Welcome to the Victory & Reseda Quarterly Report & Podcast, episode 9!  In this episode, Randy and George why they didn't make it to the 2025 Chicago Auto Show this year, discuss the use of premium vs regular fuel in vehicles (which do you use, let us know in the comments!), check in with our long term vehicle ownership experience with one getting a check engine light, cover the latest vehicles we have been reviewing, and Kohl Kraft joins us to discuss his endeavors in the automotive community.

Discussions on vehicles reviewed in this episode include: 
- 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2025-hyundai-tucson-hybrid/
- 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT: https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2025-hyundai-santacruz-xrt/
- 2025 Toyota Crown Signia: https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2025-toyota-crown-signia/
- 2025 Lexus NX 450+ plug-in hybrid: https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2025-lexus-nx-450h/
- 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2025-mazda-cx50-hybrid/

Our long term ownership vehicle status updates:
2021 Mazda CX-5: at 34,500 miles - check engine light for code P0126 - TSB 01-005/23 for a thermostat issue
2019 Volkswagen Golf R: at 39,800 miles - getting some use
1976 Jeep CJ-7: at 80,000 miles - in winter storage

There are a couple of ways you can enjoy these podcasts. You can watch it right here on YouTube, or you can listen to the audio as audio podcast through most podcast providers.

For all Victory & Reseda reading content, visit: https://victoryandreseda.net/

Merch!!!  Interested in a V&R hat, t-shirt, hoodie or sticker?  You can buy them online at https://victoryandreseda.etsy.com

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:12 2025 Chicago Auto Show - didn't get there
4:30 Regular vs premium fuel - what do you use?
14:56 Long term update: '21 Mazda CX-5 "V&R Machine"
21:40 Long term update: '19 VW Golf R
22:24 Long term update: '76 Jeep CJ7
23:12 Reviewed: 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
25:19 Reviewed: 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT
30:15 Reviewed: 2025 Toyota Crown Signia
32:26 Reviewed: 2025 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV
35:25 Reviewed: 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
38:56 Interview: Kohl Kraft
1:07:42 Victory & Reseda Merchandise

Support the show

It took a while, but here we are! Welcome to out eighth episode of our Quarterly Report & Podcast!

In this episode, we're featuring a Twin Cities personality from the automotive retail business as our guest, Richard Herod III. Until recently, he ran two very successful dealerships. A recent vehicle accident caused him to retire. However, he has returned to the automotive retail fold. He gets to tell his story to Randy and George. 

We also discuss our fleet, and look back at 2024 WE comb through the sales numbers, talk about our highlights and our favorite vehicles from last year. Plus, we have several vehicles to go through for reviews including two spins on the Rental Car Roulette.

Support the show

In this episode, we have our first guest interview, and that is with Gabriel Young of Northern Flow Media!  We also reveal the 2024 V&R Vehicle of the Year #VOTY24 contenders, introduce a vehicle which has been hiding in our long term fleet, and discuss seven vehicles recently reviewed.

For all Victory & Reseda reading content, visit: https://victoryandreseda.net/

Merch!!!  Interested in a hat, t-shirt or hoodie?  You can buy them online at https://victoryandreseda.etsy.com

0:00 Introduction
0:56 Guest interview: Gabriel Young
17:20 2024 V&R Vehicle of the Year #VOTY24
22:58 Long term vehicle update: 2021 Mazda CX-5
25:53 Long term vehicle update: 2019 Volkswagen Golf R
26:03 Long term vehicle update: Introducing 1976 Jeep CJ-7
37:55 2025 Nissan Kicks
40:58 2024 Hyunda Sonata
43:27 2024 Defender 110 
46:12 2024 Dodge Durango SRT  
49:32 2024 Subaru Forester
52:29 2024 Toyota Prius Prime 
54:46 Rental Car Roulette: 2024 Nissan Rogue 
59:14 V&R Merch!

Support the show

In this episode, Randy Stern and George Torline discuss the vehicles we drove at the 2024 Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) Spring Rally, we get an update on the the V&R Machine (2021 Mazda CX-5) and the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R demanded some attention as well.  And we recap some of the vehicles worked with over the last quarter.

For all Victory & Reseda reading content, visit: https://victoryandreseda.net/

Merch!!!  Interested in a hat, t-shirt or hoodie?  You can buy them online at https://victoryandreseda.etsy.com

Support the show

In this episode, Randy Stern and George Torline discuss the 2024 Chicago Auto Show and their picks of the show.  The V&R Machine (2021 Mazda CX-5) gets its oil analyzed in our long term fleet update.  And a recap of the some of the vehicles worked with over the last quarter.

Michelin Tire Love! Sponsor us please! :-)

For all Victory & Reseda reading content, visit: https://victoryandreseda.net/

Merch!!!  Interested in a hat, t-shirt or hoodie?  You can buy them online at https://victoryandreseda.etsy.com

Support the show

In this episode, Randy Stern and George Torline announce the 2023 Vehicle of the Year (#VOTY2023) nominees, see what they drove at the Midwest Automotive Association Fall Festival and Chicago Drives Electric media events, check in on their long term vehicles and review discussion on the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI, 2023 Honda Accord, and the 2023 Range Rover Sport. 

Dielectric sealant mentioned can be found here:  https://a.co/d/9CbIvjk

Honda 'Rodent' Tape can be found here:  https://www.hondapartsonline.net/oem-parts/honda-tape-rodent-19mm-20m-40192317

Long Term Updates:
2021 Mazda CX-5
2019 Volkswagen Golf R

Michelin Tire Love! Sponsor us please! :-)

For all Victory & Reseda reading content, visit: https://victoryandreseda.net/

Merch!!!  Interested in a hat, t-shirt or vinyl stickers?  You can buy them online at https://victoryandreseda.etsy.com

Support the show

The crew at Victory & Reseda have been busy over the summer working with all kinds of vehicles.  With this episode, see what Randy Stern and George Torline have been up to as they dig into some of the newest vehicles like the 2023 Ford F-150 Tremor, 2023 Mazda CX-9, 2024 Subaru Crosstrek and 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 EV. We also get a taste of some specialty vehicles like the Rolls Royce Ghost and Lucid Air. 

We also find out how the 'V&R Machine' 2021 Mazda CX-5 and  2019 Volkswagen Golf R long term vehicles are holding up. 

Mentioned or reviewed in this episode:
Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally '23:
2022 Rolls Royce Ghost - Black Badge
2023 Volkswagen Golf R - 20th Anniversary Edition
2023 Lucid Air Grand Touring
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss
2023 BMW M2
Read more about the MAMA Rally here: https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mama23rally/

Long Term Updates:
2021 Mazda CX-5
2019 Volkswagen Golf R

Mazda CX-5 Oil Filters:
"Value Products Mazda" (Mexico): PE01-14-302A-MV
Mazda Genuine (Thailand): 1WPE-14-302

Michelin Tire Love! Sponsor us please! :-)
Defender2
Pilot Sport 4S
X-Ice Snow
X-Ice Snow SUV

Vehicle Reviews:
2023 Mazda CX-9    
    https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2023-mazda-cx9/
2023 Ford F-150 Tremor   
    https://www.victoryandreseda.net/our-thoughts-exactly-2023-ford-f-150-tremor/
2024 Subaru Crosstrek    
    https://www.victoryandreseda.net/my-thoughts-exactly-2024-subaru-crosstrek/
2023 Genesis Electrified GV70    
    https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2023-genesis-electrified-gv70/

Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/ppqg2mJPsA4

For all Victory & Reseda reading content, visit: https://victoryandreseda.net/

Merch!!!  Interested in a hat, t-shirt or vinyl stickers?  Let us know!

Support the show

Join Randy Stern and George Torline for 'Victory & Reseda Reviews - Episode 2' as they highlight some of the vehicles from the the most recent auto shows.  Also they will discuss several of the cars and trucks they reviewed during the second quarter of the 2023 season. Plus see what Randy ended up getting with his turn playing 'rental car roulette'.

For the full review of each vehicle, refer to VictoryandReseda.net and this YouTube channel.

In this episode, the check out what is new at the recent auto shows. See the full review articles at:
- 2023 Hyundai Palisade: https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2023-hyundai-palisade/
- 2022 RAM 1500 Classic: https://www.victoryandreseda.net/rcr-ram-1500-clssic/
- 2023 Lexus RX 350: https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2023-lexus-rx/
- 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge: https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2023-volvo-s60-recharge/
- 2023 Kia Niro: https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2023-kia-niro/

See the full video review of the 2023 Lexus RX350 here:  https://youtu.be/FFpPh71l5TM

Mentioned in this episode are videos produced at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show:
- 2023 Toyota Crown: https://youtu.be/f-hVWRcSPO4
- 2023 Toyota Prius: https://youtu.be/M9GFFk8VrHw
- 2023 Acura Integra: https://youtu.be/EQCHdDtoyi0
- 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale & 2023 Dodge Hornet: https://youtu.be/eUygkHfq6Ks

Watch this podcast episode on YouTube on our YouTube channel! - https://youtu.be/NKYxbdYc9T4

For all Victory & Reseda reading content, visit: https://victoryandreseda.net/

Support the show

Join Randy Stern and George Torline as they highlight several of the cars and trucks reviewed during the first quarter of the 2023 season, and see what George ended up with his spin with on the 'rental car roulette'. 

In this episode, the vehicles spotlighted and their articles are:
2022 Acura MDX Type-S:  https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2022-acura-mdx-types/
2023 Toyota Sequoia:  https://www.victoryandreseda.net/2023-toyota-sequoia/
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV:  https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2023-mitsubishi-outlander-phev/
2022 Kia K5
2023 Rivian R1T:  https://www.victoryandreseda.net/quickies-rivian-r1t/
2023 Genesis G90:  https://www.victoryandreseda.net/2023-genesis-g90/
2023 Honda HR-V:  https://www.victoryandreseda.net/mte-2023-honda-hrv/

Or watch this episode on YouTube on our YouTube channel! - https://youtu.be/seAT_fbMx0g

For all Victory & Reseda reading content, visit: https://victoryandreseda.net/

Support the show