The Avants Podcast

Sometimes the smallest parts create the biggest headaches. This week we start with a simple problem: a tiny plastic clip on Nick's Ranger Raptor that's attached to a part Ford only wants to sell as a complete assembly. That turns into a conversation about junkyard hunting, cross-referencing parts between different vehicles, and how a little creativity can save you hundreds of dollars. From there we dive into roll racing, Corvette E-Rays, and why modern hybrids are starting to surprise even hardcore car enthusiasts. We also spend some time talking about one of the biggest issues facing enthusiasts today: right to repair. From Matt Armstrong's Bugatti projects to Harley LiveWires, EV chargers, farm equipment, and even household appliances, we're seeing more examples of manufacturers making repairs harder than they need to be. We also talk road trips as Brian gets ready to head for Yellowstone, the Tetons, and Jackson Hole, why shoulder season might be the best time of year to travel, where we'd go for the ultimate winter road trip, and a few upcoming Avants events around the Pacific Northwest. Plus: iPhone camera problems on motorcycles, moose spotting strategies, snow in the mountains, and the debut of the unofficial Saint Michael rescue stickers. If you’ve been rescued by Michael (like we have many times) and want a sticker, shoot us a message! We’re happy to meet up and hand a few off. As always, don't just get there. Enjoy the drive. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

This week started with a simple question: what happens when the next generation doesn't obsess over cars the way we did?   That turned into a surprisingly deep conversation about Ferrari's latest decisions, the exploding collector car market, influencer culture, why Gen Z seems less interested in hypercars, and what that means for the future of automotive enthusiasm. Then Michael stopped by the shop and accidentally gave us the answer.   Cars aren't the point.   They're tools to facilitate adventures.   Whether it's driving a GT3 RS across the state, camping out of a Gen 1 Raptor, mountain biking with friends, teaching your kids to love the outdoors, exploring national parks, building custom projects with a 3D printer, or just finding another excuse to call your buddies and ask, "Want to go do something stupid this weekend?" the vehicle is only part of the story.   We also get into McLarens, monkey bikes multiplying across the Pacific Northwest, e-bike temptations, overlanding gear, collector cars that never get driven, and why some of us still believe the best thing you can do with a special car is put a lot of miles on it.   Because at the end of the day, the memories aren't in the garage. They're out on the road, on the trail, and somewhere between where you started and where you thought you were going.   So grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join us for a conversation about cars, adventures, and why the journey still matters more than the destination.   Don't just get there. Enjoy the drive. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

This week we're joined by returning guest Nathan Muntz, and things get gloriously out of control almost immediately. We start with garage therapy, project bikes, robot vacuums, and Dan's ongoing struggle to get rid of stuff faster than he acquires it. Along the way we stumble into a surprisingly interesting German parking light law, talk about Avants' new SwissTrax partnership, and answer a question about where Dan's Drives disappeared to (hint: https://avants.com/dansdrives). Then Nathan drops by with whiskey, stories, and enough automotive projects to make us feel better about our own. We dive into his collection, including a Land Rover Defender with a fresh Chevy straight-six swap, a growing fleet of rare Muntz Jets, and one of the most unusual support vehicles we've ever discussed: a Volvo military ambulance imported from Sweden that's now hauling race gear and serving as part camper, part toolbox, and part historical artifact. We also talk vintage racing, the challenges of importing parts from overseas, why every project somehow needs an engine swap, and the eternal question every enthusiast faces: Do you need a bigger garage, or fewer cars? Plus: Project bike updates Corks & Cars Off-Road Edition Muntz Jet history and registry stories Volvo race support vehicles Ferrari project car temptations Garage organization failures The growing bird welfare state at Dan's house Car-themed whiskey recommendations As always, it's less about the destination and more about the stories you pick up along the way. Don't just get there. Enjoy the drive. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

This week starts the same way most of our conversations do: standing around a motorcycle asking questions nobody should probably act on. Like, if you're stranded in the woods, can you run fork oil in your engine?     From there we dive into the latest Grom upgrades, small bike obsession, and why Honda Monkeys keep attracting the same kind of people that love Volkswagen buses.   Then it's time for Monterey Car Week. We break down the $40 million Ferrari Luce sale, the Gordon Murray S1, McLaren's return to a manual transmission, the newest Lamborghini Revuelto SV, Spyker's comeback, Aston Martin's latest V12 masterpiece, and all the cars that had everyone talking this year.   We also get into why modern supercars seem to be competing in an aerodynamic body-kit arms race, discuss the rumored Bronco pickup, complain about Ford recalls, and somehow end up talking about Canadian drivers, custom license plates, and why a motorcycle might be the ultimate Monterey transportation solution.   Basically: motorcycles, supercars, questionable automotive decisions, and a healthy amount of sarcasm. Business as usual.   The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!    

This week starts with LASIK recovery updates, an AC/DC road trip to Canada, and a deep dive into why patience continues to be a completely overrated life skill.   Then we get into the important stuff.   Dan talks about the new Iceco fridge setup in the Bronco, why a good portable fridge might be one of the best upgrades for road trips, and a few lessons learned about keeping food cold without killing your battery. There's also some discussion about Wolfbox camera systems, windshield replacements, and the never-ending battle against rock chips.   But the real story of the episode is Nick's latest motorcycle adventure.   After months of trying to convince himself that a KTM 390 Enduro R was the right bike, he finally admits defeat and trades it for... another Honda Grom. We talk about why bigger isn't always better, why so many riders end up back on small bikes, motorcycle endorsement classes, suspension upgrades, aftermarket parts, and how sometimes the bike you should have bought in the first place is the one you end up buying anyway.   We also share a few thoughts on loud exhausts, keeping riding areas open, future Grom projects, and a possible small-bore group ride before the end of the year. Sometimes the smartest automotive decision is admitting your friends were right all along.   Don't just get there. Enjoy the drive.   The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!