April 14, 2025

Hot Rod Tour of Texas: Revving Up for 300+ Cars and Coastal Adventures

Hot Rod Tour of Texas: Revving Up for 300+ Cars and Coastal Adventures
Hot Rod Tour of Texas: Revving Up for 300+ Cars and Coastal Adventures
In Wheel Time Podcast
Hot Rod Tour of Texas: Revving Up for 300+ Cars and Coastal Adventures
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The road is calling, and the Hot Rod Tour of Texas is answering with an epic 488-mile journey across some of the Lone Star State's most scenic regions. Bobby Sparkman and Jeremy Taylor join us to unveil their meticulously crafted route for the tour's fourth year, which has already attracted over 300 classic car enthusiasts for the sold-out event.

Starting in Victoria (the self-proclaimed "best kept secret in Texas"), participants will enjoy a unique garage crawl through five local automotive businesses before kicking off the evening with live music from The Crowbars in the downtown square. From there, the adventure truly begins with a police-escorted departure from historic Riverside Stadium, winding through coastal towns like Port Lavaca and Palacios where shrimping fleets and waterfront vistas create perfect photo opportunities.

The journey continues with exclusive stops at Haak Winery, the Lone Star Flight Museum (complete with flight simulators!), Spindletap Brewery, and the impressive Guitars and Classic Cars venue in Montgomery. Each location offers catered meals, entertainment, and the camaraderie that makes this tour so special. The organizers have thought of everything – from police escorts through small towns to perfectly timed rest stops and even bringing The Crowbars band along to perform at multiple venues.

We also dive into the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, a compelling crossover offering distinctive styling with its angular wheel arches and modern interior. With 268 combined horsepower, 35 MPG efficiency, and up to 30 miles of electric-only range, it represents a strong value at $43,000 as tested – though potential tariffs on Korean-built vehicles may impact future pricing.

Whether you're planning your next automotive adventure or considering a hybrid for your daily commute, this episode delivers insider knowledge from passionate experts who understand what makes cars and driving experiences truly special. Tune in, turn up, and let's

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

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00:00 - Hot Rod Tour of Texas Preview

08:42 - Tour Plans and Destinations

17:12 - Tour Schedule Breakdown

21:00 - 2025 Hyundai Tucson Review

27:35 - Auto Industry News and Tariff Talk

Hot Rod Tour of Texas Preview

Speaker 1

Welcome to another In Wheel Time podcast From the Sugar Shack Studios in Texas , usa . This is the award-winning In Wheel Time Car Talk Show . Just ahead he does it with Bobby Sparkman , jeremy Taylor , with the upcoming Hot Rod Tour of Texas . Give us a preview only a couple of weeks away . I'm excited . Also , I'll give you my thoughts on driving the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid SUV . That's a mouthful . It's an SUV . You're going to like it . I think Jeff has the Motor Minute . I'll end this segment of the In Real Time Car Talk Show Howdy Along with Mike out of this world Mars . We always need more , jeff Zekin .

Speaker 2

I'm Don Armstrong so glad that you could join us on this Saturday for our live show . We are live . We are live , aren't we ? Absolutely yeah .

Speaker 1

You have no idea what we've been doing in the studio this morning for the last hour and a half I had breakfast . Yeah , and this scramble to get us on the air this morning . As always , nothing ever changes sometimes , isn't that right , mr Mars ? If it wasn't a ?

Speaker 3

challenge , everybody would be doing it . But see , it's no individual's fault , it's the process and all the company .

Speaker 1

It's everybody .

Speaker 3

Hey , beyond us , beyond us , he did it . Yeah , that's it , that one , you know what David's not here , david's not here , so we don't have David to blame just yet .

Speaker 1

All right , let's go to well . Shall we call it the mid-Texas coast ? No , that's a little bit too far , because they're not . I'd call it Corpus Christi , mid-texas . But let's go down to Victoria . I assume that you two guys are down at home this morning .

Speaker 4

Yes , we are .

Speaker 1

Ladies and gentlemen , let me introduce them , if I may . Bobby Sparkman , jeremy Taylor , the king and king , the kings of the Hot Rod Tour of Texas . Two kings , yeah , isn't that a rap group ? Two Kings , two Kings , maybe so .

