The Smoking Tire Podcast: “Parts Site Nightmare; Plane Lands on Car; Volvo Review”

Date: December 11, 2025
Hosts: Matt Farah & Zack Klapman

Episode Overview

In this episode, Matt and Zack deliver their trademark mix of automotive takes, humor, and industry insights, covering everything from viral car-plane collisions to a frustrating parts order gone wrong, and an in-depth review of the Volvo V90 Cross Country. They break down what makes online car parts shopping a nightmare, recount the surreal story of a plane landing on a car, and critique the fate of wagons like the Volvo as SUVs take over. The gang also dives into tangents about depreciation, backup camera tech, and field a variety of Patreon audience questions covering cars, watches, and even airport design.

Key Segments with Timestamps

1. Viral Plane Lands on Car: Chaos and Contingency

[01:32 – 07:04]

• The hosts discuss a viral dashcam clip where a Beechcraft Baron lost power and landed on a Toyota Camry driving down the highway.
• Zack is relieved both parties survived:
  Zack: “Thank God. Otherwise his head would have been crushed.” [01:51]
• Matt instantly riffs:
  Matt: “Guy in the Civic is just rolling down the street, smoking endos, sipping on gin and juice, and laid back.” [01:32]
• Debate on vehicle roof strength and plane weights:
  Zack: “What's that plane weigh? Thousand pounds?”
  Matt: “No. More than that.” [03:10]
• On the aftermath:
  Zack: “What do you think that conversation’s like? ‘Can I have your insurance, bro?’” [06:23]
• Both marvel at the dashcam footage:
  Matt: "That would top the Mustang going off of Turn 9 at Willow for best dash cam video ever recorded.” [01:53]
• Matt jokes about getting a pilot’s license.
  Matt: “Every time I see a video like that, it makes me want to get a pilot's license.” [05:22] Zack: “It definitely tells me exactly why I shouldn't.” [05:39]

2. The $46 Parts Geek Ordeal: An Online Customer Service Saga

[07:04 – 25:17]

• Matt recounts his three-week battle with “Parts Geek” to get a $46 refund for missing NSX lug nuts.
  • Story highlights: missed shipping, endless hold times, AI chatbots, and eventual recourse through his credit card company.
• Matt tries to keep it light, explaining he stuck with it “because it would be funny radio”:
  Matt: “About three quarters of the way into this process, I decided this would be maybe funny radio for somebody, and that I was going to fly the plane into the mountain.” [17:48]
• Walkthrough of AI chat transcript, highlighting absurd circular logic and screenshots with “tracking not available.”
  Zack (as chatbot): “This is the last update we have from your order, so you need to wait. You will get an update from the warehouse.” [19:26] Matt: “That screenshot literally says number invalid on it. You can give me an actual valid tracking number.” [21:23]
• Matt reflects on his own customer service philosophy:
  Matt: “I've given customers hundreds of dollars [...] on the off-chance I fucked up. You know what I mean?” [22:39]
• Zack highlights how sometimes local brick-and-mortar stores are way easier and cheaper for basic parts:
  Zack: "The guy at Napa laughed and went, ‘three bucks.’ That's good.” [23:48]

3. Volvo V90 Cross Country Review: Great Seats, Hard Ride

[30:39 – 43:14]

• Zack reviews the Volvo V90 CC after a Thanksgiving road trip:
  • Praises: seat comfort, good tech (Google Maps integration), double wishbone front suspension, affordable price compared to rival wagons.
  • Gripes: unexpectedly harsh ride quality, particularly on rough roads and expansion joints.
• Quote:
  Zack: “These seats are like...just the right amount of memory foam and then supportive underneath. Super configurable. Absolutely loved them. Radar cruise is great. Angling lights when you turn is awesome.” [35:03]
  • But, “I think it’s too stiff.” [36:55]
• Discusses Volvo’s mild-hybrid B6 powertrain, confusing labeling, complexity of engine electrification.
• Both agree SUVs are why wagons like the V90 struggle:
  Matt: “The XC60 is fucking ways. That thing rules.” [38:53]
• Zack laments all climate controls being screen-based, lane-assist being too aggressive, and an outdated parking camera UI.

