Never know what gems you’ll see when you’re out cruising around on a beautiful day. If it’s real, this Porsche 356 Speedster is pretty darn rare. Enjoy!
-Nick
Tag Archives: Sports Cars
Roadkill meets LeMons…and a Datsun gives its engine for the cause.
Roadkill is essentially two guys wrecking cars for our benefit. And thanks to the 24 Hours of LeMons, a rusty-crusty old Datsun named the Rotsun, a GM V6 with a turbo, and a lot of elbow grease, we have lunchtime entertainment. Roadkill was off the channel for a while due to Roadkill Nights in Michigan, but Finnegan and Freiburger are back and they’ve completely outdone themselves. Watch, and enjoy.
-Albert S. Davis
Porsche Gives All 911s Turbos, What To Make Of This Move
Porsche has just announced that all 911 Carrera models will be getting new turbocharged engines. There is much to be happy about here, but as with any change Porsche makes, there will surely be lots to gripe about. My take on this is as follows…
911 Turbos for everyone!
Both Carrera and Carrera S models get the same 3.0L flat 6 with twin turbochargers. Porsche says the tune in the Carrera makes 370hp with 330ft/lbs of torque and the tune in the Carrera S makes 420hp and 368ft/lbs of torque.
These are some substantial power numbers, especially considering how German companies always seem to underate their numbers on paper by 10-20%. Sure, maybe a Carrera S will make 420hp at high altitude on 91 octane in Denver, but you can bet it’ll be more than that at sea level with better fuel.
What’s more, all of these modern German turbo engines have proven to be absurdly tune-able. I’ll be surprised if the Carrera S won’t see over 500hp with just an ECU reflash. Maybe 450 or so for the Carrera, assuming there are some tangible differences with their turbos, engines, or fuel systems.
What this all means, though, is that we are ushering in an era of monsterously fast Porsche 911s. It should be a lot of fun, and thankfully, Porsche still offers the option of a proper manual gearbox.
Continue reading Porsche Gives All 911s Turbos, What To Make Of This Move
The Morgan 3-Wheeler will make you laugh uncontrollably
Not sure much else about the Morgan 3-Wheeler from this video because Matt Farah and Alex Roy were just giggling the whole time, but maybe that says all that needs to be said about this car.
All I know is, I want one….
-Nick
Jason Cammisa, a Porsche Cayman GT4, and Pobst. It’s time to watch.
Jason Cammisa’s first video with MT is here, and he’s got a Porsche Cayman GT4, and lots of time on his hands. I’ll miss watching Carlos–but Jason’s really excellent, and his wheelman skills are prevalent. Watch this–the Cayman GT4 is an excellent car, and here it gets its due.
-Albert S. Davis
Alfa Romeo 4C Spotted on Woodward Ave in Michigan
We went out to eat right on Woodward Ave at Duggan’s Irish Pub, and this brand new Alfa Romeo 4C pulled in. This is the first 4C I’ve seen out in the wild, but it was unsurprising in Birmingham, MI with an Alfa dealer right up the street.
The Alfa Romeo 4C is basically a miniature Italian exotic, with a mid-mounted turbocharged 1.7L four cylinder engine on tap. That may not sound impressive, but 237hp grants plenty of performance in a car that weighs just 2400lbs. It’s also quite fuel efficient for a high performance car, capable of an EPA-rated 34 MPG on the highway.
The 4C’s one big drawback is that it only comes with a dual-clutch paddle shift gearbox. For me, not having a manual takes a lot away from the experience of a lightweight sports car, and it could be a deal-breaker if I’m ever in the market. That said, I have hear the dual-clutch trans works pretty well, so it’s at least worth a test drive.
Although it isn’t perfect, we should all be very glad the Alfa Romeo 4C exists. It is the car that is bringing the Alfa name back to the US, soon to be followed by the new RWD Giulia sedan. The 4C is quite a pleasant sight in person, too, with a lot of design inspiration coming from the legendary Alfa Tipo 33 Stradale.
Enjoy the photos!
Continue reading Alfa Romeo 4C Spotted on Woodward Ave in Michigan
The Price Game: Mets Extra Edition!
It’s late July. You’ve just gotten back from the latest business meeting, and the Mets traded for Cespedes today. You’ve got five hundred bucks burning a hole in your pocket, and a friend says, Odds are 100-1 on the Mets being in first place within a week of the trade. And because you won the bet, you’ve got $500,000 to spend on some cars. But, since you work full time, you’d better buy one car for each day of your work week. New cars and used are allowed–but used cars need to be within 200 miles of Central Jersey. Here’s the answers, both from me, and from Nick. Continue reading The Price Game: Mets Extra Edition!
New Hope Auto Show 2015 Day 2
This is our highlight gallery from Day 2 of the 2015 New Hope Auto Show last weekend. Sunday is always about supercars and other european cars, and this year was WAY better than last year.
Everything from a Renntech Mercedes SLR McLaren, to a Lexus LFA, to a Porsche 959 were present, along with the most minty Lamborghini Diablo SV I’ve ever seen.
Enjoy the photos!
Edmunds Compares the C2 Corvette and C7 Corvette
Edmunds takes us for a spin in two Corvettes separated by 50 years, a C2 Stingray and the current C7 Stingray.
My how things have progressed technologically, but I still think the C2 Stingray is the best looking Vette of all time.
Enjoy!
-Nick
Carlos Lago puts the new Miata against the BRZ. What will win?
The BRZ and the new Miata are similar in that they are both bona-fide sports cars for less than the cost of a well-optioned Toyota Camry. They’re also both blessed with four cylinders, rear-wheel-drive, and a sporting chassis with good build quality. Carlos Lago takes both of them to the streets in this episode of Head 2 Head. Notable as well is that this was Carlos’s last film work with Motor Trend–he’s outdone himself. Then, he hands the narration off to Randy Pobst. Take 25 minutes on your lunch break, and watch this–but listen to what both have to say. I’m revealing nothing. I still want to drive both back-to-back myself, but this taught me a lot of what the ND has to offer against the BRZ.
-Albert S. Davis
The Car, as an Economic Indicator, Spells Trouble
Last year at Pebble Beach we saw a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sell at auction for a record $38 Million. People “ooooed” and “aaaahhhed” at the sale price, but many were also underwhelmed because another 250 GTO had sold privately for $50 Million, and they had wanted to see a new world record.
From a larger economic perspective, this is madness in a most ludicrous form.
Now, I want to begin by stating that I am not someone who is against wealthy people, or against buying cool and expensive things. I am is someone with a degree in both economics and sociology who wants to see capitalism thrive in an an optimal state, where opportunity is abundant and competition is fierce.
True capitalism is an endangered species right now in America, and indeed the rest of the industrialized world. The danger is not communism/socialism, but the opposite, oligarchy. Too much of the total wealth lies in the hands of too few members of society, and the economy is being strangled more and more. In short it is because our entire economy is based around consumerism (buying and selling goods and services), and most people have less and less money to spend.
In the US, 90% of the total wealth is held by the top 10% of the population. That means 270 million Americans have very little money, and around 30 million Americans have a lot of money. The majority of consumers can’t spend much money, and the economy is suffocating because of it.
The $38 million Ferrari GTO is a big sign that our economy is in some serious trouble, let alone the $50 million Ferrari GTO that sold privately.
Here’s why…
Continue reading The Car, as an Economic Indicator, Spells Trouble
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona at Hopewell Cruise Night
This striking yellow Ferrari Daytona is somewhat of a regular at shows in Hopewell, and it’s a real driver. The owner is always very nice to everyone, and he actually still uses this magnificent Ferrari grand tourer the way it was meant to be used.
It’s always fantastic to see a stallion like this that actually gets to stretch its legs!
-Nick
Mind Over Motor 