Which Era is Peak Automobile? — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 212
About this episode
A lively debate unfolds as Jason Cammisa and Derek Tam-Scott explore the concept of 'peak automobile.' They dive into various eras, discussing the merits of 2000s sports sedans like the BMW M3 and Audi RS4, while also reflecting on the evolution of reliability, safety, and driving enjoyment. The hosts challenge each other's views on what makes a car great, considering factors like serviceability, efficiency, and consumer choice. With humor and passion, they navigate the complexities of automotive history and personal preferences, leaving listeners to ponder their own definitions of peak car.
Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback
"Yeah, with my big bonus that you're, I bought a Volkswagen square back."
The Volkswagen Squareback is a classic car that looks like a small station wagon. It was made by Volkswagen and is known for its distinctive shape and design.
The Volkswagen Type 3 Squareback is a compact car produced by Volkswagen from 1961 to 1973. It features a unique hatchback design and is part of the Type 3 family, which also includes the Notchback and Fastback variants.
Battery Tender
"I thought you were gonna say you bought a battery tender, battery maintainer. Oh yes. Since battery tender has been around since 1965."
Battery Tender is a company that makes devices to help keep car batteries charged. They have been around for a long time and are known for their reliable products.
Battery Tender is a brand known for its battery maintenance products, particularly battery chargers designed to keep batteries charged and in good condition. They have been in the market since 1965 and are recognized for their innovation in battery care.
drivable
"It was drivable to be clear after the crash. It was drivable."
Drivable means that a car is still in good enough shape to be driven, even if it has some problems. Here, it means the Rover could still be used after the accident.
Drivable refers to a vehicle's condition where it can be operated safely on the road, despite potential issues. In this context, it means the Rover could still be used after the crash.
engine
"No one's driving it because it has no engine in it."
The engine is what makes a car go. It's the part that turns fuel into movement. The Rover can't be driven right now because it doesn't have an engine.
The engine is the core component of a vehicle that converts fuel into mechanical energy, enabling the car to move. In this case, the Rover is not operational because it lacks this essential part.
burnout
"...because we're gonna do a burnout. I have been told."
A burnout is when a car's tires spin while the car is not moving, making smoke and showing off the car's power. It's often done for fun or to impress others.
A burnout is a driving maneuver where the driver spins the wheels of the car while the vehicle remains stationary, causing the tires to heat up and produce smoke. This is often done to showcase power or for entertainment purposes.
limited-slip differential
"...it might have a limited slip differential in it now. It might, you'll find out, I guess."
A limited-slip differential helps your car's wheels turn at different speeds when going around corners, but it also helps keep them from spinning too much if one wheel loses grip. This makes driving safer and improves handling.
A limited-slip differential is a type of differential that allows for some difference in wheel speed between the left and right wheels while still providing some level of torque transfer. This is particularly useful in performance driving and off-road situations, as it helps maintain traction when one wheel is slipping.
Euro conversion
"...with very totally different front end. Euro conversion. Full Euro conversion, which means."
Euro conversion means changing parts of a car to match the style or rules used in Europe. This can include things like different headlights or bumpers to make the car look more European.
A Euro conversion refers to modifications made to a vehicle to meet European specifications, often including changes to lighting, bumpers, and other components. This is common for cars imported from other regions to enhance their aesthetics or compliance with local regulations.
Vitesse SD1
"like Pristine Vitesse SD1 when I was in England. So maybe it's the second world's finest."
The Rover SD1 is a car made by the British company Rover. It was popular in the late 1970s and 1980s and is known for its unique design and luxury features.
The Rover SD1 is a luxury car produced by the British automaker Rover from 1976 to 1986. It was known for its distinctive styling and was considered a competitor to other luxury sedans of its time.
BMW E64
"[346.3s] Or is that an E-64 underneath? [347.9s] It's got a fucking S-64 in the hood."
The BMW E64 is a model of the 6 Series, specifically the two-door coupe version made between 2004 and 2010. It's designed to be stylish and sporty.
The BMW E64 is the coupe variant of the 6 Series produced from 2004 to 2010. It features a sleek design and powerful engine options, appealing to those looking for a sporty luxury vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
"...after a week after this, I drove a C63 AMG giving them,..."
The C63 AMG is a fast and sporty version of the regular Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It has a strong V8 engine, making it fun to drive and popular among car enthusiasts.
The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is a high-performance version of the C-Class sedan, equipped with a powerful V8 engine and sport-tuned features. It is known for its aggressive styling and dynamic driving experience.
