In Wheel Time Podcast

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Pikes Peak On A Budget? The Apexocet! Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Richard Tomlin shows up with the kind of racing story that makes you laugh first and then take notes: he ran Pikes Peak against teams with mind-blowing budgets, qualified into the “Hella Fast 15,” and still had his day complicated by a throwout bearing that was supposed to be the safe, new upgrade. We talk through what failed, how much time it cost, and why finishing still matters when the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is basically a stress test for every part you bolt to the car. If you love grassroots motorsports, hill climbs, and real-world problem solving, this one hits home.
Then we shift from mountain racing to what keeps a high-performance shop moving in the Texas heat. Richard walks us through current builds and restorations, plus a preview of Wheels, Watches, and Whiskey near Bryan. From there, we get into practical summer automotive maintenance that can prevent overheating: cleaning the AC condenser and radiator stack, checking coolant and hoses, and the classic emergency move of turning the heater on full blast to buy yourself time to get off the road safely. It’s unglamorous advice, but it’s the kind that saves engines.
Jeff brings the car culture debate with a rumored four-door Camaro and what GM might be planning in the performance sedan space, including design cues, tech choices, and potential powertrains. And because summer isn’t over yet,

Marrs closes with five camping destinations within two hours of Houston, from Brazos Bend State Park and Lake Livingston to Galveston Island State Park, Stephen F. Austin State Park, and Double Lake Recreation Area.

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Four-Door Camaro? | Ram 1500 | Auto History | Driving Destinations | Lexus IS 350 Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

A four-door Camaro sounds like a joke until you look at the space it could fill. We kick things off by unpacking the latest reports and AI-style renderings that imagine Chevrolet bringing the Camaro name back as a performance fastback sedan. We talk through why it would be a massive break from Camaro tradition, and why GM might still do it if they want a true halo car that sits beneath the Corvette and doesn’t step entirely on Cadillac’s toes. Then we get into the details that matter to car people: possible rear-drive underpinnings, the engine menu that could range from a turbo four to a twin-turbo V6, and the spicy “what if” of Blackwing-level supercharged V8 power.
Next, we shift from speculation to seat time with a detailed look at the 2026 Ram 1500 Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4. We run through the luxury-truck checklist (leather, real wood, massaging seats, big screens, premium audio) and the numbers that decide the purchase (Hurricane HO inline-six output, towing and payload, real-world MPG, and how an $86K as-tested sticker changes the conversation).
We wrap with two palate cleansers: five camping destinations within two hours of Houston for one last summer escape, and a quick tour of auto history that connects early risk-taking to today’s engineering. Finally, Don breaks down why the 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport still works as a daily sport sedan, with refreshed styling, better infotainment, and a proven naturally aspirated V6. If you enjoy smart car talk that mixes news, reviews, and road-trip ideas, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review.

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Buying Your First Collector Car Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

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What Would You Drive 3,200 Miles For? Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

cross-country rally doesn’t have to cost a supercar budget, and Doug Demore is proof. We sit down with the Long Haul Rally founder to talk about building a Corvette-focused coast-to-coast road trip from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to Monterey, California, with a cap of 100 cars and a plan that prioritizes safety and fun over racing.
Doug breaks down what drivers actually want to know before committing: who’s eligible (C1 through C8), how the route uses optional app-based checkpoints, and why those stops can act as both a “go see something cool” nudge and a real safety measure. We also dig into the unglamorous but critical stuff like run-flat tire realities, what happens when someone has a blowout, and how a chase vehicle with tools and spare wheel and tire setups can keep the group moving.
Then we shift gears into practical ownership. Jeff’s Motor Minute delivers a straightforward summer car maintenance checklist: fluids, tire pressure, belts, wipers, and service intervals that keep road trips from turning into tow-truck stories.

Don also reviews the 2026 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited, including real-world fuel economy (47.7 mpg over 404 miles), interior usability, pricing, and how it stacks up as a commuter and college-ready hybrid sedan.
Subscribe for more smart car talk, share this with a friend planning a road trip, and leave a review so more drivers can find us.