Speaker 4

Well , it is now .

Speaker 3

They are now .

Speaker 1

Good morning . Well , let's see , we've only had almost a year to get this thing off the ground for the 2025 tour .

Speaker 4

How are things going ? It's going pretty good .

Speaker 2

Really , they're going great .

Speaker 1

So how many people have you got signed up ? How ?

Speaker 2

many cars , a little over 300 . A little over 300 cars .

Speaker 4

That's good , completely new scenery this year .

Speaker 1

Yes , new scenery this year for the first time . Is this the third or fourth ?

Speaker 4

This is the fourth one , isn't it , it's the fourth . Yeah , the fourth .

Speaker 1

Well , you know , I have a bad short-term memory now , so they all kind of run together at this point in my life .

Speaker 3

This segment is sponsored by Prevagen , prevagen .

Speaker 1

We need them as a sponsor ?

Speaker 3

We do absolutely .

Speaker 1

Maybe we could do a trade . I forget to call him , that's good . All right , so let's start on the tour . The tour starts in Victoria , texas , because that's where you guys live , our hometown , and you know what . I've kind of had this . The only time that I ever went to Victoria was passing through . I never really stopped until I met you guys .

Speaker 3

Well , Victoria is actually the best kept secret in Texas . I learned that when I first came here . Yeah , that's what they call it Best kept secret in Texas is Victoria .

Speaker 2

And we're called the Crossroads . We're central to Austin , corpus Christi , san Antonio and Houston .

Speaker 4

We're central to all of them . I have two hours either way .

Speaker 1

Well , funny , because from sugar land it takes me about a little over an hour to get down there . It doesn't take long at all , and now that they've kind of got 59 fixed up , um , it's a pretty pretty breezy drive down there .

Speaker 3

It's a nice drive once you get clear of houston , that's right yeah , yeah , let's not talk about that okay , and hopefully the blue bonnets will still be kind of hanging around .

Speaker 1

I think there's we need some we need some rain , but we don't need it on the tour , that's for sure .

Speaker 4

Okay , so I did say blue bonus along the tour , so that's a good thing . That is a good thing .

Speaker 1

So let's talk about the Thursday gathering . What time does the actual event begin ?

Speaker 2

It begins this year . We're doing a garage crawl so we're starting early . People can come in if they're coming in early Thursday . There's five shops that have opened their doors . People can come in . It's free . Stop by . There's no rhyme or reason to . When you stop , it's anywhere between 10.30 am and 4.30 that Thursday afternoon . You can stop by check these shops out . Some of them are going to have food trailers . Some of them are actually going to provide some hot dogs and drinks and things like that . They'll have some merch for sale and it's a little bit of variety . It's a hot rod shop . It's a powder coating shop , a little bit of everything . They're all local mom and pop businesses , Very nice .

Speaker 1

So are they going to also be on the tour with us Some ?

Speaker 2

will be , some are .

Speaker 1

That's good , that's cool , I love that . All right , and then when ? Then downtown , yeah .

Speaker 2

Then downtown , the downtown rhythms . The symphony will kick off about 5 or 5.30 . And then we'll take over the stage at 7.30 with the Crowbars band .

Speaker 3

I want to sit in with the Crowbars . I'm going to talk my way into sitting in with them . You know that Jeff is a professional drummer .

Speaker 2

Are you really , Jeff ? I can hook you up .

Speaker 1

Jeff has played with lots of bands and he's very good . Back in high school he was the major domo of the band .

Speaker 2

We can hook you up , jeff , I don't know if you guys remember the guy that brings the barracuda in from Michigan . Oh no , the blue barracuda in from Michigan . Oh no , the blue barracuda , the blue barracuda . He brings it in from Michigan every year . He's a harmonica player and we get him on the stage with them every year .

Speaker 3

I'm from Detroit , so it's like old home week .

Speaker 2

He was a Detroit automaker . There you go .

Speaker 4

He was .

Speaker 1

Well , so was Jeff .

Speaker 2

You guys will link up Wow .

Speaker 1

Yeah , Really yeah . All over the world , Jeff worked . What for Cadillac ? Yeah .

