Exploring the rapid depreciation of luxury cars, this episode reveals why they can lose up to 30% of their value in the first year. The hosts discuss the impact of technology changes on resale values, particularly in high-end brands like BMW and Mercedes. Additionally, they introduce a surprising three-cylinder engine that delivers 300 horsepower, challenging conventional performance norms. The conversation also touches on leasing versus buying for rideshare drivers, emphasizing the financial implications of each choice.
If you're searching for the best cars to buy in 2026, how to avoid luxury car depreciation, or whether leasing a car is worth it, this episode of Cool Cars with Chris delivers expert insight. We break down why $100K luxury cars lose 30% of their value in the first year, explore the smartest used cars that hold their resale value, and compare lease vs finance strategies for Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers. We dive deep into the Toyota GR performance lineup — including detailed reviews of the GR Corolla 300HP 3-cylinder, GR Supra, and GR86 lightweight sports car. Plus, we cover the pros and cons of the VW ID. Buzz EV, classic VW Bus camper van conversions, and why the Infiniti QX80 may be one of the best full-size SUVs for towing in 2026. Whether you're a car enthusiast, new car buyer, or looking for depreciation-proof vehicles, this podcast episode gives you the tools to make smarter car decisions and stay ahead of automotive trends.
Chris and Courage are back for 2026 and diving into one of the most painful truths in car buying: why luxury cars lose 30% of their value in year one — and how to avoid making the same mistake. From depreciation traps to overhyped tech features, this episode is packed with real-world advice for smart car buying.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. The guys break down the Toyota GR performance lineup — including the GR Corolla's insane 300HP 3-cylinder engine — and whether it’s a true hot hatch or just a boosted toy. Plus: VW’s ID. Buzz EV, the Infiniti QX80, SUV towing power, and the unexpected cars that might actually gain value in the coming years.
🔧 What You’ll Learn:
Why luxury vehicles depreciate faster than you think
How to avoid overpaying at the dealership in 2026
The truth about leasing vs owning — especially if you drive for Uber or DoorDash
Which cars hold value best (Toyota, Honda, and more)
Breakdown of the GR Supra, GR86, and GR Corolla
What makes the 300HP 3-cylinder Corolla so impressive
Why the VW ID. Buzz EV may not live up to the hype
Infiniti QX80 as a towing monster — and full-size SUV sleeper
Our future car wishlist and what we’re eyeing next
00:00 🚗 Kicking Off 2026
00:49 💸 Luxury Car Depreciation Explained
03:32 🏷️ Dealer Markups vs MSRP
06:19 🤖 How Car Tech Hurts Resale
08:45 🚫 Should You Lease a Car in 2026?
11:33 🔁 Long-Term Ownership vs Upgrading Often
14:00 🧠 Best Value Cars to Buy in 2026
16:34 🛠️ Reliable Used Cars That Feel New
18:14 🏆 Depreciation-Proof Brands: Toyota & Honda
24:00 🔥 Full Breakdown: Toyota GR Lineup
26:05 🧬 GR Supra = BMW + Toyota
29:17 🪶 GR86: Lightweight Sports Car Magic
33:00 🛞 GR Corolla: 300HP, 3-Cylinder Powerhouse
36:00 💨 Turbo Boost & Performance Specs
38:49 🏍️ Motorcycle Power vs Power-to-Weight
42:00 ⚡️ VW ID. Buzz Review — Stylish but Flawed
43:52 🛑 VW ID. Buzz Production Paused
45:00 🚌 VW Bus Culture & Camper Builds
46:22 🪵 Building Custom Vans That Feel Like Home
47:00 🛻 Infiniti QX80 & Full-Size SUV Picks
48:36 🔧 SUV Towing Capacity Explained
50:47 🐎 Ford Raptor vs F-150: Towing & Suspension
52:53 ⚖️ Comparing Toyota, Nissan, and Infiniti SUVs
55:20 🕰️ Infiniti’s Analog Clock Legacy
57:10 💭 Future Car Wishlist for 2026
61:00 🧾 Final Thoughts & Listener Takeaways
63:00 🔮 What’s Coming Next + Tease for Next Episode
"...some cars in some particular automakers, like mark up their vehicle way beyond MSRP. They'll have the regular price and they'll have like a dealer price..."
MSRP is the price that the car maker suggests you should pay for a new car. However, dealerships may charge more than this price based on demand.
MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, which is the price that the manufacturer recommends for a vehicle. It serves as a guideline for dealerships, but actual sale prices can vary significantly due to market demand and dealer markups.
"...but you go to dealership, it was like 50 grand more. Some ridiculous overpricing those things..."
Dealer markup is when a car dealership charges more than the price suggested by the car maker. This often happens when a car is very popular or in short supply.
Dealer markup refers to the practice where dealerships increase the price of a vehicle above the MSRP, often due to high demand or limited supply. This can lead to significant price increases for buyers.
"...I remember when the Mustangs were coming out with their, I think GT 350 came out and I looked at those..."
The Ford Mustang GT350 is a special version of the Mustang sports car that is designed for high performance and racing. It's known for being fast and powerful.
The Ford Mustang GT350 is a high-performance variant of the Mustang, known for its powerful engine and track-focused features. It represents a blend of classic muscle car heritage with modern performance technology.
"...actually are probably, you know, good values even now that I would say probably might hold their value just because of the interest level that people have in those types of cars. So I won't go full,..."
When a car 'holds its value,' it means that it doesn't lose a lot of money over time when you try to sell it. Some cars are more popular and stay valuable longer than others.
The term 'hold their value' refers to a vehicle's ability to maintain its resale price over time. Cars that hold their value well are typically in high demand and have a reputation for reliability and desirability.
"...all. What depends on the brand, I guess, but like Range Rover, for example, those fall, some Mercedes, some BMW..."
The Range Rover is a fancy SUV that can handle rough terrains but also feels very comfortable inside. People talk about it because it's a status symbol and great for both city driving and off-road adventures.
The Land Rover Range Rover is a luxury SUV known for its off-road capabilities and opulent features. It has a strong reputation for combining ruggedness with comfort, making it a popular choice among those who want both adventure and luxury.
"...some Mercedes, some BMWs, they seem to fall fast,..."
Mercedes is a well-known brand that makes luxury cars. They are famous for their quality and high-tech features.
Mercedes-Benz is a German automotive brand known for luxury vehicles, high performance, and advanced technology. The brand is synonymous with quality and innovation in the automotive industry.
"...some Mercedes, some BMWs, they seem to fall fast,..."
BMW is a brand that makes luxury cars known for being fun to drive. They focus on performance and high-quality engineering.
BMW is a German automobile manufacturer known for its performance-oriented luxury vehicles. The brand emphasizes driving dynamics and engineering excellence, making it popular among car enthusiasts.
"I feel like tend to, to hit that depreciation curve a lot harder, mainly just because the technology is always changing."
The depreciation curve is how quickly a car loses its value after you buy it. Luxury cars tend to lose value faster than regular cars because new models come out with better features all the time.
The depreciation curve refers to the rate at which a vehicle loses value over time. Luxury vehicles often experience a steeper depreciation curve due to rapid advancements in technology and changing consumer preferences.
"Well, do you ever watch like the leases? Like a lot of those cars are, like a lot of luxury cars are lease models for the most part..."
Leasing a car means you pay to drive it for a few years, but you don't actually own it. When the lease ends, you just give the car back to the dealership.
A lease is a financial agreement where a person pays to use a vehicle for a specified period, typically 2-3 years, without owning it. At the end of the lease term, the vehicle is returned to the dealership.
"...a lot of those cars are, like a lot of luxury cars are lease models for the most part..."
Luxury cars are expensive and fancy vehicles that have a lot of extra features and comforts. They are designed to provide a better driving experience than regular cars.
Luxury cars are high-end vehicles that offer superior comfort, performance, and technology compared to standard vehicles. They often come with premium features and a higher price tag.
"they call them like certified pre-owned or what they call them..."
Certified pre-owned cars are used cars that have been checked and approved by the manufacturer, so they are often in good shape and come with a warranty.
Certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles are used cars that have been inspected, refurbished, and certified by the manufacturer or dealer. They often come with extended warranties and are typically in better condition than regular used cars.
"...they'll sell you the extended warranty, but then that extended warranty will say things like, oh, dude, that's not covered..."
An extended warranty is like extra insurance for your car that helps pay for repairs after the regular warranty runs out. However, it might not cover everything, so it's important to read the fine print.
An extended warranty is a service contract that provides additional coverage for vehicle repairs after the manufacturer's warranty expires. These warranties can have limitations and exclusions, which may leave certain repairs uncovered.
"...luxury cars and that higher initial costs realm can depreciate up to between 20 and 30% in their first year alone..."
Luxury car depreciation is how much value a fancy car loses over time. For example, a new luxury car can lose a lot of its price—up to 30%—in just the first year.
Luxury car depreciation refers to the rate at which luxury vehicles lose their value over time. Typically, luxury cars can depreciate by 20-30% in their first year due to high initial costs and market demand.
"...leasing is a great option. I love that you brought that up because that gets talked about a lot..."
Leasing means you pay to use a car for a few years instead of buying it. When the lease is up, you give the car back and can get a new one.
Leasing is a financing option where you pay to use a vehicle for a set period, usually two to three years, without owning it. At the end of the lease, you return the car, which can be beneficial for those who prefer driving new vehicles frequently.
"...when I bought my first F 150, I went from a smaller Nissan truck, like two door, a little extra, like the little suicide doors in the back to a four-door crew cab F 150 because I had a kid..."
The Ford F-150 is a large truck that many people use for work and family activities. It's popular because it can carry a lot of stuff and is good for driving in different conditions.
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck known for its versatility, capability, and popularity in the United States. It's often used for both work and personal purposes, making it a common choice for families and individuals alike.
"...it was kind of like a multi-purpose car. I guess kind of like with you and your N, how it's kind of like a multi-purpose car."
A multi-purpose car is a vehicle that can do many things, like carry your family and also haul stuff, making it useful for different situations.
A multi-purpose car is a vehicle designed to serve various functions, such as transporting passengers and cargo, making it versatile for different needs.
"...or something like that, a new Corvette or whatever. That's just your fun car. Right. Right. 100%."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and sporty car that's popular among car enthusiasts, but it's mainly built for fun driving rather than family use.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a high-performance sports car known for its speed, handling, and distinctive design, often considered an American icon in the sports car segment.
"...I think Toyota's offering of some of their like, their GR cars, their, their GR Sport cars. Wait a second. Wait a second."
GR Sport cars are special versions of Toyota cars that are made for better performance and a more exciting driving experience.
GR Sport cars are performance-oriented models from Toyota's Gazoo Racing division, designed to enhance driving dynamics and provide a sportier experience.
"...just kind of in this segment, particularly the GR Supra. I mean, people really, really love that car. I a..."
The Supra is a sporty car that many people love because it's fast and fun to drive. The new version, called the GR Supra, is especially popular among car enthusiasts.
The Toyota Supra is a sports car that has gained a cult following due to its performance and tuning potential. The latest GR Supra, developed in collaboration with BMW, has been praised for its driving dynamics and modern technology.
"Cause it's like the old thing with the, what was the, what was the other car that they did that with? It was a, well, I'm always going to infinities because that's my main reference point, but the, the M series cars, they had a V eight version and they had a, in a V six version, the one that I have and they're the same car, like everything, same body, right?"
The M series cars from BMW are special high-performance versions of their regular models. They have more powerful engines and are designed for better handling and speed, making them exciting to drive.
The BMW M series represents a line of high-performance vehicles developed by BMW's M division. These cars are known for their powerful engines, sport-tuned suspensions, and enhanced handling characteristics, making them popular among driving enthusiasts.
