The Smoking Tire Podcast – Brett Berk Episode Date: April 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode of The Smoking Tire Podcast, hosts Matt Farah and Zack Klapman are joined in-studio by seasoned automotive journalist Brett Berk. Writing for outlets like Vanity Fair, Esquire, and Showboats International, Brett brings a distinct, luxury-tinted perspective to car culture and the wider automotive world. The conversation covers his epic six-week car press tour, the shifting landscape of the high-end car industry, the peculiarities of automotive luxury, the impact of income inequality, and more. Expect sharp insight, sharp wit, and plenty of memorable anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Realities of an Automotive Journalist’s Schedule

• Busy Season Frustration: Matt laments how the influx of new car launches prevents him from taking autumn vacations, sharing, “I have to leave the months open... I did this job for like 18 years before I was like, hey, it’s really fucking busy.” (01:30)
• Brett’s Approach: Brett is less rigid, lining up extended multi-car tests in one locale: “I’m out here for like six weeks right now. This is the end of my time here.” (03:13)

2. Brett’s Epic Six-Car Press Fleet Run

• His Lineup: Mercedes E53 AMG Wagon, McLaren Arturo Spider, Lamborghini Temerario, Audi RS3, BMW M2, Bentley Continental GT Convertible, and previously the Rolls Royce Spectre Black Badge.
  • “That’s a pretty good lineup.” – Brett (06:03)
• Individual Car Impressions:
  • E53 Wagon: “Great all-arounder... I miss the V8, you know.” – Brett (06:17)
  • Lamborghini Temerario: “It goes. Looks great. It revs so high... Super fun to drive up on Angeles Crest... It’s a hero-maker car—a medium-grade driver can go real fucking fast in that thing.” – Brett/Matt (07:21)
  • McLaren 12C (Dodeci Cylindri): “The proportions... are crazy. It feels much...does not feel small in the Trader Joe’s parking lot, for sure.” – Brett (09:57)
  • Bentley GT Convertible Azure: “It looks like it’s black, but it’s a real dark, dark metallic green...cream colored interior... It’s got piano cream instead of piano black.” – Brett (27:34)
  • Rolls-Royce Spectre: “Driving the Spectre is like driving a two-door Yukon... the last day I was coming home from something late at night... I was like, yeah, it’s a pretty baller car for this.” – Matt (19:09, 20:17)
• Spectre’s Transformation: Electric Rolls Royce makes sense but is an “incremental change in refinement.” Matt’s affection clicked only at the end of his test.

3. Modern Social Media Cynicism

• Going Off-Grid: Brett shares, “I’ve gotten off entirely from social media... It’s great. I live my life entirely incognito.” (04:43)
• Productivity Boost: “I finish up my work sooner and can do other things.” (04:55)

4. The Luxury Arms Race & Income Inequality

• Luxury Focused Car Industry: Matt critiques how brand strategies now cater to billionaires and the ultra rich, moving away from attainable models:
  • “For 1500 families globally, there are more choices in seven figure vehicles right now than there are five figure enthusiast cars. Like, what the fuck is that about?” (24:02)
  • “It’s not just Rolls Royce... it’s happening at Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini.” (21:12)
• Profit Margins > Broader Market:
  • “Profit on that segment is like 50 to 80%... why would they do anything else?” – Brett (23:29)

5. Neighborhood Reality of Driving Supercars

• Curious Neighbors: Brett parks test cars at his Airbnb in LA:
  • “The boys have been looking up and down the street... to see if you’re coming because they know you come during cookie season.” (29:32)
  • On driving high-end cars in LA: “A middle-aged Jewish guy driving a fancy car in Los Angeles isn’t that weird.” (31:16)
• Spectre in the Wild: Both Matt and Brett note that the Spectre prompts questions like, “How’d you get that money?” instead of the typical supercar awe. (25:08)
• EV Etiquette: Brett recounts being careful to show he’s plugging in the Spectre at chargers so as not to look like a rich person stealing an EV spot. (26:22)

6. Boat and Yacht Culture Crossover

• Superyacht Car Columns: “I used to write for Showboats International. We did a feature on cars you’d have on your superyacht to drive around the boat.” (32:31)
• Mega-Yacht Madness: The group muses on the absurdities of superyacht life—tender boats, salt rock spa walls, and the surreal scale of maritime luxury. (32:11, 28:38)

7. Fascination with Oddball Experiences & Automotive Nerdery

• Golf Carts and Low Speed Electric Vehicles: Stories about Rolls-Royce golf carts and neighborhood electric vehicle laws in beach cities. (34:05)
• Brett’s Mega-Cruise Ship Adventure: “We came back and people were like, What was it like? And we were like, ‘It was terrible. But we had a great time.’” (37:34)
• Lighthearted, Self-Aware Humor: Matt quips about billionaire-centric luxury: “If you’re rich, you can feel things. The rest of us are the virtual version of feeling things.” (86:16)

