The Avants Podcast

Avants

Join hosts Dan Putnam and Nick Bergeron as they get to know industry leading guests beyond just what they drive. The Avants Podcast is never scripted and never predictable, but it’s always a good time and full of surprises. You won’t find any boring reviews that sound like reading off a pre-planned info sheet, ”history of” shows that are reworded Wikipedia articles, or advertisements for the next new foam mattress here! The Avants Podcast focuses on making sure guests are always authentic, just like your hosts.

  1. Jun 16

    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!

    41 min
  2. Old Cars and New Adventures with Brian McLean

    Jun 8

    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!

    41 min
  3. May 11

    Brake-by-Wire Is Here… Are We Still Driving?

    The future of driving just took another step away from… driving. BMW is bringing brake-by-wire to production—ditching traditional hydraulic systems in favor of fully electronic control. It’s a big leap forward in technology, but also raises a bigger question: are we slowly being disconnected from the driving experience altogether? EV drivers already rely heavily on regen braking—so does this even matter anymore, or is this the tipping point? Meanwhile, Lucid just dropped a $1B loss, proving once again that building high-end EVs isn’t for the faint of heart (or wallet). Backed by Saudi funding, they’re not going anywhere—but can the next wave, like the Rivian R2, finally deliver the EV breakthrough the market actually needs? On a more hopeful note, Nissan might be back. A new Skyline is on the horizon, and somehow Infiniti could be the one bringing back a proper manual sports sedan. Is this the comeback enthusiasts have been waiting for? And speaking of performance—how fast is fast enough? Dan shares his run at 193 mph in a GT-R, still chasing that elusive 200 mph club. 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!

    44 min
4.9
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

Join hosts Dan Putnam and Nick Bergeron as they get to know industry leading guests beyond just what they drive. The Avants Podcast is never scripted and never predictable, but it’s always a good time and full of surprises. You won’t find any boring reviews that sound like reading off a pre-planned info sheet, ”history of” shows that are reworded Wikipedia articles, or advertisements for the next new foam mattress here! The Avants Podcast focuses on making sure guests are always authentic, just like your hosts.

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