The Avants Podcast

150 episodes listed below

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Car and bike talk that takes the scenic route.

The gist

Dan and Nick host The Avants Podcast as a rambling conversation about cars, bikes and the gear around them, with a regular named Brian dropping in. The talk ranges from diesel emissions rules and Corvettes to a listener's pick for best road: the Hana Highway on Maui, ridden on a supermoto.

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About The Avants Podcast

The Avants Podcast is the official show of Avants, which the hosts say now has members across the country, and Dan Putnam and Nick Bergeron run it as a catch-up between friends rather than a formal broadcast. When one opening comes out stiff, they tease each other for sounding formal. Openings lean personal. A long day at the office, a stuffed-up host, a birthday package that PayPal sent to an address from years back: the small stuff gets aired first, and the machines follow. Diesels bring out the opinions. In 'The Diesel Dilemma' the hosts weigh the extra boost a de-restricted turbo could bring against the risk of a manufacturer voiding the warranty, and one of them argues that automakers are complying with regulations, not trying to save the planet. The same conversation ends on a practical point: buy something more fuel-efficient and you keep winning even if gas prices drop. Roads come up just as often. In 'Let The Modding Resume!' a listener's suggestion of the Hana Highway on Maui, ridden on a supermoto, sits alongside a round of favorites, from Mulholland and the Rock House to a stage of Colorado's BDR that rolls through the aspens into the back of Steamboat. Off-road builds get airtime too, including a rig described on air as the ultimate 'off-road luxury hotel on wheels', with heavy-duty bumpers, BFG KO3s, skid plates, sliders and Starlink, and a winch still to come. Car-world gossip gets its turn. One sitting covers a Corvette E-Ray purchase, a McLaren on a paper plate spotted in Los Angeles alongside a GT3 RS, and whether Apple's F1 integration is any good. Another stretch pictures small driverless two-wheelers ferrying pizza through traffic, and one host is happy to let them lane-split. The gear talk comes from ownership, not press material. In 'We Don’t Really Do Car Reviews', Milwaukee gets a shout-out for replacing hose parts after one short video of the problem, and DeWalt and Tekton get credit for no-questions-asked warranty swaps. Brian, a regular who tends to simply show up, adds a third voice and takes his share of ribbing. Listeners are part of the loop. Messages are read on air, the hosts watch the comments for the first few days after an episode posts, and photos of builds are invited for the Facebook group. Episodes close by asking what mods people have coming or what their road is. The recurring sign-off sums up the attitude: don't just get there, enjoy the drive.

Made for: Suits a listener who likes cars and motorcycles as a relaxed conversation between friends about mods, favorite roads, off-road builds and emissions gripes, and who would rather hear that than structured reviews or spec breakdowns.

What sets it apart: Its product talk comes from real ownership and service experiences, like a tool warranty swap or the build list on an off-road rig. It also keeps listeners in the conversation by reading their messages on air and ending episodes with questions about their mods and roads.

In their own words

The official podcast of Avants! Join hosts Dan Putnam and Nick Bergeron as they get to know industry leading guests beyond just what they drive. Always unscripted and never predictable, it’s always a good time 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!

Why you'd press play

A winch for the family camper: exactly the sort of driveway conversation you want to overhear.

Press play if you want

  • to hear Dan and Nick weigh diesel modifications against the less glamorous question of warranty coverage
  • to daydream about back roads with people who remember the aspens as vividly as the vehicles
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Diesel emissions and de-restrictingVehicle modificationsFavorite driving and riding roadsOff-road and overland buildsCorvettes and supercarsTool brands and customer serviceListener messages and questionsAutomotive news and F1

Talks about

Best episodes of The Avants Podcast

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

The Diesel DilemmaApr 13, 2026

A plainspoken diesel-buying debate where emissions rules, warranty risk, and fuel prices collide.

Dan and Nick take a diesel-buying dilemma and turn it into a grounded discussion of what emissions rules mean after a truck is already in someone’s driveway.

Let The Modding Resume!Apr 6, 2026

A road-minded episode where GPS clauses, Colorado aspens, and upcoming mods share the same map.

