Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – "$1.8M Ferrari Hot-Rod?; NSX Auction Results; Mini G-Wagon"

Date: December 30, 2025
Hosts: Matt Farah & Zack Klapman

Episode Overview

In this episode, Matt and Zack broadcast live as Matt’s beloved Acura NSX auction wraps up on Cars & Bids. They break down real-time auction psychology, discuss the realities of owning and selling special cars, and share honest lessons learned. The show also highlights an outrageous Ferrari 412 restomod with an 812 Superfast engine, examines Mercedes’ new “Mini G-Wagon,” and addresses big-picture shifts in car media and the automotive market.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NSX Auction Live Watch & Analysis

[00:51–41:12]

• Auction Setup & Strategy

  • Matt shares that his NSX auction is ending after an 11-day run, extended to avoid a Christmas Day ending.
  • He credits his friend WAB for auction strategy tips:

    "An auction page is content and you have to treat it as such. So I posted almost exclusively on this page for the last... week." (Matt, [02:35])

  • Avoided social media cross-posting to drive all engagement to the auction.

• Real-Time Bidding Drama

  • The auction hovers around $155K, the minimum Matt would accept. He jokes about drunk bidders and hopeful last-minute action.
  • Key moment: As time ticks down, a flurry of $500 bids nudges the price higher. The car sells for $167,510 to 'Meep Cars 51'.

    "Congratulations to Meep Cars. 51 Meep Cars. I have to say, I thought more. I thought it would go more..." (Matt, [31:10])

• Ownership Costs & Profit Breakdown

  • Matt recounts the economics: Bought at $134K, added about $19K in service, PPF, insurance, and minor costs, totaling ~$153K. Selling at $167.5K yields $13K profit over three years.

    "Anybody who owns any car should be pretty happy about that." (Matt, [33:27])

• Reflections on Market Trends

  • Matt is a little disappointed it didn’t hit $180K+, noting:

    "A few months ago, one with 7,000 less miles sold for 210..." (Matt, [33:28])

  • Observes that mileage is a big value divider for collector cars, especially low-mile NSXs.

• Why Sell? Honest Pros & Cons of NSX Ownership

  • Pros:
    • Excellent reliability
    • Great visibility, packaging
    • Comfortable for long trips
    • Enthusiast recognition: "Tyler, the Creator fucking rolled up next to me and was like, 'love that,' then fucked off in his LaFerrari." ([37:23])
  • Cons:
    • "The steering ratio absolutely sucks...If you have a fucking Boxster as your other car, a new Boxster Spyder, boy is this steering garbage." (Matt, [35:49])
    • Brakes are inadequate for spirited canyon use; upgrades are expensive and limited.
    • True thrill of ownership is a "two year fun" window before desire for change creeps in.
  • Concludes that despite minor disappointment at the price, the NSX provided a positive, profitable experience.

• "Prize Picks" — What Matt Would Have Done With Higher Profits

  • Entertaining “sliding scale” celebration plans, from lunch at Playa Provisions (for $160K) to a week at the Yellowstone Club (for $200K).
    • "If I make five grand, you're willing to spend about $42 at lunch at Playa Provisions, and then you put the rest in the bank, which is smart. And that, people, is what you should do with money." (Zack, [45:34])

2. Ferrari 412 Restomod with 812 Superfast Engine ("$1.8M Ferrari hot-rod?")

[64:47–73:52]

• Discusses a wild Ferrari 400/412 restomod by Steve Maxwell (and son)—an old friend of the show—shoehorning a Ferrari 812 Superfast V12 and manual gearbox into a classic 2+2 coupe.

  "It's a Ferrari 400 with a full 812 super fast engine and a six speed manual gearbox..." (Matt, [65:15])

  • Interior and exterior evoke Ringbrothers vibes, with classy woodwork and flared fenders.
  • Banters about using a digital dashboard tablet due to integration needs.
  • Praises the engineering quality: "This dude Steve...makes engine swaps look like they should have been there." ([69:32])
  • The reported build cost: $1.8 million.

    "Of course it does. You have to buy a whole 812...and re-engineer it to work in a different vehicle." (Matt, [70:47])

  • Both hosts express awe, calling Maxwell a "true believer" and the project "objectively nuts...but so sick that it works."

