Subaru is discontinuing the WRX S4 in Japan, Mercedes is phasing out the V12 in favor of V8s with similar power, and Volvo and Volkswagen are ranking among the worst vehicles in dependability due to software-related issues.

In this week’s episode, Kalasinga and Vanilla discuss the current state of the car industry, which appears to be raising more questions than answers.

Beyond the news, we get into a more unfiltered discussion about what’s really happening to modern cars. Are they actually getting better, or are we losing the driving experience, reliability, and character that made cars enjoyable in the first place?

We also talk about our ongoing Nissan Patrol M57 swap project and how close Kalasinga came to ditching his Swift Sport for a diesel BMW X6.

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Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

We all have a dream car we hope to own one day, or maybe you already do. People admire them, but one thing that rarely gets talked about is the true cost of ownership.

In this episode, Kalasinga and Vanilla talk about high-performance cars that are expensive to maintain, the hidden complexity behind routine servicing, the risks of poorly modified 4x4 suspension setups and death wobble, why old luxury cars can quickly drain your wallet, and what happens when major components in hybrids fail over time.

This is the side of car ownership most people don’t talk about.

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Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

Why are there so many speed bumps? Do speed limits actually make sense, and can roads be designed in a way that forces better driving behavior?

In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with June and Gakii, two civil engineers by profession, to break down the real issues affecting Kenyan roads, and it’s deeper than just traffic.

We get into:

• The logic (and misuse) of speed bumps
• Why speed limits are set the way they are
• The problem with disorganized traffic flow
• Lack of standardization in road design
• Whether engineering can compensate for poor driving habits

This is a proper discussion of how infrastructure, policy, and human behavior all collide on our roads, and what needs to change to make driving safer and more predictable.

If you’ve ever wondered why driving in Kenya feels unnecessarily chaotic, this episode will connect the dots for you.

Guests:

June Mutwiri

Victoria Gakii

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Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

In this short episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with two technicians from Inchcape Kenya, the official dealer for BMW in Kenya.

They walk us through what it really means to work on modern BMWs, the level of training and diagnostics involved, and what sets dealership technicians apart from independent mechanics.

From specialized tools and factory software to continuous technical training, Njeri and Bernard give us a quick behind-the-scenes look at how BMWs are properly serviced and maintained.

This is a glimpse inside an official BMW workshop and the people and expertise behind it.

Guests:

Njeri - BMW Technician, Inchcape Kenya

Bernard - BMW Technician, Inchcape Kenya

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Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

The Peugeot 504 is one of the most legendary cars ever built for African roads. Known for its incredible durability, long-travel suspension, and simple mechanical design, it earned a reputation as a car that could survive almost anywhere. But can a decades-old car with a carburetor engine still handle a continental road trip in 2026?

In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla host a man attempting one of the most ambitious road trips imaginable: driving a 40-year-old Peugeot 504 from Nairobi all the way to Cape Town.

In this conversation we discuss:

• Why he chose a Peugeot 504 for the journey
• The preparation needed to drive across multiple African countries
• Maintaining a carburetor engine on the road
• Spare parts, tools, and roadside repairs
• The realities of long-distance driving across Africa
• The legendary reputation of the Peugeot 504 on African roads

If you love classic cars, road trips, mechanical simplicity, and the enduring spirit of adventure, this episode is for you.

Guest:

Edward: https://www.instagram.com/project504africa

Website: https://project504africa.lovable.app/

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Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

What is the philosophy behind tuning, why do many builds fail, and what does it actually take to make reliable power from Subaru platforms?In Part 2 of the conversation with KunChris, Kalasinga and Vanilla move from the origin story into the technical world of tuning and high-performance builds.We also explore a surprising chapter in his journey - his decision to buy a BMW M135i, a very rare car in Kenya. Despite the reputation BMWs have for reliability issues, his ownership experience has been overwhelmingly positive.We talk about:- The philosophy behind tuning Subarus- Common mistakes people make when modifying cars- Why reliability depends more on the build than the badge- Why KunChris chose a BMW M135i- The myths surrounding BMW ownership- Advice for anyone considering buying a BMW- Some of the wild builds KunChris has worked on, including the fastest 100–200 km/h Subaru in AfricaThis episode is an in-depth exploration into performance engineering, car ownership realities, and the mindset behind building truly fast machines.If you’re a Subaru fan, a tuner, or just someone who is looking to start their BMW ownership journey, do not miss this one!Guest:Christopher: https://www.instagram.com/kunchris/Follow Gearhaus on:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7MoK22Jl8Epvkjrz2IGearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

From 2JZ-GTE-powered hot rods to flame-throwing V8 Ford pickups and a Suzuki Samurai transformed into a drift-spec Altezza in just seven days, Calvin de Souza doesn't do ordinary.His builds are bold, chopped, candy-painted, and unapologetically loud, yet beneath it all lies a level of engineering precision that might just surprise you.In this episode of Gearhaus, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit down with the renowned custom car builder to find out what drives a man who has made a career out of turning scrap metal into outrageous, head-turning machines.This is not just a conversation about cars. It’s a conversation about vision, fabrication, rebellion, and building machines that refuse to be ignored.Guest: Calvin De SouzaFollow Gearhaus on:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7MoK22Jl8Epvkjrz2IGearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

Long before dyno graphs and big-budget builds became common, KunChris was pushing boundaries and converting a naturally aspirated Subaru Legacy into a turbocharged street missile that embarrassed cars far above its class.

In this first part, Kalasinga and Vanilla sit with KunChris to discuss the origins of Kenya’s Subaru tuning scene and the story behind the legendary "Mama Legacy."

We talk about:

• How he got into tuning
• The early days of Kenya’s car performance culture
• Building Mama Legacy from the ground up
• Crazy road trips with fellow enthusiasts
• What truly makes a "driver’s car?"
• Why some cars feel special, and others don’t

This is Part 1 of a multiple-part series where we explore tuning philosophy, motorsport, and the technical side of building fast but reliable cars.

If you’re a Subaru fan, a tuner, or just someone who loves proper driver’s cars, do not miss this one!

Guest:

KunChris: https://www.instagram.com/kunchris/

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Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

From touring humanity's cradle at Koobi Fora with an 8-month-old baby to conquering the sand dunes of Namibia's Empty Quarter, the chief Nomad takes us on a journey through building one of Africa's most daring overland communities.

In the second part of this two-part episode, wakilinomad (as he's popularly known) shares the adventures of traveling to some of the most remote parts of Kenya, the lessons he's learned on the way (including why A/C is king when overlanding), and also some of his best destinations, both past and future.

Guest:

wakilinomad: https://www.instagram.com/wakilinomad

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Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.

From touring humanity's cradle at Koobi Fora with an 8-month-old baby to conquering the sand dunes of Namibia's Empty Quarter, the chief Nomad takes us on a journey through building one of Africa's most daring overland communities.

In the first part of this two-part episode, wakilinomad (as he's popularly known) shares how his fledgling dreams of building a tour company were nearly crushed by the COVID pandemic. But like a dune rising grain by grain, he built himself into a towering nomad. He weighs in on the Land Cruiser debate and reveals why his first vehicle for the road was a Mitsubishi Pajero.

Guest:

wakilinomad: https://www.instagram.com/wakilinomad

Follow Gearhaus on:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgearhaus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgearhaus/

WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7MoK22Jl8Epvkjrz2I

Gearhaus is a Palahala Media Group production.