The $44K Porsche 911, the 111RS Debate & Why Speed Costs Money
About this episode
Blair shares his surprising daily driver dilemma after testing a manual BMW 335i back-to-back with a dual-clutch E90 M3, sparking a debate on modern versus classic BMW steering and engine feel. Meanwhile, Shanu recaps an epic Lotus road rally in Ohio, offering a detailed comparison of the Emira V6 and the AMG-powered Emira Turbo. The hosts also preview a head-to-head matchup between a stock Lotus Elise and Shanu’s custom 111RS build, proving that lightweight engineering still rules the road.
BMW X5
"...new, 100%. I kind of feel like buying a newer BMW X5 is what I should do."
The BMW X5 is a midsize luxury SUV made by BMW. It is designed to carry families and cargo comfortably while offering a smooth, high-quality ride and a premium interior.
The BMW X5 is a midsize luxury SUV that pioneered the "Sports Activity Vehicle" segment, blending car-like handling with premium utility. It is highly regarded for its refined interior, strong engine options, and balanced driving dynamics, making it a popular choice for families wanting an engaging drive. The current generation features advanced hybrid options and updated digital interfaces.
BMW M3
"...up here behind me. I found a local guy who has an F80, I think it's an F80, 335 X-Drive,"
The BMW M3 is a high-performance, sporty version of a standard BMW sedan. It is built to go much faster and handle corners better than a regular passenger car while still having back seats and a trunk.
The BMW M3 is a legendary high-performance version of the 3 Series compact executive car, developed by BMW's motorsport division. It is celebrated for its track-ready performance, sharp handling, and daily-driver usability, serving as the benchmark for sports sedans. The F80 generation, specifically mentioned in the context, utilized a twin-turbocharged inline-six engine.
BMW E90
"...d I drove it, more or less, back-to-back, with an E90 M3, the four-door. The interesting thing about th..."
The BMW 3 Series is a small luxury sedan made by BMW. It is designed to be comfortable, easy to drive, and slightly sporty for everyday commuting.
The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car that has served as the backbone of BMW's lineup for decades. It is widely recognized for establishing the sport sedan segment, offering a balance of luxury, rear-wheel-drive dynamics, and everyday practicality. The E90 generation mentioned in the context is highly regarded for its hydraulic steering and analog driving feel.
Lotus Emira
"...d exeges. We had a couple of VORAs and a bunch of Emiras. OK, Amira V6s and Amira turbos."
The Lotus Emira is a premium two-door sports car with its engine in the middle. It is designed to look like an exotic supercar while offering a very direct and connected feel to the road.
The Lotus Emira is a mid-engine sports car that serves as the brand's final internal combustion engine model before transitioning to a fully electric lineup. It offers a choice between a supercharged Toyota V6 or a turbocharged AMG four-cylinder, wrapped in exotic supercar styling with hydraulic steering for exceptional road feel. It represents the end of an era for Lotus.
Lotus Elise
"...uess which was the fastest car that was there? An Elise. An Elise. An Elise. Yeah."
The Lotus Elise is a very small, lightweight two-seat sports car with a removable roof. It does not have many luxury features, focusing instead on being extremely fun and agile to drive.
The Lotus Elise is a legendary, mid-engine two-seat roadster renowned for its extreme lightweight construction and minimalist design. By prioritizing low weight over raw horsepower, it delivers an incredibly pure, go-kart-like driving experience that makes it highly competitive on tight race tracks. It remains a benchmark for lightweight sports car engineering.
Porsche Taycan
"...rt were not happy to concede on this, but the new Taycan is available with e-shift technology, which is re..."
The Porsche Taycan is a high-end, fully electric four-door sedan made by Porsche. It is designed to go very fast while running entirely on battery power.
The Porsche Taycan is an all-electric luxury sport sedan that combines Porsche's signature driving dynamics with cutting-edge EV technology. It features a high-voltage architecture for rapid charging and is highly praised for handling like a true sports car despite its heavy battery pack. The latest updates introduce advanced driving dynamics and simulated shift technologies.
Hyundai Ioniq
"...hift technology, which is really just picture the Hyundai Ioniq 5N simulated gear shifts in a very synthetic fash..."
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a fully electric family hatchback with a modern, blocky design. It runs entirely on battery power and can charge very quickly.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an all-electric compact crossover known for its retro-futuristic styling, spacious cabin, and ultra-fast 800-volt charging capability. The high-performance "N" variant has gained acclaim for introducing simulated gear shifts and engine sounds to make EV driving more engaging. It represents a bold step forward in electric vehicle performance.
Tesla Model 3
"...ly, you can speak to that because you own a Tesla Model 3 and you want your EV to just be an EV, it sounds ..."
The Tesla Model 3 is a fully electric four-door sedan. It is powered by a battery instead of gasoline and is controlled mostly through a large screen in the middle of the dashboard.
