The Avants Podcast

Niche Becomes Normal

This week, Brian Dallas and Megan Zalud join us in the studio for a wide-ranging conversation about how fast the automotive and overland world is changing. Products that used to be reserved for hardcore enthusiasts are suddenly everywhere—and in a lot of cases, they're actually getting better.
We talk about the shift happening across the industry as companies like Wolfbox, Viofo, and others push out surprisingly high-quality gear at prices that would've seemed impossible just a few years ago. From air compressors and vehicle tech to rooftop tents, portable fridges, portal axles, and track conversions, many of the niche products we used to obsess over are now becoming mainstream and more accessible than ever.
Along the way, we discuss what's happening in the overland event scene, why some of the smaller specialty builders seem to be disappearing from major shows, and whether today's wave of affordable manufacturing is creating more competition—or simply changing the rules entirely.
Of course, it wouldn't be an Avants Podcast episode without a few detours. We also swap stories about rooftop tent failures, camping gear, fridges, motorcycles, Jeeps, broken bones, old trucks, and the projects currently taking over our garages.
Is this the golden age of affordable adventure gear? We dive into that and a whole lot more on this week's episode.
 
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 
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Detune It or Send It Featuring Brian Elich!

Our good friend Brian Elich is back on the show, and we’re catching up the only way we know how—talking cars and bad financial decisions. This time around we get into trade-ins, specifically whether it actually makes sense to de-tune your car before handing over the keys. The answer? It depends… and probably not how you’d hope.
Brian’s been busy since the last time he was on, so we run through his latest additions (none of them boring, obviously), and then jump into what’s happening in the market right now. We talk about the slow death of the V10—and why it’s probably not coming back—plus Corvette casually smashing the Pikes Peak production record with the ZR1X.
We also get into the totally-not-controversial Nitro Circus America situation, relive some of the worst mods we’ve ever done, and talk about how we somehow ended up loving cars we don’t even want to touch anymore.
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!
 

Riding, Driving, and Flying with Pete Nielson

This week we had the pleasure of meeting our new friend Pete Nielson! Pete had messaged on the show about a few great topics and took us up on our offer to have him swing by and hang out on the show. Little did we know Pete has had one heck of life of riding motorcycles, racing cars, working on race teams, and working with the aerospace industry. 
Nick brings us this weeks question of the week: What mod do you regret doing and why? 
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!

The Useless Tire Regulation Nobody Asked For

This week we’re talking tires—and no, not just the dangerously tempting Avants member deals you should be taking advantage of! 
California is rolling out a new tire efficiency regulation that’s already stirring up debate across the auto world. On paper, it’s about improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. In reality, it could significantly reshape what tires you can actually buy and make you buy more of them. A lot more. 
The rule centers around rolling resistance—basically how much energy your tires waste as they roll down the road. Under the proposed program, replacement tires sold in California will need to meet stricter efficiency standards, similar to the low rolling resistance tires that come on new cars from the factory. 
Here’s where it gets interesting:
Tires that don’t meet the standard may no longer be legal to sell in the state.
The regulation is expected to roll out in phases starting around January 1, 2028. 
It applies to most passenger vehicle and light truck replacement tires, with some exemptions (like certain off-road or low-volume tires). 
The goal is improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions, with "projected" cost savings for drivers over time (hint: that won't happen).
Critics argue this could reduce tire choice, especially for enthusiasts, and potentially push the market toward a narrower set of approved options. Some also raise concerns about cost, availability, and how these efficiency-focused tires balance performance factors like grip and longevity.
So what does it actually mean for drivers? Fewer options, more regulation—and a lot of unanswered questions about how it’ll play out in the real world.
We break it all down, what’s fact vs. speculation, and whether this is a meaningful step forward… or just another case of California virtue signaling with no actual beneficial impact.  
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!

Old Cars and New Adventures with Brian McLean

What happens when you buy a vintage Ferrari in Italy, drive it through the Alps in August with failing alternators, and then rally it to Monterey Car Week? Naturally… you plan on doing it again.
This week on the Avants Podcast, Dan and Nick sit down with Brian McLean — a man who believes old cars are meant to be driven, not hidden away in climate-controlled garages. From a long-wheelbase Rolls-Royce Shadow to a manual V12 Ferrari 400i, Brian shares stories of cross-country breakdowns, roadside repairs, sketchy one-way flights, questionable financial choices, and why the best automotive adventures usually begin with, “This is probably a bad idea.”
The crew dives into:
Driving vintage cars thousands of miles on rallies and road trips
Buying a Ferrari sight unseen in Italy
Why old cars aren’t unreliable — deferred maintenance is
Rally culture, road-trip philosophy, and building the next generation of enthusiasts
Fuel leaks in Nevada, seized bearings in Nebraska, and why every adventure needs a backup plan
Pop-up headlights, oddball wagons, V12 obsessions, and the joy of weird cars
It’s equal parts automotive therapy session, comedy show, and reminder that the destination is never the point — the drive is.
As always: Don’t just get there… enjoy the drive.
Our question of the week: What old car do you want to take on a rally adventure?
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!

The New FAILRRARI Leaf

In this episode of The Avants Podcast, Dan and Nick cover everything from road trip chaos to the dismal launch of the Ferrari Leaf, we mean Luce. 
Nick shares a quick getaway to Vancouver Island that turns into a four-hour border detention saga (yes, really), while Dan recaps time spent as a temporary food delivery person during a hospital stay and discovering one of the best burgers he’s ever had in Seattle.
From there, the conversation shifts back to cars. They break down real-world lessons from off-road and motorcycle ownership—including why something as simple as using Loctite can save you from catastrophic failures. Need help deciding on which threadlocker to use? Bookmark this page! https://www.permatex.com/threadlockers/ 
The episode also dives into the latest automotive news, including new EV trends, upcoming trucks, and a brutally honest reaction to Ferrari’s controversial new bomb.
Plus, shout-outs to the Avants community, highlights from recent car events, and a discussion around where the industry is headed—both the good and the questionable.
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!

Forza 6 Fever, Filson Broncos, and an Oil Crunch Coming?

It’s that time again—Forza Horizon 6 has officially dropped, and somehow it’s even better than the hype. Nick is now in the market for a new Xbox, while Dan is fully locked in—couch-bound and completely obsessed. And honestly? It’s justified. The latest Forza is absolutely stunning and might just be one of the best arcade racing experiences we’ve ever seen.
On the automotive side, Ford unveils the new Filson Edition Bronco—a collaboration that feels like a perfect match of rugged capability and outdoor style. It may not be the classic Eddie Bauer partnership, but it definitely brings its own kind of legacy energy.
Meanwhile, things are getting interesting in the world of oil. With several retailers warning about a potential shortage, DIY enthusiasts might want to stock up sooner rather than later—Costco runs might be in your near future.
 
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!

Overhyped!

OVERHYPED! No, not us, we're pretty self aware. It's why we cry in the shower. In this episode we're talking about overrated cars. Not cars we hate, but cars we actually love, but still think are overrated like the Vector W8, the Jaguar XJ220, the Jeep Wrangler, and several classic cars. Are they bad cars? Not at all, and we want all of them in our garages, but the comprises these cars come with or came with are pretty hard to ignore. What's on your list? 
On the life side of things, Nick and Kate picked up a new car, and we’ve gotta give another shoutout to our friends at Carter Subaru for hooking that up. Nick also spent some time in the new S5 this week, which is fully wrapped in STEK, so at least it’s surviving this absolute mess of weather—sun, rain, pollen, and whatever else the trees feel like throwing at it.
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!