The speaker is saying the engine was developed together by Renault and Geely. That kind of partnership can affect how the engine is designed and where it gets used.
“Carb” refers to an older-style fuel system that mixes fuel and air mechanically. The point is that modern regulations and technology make that approach less practical over time.
“Four-speed, auto-only” means the car only comes with an automatic gearbox that has four gears. Enthusiasts often prefer more gears or a manual because it can make the car feel more responsive and fun to drive.
The Lotus Esprit is a sports car that’s built to feel engaging to drive. Here, they’re arguing that if the revised Esprit doesn’t offer a manual gearbox, it misses what makes a “real driver’s car.”
Residual value is basically what the car is expected to be worth later when you sell or trade it. They’re saying you shouldn’t buy a car just because it might hold value.
A modular engine means the manufacturer designed one engine “family” that can be adapted into different versions. That can help reduce cost and complexity because parts are shared.
Term
V6 and V8
V6 and V8 are two common engine types. The number tells you how many cylinders the engine has, and the “V” shape is how those cylinders are arranged.
“Bait and switch” means someone gets you interested with one promise, then changes it to something else afterward. In this context, it sounds like the car’s setup isn’t what buyers thought they were getting.
The Lotus Emira is a sports car that’s built to feel engaging to drive. The podcast says it’s the last gas-powered version, meaning it’s part of the end of that engine lineup. That makes it a timely choice for people who want a gas sports car.
HPDE means a track day focused on learning. You drive on a race track, usually with coaching, but it’s not competitive racing like you’d see in a race.
FCP Euro is a company that sells car parts, especially for European models. They’re saying they sell parts that are meant to match what the car originally came with.
This is a 2017 Subaru Impreza with a manual transmission. The speaker is saying it’s been a good, fun-to-drive everyday car with enough pulling power and decent handling.
Torque is the engine’s pulling power. More torque usually helps the car feel responsive, especially when you’re starting from a stop or driving at lower speeds.
The Pontiac Vibe is a practical compact hatchback. In the episode, the listener says she had an ’08 manual and really liked it, so she’s looking for something newer with a similar vibe.
All-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels. It can help you grip better in bad weather, but this listener is saying she doesn’t need it.
The Volvo V60 is a wagon built to be comfortable and easy to live with. Here, the host says it drives nicely, but Annie didn’t like how the inside is laid out, especially the climate controls.
The Volvo V90 is a bigger, more premium wagon than the V60. Annie hasn’t driven one yet, but the hosts think it might solve her biggest complaint about the climate controls.
Touchscreen climate control means you adjust the heat and A/C using the car’s screen instead of real buttons or knobs. Annie doesn’t like it because it’s harder to use quickly and confidently.
Car
Volkswagen Alltrack
The Volkswagen Alltrack is a wagon that’s made to feel a bit more rugged and usable than a normal wagon. Here, they’re talking about it as a way to get that kind of car without spending too much money.
“E-Class wagons” means Mercedes-Benz station wagons from the E-Class lineup. They’re practical daily cars, and the speaker is saying she’s not really into the look of them.
Crash standards are safety rules that cars have to meet in crashes. They can influence the design of the front of the car, which is why the “nose” may look different than older designs.
Pedestrian height restrictions are regulatory targets that influence where and how a car’s front-end components sit, so the vehicle is less likely to injure a pedestrian in a crash. This segment suggests the design software used for front-end styling was constrained by those rules, affecting the “nose” shape.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is the high-performance version of the Giulia. It’s the one you’d look at if you want something that feels more exciting to drive than a normal everyday sedan/wagon choice.
The GR Corolla is a sporty version of a compact hatchback. It’s built to be more exciting to drive, with performance features aimed at handling and traction. That’s why it’s mentioned when people talk about fun everyday hatchbacks.
The Honda Civic is a small everyday car. Some versions are tuned to feel more fun to drive, not just efficient. That’s why it shows up in conversations about sporty hatchbacks.
The Acura Integra is a compact car that’s made to feel sporty. The podcast mentions the A-spec manual version, meaning it’s set up for drivers who want to shift gears themselves. That’s why it’s brought up in a conversation about fun everyday cars.
The BMW X1 is a small luxury SUV/crossover. It’s meant for daily driving but with a sportier feel than some other compact crossovers. The podcast mentions it because someone is thinking about changing how it looks and drives with a lowering kit.
“Combi wagon” is another way of saying “station wagon.” It usually has a bigger, more usable cargo area because the back of the car is shaped for carrying things.
“Sport combi” basically means a sportier wagon. They’re using it to describe Saab wagons that were aimed at enthusiasts, including versions you could get with a manual.
On Saab models, “Aero” usually means a sportier, higher-performance version. In this conversation, they’re specifically talking about a Saab wagon/estate with the Aero trim and a manual transmission.
Auto Tempest is a website that helps you search for cars from lots of listings at once. In this segment, they’re using it to look up Saabs and see what’s available.
The Audi A7 is a luxury car with a sloping “fastback” shape that still has normal daily-car space. Here, they mention it as an option, but they also talk about being wary of maintenance costs.
The Kia Stinger is a sporty-looking car with a hatchback-style rear that still gives you practical space. In this segment, they recommend it because it’s roomy, can be found with good deals, and comes with options like all-wheel drive.
Term
hatchish
“Hatchish” is just their way of saying it’s kind of like a hatchback, meaning the back is easier to use for loading. They’re saying the Stinger gives you some of that practicality.
