Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – "Lotus Emira 2.0 Review; Mark Rober vs Tesla; Electrical Gremlin FOUND"
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Hosts: Zack Klapman and Matt Farah
Podcast Description: Matt Farah and Zack Klapman engage with automotive icons, pro drivers, comedians, and friends to delve into automotive industry news, racing, projects, and spontaneous discussions.
1. Impact of Fire Damage on LA Car Culture
Duration: 00:00 – 05:00
The episode opens with an insightful discussion on the recent fire damage in Los Angeles and its repercussions on the car enthusiast community. Hosts Zack and Matt express concern over how these fires have disrupted local car gatherings and threatened beloved automotive projects. They highlight the resilience of the community and the challenges faced in maintaining car culture amidst such adversity.
Notable Quote:
Zack (00:45): "It's not just about the enthusiasts; it's about preserving a culture that thrives on passion and community."
2. Lotus Emira 2.0 Review
Duration: 05:01 – 40:00
a. General Overview
Zack and Matt transition into the main topic: the review of the Lotus Emira 2.0, equipped with a 2-liter AMG motor and a dual-clutch gearbox. They recount their previous experience reviewing the Emira two summers prior in England and now evaluating its performance on U.S. streets and canyons.
Notable Quote:
Matt (20:39): "It's called the Lotus Emira 2.0, and it’s been tweaked with some gearbox updates that Mercedes finally allowed Lotus to implement."
b. Performance and Handling
The hosts commend the Emira’s agility and handling, especially in canyon drives. They praise its ability to maintain consistency through corners and handle bumps effectively, making it an impressive performer for its class.
Notable Quote:
Zack (26:28): "This car was fucking spectacular on the small mountain. It more resembles a British B road, but with some elevation, the car takes bumps really well."
c. Transmission Challenges
However, they express frustrations with the dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Both Zack and Matt find the gear shifts to be jerky, especially from 0 to 5 mph and 5 to 0 mph, making city driving cumbersome. They critique the transmission’s responsiveness and the overly complex shifter setup, deeming it inefficient for everyday use.
Notable Quote:
Matt (25:07): "This is the most insane shifter setup. You have to double tug but not too fast or aft to engage drive or reverse, and then move the lever side to side to shift manually."
d. Design and Aesthetics
The Emira’s aesthetic appeal is another focal point. Zack and Matt admire its British design touch, noting the visible and audible aspects that enhance the driving experience. However, they critique the engine cover aesthetics, describing it as overly utilitarian and not befitting the car’s sporty image.
Notable Quote:
Zack (30:30): "The trunk has a full plastic engine cover that looks like a bottle of toilet cleaner. It’s crazy."
3. Mark Rober vs. Tesla Autopilot Incident
Duration: 40:01 – 60:00
a. The Video Incident
Hosts discuss a controversial video where famed YouTuber Mark Rober tests Tesla’s Autopilot against a painted wall resembling a real obstacle. The vehicle, allegedly using Autopilot, failed to recognize the wall, leading to a collision.
Notable Quote:
Zack (47:05): "Hit a wall that's just been painted like a road, and it didn't stop. It just drove through it."
b. Analysis of Autopilot vs. LiDAR Systems
Zack and Matt delve into the technical shortcomings of Tesla’s camera-only Autopilot system compared to multi-sensor systems utilizing LiDAR. They express skepticism about the reliability of camera-based systems in diverse and unpredictable environments.
Notable Quote:
Matt (40:42): "Camera plus LiDAR, plus radar is the way to go. You need a combined sensor suite for real reliability."
c. Critique of Tesla’s Approach
The hosts criticize Tesla’s continued reliance on camera-only systems despite evident limitations, questioning the company’s commitment to safety and technological advancement. They highlight how incidents like Rober’s expose the flaws in Tesla’s autopilot strategy.
Notable Quote:
Zack (44:58): "As of today, 2025 March level, Tesla is still full throttle on this camera-only thing because they're so committed they can't admit they're wrong."
