Big Jim's Garage podcast with Jim O'Brien

94.7 WCSX
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You know that guy who loves to talk with you about cars and racing? That's Big Jim O'Brien - and you're always welcome to stop by his garage as he hats with some of the biggest names in racing: Mario Andretti, Alexander Rossi, Roger Penske, Bob Seger, Kurt Busch and many more...

  1. 5D AGO

    Minivan That Drives Like a Car? | 2026 Toyota Sienna Review + Mario Andretti on Cadillac Entering Formula 1

    This week on RPM — Reviews, Performance & Motorsports, Jim takes a look at one of the most practical vehicles on the road today… and why it might be the smartest family vehicle you can buy. The 2026 Toyota Sienna continues Toyota’s hybrid-only minivan approach, delivering impressive fuel economy, surprising driving refinement, and the kind of everyday usability most SUVs simply can’t match. Jim breaks down what it’s like behind the wheel, why the Sienna drives more like a car than a traditional van, and why the minivan may be making a quiet comeback. Then we shift gears into global motorsports. With the Formula 1 season kicking off this weekend, Jim revisits his conversation with Mario Andretti from the moment Cadillac was officially approved to join the F1 grid. Andretti talks about the significance of an American manufacturer entering Formula 1, what it means for the sport, and why this could be a major turning point for American racing fans. Two very different machines… one big automotive conversation. On this episode: • 2026 Toyota Sienna driving impressions • Why minivans are quietly making a comeback • Hybrid performance and real-world usability • Mario Andretti on Cadillac entering Formula 1 • What the Cadillac F1 entry could mean for American racing #RPMPodcast #ToyotaSienna #MinivanReview #ToyotaHybrid #MarioAndretti #Formula1 #CadillacF1 #Motorsports #CarReview #AutomotivePodcast #F1 #IndyCarLegend #HybridVehicles #CarCulture #AutoIndustry See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    23 min
  2. “I Finally Won… and It Doesn’t Count” – Parker Kligerman on Daytona Chaos & NASCAR’s O’Reilly Series Kickoff

    FEB 11

    “I Finally Won… and It Doesn’t Count” – Parker Kligerman on Daytona Chaos & NASCAR’s O’Reilly Series Kickoff

    The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series kicks off at Daytona — and Parker Kligerman joins Jim to break it all down. Parker talks about: 🏁 Jesse Love’s championship mentality 🏁 Why Daytona is impossible to “practice” for 🏁 How superspeedway racing has evolved 🏁 Why the moves look wider — but smarter 🏁 The underdog driver to watch 🏁 The weirdest stat of his career: winning twice at Daytona in one year… and only one of them counting 🏁 Should NASCAR end its season at Daytona? Plus — Days of Thunder as a documentary, Talladega Nights takes, and the one car Parker would drive if he could choose anything. Saturday at 5 PM on The CW, the O’Reilly Series starts its season at Daytona. After this conversation, you’ll watch it differently. If you’re watching superspeedway racing this weekend, this is your insider prep. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    11 min

  3. FEB 5

    What's going on in F1 - Chris Medland talks new rules, teams and more

    If you're a fan of #f1 - this season is one of the most compelling in years. The new set of rules harkens back to 2014 - so how are the teams dealing with - what have we learned about the new cars. #F1TV Chris Medland joins me to talk about the pre-season, how our friends at #Cadillac are doing and what type of driver we can expect excel in these new rules. #formula1 #f1 #Cadillac #RedBull #Ferrari #Schumacher #Mercedes See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    29 min

  4. JAN 20

    4Runner Trailhunter, VW Tiguan and Taos PLUS IndyCar Driver Kyffin Simpson and IMSA ace Jack Aitken

    Welcome to the our new RPM (Reviews, Performance and Motorsports) podcast: This week we're talking #Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter, #Volkswagen Taos and Tiguan - then we shift (see what I did there?) to interviews with #IndyCar driver Kyffin Simpson and #IMSA legend and #Cadillac driver Jack Aitken. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    23 min

  5. JAN 13

    CEO of Ram Trucks Tim Kuniskis - Rebel, Trailhawk and Alfa Romeo Reviews

    Welcome to RPM #reviews #performance and #motorsports in Big Jim's Garage - something new for 2026. This episode we talk with #RAM Trucks CEO Tim Kuniskis about their truck program and Tony Stewart driving for them at Daytona. Then our focus turns to three #Stellantis vehicles from 2025 that really made an impression. The RAM 1500 Rebel Crew Cab 4x4 - the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe and the Alfa Romeo Tonale AWD. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    14 min

