 09:54–14:57 | | Oil industry downturn and LA values | 20:53–23:29 | | “S Found in Cars”—matte black Cadillac/DTS | 28:07–32:36 | | Corvette call—stick vs. auto / best American car | 32:42–37:26 | | Top ten American cars—debate and nostalgia | 37:28–41:07 |

Final Thoughts

This hour of “The John Clay Wolfe Show” delivers the program’s trademark vehicle expertise, genuine advice, and irreverent fun. From sharp takes on the car market to pop culture asides and practical selling tips, it’s part informative, part car-culture comedy club—never boring, always “fresh as F.”