The Avance Podcast lets the pleasure of driving set the route, following listener questions from Maui's Hana Highway by supermoto to Colorado's Backcountry Discovery Route.

The Adventure Bug Bites Nick's Whole Family!Mar 30, 2026

A family-ready adventure build gives the episode its most useful and memorable road story.

The Avance Podcast tracks Nick's build toward an off-road luxury hotel on wheels, where Starlink, a front winch, a rear slide-out deck, heating, air conditioning, a bed, and a Casey lighting package all become part of the larger plan.

Overland Updates, Snow Wheeling Hitchhikers, and Boring F1Mar 23, 2026

A loose, garage-side review of Corvette access, California supercar sightings, and Apple's complicated F1 moment.

This episode follows car culture as something always in motion, starting with Brian Elitch's new Corvette E-Ray and widening into access, trade-ins, and the draw of getting the spec exactly right.

Consumer Reports Bombs the New 4RunnerMar 11, 2026

A relaxed automotive chat finds its strongest thread in the real-world limits of unmanned delivery vehicles.

The episode lands on a grounded technology question: whether small unmanned delivery vehicles could move through traffic more efficiently than full-size cars.

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Episodes

  1. 1

    Live from the Rebelle Rally, It's Team Velocity!

    ·18m
  2. 2

    Lee Luna Keeps the Quality Going at Metropolitan Detail

    ·1h 3m
  3. 3

    Buying a Car is as Easy as You Make It

    ·47m
  4. 4

    Turbocharging Vs Supercharging, FIGHT!

    ·47m
  5. 5

    Cars Don't Belong Underwater and Neither Do Car Loans

    ·42m
  6. 6

    The Best Tire Deal You Can Get!

    ·36m
  7. 7

    The Functional Touch of the Perfect Floormats from Inhabit Design Works

    ·53m
  8. 8

    Hack the Planet! Or at Least Your Car

    ·40m
  9. 9

    Flaming Grinders, Flaming Ladas, and Even Some Not-So-Flammable Moments with Rory Carroll

    ·1h 19m
  10. 10

    The Scottsdale Auction Attendees Didn't Get the Memo

    ·50m
  11. 11

    Just Go Buy a Truck Already

    ·44m
  12. 12

    The Burden of Being a Car Person

    ·47m
  13. 13

    Class is in Session with Wryann Van Riper

    ·59m
  14. 14

    Crawling Through Arizona and Crawling Right Back

    ·58m
  15. 15

    Merry Christmas and Don't Forget the Batteries

    ·38m
  16. 16

    The 4Runner Crashes!

    ·38m
  17. 17

    Christmas Gifts Every Car Enthusiast in Your Life Will Want

    ·55m
  18. 18

    Avants...Utah?

    ·37m
  19. 19

    The Worst Rebrand in Automotive History!

    ·42m
  20. 20

    Megan's Back and We're Talking SEMA, Raptor Assault, and Black Friday!

    ·54m
  21. 21

    Ramon Antonio of Avants Portland

    ·42m
  22. 22

    Justin Chesnutt Drifts on In!

    ·57m
  23. 23

    The Pro of Ceramic Pro, Adam Cote

    ·45m
  24. 24

    Cristy Lee Does It All and Does It Well

    ·51m
  25. 25

    Is Living on the Road the Dream?

    ·40m
  26. 26

    A New Ring Record, A New McLaren Hypercar, and Ford Makes a Ranger Raptor

    ·47m
  27. 27

    Colton and Will Take Us to the Cascade Edge

    ·56m
  28. 28

    The Mini Bikes Conquer Moab

    ·1h 1m
  29. 29

    Curtis Creager Returns from the Ring!

    ·1h
  30. 30

    Would You Buy New or Upgrade Older?

    ·50m
  31. 31

    We Hate Haptic Feedback Buttons and So Should You

    ·45m
  32. 32

    Enjoy the Magic of Pistons and PixieDust!

    ·1h 5m
  33. 33

    A Disco Party With Golden Rovers!

