Cool Cars with Chris: Car Talk, Driving Tips & Auto Life

Cool Cars with Chris: Car Talk, Driving Tips & Auto Life

By: Chris Smith

Language: en-us

Categories: Leisure, Automotive

Real car talk without the hype. I’m Chris — a lifelong car enthusiast diving into car culture, driving tips, and the real auto life. Each week, we cover car buying, insurance hacks, crazy driving laws, financing, and ownership advice that actually helps you drive smarter. Whether you love JDM, muscle, or daily drivers, this show’s all about real stories, honest tips, and making the road a little cooler. Subscribe and join the ride!

Episodes

013 | Ford F-150 Engine Failure?! Dealership Disasters & DIY Car Fixes
Dec 15, 2025

In this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we're diving deep into the real-life drama of dealership repairs. Chris shares the shocking story of how his Ford F-150 nearly died in a Starbucks drive-thru, leading to a full engine replacement, a clown car rental, and a dealership that literally vanished.

With special guest Courage, the duo also breaks down the ongoing debate of DIY car maintenance vs dealership service, plus oil change myths, brake wear mysteries, and why some mechanics panic over a simple headlight sticker.

If you’ve ever dealt with frustrating service departments or wondered...

Duration: 00:57:25
012 | 25 Weirdest Driving Laws in America You Won’t Believe Exist
Dec 08, 2025

Ed Hanson’s Muffler Service – Custom exhaust solutions in San Diego since forever.
Looking to upgrade your ride with power, performance, and sound?
📍 3916 North Barcelona St, Spring Valley, CA
📞 (619) 698-7030
🌐 edhansonsmuffler.com

"Where your pipe dreams come true."


What do driving blindfolded, gorillas in the backseat, and camels on highways all have in common? They’re real traffic laws in the U.S.—and yes, someone actually did these things.

In this hilarious and head-shaking episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we break down the strangest, funniest, and most unexpect...

Duration: 00:32:29
011 | I Rented a Silverado EV with 750HP — Here’s What Surprised Me
Dec 01, 2025

This week on Cool Cars with Chris, Courage is back from a business trip with something much more exciting than work updates — a test drive of the 750-horsepower Silverado EV RST.

From its whisper-quiet electric torque to the not-so-quiet charging bill, we dig into what it’s really like to live with a six-figure electric truck. Spoiler alert: $65 doesn’t get you a full charge, and range anxiety is still very real.

Plus, we go behind the scenes of YouTube content creation, why platform-specific content matters, and how captionsmight be the unsung hero of video growth.


...

Duration: 01:06:31
010 | What Gas Should You Really Use? A Fuel Tanker Driver Breaks Down Premium, Regular, E85 & More
Nov 24, 2025

Confused about what gas to put in your car? Wondering if premium is worth it—or what E85 even is? This episode has all the answers.

In this power-packed episode of Cool Cars with Chris, I break down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about fuel—from how it’s made to which type your car actually needs. And yes, I know what I’m talking about... because I literally drive the fuel to your gas station. 😎

We’ll explore:

⛽️ What really makes premium, mid-grade, and regular different

🚗 Should you run E85 in your car? (It de...

Duration: 00:42:40
009 | Modding the Hyundai Elantra N: JB4 Tune, Wheels, and YouTube Growth
Nov 17, 2025

In this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we’re diving deep into the world of Hyundai N performance, YouTube car content, and what it’s really like to mod your daily driver.

Our guest this week is Courage, better known as The Driven Dad — a car YouTuber who’s built a passionate following by sharing his experiences with his 2022 Hyundai Elantra N, family life, and the growing N community.

Courage breaks down everything from his first cosmetic mods to advanced JB4 tuning, dyno results, drone videography, and the realities of balancing YouTube growth with car culture.

If...

Duration: 01:04:07
008 | Are You Actually a Good Driver? Stats Say Probably Not
Nov 10, 2025

Let’s be real… we all think we’re great drivers. But the stats? Yeah, they say otherwise.

In this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, I’m diving deep into the psychology behind why nearly everyone thinks they’re “better than average” behind the wheel — and what’s really going on out there on the road.

I’m calling out the bad driving habits we all pretend don’t count (yep, even you), the silent rules we break, and why road rage is more personal than you think. Plus, I’ll hit you with some wild stats and a few of my ow...

Duration: 00:20:08
007 | What Makes a Car Brand Cool? Racing, Heritage, and Pop Culture Explained
Nov 03, 2025

What actually makes a car brand "cool"? Is it the racing heritage, the design, the movie appearances, or just the vibe and culture it carries? In this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, I’m joined once again by Courage, and we’re diving deep into what defines a cool car brand — and why some automakers have built a cult following while others are still trying to find their identity.

We break down iconic brands like Ferrari, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Audi, Cadillac, Volkswagen, and even Hyundai, and explore how things like rally racing, GT championships, and pop culture moments shape a br...

Duration: 00:30:51
006 | 7 Coolest Used Cars Under $20K in 2025 (That Still Turn Heads)
Oct 27, 2025

Hey, let’s face it — nobody ever said “Cool minivan,” right?

But you don’t need Lamborghini money to roll up in something that turns heads. In this solo episode of Cool Cars with Chris, I’m giving you 7 of the coolest used cars you can buy in 2025 for under $20,000 — and I’m not talking about boring commuter boxes.

These are the kinds of cars that make strangers say, “Now that’s a cool ride.”

Whether you're into American muscle, sleek Japanese coupes, or refined daily drivers with serious street cred, this list hits all the marks: looks, pe...

Duration: 00:52:33
005 | Top 10 Best-Selling Electric Vehicles of 2025: Real Talk with Courage
Oct 20, 2025

Are EVs actually cool… or just overhyped appliances with torque?