The Acura Integra A-Spec is a sportier trim of the Integra. The hosts are basically saying it’s a smaller, more compact option compared to the bigger cars in the conversation.
A manual transmission is when you shift gears yourself using a clutch pedal and a stick. People who like driving often prefer it because it gives you more control.
The Ford Edge is a family-sized crossover SUV. It’s designed to be comfortable for daily driving and errands. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as a possible choice if you’re trying to stay near a certain budget.
The Acura Integra Type S is a sporty Acura that’s aimed at driving enthusiasts. Here they’re saying it has a manual option and feels more “together” than the Civic Type R’s harsher track-like feel.
The Civic Type R is Honda’s most hardcore Civic. In this conversation, it’s used as the benchmark for a rougher, more track-like feel.
Concept
luxury feel
“Luxury feel” means the car feels more refined and comfortable—like it’s quieter, smoother, and nicer inside. The host is saying you can get that even in a sporty car.
“Haptic” controls are touch-based controls that buzz or vibrate to simulate a button press. The host is saying they don’t like that approach and prefer real buttons and knobs.
The Volkswagen Golf R is the sporty version of the Golf. In this discussion, the host likes this particular Golf R because it’s fun, can be had with a manual, and it uses normal buttons/knobs instead of touch-only controls.
The Porsche Macan is a smaller Porsche SUV/crossover. It’s meant to feel more fun to drive than a typical family SUV, and the host is saying it doesn’t look overly flashy.
The RX-8 is a sports car from Mazda that uses a rotary engine. A rotary engine works differently than the normal engine type, so it needs specific care. That’s why it often comes up in conversations about unusual, enthusiast-focused cars.
The BMW 5 Series is a comfortable, mid-size luxury sedan. It’s designed to drive well and feel more premium than basic cars. The podcast mentions it because it’s the kind of car people consider when they want both comfort and performance.
The Tesla Model S is an electric car with four doors. It’s known for quick acceleration and lots of technology inside. People bring it up in car debates because it’s a fast sedan that runs on electricity.
The Lexus LC 500 is a Lexus luxury coupe that’s also meant to be fun to drive. It uses a V8 engine and is designed to feel like a comfortable grand tourer, not just a flashy car.
They’re talking about what price you can actually afford. The point is that some amazing cars are out of reach unless you find a great deal or buy at the right time.
The Aston Martin Vanquish S is a luxury sports car with a strong V12 engine. The “S” version is the more aggressive, higher-performance take, and the host is basically saying it’s amazing but usually expensive.
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a luxury sports car with a very powerful V12 engine. It’s meant to be a special, high-end performance choice. The podcast mentions it because it’s typically out of reach for many budgets.
The Aston Martin DBS is a fancy, high-performance Aston Martin. The host is saying older ones have become much cheaper, so they might be a better deal than you’d expect.
The Jaguar F-Type is a sporty Jaguar with a fun, stylish personality. They’re saying it’s often overlooked, and they especially like the rare version with a manual gearbox.
Tesla makes electric cars. The host is saying that at first the tech feels exciting, but after you’ve seen it for a while, it stops feeling like a special event.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is the sporty, high-performance version of the Giulia. The host is saying it’s the kind of car that feels fun when you’re on twisty roads, not just commuting.
The Chevrolet Corvette C7 is a generation of the Corvette that’s built to be a serious sports car. The host is saying that around $50,000 you can get a C7 that feels like a real “occasion” car.
Term
lift to the doors
This sounds like a description of a special door design where the door opens upward instead of swinging out normally. It’s the kind of detail that makes the car feel more distinctive when you’re getting in and out.
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a sporty British car with a V8 engine. The hosts mention it because it’s fun to drive and has a great sound, making it a strong pick if you want something exciting.
A “fob” is the small key remote you keep in your pocket. It lets the car recognize you so you can lock/unlock and sometimes start it without using a metal key.
Term
needles go opposite each other
This refers to an instrument-cluster design where the gauge needles move in opposite directions, creating a distinctive visual “motion” effect. It’s a styling choice that can make the dashboard feel more theatrical and premium compared with conventional gauges that move the same way.
The Lotus Evora is a sports car made by Lotus. Here it’s the surprise pick that worked well for the driver’s height and made the car feel great on the road.
The Lotus Evora 400 is a stronger version of the Evora, and “manual” means you shift it yourself. In the story, that’s the exact car they ended up buying because it felt right to drive.
“Bulletproof” is a slang way of saying “very dependable.” In this context, it means spending money to fix the car’s likely problems so it won’t leave you stranded.
The Holden Caprice is a large, comfortable sedan. The podcast is comparing it to another car and suggests the sixth-generation Caprice as the better recommendation. That means it’s being considered as a practical choice rather than a sporty-only option.
PPV means “Police Pursuit Vehicle.” It’s a version of a car that’s built for police work, usually with equipment and tuning meant for heavy-duty use.
Term
backseat space
They’re talking about how much room there is in the back seat. The idea is that this Caprice variant has extra length/space to fit rear passengers more comfortably.
The Chevrolet SS is a V8-powered Chevy sedan. Here it’s mentioned mainly because the host thinks it looks better than the police versions of similar cars.
“Bang for the buck” just means you feel like you’re getting a lot for the money. Here it’s used to say Corvette gives strong performance without costing as much as pricier supercars.
A “supercar” is a very high-end, very fast type of car—usually expensive and built for performance. They’re using it as a comparison point while talking about how horsepower numbers keep getting bigger.
