S3 Magazine Podcast

So in this podcast, we talk with Chris from E3 Spark Plugs. Chris is a huge Toyota fan, so we discuss the current 'energy' in the Toyota lineup (GR & TRD models), plus their courage to speak-out against all the recent misinformation surrounding the EV push. We also discuss Chris's role in E3 Spark Plugs.... and spark plug 'myths & truths' in general.

We FINALLY get with James from Jzilla Track Days. Topics of discussion: 1) Breaking down those 'walls of intimidation' that come with signing-up for your first track day. Jzilla 'gets it'. And they've created a welcoming & affordable atmosphere where drivers can progress and have fun (at any level). 2) The car industry & car culture in general. Ya know? What's it gonna take for the modern auto industry to start prioritizing 'sensations & soul & engagement' in new cars again. Or - has the modern car industry applianced & priced itself to the point of no return? •Get the free S3 Magazine app• // s3mag.com

Jeepin' Bubba from Black Bear Off-Road (and also a contributor w/ S3) talks about their first SEMA build... and what it took to get a vehicle to The SEMA Show. You can also check out the feature & photos of this Jeep at S3 Mag.

Here's a quick breakdown of the new VW-owned Scout Motors brand. The SUV is the Traveler, and the pickup is the Terra. VW is bringing Scout back as EV-only. The new Scout has no lineage-connection to its past other than name, design, & nostalgia. But off-roaders should appreciate VW's effort of body-on-frame construction, mechanical front & rear lockers, and a solid rear axle. Additionally, the Traveler & Terra will support large 35” tires from the factory & come with 1-foot of ground clearance. And – they're intended to be able to wade through 3-feet of water. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there's little argument that Scout & Volkswagen nailed the design. But alas… (This is an excerpt from our article on S3mag.com. Please get the FREE S3 Magazine app for our voice on car culture.)

We talk about the greatness of motorsports, and why there's kinda become a disconnect between motorsports and the masses. Then again - when we consider how overall 'disconnected' most new cars have become... it kinda tracks.

It's kinda turned into an annual tradition, but Ben Battles (Battles Digital) and I talk about this year's Slammedenuff event in Sevierville (Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg) Tennessee. See I wrestle with a love/hate thing with stance... as in I love the people & energy, but hate the way they're willing to castrate their cars for an Instagram follower. And every year, Ben Battles makes me try to understand... because he just loves everything all the time lol. I envy that.

Certain vehicle names carry weight. Whether it was performance, prestige, and/or durability… they earned their stripes in automotive history. For example, you'd have to go to some pretty remote corners of the earth to find someone who's unfamiliar with iconic names like the Corvette, Mustang, Camaro, Jeep, or 911. Today however, the automotive industry is in a thick trend, where they're resurrecting nostalgic vehicle names of the past. But are they doing it authentically… with respect to the heritage & fanbase? In short – are the modern carmakers doing these names justice? Let's look at a few examples.

Rumor has it: Toyota MR2 and CELICA are coming back. So what's that mean exactly? It means that IF the rumors are true, then Toyota is the most enthusiast-based & spirited car-maker... by a landslide. Rumors are, both the MR2 and the Celica will get 2-liter turbocharged engines - no hybrid, no electrification. And manual transmissions WILL be available. Both cars will allegedly be all-wheel-drive. The MR2 will be mid-engine, and the Celica will be front-engine. From their 4x4s to the sports cars, the ENTHUSIAST ENERGY that Toyota has is unmatched. And in a disconnected modern world of generic 'mobility', Toyota is making cars you actually want to drive!! •Get the free S3 Magazine app•

Just being real honest here: I have a history of fighting for dying causes. Print magazines, 2-door sports coupes, 2-stroke jet skis, 3-pedal sports cars, 80's metal, etc. It's because I put my heart into (and defend) what moves me. And that's neat & all. But it can also leave me in frustration. So… I was on a boat all this past weekend, and boats have a way of giving you clarity. And the clarity I got was: Follow ‘the energy'. *get the free S3 Magazine app•

Restriction is dumb… just do better. You wouldn't go to the North Pole without a jacket right? So why do some of y'all go out & drive with no skills I swear & barely a pulse? And then try to make laws that slow everybody else down?

Maybe you've heard the phrase ‘perfectly imperfect'… but that's been swimming in my head a lot lately. Try this: Try pulling little moments out of your life, and take the time to realize how perfect ‘imperfect' can actually be. And also… how boring, disconnected, sanitized, & short-sizzling ‘perfection' can be honestly. Perfection isn't always all it's cracked up to be, so don't always hold ‘perfection' in such high regard. Is it INTERESTING… that's the real question? Does it DRAW YOU IN? Is it MEMORABLE? From modern jet skis to modern cars & modern mountain bikes (and a thousand other things), our consumer-culture thrives on selling you the next bigger/better thing. But a lot of times it's stealing really valuable moments (and intangibles) from our lives… and robbing us of connection, engagement, and fulfillment. Enjoy the cast! It might start off a little slow but we get there lol.

