The Smoking Tire Podcast — January 22, 2026

Episode: Cheap Tesla FSD Insurance?; Corvette E-Ray Review; Q&A
Hosts: Matt Farah & Zack Klapman

Episode Overview

This episode brings Matt and Zack together for a wide-ranging conversation about Zack’s current cross-state road trip in the new Corvette E-Ray, an emerging insurance policy for Teslas with Full Self Driving (FSD), some future plans around trailers and project cars, and an in-depth listener Q&A. The tone is light, humorous, and candid, with a strong focus on real-world automotive experiences and opinions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Zack’s Road Trip Review: Corvette E-Ray (01:04 – 12:00, 40:16 – 50:06)

• Road Trip Context:
  Zack is scouting a 1,300-mile route for Road & Track in the new Corvette E-Ray, covering sections from LA, through Zion, to Sedona.
• Driving Details:
  • Left home at 5:15 a.m.; drove through Vegas, Valley of Fire, St. George, to Zion (10 hours total, 520 miles in a day).
  • Highlighted the jarring climates, abrupt scenic shifts, and stunning beauty along the way.
  • Dealt with a freezing cold Denny’s (“I have never been so cold inside of a restaurant in my life.” – Zach, 02:00).
• Scouting Logistics:
  • Route planning includes note-taking for stops (coffee, gas, photos, group shots) and considering photogenic backdrops for group photos.
  • “I usually can get these drives to the minute. Like a Swiss train.” — Zack (07:46)
• E-Ray Impressions:
  • Describes it as “97% the same as a Stingray.” (40:17)
  • No plug-in behavior; gas engine is almost always active.
  • “If you get to like 3/4 throttle, you activate the front axle and it pulls harder.” — Zack (41:06)
  • Quietly notes E-Ray’s front end feels heavy, steering is “really darty,” and requires “two hands on the wheel almost all the time.” (42:07, 44:21)
  • Appreciates the new, improved interior—no more wall of buttons.
  • At $133k, questions whether it’s worth it over a Z06 for the experience.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “It’s the roadtripper’s Corvette. But 1,300 miles with two hands on the wheel, fighting ruts—it’s a workout.” — Zack (47:55)
  • “I’m a Z06, no-wing guy. You give me a Z06 ‘road’ spec, and that’s pretty great.” — Zack (49:13)
  • “For the same money, I’d take the Z06.” — Zack (49:51)

2. The Free Trailer Dilemma & Project Car Dreams (17:56 – 34:38)

• Free Trailer Discussion:
  Matt discusses a possible deal to get a race trailer in exchange for advertising. They're weighing if they’ll use it now (to tow to an ice race in Montana) or bank it for future use.
  • “If we can trade some advertising for a trailer, that’s way better than spending our own money…” — Matt (18:21)
• Tow or Ship?
  • With the Manx going to a Montana ice race, Philip Sarofim (Manx owner) offers to transport it, but a free trailer tempts Matt and Zack to consider driving and creating road-trip content.
  • Downside: Towing eats up significant time, and potential schedule conflicts arise with Matt’s invite to an exclusive Aston Martin Valhalla drive in Spain.
  • “There’s no world in which I abandon you to do this on your own.” — Zack (22:43)
• Future Silliness Enabled:
  • With a trailer, doors open for drift cars, track cars, or off-road toys (like a Sierra Car or a Legends car), but at the cost of needing a tow vehicle and possibly succumbing to the “slippery slope” of more projects.
  • Notable banter: “Exclusively doing things that get no traffic from here on out. That’s just where we are.” — Zack (30:32)
• Notable Quotes:
  • “With a trailer, it opens the door to all manner of silliness.” — Zack (31:19)
  • “Maybe we actually do a Legends car hillclimb?” — Zack (33:28)