    ·50m
  34. 34

    A Blue Ribbon Kind of Episode

    ·41m
  35. 35

    From Mendocino to Happy Camp - The Best Roads You've Never Driven

    ·40m
  36. 36

    Ryan ZumMallen Creates Car Books About People

    ·51m
  37. 37

    The New Kitch on the Block, Siena Kitch!

    ·50m
  38. 38

    R8 Track Days, New 911 Hybrid Doesn't Suck, and That New RS6 Avant GT

    ·40m
  39. 39

    The Ranger Raptor Arrives!

    ·53m
  40. 40

    It's Always a Great Episode When We Get Phillip Griot

    ·1h 7m
  41. 41

    A Lotus to Lust After

    ·36m
  42. 42

    Dylan von Kleist Takes Us to a Magical World Where Car Washes Don't Destroy Your Paint

    ·49m
  43. 43

    Someone Needs to Take Pity on Nick and Sell Him a Ranger Raptor

    ·51m
  44. 44

    Team Baby Bronco Grows Up to Become Team Velocity!

    ·54m
  45. 45

    It's Been A Great Week!

    ·45m
  46. 46

    Horsepower Accelerates Your Mistakes and Other PRO3 Lessons with Isaiah Dummer

    ·59m
  47. 47

    It's Party on the Bottom and Business on the Top with Krissy!

    ·50m
  48. 48

    You Have to Pay to Play

    ·48m
  49. 49

    Mount Everything with Help from Nick Lowe-Hale of RAM Mounts

    ·1h 2m
  50. 50

    Bring Back Stereo Dolphins!

    Dan and Nick discuss a confusing dating scenario involving love bombing and share their experience at an RV fair.

    ·51m
  51. 51

    We Don’t Really Do Car Reviews

    Dan and Nick discuss a positive customer service experience with Milwaukee tools and share similar warranty stories.

    ·44m
  52. 52

    The Adventure Bug Bites Nick's Whole Family!

    ·50m
  53. 53

    Overland Updates, Snow Wheeling Hitchhikers, and Boring F1

    ·48m
  54. 54

    Consumer Reports Bombs the New 4Runner

    ·40m
  55. 55

    Analog Opportunities

    ·37m
  56. 56

    Circumstantial Nostalgia, Chinese Motorcycles, and Rebuilding Bugattis

    ·45m
  57. 57

    Listener Follow Ups and the Ford Seat Debacle

    ·53m
  58. 58

    Good As New!

    ·43m
  59. 59

    Using Your Car For More Than Intended

    ·41m
  60. 60

    2026 Starts Off Strong for Avants, but Weak for Honda

    ·43m
  61. 61

    Turn Off the Data and Drive

    ·58m
  62. 62

    The ZR1 Is Conquering Basically Everything

    ·35m
  63. 63

    The Great Carvana Resurrection

    ·38m
  64. 64

    Nick Turns 46, Black Friday is Coming, and Exotics at RTC Comes to a Close

    ·39m
  65. 65

    Jaguar Finally Reads the Room

    ·42m
  66. 66

    It's Time to Shop Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals!

    ·46m
  67. 67

    Niko Pagones of Amaxi Autosport Embraces the Latest Tech to Keep Old Cars Going

    ·49m
  68. 68

    The Koenigsegg Mega Muffler, Forever Seeking Adventure, and AI Overlords

    ·59m
  69. 69

    Team Velocity Does It Again!

    ·41m
  70. 70

    Porsche Profits Are in the Tank

    ·45m
  71. 71

    Features No One Really Cares About Anymore

    ·48m
  72. 72

    We Need More Cool Cars in Movies and TV

    ·43m
  73. 73

    A Live Update from the Rebelle Rally with Team Velocity!