"...and even trucks too, like the F 150 and like Ford Ranger all went to like the bubbly look, you know, I thi..."
The Ranger is a smaller truck that can carry things and drive off-road. It's popular because it's easier to handle than bigger trucks but still strong enough for many tasks.
The Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup truck known for its versatility and off-road capabilities. It's often discussed for its balance of size, power, and fuel efficiency, making it a practical choice for both work and recreation.
"...the big like a wing on the back that kind of went up just right above the roof line..."
A 'wing' is a part on some cars that helps them stay stable when going fast. It looks cool and can help the car handle better.
A 'wing' on a car is an aerodynamic component that helps improve stability and downforce at high speeds. It can be a prominent feature on sports cars, enhancing both performance and aesthetics.
"...ys love the Z too. Don't get me wrong. I love the 300 ZX and all that kind of stuff. But, but you're sayin..."
The 300 ZX is a classic sports car that many people admire for its speed and cool looks. It was popular in the '90s and is still loved by car fans today.
The Nissan 300 ZX is a sports car that was produced in the late 1980s and 1990s, known for its performance and distinctive styling. It remains a classic among car enthusiasts for its turbocharged engine options and advanced technology for its time.
"...t do they call that to GR? So now it's called the GR86. I would love to see if like in the, in like, you..."
The GR 86 is a small sports car that's really fun to drive. It's designed to be light and quick, which makes it exciting for people who love driving.
The Toyota GR 86 is a lightweight sports coupe that emphasizes driving pleasure and agility. It is celebrated for its rear-wheel-drive layout and balanced handling, making it a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
"Now it's called the GR86. I would love to see if like in the, in like, you know, any car's history, if like that car has like been the one with the most name changes..."
The Subaru BRZ is a small sports car that focuses on being fun to drive. It's made in partnership with Toyota and is similar to the GR86.
The Subaru BRZ is a compact sports car that emphasizes driving dynamics and performance. It was developed in collaboration with Toyota and shares many components with the Toyota GR86.
"...t even counting the fact that Subaru had like the FRS, but the BRZ and then they had the Scion version,..."
The FR-S is a small sports car that's really fun to drive. It's designed to be light and quick, making it a favorite for people who love driving.
The Scion FR-S, now known as the Toyota 86, is a lightweight sports coupe that emphasizes driving enjoyment and precision handling. It has been popular among enthusiasts for its rear-wheel-drive layout and balanced performance.
"I still wanted a Scion TC like the front of the TC, if you squint and you don't know what you're looking at..."
The Scion TC was a small, sporty car that young people liked because it looked good and could be customized. It was affordable and fun to drive.
The Scion TC was a compact coupe that was popular for its sporty design and customization options. It was aimed at younger buyers looking for an affordable and stylish car.
"...if you're going to put a GTR badge like right in the middle of the grille there, do a GTR. You want to, you want to make people think you got a GTR."
The Nissan GT-R is a fast sports car that many people admire for its speed and racing capabilities. It's designed to perform well on the track and is popular among car enthusiasts.
The Nissan GT-R is a high-performance sports car known for its advanced technology and powerful engine. It has a strong motorsport heritage and is often associated with performance and speed.
"...the GRs are just priced in an area where, you know, you again, you own it for two or three years..."
The Toyota GR is a line of sporty cars made by Toyota that are built for better performance and handling. They are popular among car enthusiasts for their fun driving experience.
The Toyota GR refers to the Gazoo Racing line of performance vehicles from Toyota, which includes models like the GR Supra and GR86. These cars are designed to offer enhanced performance and driving dynamics.
"...og or what? Because we didn't throw in the mix to GR Corolla because that's awesome. Three bangers they got. D..."
The GR Corolla is a sportier version of the regular Corolla, made for people who love to drive fast. It's designed to be fun and exciting on the road.
The Toyota GR Corolla is a high-performance version of the standard Corolla, featuring a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. It has garnered attention for its sporty handling and is aimed at driving enthusiasts looking for a compact car with excitement.
"...s pretty big. Yeah. Because I know that the Honda civics were like 1.6, like the, the old civics, they wer..."
The Civic is a small car that's very popular because it's dependable and gets good gas mileage. Many people choose it for everyday driving because it's easy to use and maintain.
The Honda Civic is a compact car that has been a staple in the automotive market for decades, known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and practicality. It appeals to a wide range of drivers, from commuters to performance enthusiasts.
"...ow, would that compete directly with the, the old Lancer or with, or with the Subaru STI or they even coul..."
The Lancer is a small car that used to be popular for being sporty and fun to drive. The special version called the Evolution was especially loved by car fans.
The Mitsubishi Lancer was a compact car that gained popularity for its sporty design and performance, particularly in its Evolution variant. It is often discussed for its role in motorsports and as a competitor in the compact car segment.
"...ll me this candidly, do you think that the new VW ID buzz is cool looking? Like, I've always thought the, t..."
The ID. Buzz is a new electric van that looks like the old VW buses. It's exciting because it's eco-friendly and has a lot of room for people and cargo.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an electric minivan that pays homage to the classic VW Microbus while incorporating modern electric vehicle technology. It represents Volkswagen's commitment to sustainable transportation and has generated excitement for its retro design and spacious interior.
"... cool looking? Like, I've always thought the, the bus in generally speaking, like the classic ones obvi..."
The VW Bus is a classic van that many people love because of its cool shape and lots of space inside. It's famous for being used by families and travelers in the past.
The Volkswagen Bus, also known as the VW Microbus, is an iconic vehicle that has become a symbol of the 1960s counterculture. Its unique design and spacious interior have made it a beloved choice for families and road trippers.
"...t VQ engine version for the truck and for the new Murano and the, all the different cars had, have had a V..."
The Murano is a comfortable SUV that looks nice and has plenty of space inside. It's a good option for families who want a stylish car that can carry everyone.
The Nissan Murano is a midsize crossover SUV known for its stylish design and comfortable interior. It offers a smooth ride and a range of features, making it a popular choice for families and those seeking a practical yet stylish vehicle.
"...course, you know, they look great. But as for the EV1, like I said, you know, I don't personally see th..."
The EV1 was an early electric car made by General Motors in the '90s. It was important because it helped start the conversation about electric vehicles, even though it didn't last long.
The General Motors EV1 was one of the first electric cars produced by a major automaker, introduced in the 1990s. It is significant in automotive history for its role in the early development of electric vehicles, despite being discontinued after a short production run.
"...t for? So the big daddy of them all, the, the big QX80 slash like the Nissan version, the Armada SUV is,..."
The QX80 is a big, fancy SUV that has lots of room inside and is great for families. It also has a strong engine, which helps it drive well on different types of roads.
The Infiniti QX80 is a full-size luxury SUV that offers a spacious interior, advanced technology, and a powerful V8 engine. It's often discussed for its blend of luxury features and off-road capabilities, making it suitable for families and adventurous drivers.
"..., the big QX80 slash like the Nissan version, the Armada SUV is, is one of the car that I talk about all t..."
The Armada is a big SUV that's great for families and can tow heavy stuff. It has a lot of space inside, making it comfortable for long trips.
The Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV that offers a spacious interior, powerful V8 engine, and advanced technology features. It is often discussed for its capability to tow heavy loads and accommodate large families comfortably.
"...n your towing capacity. And did you know that the Ford Raptor, even though it has more horsepower than my truck..."
The Raptor Ranger is a tough version of the Ranger truck that can handle rough off-road driving. It's built for adventure and has a powerful engine to help it go anywhere.
The Ford Raptor Ranger is a high-performance version of the Ranger pickup truck, designed for off-road capabilities and rugged terrain. It features enhanced suspension, powerful engines, and aggressive styling, making it a favorite among off-road enthusiasts.
"...lly, they'll get out there in there. They're like Elantra ends. Like I know guys did like do it actually, l..."
The Elantra is a small car that offers good value for money. It's reliable and has many features, making it a great choice for people who want a practical car.
The Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan known for its value, reliability, and modern features. It has become a popular choice for budget-conscious buyers looking for a well-rounded vehicle.
"...you do. My ex-wife was towing a lot with her Ford Explorer and her business. And we got a hitch for it. And ..."
The Explorer is a family-sized SUV that has lots of room for passengers and cargo. It's great for road trips and can tow things like trailers, which makes it useful for many families.
The Ford Explorer is a midsize SUV that offers a spacious interior and a range of powerful engine options. It's often discussed for its family-friendly features and towing capabilities, making it a popular choice for those needing versatility.
"Supercharging is rare. Yeah. Like it's rare to kind of see a supercharged car nowadays. Like there are a few Mustang GT 500 or whatever it is and things like that. But usually that's like for performance."
The GT500 is a super-fast version of the Mustang that has a really powerful engine. It's famous for being a muscle car and is loved by those who enjoy speed.
The Shelby GT500 is a high-performance variant of the Ford Mustang, featuring a supercharged V8 engine that delivers exceptional power and speed. It is often discussed for its racing heritage and status as an iconic American muscle car.
"..., if you were to max out this car, like the Honda Accord or whatever it is, and then you max it all out an..."
The Accord is a comfortable car that's good for families and everyday driving. It's known for lasting a long time and not needing too many repairs.
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan known for its spacious interior, reliability, and strong resale value. It has been a popular choice for families and commuters alike due to its balance of comfort and efficiency.
"...ting a mini damn for the family, kind of with the Miata or something, you know, or whatever. Know what yo..."
Mazda makes cars that are fun to drive and look good. They are known for being sporty and having a nice design, which attracts many drivers.
Mazda is a brand known for its sporty and fun-to-drive vehicles, with models like the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-5 gaining popularity for their engaging performance. The brand emphasizes a unique design philosophy and driving dynamics.
🚗 Kicking Off 2026
💸 Luxury Car Depreciation Explained
🏷️ Dealer Markups vs MSRP
🤖 How Car Tech Hurts Resale
🚫 Should You Lease a Car in 2026?
🔁 Long-Term Ownership vs Upgrading Often
🧠 Best Value Cars to Buy in 2026
🛠️ Reliable Used Cars That Feel New
🏆 Depreciation-Proof Brands: Toyota & Honda
🔥 Full Breakdown: Toyota GR Lineup
🧬 GR Supra = BMW + Toyota
🪶 GR86: Lightweight Sports Car Magic
🛞 GR Corolla: 300HP, 3-Cylinder Powerhouse
💨 Turbo Boost & Performance Specs
🏍️ Motorcycle Power vs Power-to-Weight
⚡️ VW ID. Buzz Review — Stylish but Flawed
🛑 VW ID. Buzz Production Paused
🚌 VW Bus Culture & Camper Builds
🪵 Building Custom Vans That Feel Like Home
🛻 Infiniti QX80 & Full-Size SUV Picks
🔧 SUV Towing Capacity Explained
🐎 Ford Raptor vs F-150: Towing & Suspension
⚖️ Comparing Toyota, Nissan, and Infiniti SUVs
🕰️ Infiniti’s Analog Clock Legacy
💭 Future Car Wishlist for 2026
🧾 Final Thoughts & Listener Takeaways
🔮 What’s Coming Next + Tease for Next Episode
Select text to request an explanation
So, today on Cool Cars with Chris, we're discussing why do luxury vehicles lose 30% of their value
in the first year. What? Also, we're talking about a little three-cylinder that could. Yes,
a three-cylinder engine that cranks out 300 horsepower. We'll check that out. And of course, topping
it off, if you are doing any kind of rideshare service, Uber Eats, any of that kind of stuff,
you probably do not want to be leasing your car. If you're doing that, we'll find out why
all that and more on this episode. Let's go.
Okay. I got courage. The, we'll call you the international car show traveler, dude.
