Episode Details

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In this episode, Matt takes on a question that listeners have apparently been enjoying asking: what’s on his “Mount Rushmore” of various categories? Before getting there, though, he gives a quick follow-up to the No Good Deed Goes Unpunished home-plumbing saga, where a simple bathroom fix turned into tracking down a hidden bathtub drain leak caused by questionable original construction choices.

From there, Matt dives into his personal Mount Rushmore lists, starting where it matters most for this audience: scan tools and lab scopes. He walks through the tools that earned their place not necessarily because they are the newest, but because they were foundational, capable, and memorable in the evolution of automotive diagnostics. Then, in classic Matt fashion, things branch out into pro wrestling and podcasting, with some thoughtful distinctions between popularity, performance, influence, and personal appreciation.

This one is part diagnostics nostalgia, part opinion piece, part rabbit hole and fully in the spirit of a listener driven episode.

In This Episode:

• A follow-up to the bathroom plumbing story and a cracked bathtub drain elbow
• A discussion on questionable construction practices and what motivates rushed workmanship
• Matt’s Mount Rushmore of scan tools
• Matt’s Mount Rushmore of lab scopes / oscilloscopes
• A two-tier Mount Rushmore of professional wrestlers: biggest draws / most popular. Best in-ring performers
• Matt’s Mount Rushmore of podcasters

Matt’s Mount Rushmore: Scan Tools

Matt frames this as a historical and personal list rather than a current buying guide.

Tools that made the cut:

• GM Tech 2 – still a lifesaver when other tools come up short
• Snap-on Red Brick (especially graphing versions / MTG 2500) – a huge leap forward in capability and accessibility
• Autel MaxiSys / Maxisys-era tools (especially the early highly capable platforms) – a major step forward for aftermarket capability
• VAG-COM / VCDS – absurd capability for the price, especially for Volkswagen/Audi work

Matt’s Mount Rushmore: Lab Scopes

A list built around influence, usefulness, and personal experience.

Scopes that made the cut:

• Pico 4425A – the standard-setter and Matt’s personal favorite
• Snap-on Vantage Pro – portable, capable, and still highly valued in the shop
• Pico ADC 212 series (especially the 212/3) – a major turning point in what techs expected from a scope
• Fluke 98 – one of the early serious handheld automotive lab scopes that helped shape the category

Matt’s Mount Rushmore: Professional Wrestlers

Matt splits this into two categories because wrestling is both performance and business.

Biggest Draws / Most Popular:

• Hulk Hogan
• The Rock
• Stone Cold Steve Austin
• John Cena

Best In-Ring Performers:

• Shawn Michaels
• Bret Hart
• AJ Styles
• Ric Flair

Matt’s Mount Rushmore: Podcasters

A mix of influence, longevity, reach, and personal listening.

Names and shows discussed:

• Soft White Underbelly
• Joe Rogan
• Kevin Smith / Scott Mosier (SModcast)
• Lex Fridman