Speaker 2

Worked for Cadillac Fish your body . We'll definitely hook you guys up for sure .

Speaker 1

All right . Well , that's good .

Speaker 2

Yeah , he's a hoot Now .

Speaker 1

if somebody is watching the show today and they're thinking you know I've in going on the tour , can they do it this year ? It's sold out yeah , yeah so you can't have any ride-along hitch , hitchhiker kind of guys .

Speaker 2

No , and we've got actually a couple of the stops this year are completely private . You can't even get in without your credentials . Oh really , I found I said now now thursday night thursday night is open to the public and it is free of charge . Anybody can come . Same with the garage crawl Thursday in Victoria is open to the general public .

Speaker 1

Gotcha Okay . So 5 and 7 , 30 , and then we go and get in the hotel room , get some sleep and get up early on Friday morning .

Speaker 4

Yes sir , yes sir .

Speaker 1

And you've got this really cool park there , big baseball softball fields down there .

Speaker 2

I'm actually there right now . All right , who is Riverside Stadium ? I'm there right now .

Speaker 3

Is there a game going on this morning , are you ?

Speaker 2

part of a game . There actually is some high school games . They're getting ready to get set up right now here at the stadium Great .

Speaker 1

Very nice .

Speaker 2

This has been a baseball stadium since 1947 . How cool is that .

Speaker 1

Well , it's got a great parking lot and I think was it last year or the year before was the first year down there in that .

Speaker 2

Last year .

Speaker 1

Last year . Yes , sir , I was taken aback by the actual stadium because you could walk in and get in there . It's almost like a minor league baseball stadium . Wow , very cool . Yeah , it is , it's very cool .

Speaker 4

It is , and Victoria had their own team the Rosebuds way back then .

Speaker 3

Really . Yep , that was your nickname in high school , wasn't it ?

Speaker 1

Yeah , that was my nickname in high school . You didn't know that , did you ? That's right . Yeah , that was my nickname in high school .

Speaker 3

You didn't know , that did you .

Speaker 2

All right , so what time so ?

Speaker 1

everybody , I'm calling the UHV joggers .

Speaker 2

I'm calling the UHV joggers now .

Speaker 1

There you go . So everybody gathers up on Friday morning , and what time do you pull out ?

Speaker 4

8 o'clock .

Speaker 1

Oh Lord .

Speaker 4

Yeah , 8 o'clock , all right .

Speaker 2

They can start showing up here at 6.30am If they want . The Chopping Block is going to bring a food trailer , actually an award winning food trailer . They just won Grand Champion Cook-off at the Lamar Cook-off Two weeks ago , I believe Out of a bunch of teams . They do a fantastic job Called the Chopping Block Barbecue Trailer . They'll be down here doing breakfast , tacos and stuff that Friday morning .

Speaker 1

Now are we going to have the police escort , like we usually do ?

Speaker 2

Sure , absolutely .

Speaker 4

Absolutely .

Speaker 2

And Mr Brogger is taking care of that for us One of our volunteers that helps us out . He's taking care of all the escorts for us again this year .

Speaker 3

I'm going to get a police escort in , are you ?

Tour Plans and Destinations

Speaker 4

That's what I'm gonna get into the show behind you or in front of you behind him , to be determined exactly .

Speaker 1

All right , so we strike out at eight o'clock in the morning , and where do we head to ?

Speaker 4

uh , our first town we'll pass through is port lavaca right , very nice , good coastal yeah , yeah , there'll be some coastal driving , some views along the way , and our second stop will be Causeway Driveover . Yeah , we'll go to Big Causeway , we'll drive over . It's going to be a little different this year . You'll see some industrial side of Texas . We're going to stop in Palacios for like a little quick 30-minute break to stretch our legs , and it's right there at the marina where one of the largest shrimping fleets is located . Awesome and so great photo opportunities . A big statue for fishermen Right there on the water , some good water views . So you'll see several water views along the way .

Speaker 3

Should have your drone helicopter camera person take a shot of that causeway with all 300 cars going across . That'd be cool .

Speaker 2

We've got some plans for some drone shots this year . Very nice .

Speaker 1

Okay , so we're going to go down to Port Lavaca and then where .

Speaker 4

Port Lavaca to Point Comfort , and then Palacios and several small towns along the way .

