Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – "Gross Car Experiences; Reviews: Revology Mustang GT and GR Corolla AT"

Release Date: November 12, 2024
Hosts: Zack Klapman and Matt Farah
Podcast: The Smoking Tire

1. Revology Mustang GT Review

Testing the Revology Mustang GT Zack and Matt embarked on a challenging test drive with the $300,000 Revology Mustang GT, intending to drive it up a mountain. Unfortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful due to unexpectedly severe weather conditions.

• Severe Weather Impact:
  "It was an enormous risk to the car." – Matt [06:23]
  The duo faced winds gusting between 70-80 mph, which posed significant threats to the vehicle's integrity. The high winds caused aggressive gravel cannoning, endangering the car's exterior and preventing the completion of their filming mission.

Build Quality and Pricing The Revology Mustang is praised for its meticulous restoration and modernization while maintaining a classic aesthetic. However, the high cost is justified by the extensive labor and specialized craftsmanship involved.

• Price and Options:
  "This is $300,000. It's very expensive." – Matt [14:16]
  The base model starts at approximately $285,000, with top-tier configurations reaching up to $325,000. Customization options include various Mustang body styles, transmission choices (manual or automatic), interior materials, and wheel selections.

• Quality Assurance:
  "Revology has basically the same treatment they can apply to any Mustang body style from the 1960s under license from Ford." – Matt [20:22]
  The consistent quality is maintained by handling all restorations in-house, ensuring that each Mustang meets Revology's high standards without compromising on performance or appearance.

Comparison to Iconic Restomod Shops Zack and Matt discuss the advantages of choosing a Revology Mustang over building or restoring a classic Mustang independently.

• Consistency and Reliability:
  "It's all going to be done consistently, let's call it correct." – Zack [14:47]
  Revology's expertise ensures that restorations are performed uniformly, reducing the risks associated with piecemeal restorations by independent shops.

• Resale Value:
  "When you sell it right, you go to resale an icon, it's an icon." – Zack [16:36]
  The Mustang GT from Revology retains its value effectively, partly due to the brand's reputation and the meticulous quality of their restorations.

2. GR Corolla AT Review

Performance and Transmission The hosts evaluated the new GR Corolla equipped with an automatic 8-speed transmission, contrasting it with the manual version.

• Driving Dynamics:
  "I prefer the six-cylinder car but there's people that really like that turbo." – Matt [10:21]
  The manual transmission provides a more engaging and smoother experience at lower speeds, while the automatic offers practicality for urban commuting.

• Transmission Behavior:
  "In normal mode it lugs the engine a bit, it shifts early, it doesn't get it into boost." – Matt [28:21]
  The automatic transmission's torque converter leads to slight engine drag, which contrasts with the disconnect characteristic of manual gearboxes. Despite some quirks, it remains a viable option for those preferring automatic shifts.

Interior and Ergonomics The GR Corolla's interior was examined, focusing on ergonomic design and user interface.

• Armrest Concerns:
  "This Corolla had no center armrest and it was kind of driving me fucking very annoying." – Matt [32:05]
  The lack of a center armrest in the premium models posed ergonomic issues, leading to discomfort during long drives.

• Infotainment Integration:
  "I don't love the integration of that stereo. It's just, you know, it's an aftermarket screen." – Matt [10:15]
  While the stereo system operates well, its integration with the interior aesthetics left room for improvement, detracting slightly from the overall experience.

3. Personal Car Experiences and Maintenance

Bentley Turbo R Maintenance Update Matt shared an update on his Bentley Turbo R, detailing the troubleshooting and repair process after detecting a leak.

• Issue Identification:
  "It was the brake booster, which is mounted above the power steering pump, leaking onto the power steering pump." – Matt [36:04]
  Initially misdiagnosed, the actual culprit was the brake booster, which fortunately cost half as much to replace as the power steering pump would have.

• Maintenance Philosophy:
  "Reliable is a very finely engineered thing that won't leave you stranded. But it does require expensive, specialized maintenance to keep going." – Matt [37:49]
  The distinction between dependability and reliability underscores the necessity for meticulous maintenance in high-performance, luxury vehicles.

Gross Car Experiences The hosts recounted their most unpleasant experiences involving cars, emphasizing the importance of meticulous care.

• Matt's Horror Stories:
  "I have a friend Eric Becker... he threw up out the open window at highway speeds." – Matt [53:11]
  From extreme interior spills to severe fluid leaks, Matt detailed the extensive efforts required to restore cars after such incidents.

• Zack's Cleanliness Challenges:
  "The most disgusting thing someone's done in my car was leaking differential fluid into the carpet." – Matt [51:59]
  Zack highlighted the costly and labor-intensive process of repairing significant interior damage caused by mechanical failures.

4. Listener Questions and Discussions

Durability Testing Vehicles Listeners proposed ideas for durability tests, sparking a discussion on benchmarking different vehicle performances.

• Proposed Tests:
  "I would really like to test a Lexus truck against Bronco Badlands and design the test." – Zack [55:20]
  The hosts deliberated on potential test scenarios, such as comparing the ruggedness of Lexus trucks to Ford Bronco Badlands through extreme driving conditions.

Automotive Cybersecurity The topic of connected vehicles' cybersecurity was explored, assessing the realistic threats posed by hacking.

• Cyber Threat Realism:
  "I don't think it's realistically possible, given exact current hardware, to remotely control a vehicle the way you probably think." – Matt [46:19]
  While acknowledging vulnerabilities, the hosts emphasized that current technology limits the extent to which cyber threats can manipulate vehicle operations.

Impact of Electric Vehicles on Depreciation Listeners inquired about the depreciation patterns of iconic electric vehicles, such as the electric G Wagon.

• Depreciation Insights:
  "Yes, me thinks yes." – Matt [73:01]
  The consensus leaned towards electric versions of iconic models depreciating similarly to their traditional counterparts, considering factors like body design and powertrain changes.

5. Upcoming Events and Promotions

Road and Track Event Announcement Matt promoted the upcoming Road and Track event scheduled from April 7th to 10th, 2025, in Texas Hill Country and Circuit of the Americas.

• Event Details:
  "Registration is now open for the next Road and Track event... Texas Hill Country starts in Austin and includes track time at Circuit of the Americas." – Matt [77:29]
  Attendees can expect a blend of scenic drives, barbecue, wine tasting, and professional track sessions led by Matt.

Promotions and Partnerships The episode included promotions for services like Deleteme and Westside Collector Car Storage, offering discounts and convenient solutions for car enthusiasts.

• Deleteme Promotion:
  "Download the app, use code TSTPOD for 10% off all legal services booked through Off the Record." – Matt [03:32]
  Listeners were encouraged to protect their personal data with special promo codes available through the podcast.

Notable Quotes

1. "It was an enormous risk to the car." – Matt [06:23]
2. "This is $300,000. It's very expensive." – Matt [14:16]
3. "I prefer the six-cylinder car but there's people that really like that turbo." – Matt [10:21]
4. "Reliable is a very finely engineered thing that won't leave you stranded. But it does require expensive, specialized maintenance to keep going." – Matt [37:49]
5. "I don't think it's realistically possible, given exact current hardware, to remotely control a vehicle the way you probably think." – Matt [46:19]

Conclusion

In this episode, Zack Klapman and Matt Farah delved deep into the nuances of high-end automotive restorations and modern performance vehicles. Their candid discussions about the Revology Mustang GT and GR Corolla AT provided valuable insights into the balance between classic aesthetics and modern engineering. Additionally, personal anecdotes about car maintenance challenges and listener interactions enriched the conversation, making it both informative and relatable for automotive enthusiasts.

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