All cars are not created equal. Some fade into the annals of history. A select few become legendary.
This new podcast is dedicated to those icons.
YouTuber James Reeves will take to the mic each week and explore the lore behind cars like the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Nissan GT-R. He’ll interview guests from the industry and add in plenty of his own experiences along the way.
A long-time automotive enthusiast, James is making his first ever trip to the SEMA Show this year to experience automotive culture at its finest, while on assignment for AutoGuide.com. This experience will then set the stage for episode one of the Automotive Icons Podcast “What I Learned After Spending Four Days at the World’s Best Car Show.”
Host:
James Reeves
The Executive Producer and a primary host of TFBTV, one of the largest firearm-focused channels on YouTube. In addition to reviewing guns and tactical gear, he is also a practicing attorney who often discusses self-defense law and legal matters for gun owners.
Can you actually find a "cool" car with a clean title and under 75,000 miles for less than $5,000? James Reeves spent hours scouring over 1,000 eBay Motors listings to find the diamonds in the rough. From German luxury and Japanese "Kei" icons to the ultimate American land yacht, we’re breaking down the best budget buys in the 0–$5k range.
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23 Feb 2026
The Coolest Cars You Can Buy from $5k - $10k
Can you actually find a "cool" car in the $5,000 – $10,000 range without buying a total lemon? James Reeves goes deep into the automotive trenches (1,000+ listings worth of research!) to find the best value picks for the third instalment of our budget mini-series.
From Italian masterpieces designed by the man behind the Ferrari Testarossa to the "Four Horsemen" of Japanese reliability, we’re breaking down the six categories that define a great find.
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17 Feb 2026
The Coolest Cars You Can Buy from $10,000 to $15,000 - Ep. 8
Welcome back to our mini-series on the Automotive Icons Podcast! Last week, we tackled the $15k–$20k range. Today, James Reeves is stepping down into the $10,000 to $15,000 bracket.
As the price goes down, the stakes go up. To keep things realistic, we’re hunting for cars with under 75,000 miles (preferably under 60k) to avoid the "money pit" trap of high-mileage luxury. From "constant state of domination" in a Lexus to the "anonymous" speed of a Pontiac GTO, we’re breaking down the six best (or at least coolest) picks across our signature categories.
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9 Feb 2026
The Six Coolest Cars You Can Buy From $15,000 - $20,000
We are BACK! After a brief hiatus involving the holidays, work chaos, and a never-ending warehouse renovation nightmare (apologies for the concrete reverb!), the Automotive Icons podcast is hitting the road again.
In this episode, James Reeves kicks off a new mini-series: The Six Coolest Cars at Every Price Point. We’re starting in the $15,000 to $20,000 bracket. To keep it fair, James self-imposed a "60,000-mile cap" to find vehicles that haven't been beaten to death—and the results range from "brilliant" to "genuinely stupid."
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29 Dec 2025
Mercedes G Wagon vs Toyota Land Cruiser - Ep. 6
They both started as utilitarian Jeep knockoffs. They both built legendary cult followings. And today, they represent two of the greatest inventions in human history. But which one actually deserves the crown?
In episode six of Automotive Icons, James Reeves dives deep into the "same same, but different" world of the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Mercedes G-Wagon. From the battlefields to the soccer fields, these vehicles have done it all—serving as farm tools, expedition rigs, and high-end status symbols.
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22 Dec 2025
Why I Don't Own a Modern Car (and Why You Shouldn't Either) - Ep. 5
In this episode of Automotive Icons, James Reeves dives deep into his "no modern cars" philosophy. While 2000 might feel like yesterday, it’s officially 25 years ago—and James argues that cars from the late '90s and early 2000s are actually the "sweet spot" for daily drivers.
From his beloved Toyota Crown Royal Saloon G to the "trough" of car valuation, James breaks down why opting for soul and simplicity over touchscreens and warranties is a winning move for your wallet and your sanity.
The "Soul" Factor: Why modern cars feel like tablets on wheels and why physical buttons still reign supreme.
Reliability vs. Predictability: Why an older car with a known track record is often a safer bet than a brand-new model with "beta-test" software.
The $32,000 Difference: A look at the financial freedom of driving an $8,000 imported classic versus a $40,000 depreciating asset.
Maintenance Myths: Debunking the fear of parts availability and why "serviceability" is better in the '90s.
The Trough of Coolness: How cars age out of being "used" and into being "classic icons."
