The Avants Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Would You Buy New or Upgrade Older? Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

We welcome back Brian Elich for some shop talk around buying a previous gen vehicle and upgrading or buying new with all the options. It's a huge price difference, but is the peace of mind worth it? Dan goes and checks out the new GX550 and still thinks you should probably just buy a Raptor.

We Hate Haptic Feedback Buttons and So Should You Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

On this episode we discuss the the new car reveals that worth looking at from Monterey, an automatic noise ordinance camera tickets a car with a stock exhaust, Drivers Assistance features are proven to not actually help, a designer at Audi proves they have apparently never driven a car before, and how the tires on your new truck can easily get out of balance in spite of how angry you make people on a forum.

Enjoy the Magic of Pistons and PixieDust! Aug 26, 2024

Show notes

This week we get the always impressive Faye Hadley on the show! Not just an extremely skilled automotive tech and educator she is also the co-host of MotorTrend’s All Girls Garage, and the featured mechanic on MotorTrend’s Motor Mythbusters series. You can hear all about how Faye got here, her PNW connections, and her love of chickens! Follow along with Faye here!

www.youtube.com/fayehadley www.instagram.com/pistonsandpixiedust/ www.tiktok.com/@fayehadleyofficial www.facebook.com/pistonsandpixiedust www.pistonsandpixiedust.com

A Disco Party With Golden Rovers! Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

If you've got a Land Rover Discovery, we've got the show for you! Our friends Daniel and Emily join us to talk about their company Golden Rovers who specialize in essential accessories for Land Rovers. Emily and Daniel were famously the friends of ours who hydro locked their Land Rover discovery while out playing on Stampede Pass with us and then immediately started an LS Swap. They have also helped volunteer for Avants Off-Road days and are always out there supporting the community, so next time you see them be sure to say hello!

A Blue Ribbon Kind of Episode Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

Do you like forest service roads? Do you like doing anything off-road? Do you like dispersed camping? Then you should be supporting the Blue Ribbon Coalition. It's hard to believe how much access we have lost to beautiful lands, and the only people really making a difference to keep our access is the Blue Ribbon Coalition. We strongly believe in treading lightly, packing it in and packing it out, and even want higher fines to people who abuse land, but a lack of management is not land management! Unfortunately we're losing the battle and we need your help. The best way to do that is by supporting the Blue Ribbon Coalition.

You can read more about and support the Blue Ribbon Coalition here: https://www.sharetrails.org/

From Mendocino to Happy Camp - The Best Roads You've Never Driven Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

The best driving roads aren’t the same things as the best roads. The best road in the country is Highway 12 in Utah, but the best driving road is almost every road in far northern California. Dan discusses his epic R8 road trip, Nick discusses CRF450 sales, Ranger Raptor warranty repairs, and more on this week’s Shop Talk episode.

Ryan ZumMallen Creates Car Books About People Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

We always say the Avants Podcast is a car show about people so it made perfect sense to have someone like Ryan ZumMallen on as a guest since he creates car books about people. Ryan tells us about his publishing company Carrara Books and talks more about the book everyone should own, Cult of GTR.

The New Kitch on the Block, Siena Kitch! Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

This week the newest member of the ProFormance Racing School joins us in the studio, Siena Kitch! Siena is a proud chip of the Kitch block and has been basically living and breathing the automotive racing world since the day she was born. She's smart, funny, and a great guest we know you'll love to hear!

Check out ProFormance on Instagram and TikTok to see all of the latest content.

Be sure to check out our Avants Track Days at ProFormance!

https://proformanceracingschool.com/events/

R8 Track Days, New 911 Hybrid Doesn't Suck, and That New RS6 Avant GT Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

The R8 heads to its proper home at the track next month, Porsche lets the media judge it's new hybrid, and that new RS6 Avant GT is HOT!

Check out our friends at STEK USA! https://www.stek-usa.com/

Need the perfect vehicle for the PNW and beyond? Go see our friends at Carter Automotive group! https://www.carterseattle.com/

The Ranger Raptor Arrives! Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

It finally happened! Nick got the new and Ranger Raptor and it lives up to all the hype. When it comes to factory capable trucks, Ford really set the bar with the F150 and we think they truly did it again with the Ranger. With less than 600 miles on the odometer, we put Nick’s new baby to the test by taking it over Stampede and up WABDR Section 2!

Special thanks to Hailee Lehtinen for making this deal happen for Nick!