The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric four-door sedan that popularized mass-market electric vehicles with its competitive pricing and strong range. It features a minimalist interior dominated by a single central touchscreen and delivers quick acceleration and sharp handling. It has received significant updates to improve cabin quietness and ride comfort.
Tesla Model
"...estingly, you can speak to that because you own a Tesla Model 3 and you want your EV to just be an EV, it sound..."
The Tesla Model Y is a fully electric midsize SUV. It runs entirely on battery power, has a very simple interior with a large touchscreen, and offers plenty of cargo space.
The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric compact crossover utility vehicle that has become one of the best-selling vehicles globally. It offers impressive electric range, a spacious minimalist cabin, and advanced tech features like Autopilot, making it a highly practical family EV. It shares much of its platform and interior design with the Model 3 sedan.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...eah, moving to the next one. Did you see the ZR1X Corvette just set the production car record up at Pike's P..."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a famous American two-seat sports car. It is designed for high speed and sharp handling, featuring a powerful engine located behind the seats in modern versions.
The Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car, which transitioned to a mid-engine layout with its eighth generation (C8) to compete directly with exotic European supercars. The high-performance variants, including the record-setting ZR1, push the boundaries of track capability and horsepower. It is celebrated for offering supercar performance at a fraction of the price.
Porsche 911
"...me significant amount, right? Which was a Porsche 911 Turbo S, the 992.1 generation. OK, that previousl..."
The Porsche 911 is a premium two-door sports car with its engine located in the very back of the vehicle. It is famous for its distinctive shape and its ability to be driven comfortably every day.
The Porsche 911 is a legendary rear-engine sports car that has served as the benchmark for performance and everyday usability for over six decades. The 992.1 generation Turbo S variant mentioned in the context is highly praised for its supercar-level acceleration, all-wheel-drive traction, and refined daily driving comfort. It represents the pinnacle of Porsche's standard sports car lineup.
Ford Mustang
"...ll accounts, the ZR1 does. Interestingly, a super Mustang Mach E Corvette, full EV, I think it was like six..."
The Ford Mustang is a well-known American two-door sports car. It is famous for its sporty look and the loud sound of its optional V8 engine.
The Ford Mustang is a legendary American pony car that has evolved into a highly capable modern sports car, currently in its seventh generation (S650). It is celebrated for its classic styling, available V8 power, and accessible performance. The nameplate has also expanded to include the all-electric Mach-E SUV, which offers a different take on the brand's performance heritage.
Porsche Cayman
"... know, the GT4 was was always being filled by the Cayman. And now that the Cayman ice, you know, is no lon..."
The Porsche Cayman is a two-door sports car with its engine placed in the middle of the vehicle, right behind the seats. This design helps it turn corners very smoothly and feel highly balanced.
The Porsche Cayman is a mid-engine, two-seat sports coupe celebrated for its near-perfect weight distribution, razor-sharp handling, and engaging driving dynamics. Often considered one of the purest driver's cars on the market, it bridges the gap between everyday usability and track-day performance. The high-performance GT4 variant is particularly coveted by enthusiasts.
Porsche Carrera T
"..., 94000 miles on this thing. You do recall what a Carrera T cost, right? We've talked about this."
BMW M2
"...going to bring a trailer as well. It's a 2024 BMW M2. So if you thought Porsche was the only one that ..."
The BMW M2 is a small, powerful two-door sports car. It is designed for drivers who want a fast, agile vehicle that is smaller and easier to park than larger sports sedans.
The BMW M2 is a high-performance compact coupe that represents the spiritual successor to classic, smaller BMW sports cars. The second-generation (G87) model features a powerful twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, aggressive styling, and a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. It is highly valued for its agility and driver-focused cockpit.
Bmw M
"... one jumped out at me like, holy crap, otherwise, BMW M twos. I think have held their value relatively we..."
The BMW M Coupe is a vintage, high-performance two-door hatchback with a very distinct, long-nosed shape. It is highly prized by car enthusiasts because of its unusual look and fun, old-school driving style.
The BMW M Coupe (often referred to as the "clown shoe" due to its unique shooting-brake styling) is a high-performance hatchback based on the Z3 roadster. Built on the E36/8 chassis, it is highly coveted by collectors for its quirky design, analog driving experience, and limited production numbers. It remains one of the most distinctive cars BMW has ever produced.
Mazda Miatas
"You know, like you said, no cars are worth getting into financial kind of stress over. I don't think anybody, especially not as I've waxed lyrical about any Miata's, should be reaching beyond their financial limits for a car when an any Miata exists."
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a small, lightweight two-door convertible. It is designed to be affordable, easy to drive, and fun on twisty roads.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the world's best-selling two-seat sports roadster, famous for its lightweight design, rear-wheel-drive layout, and affordable price point. It focuses on driver engagement and pure fun rather than outright speed, making it a favorite among enthusiasts and racers alike. It remains a symbol of accessible sports car ownership.
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