Random Cool Stuff | Mind Over Motor

Roadkill has become my favorite YouTube show over the past few years. The reason is pretty easy to understand–take old cars, two guys who’ve seen everything about old cars for years, and a sense of humor that I can relate to (since I’ve been stuck working on two old cars for two years now), and the formula comes together. In this episode, Finnegan’s beat-up old Datsun 240Z, packing heat from a small block Ford with a turbo off a diesel F-Series HD, takes to the track against a car they built for Mighty Car Mods, a 1969 Chevy Impala with the same engine from the Crusher Camaro, a famous Hot Rod Magazine build–this time, it’s a 427 ci Chevrolet big block topped with a mean-looking supercharger. Who’s going to win this battle? Find out by clicking “Play”! Grab the popcorn (or Hot Pockets, or beer, or whiskey), this is a good one.

I’ve been saying 996 hate is largely unfounded for years. My dad bought a 1999 Carrera back in 2007, and here we are 10 years later, over 100,000 miles on it, and it’s still great. He did the IMS bearing when he did the clutch within a year of buying the car, and he hasn’t had to do anything but basic maintenance since.

It’s a phenomenal car to drive as well, a real pure 911 experience. 300hp, 2,900lbs, a crisp six speed manual, sharp steering, and rear wheel drive with a limited slip differential, what’s not to love about that? If you’re a hater you either haven’t driven a 996, or you’re a car snob with far more access to fine cars than the average person could ever hope for. Sure, if you’re accustomed to driving a 997 GT3 RS all the time, then a 996 Carrera is a few steps backward. But for most drivers the basic 996s are a phenomenal sports car experience, and I think they should be recognized as such.

-Nick