    ·21m
  74. 74

    Cheap Cars and Expensive Jacks

    ·44m
  75. 75

    Porsche Rolls Back on EVs Nobody Wanted

    ·55m
  76. 76

    The Details Matter

    ·38m
  77. 77

    The Wrong Phone for the Job

    ·49m
  78. 78

    The BRaptor Off-Roadeo in Vegas

    ·54m
  79. 79

    Rallies Are Hard

    ·1h 1m
  80. 80

    Donna Porada-Kitch Completes the ProFormance Circle

    ·1h 22m
  81. 81

    Lemmings Don't Jump Off Cliffs

    ·46m
  82. 82

    The Barron and the Outlaw

    ·1h 4m
  83. 83

    KTM is Saved!

    ·45m
  84. 84

    1,800 Miles in 2 days is Too Far

    ·42m
  85. 85

    We Dragged Brian Dallas Through Hell

    ·1h
  86. 86

    Is It Alright To Gatekeep Your Favorite Roads?

    ·39m
  87. 87

    Dan is Out of Roads

    ·40m
  88. 88

    Episode 400! Amps, Watts, Volts, Starlinks, Rams, and Public Lands

    ·38m
  89. 89

    ROOSTER BLOCKED! - The Chicken Tax

    ·37m
  90. 90

    Factory Infotainment is Terrible and GM is Going to Make It Worse

    ·42m
  91. 91

    The Dude Magnet

    ·50m
  92. 92

    Stellantis Unplugs the Charger Daytona EV

    ·43m
  93. 93

    Michael Beats Moab

    ·52m
  94. 94

    Rock Beats Megan

    ·45m
  95. 95

    Metal Beats Rock

    ·50m
  96. 96

    Legend of Formula D, Time Attack, and Pikes Peak - Dai Yoshihara!

    ·53m
  97. 97

    Are Overlanders Killing Overlanding?

    ·56m
  98. 98

    It's a Pop Quiz!

    ·47m
  99. 99

    The Lumpsucker.. or McMurtry Spéirling Pure!

    ·48m
  100. 100

    Lightbars on Supercars and a Doozy of a Day at Singer

    ·42m
  101. 101

    The Diesel Dilemma

    Hidden gem

    Two podcast hosts discuss the high cost of diesel fuel and whether dealerships still give a full tank of gas with a new vehicle purchase.

    Apr 13, 2026·46m·2 clips
  102. 102

    Let The Modding Resume!

    Hidden gem

    The hosts discuss listener suggestions for great roads to ride, including Hawaii's Hana Highway on a Supermoto and a curvy highway in Thailand.

    Apr 6, 2026·53m·2 clips
  103. 103

    The Adventure Bug Bites Nick's Whole Family!

    Hidden gem

    Dan and Nick discuss the growth of Avants, their media team, and a new national Facebook group.

    Mar 30, 2026·50m·2 clips
  104. 104

    Overland Updates, Snow Wheeling Hitchhikers, and Boring F1

    Dan and Nick discuss car purchases, an off-road event, and various automotive topics.

    Mar 23, 2026·48m·2 clips
  105. 105

    Consumer Reports Bombs the New 4Runner

    The hosts discuss Consumer Reports' negative review of the new Toyota 4Runner, sharing their own opinions and experiences.

    Mar 11, 2026·40m·2 clips
  106. 106

    Analog Opportunities

    Dan and Nick argue that drivers may want manual, analog sports cars more than models built around record speed and power.

    Mar 2, 2026·37m·2 clips
  107. 107

    Circumstantial Nostalgia, Chinese Motorcycles, and Rebuilding Bugattis

    Dan and Nick connect the urge to revisit motorcycles with changing budgets, available time, and life priorities.

    Feb 23, 2026·45m·2 clips
  108. 108

    We Don’t Really Do Car Reviews

    Dan and Nick say a 5,000-mile oil change may yield one to three horsepower on an engine dyno, with tests discussed on a Chevy 350.

    Feb 16, 2026·44m·2 clips
  109. 109

    Listener Follow Ups and the Ford Seat Debacle

    Feb 9, 2026·53m
  110. 110

    Bring Back Stereo Dolphins!

    Feb 2, 2026·51m
  111. 111

    Good As New!