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Seat Belt Recalls, Surprise Auction Prices, And A Fresh Look At The 2026 Lexus IS350 F Sport Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

Your next car might not be chosen by you or even by the dealer, and that’s just one of the wild threads we pull this week. We kick things off with a fast, practical run through key automotive recalls, including a massive RAM pickup recall tied to a seat belt anchor issue, plus Jeep wheel concerns, Land Rover rearview camera trouble, and a Ford Bronco fire-risk note. If you like staying ahead of safety issues, this is the kind of recap that can save real headaches.
Then we have some fun with our sold car roundup guessing game, and it turns into an unexpected lesson in classic car values. We throw out guesses, compare notes with our regulars, and react in real time as everything from a 1964 Buick Wildcat convertible to a rare Volvo 1800 finds its number. The moment that really flips the table is the 2001 Aston Martin DB7 V12, because the badge says “big money,” but the final price says “welcome to the cost of ownership.”
We also share our take on the 2026 Lexus IS350 F Sport, from the styling tweaks to the upgraded infotainment and why a naturally aspirated V6 still feels like the right kind of “proven” in a daily driver sports sedan. We wrap with quick hits on the racing calendar, this week in auto history, and headlines that shape the future of the auto industry: AI shopping agents, tariff-driven supply chain pressure, and new interest in emergency door egress rules.

If you enjoy smart car talk that stays grounded in real-world ownership, subscribe, share the show with a car friend, and leave us a review.

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Turn Your F-150 Into A Brick Legally: Ford Secure System Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Someone can steal a modern truck without “hotwiring” anything, and that reality changes what security needs to look like. We sit down with Ford Motor Company’s Ian Grotenhuis to unpack Ford Secure, formally the Ford Security Package, and why Ford is betting on proactive protection instead of alerts that leave you powerless. If you’ve worried about F-150 theft in Texas or anywhere else, this conversation gets specific fast.
We walk through what the package includes for eligible vehicles: theft alerts, access to a 24/7 365 call center, and the headline feature, vehicle start inhibit. Ian explains how it works through the Ford app, the cloud, and the vehicle’s embedded software to disable the powertrain so a thief can’t just drive away, even with access. We also dig into practical questions: what it costs after the included year, the one-time purchase option, which model years can use it, and why Ford adds protections like two-factor authentication around factory reset. Just as important, we ask about safety and learn why the system won’t “brick” a vehicle while it’s moving.
Then we shift gears into the wider car world: Jeff shares news on the end of the Houston Autorama and what it means for local car culture, plus a quick note on BMW cutting jobs amid changing global demand. Don also reviews the redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4, including the GR Sport plug-in hybrid, with notes on styling, cabin layout, real-world efficiency, range expectations, and pricing versus key compact SUV competitors.
If you like smart car talk that’s actually usable, subscribe, share this with a friend who parks outside, and leave us a review with your take: would you pay monthly for built-in vehicle theft prevention?

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The Right Jack | The New RAV4 HPV | Driving Destinations | Lexus IS 350 | Auto History Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

The fastest way to ruin a DIY weekend is getting careless under a car, so we start with something unglamorous but essential: car jacks. We break down what makes a dependable floor jack, why lift points and pinch weld support matter, and how different designs fit different real garages. If you’ve ever fought low ground clearance or wondered whether a combo bottle jack and jack stand is worth it, we give you a clear way to think about safety features, lift range, lever effort, and portability.
Then we jump into new-car territory with a close look at the redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4, including the GR Sport plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive. We talk styling updates, interior usability, cargo practicality, and the real benefit of electric-only miles when you can charge at home or work. We also get honest about price, trims, and the competing plug-in hybrid SUVs shoppers cross-shop most.
For a change of pace, our driving destinations segment turns Houston’s flood control system into a surprisingly fun tour: Addicks Reservoir, Barker Reservoir, Buffalo Bayou, Terry Hershey Park, and a big-picture view from the San Jacinto Monument. We wrap with quick automotive history highlights and a second review, the 2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport, including its updated infotainment and a naturally aspirated V6 that feels refreshingly proven.
If you like practical car advice, honest reviews, and road stories with real-world value, subscribe, share this with a fellow car person, and leave us a quick rating or review.

