At some point, every car enthusiast will be forced to decide how long they can live without a fun car. James C. in CT has a company car, but his fiancée’s needs are priority. Then, Chris F. feels stuck, and is looking for the perfect car. Social media questions ask why tire widths end in 5, how do you freshen up a cheap car interior, and what’s the most useless automotive feature? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwide, and Season 9 commences on the Motor Trend cable chann...
Sep 03, 2021•58 min•Season 7Ep. 632
For Topic Tuesday, the guys are questioned about what point they consider a car to be unreliable. The debate is for Rami C. in TX, who is an enthusiast dad needing a new experience. Social media questions ask how OEMs think up chassis and engine codes, how do you experience more tire types without breaking the budget, and how do you approach private sellers who are uncomfortable allowing a pre-purchase inspection? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwide, and Season 9 commen...
Aug 31, 2021•56 min•Season 7Ep. 631
Always up for a challenge, the guys take on a debate that seems easy at first. John L. has a great track car, but growing family needs might change that. Then, Connor in Atlanta wants his next car to feel like a bike – at least something weird. Social media questions ask what cars have the best paddle shifters, and what makes them good? What production cars best represent their concepts, and how thorough should a test drive be? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwide, and S...
Aug 27, 2021•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 630
For Topic Tuesday, the guys are asked how you decide which car to buy, after years of not acting upon desire. Mark H. in NE wonders what car to buy and is given a drive prescription. Then, Adam W. is also wondering what to buy if doing nothing seems like the best option! Social media questions ask if future electrics all drive similarly, will car ownership be longer? What racetracks would the guys like to drive, and which three manual-transmission cars will remain in 20 years? Seasons 1-8 are av...
Aug 24, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 7Ep. 629
What do the guys make of future electric platforms, and what should be changed? From dirt roads to downtown, they offer new suggestions for Vaughn B. in CA, who needs a versatile commuter. Then, Jared H. in Seattle wants something more comfortable to daily than a GT500. Social media questions ask which hybrids are fun to drive, what to make of big companies offering non-traditional methods of buying, and should Mitsubishi make a sports car again? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vim...
Aug 20, 2021•56 min•Season 7Ep. 628
For Topic Tuesday, the guys cover listeners’ car conclusions and discuss what people purchased. The debate is for 81-year-old David B. in GA, who is wondering what to buy for his last car. Social media questions ask what modern cars are at the peak of the analog experience, do the guys listen to music while canyon driving, and what does it take to be an ‘event’ car? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwide, and Season 9 commences on the Motor Trend cable channel beginning Ju...
Aug 17, 2021•56 min•Season 7Ep. 627
When you’re thinking about outright speed, will good dynamics take its place? Chris in TX has a gen 2 Viper GTS on his mind, but wants driving involvement. Then, Alex S. is tired of being slow in his Miata, so should he upgrade? Social media questions ask why design elements like door handles seem to be haphazard, why do journalists keep jabbering about numb steering, and would the guys ever consider a real pickup truck test? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwide, and Sea...
Aug 13, 2021•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 626
Every 25 episodes, the guys host a livestream on YouTube taking all car questions – what’s on the minds of enthusiasts? Todd also discusses road tripping the Elise, and Paul takes questions about watches. Un-platforming electric vehicles are discussed, and the guys extrapolate what’s coming for the industry. Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwide, and Season 9 commences on the Motor Trend cable channel beginning July 3, 2021! Please rate and review us on iTunes, and the TV...
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 7Ep. 625
While Todd vacations, Paul invites Nate (Cycle Report) to discuss Toyota’s product reveal, and offer debate suggestions! Aaron S. asks for cars that make him hot and bothered, and Keenan & Megan are looking for a fun, quirky, and obscure weekend car. Social media questions ask what makes for a good road trip vehicle, what electric bikes are worth investigating, and if you go on the Pilgrimage trip and get a speeding ticket, should you pay it? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vim...
Aug 06, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 624
How do you get rid of a vehicle that’s part of the family? The guys discuss this question from CJ in Louisiana. Then, they debate flood cars for ‘Steve’ in Houston, who has seen his share of devastating rainstorms. Social media questions ask how you can tell if a car has hydraulic or electric steering assist, who makes the industry’s best and worst key fobs, and what is the Prius of watches?? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwide, and Season9 commences on the Motor Trend ...