Ford CEO, Jim Farley, is saying that Americans need to adopt a more positive mindset for smaller cars. He's saying this with EVs in mind of course... as electric vehicles are more viable in smaller packages. But a lot of car enthusiasts find his statement super-ironic & slightly-irritating, since it was FORD who killed all their small fun cars (minus the Mustang) just a few short years ago...

If you DON'T like electric vehicles, you should drive the Genesis GV60. Because here's the thing: I don't like EVs either. At least I was pretty convinced I didn't. But the driving experience of the Genesis GV60 is good enough to make me realize, it's actually not 'the concept' of an electric vehicle that I don't like. Rather, it's 'what they've come to represent' over the last few years. And as astute & honest car enthusiasts, we have to be able to separate 'the car' from its stigma and/or its politics. Politics & preconceived notions aside… The Genesis GV60 is a great option, IF it fits your lifestyle requirements. Maybe it does; maybe it doesn't; maybe it's best YOU get to decide & not the government. But also maybe you're digging your heels in to make a point… and maybe cheating yourself out of something cool in the process. Maybe not lol. I can't speak to the GV60's value, resale value, or future obsolescence… you also gotta slide that scale on your own. But I can say, with the right approach, the Genesis GV60 could make a great addition to a lot of car lovers' garages. Not as a replacement to their beloved sports cars and/or 4x4s of yesteryear… but as an addition to them. I'll be honest, the Genesis GV60 has opened my eyes to some misapplied hate I had for electric vehicles. That doesn't make all the valid EV criticisms all-the-sudden untrue. But it DOES make some of them perhaps unfair. If you're in the market, not just for an EV, but for a new car (daily) in general. Check all your preconceived notions at the door of a Genesis dealership, and experience what the GV60 has to offer with no strings attached. Whether or not it ends up being your cup of tea, it's something worth experiencing.

Is was another epic Riverside Meet in Chattanooga. Car enthusiasts come from all over the country for this event. The event is very thoughtfully organized, and very well executed. But this year after the event, the COPS made their presence felt. Was it deserved?

We have guest, Nick Caloroso on the podcast. Nick works in the aftermarket industry, volunteers with SEMA, and has a very soulful/astute way of looking at cars. Yet - Nick manages to keep optimistic hopes for the automotive future. So we dive into that & discuss current automotive trends/designs, EVs & their impact, glory cars of yesteryear, and SEMA's role in protecting the future of car culture. (As in... are they up to the task?)

In episode 103 of the S3 MAGAZINE podcast, we talk about the magic of golden era Hondas. And when we say 'golden era'... we're referring to roughly the late 80s, through the 90s. At that time, Honda packed a ton of punch. They were innovating spirited-driving assets like VTEC! And they were bringing it to the people affordably! It all helped to create a new generation of hot-rodder & driving enthusiast. The podcast was spawned off a feature we did on Brand Elste's purple EK Civic coupe with a Domani front end, and a clean B16 bay. It had us feeling very nostalgic. Check out that feature here: https://s3mag.com/b16-comeback-the-go... And/or be sure to get the FREE S3 MAGAZINE app for related content!

Topic of discussion for this podcast: The 2023 SEMA Show. We discuss positives, negatives, previous years, and a little bit of 'the state of the industry'. How significant manufactures have fallen out of the show. How The SEMA Show is growing & trying to adapt post-covid. Sema Fest (which is SEMA's new music festival). As well as SEMA's efforts to protect the automotive aftermarket politically. For similar, regular content... •please get the FREE S3 MAGAZINE APP• or follow us on the other socials.

Ben Battles came on the podcast to discuss... •The state of Georgia cracking down on JDM cars. Specifically, kei cars & trucks. And gov't overreaching to the point of revoking current titles & registrations (IE: stripping tags & titles on already registered vehicles). •Slammedenuff Gatlinburg. One of the most anticipated (stance) events of the year had some controversial judging.

Me & Frankie Corndoggs had lunch last week. Ironically... hotdogs. Well, I had hotdogs & he had a salad. Anyway Frankie got all worked-up about how he missed having a shitbox rowdy hatchback. The kind that was FUN-pegged the second you pulled out of the driveway. They kind that doesn't try to fit in, or care WTF anybody else thinks. Or base its value in specs & numbers. Just pure driving fun/thrill. A jet ski on pavement. Call it a midlife crisis, or call it midlife clarity & wisdom... which is it?