8. Listener Q&A Highlights (Timestamps reflect when Q&A section begins)

• Best Used AMG Value Under $40k (41:05):
  • Consensus: C63 with naturally aspirated V8, possibly CLS 63, ML 63, or SL 63 for bargains.
  • “You can get an 07 CLS 63 for 13 grand.” – Zach (42:22)
• Fixing Bad Driving & Old Age Behind the Wheel (43:59):
  • Calls for enhanced driver education, possible retesting at advanced ages, and recognition of social isolation risks when the elderly give up driving.
• Aston Martin’s Place in the Market (46:31):
  • No more ‘entry-level’ Astons coming; focus is shifting further upscale.
• Cameras vs. Lidar in Autonomous Driving (48:45):
  • Tesla’s camera-only approach is cost-driven and risky; Waymo offers more safety layers (multiple sensors, commercial insurance), but both have limitations.
  • Brett: “I don’t dislike Waymos. They do a pretty good job of driving.” (50:30)
• Impact of Automation on Sports Car Demand (53:33):
  • If AI hollows out white-collar jobs, the new and used sports car market would shrink. “Anyone who was like, Oh, I got money...they’re gonna have to let that go.” – Zach (54:34)
• Affordable Car Experiences (60:40):
  • Brett recommends the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville: “Jeff Lane rules. I’ve driven dozens of cars from there.” (60:49)
  • Matt plugs Car Week (Monterey) for accessible car culture: “There’s so much free shit to do and see.” (61:55)
• Touchscreen Vent Controls = Fatal Flaws (69:58):
  • Panelists agree: “Touchscreen vent control. This is not good at all.” – Matt (70:11)
• Fitted Luggage for Luxury Cars (74:06):
  • “I would totally go for the luggage... if there’s any in the car, I usually steal it.” – Brett (74:09)
  • Anecdote about Singer owner commissioning $250k custom luggage.
• Best Chassis Under $100k (76:16):
  • Panel likes the GR86 for its pure feel; C8 Corvette and several others also mentioned.
• Automotive Stunt Spectacles (77:55):
  • Nostalgia for wild “figure eight,” “chain bus,” and “wall of death” racing spectacles.

9. The Upper Crust’s Quest for the Analog

• Analog as New Luxury:
  • “I did a story about this recently...Analog is the new luxury, essentially. That’s what automakers are seeing the demand for.” – Brett (85:38)
  • True tactile engagement is becoming a premium feature—think haptic feedback, real buttons, non-digital controls.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On LA Wealth Signaling:
  • “A middle-aged Jewish guy driving a fancy car in Los Angeles isn’t that weird.” – Brett (31:16)
• On the Spectre’s True Audience:
  • “It’s so incremental in refinement, but the car has to be... you have to yell ‘tacking!’ every time you make a right.” – Matt (19:12)
• Brett on Social Media Exit:
  • “I live my life entirely incognito. No one knows where I am or what I’m doing.” (04:48)
• On Manufacturer Strategy:
  • “For 1500 families globally, there are more choices in seven figure vehicles right now than...for five figure enthusiast cars.” – Matt (24:02)
• On Yacht Culture:
  • “We did some feature...about the kinds of cars you’d have on your super yacht...to drive around the boat.” – Brett (32:31)
• Brett’s Yacht Test Anecdote:
  • “We didn’t talk to anyone else, and I think that was the way to do it.” (38:00)
• On Vehicle Touchscreen Controls:
  • “Touch screen vent control. This is not good at all.” – Matt (70:11)

Notable Timestamps

• 03:13: Brett reveals his six-week car testing plan.
• 06:08: Deep dive on each car in Brett’s press lineup.
• 19:09: Rolls-Royce Spectre driving impressions.
• 21:05 – 25:00: The luxury market pivot & income inequality rant.
• 29:32: Tales of neighbors and Girl Scout cookies.
• 32:31: Superyacht and car crossover discussion.
• 38:00: The sadness (and fun) of luxury cruises.
• 41:05 - Q&A Segment: Used AMG values, driver training, car market shifts, and fan questions.
• 60:40: Lane Motor Museum and budget car adventures.
• 74:06: Fitted luggage, Singer anecdote.
• 76:16: Best-handling cars under $100k debate.
• 85:38: “Analog is the new luxury” discussion.

Plugs & Where to Find Brett

• Online Presence

  • Website: brettberk.com
  • Digital portfolio: Brett Burke on Muckrack

• Recent Works: Vanity Fair interview with LeBron James about his custom Maybach, coverage of the new Jaguar EV, and more.

Tone: Witty, sharp-eyed, and conversational, with frank admissions about automotive excess, market realities, and a love for mechanical and cultural quirkiness.

This summary captures the major points and takeaways, including listener Q&A, auto industry trends, and the delightful chaos of Brett’s press car marathon. Perfect for anyone who missed the episode but wants the full flavor and key takeaways from an hour-plus of car-centric camaraderie.