Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – "When is a Car Too Perfect?; No Bubble Wrapping; Theon 911 Restomod"

Release Date: May 14, 2025
Hosts: Matt Farah and Zack Klapman
Episode Duration: Approximately 1 hour 51 minutes

1. Introduction and Episode Overview

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman kick off the episode by setting the stage for a deep dive into several automotive topics. They outline the key areas of discussion, including a review of the Theon Design Porsche 911 Restomod, insights into car auctions, the debate between maintaining low-mileage vehicles versus enjoying driven cars, and the potential setup of an outdoor studio for car shoots.

2. Theon Design Porsche 911 Restomod Review

[60:57] Matt Farah: "We had to hold it because there was some sort of embargo. If you're on the audio, this will be pretty seamless. But if you're in the video, my wardrobe is about to change."

Matt and Zack discuss their experience driving the Theon Design Porsche 911 Restomod, a reinterpretation of the classic Porsche 911. The car features a 4-liter air-cooled motor producing 400 horsepower, a 6-speed gearbox, and a lightweight carbon body.

Key Points:

• Interior Modifications: The restomod boasts reworked 964 seats, offering enhanced comfort but deviating from the original design aesthetic.

  Matt Farah: "It has a dual exhaust, which doesn't provide the same rasp as a center exhaust typical of a 964."

• Performance Modes: The car is equipped with four drive modes—comfort, sport, sport with throttle blip, and race. However, Matt notes issues with the throttle blip feature, causing unintended acceleration during downshifts.

  Matt Farah: "If you wanted to go from five to four, it didn't blip it correctly, causing the car to jerk forward."

• Build Quality: While the carbon body and assembly quality are praised, certain customization choices, like the SEMA-style switches, are critiqued for lacking functionality and labeling.

  Matt Farah: "The buttons are not labeled, making it frustrating to use compared to brands like Pagani, where each switch is clearly marked."

Conclusion: Theon Design's restomod offers a blend of classic Porsche elements with modern enhancements. However, some customization choices may not align with purist preferences, affecting the overall driving experience.

3. Car Auctions and Bidding Strategies

Discussion Focus: The hosts delve into the dynamics of car auctions, examining the roles of professional sellers versus private sellers, and the impact of vehicle mileage on auction outcomes.

Key Insights:

• Professional Sellers' Advantages: Professional sellers simplify the process, saving buyers time and potentially fetching higher prices compared to private sellers.

  Zack Klapman: "Professional sellers make the process easier, save time and energy, and ultimately bring more money."

• Buyer Behavior: Many auction participants are willing to gamble by bidding without extensive inspections, relying on trust and the auction's reputation.

  Matt Farah: "People buy cars at auction without doing a PPI locally, trusting their ability to drive it home or handle minor issues."

• Impact of Mileage: Vehicles with extremely low mileage often command higher prices, but this can be misleading if the car hasn't been properly maintained or is subject to excessive depreciation.

  Matt Farah: "Low-mileage cars bring in more money but often require expensive services to remain operational."

• Psychology of Collectors: The desire to own a pristine vehicle can lead to behaviors where the potential financial loss is overshadowed by the car's perceived prestige.

  Zach Klapman: "If you're assuming you'll lose money, it's freeing. Many don't want to drive their cars to preserve value, missing out on the joy of ownership."

Notable Quote:
Matt Farah [07:28]: "I think people don't like cars that are like 95% perfect. The reaction is sort of, why didn't you go all the way."

4. Low Mileage vs. Driven Cars: Investment and Enjoyment

The conversation shifts to evaluating whether maintaining a car in near-perfect condition or allowing it to accumulate some wear offers greater enjoyment and financial sense.

Key Points:

• Depreciation vs. Enjoyment: While low-mileage cars may appreciate in value, driven cars provide tangible enjoyment without significant financial loss.

  Matt Farah: "Most of the time, you can't make money on a car purchase unless you're dealing with seven or eight-figure vehicles."

• Cost of Maintenance: Cars kept in pristine condition still incur costs related to insurance, storage, and regular maintenance, which could be invested elsewhere for potential higher returns.

  Zach Klapman: "You might be leaving good money on the table by keeping a car in bubble wrap instead of enjoying it."

• Collector Mentality: Some enthusiasts prefer low-mileage vehicles to maximize resale value, but this often leads to neglecting the car's use and enjoyment.

