The Carmudgeon Show

• Can One Metric Define a Driving Experience? — Carmudgeon w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 217

  This week’s episode topic comes from a listener-submitted AMA request - one worthy of its own episode. They ask - what single metric about a car’s driving experience tells you the most before you drive it? === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote!  === At first, you may think there’s one straightforward answer. But you’d be wrong. Discussion begins with Jason’s MK1 Volkswagen Cabriolet - a car he claims is the most fun he’s ever driven. Derek roughly agrees - but counters with the Peugeot 205 Rallye, and much more substantially - the McLaren F1. But how can a nearly 40 year old subcompact convertible be as rewarding to drive as a hypercar? Mass seems like the obvious answer - but a 4000 lb car from today can often out-dance a 2000 lb car from 35 years ago. Take a Lotus Elise (perhaps, with a small cow in it) and a Rivian R1T - both will dance around a race track in a much more similarly than differently vs. any car and truck combination from even 10 years ago. Having covered that base, Jason and Derek explore other possibilities - including peak horsepower per RPM and engine configuration. Derek recalls a time when Alfa Romeo stuffed their Twin Cam four cylinder in everything from GTVs to large Ambulances - simply because it was a such a good engine despite whatever weight it was tasked to pull around. Jason decides to ask AI what it thinks, answering (oddly) with the Toyota Matrix, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa. On theme with the MK1 Cabriolet, the boys discuss structural rigidity - which leads to another exploration of convertibles ranging from 996 Porsche 911 Cabriolet, to BMW Z3M, Mercedes-Benz SLK, and of course- the Nissan Murano Cross-Cabriolet. There’s an answer for everyone out there - and more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• We Drove A VinFast VF8 So You Don’t Have To — Carmudgeon w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 216

  That’s right - on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show, Jason and Derek risk their lives to deliver crucial mass-market automotive journalism by getting behind the wheel of the VinFast VF8 - one of the most criticized vehicles ever to be sold in the US. But c’mon, really - is it as bad as everyone says it is? Well. Uh…yeah. It’s even worse than you thought. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Before jumping down the throat of the VF8, Jason and Derek discuss the recent developments of ADAS systems and vehicle acceleration regulations being considered within the Chinese market: “The cars are too damn fast!” - CCP, probably. Surprisingly, Jason and Derek both agree - and discuss the potential benefits of having acceleration-limited vehicles, referencing the terror of Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat drivers, F80 and G80 BMW M3, and of course the Nissan Altima. As a counterpoint to the VF8, Jason discusses his recent experience driving the newly refreshed Tesla Model Y Plaid, and how he still thinks they are some of the best appliances on the road. Jason was able to test the most recent version of Tesla Full Self Driving (FSD), and how it’s made great improvements in recent years - even without LiDAR. A great appliance, the VinFast VF8 is not. Jason and Derek share their findings in their individual driving experiences - in agreement on nearly all of the shortcomings of which there are many. At just 10,000 miles, the VF8 has experienced broken suspension components, dangerous throttle calibration, and other poorly-executed features that make us wonder how it was ever allowed to be sold to the public in the first place. There are also dumpsters involved. More on that in this riveting episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Has The Porsche 911 Turbo Been a Worthy Flagship? — Carmudgeon w/ Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 215

  The 911 Turbo is 50 years old this year! We’ve come a long way since the days of having just four manual gears to row and enough turbo lag to sustain the birth, life, and death of a civilization. From the beginning of the 930 until now, the Turbo has always been the flagship of the 911 range - but has it been worthy of being at the top? === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === During this episode, Jason discusses his involvement with the latest 50 Years Of Turbo video, discussing some special cars he was able to drive like an early Euro 930 all the way up to the 50th Anniversary 992 Turbo S. Jason and Derek break down the Turbo lineage and where it comes from - first materializing on the Carrera nameplate on the 356, working its way into the nomenclature of the 911 range including the 1973 Carrera RS and Carrera 3.0, and eventually into the 1975 Turbo Carrera. After covering the various versions of 930 (including how the terms “930” and “Carrera” often have different meanings than most people realize) , they eventually work their way up the timeline to discuss the 964, 993, 996, 997, and 991 Turbo models. Jason and Derek discuss their favorite and least favorite models within the range - and their answers may surprise you. One thing is for sure - the character of the Turbo lends itself much more to a drive who simply wants capability and not pure necessarily driving enjoyment. Which begs the question - is it the “best” 911? Or has the popularity of recent GT3 and GT2 models changed the narrative? Find out more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Most Important Vehicle You’ve Never Heard Of — Carmudgeon w/ Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 214

  It’s highly likely that the Grumman LLV has been a regular part of your life for much longer than you’re aware of. But what is it? And why is it so important? Luckily for you, the newest Revelations episode on the Hagerty YouTube channel answers all of the above. === This episode of the Carmudgeon Show is sponsored by Vredestein Tires: https://www.vredestein.com/ === Before getting deep into the excitement of mail delivery vehicles and government contracts, Jason discusses his recent autocross experience at Sonoma Raceway in his MK7 Volkswagen e-Golf and E30 BMW 325i - with none other than Randy Pobst as his passenger and coach. The results of this endeavor surprise us - from new learnings about tires, to beating lap times in ways we might not expect. Meanwhile on the other side of the track, Derek discusses his recent track day at Sonoma driving his 1982 Porsche 911 SC - bringing the oldest car on track by a good 15 years closest to a 1997 BMW M3. Most of the episode is devoted to discussing the Grumman LLV (Long Life Vehicle’) - one that has delivered the mail to millions of Americans for decades, and will soon retire and be replaced by the Oshkosh NGDV, for better and worse. Jason and Derek discuss Grumman’s long and illustrious history covering everything from canoes to large aircrafts such as the Albatross and the Tomcat. As the LLV is on the brink of being fully retired, they have already become relatively collectable (and difficult to obtain as a civilian) - so no better time than to celebrate it’s long life on the road. All this and more, on this week's episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Which Era is Peak Automobile? — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 212

  On today's episode, Derek and Jason discuss a very important important question -- which era was peak car? Or is the best era yet to come? We promise you this - the answer is much more complicated than you think. === This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender. Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off. === Fresh off the release of Retrospective, a new Hagerty show that explores old magazine comparison tests and how they stack up in the modern era, Jason begins to wonder which era is peak car. Having discussed what is "peak sports sedan" between BMW E90 M3, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, and Audi B7 RS4, Jason and Derek break down the criteria of what makes a car era great as a whole - from serviceability and intended purpose, to speed, value, styling, and other intrinsic characteristics. More importantly, is the true value of a car established by the opinions of enthusiasts or non--enthusiasts? All this and more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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