Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – "Mazda CX-50 Confusing Edition; BGB Cayman; THE Haircut"

Release Date: July 10, 2025
Hosts: Matt Farah and Zack Klapman
Podcast Description: Matt Farah and Zack Klapman engage with automotive icons, pro drivers, comedians, and friends to discuss industry news, racing, projects, and various automotive topics.

1. Personal Anecdotes and General Banter

The episode opens with Matt and Zack sharing personal stories and casual conversations, establishing a friendly and relatable tone.

• Haircut Memories:
  Matt reminisces about his high school haircut, which led to a rift with his aunt.

  Matt Farah [04:05]: "They literally never spoke again. When I tell you that my aunt did."

• Shaving and Grooming:
  Discussions about shaving routines and grooming habits reveal their personal preferences and humorous exchanges about maintaining an aerodynamic head.

  Matt Farah [09:04]: "I have to shave my whole face and head every other day. I timed it yesterday for the first time in my entire life. It's about eight minutes, which I think is pretty fucking efficient."

2. Upcoming Events and Live Shows

Matt announces upcoming appearances and live shows, highlighting their engagement with the audience.

• Seattle Car Show:
  Matt discusses attending the Avant's Classics on the Green event at Saint Chateau Michel winery, encouraging listeners to join and interact.

  Matt Farah [17:24]: "I'm coming to Seattle for a car show... It's at like a winery outside of Seattle."

• Live Podcast Tickets:
  They mention live podcast events in Dallas and Houston, emphasizing the growing demand and special guests like Christian James.

  Matt Farah [18:05]: "Live podcast tickets are going quick, particularly Dallas. Shout out to fucking Dallas."

3. Sponsored Segments

Several sponsor messages are integrated seamlessly into the conversation, providing listeners with valuable services and products.

• Off the Record:
  Matt promotes legal services for traffic violations, sharing personal success stories.

  Matt Farah [00:00]: "Offtherecord.com TST get you 10% off all legal services that you book. Threw off the record. Do it."

• Rula:
  An advertisement for affordable online therapy services, emphasizing personalized care and insurance compatibility.

  Matt Farah [13:01]: "Rula is here. They do things differently..."

• Quince and Fitbod:
  Matt endorses Quince for high-quality, affordable clothing and Fitbod for personalized workout plans, highlighting their benefits and unique selling points.

  Matt Farah [32:47]: "Quince just I just got it... Go to quince.com/tire for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns."

4. Twin Turbo Swapped Porsche Cayman Review

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing a recently featured video on a twin-turbo swapped Porsche Cayman.

• Performance and Aesthetics:
  Matt and Zack delve into the car's performance, noting its impressive horsepower and sound. They discuss how the modifications affect the driving experience.

  Matt Farah [20:53]: "The twin turbo Cayman that we recently posted the video of... it's hard to make a car look fast on video, but that car looks very fast on video."

• Technical Challenges:
  They highlight the complexities involved in engine swaps, particularly the integration of electronic systems.

  Zack Klapman [24:58]: "If you watch the video, I apologize, this is redundant. But like four weeks to get it to just go out of park."

• Functionality vs. Tuner Aesthetics:
  The discussion contrasts the car's tuner appearance with its functional road-car capabilities, debating whether it maintains factory integrity.

  Matt Farah [21:15]: "It didn't feel like a race car. Yes, it did feel like, particularly with comfort seats and pdk, it felt like a road focused car, which is very nuts."

5. Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition Review

Zack provides a comprehensive review of the Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition, addressing both its strengths and areas of confusion.

• Engine and Performance:
  The CX-50 Meridian Edition boasts a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 256 horsepower, which Zack praises for its smooth powertrain.

  Zach Klapman [36:30]: "This has 256 horsepower. That's 75 more than the non turbocharged CX50."

• Interior and Comfort:
  Matt and Zack commend the Mazda's comfortable seats and minimalistic dashboard, though they express some dissatisfaction with the touchless "hockey puck" controller.

  Matt Farah [37:51]: "Mazda seats are fantastic... but I still don't like their hockey puck controller."
  Zach Klapman [38:10]: "It's the same as... our exact car and ours had the nice brown interior like it looked."

• Suspension and Ride Quality:
  A major critique revolves around the CX-50's stiff suspension, which Matt and Zack find unsuitable for city driving, especially on uneven roads.

  Zach Klapman [40:38]: "The Meridian comes with some extra like option things and packages that would cost you more money if you got the premium plus and stuff."
  Matt Farah [43:19]: "The outback wilderness is where it's at... but the suspension feels stiff on potholes and cracks around town."

• Naming Confusion:
  The "Meridian Edition" name sparks confusion as the Meridian stereo system isn't present, leading to speculation and listener input.

  Zach Klapman [53:41]: "Someone in the comments said that it's probably named Meridian edition because the Meridian is a point on a line of longitude."

6. Audience Questions and Expert Advice

Listeners submit questions regarding various automotive topics, which Matt and Zack address with practical advice and opinions.

• Choosing Replacement Cars:
  They discuss options for replacing a depreciating Camaro SS1LE, suggesting models like the Mustang GT Performance Pack, BMW 135i, and Porsche Macan GTS.

  Matt Farah [75:05]: "You could get a really good BMW 135 that was the last year of the 135 with the better like everything."

• Parking Money Strategies:
  For enthusiasts looking to invest their automotive funds, recommendations include versatile and reliable choices like Maserati Grecale Trofeo and Porsche models.

  Zach Klapman [75:18]: "And I think you know there's a number of Caterhams on cars and bids that sold for just under 30 grand in the last few years."

• Fun Around Town Cars:
  Suggestions include small electric cars like the Tesla Model 3 and Miata for their agility and practicality without intimidating other drivers.

  Matt Farah [76:00]: "I mean small electric cars are the most fun. Like basically like the Tesla Model 3 my Taycan."
  Zach Klapman [76:09]: "I bet a Miata's fun. Anything that's small and the rest of the car populace isn't intimidated by."

• Track Preferences and Experiences:
  Matt and Zack share their experiences driving on renowned tracks like Spa and the Nurburgring, debating their merits and personal preferences.

  Matt Farah [65:44]: "Spa has the best tarmac of any racetrack I've ever driven."
  Zach Klapman [65:45]: "I think this is their new one."

7. Future Collaborations and Teasers

The hosts hint at upcoming collaborations and special features in future episodes, building anticipation among listeners.

• Porsche Launch in Spain:
  Matt reveals an invitation to a mysterious Porsche launch in Spain, teasing potential exclusive content.

  Matt Farah [44:32]: "I got invited to a mystery Porsche launch in Spain in October."

• Special Guests and Future Shows:
  Announcements of special guests like Camisa and the return of Greg Levine ensure listeners look forward to subsequent episodes.

  Matt Farah [83:00]: "We will be back on Friday with Camisa in studio."

8. Closing Remarks and Patreon Promotion

In the conclusion, Matt and Zack encourage listeners to support their work through Patreon, highlighting the benefits of becoming patrons.

Matt Farah [54:04]: "Thank you everybody especially our patrons. Yalls is the best. Get in the fucking game. Over here@patreon.com the Smoking Tire Podcast."

Notable Quotes

• Matt Farah on Marriage Rings and Steering Wheels:

  Matt Farah [45:32]: "Oh, but it feels really rough on the... otherwise, nice steering wheel. Kind of sucks."

• Zach Klapman on Suspension Issues:

  Zach Klapman [44:18]: "This is very difficult stuff. And I'm not like, I'm not a total fucking moron."

• Matt Farah on Therapy:

  Matt Farah [13:01]: "Rula is here. They do things differently... Think about it. You use your insurance benefits to maintain your physical health. Why wouldn't you do the same for your mental health?"

Conclusion

This episode of The Smoking Tire seamlessly blends personal anecdotes, in-depth automotive reviews, expert advice, and audience engagement, all while maintaining a humorous and candid atmosphere. Matt and Zack's discussion on the Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition and the twin-turbo Porsche Cayman offers valuable insights for car enthusiasts, while their interactions and upcoming event announcements keep the content dynamic and engaging. Sponsored segments are well-integrated, providing listeners with useful resources without disrupting the flow. Overall, the episode delivers a comprehensive and entertaining exploration of automotive topics for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.