4. Automotive Backup Camera Deep Dive

[43:14 – 47:53]

• Matt shares an email from an automotive camera engineer breaking down why some backup cameras (e.g. Porsche Taycan) are so bad compared to others (e.g. Rivian):
  • Placement, lens warping, and supplier priorities all impact quality.
• Quote:
  Matt (reading): “Porsche is placing the camera extremely low with an extremely wide angle lens and then warp and dewarp geometrically...it is the worst backup camera I’ve ever used geometrically.” [44:14]

5. New vs. Used Taycan GTS: Active Ride Suspension

[47:53 – 52:00]

• The guys compare the latest Taycan GTS (with the new “Active Ride” hydraulic suspension) to Matt’s older Cross Turismo.
  • Active Ride is praised as “absolutely worth every penny” of the $7k option price.
  • They note how the interior quality and user experience are remarkably similar, making a strong case for buying used.
  • Quote:
    Matt: “If you don’t drive anywhere and you just sit in the cars, they’re the same...which is great.” [51:07]

6. Patreon Q&A: Wagons, Depreciation, Reboots, and Cheap Automotive Fun

[53:07 – 102:43] A selection of highlights from a rapid-fire Q&A section covering:

Wagons for Lemons Racing

• Suggestions include E46 BMW, Volvo 240 and 700/900 (easy engine swaps).

Depreciation

• Celestiq, Rolls Royce, and Maybach values are expected to plummet.
  • Matt: “It’ll be epic. It’ll be truly epic.” [57:02]

Maintenance Nightmares

• “Fuck, Marry, Kill” with old German luxury sedans:
  • Marry the S8, fuck the S65, kill the 760Li.

Daily Drivers for the Snow

• $10k: E30 wagon
• $30k: Subaru STI
• $100k: F-Type R AWD or Porsche 997 GTS on snows

Automotive Itch When Broke

• RC cars, sim racing, detailing, or small-scale part restorations (e.g. carburetors).
  • Zack: “Once you buy the stuff...amortizing every time you run it, sim is the best value for your dollar.” [74:41]

Regulations & Heavy Cars

• Spiraling costs and regulation vs. consumer demand both blamed for vehicle bloat.
  • Matt: “It’s like a cycle...tech to combat the weight, then weight from the tech, and around and round.” [95:58]

Pro/Con Dash Cams

• Both see value but don’t use them due to constantly switching cars.
  • Matt: “I'm pro the existence of dash cams...but driving three different cars a day...I don’t fuck with a dash cam.” [101:17]

Notable Funny Moments

• Banter on insurance claims after a plane collision.
• Imagining the warehouse/office class war (à la The Office/Tommy Boy).
• Jokes about OnlyFans, Lemons racing livery puns, and “two guys in the back of a Lexus Texas.”
• Departing shot teasing Brian Scotto’s upcoming (very long) guest spot:
  Zack: “Prepare for three hours, 'cause Scotto's gonna want to go for some kind of a record.” [102:45]

Memorable Quotes

• Matt (on customer service AI): “Lucas is not a human…Lucas is Tilly Norwood.” [20:37]
• Zack (on local auto parts): “If you ask how much something is and a person laughs—that means it’s good.” [23:51]
• Matt (on wagons): “I hate to say it, but the XC60 is fucking ways. That thing rules.” [38:53]
• Matt (on modern car heft): “It’s a circle that just spirals around, yeah.” [96:14]
• Zack (on Volvo seats): “That’s the best seat in the game, I agree.” [42:48]
• Matt (on pro dash cams): “I’m pro the existence of dash cams. I love seeing a crazy dash cam video.” [101:17]

Conclusion

A thoroughly on-brand episode, with Matt and Zack mixing personal anecdotes, in-depth reviews, and a classic segment of Q&A tangents. The topics jump seamlessly from the absurdity of a plane-car crash to the frustrations of modern online retail, the practical benefits (and odd faults) of new tech-loaded cars, and why sometimes old-school methods—or just going to your local parts store—can be the best. For car enthusiasts, DIY types, and anyone who enjoys real talk and real laughs about the auto world, this is Smoking Tire at its best.