4. Tesla Cybertruck Reception and Stock Performance
Duration: 60:01 – 75:00
Zack and Matt reflect on the polarizing reception of Tesla’s Cybertruck. While some admire its futuristic design reminiscent of 80s sci-fi vehicles, many express disdain, leading to challenges in selling modified versions. They discuss the broader implications of design choices on brand perception and market success.
Notable Quote:
Matt (50:19): "This is a person who bought a 'fuck you' vehicle and made it even more attention-seeking. It's hard to sell."
They also touch upon Tesla’s stock performance, noting a significant drop yet maintaining a high price-to-earnings ratio relative to other automakers, attributing it to investor confidence in Tesla’s technology despite public controversies.
5. Electrical Gremlin Found in Nissan Pow
Duration: 75:01 – 90:00
The hosts present an update on the ongoing electrical issues with the Nissan Pow, a 1-liter economy car with a carburetor. After months of troubleshooting and failed attempts by multiple technicians, Mad Mike from Pimp My Ride was able to identify the problem: a faulty blinker causing a battery drain of 3.5 amps every 15 minutes. The resolution involved replacing the blinker and rewiring, albeit after a costly and time-consuming process.
Notable Quote:
Zack (87:11): "It took Mad Mike, an electrical genius, 30 hours to find that the blinker was drawing 3.5 amps every 15 minutes."
6. Listener Questions and Automotive Advice
Duration: 90:01 – 100:00
a. Best Deal on Used Cars
Listener Matt Rantle asks about the best deals on used cars. Matt shares his experience of purchasing an E46 wagon for around $2,000 and a Previa for $1,800, highlighting their reliability and low cost.
Notable Quote:
Zack (63:48): "The E46 wagon I got for two grand or the Previa for $1,800 were fantastic deals. Both were clean and served their purposes well."
b. Porsche Active Ride Evaluation
Christian inquires about the worth of Porsche's Active Ride system priced at $7K. Zack and Matt assess its value, concluding that while it's expensive, the enhanced comfort and handling make it a worthwhile investment for Porsche enthusiasts.
Notable Quote:
Matt (78:24): "Active Ride is making your drive better, whether it's comfort or efficiency. Despite the price, it's a significant upgrade."
c. Recommendations for Entry-Level Exotics
Joey Bag of Donuts asks for suggestions on an entry-level exotic under $100K that could appreciate by 50% in 20 years. Zack and Matt propose models like the Ferrari 360 Coupe with a manual transmission and the Porsche R8V8 with manual as potential candidates due to their timeless design and performance pedigree.
Notable Quote:
Matt (83:08): "A Ferrari 360 Coupe with a stick transmission is timeless and has the potential to appreciate in value."
7. Personal Anecdotes and Community Stories
Duration: 100:01 – 110:00
Zack and Matt share personal stories, including their experiences with ski trips in Montana, challenges with DIY car modifications, and interactions with the automotive community. They emphasize the importance of reliable vehicles, especially when shared with family, and recount humorous incidents like dealing with faulty rentals and adventurous boating trips in Thailand.
Notable Quote:
Zack (87:10): "The blinker issue in my Pow was a nightmare. It wasn’t just a simple fix; it cost me an additional 10% of what I paid for the car."
8. Upcoming Events and Announcements
Duration: 110:01 – End
The episode concludes with announcements about upcoming events, including an invitation to join their Patreon for exclusive content, and highlights of their latest automotive projects, such as the Panamera Turbo S E Hybrid assembly. They also tease future episodes and milestones, like episode 1000.
Notable Quote:
Matt (99:28): "Episode 1000 is coming up in 13 days, and tomorrow we're recording episode 999. Should be a good time!"
Conclusion
In this episode of The Smoking Tire, Zack Klapman and Matt Farah navigate through a blend of technical car reviews, critical discussions on automotive technology, especially Tesla's Autopilot, and engaging listener interactions. Their candid and detailed insights, coupled with relatable personal anecdotes, provide a comprehensive look into the current state and future of automotive culture.
For those interested in a deep dive into car mechanics, industry critiques, and the vibrant car enthusiast community, this episode offers a wealth of information and entertaining discourse.
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This summary captures the essence and key discussions of the episode, providing a detailed overview for both regular listeners and newcomers.