The Carmudgeon Show

Every year, manufactures launch new features that we usually don’t know that we want. Sometimes, these features are so effective and popular, they disrupt an industry and become government-mandated. Other times, they become quickly forgotten and unwanted by society. Until recent years, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class was the purveyor of new automotive technology - we’d see something in an S Class that we know we might get 15 years later on a Nissan Versa. But even the S-Class had some misses - debuting technology that quickly went away after the next generation. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Nowadays, more than ever - we notice manufactures cutting corners in areas where they have no business doing so. No one-touch windows (Subaru Crosstrek), CarPlay being a $4,000+ option (Ferrari, until 2023), non-amber turn signals (BMW), and lacking spare tires on cars we know need them (Volkswagen e-Golf). This got us thinking - what are the best and worst features in history that have ever been invented? What features seemed like they’d be popular, but flunked? What features seemed dumb and first, but are now on every car sold? Jason and Derek do a deep dive on this episode - tune in to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Derek and Jason both drive the BMW Z1 - the often-forgotten two-seat roadster that established BMW's Z brand in the late 1980s. Sharing the same chassis and drivetrain with the E30 325i, it's often been overlooked by many as just an E30 convertible with cool doors. But is there more than meets the eye? As it turns out, yes - much more... === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Historically, the "Z" in BMW nomenclature stands for "Zukunft", or "future" in German. While the Z brand became associated with roadsters only, the Z1 debuted far more than just two seats and a folding soft top. The belt-driven doors were only one feature of the Z1 that made it ahead of it's time - multi-link rear suspension, removable body panels, and a host of other forward-thinking innovations made it far more advanced for its time than most give it credit for. This week's subject of Carmudgeonation brings some very interesting foresight on BMW's history and collectability as a brand - tying in the 507, Z8, and even the i3 into discussion. Don't skip this one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes, the milestones hit all at once! On this episode, Jason celebrates 300,000 miles in “OP” (other people’s) cars - 3,000 to be exact - and 20 years doing so! === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Rather than random number generator reviews, Derek hits Jason with a barrage of key words and phrases to jog his memory and keep him on his toes. Also covered on this episode are the results of the Amelia Island auctions, updates on Jasons’ Rover SD1 and Volkswagen Cabrio VR6 swap, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes you the car enthusiast you are today? It’s an idea we don’t always think deeper than surface level about, but one that is intrinsically associated with our connection to cars and the community that surrounds them. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Jason found an instant connection with Volkswagen Beetles, buying his first at age 14. Derek took a liking to all things Porsche early on, being able to explain the difference between a Porsche 962 and 956 to his local specialty dealership at age 8. (Producer Mike learned how to read at age 3 by observing makes and model names on trunks and tailgates). Rather than focusing purely on the genesis of our car enthusiasm, today’s episode discusses our most formative years of being a young enthusiast and how those years shape us as adults. From observing neighbors and friends cars, to our first cars, to the driving experiences that set the pace for our automotive enthusiasm for years to come, this episode discusses the cars and life experiences that make us whole. Needless to say, no one journey is the same… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Broad Arrow Amelia Auction 2026 is coming up soon, and there’s a ton of interesting cars to pick apart. But given an unlimited-budget, what five cars would you pick from this year’s lot? In this episode, Jason and Derek explore just that. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Before picking favorites, Derek goes over some of the highlights of this year’s listing - starting most notably with the Black over Red 2003 Ferrari Enzo, estimated to hit $12-16M. The Ferrari Monza SP2 is also a big deal, as it is one of the first publicly sold examples to exist. And of course, the 1988 Porsche 959 Sport is estimated to make a big splash with a $4.25-5M estimate. Jason and Derek then discuss their five picks, aiming to surprise each other with their choices. Jason unexpectedly chooses a number exotics, including the 1991 Testarossa, the F40, the Ford GT Heritage Edition, and the 1973 Dino 246 GTS. Derek is a bit more predictable - choosing some lesser known cars like the Siata 208S, the Lancia B24 Spider America, and the “Rote Sau” recreated Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 with a 6 speed manual. All this and more on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surprise! We’re back on the mics a few days early to discuss the new 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, which Jason has recently driven. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === In this episode, Jason breaks down his experience behind the wheel while testing the ZR1X at Sonoma Raceway. Jason and Derek discuss where C8 has started and how it has progressed, and how the Corvette model lineup has stacked up until now with ZR1X at the top of the food chain. Claimed to be “America’s Quickest Production Car”, the ZR1X claims a sub 9 second quarter mile and a sub 2 second 0-60 - with help from a LT7 V8 engine and a front-axle electric motor to generate 1,250 total AWD horsepower. Jason and Derek also discuss the white elephant in the studio - the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid that Jason has on loan for the week. The Cammisa Verdict is back, and Jason has recently reviewed an array of new cars including but not limited to the Cadillac Vistiq, Mazda CX-70, Alpina XB7, and many more to come… All this and more on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode aims to answer a simple question: does “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” still apply in today’s automotive world? === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Spurred by guest appearances of Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM and CLK63 AMG Black Series, Jason and Derek explore all angles of the motorsport-to-road car pipeline in this episode. From the NASCAR Camry to the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, many race series manufactures feature cars that resemble road car counterparts but end up being entirely different under the skin. Other times, homologation road cars like the E30 BMW M3, Subaru WRX STI, or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution end up being very similar to what consumers can go buy off the showroom floor. But at the end of the day, what part of a marque’s motorsports marketing inspires an enthusiast enough to become a consumer of the product? Is racing ever enough? Find out more on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show. (P.S - We’ll be taking a couple of weeks off due to scheduling conflicts. See you at the beginning of March!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Carmudgeon Show, it’s a showdown between the NA2 Acura NSX and the Ferrari F355 - both of-the-period rivals in the late ‘90s to early ‘00s, now analog sports car classics in 2026. Although seemingly quite different at first, both cars have much more in common than you might expect. But which one is better? === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === As both the 355 and NSX have benefitted from a major popularity boost in recent years, both cars have earned their way into enthusiasts’ hearts - and wallets - with 90th percentile examples selling well above $150,000. But alas, this wouldn’t be The Carmudgeon Show without pulling apart all the flaws with these mid-engined contemporary classics. While both cars do a lot well - particularly in the induction noise department - numb steering, lackluster interior materials, and pricey timing belt services are some of the many points to be picked apart by Jason and Derek. And how do they compare against the 993 Porsche 911, and modern-day sports cars like the Lotus Evora and Emira? Alas, there can only be one winner. And maybe it’s not the one you’re expecting… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we discuss some of the most insane auctions of recent times - and why everyone is scratching their heads at the results. The Bachman Collection, consisting of 48 Ferraris, just sold for over $114 million dollars and consisted of some of the most controversial specs ever produced. Ok, maybe we’re being kind - many of these specs were just downright UGLY. But that didn’t stop bidders from paying well above top dollar - with highlights including a 2003 Ferrari Enzo that sold for $17.875M, a 1995 Ferrari F50 that sold for $12.21M, and a 2017 LaFerrari Aperta which sold for $11M. Many cars sold for more than twice their previous records, including two Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradales that collectively fetched over $3M. Derek and Jason discuss what this might mean for the collector car market overall, and whether or not these results are an indicator for where Ferrari values are headed in comparison to Lamborghini, Porsche and other brands. All this and more on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last few years have been a rollercoaster for wagon fans in the US and around the world - we’ve gained some and lost many more. But could the tides be changing? Tailgates opening to new beginnings? We dive into the origins of the station wagon to find out... === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Both fans of the station wagon, Jason and Derek discuss their personal origin stories with wagons. Jason’s begins with a 1975 Chevrolet Impala Wagon that he grew up in the back of - which spurs a conversation around 1970s and 80s American station wagons from the GM clamshell tailgate, the Buick Estate Wagon and Roadmaster, to the rare Cadillac Castilian. Derek discusses growing up in the ‘90s (1890s, of course) - while his family cars were convertibles and sedans, the school run was enveloped in Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable wagons, Volvo 240 and 740, Mercedes 300TE and E320, E34 BMW 5 series, and Audi 5000 and 200 Avants. Exploring how many consider wagons to be uncool or frumpy, he explores the advent of new at the time SUV offerings starting in the same time period, like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. Jason and Derek then explore what has become of the wagon market and why- noting the recent departure of the Volvo V90 and V60. Many wagons have inflated greatly in cost, ending up under or over-contented due to lower demand and cost of federalization - a trend explored via the Acura TSX Wagon and Jaguar XF Sportbrake. The classification of wagons has also changed over the years, now grouping CUVs like the new Subaru Outback and Buick Envista that have no business being classified as a wagon. Favorite niche wagons are also discussed, like the Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion 6 Speed, the euro-only Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG, and modified variants of BMW wagons like the E46 Touring with ZHP drivetrain. All this and more, on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The day has come… Jason’s VR6 swap on his Mk3 Volkswagen Cabrio is finally on the road! ….well, sort of. With some frustrating snafus along the way, there’s still plenty of work left to be done. But not enough to prevent a first shakedown (and burnout, of course) from happening with the existing stock 12-valve VR6 before it gets replaced by a built motor from Techtonics Tuning. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Derek and Jason begin today’s episode with a recap of the swap progress so far - in a matter of weeks, Jason’s 1996 Volkswagen Cabrio went from being gutless, to gutted, to glorious - receiving not just an engine swap, but also a full subframe and suspension swap from a VR6 Jetta as well. To top it off, Jason mounted period correct BBS RX multi-piece wheels that really tie everything in together. If Volkswagen had made a true Mk3 GTI Cabriolet, this is about as close as you could get! After discussing hours and dollars spent on the project, Derek circles back on other cars that sound better or worse than a VR6. The Ferrari 512BB comes to mind, even being a Bosch CIS-equipped car. Amongst other CIS cars, Jason also discusses the rich induction sounds of his other cars - including his Mercedes-Benz 2.3-16 Cosworth and Mk1 Volkswagen Cabriolet. And of course, it’s not a Carmudgeon Show without critically blasting other lesser-sounding cars - in this case, the S14 in the E30 BMW M3 and all Nissan VQ engines. Was all the fuss worth it? You’ll have to watch (or listen) and find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2026 has begun - and we’ve already had a healthy mix of highs and lows. But Carmudgeonation carries on, this week bringing along some pretty heavy metal that ISN’T an IROC-Z Camaro - rather, the 1974 Porsche Carrera RSR IROC. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Jason is nearing the finish line on his MK3 VW Cabrio VR6 swap - with much of the car torn apart and roughly put back together again, he discovers a fatal engine flaw that will put him back quite some time. While the VR6 runs, a bastardized time-sert has cracked the head - pushing Jason to make the decision to go big and begin the process of a full Techtonics VR6 engine build. But not all in the land of 6 cylinders is lost. Derek and Jason kick off the new year by driving an iconic race car that happens to be road-legal - the 1974 Porsche Carrera RSR IROC. A car they both agree, is perhaps the most extreme 911 either of them has ever driven. The story goes - in October of 1973, Roger Penske took delivery 15 of special 1974 cars in Riverside California, which had been built to his order. He acquired the cars to participate in the first ever International Race of Champions (IROC), which was actually a series of four races, three at Riverside in late October and the final race at Daytona in February of 1974. The cars would be driven by a dozen of the best racing drivers in the world, hailing from different racing disciplines including Indy, Can-Am, NASCAR, and Formula 1. In the hands of George Follmer and Mark Donahue at Riverside International Raceway, this particular car won twice - more than any other of the 15 cars it competed against. All this and more, on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2025 has come to a close - and it’s another year-end episode reflecting on the best and worst cars Jason and Derek have encountered this year. Maximum Carmudgeonation is achieved today, so hold onto your hats - and we guarantee, you’ve never listened to another podcast where the Vinfast VF8 and McLaren F1 are both mentioned. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Before getting into the thick of it, Jason updates us on his MK3 Volkswagen Cabrio VR6 swap - with the 2.slow and the rest of the front + rear subframes out, we learn one other MK3 (Jetta GLX) has been sacrificed in the name of top-down VR6 burnouts. A myth is busted - Harbor Freight plastic carts don’t appear to be makeshift engine stands after all. But they do explode catastrophically! Derek also goes over some highlights of another year dealing cars at OTS - with sales and consignments including the likes of the Ferrari F50, Porsche Carrera GT, and an array of modern Ferrari Challenge cars (360 Challenge Stradale, F430 Scuderia, and 458 Speciale to name a few). He also reflects on a changing market - moving away from 60s Ferraris like 250 Lusso and 330 GTC. Jason begins with his first wave highlights - including but not limited to: Lancia Stratos, Lancia Thema 8.32, Cizeta-Moroder V16T, Saab 9000 Aero, Alfa Romeo 164 Quadrifoglio, E34 BMW M5 with an S70B56 swap, the Kwiek Classics Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series 6-Speed, Ford Sierra Cosworth, Merkur XR4Ti, Jeep Cherokee, and of course Derek’s recently acquired Mk1 Jaguar. Derek follows with the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale, RUF Tribute, Kimera EVO37, the Toyota 2000GT, and more recently the Porsche 911 IROC RSR (to be further explored on a future episode…) Jason remarks on many of the the other great cars he’s driven for various Revelations, Ultimate Drag Race, and Ultimate Lap Battle episodes, including the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (C8 and C4), Porsche 992 GT3 RS, Ford Mustang GTD, Ford GT (both generations), W204 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (including the Anderzen manual swap), Alpine A110, Audi RS6 Avant, and the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid (the BMW M5 Touring was unfortunately not so good). But not to worry- plenty of Carmudgeonation goes down - with roasts of the automatic Porsche 996 Turbo, BMW i3 and i8, the ND2 Mazda Miata, and even Jason’s own MK3 Cabrio (while it still had its 2.slow). All this and more, on this week’s end-of-2025 finale of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Derek brings in a rare French treat to the studio this week - a Peugeot 205 Rallye. Take a 205 GTI, replace the fuel injection with Weber DCOE 45 carburetors, remove weight, and you’ve got the key components to the Rallye.Jason, naturally, attempts to make the episode about MK1 Volkswagens - in particular, the Rabbit and the Golf GTI. He’s always claimed his 16V-swapped MK1 Cabriolet is the most fun car he’s ever driven - but can the 205 Rallye dethrone the gold standard?===Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! ===...well, yes. Sort of. But first, we have to understand where Peugeot was coming from when they conceived the 205. Derek and Jason discuss the stately and reserved aura of the Peugeot brand before the launch of the 205 in 1983, referencing cars like the 204, 304, 404, 504, and 604. Although the 205 was a modern departure from its stodgy (and abundantly French) past, the base car remained quite frumpy - until the GTI came around, boasting fender flares, rev-happy 1.6 + 1.9L engines, sport-tuned suspension, and a host of other upgrades that made it one of the most iconic hot hatchbacks of the 80s.Jason recalls the time he drove a 205 GTI 1.9 and MK1 Volkswagen Rabbit back-to-back, both owned by Rich Griot of Griot’s Garage. Having been thoroughly impressed by the 205 GTI, he dives into his latest drive with the Rallye - in comparison to said GTI, a much more charismatic car wanting to vibrate its nuts and bolts apart all the way up to 7,000 RPM.This naturally triggers the inevitable - what criteria makes a hot hatchback great? Is practicality most important, or can great driving dynamics overshadow the initial intent? Jason and Derek reference other small and fun successes like the Hyundai Veloster N, ND3 Mazda Miata, and Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86 - and how none of them are quite as special as the 205 Rallye.All this and more, on this week’s holiday special of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices