Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – "Aston Vantage Roadster vs Porsche 911 GTS; Buy a Swapped Car?"

Release Date: May 13, 2025
Hosts: Matt Farah and Zack Klapman

1. Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Review

Matt Farah opens the episode with an in-depth review of the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, sharing his experiences driving the car in Palm Springs. He highlights its performance on both the racetrack and the highway, noting its "absolutely fabulous balance of ride and handling" (12:05).

• Performance & Handling:
  The Roadster is praised for being "loosey goosey and slidey" on the track, offering a thrilling driving experience. However, Matt mentions that it feels a bit "bouncy on the road", attributing this to the suspension tunings—specifically the Skyhook adaptive DTX dampers and a new transaxle mount (12:33).

• Comfort & Practicality:
  Despite being a high-performance vehicle, the Vantage Roadster is described as "relaxed on the highway" compared to the Porsche 911 GTS Hybrid. Matt appreciates the car’s "very quiet" interiors and the innovative Z fold top, which allows the convertible roof to operate independently of the trunk, maintaining ample luggage space (24:54).

• Interior & Design:
  Both hosts commend the Roadster's fabulous leather and fabulous construction. Matt highlights the big gear indicator integrated into the new gauge cluster, which significantly improves readability over previous models (21:25).

Notable Quote:
Matt Farah states, "This roadster has a absolutely fabulous balance of ride and handling. Really, really, really beautifully balanced." (12:32)

2. Comparison with Porsche 911 GTS Hybrid

The discussion transitions to a comparison between the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster and the Porsche 911 GTS Hybrid, both driven by Matt.

• Driving Dynamics:
  Matt remarks that while the Aston Martin feels more "relaxed on the highway", the Porsche 911 GTS Hybrid is "way dartier", akin to the GT3 model. The Porsche offers a sharper, more aggressive driving experience but can be less comfortable over long distances (18:12).

• Transmission & Performance:
  Zach Klapman points out the differences in transmission, noting that the Aston Martin uses a torque converter automatic, which contrasts with Porsche's dual-clutch transmissions (like the PDK). This leads to more "snap" downshifts in the Aston, enhancing its performance feel (32:29). However, Matt expresses some frustration with the consistency of gear shifts in the Aston, which can require more "mental bandwidth" during dynamic driving situations (33:36).

• Engine & Sound:
  The Aston Martin's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is lauded for its unique sound, distinguishing it from other Mercedes engines. Matt notes, "It really doesn't sound much like a Mercedes anymore. The sound is different." (27:26).

Notable Quote:
Zach Klapman shares, "The crank downspifts in the Aston vs Porsche GTS are real fast in this car. Like, it really separates from competitors." (32:29)

3. Lamborghini-Themed Yacht Sinks

A significant portion of the episode covers the sinking of a Lamborghini-themed yacht in Miami Beach, which tragically involved 32 influencers.

• Incident Details:
  Matt describes the yacht, built by Technomar in collaboration with Lamborghini, featuring Aventador styling cues. The vessel, supposed to hold 12 passengers, was overloaded with 32 individuals, leading to its capsizing (02:35). The overloaded condition, combined with insufficient life jackets, was identified as the primary cause (05:07).

• Emergency Response:
  Both hosts discuss the swift response from Miami's emergency services, emphasizing the communal instinct to help in such maritime emergencies. Matt reminisces about a past incident where they assisted a stranded boater, highlighting the importance of community in rescue situations (04:03).

Notable Quote:
Matt Farah reflects, "You shouldn't overload your yachts by that much. It's crazy how many people were on board." (05:54)

4. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Discussion

The hosts delve into a technical discussion about GVWR, exploring its impact on vehicle performance and safety.

• GVWR Challenges:
  Matt proposes a GVWR challenge, suggesting performance tests with super saloons to evaluate how cars handle at maximum capacity. They debate the feasibility and potential insights such a test might provide (06:05).

• Impact on Handling:
  The conversation touches on how increasing a vehicle's weight affects its tires and overall handling dynamics. Matt humorously requests expert opinions on GVWR calculations, acknowledging the complexity of the topic (08:04).

Notable Quote:
Matt Farah muses, "You could do basic performance testing at gross weight with super sedans or something. That would be a good time." (07:04)

5. Listener Questions and Advice

The episode features listener-submitted questions, providing the hosts with opportunities to share their expertise.