But you're going to all the places, seeing all the things going all around the world.
Man, how's it going, buddy?
I like that title. I should get a little like placard or something for that, but I'm doing good.
It's always a pleasure to get on and talk some cars with you, Chris.
I got my royalty rights, of course. Thank you so much.
Yes, sir. Yeah, you get that.
Dude, but how you been, man?
This has been gone for a while. I know the audience doesn't know that because the show has been
rolling the entire time. But how are you doing today, buddy?
Yeah, the show's been rolling through the holidays. I've listened to all of the episodes.
And so it's cool to see that consistency, but been good, you know, holidays have gone and
coming gone. And, you know, we're getting back to the normalcy of everything, but can't
complain.
Back to work, back to the grind, back to school, back to doing the normal things. Welcome
to 2026. Do you feel any different? Do you feel older at all?
A little bit, mainly, mainly. Well, I survived. I, we survived the late, you know, New Year's
celebration. Normally we would just do the nine o'clock, you know, the nine o'clock
celebration and then go to sleep after, but we actually stayed up till 12 this
time around. So I guess you can say I felt a little bit younger this time around, but
there you go. There you go. So moving into 2026, are there any particular type of cars
that you have your eye on? Maybe new, probably obviously new cars that are coming out. You're
like, man, dude, I really want one of those.
Yeah. No, I mean, I, I obviously shared what you did. I went to the San Diego auto
show and I also went to the LA auto show a little bit earlier in the year, a month
prior and, you know, been around some of the new car offerings to see if they have, you
know, me personally, I know that I'm not necessarily looking to buy a new car this year, but there
are some ones that are pretty exciting that honestly I'm, I'm one of those that hunts for
like the most appreciated value in the next couple of years. And knowing what's
coming out now, I'm like, okay, what's going to be the, what's going to be the
gym in two to three years that I can get for a way better price than I can get
it for now. And so I do have a couple, you know, we can go ahead and dive in, but
I think if you're looking to buy a car, you don't only want to hear that.
Yeah. Can you want to hear like my car is going to be worth crap? Like last that is
true. Yeah. I paid for it when I paid top dollar. Now I do get it that, that some cars
in some particular automakers, like mark up their vehicle way beyond MSRP. They'll
have the regular price and they'll have like a dealer price. I remember when the
Mustangs were coming out with their, I think GT 350 came out and I looked at those
and the Ford, you know, from the website was set a certain price, but you go to
dealership, it was like 50 grand more. Some ridiculous overpricing those things.
So if you were to buy it, say like 50 grand over, and it does depreciate back to normal
or whatever, it's still really technically worthwhile less than that. So what you're
looking at is you want a car that's awesome, but yet you want somebody else to pay the
full price for it. So when you get it, when it comes down to you, you're just like,
you get a sweet little deal, right? Yeah. Yeah. And you know, it doesn't have,
dude, they are some, uh, I will say there's some ones that are just like,
you know, straight up just sad, sad cases of, yeah, like you said, you're, you're,
you know, losing 50 grand in value in a couple of years. And those, those
obviously for like people that are like hunting for those deals or they're happy about, but
it really does kind of suck to be on the front end of that for sure. I think there are cars now though
that, that are, they're priced reasonably well for like the season that we're in, just everything's
expensive, but they're priced well that might just depreciate, may say, maybe say like five,
10 grand or something like that, which still maybe sounds like a lot, but I mean,
maybe a slightly better value than, you know, than buying it new right now.
There is like one or two cars on that list that you know, I got in mind right now that
actually are probably, you know, good values even now that I would say probably might hold their value
just because of the interest level that people have in those types of cars. So I won't go full,
full use card hunting guy on this one. I'll definitely give some, some decent value ones
too. But do you think the cars that are probably top tier, I wouldn't be like top tier,
me like, you know, closer to a hundred grand per car. Do you think those lose the most value,
the fastest, or do they hold on their value? I think those seems to fall. What depends on the
brand, I guess, but like Range Rover, for example, those fall, some Mercedes, some BMWs,
they seem to fall fast, but I don't have the stats in front of me, but I know that some cars,
like say a Toyota, they're usually known for their value. They're usually known for holding
their reliability longer than say like, you know, Mercedes or something like that.
And it's kind of wondering if those fall slower price wise.
Yeah, that's, that is a good question. To be honest, like I, I mean, just personally, and I,
I don't have huge stat. I don't have any hard and fast stats on this either. But I feel like
really anything in that luxury realm, like you mentioned Range Rovers and,
you know, even BMWs and Mercedes and, you know, different things that just cars in that luxury
realm, I feel like tend to, to hit that depreciation curve a lot harder, mainly just because the
technology is always changing. Like the offerings are always changing so quickly that like,
you know, tech from two years ago from some of these brands, you know, people,
you know, once you move to the next generation, they want the latest tech.
And so a two-year-old model of that car is not offering the same level of tech. And therefore,
people don't really want to pay as much for them. And, you know, I feel like in the luxury realm
where like, you know, nowadays the thing that people are looking for is tech,
you're, you're obviously going to want the latest and greatest. And so again, as you go down
those years and, you know, have less, you know, on cutting edge tech, you're going to,
people are going to just want to pay less for it. So, you know, I feel like maybe the
commodity economy type cars probably end up having less depreciation percentage-wise because
you're already not really getting as much maybe at that price point, which, you know, again,
maybe that's not what you're looking for. You really don't care about all of the tech features.
So that's maybe not a bad thing. But I think once you get into, like you said,
those higher $100,000 plus cars, you know, the tech progression is, it kind of works
against them. Like that tech was cool this year, but it's probably not the next, you know,
the two years, you know, from there. And so people are just more inclined to say,
like, I'm just going to get a new model versus the use and therefore those use values
start to taper off. But that's just my thought without any full-on statistics to prove it.
Well, do you ever watch like the leases? Like a lot of those cars are,
like a lot of luxury cars are lease models for the most part. Even if they peel off the
money to buy a car, cash, they'll just lease them because they have to deal with,
you know, all those issues coming up or whatever. They just run the lease, turn it in, whatever.
And then those leases that I'm going to their certified pre-owned selection, they have it
like Lexis and BMW, Mercedes, they call them like certified pre-owned or what they call them, I
think. And you pick it up for like usually like half the price of what it was new. If it runs a
30, 40,000 miles by the time it turns in for a lease, you know, they turn them in or whatever.
And you might buy say a BMW that originally was like, you know, 70 grand. He might get it for 35 grand
on the market, you know, and it may have, you know, 40,000 miles on it or whatever. But
those do run into problems though. Everybody I've ever known who's owned a BMW that's gotten
around the 50, 60, 70,000 mile mark problems, problems, problems, problems, you know, so
that's something to be aware of too. If you're looking in picking up a used lease,
usually on a luxury car, it may sound great. Oh, great. I get this BMW for 30 grand. It was 70
grand brand new to check that out. Yeah, win, win, right? Who wouldn't do that? Right? But if you
don't know anything about a warranty, you know, well, yeah, they'll sell you the external
extended warranty, but then that extended warranty will say things like, oh, dude,
that's not covered. You got some limitations. Yeah. Covered. Come on now. Get out of here
with that. I did a little bit of Google's, Google and why you were talking through that.
And I think pretty much we, both of us sort of hit the top three nails on the head of what's listed
out too. When you talk about kind of luxury car depreciation and one, one stat that stuck out
is that, you know, typically like luxury cars and that higher initial costs realm can depreciate
up to between 20 and 30% in their first year alone. Okay. And what about like a Toyota or
something? That, yeah, they're, they're depreciation cars, a little, you know,
probably five to 10% or something of that sort. Okay. Say like more of like a, you know, kind
of commodity, you know, economy, Toyota or something. Well, that's what I say. Like,
I was at Dave Ramsey or someone was saying that like, you know, I mean, buy, if you want,
you know, if you're thinking dollars here, not thinking, you know, luxury, not thinking,
you're just thinking like best value, like where's your money going to be invested in?
You need to get the best investment back out of the car you buy, then get something like,
you know, you know, a few year old Toyota or Honda or something like that. Something that's not
going to depreciate. Something that's going to, you know, it's a good value and doesn't
depreciate like a fricking rock falling to the bottom of the ocean. You know, so that's kind
of like, there's a formula, mathematical formula to that to figure that stuff out.
No, a hundred percent. Yeah. And you know, if that buyer really has to like keep in mind what's
important to them. And yeah, like if you're, you know, I'd say really, if you aren't the biggest
thing about depreciation that hurts a lot is if you, and some people kind of look at this
negatively, but if you're not really looking to keep a car for a long time, if you're one
of those that kind of likes to get a new, you have the ability and you like to get a car,
you know, every two to three years or so, you know, leasing is a great option. I love that you
brought that up because that gets talked about a lot. Like leasing is actually a pretty good option for
people that know that they do like to change ownership of cars pretty often. But, you know,
if you, for these high initial purchase cars, you know, knowing that if, you know, you
sell your car within two to three years, like you're probably going to lose a lot of the
value. A lot of times kind of lends to going lease, you know, lease route. Like if you do think you're
one of those that owns a car for five, 10, 15 years, depreciation, I feel like is not always
that much of a factor to you because you just know, okay, yeah, like at the end of 10 or 15
years, like, yeah, my car is going to be worth way less than it was initially. That
doesn't bother you as much. But I think, you know, you know, duration of ownership
is a big factor too. You know, if you want to have that ability inherently to just be able to
switch cars and get into something newer, you know, every two to three years, like a lease
probably makes a lot more sense to you than you're paying outright, you know, and then
obviously taking that depreciation hit when it's time to start looking at the next car.
But there are some people that like literally have to have the latest and greatest stuff.
If you go to your phone carrier, like I was literally going iPhone.
But I have, I have an iPhone. I've got iPhone since forever. And I have not
gotten the latest and greatest iPhone every year. I've skipped many generations. I've skipped.
And I know that with my phone plan, I think it's the plan where you could upgrade to the,
you can turn your phone in, upgrade earlier, some crap, whatever, every year. So basically
every year, if I wanted to, every year I could take my phone in, get a new one or whatever,
but I don't, you know, but I know people do. And that's why they have to have that plan is because
there are people out there that have to have the greatest and latest phone and the greatest
and latest car every single year. They have to have a new car. They just have to have a new
phone. They just have to have the new computer, the new, whatever, so on and so forth. And I
know that the companies know this. That's why they offer trading plans or upgrade plans
or whatever kind of stuff because they don't do that all the time. So, but I don't think at least
would work out for me because I like to keep stuff for a while. Maybe that's my problem. You know,
I mean, I like having new stuff, but also like, like making sure that stuff I did buy,
I use it and it lasts because when I like every vehicle I've had, every offered vehicle I've
had, every device I've had, I guess that I spent a lot of money on, I just like to use it and
have it and try to get the most out of it. Yeah. Yeah. And I mean, I definitely feel like
I'm in that camp as well. Just, I mean, you know, car I've owned the longest now at this point,
I've owned for seven years now at this point car, my, you know, my Z when I had it, I've
owned it for about six or seven years. You know, my outlook with the end is, is, you know,
that timeframe probably more than that as well. So, you know, I did have maybe short
lived cars, my, my FX, I, it was a surprise actually that I ended up selling that after
two years, but you know, that car again, it was already, you know, 20 years old
really at this point now. So it, it already had a lot of its depreciation, you know, really
taken care of at that point. But yeah, I think you really just have to kind of weigh up like
what type of, what type of person you are. Like again, if you have that ability to,
to change vehicles often and, and you know that you have to have that latest tech,
like just really evaluate that going into it because you can't get in the situation.