Speaker 1

Do they know we're coming ?

Speaker 4

Yes , yes , we've communicated with them . Them , they know they know .

Speaker 1

They want us to stop everybody . Well , you know , it's funny because I can't remember the name of the small town that they brought the kids out . It was like a big parade .

Speaker 4

Yeah , yeah , moulton .

Speaker 1

And it was so fun to drive through there . We were at a big parade , slow-moving parade . Kids were out , everybody was waving . It was fun All right . So out of there , where would we go ?

Speaker 4

So our first official stop will be the Hackwinery Vineyards and Winery there in Santa Fe .

Speaker 1

Okay , oh okay . What's the name of it again ?

Speaker 4

We have Hackwinery's H-A-A-K . I don't know if I'm pronouncing it right . It's a cool place .

Speaker 3

We have to have a catered lunch there . The ladies will know where it's at if it's wine .

Speaker 2

Oh yeah , it's pretty good stuff . They got some good stuff . They got some good stuff .

Speaker 4

From there . We got lunch . We got a barbecue lunch there . That's part of the deal then we'll go to . When we leave there , we're going to drive drive by Kima , come back and drive by NASA . By the time we get back to the Webster area it'll be time you can check in before we go to Lone Star Flight Museum , which is our evening stop , where we have a couple hours of flight simulators included . So if you want to pretend you're a pilot , you can fly the simulators .

Speaker 1

And they've got a great parking lot there too , by the way .

Speaker 2

Do what you can do a flip in those simulators . We did it .

Speaker 4

I'm sure you did yeah no doubt you can do full barrel rolls .

Speaker 1

Oh Lord , I will tell you that they got a great parking lot there . They did , yeah , we went there , for I think it was a Mustang , a national Mustang event .

Speaker 2

Yeah , Mustang Club of America .

Speaker 1

And that was a great thing and got to see all the planes . As a matter of fact , one of those great big , huge bombers , they started that thing up and taxied it out there . It was a great time .

Speaker 4

And then you're going to spend the night in Webster you say yes in that area .

Speaker 1

Yes , sir .

Speaker 2

Yeah , okay , very nice , and that will be a private stop . We rented the entire museum . Oh , very nice Okay .

Speaker 1

And then and a meal included there also . Dang Okay , buy me lunch . Yeah , so that's on Friday . That's Friday , and then Saturday . What ?

Speaker 4

Saturday we'll leave from that location .

Speaker 2

The museum .

Speaker 4

And we'll drive over the big bridge by Baytown , okay .

Speaker 1

The Fred Hartman Yep .

Speaker 4

Yeah , the Fred Hartman we're going to go up on 46 . We'll go up , hit some back roads north of Dayton and come back around , and then we'll end up at Spindletap Brewery . That's it . And that's where y'all be , yes .

Speaker 1

So I will not join you on the tour . That Saturday morning I'll be joining the boys up at the Spindletap to get set up , so we'll be ready to do our live show at 10 o'clock that .

Speaker 2

Saturday yeah , the band will be setting up with you guys as well .

Speaker 1

Well , they're going to be outside , I believe , yeah .

Speaker 2

The band will be setting up with you guys as well . Well , they're going to be outside .

Speaker 1

I believe . Yeah , that's correct . We're not going to be outside , we're going to be inside . I thought you mentioned that , yeah , well .

Speaker 4

The Crowbars will be traveling with us .

Speaker 1

I'm sorry who will ? The Crowbars , the Crowbars , the Crowbars good .

Speaker 4

They're traveling with us and playing at several venues .

Speaker 1

Very . They'll be performing at every venue , except for the final venue we're setting up right next to the taps . Yep , that's a cool place . Yeah we are setting up . Actually , walk in the door and you can't miss us . We'll be right there in front of you . Okay , and then , if you can divulge the information , where do we head out from the spindle tap ?

Speaker 4

All right from there . We're going all over the place . Great , if you get a chance to look at the route , it looks like a giant flower around Houston actually .

Speaker 1

Okay .

Speaker 4

Out , coming in , going back out , but we'll end up . The stop that evening will be Guitars and Classic Cars there in Montgomery .

Speaker 3

Uh-huh .