Are you a "Hell yeah, brother" listener or do you need that 2025 warranty? Let us know in the comments!
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15 Dec 2025
Ballin' on a Budget: 7 Cool Cars For Under $10,000 - Ep. 4
The economy is tight, but your ride doesn't have to be boring!
If current economic pressures are making it harder to 'stunt,' this episode is your blueprint for driving something truly awesome without breaking the bank. Forget boring, responsible commuter cars! Inspired by a $5,000 budget and a classic 1966 Ford Mustang, we're diving deep to find seven of the coolest cars you can buy right now for under $10,000.
From bulletproof Japanese luxury to German precision and pure American excess, we've got a tight-budget list full of personality, swagger, and fun.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This is not financial advice! Many of these cars will require maintenance, a tolerance for risk, and most importantly—confidence. Buy a car because you genuinely like it, not just to look cool. The Cars That Prove You Can Be an Automotive Icon on a Budget:
What car on this list sparks your interest the most? Let me know which one you'd like to dive into for more details!
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9 Dec 2025
Is a Nissan Skyline Worth Buying in 2025?
James Reeves, a self-proclaimed "Skyline Hater" (who secretly loves them!), is diving deep into the JDM icon that everyone wants: the Nissan Skyline!
From the moment "Godzilla" woke up in 1989 to the jaw-dropping prices of today, the Skyline has captivated gearheads—but not all of them are created equal.
Do you know the difference between a high-mileage GTR asking $70,000 and a cleaner, non-GTR sedan for $20,000? That's the GTR Tax and it's real!In this episode of Automotive Icons, James breaks down the market, consults an expert JDM exporter, and scrapes hundreds of auction results (including from eBay Motors) to reveal where the true value lies for aspiring Skyline owners.
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2 Dec 2025
Is a Classic Porsche a Good Investment - Ep 2
Is that dream classic Porsche sitting in your garage actually a better investment than a new car? On this episode of the Automotive Icons Podcast, host James Reeves dives deep into thousands of auction listings (using data scraped with the help of ChatGPT!) to uncover the surprising truth about the values of iconic models like the 944, 928, 993, and the oft-maligned 996.
We talk to the experts, including a hilarious anecdote from buyer/exporter Aaron Ross and the market wisdom of Nathan Murz (Chair of Valuation for the Porsche Club of America), to see which models are a "rocket ship" and which are still attainable for the average driver.
Key Takeaways You Can't Miss:
The 993 Spike: See the incredible data showing how the last air-cooled 911 has nearly doubled in value over the last 8 years. (Spoiler: it’s almost plateaued—did you miss the boat?)
The Attainable Porsche: We break down the 944—the perfect first Porsche for under $20k—and reveal how its value has quietly climbed 50%.
The Next Big Thing: Is the controversial, water-cooled 996 (with its "fried egg" headlights) poised to be the next classic to explode in value? Data suggests it's already showing significant gains from its trough!
The Mileage Trap: Learn the crucial mistake that can cost you thousands: the massive value hit cars take when they cross the sub-20,000-mile mark. Do NOT buy an ultra-low-mile car if you plan to drive it!
The Maintenance Caveat: We discuss the brutal math of maintenance (like the $1,500 timing belt on the 944) and why a higher-spec car might actually yield a better return on investment.
What's Inside:
The age-old debate: Is it Porsche or Porsh-uh? (James explains why he uses both!)
A look at the Porsche 928 and its incredible 60-70% surge in value.
Why the cost of a classic Porsche is a better financial decision than buying a brand new, depreciating "appliance car."
Essential advice: Don't let insufferable 911 guys bully you out of owning a great car like the 944.
Press play and find out if your favorite classic Porsche is a sensible investment or just a money pit!
🗣️ What do YOU think? Is the 996 about to blow up? Did James get the math right? Let us know in the comments below!
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26 Nov 2025
What I Learned After Spending Four Days at the World’s Best Car Show - Ep. 1
Join host James Reeves (of TFBTV and Jimports) as he dives headfirst into the colossal, chaotic, and completely custom world of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas for the very first time! For years, James has navigated the mayhem of SHOT Show, but even that didn't prepare him for the sheer scale and wild creativity of the automotive aftermarket's biggest event.
This isn't your average auto show—it's a paradise of 'look-at-me' cars, six-figure RestoMods, and unbelievable engineering. In this inaugural episode of the Automotive Icons podcast, James breaks down his entire SEMA experience, from the hilarious Vegas antics to the jaw-dropping builds that define the show.
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