If you like, like again, if the values just not there and you're all into it, you know,
you just kind of have to, you have to swallow that bullet. If, if you really want to then move
to the next thing and you're not willing to hold on to it longer until like the values level
out or, or you can trade into something of equal value, you know? Right. Right. I mean,
it just depends what situation of life you're into. I mean, if you are a single guy and
you want to get the latest two-door sports car, go right ahead. What do you, what do you
backseat for? You don't go to kids, you know? But if you did have a family, you had like,
you know, wife and three kids, then you're probably looking at something bigger, like a
bigger SUV or a minivan or something like that or a four-door truck or something,
something like that, you know? So it all, I guess it all depends. I mean, when I bought
my first F 150, I went from a smaller Nissan truck, like two door, a little extra,
like the little suicide doors in the back to a four-door crew cab F 150 because I had a kid
and another kid on the way. And I needed a like family style car, but I still love trucks. And I
was like, well, we get the truck. It kind of serves both purposes. You can use still to do the
truck stuff and it's still the family car because it can carry, you know, all the family
and all the stuff and all that stuff too. So for me, it was kind of like a multi-purpose car.
I guess kind of like with you and your N, how it's kind of like a multi-purpose car.
It's a fun car, but you can still haul the people, you know, the family around and that kind of stuff.
Versus like say you were to buy just like the Z, the new Z or whatever or something like that,
a new Corvette or whatever. That's just your fun car. Right. Right. 100%. But a lot of people,
there's a lot of people out there, I know, that have a two-door car, whether it's a Corvette or
whatever, a two-door sports car and it is their everyday car because they just have the one
car. That's what their lifestyle dictates. Yeah. They're able to do that. 100%. So
that being said, dude, what kind of cars are you looking forward to moving here into 2026?
Yeah. No, I mean, it may be starting that list out, you know, really one particular, well,
there's three cars really, because I'll just throw it out there. I think Toyota's offering of some
of their like, their GR cars, their, their GR Sport cars. Wait a second. Wait a second.
Don't you mean, don't you mean Subaru?
You didn't hear? They don't like each other as much as they used to anymore.
What? Drop it. What? What I missed. They don't have as, they don't have as strong of a symbiotic
relationship as they used to. Oh, they just bar, they just bar each other's parts up in this,
they just borrow up and borrow this. You guys, yeah, you guys don't need this, dude. I'll
borrow this, dude. Right. Thank you. You guys aren't using that. Like, you know, they,
they, they really, yeah, Toyota's really started to kind of take their own brains with a lot of
their like, you know, along a lot of their cars in general, but with the super, are they still doing
that? They are still doing that. So that's, you know, that they, they really do, they enjoy
that relationship. I guess they enjoyed that relationship more than Subaru's relationship.
So they still have the, you know, the GR Super is what they're calling it now,
but those are the three cars on the list actually, you know, just kind of in this
segment, particularly the GR Supra. I mean, people really, really love that car.
I actually do. The GR is at the four cylinder and six cylinder.
So they have both. Are they both called GR? Yeah. Yep. They still call both.
Well, how do you know which one's which? Just the size of it?
Yeah. They just, they, they just designate whether it's the four cylinder or the,
or the straight six. Six cylinder. I think the four cylinder version is slightly smaller.
Like if you put them side by side, I think they're slightly smaller than the six. I thought.
Oh, you mean an M body shape? The size of the vehicle. Yes.
I think, no, I think they're, they're, they're the same, like overall, like, yeah. Yeah.
Cause it's like the old thing with the, what was the, what was the other car that they did that with?
It was a, well, I'm always going to infinities because that's my main reference point, but
the, the M series cars, they had a V eight version and they had a, in a V six version,
the one that I have and they're the same car, like everything, same body, right?
Same chassis, same body, same everything, but if you ever look under the engine bay of like
a V eight one, you can tell like they maximize every square inch of under the hood. Yeah. I mean,
I guess it's like the V six has like a Mustang and the V eight Mustang and things like that.
Yeah. They don't, they don't change the chassis more. I could have seen why I saw one of those
Supras and it looks so tiny. I was like, this must be the four cylinder version. It looks so tiny
versus. Yeah. I was talking to my wife about this funny enough and my wife does,
we don't really talk cars a lot, but you know, going, going to the auto show,
you know, that's the only thing there. So we do actually kind of talk about it a little bit, but,
but the Supra itself profile wise is it's, it is actually kind of a small car.
Like it's, it's not very wide overall. Like it's, it's a kind of skinny car. And like when you're
up, like when you compare it to some modern cars too, like it is actually, it has a pretty
short wheelbase as well. So I mean, again, side by side, like if you had like a V
six and a four cylinder, I don't, I don't think that there's any difference, but
just in general with like, you know, the common new car, like it, it still is kind of a small car,
which I think is, is a pretty big feat in the days where people were saying like everything's
getting super big and super bloated. The fact that they've been able to keep it
sort of condensed in this kind of, you know, this, this small package.
Well, I do, I do like the, the sports cars from Toyota. They have, I've always liked Toyota
stuff. I always liked the first gen Supra and the older second gen Supra. And of course,
the, was it the Mark four Supra and of course, and of course, and of course, I mean, I always
liked that for like that bubbly look. I think in the nineties, a lot of cars and even trucks too,
like the F 150 and like Ford Ranger all went to like the bubbly look, you know, I think
the end of Toyota's did that much, but I know the Supra had that bubbly look and the big
like a wing on the back that kind of went up just right above the roof line. Like
if you looked at the back window, you could see through the way what you was still classified
today is like a big wing even back then. Like the wing on those were still pretty big, even like
to today's standards, which was pretty interesting. Right. I remember seeing those and I was like,
that's a pretty cool slick looking car, you know, and stuff. And I know they're super expensive
and I always love the Z too. Don't get me wrong. I love the 300 ZX and all that kind of
stuff. But, but you're saying today that the little, the little flat four is it called the
GR? What do they call it car now? It's just the, it's, it's not because the first one was the FRS.
Now it's called, now it was a BRZ. What do they call that to GR? So now it's called the GR86.
I would love to see if like in the, in like, you know, any car's history, if like that car
has like been the one with the most name changes in its like, in its lifespan is, I mean, and
again, like not even counting the fact that Subaru had like the FRS, but the BRZ and then
they had the Scion version, didn't they? Yeah. See, Scion was Toyota's brand.
Scion was Toyota's like cheap, like fun brand for like the kids to get involved in cars.
It was like, come on kids, you know, I'm making some fun customizable car. I still wanted a Scion
TC like the front of the TC, if you squint and you don't know what you're looking at,
it almost looks like a, a GTR. I'm going to have to, I'm going to have to look out
for one and make sure I do that. Like if you're squinting and look at it, like it kind of looks
like a GT, if you're going to put a GTR badge like right in the middle of the grille there,
do a GTR. You want to, you want to make people think you got a GTR.
There you go. Well, that's why I, I thought they were cool when that, that model came out
that looks like that, but yeah, the car kind of looks like a GTR in the front end of it,
you know? And so kind of, kind of similar design, the front nose and the front lights
and the way the hood kind of, kind of fit. And so, but it was, you know, but anyways,
but one thing on that front real quick with the GR, the GR 86, particularly though,
just with us kind of talking about depreciation and everything. I mean, just in, in today's,
you know, new car economy and everything, like that's, that's, I feel like it's one of the
best cars that you can have like a good amount of fun with, enjoy even for like two to three
years, you know, and, and still be able to sell it for not that big of a hit. Like, yes,
naturally it's going to lose value, but every car does dude. That's what's supposed to happen.
I remember I was, you know, a lot of people talked about how people kind of with COVID
got used, got used to this mentality of the car supposed to gain value. Oh yeah.
Exactly. Yeah. Like anybody like people think have gotten more, you know, back to reality
with that, but you know, some people felt like that was normal, which we all knew it wasn't, but,
but in terms of percentage value of depreciation, like a car like that, like again, the GR 86 and,
and even the super too. I mean, I've been looking at values of those, like the older
generation selling and people still really like those. Like, you know, you were saying how
you like the bubbly shape of the Mark four and things like that. Like people have still,
even with the whole BMW, you know, BMW engine and all of that, like they've still enjoyed that to the
point where they're still holding their values pretty strong. And the GRs are just priced in an area
where, you know, you again, you know, you own it for two or three years, you paid say 35 grand.
Like you can probably still sell it for like 29, 30 grand, like two or three years from now.
That's great. That's good spot to be in. I mean, I did that with my Z, you know, I mean,
I put a bunch of money into it, but I was able to sell it for pretty much what I paid for it.
Think like maybe five years later, maybe something like that. I don't know.
But I mean, that was a situation where that actually happened. You don't see a lot of
three seventies in the room. You do. I mean, but I don't think you see him as much as maybe
other cars. I mean, look at like a, I don't know, BMW, you know, three series, you know,
you see those everywhere. Yeah. Right. Or Teslas or, you know, I mean,
you know, anything like F one fifties for God's sakes, you know, like
everywhere, nothing special about that really. But so you'd like to toy out of sports cars
and you'd pick one of those things up. Which one? Oh, okay. Money, no object. Which one did you
buy? Top, top dog or what? Because we didn't throw in the mix to GR Corolla because that's
awesome. Three bangers they got. Do you don't sleep on them? I'm not even gonna,
I won't even allow you to sleep on that car. The question I have, did you buy your exhaust
system at Home Depot a lot more section or do you go to like,
Oh man, you're gonna let me have it with these small motors. Or do you, or do you, or do you just
like, you know, a guy just like blow, all you need is, yeah, you just go and get a, get like,
you know, that just the conduit, like, you know, just conduit piping and just like,
Yeah. That's what I figure. I mean, I mean, that's what happens.
Yeah. Well, again, I still, I still, you're, you're, what's it called a two leaders are for,
for sodas, you know, maybe that you sent me, still lives rent free in my mind, but I'm telling you,
man, you know, 300 horsepower, three cylinder engine with 300 horsepower, 300 horsepower.
Now these real, real human horses, real horse power or like, these are ponies.
Are we talking horse power for like smurfs? Yeah. These, these are, these are moving
horsepower and here with that. No way. We'll drive. No, these things are crazy, man.
There's, there are two motors in this thing. Just the one, one for the front and the back
every cylinder. Well, I remember two where you were, we were talking about, yeah,
like, what's the boost level on that? Like I would be curious what the,
what the boost level is on that to get those, that amount of horsepower out of it.
But I have never, I have not seen any information on those vehicles, no YouTube channels, no, no,
no dyno tests, no, nothing. So I literally know only you only don't see, that is a good point.
You don't, and you know, I, you might get roasted in some comment section or something
about that being like, Oh yeah, there's all this information out there. You guys are
just missing it. But you know, I, I do admit that I don't see a lot of, you know, a lot
of people really kind of putting like facts and figures out there about like really how these
cars are performing long-term and everything like that. But you know, what's the leader size on that?
It's like 1.2 or something. One, what is it? 0.9. Like, what is it less than a leader?
No, no, it's, it's a 1.6 leader, which is actually wait, wait, wait. That's actually
big because three cylinders is pretty big. Yeah. Because I know that the Honda civics
were like 1.6, like the, the old civics, they were like 1.6, I believe. I think,
But they were a four-liter. Right, right, right. And no, four-cylinder.
Four-cylinder. Yeah, four-cylinder. Yeah, right. But the, but the, I think the Integro is a 1.8
leader, if I remember correctly, I think it was the, the old classic Integros, you know,
1.8, I believe. But, and they had a 1.6 in the civics. The Civic Si that I test
drove actually wanted to buy one. It was like around the year 2000, 2001,
it had, they had a 1.6-liter. I remember it specifically because it made a big deal that
it had 160 horsepower. So it basically had like a hundred horsepower per liter. And this is non-turbo
too. You want to guess what the stock boost level for GR Correlas is, which obviously is
probably peak to get you to that 300 horsepower? Well, okay. Before you say that, what is your
stock peak in your end? To 20 PSIs is stock boost level. 22? 20. Oh, 20. Okay. So for that,
is it up to 30? No, not quite, but it's getting there. Like 28? 26. 26? Yeah. So before stock
boost level, I'm pretty, I mean, you know, now with mine being tuned, like I'll, you know, I maxed
probably like 23, but I mean stock to be 25 to 26, that's a lot of boost. Well, dude,
how else do you think you get that horsepower? Well, I mean, I'm leaning into your, your,
your, your forebanger, your forebanger mentality. But yeah, that, that really is the only way.
Like you, you add that boost in, you get those, when they call it the turbocharger,
you get those snail spinning. And coming up next, coming up next, they're going to do a
two cylinder, a two, two, a two cylinder one. Watch. A two silo. Yeah. Well,
that just take the motorcycle. 50 pounds PSI. Yeah. It's basically like, it's blowing through,
you know, blowing fast to can through the thing, you know, basically. So for anybody,
so for anybody out there that's Chris and, and does not like those really small motors,
get you a Supra because it has a real big boy in there, even though it's only a straight six,
not a V eight, but for, for us guys that like those little engines they could, I like the GR.
Hey, they're, listen, they're, they're fine. I've driven four cylinders myself. I've driven them
all. I've never driven a three cylinder. The only three cylinder I've never yet. Yeah.
The only three cylinder I remember ever coming out was the Geo Metro and that was a three cylinder
and it had like, I think maybe 90 horsepower, 80 or 90 horsepower. Yeah. And it sounded like
it sounded like a three cylinder. My dad rented one once and he rented it or God,
is it something I forget. We only drove a thing and we're pulling this hill like on this grade
and it's just like screaming. The engine's like,
up the hill, everyone's passing us. I remember the thing, you know, and I'm like, oh yeah,
but it gets, but it gets like 50 miles a gallon and everyone's excited about that.
So as long as you're not going uphill majority of the time,
downhill. That's a thing, you know, like you're going down. It's great. But yeah,
I don't know. I mean, that's like a fun card. I guess, I guess the purpose of that was it
the Corolla, you said the Corolla, the three cylinder one, the GR Corolla, I guess the purpose
of that would be just to have like a rally kind of car, right? It's all wheel drive. It was.
Yeah. Just a rally, fun rally car. Now, would that compete directly with the,
the old Lancer or with, or with the Subaru STI or they even could seem class.
They, I would definitely say they are. Yeah. Like the, the, the Subaru, the, yeah, the WX,
I guess they didn't do the STI, this generation. So they had like the, the TR or one of those.
I can't quite remember. But yeah, it's definitely in that class of like the Lancer Evo,
you know, the WRX kind of family, I feel like. So I mean, the Golf R is also kind of in that
round too. Cause it's all wheel drive. But yeah, definitely that, that more rally style,
like all wheel drive feel. But maybe they do it like that because, I mean,
if you think about trying to win a race, like a rally race or any kind of long distance race,
less fuel stops to better, I would think, or if you can get further on the, on the fuel,
then maybe, maybe that's the purpose of doing it like that. Maybe you think about it. Cause, you
know, when all wheel drive specifically, I mean the three cylinder platform of the car,
the three cylinder, three cylinder, maybe, maybe, maybe, I mean, I don't have the
fuel mileage, nothing, especially in a race format. I don't really know. But I would think
it'd probably be better on gas than maybe the four cylinder or something bigger. Maybe.
We're in just a bit lighter, like, you know, even with it being a 1.6,
you know, but I don't know, but I don't know. Is it the 1.6 liter out of three cylinders?
Pistons gotta be big. They got to be big pistons. They gotta be much bigger than
a standard four cylinder size piston. It'd be a good thing to explore. Like really what,
cause I mean, again, they had the, they have a four cylinder that they have in the, in the GR 86,
but again, they never, they never turbocharged it. You know, everybody's been saying like,
if you turbocharged this thing, like, you know, you're going to, you, you, you put it in a
level where it's like really like competing, but I feel like it's not really the ethos of that
car to be like, you know, kind of super powerful, you know, little sports cars really
meant to be like just, just super capable. Like, I mean, now the new one has 230 horsepower,
but it's a small car. So, you know, it's still can move. And it's, it's really definitely
if you have like a hundred horsepower in a car that weighs like, you know, a few hundred pounds.
I mean, it's like motorcycles, everybody on like a crotch rocket motorcycle, that thing
probably doesn't worry very much, but you probably get like a hundred, a hundred horsepower or more
on something like that on two wheels. You fly, you're flying that thing.
I mean, you talk about it all the time. You, you get on a thousand cc bike,
like, you know, again, that it only has maybe like a hundred and eighty two hundred horsepower,
but I mean, that thing's that thing is a monster. Like, you know, again, a car is
different just because you have just totally different weight profiles. But yeah, you know,
power to weight is like a pretty big factor that, you know, again, at the end of the day,
you usually can't overcome like a big powerful car, like that has like 500 plus
horsepower with something that only has two or 300 horsepower. But, you know, when you get in
the corner situation, a lot of times that's, I feel like that's where you really get the
benefit of these like smaller, tossable cars for sure. Right. And now with modern suspension
and all that, especially all wheel drive and things like that. So, you know, these modern
cars are really designed to really hug the road. And you got the, you know, lane
prevention and all the others, you know, tech and stuff that we all take for granted,
I guess these days. But I think that speaking on the tech and things like that, I think that
it does take away a lot of the fun of driving, you know, when, when your car's beeping at you,
because you're like drifting over or whatever, or it's all of a sudden slamming the brakes on you
for you before you even like had a chance to react. I was doing that. What do you know?
So, but I think you can turn all that stuff off most of the time. Right. I don't know,
dude. I mean, I don't think you can. I don't know. Some of it, some of it is like, you really have
to jump, you have to do a rain dance to like get it to, to actually shut itself off and like
completely shut off. Like if you want to be one of those people to shut off traction control,
like some cars have like a really complicated process to do that because on my tires were
slick and the road was kind of wet. And like when you throttle it down, it would,
yeah, it would slip. And then like the car would like shut, like not shut down,
but it would cut power. Oh yeah. Like it almost felt like someone was yanking me back.
Like I'm trying to run and someone's pulled me by my shirt. So it felt like as I'm trying to go
and it did that. Like, oh, crap. It like would jump and slip and like pull back. I'm like,
this is not very fun at all. And I can see what people, people do turn their traction
control off. So, so moving on from the Toyota world, we'll save your eye on.
So this one, I know talking about EVs is always a fun topic.
Hey man, you know, my, my phone is an EV.
Dude, you got it coming today.
I mean, think about it. My computer is an EV.
Yeah. My computer is an EV. Yeah. Yeah. We, we, we've been used to, we've been using EVs
forever. Like they've been around forever. Like no issue, but, but I thought this was
an interesting one because just tell me this candidly, do you think that the new
VW ID buzz is cool looking? Like, I've always thought the, the bus in generally speaking,
like the classic ones obviously that are done really well done and they're restored on that
are very cool looking. I mean, like I see them take pictures of them. I think they're super,
super cool. I don't know if my glasses has them on. No, I've got these sunglasses that I wear.
They're custom made in San Diego and they have different patterns from San Diego. I think
one of the patterns you can do on the side of the, of the glasses is that VW classic,
you know, classic bus design. Yeah. And I don't think I, no, mine has the bear,
but I did see the one had the, had the VW bus on it. But yeah, I think it's pretty cool. Now,
the electric version of that, I think it's kind of, let's, let's not get into the whole package
quite yet. I don't want me to cut you off, but just from, I guess, just a visual perspective
of it. Like just the fact that they brought back sort of that design and kind of modernized
it. Like, did you, did you, and if you didn't think it's cool, be honest,
but I'm just curious if you, if you thought just from a design perspective that the,
well, I don't know much other than the basics, but can you get it in different color packages
where it's like the two tone paint and things like that? Like the, like the classics feel
been doing. Yeah, no, you can. I think there was some limitation on the ones like on the U.S.
based ones, but I believe you still like, you still can get those as like, you know,
the white on like another color. Right, right, right. I believe I've seen some around like that.
Like I see a lot of like the white on blue, I feel like stands out pretty often, but yeah,
like you, you still get that too. Some people do like a full color, like, you know, one whole
color for the whole thing. But yeah, you, you still get that bus characteristic of white on
another color. I think they're cool. I think they're, I think they're,
they're cool for like cruising and look at me kind of like, you know, they're kind of practical, but
it's kind of that SoCal vibe. Yeah. Yeah. That's what I, the vibe, you know,
a couple surfboards on the roof, you know, you know, kind of a deal. I get it. I totally
get that, but that's factor electric. And so that's, that's why I kind of wanted to separate
it because like, I think a lot of people, maybe not everybody, but I think a lot of people
including myself, like I, I thought that the design and everything was done. It was done very
well. Like I, I love seeing them on the road. Like I haven't seen anyone on the road, dude. I
want to see one in a commercial for the Super Bowl, like last year or something like that.
I saw commercial for one and then I might have someone on a website or something,
but I've never seen one in person and I've never seen a YouTube video on any of them.
And I've never like very, I know very little, all you heard is they were electric
and that's all I know. Yeah. Well, I mean, maybe I rephrased the, the rare occasion where I actually
see them on the road, which is, is similarly, I have seen them a good amount of times I'll
say now at this point, but they're definitely rare to see. Like it's still a point of like,
Oh, I'm excited to see one because I really just don't see them around that often.
I get excited to see them because I think the design is cool.
Unanimously, everybody feels like the overall EV platform that they dropped the ball with it.
Why? But I understand, okay, everyone's going to EV. Why not this? I mean, it seems like an obvious
choice. So with this, it's not necessarily that, yeah, like to your point, people knew that it was
already going to be an EV. People aren't really upset about that, but the range, the, you know,
just the overall, just, you know, the battery technology, a lot of people are not, you
know, as thrilled about how it was executed. Like they thought size wise, packaging wise,
they could have done more with it, particularly with range. Like if you're using it, like in a city
situation where you're not driving a lot, you know, it does work, but just like a 90 kilowatt
hour battery and the range, if you're really like driving the thing and doing a lot of highway
miles overall, it's not a very aerodynamic design. Well, it was supposed to be the
original one. I thought it was more like the road trip car. It was like the camper car,
the road trip car or to go cruise, cruise the country and in our little like VW thing or whatever.
Yeah. And for the EV version to not really be able to perform at that levels, mainly because,
you know, I get, I think they're rated range wise at like 200 and 250 miles.
Yeah. You know, if you're on a free, I, I, there was a reviewer that, you know,
actually bought one of these. He, you know, he, him and his family use it a lot,
but they don't, you know, they don't do a lot of highway long, long road trips or anything like
that. He uses a lot in the city, but he talks about like, if they're ever going like on a,
you know, longer highway stretch, the design, like it's literally like a wall driving into the wind
because it's just this, you know, basically like a trailer trailer, the old travel trailers,
not the air streams, but the, you know, the classic, you know, typical wall kite, you
know, catch the wind, you know, all that. So automatically like your range is,
is going straight down, you know, when you're any, on any long kind of highway stretches and,
and that's unfortunately like a lot of times what people are going to want to use it for,
because that was what people use the old bus for was, you know, we're hauling it, we're,
you know, going camping or doing something like that. And, and that's really where I think a
lot of people have, it's falling short of people's expectation. And the interesting thing I
was reading about it recently is that Volkswagen basically at this point, they,
they invested so much in the car, building it, you know, and everything and bringing it to market
that it's not as though they, they were just going to scrap it in his first year because it
just came out this year, but they have officially said that they're going to pause any new
production of the car until 2017 or 2027. Oh, come on, man. We didn't, we didn't
take a play with it yet. We took it a month already. Come on, man. They, they're taking
it away. You know, it seems, it seems like it's confirmed now at this point that they're waiting
until 2027 for a new release of it. Gas version, hopefully with a free cylinder.