Speaker 4

It's a brand new cool venue . Yeah , and they'll have a park setting . They got a stage there also and another catered meal and then it's string-like strung between the trees and stuff . It's a pretty nice setup .

Speaker 1

Very nice .

Speaker 2

Tables and chairs set up and everything for folks to eat and sit's . A pretty nice setup , pretty nice Table and chair set up and everything for folks to eat and sit down and enjoy the weather .

Speaker 1

Very nice . It's going to be beautiful , great . So that's on Saturday .

Speaker 4

Sunday we'll leave out at nine . We'll let you sleep in a little bit . It says we're traveling a lot of miles , so we'll end up at Bray's there in Madisonville . That's our final stop .

Speaker 1

Yes , that's a museum .

Speaker 4

We've got a museum entry and then , if you'd like to , you could run the course which I've tested out before . It's fun .

Speaker 1

Very nice . And then we wind up in Madisonville , is that right ?

Speaker 4

That's our final stop . Yes , sir .

Speaker 1

Very nice Okay .

Speaker 4

And then actually yesterday , I ran the entire route . It's 488 miles from the park , all the way to Madisonville . Wow , Okay . Yeah .

Speaker 1

Well , that's okay . Get the car to stretch its legs a little bit and get the juices warm on it .

Speaker 2

Yeah , yeah , so yeah , our goal is usually for right at 500 miles , so we shorted you 20 miles .

Speaker 3

Yeah , okay , shorted me , just add it to next year . Yeah , make a couple of laps at Braze and you can make it up .

Speaker 1

Well , it're going to be at the Loopy Tortilla in Katy doing a remote broadcast from there , and then the next week we'll be at Spindletap Brewery on the north side of Houston and we'll see you guys then .

Speaker 4

Alright , we'll see you then .

Speaker 2

And we want to thank everybody . You guys have definitely been one of our biggest supporters . City of Victoria , main Street , all of the stops , the participants . We just had a fantastic support group and volunteer team . Our volunteer team has went from a few people last year to a large . If you go on our website you can look and see the amount of . You can see a little bit about each one of our team members . We've got a great team .

Speaker 1

Well gents , we really look forward to it and I guess that next time I see you guys or talk to you guys , we'll be at registration down there in Victoria in the town square . Yes , sir , all right man , y'all take care . Thanks again , thank you guys .

Speaker 1

Okay , bobby and Jeremy Hot Rod Tour of Texas . Just ahead of review of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Jeff's Motor Minute Right after this quick break . You've waited all winter

Tour Schedule Breakdown

Speaker 1

and it's finally here the Tailpipes and Tacos Spring Cruise Inn . It's been a while , but the popular Tailpipes and Tacos Cruise Inn returns to the Loopy Tortilla Tex-Mex in Katy , saturday , april 19th . Make any donation to Shirley's Kids and get a free breakfast taco . There'll be mimosas and Bloody Marys too . Get to the best cruise-in of the year Tailpipes and Tacos , saturday , april 19th , 8 to 11 am . Cruise in , make a donation of any amount and grab a free Loopy Tortilla breakfast taco . Tailpipes and Tacos only happens at the Loopy Tortilla Tex-Mex in Katy , 703 West Grand Parkway at Kingsland Boulevard , just south of the Katy Freeway . Join the car camaraderie and your car will automatically compete for one of three Chili Pepper trophies at no charge .

Speaker 1

Spring is here , and what better way to celebrate than with a free taco at Tailpipes and Tacos ? Saturday , april 19th , 8 to 11 am . The In-Wheel Time Car Talk Show will be there too . We hope to see you then . Come on out . You own a car you love . Why not let Gulf Coast Auto Shield protect it ? Houstonian John Gray invites you to his state-of-the-art facility to introduce you to his specialist team of auto enthusiasts . We promise you'll be impressed , whether you're looking to massage your original paint to a like-new appearance , apply a ceramic coating , install a paint protection film , nano-ceramic window tint or new windshield protection .