Aug 03, 2021•54 min•Season 7Ep. 623
It’s disheartening to have so many problems with your car that you distrust it. What’s next for Eric T., who needs to replace the Alfa? Then, the debate for Andrew N. pits his financial brain against his enthusiast heart. Social media questions ask what road the guys would like to shoot, should anyone buy a car unless they need to, and what does ‘rotation’ refer to when describing a car’s characteristics? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwide, and Season 9 commences on th...
Jul 30, 2021•58 min•Season 7Ep. 622
For Topic Tuesday, listener Casey D. in Boise asks if his experiences are different enough? Sarah in Boston wonders if there are any fun SUVs to be found, so the guys debate choices. Social media questions ask what’s the oldest car the guys have driven, what’s the dumbest car parents have bought their kids, and what company provides the most standard features without bundling in trim packages? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwide, and Season 9 commences on the Motor Tren...
Jul 27, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 7Ep. 621
When you have taste in cars and are unwilling to compromise, yet your budget demands that you must, what’s next? Michael W. in Phoenix is in this very situation, so the guys debate choices. Then, Nathan R. in IL awaits his free agent status once he turns in his lease. Social media questions ask if a Slingshot is ever an acceptable rental, how do you convince your neighbors you aren’t a drug dealer, and how do car design teams measure success? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo w...
Jul 16, 2021•53 min•Season 7Ep. 620
The guys usually have some rant about a car, and this episode is no different. For Topic Tuesday, Ben H. asks if your fun car should be the most valuable car you own? Then, Yasha in Dallas, TX has a second child due soon, but wants his whole family to experience fun Porsche group drives. Social media questions ask if high-budget one-car solutions are pointless, which cars have the most dramatic difference between Comfort and Sport, and how does terrain, climate and population affect car culture?...
Jul 13, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 7Ep. 619
The guys love it when new cars are announced, and cover the Lotus Emira reveal, BMW 2-series, Dodge eMuscle, and a car that’s been around a long time, the Nissan GT-R. Lucas and his wife Lauren in Portland are starting a family, but still want an engaging car. Then, Michael G. in Iowa is about to be an empty nester, and looking at track time. Social media questions ask what car type lends itself to the best looking design language, at what point does a car lose its identity, and are there more J...
Jul 09, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 7Ep. 618
What is next for cars? What kinds of features will appeal to the public? Most packaging realities are a given, like people and cargo, but what can car manufacturers do to keep buyers’ interest in new models? Ethan and his girlfriend Amanda love going on adventures together, and already have a useful car for that. But what about speed and handling? Social media questions ask if reverse lights should be regulated, should there be more live debates, and is it okay to buy a car knowing you won’t kee...
Jul 06, 2021•59 min•Season 7Ep. 617
TV Season 9 begins July 3, 2021 on the Motor Trend cable channel at 7:30AM Eastern! Listener Ryan R. in SoCal is concerned about betraying his first love. We’re talking about cars, here! Then, Mark O. in north GA wonders what sacrifices one must make to gain a new experience. Social media questions ask how you buy an in-demand car when it’s far away, what cars should the big 3 U.S. makers bring back, and would it take for IndyCar to become really popular? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prim...
Jul 02, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 7Ep. 616
Sometimes the car choices are obvious – other times, not so much. The guys take on a debate for Jeff in CA, who wonders if he should increase the budget and delay his gratification or go for something now? Lance R. also wonders if he should take a Faustian bargain and try to commit to a car longer-term. Social media questions ask what sort of driving career the guys would choose, what does ‘platform sharing’ entail, and what sort of purchase should be made for monumental birthdays? Seasons 1-8 a...
Jun 29, 2021•58 min•Season 7Ep. 615
Cars for various professions can either be a stereotype or an interesting, non-traditional choice! Joshua in AZ wants a new experience, but something that doesn’t say ‘dentist.’ Flávio in Boston is not necessarily looking for a car—he wants an entirely new take on the car disease. Social media questions ask why CVTs aren’t tuned for torquey performance, why do dealers stock boring car colors, and would the guys ever recommend a Morgan for someone? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vi...
Jun 25, 2021•59 min•Season 7Ep. 614
Is the car disease curable, or are we all screwed? Michael R. thinks he’s cured the car bug, and writes with his garage lineup. Then, pilot Drew R. writes with his debate – he owns two Japanese-spec original MINIs, but is getting the itch to own an another fun car again. Social media questions ask at what point do you request a PPI, when is it okay to drive with a convertible top closed, and is it the auto journalists that should save the manuals? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vi...