BMW M3
"...that era of sports sedan was peak. So you had the E90 BMW M3, which has the-"
The BMW M3 is a sportier version of the regular BMW 3 Series. The E90 is the sedan model made between 2007 and 2013, and it has a powerful engine that makes it fun to drive.
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, known for its sporty handling and powerful engines. The E90 generation specifically refers to the sedan variant produced from 2007 to 2013, featuring a high-revving V8 engine.
high revving
"Still the highest revving, naturally aspirated cross-plane crank V8 ever made."
High revving means that an engine can spin very fast, which usually helps it make more power. Cars with high revving engines can be more exciting to drive but might wear out faster.
High revving refers to an engine's ability to operate effectively at high RPMs (revolutions per minute). Engines that are designed to rev high often produce more power and have a more exhilarating driving experience, but may also experience increased wear and tear.
naturally aspirated
"Still the highest revving, naturally aspirated cross-plane crank V8 ever made."
A naturally aspirated engine gets its air from the atmosphere without any help from turbochargers or superchargers. This can make the engine feel more responsive and powerful at high speeds.
Naturally aspirated refers to an engine that relies on atmospheric pressure to draw air into the combustion chamber, rather than using a turbocharger or supercharger. This type of engine typically provides a more linear power delivery and is often associated with higher revving characteristics.
cross-plane crank V8
"naturally aspirated cross-plane crank V8 ever made."
A cross-plane crank V8 is a type of engine where the crankshaft is set up to help the engine run smoothly and sound good. It's a popular design for many powerful cars.
A cross-plane crank V8 engine has its crankshaft configured in a way that allows for smoother power delivery and reduced vibrations. This design is common in American V8 engines and contributes to their characteristic sound and performance.
Audi RS4
"...But the Audi RS4, which did come a year earlier that came in 2007..."
The Audi RS4 is a fast and powerful car based on the regular Audi A4. The 2007 version has a strong V8 engine that makes it very fun to drive.
The Audi RS4 is a high-performance version of the Audi A4, known for its powerful engine and sporty handling. The 2007 model features a 4.2-liter V8 engine, delivering impressive performance and driving dynamics.
horsepower
"Because it got similar horsepower. Same German horsepower, right?"
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and more powerful the car can be.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to describe the power output of engines. It indicates how much work an engine can perform over time, which is crucial for understanding a vehicle's performance.
PS
"420PS from four liters versus four two in the Audi."
PS is a measurement used to show how powerful an engine is, similar to horsepower. It's often used in Europe to describe car engines.
PS stands for Pferdestärke, which is German for 'horsepower.' It is a metric unit of power that is similar to the more commonly used horsepower in the United States, with 1 PS being approximately 0.986 horsepower.
C63
"And they have a C63. So we have, she's Christ."
The C63 is a sporty version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It's known for having a strong engine and being fun to drive, while still offering luxury features.
The Mercedes-Benz C63 is a performance-oriented variant of the C-Class, equipped with a powerful engine and sport-tuned features. It is well-regarded for its balance of luxury and high performance.
Cadillac Ct4V
"I would argue that the overall is an overall package that the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is the best driving sports sedan at the moment."
The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is a high-performance version of the Cadillac CT4. It's built for speed and great handling, making it fun to drive.
The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is a performance-oriented version of the CT4 sedan, featuring a powerful engine and enhanced handling characteristics for an engaging driving experience.
Volkswagen GTI
"...I think I have two from 99, 94, 95, 294s, 195, N and 08. The GTI."
The Volkswagen GTI is a popular small car that is fun to drive and has a sporty design. It's known for being both practical and exciting, making it a favorite among car lovers.
The Volkswagen GTI is a sporty compact car known for its performance and practicality. It has a strong following among enthusiasts for its fun driving dynamics and versatility.
Volkswagen Golf
"... both have, both of our most modern vehicles is a Volkswagen Golf. Very different functions."
Alfa Romeo Julia
"I think there's a minimum. Is an Alfa Romeo, Julia Super, therefore out of contention? Yeah."
carburetor
"and dealing with a carburetor, people would say, absolutely not, no way."
A carburetor helps engines get the right mix of air and fuel to run. It's mostly found in older cars because newer ones use a different system called fuel injection.
A carburetor is a device in an internal combustion engine that mixes air with a fine spray of liquid fuel. It was commonly used in older vehicles before fuel injection systems became the standard.
crank position sensor
"oh, crank position sensor went out, I'll just use the cam position sensor,"
The crank position sensor helps the car's computer know where the engine's crankshaft is, which is important for making the engine run smoothly.