  6. 12/14/2025

    2025 Year in Review - Part 3 (Performance, Trucks and Fun Machines)

    Wrapping up the year in review with everything from the Toyota GR86 Hakone, GR Corolla to Hyundai Santa Cruz and Maserati Grecale See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    12 min

  7. 12/03/2025

    2025 Year In Review of Reviews: SUV & Crossover Showdown — The Best Luxury, Family, and Adventure Rides of 2025–2026

    Welcome to Episode 2 of the year-end in review series — the SUV & Crossover Showdown, where we break down the best luxury SUVs, family haulers, off-road crossovers, and daily drivers from the past 12 months of test drives. If it seats five, seven, or makes you rethink switching to a truck, it’s in here. This episode covers some of the most important and competitive segments in the automotive world, featuring in-depth impressions, performance notes, and real-world takeaways from Big Jim's test-drive log. Vehicles featured include: LUXURY SUVS • 2025 Maserati Grecale Modena — Italian emotional buying at its finest • 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige — still the value king of luxury • 2026 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige (sedan comparison piece) • 2025 Lexus LX 700h Overtrail — luxury meets old-school off-road muscle 3-ROW FAMILY SUVS • 2026 Mazda CX-90 S Premium Plus • 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT AWD • 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition • 2025 Lexus TX 500h F Sport AWD (optional segment placement) MID-SIZE / ADVENTURE CROSSOVERS • 2025 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition • 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy • 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited COMPACT CROSSOVERS • 2025 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD SUV / TRUCK CROSSOVER • 2025 Toyota Tundra TRD Rally Across the episode, Jim breaks down why some of these SUVs punch above their price point, which ones outperform their reputations, and where luxury brands and mainstream brands are starting to overlap. You’ll hear insights like: “Maserati sells a feeling — this is an emotional buy.”“Genesis keeps punching way above its weight.”“Mazda isn’t ‘budget’ anymore — they’re coming after BMW.”“This is the SUV I’d recommend to 90% of families.”EPISODE STRUCTURE: Segment 1 — Luxury Throwdown Segment 2 — The Family Room on Wheels Segment 3 — Adventure & Everyday Crossovers Segment 4 — Rugged Specials If you’re shopping for a luxury SUV, a family three-row, or something that can get muddy on the weekends, this is the episode to hear before you buy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    17 min

  8. 12/02/2025

    2025 Year in Review: EV & Electrified Performance Roundup — ID. Buzz, Ioniq 5 N, CX-90 PHEV, Lexus TX 500h & More

    Jim O’Brien breaks down the biggest EV and electrified vehicles heading into 2025 and 2026 in this year-end RPM roundup. From performance EVs to family hybrids, this episode gives you a clean, fact-based look at what matters — with real specs, real impressions, and the Jim “seat-time” angle for Michigan drivers. Featured EVs: • 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S Plus 4MOTION — $67,995, dual-motor AWD, 91-kWh pack, ~260 miles of range, first U.S. long-wheelbase Microbus revival. • 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N — $66,100, 641 hp in boost mode, performance EV with N Sound and “fake shift” tech, 0–60 in the low 3s. • 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT — ~$48K–$52K, rugged adventure trim, new 84-kWh battery, SUV-style cladding for light-off-road families. Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV): • 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus — $58,500, 323 hp, 26-mile EV range, 17.8-kWh pack, rear-drive architecture, 3,500-lb towing. Hybrids (HEV): • 2025 Lexus TX 500h F SPORT AWD — ~ $69K, 366-hp hybrid, DIRECT4 AWD, three-row performance-leaning luxury. • 2025 Lexus ES 350 F SPORT — $48,900, non-hybrid but included for electrified tech comparison. • 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus — ~$41K–$45K, Toyota-sourced hybrid system, 38–40 mpg, first hybrid CX-50. • 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD — ~$47K–$49K, 36 mpg, dramatic redesign with boxy Land Rover-style look. • 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition — ~$55K, not a hybrid in the U.S., included for category comparison. • 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid — ~$44K–$49K, 243-hp hybrid AWD, 39 mpg, first model year and replaces the Venza. Each segment includes: • Verified MSRPs • Powertrain and battery breakdowns • Notable updates for the model year • “Jim Angle” insights on how each vehicle fits Michigan roads, drivers, and daily life If you want a clear, hype-free look at the most important electrified vehicles hitting the road in 2025–26, this episode is your full guide. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    16 min
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About

You know that guy who loves to talk with you about cars and racing? That's Big Jim O'Brien - and you're always welcome to stop by his garage as he hats with some of the biggest names in racing: Mario Andretti, Alexander Rossi, Roger Penske, Bob Seger, Kurt Busch and many more...

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