Speaker 1

Called ExoShield , gulf Coast AutoShield is where Houston's car people go . Curbed your wheels . Instead of buying new , why not have them repaired ? How about a professionally installed radar detector ? Gulf Coast AutoShield does that too . Get a peek inside the shop and look at the services offered by getting online and heading to gcautoshieldcom . Better yet , stop by their facility at 11275 South Sam Houston Tollway , just south of the Southwest Freeway , and get a personal tour . Gulf Coast Auto Shield is your place to go for all things exterior . Call them today 832-930-5655 , or gcautoshieldcom . Hey , coming up . The Hot Rod Tour of Texas , as you just heard , april 24th through the 27th , beginning in Victoria . We've got links to the information on inwheeltimecom and the In Wheel Time Facebook page . Be sure and follow us . Time now for the Motor Minute . Yes , sir .

Speaker 3

NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr has been elected to the Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 . I think that's great . Per . Jenniferna fryer , with the associated press , announced this last , actually a couple days ago . Uh , earnhardt is back in the stock car inductees and headlines in the class which includes uh pete lyons he's a racer at large . Sammy swindell , open wheel , john morton , sports cars . Dave will walk from power boats power boats are always fun to watch kenny roberts from motorcycles and steve gibbs from drag racing . Earnhardt 50 is uh worthy of Dave Wilwalk from Powerboats Powerboats are always fun to watch Kenny Roberts from Motorcycles and Steve Gibbs from Drag Racing . Earnhardt50 is worthy of the induction Two-decade career with NASCAR .

Speaker 3

He won back-to-back Xfinity Championships and , on a different note , which includes Dale , actually , the annual throwback event at Hickory Motor Speedway will now be known as the Throwback Classic . Flow Racing is recording the purse . They're the sponsor , that's Courtney Enders , courtney Enders that's why I threw this story in there . They're actually owned by Flow Sports as the parent company , but Flow Racing is where Courtney's at they're going to do it . Dale said that he owns part of the ZMAX Car Racing Tour . The goal is to put the series together with as many eyes as possible . It's a throwback . They don't have to write the colors , they don't have to write the numbers or anything . It's just the old throwback . Racing is what it is . So he's doing that . Flow Racing is part of it . They're the sponsors . We're actually communicating that on the air . So very , very cool stuff coming up for Dale in Flow Racing .

Speaker 1

How exciting , yeah . Okay , time now for this hour's car review . Yours truly had the chance to drive the 2025 Hyundai

2025 Hyundai Tucson Review

Speaker 1

Tucson Now . This vehicle was built , is built in Ulsan , korea , so it's going to get the tax on it . Available trim levels SEL and Limited . I had the hybrid , limited all-wheel drive .

Speaker 1

This is a small SUV . I want you to notice the angles over the wheel wells on this and I'll bring that up in just a minute . Seats five based on the fourth generation Tucson introduced in 2022 .

Speaker 1

Attractive front fascia with edgy fender flares front and back , very unique to this , and that's a good thing , because it does make this a unique vehicle . Rear hatch has a sloping glass with a sun visor over it . Quad tail lamps with kicked up rear valance . That gives it that kind of off-roady look . Wheels are plug-in , exclusive Overall look . It's high marks in my opinion . What could use improvement ? I'm not sure I do like that distinctive look . Interior highlights new big screen , includes the instruments and the infotainment system . A horizontal linear dash looks really good in this . An odd shifter on the steering column is a twist and push affair . Once you get used to it , it's no big deal , but thought how odd . Yeah , comfortable seating with a rugged faux leather interior . Adequate for this size SUV is the cargo room behind the second row . But I like the overall design . Just works just right . What could use improvement ? An odd cell phone pad on the elongated center armrest and console . I guess you get used to it , but it puts your phone right there at your right arm , right hand . Oh , it's right .

Speaker 3

It's an odd looking thing . Use it as maybe a controller or Well , I guess Car play , or you can see it at the bottom of the screen , see that 1.6 liter gasoline inline four cylinder engine coupled with the electric motor gives 268 horsepower , combined Torque 258 , which is plenty .