The Miata is a small two-seat roadster made for fun driving. It’s light and easy to handle, so it feels lively even at normal speeds. People who love it tend to be very enthusiastic, which is why it comes up often.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a very serious, track-oriented version of the 911. The host is comparing it to a Corvette Z06 and arguing the Corvette can be a better value for track use.
A “track car” is a car you use on a race track. It has to handle repeated hard driving, and the host is saying you can get great results without spending as much as you might think.
Deviated stitching is a fancy upholstery detail—how the stitching lines are intentionally offset or patterned. The hosts are treating it like an important “look and feel” detail when comparing cars.
McLaren is a brand that makes high-end supercars. The host is saying McLarens (like the Lotus) feel more precise and connected to the road than the bigger cars.
Term
budget consideration
This is basically the idea of picking a car mainly because of your price range. The host says the conversation changes once you have more flexibility in your budget.
Part-sharing is when multiple car models (sometimes across brands) use common components—like engines, transmissions, platforms, or interior parts—to reduce cost and speed up development. The host argues that even with part-sharing, brands should remain distinct so the car still feels like a unique identity rather than a badge-engineered product.
The Aston Martin Vantage is a sporty Aston Martin with a strong V8. The hosts are comparing it to another sports car to show that even with similar engine roots, the driving experience can be set up differently.
Concept
clientele
They’re talking about the kind of buyers a brand is aiming for. The idea is that the car is designed to match what that customer group wants and expects.
Term
steering is so interesting and delicate
When someone says the steering is “delicate,” they mean it feels precise—small movements make the car respond in a controlled way. It’s about how accurately you can guide the car, not just how strong the steering is.
Concept
aspirational price point
An “aspirational price point” means the car costs enough that it feels like a step up in status. Some people buy it for the brand and what it represents, not only for the specs.
In track driving, “fine-tuning” usually refers to adjusting the car’s setup—things like suspension settings, tire pressures, and alignment—to better match the driver and the circuit. The segment uses it to explain why the Z06 improved by the end of the previous day, but the McLaren still delivered a bigger jump.
The McLaren Artura is a high-performance McLaren that uses a hybrid setup. The hosts mention it because they’ve driven it and are comparing what kind of car experience they want next.
The Honda Fit is a small, practical hatchback that’s popular because it has a surprisingly roomy interior. In this segment, they’re jokingly labeling it as a “spotter car,” like a helpful everyday car around track or enthusiast events.
LIVE
Alright, we're obviously not in the studio right now, it's pretty clearly obvious by
both the picture and the audio.
If you're watching, you can see that's the corkscrew with the last car I expected coming
down it right now.
Oh, a few more I guess.
Just throwing the checkered.
We are at a hooked on driving track day, our own hooked on driving track day here at Laguna
Seca.
We've been here for a couple of days at the finish of our latest Monterey adventure.
Amazing.
Yeah, if you know the top of the corkscrew, you know exactly where we're at.
This is pretty much the place for getting the best photos up here.
But welcome back guys.
We've got a couple of car debates, car conclusions, some hooked on driving updates for tracks
and track days near you and a little bit of news up front about Lotus.
Lotus news.
How interesting.
Interesting, horrifying.
It could be a little bit of both.
Look, this is being reported lots of places and I'm wondering how it affects my car.
Because I have the 2024 Mira, the V6 Supercharge, that's a Toyota motor, but that's going away.
Now Toyota's already stopped using that motor.
Geely Lotus bought a bunch of them, but they have the AMG ALT.
Apparently they're throwing out both those motors for a joint venture called horse powertrains.
Horse.
It weighs only 160 kilograms, 353 pounds.
That horse says makes it 22 pounds lighter than any other V6 currently in production.
That is one of those stats that a marketing person made up.
I don't know why that matters.
It doesn't matter.
Good news, the engine's lighter, but it's got to make more power, but you know it's
because it's got the three liter displacement and developed from mild hybrid, full hybrid
and plug-in hybrid applications.
So they want to use it clearly in other places, not just your Mira, but they're going to start
using it, which we've talked about for a long time.
Was the Mira ever the last gas-powered sports car?
Because that's how it was introduced.
You remember this, right?
That is exactly what they said.
The Mira just get it now, last gas-powered, and then now they're developing a different
engine, a new engine.
Their own engine, which not the Rover days, then Toyota days, and then up to now.
This engine's a joint venture of Renault and Geely, so Renault and the Chinese.
I'm not sure that's the combination that you want for a new gasoline motor.
They're killing it in EVs, but this is the thing.
If the trajectory that we all expected of EVs had happened, this would have made some
sense.
By the time we can't actually justify carb past the V6 anymore, we'll move on to full
electrics.
When now the market has changed, they've got to do something.
So they're talking about 500 horsepower in this motor, which is interesting, except it
gets to the one part of it that really scares me.
The hybrid doesn't even bother me.
It's four-speed, auto-only.
And if you're buying a driver's car, especially a Lotus, and there's no manual offered, I
think you have failed, and they're also talking about a variant of this motor in V8 that might
come in the revised Esprit, but if you're following along with the class, that means
no manual there either.
And I think that's the big fail.
And of all things to say, I think my car might go up in value.
That's a great point.
That's not why I bought it.
I don't care.
It's not the point.
Don't buy a car for what its value is going to be when you sell it.
But if that's the last manual Lotus product, are you kidding?
Wow.
That's interesting.
All right.
So we've got a new group on track.
We're going to fight through.
Hopefully, you can still hear us.
Yep.
If Todd's car goes back in value, I mean, does that turn Lotus into a mini-porsche in that
sense?