The crank position sensor monitors the position of the crankshaft and sends this information to the engine control unit (ECU) to optimize engine timing and performance. It is crucial for the engine's operation.
cam position sensor
"I'll just use the cam position sensor, lock the cam timing, throw a light on"
The cam position sensor tells the car's computer where the camshaft is, helping it manage when the engine's valves open and close for better performance.
The cam position sensor tracks the position of the camshaft, which helps the engine control unit (ECU) determine the timing of the engine's valves. This information is vital for efficient engine operation.
carbureted car
"Like you could also say that, oh, a carbureted car is actually more reliable because there's no electronic parts in there to break"
A carbureted car is one that uses a carburetor to mix fuel and air for the engine. This older technology is simpler and doesn't rely on electronics, which some people think makes it more reliable.
A carbureted car uses a carburetor to mix air and fuel for combustion, as opposed to modern fuel-injected vehicles. Carburetors are simpler mechanical devices, which some enthusiasts believe can lead to greater reliability due to fewer electronic components that can fail.
Toyota Prius
"auto-motions and enthusiasm. And a zero is a Prius slash super driver who just needs basic transport..."
CAN bus
"or one can bus failure could pull the whole thing down and they got a little bit better."
The CAN bus is like a communication system in cars that helps different parts talk to each other. It makes sure everything works together smoothly without needing a central computer.
The CAN bus (Controller Area Network) is a vehicle bus standard that allows microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer. It is widely used in automotive applications to connect various components and systems in a vehicle.
bricking
"And so now you have these cars that just brick themselves and don't start."
Bricking means that a car stops working completely, almost like a brick that can't do anything. This usually happens because of problems with the car's computer systems.
In automotive terms, 'bricking' refers to a situation where a vehicle becomes completely inoperable, often due to software or electronic failures, rendering it as useful as a 'brick'.
miles per gallon
"and gets 20 miles per gallon, I think one is a better product."
Miles per gallon tells you how far a car can go on a gallon of gas. The more miles you get, the less gas you need to buy, which saves you money.
Miles per gallon (MPG) is a measure of fuel efficiency that indicates how many miles a vehicle can travel on one gallon of fuel. Higher MPG values typically mean better fuel efficiency and lower fuel costs for the driver.
Lotus
"We like efficiency. Lotus is all about efficiency. Yes, correct."
Lotus is a car brand from the UK that makes sports cars. They are famous for making cars that are light and fast, focusing on how well they handle on the road.
Lotus is a British automotive manufacturer known for producing lightweight sports cars that emphasize performance and handling. The brand is renowned for its engineering focus on efficiency and agility.
turbo cars
"turbo cars are really actually delivering much better real world economy."
Turbo cars have special devices called turbochargers that help the engine use fuel more efficiently. This means they can go faster while using less gas.
Turbo cars utilize turbochargers to increase engine power and efficiency by forcing more air into the combustion chamber. This technology allows smaller engines to produce more power, improving fuel economy in many cases.
Ford F150S
"It's just capable of doing more things or more. Many years ago when the EcoBoost F-150s first came out, there was a company called, they're gone now,"
Porsche Cayman
"...ed cars like Porsche. Porsche, when the, when the Cayman went to the 718 and went from a naturally aspirat..."
Honda Element
"...like in the way that someone would go buy a Honda Element instead of a CR-V,"
Acura Legend
"instead of a CR-V, or a Saab 900 instead of an Acura Legend, right? Or I mean, you know, if you think on the ..."
Alfa 164S
"...ertainly wacky Saabs and Stirlings and Alfa Romeo 164s, even in the sort of pedestrian car form factor,"
Nissan Pulsar
"...consumer in the late 80s had a choice of a Nissan Pulsar with three different removable rear sections on i..."
Mercedes-Benz GLC
"...eup is bigger than ever. Just because they make a GLC coupe and a GLC SUV, which are the same thing,"
Honda Civic
"...o you've bought an economy car, you know, a Honda Civic. Or poor and stupid and bought a Chevy Chevette."
Cadillac V16S
"... like Bugatti and Bentley and straight Aids, V8s, V16s, four cylinders. No V6s."
Volkswagen Egolf
"And so fuck that. The day that my e-golf breaks and then doesn't know why it's broken and can't tell me,"
Mercedes-Benz Sclass
"Doesn't everything just get more and more insular? Drive an S-Class now and drive your 140 that was here last week."
Mercedes-Benz Eclass
"Yep, 210. E-Class I don't think was better in a lot of ways than 211, I also don't think was all that much better."
Porsche Panamera
"...s kind of a dead end technology until the current Panamera, which is also the Bentley Conti."
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