3. Mini G-Wagon & Market Commentary

[61:07–63:33]

• Matt and Zack discuss Mercedes’ decision to offer a smaller, presumably more affordable G-Wagon:

  "Mercedes has been doing that. Mercedes made a little cla class...this is directly in brand with what Mercedes has done..." (Matt, [61:07])

  • Expect it to be priced well above $50K.
  • Compare the G-Wagon's packaging quirks: it's not huge inside despite its imposing exterior.
  • Predict massive sales success due to branding and aspirational downsizing. "They will sell a gazillion of these things..." (Zack, [62:32])

4. Listener Q&A – Industry Trends, EVs, and Car Media

[52:38–91:16]

• Impact of Reserves on Auctions
  • Discuss Doug DeMuro’s take that "lifting the reserve early kills momentum," but Matt doesn't think reserve status significantly affected his outcome.
• Future of The Smoking Tire Channel & Car Media
  • Matt admits video content is tougher than ever—YouTube views are down, only Porsche reviews and "drama" or negativity-driven videos do well.

    "The three videos that did best in 2025 are exactly the three videos that...followed the formula...shit on something popular, talk about money, or stir up drama..." (Matt, [76:22])

  • Emphasizes the podcast is thriving as it is non-algorithmic and more fulfilling.
• EV SUVs as a One-Car Solution
  • Mixed opinions: Macan EV and Lucid Gravity may be decent, but nothing beats the excitement of a true sports car. "If you just like acceleration...then yeah, an EV can totally be your two car solution." (Zack, [75:47])
• Thoughts on AI Content
  • Both hosts are wary of AI content flooding the car space, decrying its inauthenticity and negative impact.
• Trucks, Market Downsizing, and Mini-Truck Return
  • U.S. mini-truck renaissance may be coming, e.g., Ford Maverick selling very well.

    "People are realizing finally that the half ton trucks are both too big and too expensive." (Matt, [90:21])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

• On NSX Auction Strategy:
  "Auction page is content...I posted almost exclusively on this page for the last...week."
  —Matt Farah ([02:35])

• On Collector Car Ownership:
  "It's about two years of fun...there's a lot I really didn't like...the steering ratio absolutely sucks...if you have a fucking Boxster as your other car...boy is this steering garbage."
  —Matt Farah ([35:49])

• On the Ferrari Restomod:
  "This is a Ferrari 400 with a full 812 Superfast engine and a six speed manual gearbox...this dude Steve...makes engine swaps look like they should have been there."
  —Matt Farah ([65:15], [69:32])

• On Video Content in 2025:
  "The three videos that did best in 2025...were ones I didn't want to make...shit on something popular, talk about money, or stir up drama...We're not going to react to other YouTubers...the podcast is non-algorithmic, so if you don't listen to this week's episode...it'll still be in your feed."
  —Matt Farah ([76:22], [81:44])

• On Mercedes Downsizing:
  "Mercedes...always make the GLB...this is directly in brand...come out with a big car and then come out with a littler version...and then an even littler version."
  —Matt Farah ([61:07])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NSX Auction Play-By-Play & Ownership Talk: [00:51–41:12]
• Ferrari 412 / 812 Superfast Restomod Breakdown: [64:47–73:52]
• Mini G-Wagon Discussion: [61:07–63:33]
• Car Media Realities & Listener Q&A: [52:38–91:16]

Tone & Style

Casual, self-deprecating, anecdotal, and unscripted—Matt and Zack balance honest, sometimes jaded industry analysis with dry humor and an unabashed love for cars and the car community.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a window into the real decisions and emotions behind car collecting in the current market, as well as a can’t-miss showcase of wild custom engineering and shifting industry realities. Whether you’re after practical auction advice, industry gossip, or just want to hear two car guys wax poetic about a $1.8 million Ferrari hot-rod, this one delivers.

For car reviews, check out their YouTube channel: The Smoking Tire on YouTube
For bonus content and ad-free episodes: Patreon.com/tirepodcast

Episode skips advertisements, intros, and outros. All timestamps approximate.