Because that's, of course, all we're seeing.
That's all you're seeing.
We're even hearing things everywhere about, man, those Porsche prices are going to be
going up, aren't they?
For sure.
It's not just us.
I just.
Yeah.
It's all over the place.
I don't know about this.
See, I don't know about this chain.
I thought you were going to say reliability.
I thought you were going to say, because it's an untested, different parts, a modular engine
for V6 and V8 use, what about reliability?
I mean, with Toyota and certainly Mercedes, there's a level of comfort.
Okay.
She's going to run Lotus, going to run, but it's powered by horse.
Powered by horse.
Horse powered by horse.
It's horse.
It's horse powered.
Horse powered.
It's horse powered.
Powered.
Somebody somewhere in a marketing department is laughing their butt off that they did that
and doesn't understand that the rest of the world is going to shake their head.
It's also led to ridiculous headlines out there about Lotus powered by horse and stupid
things we've been scratching their head because it doesn't make sense.
I'm actually really worried about it and I'm most worried about the auto only option.
I don't, honestly.
And it's because of the applications.
It's bait and switch.
The engine is ways less, but we took the manual.
You totally hid the problem.
So it remains then.
The Amira is still the last gas powered Amira ever because it's the true what enthusiasts
want, but I get it.
They're trying to open up the market to more, but it's Lotus.
You're not a volume manufacturer to begin with.
Totally.
You don't need to open up the market to more because we've tried, oh, look at all the SUVs
and sedan's and stuff that Lotus now builds.
Did the market respond favorably?
True.
I will let the market speak, not us, not me.
Yeah, interesting.
So I'm intrigued by this.
You know, gosh, if your car goes up in value, that's wild.
I hope for the best.
I mean, really, I'm a Lotus fan, obviously.
I hope for the best.
I don't, honestly, I don't care what the powertrain is.
I do want involvement.
Can they do good involvement from a hybrid V6 auto?
Yeah.
Maybe.
Maybe.
Maybe.
But it's not the right recipe that we've all come to know and love.
But anyway, here we are.
All right.
Upcoming, hooked on driving events around the country, Oregon Raceway Park, ORP, Saturday,
May 23rd, and Sunday, May 24th, 2026.
That is Memorial Day weekend in the US that is out in Grass Valley.
So next weekend, that's right.
And we wanted to go.
We certainly heard great things about it.
We got to get out there sometime, but we're not traveling on Memorial Day weekend because
the following weekend in the US is Coda.
You've heard us talk a little bit.
I think about the Coda weekend and we're very excited for all of you coming.
We're sure excited to be back and incredible track.
Hopefully we'll have a variety of things to drive there, which should be interesting.
Also Ridge Motorsports Park, Friday, June 5th, and Saturday, June 6th, 2026.
Ridge is a great track.
Again, our Pacific Northwest region holding great events up there.
And June is, you know, when the weather's great in the Pacific Northwest.
So that's interesting.
And then the flat out classic, Lonnie's running at Hedge Hollow.
Hedge Hollow is such a good track.
That is the hidden track in North America.
In fact, Grassroots Motorsports just did an article about it.
So it's slowly getting discovered, but hooked on driving was the first there.
We're very excited about all the events going on at Hedge Hollow.
So that one is coming up there.
And then, yes, there's an event in the Northeast for you guys as well.
That is NJMP, the Lightning, HPDE, plus some time attack.
We think Saturday, June 13th and the 14th.
And don't forget they are doing their Monster July 4th weekend.
That's right.
That whole weekend is doing a massive thing at Watkins Glen.
Starstrikes and Speed by the hooked on driving northeast.
So if you want something new July 4th for the whole family, that is your event.
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So we do have two car debates.
We're going to cover real quick first off for Annie in Colorado.
We're thrilled that you wrote in as the non soccer mom.
You are the working mom with the sport wagon.
You said your husband deals with soccer duties, so we're going to try to find something for you.
Annie, thank you for writing.
She drives a 2017 Impreza manual five or she bought off the lot.
It's been great, adequate torque and enjoyable handling.
She says so practical for a fleet of cargo with the seats down for that.
She had an 08 manual Pontiac vibe, which she loved.
So she's looking for something newer.
She's in Colorado and she also says all wheel drive is not a requirement.
She puts winter tires on.
She says doesn't have to do that. Absolutely. Yes.
Doesn't have to be that.
Annie, you're one of my favorites now.
Instantly. Yeah. Anyway, onward.
And he's looking for a sport wagon or at least something hatch-ish.
Yep. Something with lower miles, less than 50,000 miles,
because she doesn't want to deal with too much maintenance quite yet.
Her budget is up to $40,000, although spending less would be considered ideal.
And for most people, spending less is ideal, certainly.
And then they all spend more when it's all said.
This is the budget like to spend less will probably spend more.
This is the reality.
By the way, we're starting to get those emails.
Oh, yeah. The budget buster, I blew the budget kind of email.
So thank you for writing. Please keep those emails coming.
So far, Annie's considered a V60 or a V90.
She's only driven a 2025 V60.
While the torque and suspension were delightful,
she was disappointed by the interior design. That's interesting, Annie.
I'm surprised because we usually love volvos. We love the seats.
We love the IP. instrument panel, the controls.
There are actual buttons for HVAC.
They're very minimal. True.
That's from the era when everybody thought, oh, it's got to be just
maybe the temperature and that's it.
Everything else is buried in the screen.
She said she really, really hates touch screen climate control.
So that is something we're going to have to avoid, because it is her least favorite.
She's not yet driven a V90 because they're very hard to find.
But wonder if that would help.
Quite possibly. I encourage you to drive it.
She has she's considered a BMW three series wagon.
This might be her current forerunner.
That makes sense.
Consider that Volkswagen all track, which would mean you'd spend about a third
or less of your budget.
But some of the last produced models are getting up there in miles, she says.
Yeah, they've been around a while.
She's not opposed to entirely to any of the E class wagons,
but she really doesn't care for the bulky nose, which is,
I think, a European standard, I believe, at least in the US crash standards
have affected the nose of almost every car.
Yeah, for sure. Yeah, I remember the software, actually,
that we were using for for the design of the front of the cars
actually was designed for pedestrian height restrictions, like very rules.
And you know what we would say, stay out of the street.
But, you know, I mean, that seems the obvious question.
The street has the big cars going by, so be careful.
But whatever.
And is Harvard a maintenance fear of Audi's in general?
So she just hasn't dived into that world, maybe change her mind.
And she also feels similarly about Volkswagen.
Of course, the newer the car, the less maintenance they will be.
But of course, then we're going to blow your budget.
What else? She's considered.
Do you see what she said about Alfa?
Yes, she's considered the Giulia Quadrifoglio, which, of course, is music to my ears,
except for the fact she has a neighbor who says that he's actually her favorite
neighbor. He says if she buys an Alfa Romeo, he's moving.
I'm not sure what the back story is.
There's got to be something going on there with her name anyway.
So she's like, this is actually my favorite neighbor,
so I got to be real careful. That's very funny.
She also says the Panamera is on the list,
which I thought of when I first read this because Annie needs an all purpose
wagon that's also fun. She's worried about it, feeling ostentatious.
She says she doesn't really think she wants an EV.
Maybe it might work. She's willing to talk about it,
but she thinks at the moment hybrid might make more sense.
Annie is in real estate.
That is her career, and she is a mother of boys, eight and 10.
And so she needs some space and she needs something nice enough to impress clients.
But it can't be too ostentatious.
Again, we're dealing with perception, which is such a fine line.
Yep, all this stuff.
So what is out there for Annie?
She's got some suggestions that she is thinking about.
Sporty hatches, GR Corolla seems fun.
Civic SI, she says that too, sedan-ish.
And then along with that, of course, is the A-spec manual version of the Integra.
Wow, all right, on the Rumble Strip.
I love it. That's good stuff.
You know that sound.
So fun.
So she's also considering, is there a crossover out there that she's missed?
Because fun is a factor here.
And she's wondering, I love this.
This is hysterical.
This is a car debate email from a mom in real estate.
And she actually has the sentence in,
I could buy a BMW X1 and put a lowering kit on it, right?
That was, I was like, wait, that just happened.
We're lowering an X1 for, I mean, I'm open to it,
but I don't know that that's the first choice.
We've got to find something for Annie.
Would that be great if Annie gets this and it's lowered?
Yes.
And her customers get in, her clients?
Like, what is this vehicle?
You track this thing.
And then, I mean, Annie, just think of the connection that you would have.
And yeah, just a personal note for real estate agents out there.
I understand that most people's stuff goes in the garage
when you're staging a house.
That's been my understanding.
But then there's no photos of the garage ever.
That's the first thing that I look for.
Oh, it's a three car garage.
Where is the photo?
It's full of everybody's stuff that you clean the house out with, you know,
the extra stuff, stage, and there's cinnamon, bubbling on the stove.
And everything you don't need is currently in the garage.
It's trash.
I understand that it is what it is.
But could you just show more garages?
Because all of us car enthusiast nerds, that's the first thing.
I go backwards because the first like, oh, you go to the kitchen.
Go backwards in the in the photo scroll backwards to the garage first,
because I want to see.
Got it.
Garage first, kitchen last.
That's the key.
That's excellent.
That's car guy thinking right there.
Just a note for you, Annie, just a very good in their real estate agents across the board.
So what is what should Annie buy?
Why are all the perfect wagons disappearing from this market?
She wants a newish car for her job, but the pickings are slim.
Annie, have you considered a Saab 9, 3, or 9, 5 sport combi wagon?
Good morning, everybody.
Saabs have come up.
We're done now.
I never thought.
But I hate to say it, your email came in at about 15 years too late for the sport combi.
It was the sport combi with manual, the wagon, and the enthusiast car, the Tour X, I think it was called.
No, that was the Buick.
The sport combi X, Saab 9, 3, X.
And then they have the Aero.
Sport combi Aero with the manual.
Weirdly, they're out there.
And as part of my search on Auto Tempest, I went, oh.
You actually looked up Saabs without your brother-in-law's help.
No, no, no.
I was wondering if you were just sucked into the dark side there.
It was just part of the, you know, I was looking through.
Got it, OK.
I just put in some basic search terms, and a lot came up.
But I do like a lot of your choices.
And, Annie, my first thought was the A7, the Audi A7.
That's good, actually.
That's very good.
Yeah.
It's hatchish.
It's luxury.
It sends the right message, like not too ostentatious, but you're successful.
True.
Yeah, yeah.
You're not going to track it.
You need space in the back seat.
You've got the trunk for all the yard signs.
The yard signs.
They're a big thing, yeah.
Make sure you show the garages.
Just please show the garages.
So I thought Audi A7, but then you mentioned, well, a little bit of a fear, phobia of maintenance.
So I suppose drive one and leave it on your list if you find one that is new enough for your taste,
and also has low miles, and you could consider it, because that is just the sweet spot.
However, you know what we're going to say next if we suggest Audi A7.
It is the Kia Stinger.
That is the next hatchish.
It's large, and that is my recommendation for you, because you can still find them new enough,
and there's deals on those things.
You're right.
GT1, GT2, all-wheel drive, or no all-wheel drive.
Go look for stingers, because lots of backseat space for your boys, and when customers get in,
they might say things like, blah, blah, blah, for a Kia.
Insert words.
This is luxurious or stylish or whatever for a Kia.
And then, Annie, you will say, no, no, the guys suggested Kia.
You should look at one.
They're great, gobs of power.
Man, they drive great, lots of space, hatchish.
They're not as small.
I mean, I do like your lists on here of the Civic Si.
I do like the Integra A-Spec.
Those are a little bit smaller, but man, customers get into the Kia, and it's like,
you are using their money, and you're looking out for them, and you're using your money wisely,
and yeah, it just sends all the right messages.
Unfortunately, they're out of production, but not too far.
True.
No, I actually think the Kia Stinger is a great answer.
It may be the answer, Annie, so I'm glad that Paul brought it up.
I want a couple other places.
First off, I do think the three-series wagon is perfect for you,
and if you can find one in manual, you're going to take some searching on Autotempus.com.
But if you can find a manual one, that's the car that nobody gets.
That's the ones that when people buy them, they hang on to them.
So if you can do that, I think you'd really like finding a three-series wagon.
I like that a lot.
I actually think there's a couple really good contenders here that are on the edge of your budget.
And the first one is probably above your budget, but not by far.
Okay.
And that is Accura Integra Type S.
Manual transmission, that's good.
It's not the rough track feel of the Civic Type R.
But Accura is one of those brands where luxurious but flies under the radar.
Your clients aren't going to care.
You know what I mean?
They're not going to be like, wow, this is too nice a car.
But when you get to drive it for fun, you can drive it for fun like crazy.
That is the Type R for you.
It's so perfect.
My guess is right now, you probably find them out there for 50-ish,
and you wanted to spend like 40 or so.
So I'm above.
40 flat.
I'm above.
I know I am, but I really think-
But worth it.
Worth the dollars.
It's better than the SI for you.
I really think it gets it done, and it does give you that luxury feel
while it's a fantastic chassis to drive.
So I'm really putting a pitch in here for, yes, the thing you do.
More budget.
But Type S.
See, the stinger's not manual.
With a manual.
That is, I mean, the stinger's great.
But I've got you a hatch and manual, and I really want to push for that.
That's good.
That's good.
You mentioned that the Panamera might be too ostentatious.
And I actually think the scale and proportions of the Panamera help make it ostentatious.
So I'm going to circle back around to that thought for a second.
One I have for you that's in your budget that I think you'd love.
I'm thinking about the fact you're driving a five-door Impressa.
Okay?
And you like it.
You need a, and you want buttons.
She needs a Volkswagen Golf R 7.5 Gen, the Mark 75, before they went-
To the haptic disaster of the eighth gen.
That's good.
And everything was still H-FAC that was actually buttons and knobs.
It's all-wheel drive.
It's fun to drive.
It's manual transmission.
The great backseat.
When you fold the back seats down, it's got a great hatch.
I think 7.5, Mark 7.5 Golf R may be the answer here.
It's better than the all-track.
The all-track's not fun enough.
I think the Golf R gets it done for you, Annie.
So that's my thought there.
Okay.
My last thought, because you asked about crossovers, and I think it gets by without feeling too ostentatious.
And that is the Porsche Macan.
It's not manual.
I thought about the Macan.
But I joke about it being Porsche's hatchback.
It is.
It's Porsche's Golf hatchback.
So I think if you get one of those, you'd be very happy.
Maybe I'm wrong.
Maybe I'm wrong.
But I feel like I see so many Macans.
They've lost the exotic feel.
I don't think your customers are going to care about a Macan.
True.
A Panamera.
I think they'd be like, whoa, whoa, Panamera.
A Macan, it's a hatchback from Porsche.
Maybe I'm wrong.
Maybe I'm just imagining that from the world I live in.
But it feels like it's not ostentatious in the way the Panamera is.
Or even the Cayenne.
I think the Macan is a car.
Cayenne would do that.
Yeah.
So I feel like the Macan is a good option here.
Macan is tight, but not manual.
But it comes down to driving.
The Golf is good.
That's good.
We've got good options for you, Andy.
So please drive all the way above.
We'd love to hear from you.
We hope you find something cool.
I just like that you follow the show, that you want something fun.
And you're thinking about the fact that drive wheels don't matter.
Tires matter.
Fun matters.
Manual matters.
I love all of that.
By the way, are you noticing the cars going by on track?
There's been a Mini Cooper go by, an RX8, and an E60, BMW, V10, and 5.
Yep.
There's two of them here.
And 5.
And the owners have even said, you know what, they're slow, but we love them.
And 8250.
They're having fun.
Oh my gosh.
Yeah, they are.
It's been great.
It's a really cool day.
Second car debate coming to you is Brian writing in.
He's got questions about after 20 years he's looking for a fun car.
This is interesting.
He's got a short commute, 10 miles, maybe 15 minutes.
Because it's commute and it's short and he wants an event.
Practicality doesn't matter.
Fuel economy doesn't matter.
He wants an occasion car that he enjoys driving on that very short commute.
Brian, thank you so much for writing.
His top priorities for this short commute are fun and emotional, luxury interior.