Jun 22, 2021•59 min•Season 7Ep. 613
Todd’s son is known to all his classmates as that ‘car kid.’ In honor of Father’s Day 2021, the guys request listeners for the car questions that kids ask, read and (mostly) answered by 11-year-old Bodie. Kids wonder if gas is just stinky water, why do cars have sunroofs, why do most kids think Ferrari and Lamborghini are better than Miatas, why is daddy’s car ride bumpier than mommy’s car, and do faster cars always have more horsepower? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldw...
Jun 18, 2021•56 min•Season 7Ep. 612
Car conclusions are becoming more varied, as listeners discover cars they never previously thought they could own! Austin W. is a truckless enthusiast in Michigan, and his young son loves his current car so much that he hugs it. What should he buy next, and how does he break the news to his son? Social media questions ask if the guys want to keep any cars they test drive, do they want to make a feature comparison with almost every special fun car, and what’s the worst example of rev hang? Season...
Jun 15, 2021•59 min•Season 7Ep. 611
There are many reasons why crowdsourced car design efforts have failed! The guys discuss the new Toyota Land Cruiser, and then work through a debate for Brad in NY, who is desperate for a manual transmission. Then, Phillip V. is open to almost any vehicle as long as it’s comfortable. Social media questions ask how to negotiate prices with a dealer, should you sell your car for the same one with more power, and what does retirement age mean for car enthusiasts? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon...
Jun 11, 2021•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 610
It’s not news that teenagers might be afraid of driving. But they continually need a community of responsible drivers to set a good example. For Topic Tuesday, the guys discuss aspects of driving that seem frightening, and what good drivers can do. The debate is for Cortland B., who is planning to take a pay cut, but still wonders how to feed the track addiction. Social media questions ask what design elements should be used to convey sportiness, should you buy a beater truck for home projects, ...
Jun 08, 2021•57 min•Season 7Ep. 609
How to make Prius driving fun? Screaming tires have a lot to do with that. Brendan T. in PA writes with a debate for his mom, who might already be mired in an abusive automotive relationship. Then, Bryan O. in CA is new to cars and wants to discover more about the driving experience. Social media questions challenge Todd to Outback counting, Paul to surface descriptions, and both the guys as to why BaT is taking the fun out of dreaming? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwi...
Jun 04, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 608
How do you improve and then fine-tune your sensibilities about car characteristics? Collin C. writes with a Topic Tuesday. Then, the guys discuss suggestions for Jonathan W. in New England, who wonders about early financial ruin. Social media questions ask if it’s better to manually downshift an automatic, what are pros and cons of dedicated platforms vs. upgraded base models, and is minimal weight loss worth it? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwide, and the guys are fil...
Jun 01, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 607
How do you know if you’re being too hard on your car – will it last, even with proper maintenance? James A. in Boston asks if he’s killing his car, and which one he should aspire to next. Then, Sakshi J. writes on behalf of her husband, who seems commitment-phobic, and she wishes he would buy anything next. Social media questions ask why the Japanese haven’t made a genuine competitor to German sports sedans, how do you ask your boss for a ride in a car he hasn’t revealed, and has there ever been...
May 28, 2021•59 min•Season 7Ep. 606
The guys host Adam and Abrin from Grid.Life, and learn about their history, headspace and how to get involved on track! They discuss their instructor philosophy, along with the joys of RVs, portable espresso makers, and sleeping in your own bed. Social media questions ask if fancy coachwork and interiors will become the norm for electric vehicles, and which cars have the most satisfying steering feel? Seasons 1-8 are available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo worldwide, and the guys are filming Season ...
May 25, 2021•50 min•Season 7Ep. 605
When the Minister Of Finance wants something cool for Cars + Coffee, you definitely need to pay attention! The guys debate options for Chase and Allison in Indianapolis, who are looking for something that will make people respond. Then, Hoss H. in Atlanta, GA has practically driven all the fun cars, and has permission to get something cool again. Social media questions ask how long it takes for a manufacturer to establish unique styling, what’s the lead time for new vehicle development, and what...
May 21, 2021•59 min•Season 7Ep. 604
The guys have never claimed to be financial wizards, or give sound advice when it comes to spending money to feed the addiction, but they tackle a unique situation for Will S. in Vancouver, BC. Then, Russell and his wife have vastly different needs, but still could have a fun car. Social media questions ask about the biggest differences between cars sharing the same platform, how does self-expression manifest in the guys’ own choices, and why are so many people concerned that electric cars will ...
May 18, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 7Ep. 603