Speaker 1

Six speed automatic transmission . Miles per gallon 35 across the board City highway and combined I got 32.7 , over 356.4 miles , what I liked . Well , you can get up to 30 miles on electric only . Wow . So you know , if you do the church thing once a week , you go to the grocery store , you take the kids to school , get home , plug it in , you're good to go . What could use improvement ? The overall good combo with plenty of power . So no improvement there . It's just a comment that I wanted to make . I think that this is a good , well-rounded vehicle . Base trim price $49,045 . That's 4-0-9-4-5 . Prices tested $43,000 . Base model price $41,000 . Competitors Kia Niro plug-in hybrid $34,490 is where it starts . Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid $40,445 . Ford Escape plug-in hybrid $38,400 . So it's right in the smack dab middle of all of these and I'm not sure where the other ones are built , but obviously it may have an impact on you . Now , of course , the ones on the lot currently , I would imagine , do not have the tariff on it .

Speaker 3

Yeah , I mean it's only for , like , new deliveries . I would say new deliveries to the country . Yeah , at the port Right .

Speaker 1

As a matter of fact , I read a story this morning that apparently there are several manufacturers that are holding their cars at the port of entry . So in other words , they haven't crossed the line yet into the United States . They're holding them at the port . So hopefully they can get this thing worked out and then , when they get worked out , Release the hounds ?

Speaker 3

Yeah , so to speak , bring them in then .

Speaker 1

Yeah , the whole tariff thing has gone bonkers . What is it now on China ? 145% , I think China's 145% , because it was 125% and then it went up when they retaliated .

Speaker 3

It went to 160% . Maybe it is 145% , I don't know 145% is what I heard Buy low sell high yeah On China . Yeah , china .

Speaker 1

And you know , everybody's kind of really chomping at the bit as far as all the Chinese goods makers the plastic stuff , the stamp metal stuff , all the stuff that they make in China that we buy , even clothing . So all of these countries like Vietnam , of all places , Vietnam , Bangladesh , Thailand they're all stepping up saying don't worry about the tariffs , We'll give you free trade here with us , you give us free trade . You know that they're working around the clock to get those factories up and running so they can be the new Chinese fulfillment maker of all the stuff that we buy from China . Yeah , I think they're shooting themselves in the foot .

Speaker 3

I think that's kind of the idea , but we don't want to get into too much political stuff here .

Speaker 1

Thank , you and me low you , low time too . I just said that .

Speaker 3

Yeah , you did , I heard that .

Speaker 1

Did you ? Yeah , I did . I've got a special feature that I've got coming up called Five Extinct Car Manufacturers that Should Make a Comeback . I think I'm going to do that . I'll tell you . I think I'm going to do that , maybe in the next segment .

Speaker 3

What you got coming up ? We got stuff . Yeah , we got stuff .

Speaker 1

We got some good stuff , yeah , some good stuff . I think we're probably going to do it in the next segment coming up , okay , and if you want to , we can do it right off the top before we get to the recalls and the Hemmings soul car roundup . Sure , is that okay ? Yeah , my brain's not working real well this morning . What happened ? As you can tell , Well , I had a couple of margaritas last night .

Speaker 1

If you want to know and you know what . You didn't help the situation by getting the third one and then say , oh , here , here , I have some more of this . So really I had two and a half margaritas last night .

Speaker 3

So he was trying to be helpful .

Speaker 1

Yeah , if you want to call it that , but you can see that clearly it's not been helpful .

Speaker 3

I'm a giver . I'm a giver .

Auto Industry News and Tariff Talk

Speaker 1

He is . Let's give it a half a drink . All right , let's see . If you'd like to get in touch with us , shoot us an email . The address here is info at inrealtimecom . We'll be back right after this quick break .

Speaker 1

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Speaker 1

The award-winning In Wheel Time Car Talk Show now reaches 5.3 million folks each year 5.3 million folks each year . Check us out on InWheelTimecom , the Odyssey Radio app , youtube , facebook and just about every other entertainment source out there , including our live broadcast every Saturday 10 to noon Central Time . The InWheelTime Car Talk Show has informative automotive guest interviews , new car reviews , along with popular features , including Jeff's Car Culture , the latest new cars , cruise-ins and racing dates . It's InWheelTimecom . Join us . That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show . I'm Don Armstrong , inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning on Facebook , youtube , twitch and our InWheelTimecom website . Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts , spotify , stitcher , iheart Podcast , podcast Addict TuneIn , pandora and Amazon Music . Keep listening and we'll see you soon .