As you said, sense of occasion and reliability is reasonable enough to daily.
Okay.
He's considered a ton of cars.
Yeah.
Ultimate track performance doesn't matter.
Fuel economy.
Who cares?
Cargo space irrelevant.
I love it.
It's great stuff.
Look at this.
Jag F type Corvette, Mustangs, Model 3s, Model Ys, pretty much every number of BMW, sedan
and coupe that you can think of.
The quads, both Julia and Stelvio from Alfa Romeo and the Mercedes AMG GT.
So that starts to give you an idea of what he's looking for.
It's definitely GT car.
It's a little bit more expensive.
Yeah.
Although did he send us a budget?
Was that in here?
Budget is $30,000.
Oh, $30,000.
That's where things change a lot.
Oh, that's right.
$30,000 for a car that he might keep for a few years and $60,000 if he keeps it for a
while.
Forever.
That's a while.
That's a while.
Yeah, we're car people.
You're not keeping a car forever.
I don't believe you for a second, Brian.
I don't believe it.
But I understand.
A long time.
A long time for you compared to the few years for $30,000.
I get it.
Yeah.
Here's the question.
What would you, meaning us, you, us, Brian, all of us, what would you personally choose?
If the goal was to make ordinary drives feel exciting and luxurious, he's struggling because
all the cars that he's listed up there are fun in different ways.
Some are more emotional and dramatic.
Certainly some are refined and fast and some are very tech focused.
And it seems like even tech doesn't really stand out to him.
He is all about the driving.
It's like when you take a salesperson along with you, let me show you the sound quality.
Doesn't matter.
Don't care.
I'm here about the drive.
And that sounds, Brian, just like you.
So, that last car on your list actually struck me a lot because you said AMG GT.
But having some conversations about those cars lately and they're above your budget,
we'll say.
New ones.
Even the 60 grad, the used ones are right on the cusp of that.
Yeah, the new ones are just over 100 used.
They're, yeah.
I don't think they're down to 50, 60.
No, not quite.
We're starting to get close, but we're not there yet.
Yeah.
But you know what is?
Is the Lexus LC 500.
You did hit it again.
I thought he was going to hit it again.
I'm not surprised.
It made my list that I figured you'd be way out front of me on this.
This is my jam.
Brian, LC 500.
You know about this car, right?
It's still on sale and has been since 2018, I believe.
And so that means those used ones from the late aughts are just over 50.
And you said 60 is the top end of your budget to keep it forever.
It just seems you get more content, better reliability
for similar performance from the Corvette for a lot less money,
which of course you have exactly articulated
what Corvettes were conceived to be.
That was always bang for the buck.
That's precisely what you have noticed,
and they've continued it,
even though they're now making quarter-million-dollar hypercars.
Performance-wise, you're right.
Can we say a thousand horsepower is like the mark,
and then anything past your supercar,
and then now you reach a thousand?
Because what are you doing with 800?
What are we doing with 800?
We're not even trying anymore.
I can't explain, because there's still the Miata guys
right up behind you going,
Yes!
No, there's been some fast stuff at this track day,
and it's funny, every single time something really fast
goes by on this track,
there is a Miata on its bumper every single time.
Hi, could you let me?
Oh, straight away, of course.
You do your straight away.
You go ahead.
I'll see you in just a few seconds.
This is a great question.
Look, Bitter Cargo, I'm going to say this to you.
When your budget, and I'm saying this personally as well,
when your budget doesn't allow you to consider McLarens,
they seem even more ridiculous.
Yes.
Okay?
If you have budget to get them,
let me put it another way.
You have budget to get anything.
This doesn't matter.
You're going to buy it like a t-shirt.
Then now you start to think like,
well, what is the nuance?
The Corvette is maybe more than ever before
the most performance value for your dollar.
You can run with anyone you can think of.
I recently coached a guy in a Z06.
It was his first time in a Z06.
It was his dad's car, and I was like,
this is not a good combination.
We had an amazing day.
I talked to his dad.
He came up to me and told me all about it.
It was amazing.
That car is such a cheat car.
If you're wanting to buy a GT3 RS for a track car right now,
my recommendation to you,
as much as I love that as a track car,
is just go buy a Z06.
You spend a whole lot less money and come out here
and bang on it, and it's amazing.
Now they're down in price.
The Z06s weren't when they first came out.
But they're way down compared to any GT3 RS you're going to find.
Well, then we can't talk about deviated stitching.
That's the important part.
I cannot argue how awesome the Corvette is
because it is amazing.
But it always feels big when driven
if you hop from that into a Lotus like my Amira
or a McLaren.
And I've said before that I feel like modern McLaren
is what Lotus should and could have grown into and didn't.
And I do connect with those cars very similarly
the way I connect with the Lotus.
They have a very similar light front end,
a lot of delicacy in the steering.
That as much as I like the C8 and I do,
it cannot match.
There is nuance there.
There's also nuance when you get into the heavy 911s,
the big boy 911s,
because their steering because of the rear engine
is also very unique.
So it's what...
If you're just shopping on budget,
Corvette wins.
Just wins.
You're shopping based on budget consideration.
Corvette is value for dollar and the conversation is finished.
They have for 50 years.
If you can't afford a Corvette,
you get a Miata, same conversation happens.
But if you can afford,
then that nuance starts to come into play.
And I would like to thank your buying for nuance
of the way the car speaks to you
and not, I like this brand and the stitching that it offers.
Hopefully.
All excellent points, bitter car guy.
There is something that exists.
And that is...
Boredom is the wrong word.