In this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, I sit down with my good friend Courage (yes, that’s his real name — we get into it) to talk all things EV in 2025. From Tesla drag strip dominance to battery drama, we unpack the truth behind electric vehicles today.

We cover the real pros and cons of EV ownership, including:

🔋 Battery life and charging cycles

🏁 The insane speed of even the “boring” EVs

📉 Range anxiety and road trip nightmares

☀️ My dream for so...

Duration: 00:44:30
004 | We Both Failed Our Driving Tests?! + Dream 3-Car Garages (Ford vs Infiniti)
Oct 13, 2025

Buckle up — because this one’s equal parts hilarious and horsepower. Chris and Courage share the real stories behind their failed driving tests (yes, more than once!) before building their ultimate 3-car garages — with one big twist: they can only pick from a single car brand.

Chris goes all-in on Ford, dreaming up a Shelby-powered garage full of trucks and muscle cars, while Courage flexes with a sleeper-spec Infiniti lineup. The two debate used BMW headaches, underrated V8 SUVs, and whether anyone actually needs 4WD.

If you love car talk with personality, this one’s for you.

Highli...

Duration: 00:47:54
(Video Show Version) Why Did Barbie Mod a Genesis Coupe in Hot Pink?!
Oct 03, 2025

In this episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we meet Barbie and her jaw-dropping hot pink 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe! 💖She takes us inside the mod journey — from her very first Genesis 2.0T to this bold 3.8L build that’s turning heads all over San Diego’s car scene. From custom wraps, spoilers, emblems, and Barbie-themed mods to the dream of an LS swap — this isn’t just a car, it’s a statement.Whether you're into Genesis Coupe mods, female car builders, or just love a good custom story, this ride will inspire you!▶️ Watch now to see why Barbie built the co...

Duration: 00:23:05
003 | Hot Pink Hyundai Genesis Coupe Build – Barbie’s Real-Life Dream Car | San Diego Car Culture
Sep 29, 2025

Hey cool car lovers, it's Chris here and on today's episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we are diving into one of the most jaw-dropping builds cruising the streets of San Diego. I'm talking about a hot pink, fully modded 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, driven by none other than Barbie herself.

We talk about her inspiration, the car's journey from bone-stock to Barbie bombshell, what it means to be a woman in car culture, and how she’s taking over car shows and meets with her ultra-personalized ride. She also shares the ups and downs of modding, the commu...

Duration: 00:31:20
(Video Show Version) This Is the CLEANEST Honda CRX You’ve Never Seen!
Sep 26, 2025

Could this be the cleanest Honda CRX still alive?We take a deep dive into one of the most pristine 1991 Honda CRXs in existence — from flawless paint to a bone-stock engine bay, this is a build you don’t see every day.If you’re into beautifully preserved classics, detailed car culture, or just love a clean Honda, this episode is for you. Join us for a full walk around, under-the-hood breakdown, driving impressions, and the story behind this legendary CRX.🛎️ Subscribe for more clean builds, collector cars, and real enthusiast stories every week!

Duration: 00:24:53
002 | Why This Stock 1991 Honda CRX Si Is a Rare Time Capsule
Sep 22, 2025

On today’s episode of Cool Cars with Chris, we’re stepping back in time with Mike and his incredibly clean, all-original 1991 Honda CRX Si — no mods, no swaps, no neon, just pure 90s Honda greatness.

Mike takes us through what makes this CRX special, how rare it is to find one unmodified, and why he chose this car over newer, flashier models — including a GTR he once owned (!).

We also dig into the golden era of Honda, the challenge of keeping this beauty mint, where he shows it off, and even touch on California’s wild exhaust...

Duration: 00:34:22
(Video Show Version) This Hyundai Elantra N Will Blow Your Mind! (Daily Driver Review)
Sep 15, 2025

Welcome back to Cool Cars with Chris! 🚗🔥In this episode, Chris meets up with Courage, a passionate car enthusiast and dad of two, to check out his Hyundai Elantra N — a practical yet performance-packed daily driver. From the mods he's added (including a sneaky JB4 piggyback tune) to how this car handles daily duties and weekend backroad blasts, you'll get a full tour, honest impressions, and an exciting ride-along!📍 Topics include:✅Why Courage chose the Elantra N over other sporty 4-doors✅The surprising performance and tuning potential✅Road trip stories (like packing for Monterey Car Week!)✅Real talk on reliability and own...

Duration: 00:19:18
How Courage Turned a Hyundai Elantra N Into a Street-Legal Track Beast - Episode 1
Sep 15, 2025

Hey friends – it's Chris, and welcome to the very first episode of Cool Cars with Chris! I’ve been dreaming about doing a car podcast for over 20 years, and now it’s finally here. In this premiere episode, I sit down with Courage, a fellow car enthusiast and dad who’s turned his Hyundai Elantra N into a legit performance machine – while still handling school runs and road trips.

We talk about why he chose the Elantra N over a Golf R or BMW, what it’s like owning a fun car as a dad, and how he managed to sn...

Duration: 00:32:07
Welcome to Cool Cars with Chris (Trailer)
Sep 06, 2025

Buckle up, buttercup — the ride starts here! 🚗💨

In this short trailer, I’ll give you a taste of what Cool Cars with Chris is all about: real people, real cars, and the stories that make them special. This is the car show for the rest of us — where you’ll hear everything from daily drivers and beat-up projects to dream builds and one-of-a-kind rides.

Hit Follow now so you don’t miss the first full episode — and join me in celebrating car culture, one story at a time.


Instagram


Duration: 00:01:29