    Jan 26, 2026·43m
  112. 112

    Using Your Car For More Than Intended

    Jan 19, 2026·41m
  113. 113

    2026 Starts Off Strong for Avants, but Weak for Honda

    Jan 12, 2026·43m
  114. 114

    Turn Off the Data and Drive

    Jan 5, 2026·58m
  115. 115

    The ZR1 Is Conquering Basically Everything

    Dec 24, 2025·35m
  116. 116

    The Great Carvana Resurrection

    Dec 15, 2025·38m
  117. 117

    Jaguar Finally Reads the Room

    Dec 10, 2025·42m
  118. 118

    It's Time to Shop Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals!

    Nov 28, 2025·46m
  119. 119

    Niko Pagones of Amaxi Autosport Embraces the Latest Tech to Keep Old Cars Going

    Nov 24, 2025·49m
  120. 120

    The Koenigsegg Mega Muffler, Forever Seeking Adventure, and AI Overlords

    Nov 17, 2025·59m
  121. 121

    Team Velocity Does It Again!

    Nov 12, 2025·41m
  122. 122

    Porsche Profits Are in the Tank

    Nov 3, 2025·45m
  123. 123

    Features No One Really Cares About Anymore

    Oct 29, 2025·48m
  124. 124

    We Need More Cool Cars in Movies and TV

    Oct 21, 2025·43m
  125. 125

    A Live Update from the Rebelle Rally with Team Velocity!

    Team Velocity gives a live update from the Rebelle Rally, describing the intense competition and their strong performance with four days left.

    Oct 15, 2025·21m
  126. 126

    Nick Turns 46, Black Friday is Coming, and Exotics at RTC Comes to a Close

    Oct 13, 2025·39m
  127. 127

    Cheap Cars and Expensive Jacks

    Oct 6, 2025·44m
  128. 128

    Porsche Rolls Back on EVs Nobody Wanted

    The hosts discuss Porsche's decision to scale back electric vehicle production due to low demand, mixed with casual banter about recording phone calls.

    Sep 30, 2025·55m
  129. 129

    The Details Matter

    Sep 23, 2025·38m
  130. 130

    The Wrong Phone for the Job

    Sep 16, 2025·49m
  131. 131

    The BRaptor Off-Roadeo in Vegas

    Sep 8, 2025·54m
  132. 132

    Rallies Are Hard

    Sep 2, 2025·1h 1m
  133. 133

    Donna Porada-Kitch Completes the ProFormance Circle

    Aug 25, 2025·1h 22m
  134. 134

    Lemmings Don't Jump Off Cliffs

    Aug 19, 2025·46m
  135. 135

    The Barron and the Outlaw

    Aug 13, 2025·1h 4m
  136. 136

    KTM is Saved!

    Aug 5, 2025·45m
  137. 137

    1,800 Miles in 2 days is Too Far

    Jul 31, 2025·42m
  138. 138

    We Dragged Brian Dallas Through Hell

    Jul 23, 2025·1h
  139. 139

    Is It Alright To Gatekeep Your Favorite Roads?

    Jul 14, 2025·39m
  140. 140

    Dan is Out of Roads

    Jul 7, 2025·40m
  141. 141

    Episode 400! Amps, Watts, Volts, Starlinks, Rams, and Public Lands

    Jun 30, 2025·38m
  142. 142

    ROOSTER BLOCKED! - The Chicken Tax

    Jun 25, 2025·37m
  143. 143

    Factory Infotainment is Terrible and GM is Going to Make It Worse

    Jun 16, 2025·42m
  144. 144

    The Dude Magnet

    Jun 12, 2025·50m
  145. 145

    Stellantis Unplugs the Charger Daytona EV

    Jun 2, 2025·43m
  146. 146

    Michael Beats Moab

    May 27, 2025·52m
  147. 147

    Rock Beats Megan

    May 23, 2025·45m
  148. 148

    Metal Beats Rock

    May 20, 2025·50m
  149. 149

    Legend of Formula D, Time Attack, and Pikes Peak - Dai Yoshihara!

    May 5, 2025·53m
  150. 150

    Are Overlanders Killing Overlanding?

    Apr 28, 2025·56m