Searching for a new experience
from the enthusiast who can afford it.
That's why these car brands,
I think should continue to exist as stand-alone car brands.
Even though there's so much part-sharing
and we think if you get an Aston Martin,
a new Vantage these days,
you've bought a Mercedes engine,
there's many examples of that.
But there's still differences.
And those engineers still strive to make those two cars,
the AMG GT and the Vantage.
Okay, they share an engine.
All right, well, let's make these cars different enough.
How can we make them different?
And that comes down to the clientele.
At least the clientele,
they think we'll go buy these cars.
But for McLaren,
yeah, the steering is so interesting and delicate
that I have not found,
I've not driven the ZR1,
we've not driven the ZR1X or ZR1 quite yet,
but I've not found those in the C8.
It's interesting and good,
but then you get into McLaren and you go,
oh, this is what I've been missing.
And I think that's what sucks in McLaren buyers.
But of course, then you're at this new price point.
It's a new aspirational price point.
Yeah, exactly.
Some people are just buying for the price point,
which is too bad,
but we actually have somebody that was on this recent event
that had a Z06,
that Z06 that we had on Kota's trip last year.
Dan, who has that car,
has sold his Z06 and stepped into a McLaren.
And on the tracks he knows,
he's running significantly faster in the McLaren
first day than he was last day
after fine-tuning his work in the Z06.
And this is a guy who still loves the Z06,
but can't believe what's possible in the McLaren.
So there is some magic there, for sure.
And Dan is fast.
He is fast.
And he was just saying,
I'm just going to see what she'll do.
I haven't really even discovered this car yet.
And he was already five or six seconds quicker
around the ridge and amazed by that.
And that speaks to, I mean, Dan's a driver,
but it also speaks to the difference in those cars.
There's something going on over there, for sure.
Yeah, I hope car manufacturers,
I hope we all continue to buy those cars
and there's enough variety and interest
because people just want to keep switching.
That's why we see all these varieties of cars
and people, they do.
They get sick of Porsches
and they want to try a new experience.
They do and they want to move on and they discover McLaren.
I mean, I want to discover McLaren.
You have a real interest in McLaren.
I have noticed that it is growing.
I have a little of an alarm for you.
I want us all to discover McLaren.
I want to discover, I mean, we've driven the Artura,
as you saw in the price of fun original film
and we want to keep finding what suits us.
And I will say Bitter Car Guy, as you age,
as you're into more enthusiast driving,
as you drive on track.
I love it.
Oh, nice.
That is nice.
That's the Spotter car, the Honda Fit Spotter car.
The Spotter fit.
That's fantastic.
That's really good.
He knew he was going to squeal the tires.
Yeah, he did.
There he goes again.
That's awesome.
That's good stuff.
So these cars, McLaren's.
Yeah, I mean, look, I do want to say this about the Corvette.
Anyone that says to us they bought a C8,
I don't care the variant.
I say fantastic choice.
It cannot be undersoldered.
Those cars are really, really good in every spec.
So if you want to get a Corvette Bitter Car Guy,
I applaud you because you will love that car.
We still miss ours.
And it was just Corvette.
It wasn't even like, hey, we just got a Corvette.
And it was great.
Hopefully you've seen my update with the Forerunner,
with a few more off-road parts built onto that.
And so Todd chased me up the Canyon, or not the Canyon,
up the dirt road, the trail in the Rubicaian.
And that is currently playing on the original YouTube channel.
And thank you guys so much for watching this podcast,
sharing it with others.
That's how it continues to remain in the top automotive podcast
category, but also how people continue to find it.
And we get so many of those emails from you guys saying,
I discovered a podcast and it feeds the need.
And the blower's going by.
The blower's going by because the track goes hot in three minutes.
Three minutes.
We have to get back out there.
So we do.
Can't thank you enough for watching, for listening.
We really appreciate it.
And until next time, as always, cheers, everyone.
.
About this episode
Hosts start at Laguna Seca, then use Lotus engine sourcing changes to spark a bigger debate about what makes a “driver’s car” as electrification and hybrid powertrains spread. The conversation turns to sport-wagon and everyday-fun shopping: manual availability, interior controls, and reliability concerns shape recommendations like the Saab sport combi, Kia Stinger, and late Mk7.5 Golf R. Track-day planning and value comparisons (Corvette vs Porsche/McLaren) keep the episode grounded in real-world driving.
The guys are at Laguna Seca while at a Hooked On Driving event, and podcasting near the top of the corkscrew! Spot the GR Yaris going by at the first minute.They take on debates for Annie in CO, who is an enthusiast mom looking for a manual sport wagon or hatch. Then, Brian R. has spent 20 years looking at fun cars, but hasn’t really found something he loves. What should he get? Car Conclusions include the new Evora 400 bought by Matthew T., and a 39-year-old Supra Turbo for Jared F. in MN!
Audio-only MP3 is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and 10 other platforms.
Look for us on Tuesdays if you’d like to watch us debate, disagree and then go drive again!
00:00 - Intro
0:46 - Lotus Announces New Engines + Powertrains!
7:59 - Car Debate #1: Sport Wagon For A Working Mom
21:56 - Car Debate #2: 20 Years Of Looking At Cars
32:31 - Car Conclusion #1: Blowing The Budget By $15K
34:00 - Car Conclusion #2: Aunt’s 1987 Supra Turbo
Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, and subscribe to our two YouTube channels. Write to us your Topic Tuesdays, Car Conclusions and those great Car Debates at [email protected] or everydaydriver.com
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