• Turbo vs. V8 Swaps on Miatas:
  A listener asks whether to choose a turbo Miata or a V8 swap Miata based on intended usage. Matt and Zach discuss the implications of each modification, emphasizing that turbo kits retain the Miata's original character, making them more suitable for daily driving, whereas V8 swaps significantly alter the vehicle's dynamics (55:23).

• Buying a Pre-Engine Swapped Car:
  Another query addresses the risks of purchasing a pre-swapped engine car. The hosts caution about potential issues arising from inexperienced swaps, advising prospective buyers to thoroughly vet the quality of the swap and the expertise of the builder to avoid future maintenance headaches (58:30).

Notable Quote:
Matt Farah advises, "You could install a turbo kit on a stock vehicle and have a daily driver without negative externalities. But a V8 swap changes a lot." (55:33)

6. Enthusiast Communities and Car Culture

Matt and Zach explore what makes certain car brands have stronger enthusiast communities, citing examples like Jeep, Honda, and Porsche, each with diverse modification cultures and passionate fanbases.

• Diversity in Mods:
  They highlight how the Porsche 911 accommodates various modifications—from track-focused setups to stance-oriented styles—fostering a robust and diverse community (79:23).

• Influence of Japanese Tuning:
  The influence of JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) trends on American car culture is discussed, noting how time attack, drift events, and various modification styles have energized communities around brands like Honda (80:06).

Notable Quote:
Zach Klapman states, "The JDM community has brought so many motorsport and style trends to America, making it a very passionate and diverse group." (80:46)

7. Road Infrastructure Improvements in Massachusetts

Matt shares insights from a conversation with a representative from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation about a 100-year plan to transform public spaces into pedestrian-centric areas while improving road safety.

• Safety Enhancements:
  The plan includes measures like protected bike lanes, reduced lane counts on certain highways, and unconventional solutions to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety without necessarily increasing traffic flow (41:41).

• Impact on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH):
  Matt connects this discussion to his work on an article about the redevelopment of PCH, advocating for common-sense safety improvements such as better crosswalks and aligned parking to protect pedestrians (45:24).

Notable Quote:
Matt Farah emphasizes, "We can drastically improve safety with some concrete and paint. We do not need self-driving cars or to eliminate cars for this." (45:08)

8. Additional Topics

Throughout the episode, Matt and Zach engage in various other discussions, including:

• Defunct Car Brands:
  They reminisce about brands like Saab, Duesenberg, and Spiker, acknowledging their unique contributions to automotive history.

• Daily Drivers for Enthusiasts:
  Recommendations for practical daily drivers are shared, with suggestions like the Prius, Honda Civic, Model 3, and Subaru Outback Wilderness being highlighted for their reliability and practicality.

• Personal Stories and Anecdotes:
  The hosts share memorable moments from their careers, such as attending high-end car launches, experiencing unique hospitality events, and navigating the challenges of automotive journalism.

Notable Quote:
Matt Farah reflects on daily drivers, stating, "I loved my Mach E and even though it said Mustang on it, that wasn't a fucking Mustang, that's a toaster." (83:03)

Conclusion

In this episode of The Smoking Tire, Matt Farah and Zack Klapman provide a comprehensive review of the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, juxtaposed with the Porsche 911 GTS Hybrid, delving into their performance, handling, and practicalities. They also tackle a range of topics from the tragic sinking of a Lamborghini-themed yacht to technical discussions about vehicle weight ratings and enthusiast communities. Listener interactions and personal anecdotes add depth to their analysis, making the episode both informative and engaging for automotive enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

Timestamp Reference:

• 02:35 Sinking of Lamborghini-Themed Yacht
• 05:07 Contributing Factors to Yacht Sinking
• 12:05 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster Performance
• 12:33 Suspension Tuning Details
• 21:25 Gear Indicator Improvement
• 24:54 Convertible Top Functionality
• 27:26 Engine Sound Comparison
• 32:29 Transmission Differences
• 33:36 Gear Shifting Frustrations
• 55:23 Turbo vs V8 Swap Discussion
• 58:30 Pre-Engine Swapped Car Maintenance
• 79:23 Enthusiast Community Diversity
• 80:46 Influence of JDM on American Car Culture
• 41:41 Massachusetts Infrastructure Plans
• 45:24 PCH Safety Improvements
• 83:03 Daily Driver Recommendations

(Note: Timestamps are referenced contextually and do not link to actual audio segments.)