3. Cheap Tesla FSD Insurance? Deep Dive (50:42 – 63:02)

• Lemonade Insurance Announcement:
  Zack reviews news that Lemonade is offering reduced-rate insurance for Teslas using FSD. Lemonade claims up to 50% per-mile savings for FSD-enabled cars.
• Critical Assessment:
  • Matt is skeptical: the insurance is user-bought (“This isn’t Tesla covering its own software liability… you still buy this.” — Matt, 53:25).
  • Questions Lemonade’s claim that “Tesla’s driven with FSD are involved in far fewer accidents,”
    • “By what percentage, under what circumstances?” — Matt (58:15)
  • Points out lack of independent data on FSD’s actual safety, and notes concerns about insurer data privacy and the black-boxing of telematics.
  • Warns: “Any insurance that black-boxes your car can only be bad for you.” — Zack (59:32)
• Big-Picture Take:
  Lemonade’s proposition is seen as moving the needle for individualized risk assessment, but hosts doubt real-world safety and worry about how detailed driving data will be used. If you drive little, per-mile insurance could save money; otherwise, be wary of how your data is used and potential premium hikes.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “If you’re really horny, you’re gonna see titties everywhere.” — Zack (76:00, context: why cars get sexualized in language)
  • “Any insurance that black boxes your car can only be bad for you.” — Zack (59:32)

4. Listener Q&A (63:05 – End)

A sample of questions addressed, with key insights:

Cigarettes/Cars Combo

• Most evocative pairing: “Crossing the desert in a Rolls Royce at night, with the starfield ceiling, that’s the shit.” — Zack (64:23)

VR6 Engine Hype

• Hosts agree the VW VR6 is “weird and interesting,” with unique sound, but not objectively a great powertrain today. (66:03)

Bespoke Engines

• Discussed rare engines like the Porsche 959’s and “why they never went more mainstream”.

Car Warmup

• “I wouldn’t commute in a very old car for just 2.5 miles, it’s not enough to get things up to temp.” — Zack (70:22)

Childhood Cars That Aged Poorly

• Chevy Beretta and 90s Grand Prix GTP were letdowns on closer adult inspection vs. childhood admiration.

Boxster/Cayman Enthusiasm

• Track time may not change your mind if you don’t connect with them on the street—regular models aren’t for everyone; host personally prefers GT4/Spyder.

High-Performance SUVs’ Future

• “They depreciate to zero. Sometimes they get a renaissance (see: Cayenne off-road builds) but most get junked.” — Matt (78:53)

Sports Car Definition

• “A sports car compromises elsewhere for performance: two doors, emphasis on handling, not a sedan.” — Zack (81:00)
• “Coupes, convertibles, their own platform - not just the ‘sporty’ trim.” — Zack (82:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’ve never been so cold inside of a restaurant in my life. The consistency of the cheesy eggs is unmatched.”
  — Zack, on Denny’s in Baker, CA (02:00)
• On the E-Ray:
  “At $133,000, for something that feels almost exactly the same as the Z51 most of the time…” — Zack (49:13)
• On the Lemonade/FSD insurance:
  “There’s no independent authority… shows this is in fact safer. In fact, in many cases it’s not safer because it can lead to complacency.” — Matt (56:21)
• On car sexualization:
  “If you’re really horny, you’re gonna see titties everywhere.” — Zack (76:00)

Timestamps by Segment

| Segment | Time | |-------------------------------------------|--------------| | Corvette E-Ray Road Trip & Route Planning | 01:04–12:00 | | Trailer/Project Car Discussion | 17:56–34:38 | | Corvette E-Ray Review (Cont’d) | 40:16–50:06 | | Tesla FSD Insurance | 50:42–63:02 | | Listener Q&A | 63:05–End |

Final Take

A quintessential Smoking Tire episode: travelogue stories, in-depth car review, industry skepticism, behind-the-scenes media plans, and the community-driven fun of audience questions. Both hosts shine as enthusiasts who revel in (and sometimes roll their eyes at) the madness of car culture and modern industry trends. If you want a casual, honest take on hot car topics, this episode delivers.

Further Info:

• Watch the car reviews at YouTube.com/TheSmokingTire
• Follow on socials:
  • Twitter: @thesmokingtire @zackklapman
  • IG: @thesmokingtire @fakezackklapman
• Patreon & Q&A: patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast