The Smoking Tire

Jethro Bovingdon is one of the top automotive journalists working today. He's written for all the big magazines, hosted videos for numerous online platforms, and a host of the Top Gear USA reboot. He can also drive his a** off.
Topics today include how his hypercar testing has gotten repetitive; what he looks for in a car; his greatest drift ever; adventures in the USA; why Matt is wrong about Caterhams; that 996 project; and the scary difference between a fast writer like Jethro and the true driving professionals.
Patreon questions include:
What makes a door handle good or bad?
First time 'Ring rental: manual or automatic?
The best driving route in Europe is...
Why are E39 M5s so expensive (or are they?)
How to prep your vehicle for the rainy season
Carplay in old cars: yay or nay?
The anxiety of owning a fragile car
Did Jethro's name help his career
RHD vs LHD
And more!
Recorded September 25, 2026

https://www.instagram.com/jethrobovingdon
https://www.roadandtrack.com/author/284772/jethro-bovingdon/

Show Notes:
Avants
https://avants.com/tst use code TST for 10% off your membership!
Fitbod'
Get 25% off your Fitbod subscription or try the app FREE for seven days at Fitbod.me/TIRE.

Hims
Ready to reach your goals? Visit hims.com slash tire to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you

DeleteMe
Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/tire and use promo code TIRE at checkout.
Truewerk
Go to https//:truewerk.com/tire and use code tire to get 15% off your first order. TRUEWERK, Built Like It Matters.

Want your question answered? To listen to the episode the day it's recorded? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast
#cars #comedy #podcast
Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Click here for the most honest car reviews out there: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST.

Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Tweet at us!
https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman


Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman review the VW Golf R; what they think about Bentley's new electric SUV, the Torcal; there's an update with the hotrod Porsche Boxster Spyder (and a GT3 order); and Patreon questions include:
F/M/K: McLaren P1, La Ferrari, Porsche 918
What Leno's Law means
Most embarrassing car (besides the Cybertruck)?
Is a cheap $15k race car with blown motor a bad idea?
Yay or nay: Used Lucid Air
Are G8X BMW M3s a boring weekend car?
Will the Highlander EV print money?
Am I insane: I like manuals but not sports cars

Recorded September 24, 2026
Show Notes:
Avants
https://avants.com/tst use code TST for 10% off your membership!
Fitbod'
Get 25% off your Fitbod subscription or try the app FREE for seven days at Fitbod.me/TIRE.

Hims
Ready to reach your goals? Visit hims.com slash tire to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you

DeleteMe
Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/tire and use promo code TIRE at checkout.
Truewerk
Go to https//:truewerk.com/tire and use code tire to get 15% off your first order. TRUEWERK, Built Like It Matters.

Want your question answered? To listen to the episode the day it's recorded? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast
#cars #comedy #podcast
Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Click here for the most honest car reviews out there: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST.

Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Tweet at us!
https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman


Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Matt Farah reviews the new Mercedes AMG GT Pro; Zack Klapman tested the Volvo EX30 Twin Performance; a clutch replacement that costs both arms; and we answer Patreon questions including:
What do you think about fake manual transmissions?
Before you become a car content creator....
Why did the U.S. love JDM cars more than cool UK cars (Carlton, Escort, etc)?
Who pays when a racer/drifter hits another competition?
Non-V8 commuter coupes for under $40k
Teachers that drove cool cars
Are "Porsche people" missing out?
Are BMW's EVs selling as well as we think?
Fun coupes for under $20k
Hot take: ultra-high performance SUVs are stupid
Euro delivery or nah?
And more!
Recorded September 23, 2026
Show Notes:
Avants https://avants.com/tst use code TST for 10% off your membership!
DeleteMe
Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/tire and use promo code TIRE at checkout.
Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/tire #squarepod

Mudflap
Keep more of every dollar you earn, because Mudflap has your back. Sign up at https://Muddy.com/tire and get $100 in free fuel credit after approval.

Casper
Right now, save up to 20% on mattresses when you go to https://casper.com

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST.

Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Tweet at us!
https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman


Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Matt Farah went to Spain to drive the all-new Porsche 911 GT3 S/C and it might be a problem; he also drove 5 Porsche track specials that have small differences that add up to quite a lot; reviewing Waymo's new van.
Patreon questions include:
What percentage of car owners can drive their car at 100%?
Tricky paint that hides size
Why aftermarket seats aren't always the right idea
Upgrade your road car or get a dedicated track beater?
Why do BMXers love VWs?
A fancy SUV that can tow
Recorded September 21, 2026
Show Notes:
Avants
https://avants.com/tst use code TST for 10% off your membership!
DeleteMe
Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/tire and use promo code TIRE at checkout.
Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/tire #squarepod

Mudflap
Keep more of every dollar you earn, because Mudflap has your back. Sign up at https://Muddy.com/tire and get $100 in free fuel credit after approval.

Casper
Right now, save up to 20% on mattresses when you go to https://casper.com

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST.

Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Tweet at us!
https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman


Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Mercedes has built a very special coupe that reminds us of something American; the luxury car market is falling apart; apparently Teslas are more dangerous than their competition; and Patreon questions include:
Is a Lotus as exciting as my supercharged S2000?
Will spyware ruin enthusiast cars?
When a car comparison goes wrong for the OEM
Audi RS3 + 718 GT4 = what?
Automotive underdogs we root for
Waymo dropped me in the middle of the road
Can Porsche solve the sporty EV problem?
Cars we missed the boat on
Getting comfortable on camera
Terrible specs that are hard to sell
Infiniti G37 convertible thoguhts
And more!
Recorded September 11, 2026

Show Notes:
Casper
Right now, save up to 20% on mattresses when you go to https://casper.com

Quince
Find your next fall favorites at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://quince.com/tire Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

AG1
For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at https://DRINK AG1.com/tire.

DeleteMe
Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/tire and use promo code TIRE at checkout.

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST

Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman


Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast

Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST.

Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire

Tweet at us!
https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman


Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire
https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman