Episode 14: Don't Look Too Close At P.J. O'Rourke's Other Bylines [With Guest Matt Farah]

The “affordability crisis in enthusiast cars” refers to the idea that buying and maintaining cars people actually want—especially older or enthusiast-focused models—has become much more expensive. This can be driven by rising used-car prices, higher insurance and repair costs, and limited supply of desirable cars.

Porsche is discussed here as a car maker that sells both mainstream-ish sports cars and ultra-luxury, high-end models. The point is how brands like Porsche can shift their product strategy toward higher-priced vehicles.

A “K-shaped economy” describes a situation where economic gains split: higher-income groups do better while middle- and lower-income groups stagnate. The hosts use it to argue that automakers increasingly target the wealthiest buyers with ultra-expensive cars.

“Holy trinity” is a car-enthusiast shorthand for a specific golden age when three iconic performance brands/models dominated the conversation. In this segment, it’s used as a reference point for when Porsche and other supercar makers were less focused on extreme scarcity pricing.

The Ford Mustang is a mass-market American sports car/pony car line, so scaling production to large volumes is a core part of its business. That’s why the hosts contrast it with a low-volume supercar like the LaFerrari—different production economics and engineering scale.

The LaFerrari (Ferrari) is a limited-production, high-end supercar where engineering and manufacturing are done at much smaller scale than mainstream cars. Because the volume is low, the business model has to justify the cost per car with very high margins, which is why the hosts frame it as “harder” than building something mass-market.

Profit margin per car is how much money a manufacturer makes on each vehicle after costs. The hosts argue that this metric drives product decisions in the auto industry—why companies may avoid small, affordable cars if they can earn more per unit with larger vehicles.

The Cadillac Escalade is a large, high-demand luxury SUV, and it’s often used as an example of a vehicle with strong profitability. The hosts mention it in the context of reverse engineering—using a successful, high-margin platform as a reference for how to maximize profit on another model.

Reverse engineering means taking an existing product apart (physically or via detailed study) to understand how it’s made and why it works. In this discussion, the hosts claim the team studied a Cadillac Escalade to figure out how to maximize profit when building a GT3 convertible.

Homologation is the process of getting a car approved for a specific racing category by meeting rules set by the sanctioning body. In practice, it can affect what variants a manufacturer is allowed or incentivized to build, including special body styles like speedsters or GT3-based derivatives.

The Porsche Macan is Porsche’s compact luxury SUV, and it’s often used as a sales barometer for the brand’s mainstream market. The segment suggests Macan sales “cratered,” implying demand shifts can pressure Porsche’s product strategy and how aggressively it pursues niche halo variants.

The Porsche Cayenne is Porsche’s larger SUV, and the segment specifically references the electric Cayenne. The point is that Porsche’s electrified mainstream products may not be driving the same kind of “speedster” demand as the brand’s more traditional performance niches.

Bugatti Rimac is the joint-venture brand/entity associated with Bugatti and Rimac, tied to high-end electric hypercar development and manufacturing. The mention of Porsche “selling their stake” frames it as a corporate ownership move rather than a product or technical detail.

MSRP means “Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price,” the sticker price a carmaker sets for a new vehicle. The hosts use it to point out that new-car pricing—specifically on Porsche—has become unusually high.

Porsche Carrera refers to Porsche’s 911 lineup in the “Carrera” trim, typically the non-turbo, performance-focused version of the 911. In this segment, the hosts are talking about how pricing has risen so much that even a base Carrera can cost well into six figures.

“Depreciation hit” is the loss of a car’s value over time, and EVs can depreciate differently than gas cars due to changing battery tech, incentives, and shifting demand. The guest’s strategy is to buy a used EV so someone else takes the biggest early value drop.

“Ferraris” refers to Ferrari, the Italian brand famous for exotic, expensive performance cars. Here it’s used to contrast with the speaker’s more realistic budget for a “nice ish” sports car.

“Lambos” is a casual nickname for Lamborghini, a brand known for high-end, high-performance sports cars. The speaker is using it as an example of cars that are typically out of reach for most buyers’ budgets.

The Ford Explorer is a mid-size SUV known for being practical and family-friendly, and it’s commonly used as a “test car” because it covers everyday driving needs. In a podcast, it may come up as a week-long vehicle that shows how a mainstream SUV behaves in real conditions.

A hybrid vehicle combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and battery. The electric assist can improve efficiency, especially in stop-and-go driving, which is why hybrids are often recommended to shoppers focused on fuel costs.

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid car designed to improve fuel economy by using an electric motor alongside a gasoline engine. It’s often discussed because older Priuses can be relatively affordable while still delivering strong efficiency, which is why someone might recommend a “10-year-old Prius” for hybrid driving.

The Honda Fit EV is an electric version of the Honda Fit, designed to deliver the practicality of a small hatchback with zero tailpipe emissions. It comes up in the podcast as an alternative to hybrid options, reflecting the choice between hybrid and fully electric driving.

The Porsche 918 Spyder is a high-end plug-in hybrid supercar built for extreme performance and advanced engineering. It’s mentioned alongside other “initial era” supercars, which suggests the conversation is about that early wave of modern, high-tech performance machines.

“Million-dollar cars” refers to a specific era when certain supercars and hypercars crossed the $1M price threshold. Enthusiasts often treat these as more than just transportation—more like engineering showcases that push new tech into production.

The McLaren P1 is a limited-production supercar known for its advanced hybrid powertrain and high-performance engineering. It’s mentioned in the context of an “initial wave” of modern supercars, which points to its role as one of the early examples of electrified performance at the top end.

In finance, options are contracts that give someone the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell shares at a set price in the future. The hosts say a large portion of the cash figure discussed was actually in options, which ties compensation to stock performance.

Rivian is an electric-vehicle brand known for building EVs like the R2 and for relying on software and services alongside vehicle sales. In this segment, the hosts connect Rivian’s stock performance to its financial results and production timeline for the R2.

An IPO (initial public offering) is when a private company sells shares to the public for the first time. The hosts use Rivian’s IPO as a reference point to compare expectations at launch versus the stock price later.

The Rivian R2 is the brand’s next EV product positioned as a more affordable model than its earlier vehicles. In this discussion, the hosts focus on its production timing and the expectation that it will reach customers soon, framing it as a key moment for Rivian’s business.

Infotainment is the in-car user interface that combines entertainment (like audio/video) with information and vehicle functions (like navigation and settings). Here, the hosts mention a VW deal to provide infotainment and related software services to other automakers.

In the U.S. EV market, the “tax credit” refers to government incentives that reduce the amount of tax you owe when you buy a qualifying electric vehicle. When the credit is set to expire or change, it can create a short-term buying rush as shoppers try to purchase before the rules tighten.

A pre-order is when a buyer places a reservation (often with a deposit) for a vehicle before it’s available for purchase or delivery. For EVs, pre-orders can signal demand and influence how manufacturers plan production and pricing.

The Tesla Roadster is an all-electric sports car concept that’s been talked about for years as a high-performance, long-range electric vehicle. It may be mentioned in a podcast because it represents a major “future” milestone—like putting down a deposit far in advance—rather than something most people can buy immediately.

The Chevrolet Corvette C8 is a mid-engine sports car, and that layout is why it can deliver supercar-like balance for far less money than many exotics. In this segment, the hosts are discussing whether a used C8 can be a smart “value” buy at a low purchase price.

“458” is shorthand for the Ferrari 458, a mid-engine V8 supercar that’s widely regarded as a benchmark for driving feel. The speaker compares the Corvette C8’s character to the Ferrari 458, implying the C8 captures some of that supercar experience at a much lower cost.

“Revi engine” appears to be a mis-transcription or shorthand for a specific engine feature/variant. In context, it’s being contrasted with the Ferrari 458, suggesting the speaker means the Corvette C8 doesn’t have the same engine setup as that Ferrari.

The Mazda MX-5, commonly called the Miata, is a lightweight, affordable roadster focused on simple, engaging driving. It often comes up in enthusiast conversations because it’s easy to work on and fun to drive, which is why someone might mention selling one due to not having time or space to wrench.

The Nissan Sentra is a compact, front-wheel-drive commuter car rather than a sports car. In this segment it’s brought up as the “one car we have,” mainly for its fuel economy, which contrasts with the guest’s desire for something more exciting to talk about and drive.

“Tax deductible” means an expense can be subtracted from taxable income, potentially lowering the amount of tax you owe. In the context of this segment, the host is arguing that a sports car used for content creation could qualify as a business expense.

The Mercedes-Benz E320 Cabriolet is a mid-1990s E-Class with a V6 and an open-top body style. In this segment it’s the starting point for a custom build, because the hosts are considering turning it into something that visually resembles the later Mercedes 500 E.

The Mercedes-Benz 500 E is a famous high-performance E-Class from the 1990s, known for its powerful V8 and distinctive wide-body look. Here, the hosts propose a “500 E Cabriolet” that Mercedes never made, using the 1995 E320 Cabriolet as the visual and body starting point.

M 119 refers to Mercedes-Benz’s V8 engine family used in certain performance models like the 500 E. In this segment, the hosts say the M 119 is the “actual 500 E motor,” but they’re avoiding it because it’s not great and it’s physically huge.

The Mercedes-Benz E 55 (from the early 2000s) is a performance E-Class that typically uses a strong V8 and is known for being a popular donor for swaps. Here it’s chosen as the donor car because the team wants a complete powertrain replacement instead of using the M 119.

A powertrain swap means replacing the entire drivetrain package—typically the engine plus transmission and the related components—with parts from another car. In this build, they’re swapping everything (“engine trans diff… the whole thing”) to make the custom convertible run the donor car’s setup.

A “five-speed auto” is an automatic transmission with five forward gears. In this context it matters because the swap is being built around a specific donor drivetrain that includes this transmission type.

“E 55” refers to the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, a performance version of the E-Class. In this segment it’s being used as a parts donor source, specifically for brake components that can be adapted to another car.

“Remanned” means the part was rebuilt by a remanufacturer—typically cleaned, inspected, and fitted with new wear components—then sold again. For brakes, this can be a cost-effective way to get performance hardware without paying for new calipers.

This is a 2002 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG being used as a donor for Brembo brake parts. The key detail is that the Brembo calipers/assemblies “bolted right on” with machine spacers, which is a common kind of brake swap adaptation when mixing components across cars.

Brembo is a brake-focused brand known for high-performance calipers and related hardware. In this segment, the guest specifically mentions “remanned Brembo’s,” meaning rebuilt Brembo brake components rather than brand-new ones.

Machine spacers are precision-made metal adapters used to position components correctly when doing a brake swap. In this case, spacers helped the Brembo brake parts from the Mercedes E55 mount properly on the Supra.

Octane rating (like “91 octane”) is a measure of a fuel’s resistance to knocking under high load and heat. Using 91 octane at the track is relevant because higher-performance engines often require specific octane to run safely without detonation.

“Racetrack tax” is slang for the higher prices you often see at venues—especially for fuel, food, and services—because demand is concentrated during events. The speaker is arguing that even those inflated track-area prices couldn’t beat California’s higher costs.

The Porsche 944 is a front-engine, rear-transaxle sports coupe known for its near-50/50-ish balance and classic 1980s–1990s Porsche feel. In enthusiast circles it’s also famous for being a relatively approachable way to get into Porsche ownership compared with many other models.

A fuel spike is a sudden increase in gasoline prices over a short period. In the context of road trips and track days, it changes the cost of filling up at stations near circuits versus stations farther away.

A Porsche 911 cabriolet is the 911 in convertible form, with a roof that can open for open-air driving. In enthusiast circles, the cabriolet is often discussed as a more relaxed way to enjoy the 911’s rear-engine layout and handling without giving up the 911’s core character.

The Felicity Ace is the name of a cargo ship that became widely known after a major incident involving vehicles on board. When enthusiasts mention it, they’re usually referring to the loss of cars that were being transported.

The Acura Integra Type S is a performance-focused version of the Integra, known for being a driver’s-car hatchback/sedan-era favorite in the Honda/Acura lineup. It’s especially notable because it’s often discussed as a high-revving, enthusiast-oriented alternative to more expensive sports cars.

Autojournalism is car-focused media coverage—reviews, road tests, and commentary—aimed at helping people understand how cars drive and what makes them worth buying. In this context, the guest’s RX-7 review is being credited with influencing the host’s thinking about how car media can be done.

The Mazda RX-7 is famous for its rotary engine (a Wankel design), which spins instead of using the usual piston-and-crankshaft layout. That unique engine character is a big reason enthusiasts and reviewers keep returning to the RX-7, including in RX-7 reviews like the one referenced here.

The Honda Civic is a compact car that’s widely used as a practical daily driver, but it’s also popular in motorsport due to its tuning potential and predictable handling. In the podcast, it’s mentioned because someone did their first endurance racing in a Civic Coupe, showing how the platform can be adapted for track use.

“Lemon’s” refers to the racing series commonly known as “ChumpCar” or “24 Hours of Lemons,” where teams race inexpensive, often beat-up cars that are intentionally chosen for being unreliable or “lemon” candidates. The point is to keep costs low and make the racing chaotic and entertaining rather than perfectly optimized.

“Wheel-to-wheel” means racing side-by-side with other cars, where drivers are actively competing for position in real time. It’s more intense than track time or solo driving because small mistakes can quickly turn into contact.

“Lucky dog” refers to a rule in some racing formats where a car that is a lap down can be moved back into contention under specific conditions (often related to caution periods). It’s designed to prevent the slowest cars from being permanently trapped behind the leaders.

AER is mentioned as a step up from “lemon’s” racing, suggesting a different class/level within a racing ladder. The excerpt doesn’t define the acronym, so listeners would benefit from the hosts spelling out what AER stands for and how it differs from lemons.

Road America is a well-known road course in the U.S. that’s popular with sports car and endurance racing. It’s a track where braking zones and corner-to-corner momentum matter a lot, so “track time” there is meaningful experience.

WRL is referenced as a “bump up” from the earlier “lemon’s” level, implying a more serious or higher-competition racing ladder. Without the full expansion in this excerpt, listeners may need the show to clarify what WRL stands for in this context.

“Champ” is used as a shorthand for a racing category or class that’s being contrasted with WRL’s tiers. The speaker’s point is relative speed: bottom-tier WRL cars can compete with the high end of that other class.

GT4 is a production-based sports car racing class. Cars are closer to what you could buy than top GT categories, but they’re still heavily modified for racing (safety gear, brakes, tires, and suspension).

IMSA refers to the International Motor Sports Association, which runs major North American sports-car racing series. When someone says “IMSA cars,” they’re usually talking about cars and rulesets used in IMSA events (often GT and prototype categories).

“Kota” is a common shorthand for Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. It’s a modern road course that’s frequently on the calendar for major U.S. racing series, and it rewards cars with good traction and braking stability.

When a track is “club private,” access is restricted so only a specific club’s members can book or use the facility. For track-day fans, that can mean fewer open-to-the-public dates and less flexibility to attend events.

Willow Springs is a motorsports venue that the hosts discuss in terms of how accessible it is to the public versus restricted member-only use. The key point here is the track’s operating model—keeping at least some sessions open to non-members.

Terminal velocity is the maximum speed a vehicle can reach when forces like drag and rolling resistance balance out, so acceleration stops increasing. On a track, people often talk about whether you reach that top speed on a long straight.

The Dodge Durango Hellcat is a high-performance version of the Durango SUV, built around the Hellcat engine and tuned for big power in a heavier vehicle. The host uses it as a practical track-day hauler to get to Road America and then tries to run practice laps, which leads into a brake-fluid boiling issue.

The Dodge Challenger is a muscle car known for its powerful engines and classic, aggressive styling. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned as part of a driving and racing story, where the speaker needed a specific vehicle for an event and got a Hellcat-equipped Durango instead.

Brake fluid boiling means the fluid overheats enough to form vapor bubbles, which compress and cause a spongy or ineffective brake pedal (often called brake fade from vapor lock). The host says DOT 3 brake fluid boiled after only a couple of stops, turning the track day into a braking disaster.

Brake fade is the loss of braking effectiveness after repeated hard use, commonly caused by overheating of brake components or brake fluid. In this segment, the host links the problem to DOT 3 brake fluid boiling after only a couple of stops.

EcoBoost is Ford’s turbocharged engine family, known for using turbocharging to make strong power from smaller displacement engines. In this segment, the guest describes an orange EcoBoost car that could overwhelm grip and spin the wheels under acceleration.

Traction control is a driver-assistance system that reduces wheel spin by cutting engine power and/or applying brakes when the tires lose grip. The speaker mentions it being “half on,” implying a partially enabled mode that still allows some wheelspin for faster acceleration or more controllable behavior.