The Smoking Tire Podcast - Episode Overview

Release Date: March 28, 2025
Hosts: Zack Klapman & Matt Farah
Episode Title: Taycan Problems; Buy a Mustang GT350?; Q&A

1. Episode Introduction and Travel Updates

Timestamp: [02:08] – [03:48]

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman kick off the episode by sharing updates on their recent travels. Zack recounts his trips to Tennessee, where he engaged with classic cars, and Austin for a Road & Track assignment. Matt discusses his journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in his Porsche Taycan, touching upon the dynamic scheduling that led them both to update their plans last minute.

2. Matt’s Porsche Taycan Road Trip: Charging and Software Issues

Timestamp: [03:48] – [10:08]

Matt dives deep into his experience driving the Porsche Taycan from LA to Las Vegas and back. He highlights the efficiency of the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, praising the seamless process at hotel valets who handled the charging without requiring additional steps like credit card transactions.

Notable Quote:

Matt Farah (03:48): "There was a new milestone for me with EVing. Actually, I was not held up by the car even one second..."

However, Matt also addresses two recurring software-related issues with his Taycan:

1. Unexpected Steering Alerts:
   While using adaptive cruise control with steering aids turned off, Matt's Taycan intermittently flashes a "take over steering" warning. Despite actively steering, he receives this alert, necessitating manual intervention to dismiss it.

   Notable Quote:

   Matt Farah (05:07): "Every once in a while... it flashes a red thing and says take over steering."

2. Climate Control Glitches:
   After charging, Matt experiences a lack of actual air conditioning despite the system indicating it's active. This issue was temporarily resolved by performing a "sleep cycle reset," involving locking the car twice and waiting a few minutes away from the vehicle.

   Notable Quote:

   Matt Farah (08:19): "It's a sleep cycle reset... nothing wrong with the climate control, just a software hiccup."

Despite these issues, Matt commends the overall performance of the Taycan, emphasizing its reliability and comfort during the long drive. He mentions plans to take the car to the dealership for further diagnostics and fixes under his unlimited mileage warranty.

3. Zack’s Adventures: Rallying and Car Jumping

Timestamp: [10:08] – [24:19]

Zack shares his recent experiences in Tennessee and Austin, focusing on his foray into rally driving and learning to jump cars—a childhood aspiration inspired by shows like Dukes of Hazzard.

• Learning to Jump Cars:
  Zack attends a session at Rally Ready, where he practices jumping cars using ramps of varying sizes. He collaborates with experts like Dave, the modified Ram diesel truck owner, and discusses the science behind car jumps with industry professionals.

  Notable Quote:

  Zack Klapman (19:25): "There's a big difference between when you get it right and you get it a little wrong."

• Team Dynamics and Projects:
  He introduces friends like Zach Bowman and Sam Smith, who are deeply involved in automotive projects such as Dirt Hammer. Zack also recounts a camping trip where they borrow a neighbor's meticulously restored E-Type Jaguar and a Mustang GT350 clone.

  Notable Quote:

  Zack Klapman (23:22): "We did our crossover comparison... It feels so much lighter on its feet when the ground is a little bit firmer."

4. Purchasing a Mustang GT350: Impulse vs. Informed Decisions

Timestamp: [24:19] – [35:58]

The hosts delve into the discussion around potentially purchasing a Mustang GT350. Zack describes the enthusiasm from friends urging him to buy the car, leading to tentative steps towards ownership.

• Friend Recommendations:
  Both Zack and Matt receive high praise from automotive-savvy friends, reinforcing their interest in the GT350.

  Notable Quote:

  Zack Klapman (27:36): "But it is, Matt. It is how that works..."

• Financial Considerations:
  While Matt expresses excitement about the car, he also acknowledges the hefty price tag, balancing the urge to purchase with practical financial awareness.

  Notable Quote:

  Matt Farah (30:03): "It's probably one of those things that's, like, worth that... but it's expensive, so we have to back away from that situation."

• Practicality vs. Passion:
  The conversation shifts to the practicality of owning high-performance cars amidst uncertain financial times, highlighting the tension between automotive passion and fiscal responsibility.

5. Q&A Segment: Listener Questions and Expert Insights

Timestamp: [35:58] – [99:43]

The hosts address various listener-submitted questions, providing in-depth answers and personal insights on a range of automotive topics:

• Converting Old SUVs to Overlanders:
  Discussion on the viability and benefits of turning first-generation German SUVs into Overlanders compared to traditional choices like Jeeps or Land Cruisers.

• Midlife Crisis vs. Career Growth Car Purchases:
  Exploration of the psychological motivations behind significant car purchases, distinguishing between impulsive midlife crises and thoughtful acquisitions after career advancements.

  Notable Quote:

  Zach Klapman (59:48): "It's not thought out if someone buys a bad. If someone chooses a bad car, that usually is not something they..."

• Gender Diversity in the Auto Industry:
  Reflection on how increased female leadership and input could influence car design and the overall automotive industry's evolution.

  Notable Quote:

  Matt Farah (98:21): "But I genuinely think if you go and... then there'd be some really much better storage solutions."

• Favorite 7/10 Cars:
  The hosts share their favorite moderately rated cars that offer redeeming qualities despite not being top-tier performers.

• Supercars and Tariffs:
  Debate on whether certain foreign cars would still be worth purchasing despite a hypothetical 25% tariff increase, considering global parts sourcing and market dynamics.

6. Shoutouts, Sponsor Mentions, and Upcoming Events

Timestamp: [99:43] – [107:38]

Throughout the episode, Matt and Zack extend gratitude to their listeners and acknowledge contributions from patrons. They highlight ongoing projects, such as Matt's engagement with DeleteMe for privacy protection and Zack's new custom license plates.

• Upcoming 1000th Episode Live Recording:
  Announcement of a significant milestone celebration with a live episode featuring multiple guests, scheduled for April 1st.

  Notable Quote:

  Zach Klapman (107:07): "And so I'm gonna call the show because of it... Thanks, everybody. We love you all. See you next time."

• Community Engagement:
  Encouragement for listeners to engage through Patreon, submit questions, and participate in future events like Car Conventions and Watches Collaborations.

7. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with Matt and Zack reflecting on their discussions, expressing excitement for future projects, and teasing upcoming content for the 1000th episode. They reiterate their appreciation for the community's support and encourage continued listener participation.

Noteworthy Highlights:

• EV Reliability and Software: Matt's Taycan experience underscores the advancements and occasional glitches in modern EV technology.

• Passion for Automotive Projects: Both hosts demonstrate a deep commitment to automotive culture, from rallying to classic car restoration.

• Community and Collaboration: The episode emphasizes the importance of community support, listener engagement, and collaborative projects in the automotive podcast space.

Listen and Subscribe:
Stay updated with Matt Farah and Zack Klapman's latest discussions on automotive news, projects, and more by subscribing to The Smoking Tire on YouTube and following them on Twitter (@thesmokingtire) and Instagram (@thesmokingtire, @fakezackklapman).

Note: This summary intentionally omits sponsor advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections as per the request.