Yeah. I mean, they, you know, they, well, funny thing about the, you know, about Volkswagen
with their whole ecosystem is they're, they're doing, they have a, they, they're one of the
ones that have had a five cylinder engine for a while or Audi has had the five cylinder engine
and, you know, Volkswagen, you know, and then obviously have had, you know, they own each other.
And so they've kind of done a lot of part swapping and engine swapping. And unfortunately, Audi
is doing away with its five cylinder engine to now move towards Volkswagen's four cylinder engine
because they're able to produce the same amount of power. Everybody loves a five cylinder less
parts. Same money. Yeah. Save some money. Yeah. From a business perspective, it makes
total sense. You know, unless, unless the factory's already set up for, if the factory's
already designed, they're cranking the engines out because we're configuring a factory,
I mean, to a whole new power plant, whole new thing. That's a lot of money too. Just
configuring it, you know? So that's why a lot of these, a lot of these power plants keep
being cranked out. Like remember the, the old, you know, the Nissan infinity engine that I
had in the Z, you know, the, the VQ engine, it was like everything that VQ engine version
for the truck and for the new Murano and the, all the different cars had,
have had a VQ version, you know, in the Z too. And so make it once and put it in everything.
It's like, it's a simple business plan. So I guess getting rid of an engine, you know,
whatever they got to do from a business perspective. Yeah. Are you saying that you
would, you would own and drive one of these things? This one was one of the ones where
it's like, I thought it was cool. Like I was definitely, you know, interested to hear that
they were pausing production and realizing that they made some, some mistakes that they
wanted to try and correct. But it just doesn't fit my particular lifestyle. Like,
you know, I think I would get an old bus and just convert it and, and, you know,
just do my own thing with it prices on those, by the way, old buses are flying up because
everybody, everybody knows about them now, which is unfortunate. But I mean, it's,
it's kind of pricey to get yourself into an old bus, let alone like convert one.
I got a, there's a little VW thing, a little VW car meet that happens like every other Friday
right down the street from us. And some of the bills that you see are just absolutely insane.
Like, you know, just turning the whole thing, like they have like a full on like,
you know, you know, table seating setup, but like a TV between you and like the driver.
It's like MTV Cribs came in. It's like MTV Cribs style VW bus stuff. And I can imagine
just again, because like now people have realized just how capable these platforms are to just do
whatever you want. You know, they're no longer just like this kind of cheap option of just like,
I want something that I can like load up, blow up the family and go camping or something. Like,
it's, it's now a lifestyle and like kind of a luxury item. It's like, you know,
every scene like those with the miniature houses and mini homes when they put all the
different things and all the bells and whistles in them and they got these different
platforms and things. And if they're done very well and very elegant, they can look super cool.
And I can think some of these cars like somebody's VW buses can do the same, same trick in making a
small space look like an apartment building or whatever kind of a deal.
Lighten up the wood, you know, because you see them with like lighting up the wood floor,
like paint the interior, like a light color, you know, they have, they already have like
the panoramic windows. So like they're already kind of light and airy. So they,
they feel a lot roomier maybe than they really are. And so, yeah, like it's totally conducive to that,
like kind of miniature lifestyle kind of feel. Dude, I think they're pretty cool. I mean,
how reliable they are, I have no idea, but you know, I mean, they, they look super, super slick
and they pretty much say California vibes when you see Emerald, but they're done right, of
course, you know, they look great. But as for the EV1, like I said, you know, I don't
personally see that one in my garage. That would even fit in the garage. It's too tall, right?
They're not, they're not that tall. They, I mean, they, well, the original ones where I
thought they were like really tall, I thought a little bit. Yeah, I feel like they're probably
like, you know, like a typical kind of pickup truck height may, maybe I'm wrong, but
you know, probably like a pick typical kind of pickup truck height. So in a typical
garage, you probably could get one in there. It's like right up at your ceiling, maybe,
but you know, you're talking to anything bigger there. I don't know. I don't want to go too long
on this, but there is one other car slash SUV that really is, is actually on my list of cars.
Oh, what do we got? What do we got? And you know, I've talked about this before, but
infinity, you know, I guess I'm just kind of going on record as being like the import guy.
You're the infinity guy. I'm going to get you. I love infinity t-shirt and the door to Rio.
Yeah. Yeah. I give infinity. I love like all of my import infinity.
I was looking at infinities tonight online and use cars. I look at it in different infinities
and I like them too. I like, I mean, of course I grew up with Nissan's and I had,
I own two Nissan's now both similar power plants and you had the infinity and so
we have the infinity still, but what do you got from infinity that you see coming
down the pipe that you are super hot for? So the big daddy of them all, the, the big QX80 slash
like the Nissan version, the Armada SUV is, is one of the car that I talk about all the time,
just because, you know, as again, guy with, with family and with, you know, needing that extra
space, like, you know, it just, it offers a lot that, you know, really ticks a lot of boxes.
And they are, they are very nice cars. Do they have all the bells and whistles you
can think of in a full size SUV. I think now they'll do like wood grain everywhere and they're
very plush. I think even the steering wheel, it's got like the wood grain and the steering
wheel twist. They're top, their top autograph. Yeah. Has, has all the leather, a lot of,
a lot of wood, you know, center screens. Do they still do the clock in the center of the
dash still and the under the vents? I think so. I didn't, I looked at the new one. I didn't look
particularly for that, but they were doing it up in the last one. Like every infinity I've been
had, had like that, like that little clock, like analog clock looking thing somewhere like in the
middle. Was it infinity? I'm thinking it must have been infinity. I'm pretty sure it was
infinity. It did that. It was, it's kind of like a luxury car kind of hallmarks. So I feel
like a lot of like the top tier one, but it is definitely an infinity thing. Like my both,
you know, the FX that I had and the M has that. And yeah, it was the G's have it because they had
like a similar, you know, kind of center console layout or what do you call it, dash layout,
but yeah, that's definitely an infinity thing for sure. The one thing that I think a lot of
people that maybe are in the trucks and things like that would be interested in is,
do you know what the towing capacity on the, the bigger, even the last gen QX 80s
I was talking about V8. They were V8, right? So they were V8. Yeah. And we'll get into that
because I do, I do want to bring that up as a separate point, but then they have like a,
for a hot minute, they're doing a Cummings DSLite thought they had at least any in the Titan,
which is what probably shares the power plant for this. Maybe in the Titan. Yeah. I, I don't
remember it being in the QX 80. It was a weird, it was a weird, it was a weird Cummings
engine. It was like Cummings V8, five liter, some weird goofy thing like that. And I don't know if,
you know, how well it lasted or whatever. I know that that I think they're using V8s.
They're not using turbo sixes like Toyota is, I don't think, or are they?
They, yeah. So like I said, I'm getting to that, but they are. Yeah. They are now.
Okay. They've moved to that, which, which is an interesting point, but, but yeah, they're,
so they're, they're towing capacity. Any, any guests on
how much SUVs usually can't tow as much as trucks can this way. They're designed that way,
but these have a pretty good frame. And I think, I think they're usually, if you look at a towing
capacity of a pickup truck and use their, their counterpart SUV, which is pretty much the same
thing. Usually the towing is a little less on the SUV version. So I'm going to say roughly
around 10,000 pounds. Oh yeah. So yeah, well, we'll be a little less than that. That's actually
a really good kind of reference point because I've, you know, me kind of getting more into
the truck world and things now I'm learning more about trucks and everything, but, but yeah,
it's, it's, it's less than that. You're about 9,000, about 8,500.
8,500. Okay. Yeah, it's probably right. I probably overshot because I wasn't sure what
kind of motor they have. Cause some of these new, new trucks brag, they can get like 13,000
pounds of towing capacity or whatever you know. So like, I'm thinking of sure what
my truck is. I thought it was 10. I don't really even know, but see, it depends on
the configuration. It depends on, at least on Ford, there's a manual on my Ford truck.
It's like, depending on what chassis you have and what setup you have and what,
all those different things you have and gearing you have and even like the gear ratio, what kind of
you have depends on your towing capacity. And did you know that the Ford Raptor,
even though it has more horsepower than my truck, the Ford Raptor,
not the R, but the regular Ford Raptor toes less less because the suspension set up and
things like that. So, yeah. All of that factors in. Correct. And I think with an SUV,
it's because you have that actual weight over where the chassis or against the body over where
the frame is. And then you use the same frame. It's all, it all depends. And the same thing
goes for like the Dodge Rams that I think today are still using that coil spring rear
suspension versus a standard leaf spring suspension. Because of that, I believe
that their towing capacity is slightly less than something like a Chevy or Ford.
So engine size does nothing to do with it. It's not, yeah, it's not always that. Yeah.
It has to do with the actual suspension and the frame of the vehicle and all that stuff.
The frame is like the backbone of your towing. So a grueling, good solid frame will help you
pull and tow more than, than other vehicles. But although if you really, really, really
wanted to, really wanted to, you could tow the same thing with that little Toyota Corolla thing,
the three cylinders, if you really, really wanted to, I don't know how well it, it probably would
not, I mean, you probably, you probably could do it. I mean, for God's sakes, they, you know,
pulled the space shuttle with the Toyota pickup truck across the bridge.
It was like the height, the Toyota Hilux or something like that.
No, it was, it was the regular Toyota, you know, full-size Toyota pickup truck,
the Tundra. It was a big thing when they moved the space shuttle across the bridge in LA.
They, it was a whole thing about it where actually I seen that Toyota on display at the
Science Center in LA. And yeah, they have it on display there. But anyways, they,
they said they got it from the dealership. They hooked it up to the hitch, put it low.
I think it put four-wheel drive low, locked it in one gear, four-wheel drive, whatever.
And they went like literally like one mile an hour. I mean, really, really slow,
but it moved it and moved the weight. And it's 200 something thousand pounds for the space shuttle
and the rig it sat on, like 200, 3000 pounds. It moved it. And the truck really is only rated
for 10,000 pounds or whatever, right? Towing capacity. But in theory, you physically can move
bigger objects. Initially, what really happens is that when you're towing something,
the hardest part is just the first momentum getting it going.
Like just that for, it's like when you, you know, when you're pulling something,
like I'm pulling a wagon or pushing a wheelbarrow or like that, it's that first,
just get it going. But then you constantly, once you get a rolling,
it's keeping it rolling is much, much easier. Not much power is being used. It's that initial,
you know, assuming everything's flat land, you know, of course, I mean uphill, a different
story, but, but yeah, it's kind of how it worked. But that's what I thought was pretty
impressive. They were to pull that thing, but then it got me thinking like, I guess they,
I mean, almost every truck can do that, really. So, so with that SUV, it's different than towing
with a pickup truck. But I mean, 9,000, it's 8,000 pounds. It was 8,500. Yeah. Yeah. I kind of mapped
it out. I was, because I've always thought about, yeah, like if I had like a track car and
like say, say I'd like wanted like really turn like the end of the track.
If you had a track car, what would that weigh plus tires and whatever gear and tanks and
gas that kind of stuff? Well, we'll think I would wait and a trailer. What do you think all that
would weigh? Yeah, like, I mean, like a trailer, what was probably say a thousand pounds. I mean,
maybe, I don't know, maybe. So like, call it a thousand pounds. I really don't think it would
be a, maybe if it was 1500, like I think that would be a track car probably weigh what,
maybe 2,000 pounds, 3,000 pounds. Well, I'm saying like even because I know guys,
like they'll, they'll like really, they'll get out there in there. They're like
Elantra ends. Like I know guys did like do it actually, like they'll get out there,
Elantra ends. Like that's their track car. Like they got the track tires and everything.
And that car weighs 30, 3,100 pounds. You got it out and like you're probably in like 29.
Oh, don't forget fuel and oil. Fuel and oil and cooling.
Well, the thing with that, you can, yeah, I get, they do do do a wet weight of it,
which I think is where they get like the 3,200 pounds from as like the wet weight stock.
So like, I mean, give or take, like, yeah, maybe throw in like another 100, 200 pounds.
But I mean, if the trailer probably at all, I mean, that would probably,
yeah, like you could do that. Which again, that's where my mind goes is like, oh yeah,
it'd be cool to have like a family car, like a family SUV that can also tow like, you know,
the track car if I want it to like that, the 8,500 pound threshold kind of kind of gets you
there. But one thing you got to realize though, when you do tow heavy, heavy loads with
any vehicle and your fuel mileage sucks, sucks up. Yeah. And you got to do your oil changes
a lot sooner. Yes, you do. My ex-wife was towing a lot with her Ford Explorer and her business.
And we got a hitch for it. And she was towing things around. And one day we're driving down
down the road, whatever. And all of a sudden her like oil light came on and saying,
like 1% oil life left. Like, what do you mean? I just changed it. But she was doing a lot
of towing. She was doing a lot of towing and yeah, it eats up your oil, eats up all your stuff.
It definitely probably messed your transmission up too. I'm sure it can't be healthy in transmission
been doing a lot of towing. I can't imagine it. It probably got a service. You got a service,
a lot of that stuff, a lot, a lot sooner, which yeah, that, you know, 100% definitely a factor
there. But, but yeah, no, I mean, you know, that was just something that came to my when
I was thinking about it. But, but to your point earlier where you're talking about
engines, you know, for forever, they've been using like a four liter V8 and those this
are you really sure that the engine is the Titan? I don't. Yeah. Cause what does the Titan have?
It had a 5.6. I know I don't have to use now, but it was a 5.6.
No. Yeah. So you're right. Yeah. Was the, it was a five, six or five, seven, something
like that actually. So you're right. Yeah. I don't know why I was thinking four liter
V8. I was, I know I'll Audi's and be, I think we're talking Audi's and BMW's earlier.
And I know a lot of times they use those, but, but yeah, no, you're right. You know,
five, five, six or five, seven liter V8, they, they had the same ones. And so yeah, they,
they produce like 400 horsepower and they, they've been using those forever. So I mean,
you know, they've worked out the kinks, like they're super reliable. They're like, they're
using like the Nissan patrol and like, you know, overseas and like, you know, in the,
in the UAE and like all of those places like that. So like, they're really like
bulletproof motors. And, but this generation, the one that they have just sort of revealed
that it's going on sale now, they've moved to a straight six, six cylinder, which funny enough,
you know, we always talk about, you know, little engines they could, you know, this
six cylinder, I think peak horsepower in it is like 450 horsepower.
What is it not turbocharged or it is turbocharged?
It is.
It is.
Yeah.
I think that thing is we started seeing numbers like that out of like a small
engine. You just have to assume that's either supercharged or turbocharged.
And I think most things are going turbocharging these days.
They are.
Yeah.
Supercharging is rare. Yeah. Like it's rare to kind of see a supercharged car nowadays.
Like there are a few Mustang GT 500 or whatever it is and things like that.
But usually that's like for performance.
Like a lot of times for, yeah. A lot of times for your like more
regular used cars, like they're, they're going for like twin and actually it's a twin
turbocharged three and a half liter.
Well, there you go.
You know, six.
And it might not be a straight six. I think it is just, it's a V six.
So it's, it might actually be derived a bit from the, from the Z's engine.
Probably like a variant of that.
Or the Infiniti's version, you know what I'm saying?
Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. Well they, yeah.
Cause they, that, you talk about part share and like they're, they're just
the infinities trying to get whatever they can because to be, to be totally honest,
they're, I mean, as a brand, they've been kind of struggling for a while.
So.
Yeah.
You know, it's, I mean, even to be totally honest, like the QX80 compared to just
getting like a fully loaded armada is kind of an interesting situation because,
again, like a fully loaded or armada might like have slightly less like of the
niceties that the QX80 has price point though.
What are you saving?
You're probably saving like, you know, like for like with the full on like
models, you're probably saving at least like 20 grand.
The 20 grand difference for the top dog Nissan version versus the top dog on the
Infiniti version, even though they're literally on paper, they're the same car.
You're probably, yeah, you're, you could probably get like a top tier armada for
like 80, maybe 90 is stretching it. The, the autograph, you know, QX80 is 112.
So, you know,
You know, it just depends what you're really into, man.
It depends. Yeah.
I mean, I'm sure someone has to wear brands and have to wear like the, you know,
show the greatest and latest like logos and brands and you have to have like the
watch and the cool glasses and all the, and all the, where all the, you know,
all the Gucci stuff and whatever and all that stuff, then maybe you want to pay extra for
that Infiniti label versus the Nissan label, you know, but I mean, if it's just a car,
it's a car, it's just a tool to, you know, haul you and your family.
If you want to store nice stuff, then maybe the Nissan ones for you because
you don't really care about that. You just want to make sure the car does what it's supposed to do.
And there's the nice car. I mean, don't get me wrong. If you roll up in a new armada that's
fully loaded, I mean, everybody's going to be like, holy crap, nice car.
Yeah. I mean, I mean, unless you go to like some country club and like Santa Fe or something
and you're like, Hey, look, I'm a new car. Let's get out of here with that, you know,
or whatever. I mean, I guess depends who you, who you hang out with and where you hang out with.
You know, maybe if you get to a certain age, we just don't care. Maybe just drive whatever.
I was kind of wondering that like, if I bought a second car, I was talking earlier about a second
car for about a used Infiniti, for example, say like a 15, 20 year old Infiniti or whatever.
I'm rolling around and that, you know, I'm, you know, I'm not trying to press chicks in it
or like that. I mean, still some people are going to like, my wife, when she drives the
M around has gotten way more compliments than I've gotten in the end, to be totally honest.
Like, you know, some of those older Infiniti's still got like a look to them.
Well, they like all the old BMW, if you look at 2011 BMW and if it's waxed and washed and looks
great, I mean, people are like, Oh, nice car. You know, like I know nothing about it. You
know, especially people with nothing about cars, you know, they're like, Oh, which is
majority of the case. Like, you know, that's, that's usually it. And so yeah, what do they say
when you want to look like early 2000s rich, like you, you just find something that looked
like really good back in like the early 2000s, early 2010s, and like, you know, the people,
a lot of people won't really be able to tell a difference to be honest. So, you know, I agree.
Like if it's, you know, really, if it's, if you're one of those that like I want
some to fit the needs that I have, but like the, the brand perception are like, yeah, like all of the
like niceties around it, like aren't as important to me, like save yourself 20, 30 grand. Like I was
looking it up and like, you know, a top tier Armata 2026 Armata is yeah, like it'll top out
at like 81, 82, but like the autograph nice wise that you say, Oh my gosh, I just wish
the Nissan had this, but the Infiniti has it instead. Yeah. The only and just given
that I was at the auto show, I was able to kind of see this firsthand was the, the Infiniti did
with the, I think you can get captain's chairs in the back. And again, I'm going to sell maybe
really like, you know, studio about it, but like, you know, you did have the captain's chairs
in the back on the QX80. I'm pretty sure you can get the same option for the Armata,
but the, but the Armata didn't have a power, you know, power reclining and basically
opening third row. And so you had to basically use like your latch and like pull the seats forward
and then get into the back and then use like the little pull bar to close it, like to pull the
seats back down to get to the third row. The, the QX80, the top tier had like an like
electronic button where you just push it and the seat comes all the way up. You climb in
the back and then you can basically just use the button to then like close it and push
the seats back. And then also on top of that, it had a power reclining third row seats. So
like the seats actually in like all the way in the third row, they both the back slides out,
but then also like the bottom slide. So you actually can like, you know, get pretty comfortable
back there even with the seats set at like where I would be sitting in the second row.
So like there's, there's little electronic benefits that I saw in the QX80 where it's
like, again, if that stuff was important to you, like you, you probably would say like,
I'm willing to pay the extra money to like have more like the technology factor or the QX80 versus
the Armada. And it's pretty, it probably was really like Nissan's way of saying like,
let's keep infinity relevant by like giving them these tech features so that people would have
possibly an excuse to go to infinity. Yeah. I wonder if other ones do the same thing.
I wonder if like Acura and Honda do the same thing with their, which I would imagine. So I mean,
it would only make sense like, you know, that they would have some, you know, of like the more
like creature comforts that like really we don't need, but like would be nice to have
that they would reserve for like their higher brand versus their, you know, their,
I guess you can say their more common brand, but, you know, again, that was definitely
the same thing too, dude. I was on the exact same thing. I thought like, well,
if you were to max out this car, like the Honda Accord or whatever it is, and then you max it all out
and even the nice ones have all the, you would think like all the bells and whistles,
they got all the fancy features. And then you go to the Acura version of that car,
and then you see all the, you know, bells and whistles and all the, and an Acura label
on the, you know, dash and stuff. So I always thought you're just paying for the,
the brand you're paying for the Acura or the Lexus or the, you know, infinity. You're
just paying for that label more than you're paying for the actual car itself. That's, that's
why I always thought of, you know. There is a certain point of that, like, you know, there's
in, you know, maybe Honda and Acura's, you know, respect, like, you know, they've, they've
started to, you know, really kind of tailor some of their more like, you know, their,
their luxury brand cars to, you know, to really kind of, again, feel like luxury,
whereas like the, you know, the Honda side is like, you know, I just need something to function.
Like, you know, I think a lot of brands have started to kind of, a lot of brands with these
like two tiered situations have started to really kind of understand the formula. Like,
what are the things that we can maybe compromise on on one side, but still get sales versus
where we can maybe add those things into these like, you know, these, these more premium
products and charge a premium for them. You know, it, at the end of the day, like, that's the only
differentiating, differentiating factor between the two. So, you know, they, they kind of have
to have a command over like, what are the things that people are going to pay more for versus,
you know, what most people are just going to say, like, oh, well, I'm not going to pay the
extra premium for that. Like this does exactly what I needed to do. Like, you know, my,
my one biggest gripe out of everything, though, is that companies that decide that they shouldn't
have rear climate vents in the back seats of their car, because they think that that's like the money
that they need to save on, I think is the most ridiculous feature to cut out. Like, I don't
care what price point the car is at, like, it is so easy for them to put rear climate vents
in the back seats of cars. And for that to be like the one feature where they said,
yeah, we're not going to do that. You know, it kind of, it frustrates me.
You know, it's funny to say that my other F 150 did not have that. It did not have any vents in the
back area at all, only in the front. And the new truck I have has got both. It's got vents on the,
in the rear and vents in the front, of course. But I did notice that it takes a lot longer
with my new truck. I don't remember much, but the new one definitely takes a lot longer to
blow that heat out of the system before the air comes through, like a long time. I
guess to drive down my old street for like a while and like blastings, heat coming through,
heat coming through until eventually the AC would kick in and take a while to clear it out.
I don't, I don't have anything to do with the fact that had more vents, you know,
circling through the vehicle. Like a little channel they had to take it back. Yeah.
Maybe. I don't know. That's interesting. I don't know. I mean, at a big SUV, most of them
now I think they're in the ceiling. I think my ex-wife's Explorer had them in the ceiling.
The vents were in the ceiling. That's where kind of, because the channels run through in
the ceiling area. And I get that. That's like a more expensive option. Like, you know, to do that,
like to vent it through the top, like you, you know, you, you do have to like,
you know, invest in having that duct that goes to the top and, you know, venting out. Like
that makes total sense. The center console ones though is like, again, you know, for me,
like my next, but I'm focusing on like interior livability kind of comfort mods on the end,
moving forward now. And there's a kit that basically were, because the Korean models of
the car actually have rear climb events. And so there's a company now that have basically just
brought the part that they use on the Korean models and they sell it here. And all you have
to do is basically take the duct. And once you pull the center console up, there's, there's
literally a vent that goes back there that they close off because they don't use it for the,
the American spec models. You just open that up, you put the channel through it and then
you just install the new vents. And I'm just like, man, that would have just been such an easy thing
to do. But I wonder if you need like a more powerful blower to blow, because now you're
blowing in multiple directions. You know what I'm saying? Like I think a house AC or blower,
you know, certain houses have certain size AC units because of the square footage and how
much space they got to move around. I wanted the same thing with that because now you're
blowing more air, you know? I've heard, yeah, like with a bigger car, I would definitely think so,
but I've watched like, because you know, anything that I'd like do to that car, I'm like,
pretty like, I want to, I want to know, like, is it worth it? The, it's been pretty hands down,
kind of unanimous that like, you know, view, it makes a really big difference. Like it,
because it's a small car, like, again, like if it's a bigger car, like I could definitely
see it, but for a smaller car, like that doesn't really have that much more cabin space
that it's kind of shifting that to. People have said it made like a really big difference.
Funny enough, like it's not a lot of times people do it for the AC, for like the cool air.
It's a lot of times people to do it in like, in colder climates because they, you know, have
kids or they have people that sit in the back seats that need the heat, because like opposite
effect is like, you know, nobody really wants to sit in the back seat of a cold car
with like no like heat source. And so those are the people that I've seen a lot of reviews
for. And they said like, literally, like that it was a game changer. You know, they did that,
they put some cup holders in the back and like, that's literally just all they needed.
Wow. Uber Ride Express. There you go.
I would, I've always thought, toyed around with the idea of doing, doing Uber just for
fun in my end with the, with the car in in mode and just see how, see how long it takes
me to get canceled on Uber or something. Oh yeah. I wonder how that works. You got to put
it on there as a choice or whatever. I mean, I thought about that too, but I mean, I don't know
if I could do Uber. I just don't know if I could handle other people. I don't know if I could do
that. They're just barfing back in your car and just all the, you know, some of the Uber
drivers I've had have been cool and some are just been total like, they don't want to see
nothing to you. They don't want to see nothing to you at all. They don't even know you
exist in the car. Yeah. Yeah. Now I mentioned, I did, I did Uber for a while like back,
you know, back when I was in college and like right when I graduated college and kind of,
you know, finding, finding, you know, regular job and things like that. And there was a point where
like I was, I was doing like the actual Uber, like, you know, be given rise to people and
like the traditional Uber and, you know, right around, I think COVID and things like that or
right before that, I switched exclusively to doing like Uber, Uber eats. So where like you
didn't have, or, and then actually that's when I switched to DoorDash. I did Uber eats for
a while, but then I did DoorDash exclusively. And it was mainly for that reason, like I never had
any situation where I was like, you know, where I had like, you know, drunk people or like, you
know, people making messes in the car and things like that, mainly, mainly because I picked
like the hours. Like I knew like, I wasn't doing anything like past eight o'clock, I would
always do like, kind of like the, you know, morning time or like maybe like afternoon as
people were getting off work and things like that. But there was a point where I switched
exclusively to Uber eats, DoorDash, like food delivery because of that reason, like you just,
you, you never really know who you're going to get in the car. Like I've had some amazing
conversations and met some great people doing it, but you do get some of the more
sketchier characters. And there was a point where I just decided that I didn't necessarily
want to play Russian roulette of like, who's going to be in my car today type thing.
That's when your car is literally just a tool. It's not something, it's just a tool.
It can't be something that you are going to get coffee this weekend. It's just a tool.
You know, it's funny. I remember we got a ride from the airport once from Uber. The guy had a
nice Acura, Acura SUV kind of things. He just got the car and like, it was maybe,
I was talking to a guy and he says, I think he said guy, I remember,
kind of a fat guy and he was riding the thing and he just got the car like a year ago and he
said he had like a hundred thousand miles on already and all he did was like Uber, Uber,
he did all the Uber stuff, Uber, Lyft, whatever you name it, Uber, you do all that stuff.
I don't think, I don't think it did the Uber Eats. If he did, he ate all the Clyde's food,
but other than that, like, he wasn't like, like in shape really at all. He's kind of a guy
that like sits in the car and doesn't leave for a while, you know, just running around.
And, but the thing is, he had so many miles, he racked up in his car. So it was a new car and
like, so he just got the thing and I don't know if he said it was a lease or not, but
that's a lot of miles from your car like one year.
No, that's insane. That's where you get those like, those outliers where you see like,
yeah, a car that's like a year or two years old with like, you know, triple almost,
you know, probably four times the miles of like the national average where like a lot of
times that's usually the case is like, they've been using it for rideshare. And then like,
they were, I mean, to be honest, like, I mean, I'm hoping they made a good amount of money doing it
because, you know, those are probably the ones that really are like doing it full time,
like, you know, out there, like they know all of the hot spots and, and yeah,
really killing doing it.
Stop, just, just running like eight, 10, 12, 15 hours a day, just running around,
you're getting gas is running around, you know, that's how you do it. That's
how you put miles in the car. And I guess, you know, you get to make money.
I guess it's how you got to do it or whatever. But it's like, you could do it a lot. Like,
but I mean, at that point, like you could, you could, you could probably get a better ROI if you
got like a way cheaper car and did the same thing with it. Like, you know, I would assume
that he probably, you know, he probably had payments on the car. You got to factor that in
like, or it's a lease, heaven forbid. It's a lease, you know, I don't even think that's
yeah. Cause usually I got mileage restrictions. So I mean, right. Or you gotta pay extra when
you turn it back in 50 grand in mileage. Yeah. It's like, and it's like,
dang, I didn't read the fine print on that. Did I? Like, right, right. Yeah.
It's, it's all the little things we think about. I remember when I did pizza delivery
with my pickup truck with, you know, way before Uber existed and I got to use pickup truck
and did you have a little thing on the, no, no, no. The company I worked for,
didn't have that stuff. It's basically you drove around just to like Uber, you know,
didn't have an Uber sign, didn't have a pizza, pizza sign or anything like that.
But I use the thing nonstop. I put so many miles on that truck. I was using it for pizza
delivery. Then I would drive to the beach and I would drive to school. I'd drive everywhere else
and I use it for dates and whatever else I would do. So I was basically using that thing
nonstop, you know, putting tons of miles in the car on that truck. And I kind of,
I kind of like hated the fact that like I have this truck that I kind of thought was kind
of cool and fun. But at the same time, I'm just beating it to death. Like I'm putting
way more miles on the thing that I'm supposed to like way more than the average.
And I'm paying payments on the things. I can't, I can't keep up. I basically,
I'm going to have a truck with a hundred thousand miles on the thing at no time.
And I have all these payments still left on the vehicle because I'm using it for work
and just adding more, more, you know, miles to it. That's one thing I guess if you're in
sales or if you're driving around for Uber or any of those kinds of things, you're actually
using your own vehicle that you're paying payments on, you know, you have to keep up
with the maintenance and you're just adding more miles to it. And the more miles you put
on a car, it's, I mean, I mean, I mean, it's never good to have like a ton of miles on a car to
appreciate the value, you know, things happen and you're kind of screw, you're kind of screwing
yourself really, but I get it. You got to do what you got to do, you know, a job is a job.
And I mean, I mean, if your job is Uber or job is doing piece of delivery, whatever job
is using your vehicle, I mean, I get it, you know, I mean, in a perfect world, we don't
work from home, you know, enough to leave the house, I guess, in a perfect world.
Yeah. That's not my world. We have to drive to work.
No, some of us, I was going to do it, but yeah, no, I mean, it really, you know,
boils down to all of it. I think we can sum all of this up as, you know, whether you're shopping
for a new car to just, you know, it's just your car, it's your commuter, like, or it's just,
you know, to haul the family around, like, you know, understand like your use case,
like your duration of ownership, you know, what your primary uses are going to be really
like research that, you know, don't, don't just jump the gun and then realize like,
this doesn't fit my lifestyle at all. Like, you know, be, be cognizant of that.
Yeah. This would be odd. It doesn't fit my family of five. I don't know what's up with that.
I thought it would sound like a good purchase at the time.
Yeah. You know, and then, and then go on like Reddit and things. It's like, man,
these salesmen are just out to get you. Like they just get you into something and,
and screw you over. And it's like, well,
that's the worst thing you go to a car a lot, even a used car a lot,
any car a lot. If you go there and they say, what kind of car are you looking for? I don't know.
Anything with wheels. You go, you're going with the idea of getting a mini damn for the family,
kind of with the Miata or something, you know, or whatever.
Know what you're, know what you're looking for. No, yeah. Know your goal. And, and yeah,
if you're, if you're ride sharing or doing anything of that sort, do not lease the car.
That would be a bad situation. Oh, unless you're doing it for a couple of years,
it can be a year or something, maybe, you know, but even then, like,
I still think you're going to, I would love to see if there was any case where you would not
go over your mileage restriction and still make it worth it. Like, you know, you probably could
if you were only doing like, say like a couple of rides or a couple of deliveries a day or something,
like you probably could, and you don't have like a regular commute. Like you probably
could get away with it with the lease. I see, you know, the Uber boss is calling,
Hey, dude, can you work this Saturday? I guess, you know, or whatever.
Uber and DoorDash, you technically call them, quote, don't have a boss, which, you know,
you can go out as, as needed. That was my main thing. That was why I did it back then.
Well, I know that most like, like, I know there's some companies that will
like airport deliveries and things like that. Like any kind of like freight deliveries are kind
of like, they call it, what do they call it? It's where it's like a hotshot deliveries
or like goes to one place to the next place and there's carriers and carriers that deliver
stuff and things like that. And so they may have a boss say, Hey, we need you to work,
you know, you have something coming tonight or tomorrow, whatever he be there,
and you go do it and pick up and deliver and things like that. So, and you feel guilty turning
them down. I guess I need the money or whatever kind of stuff. So you just go do it, you know,
especially if you're out of work, if you're out of work right now and like you have a car,
and you just like, by all means use that card, make some money, you know, if you got,
if you got a haul, I've done that with my other truck. I, I put it out on like
Craigslist or somewhere to haul, help haul people, haul stuff or move stuff. And
so they hired me to move like a bunch of boxes out of one apartment to the other apartment,
whatever in my truck did that. And, you know, but I got paid or whatever. It wasn't like,
it was hard work for, I think about not much money really, but it's better than nothing,
you know? And so if you have a vehicle, anyone to use it for that stuff, go right ahead, man.
You know, just be careful, you know? I mean, yeah. But anyways, on that note, man,
encourage. This has been so fantastic. Back in the sea, back again in the podcast studio.
It's called pot. This is the new version of the podcast studio. Now, what do you think of the
placement? Oh, it's good. I'm glad. I'm glad it's all squared away. And I'm just glad we can
keep like, keep doing these cause it's always great talking cars and getting the conversation
going. This is fantastic, man. And I will see you on the very next episode.
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