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Hybrids Beat EVs When Real Life Gets Involved Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Hybrids just pulled ahead of EVs in California, and the reasons are a lot more practical than political. We talk through the real-world mix of fuel prices, model availability, and day-to-day convenience that’s pushing drivers toward gasoline-electric hybrids, even in the biggest EV market in the country. If you’ve been trying to decide between an EV, a plug-in hybrid, and a regular hybrid, we lay out the factors that actually change the experience: road trip frequency, charging access, safety and comfort when traveling at night, and what “range anxiety” looks like when you’re on a tight schedule.
We also get candid about the driving feel of modern powertrains. Turbo lag isn’t just a nerdy complaint, it can be a real issue in city traffic when you need immediate response. We connect the dots between fuel economy regulations, the rise of small turbo engines, and why some vehicles feel seamless while others hesitate. Then we dig into the longer-term question: how all this complexity affects reliability, maintenance costs, and whether independent mechanics will want to work on these systems as the cars age.
To round it out, we hit the week’s automotive news: Japan earthquake disruptions that can ripple into US-bound trucks and SUVs, the Gordie Howe International Bridge opening amid toll drama, Waymo exploring changes to its robotaxi partnership with Uber, and a wild story about factory workers facing termination over snack bar payment kiosk glitches. If you like car talk that mixes buying advice, engineering reality, and the headlines shaping the industry, you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, share this with a car friend, and leave us a review with your take: hybrid, EV, or something else entirely?

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How SCCA Road Rallies Turn Backroads Into A Puzzle Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

A road rally sounds like racing until you learn the best teams win by thinking, not speeding. We sit down with John Poulos from the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Texas Region to break down what road rally really means: precision driving on public roads, sharp navigation, and a driver-navigator team solving a moving puzzle while trying not to miss a turn.
We dig into the different “flavors” of SCCA road rallies, from time speed distance formats to scavenger-hunt style gimmick rallies, then zoom in on a DFW shortest-distance map rally where you do not get a pre-set route. You get a map, a stack of waypoints, and limited planning time to build the most efficient loop, hit every location, and come back with the lowest mileage. We also cover practical details people always ask about: street-legal car requirements, classes based on experience (not car type), odometer calibration, time limits, and how modern GPS rally apps can verify waypoint visits without needing volunteers posted everywhere.
After the rally talk, we pivot into two more listener-favorite segments: Jeff’s Car Culture on choosing the right car jack for your garage (including low-profile and specialty options), and Mike Marrs’ driving destinations that turn Houston’s flood-control engineering into real places you can visit, like Addicks Reservoir, Barker Reservoir, Buffalo Bayou, Terry Hershey Park, and the San Jacinto Monument view.
Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a new kind of car event, and leave a review so more drivers can find the show. What kind of rally or road-trip destination should we tackle next?

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Rapid-Fire Recalls And Real-World Prices Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

Missing gear indicators, brake assist concerns, camera failures, and the kind of recall notice nobody wants to hear: “park it outside.” We move fast through this week’s car recalls across brands, then slow down just enough to talk about what they mean in real life, like how a simple display issue can become a safety problem, and why battery and motor overheating warnings deserve immediate attention.
Next, we turn Hemmings auction results into a listener game and let the market humble us. We guess sold prices on a low-mile 1994 Corvette convertible, a 1969 Camaro Z28 tribute, a modified big-block 1966 Corvette, a first-year 1964 and a half Mustang, and even a 2000 Aston Martin DB7 that looks far more expensive than it sells for. Along the way, we unpack why classic car values swing so hard based on documentation, originality, tasteful upgrades, rust, and the simple question every buyer should ask: “Is it actually ready to drive?”
We also share our cruise-in and events calendar around the Houston area, then hit the week’s automotive news: a Waymo robotaxi incident that proves “driverless” can still mean “watched,” data showing online dealer service scheduling beats phone calls, AI changing how people research cars under $45,000, EV range anxiety fading, and tariffs and USMCA-style trade rules looming over North American manufacturing.
Subscribe for weekly car talk, share this with a friend who loves auctions and auto news, and leave us a review with the one recall or sold price you want us to cover next.

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