  Matt Farah: "Cars like the Ferrari 328 with 40,000 miles offer a balance between low mileage and usability."

notable Quote:
Zach Klapman [35:29]: "How awesome would it be to have, like, the most depreciated F40?"

5. Building an Outdoor Studio for Car Shoots

[22:06] Matt Farah: "Down in Gardena, we have all this wall, all that gray. All the cars, we're shooting so many cars now for these auctions."

Matt and Zack explore the idea of setting up an outdoor studio with varied backdrops (white, ivy, gray) to enhance the visual appeal of their car shoots. They discuss practical considerations like lighting, wear and tear on materials, and the aesthetics of the setup.

Key Considerations:

• Variety of Backdrops: Incorporating elements like ivy and white sails to create different visual settings.

  Matt Farah: "Real ivy in one area, a white sail in another for diffused light."

• Maintenance: Outdoor materials are subject to weathering, requiring regular upkeep to maintain appearance.

  Zach Klapman: "The white sail would need to be power-washed regularly to keep it clean."

• Aesthetic Balance: Ensuring the studio setup complements the cars without appearing out of place to visitors.

  Matt Farah: "I just wouldn't want it to look weird when customers are driving up and be like, what's all this wonky shit."

6. Listener Questions and Discussions

Throughout the episode, Matt and Zack address various listener-submitted questions and topics, providing expert opinions and engaging in animated discussions.

Highlighted Discussions:

• Human Capital Terminology:
  Matt Farah: Critiques the use of "human capital" in corporate jargon, emphasizing the importance of respecting individuals beyond viewing them as mere resources.

• Drive Modes in Cars:
  Listener Query: Difficulty in perceiving differences between drive modes in terms of ride and handling.
  Hosts' Insight: Drive modes often don't correlate with suspension adjustments unless paired with adaptive systems. Recommended vehicles like the Corvette with Z51 package for noticeable differences.

  Zack Klapman: "Car models with Mag Ride Suspension offer more drastic differences between modes."

• Pronunciation of "Taycan":
  Matt Farah: Clarifies it’s pronounced "Tay-can," occasionally humorously mispronouncing it as "taycan."

• Modern Tires and Lap Times:
  **Discussion on how advanced tires can dramatically reduce lap times, citing the Carrera GT's Nurburgring performance improvement with new tires.

  Matt Farah: "The Carrera GT shaved 16 seconds off its lap time with new tires."

• Choosing Cars for New Drivers:
  Listener Query: Advising against a 2013 WRX as a first car for a learner's permit holder.
  Hosts' Recommendation: Suggesting safer alternatives like the Subaru Crosstrek without a turbo and with a manual transmission.

  Matt Farah: "They should have something practical for the wife and kids, but halfway fun for me."

7. Closing Remarks and Future Topics

As the episode wraps up, Matt and Zack briefly touch upon upcoming content and express gratitude towards their audience and patrons. They hint at future discussions, including updates on electric vehicles like the Taycan and potential product giveaways.

Notable Points:

• Future Content: Plans to review the six-month update of the Taycan and explore more about dash cams and their integration into modern vehicles.

  Matt Farah: "The six-month update of the Taycan is coming up. How are the haptic controls now?"

• Community Engagement: Encouragement for listeners to engage via Patreon for exclusive content, early access, and participation in giveaways.

Conclusion

This episode of The Smoking Tire offers a comprehensive exploration of automotive enthusiasm, balancing technical reviews with insightful discussions on car ownership philosophies. Matt and Zack provide valuable perspectives for both seasoned collectors and everyday car enthusiasts, emphasizing the importance of enjoyment over purely financial considerations in car ownership.

Key Takeaways:

• Enjoyment vs. Investment: Prioritizing the joy of driving over attempting to preserve a car's value.
• Professional vs. Private Selling: Understanding the benefits and limitations of each approach in car auctions.
• Customization Insights: The impact of customization choices on car performance and aesthetic appeal.

Notable Quotes for Reflection:

• Matt Farah: "Don't expect to make money on a car purchase unless you're dealing with seven or eight-figure vehicles."
• Zach Klapman: "If you assume you're going to lose money, it's freeing."

For more detailed reviews and discussions, visit The Smoking Tire's YouTube Channel.

Follow Matt and Zack on Twitter @thesmokingtire and @fakezackklapman for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.