Legacy car manufactures have been in an all-out race to go EV, but have they all been racing for just 10% of the market? Have EVs hit a ceiling? This EV transition isn't naturally consumer-driven. Instead, it's largely government-forced. And therein lies the problem. You are forcing/squeezing people to buy something that many of them don't want… at a price they can't easily afford. For a product that in many ways, is less convenient & more restricted. It's not a super-attractive option for most. But having said that… IT SEEMS ABOUT 10% OF THE U.S. POPULATION ARE WILLING ‘EARLY EV ADOPTERS'. That means – about 10% of the people like the tech, they think it's cool stuff, and they don't mind paying more to be on the frontend of it. They're also more patient with EV charging infrastructure, recalls, ownership hiccups, obsolescence, etc. And that's all totally fine & good. BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE A CEILING AT ABOUT 10%… And it's a ceiling that's apparently caught legacy car manufacturers by surprise. They're having a tough time breaking through the 10% barrier… as evidenced by EVs stacking up at dealerships. See – for the pasts few years, car makers have been racing to build EVs. And racing & racing & racing. Talking-up the millions of EVs they're gonna be making within a couple years… perhaps never looking up to read the room. All we heard as marketing victims, was how much “demand' there was. Soooo much demand for EVs… because a gaggle of people put an hundred-dollar refundable deposit on an EV truck a few years ago. Electric vehicles have been the biggest hype-train to happen to automobiles… since automobiles. EVs have had more than their fair share of growing pains, recalls, delays, broken promises, deceptions, and inventory shortages. And now that production is finally stabilizing & EVs are finally starting to come through the pipeline… they're stacking-up unsold at dealerships. It illustrates that maybe… THE EARLY ADOPTERS HAVE ADOPTED… And the rest of the people… just don't want it. And they won't… until all the uncertainties have been ironed out. The masses are not necessarily resistant to EVs, they're just not gonna be on board until it makes sense. For them, they're reasonably skeptical. And yes, EVs have become blatantly politically manipulated under a false illusion of ‘sustainability'… so that has caused some added resistance & backlash. PEOPLE WANT TO SEE HOW THIS FAD SHAKES OUT… Yeah we've all heard that “EVs are the future.” They've said that many, many times. But despite the repetitive sales pitch, the masses need to see significant improvements in infrastructure, as well as vehicle cost reductions & improvements in overall capability. To break past the 10% ceiling, EVs have to evolve to a point where they're cost effective, easy & quick to charge, non-restrictive, and safe. It needs to make sense. And it needs to not be forced. Put it this way: If EVs were truly a better option, wouldn't people flock to buy them even without government incentives or mandates? I'm not saying it won't get there… but it's not there yet. And it's not yet suited for the person who's not willing to adjust their lifestyle. AS ILLUSTRATED BY OUR FORD ARTICLE LAST WEEK… Perhaps manufactures are starting to come out of their “we're not gonna listen to our customers” coma & realize that it doesn't necessarily have to be “full-scale” anything. We don't all live the same lifestyle, or live in the same environments, or have the same requirements in a vehicle. And if you really want what's best for the planet, if that's your main issue behind all this, then I'd suggest removing some politicians first… as that's where your real threat is.

"Efficiency" has consumed the automotive industry. Perhaps "brainwashed" is a better word. And while efficiency an important measurable & should certainly be the driving-force of SOME models... it doesn't have to be the primary regulating factor in ALL models. So while we all want an efficient vehicle... what's it costing us? And why is there little-to-no tolerance for some common-sense compromise & simplification??

Now that supply chains are getting back to normal, EVs are starting to stack-up at dealership lots. That's not a great look... considering how much they told us demand & orders for these EVs was off-the-charts. Pay attention to 'the narrative' vs 'the reality' here. And get ready for some backpedaling, incentives, (dare I say fuel price manipulation), and hold-pattens during election years. •Get the FREE S3 MAGAZINE app• ...& keep tabs on all this crazy sh¡t

The Nissan Z is a genuinely exciting new sports car, but that doesn't matter if the car is not accessible. Nissan Z sales are alarmingly low. The Z has been out for a year now, and total US sales in the first quarter of 2023 were just 466. The Z is not supposed to be an ultra-exclusive sports car. It's supposed to be a fun & viable alternative to that. Nissan is, of course, still blaming Corona & chip/parts shortages. But Nissan also sighted a couple of other reasons. Coming as no shock to me at this point, they have to do with 1) Automation. And 2) Sustainability. THE PLANT THAT MAKES THE NISSAN Z… Is located in Tochigi, Japan. And at that plant, Nissan has implemented some new automated manufacturing techniques with less human interference. But more on that in a minute. Because additionally… IN ATTEMPTS TO KISS THE WORLD'S ENLIGHTENED A$$… Nissan has implemented a more sustainable paint process on the Nissan Z. The new process uses a lower temperature to cure the paint, in theory saving precious energy (all while they transition to energy-sucking EVs). The paint process also uses more environmentally-friendly chemicals in the paint itself. Which is a nice touch… IF the paint doesn't come out looking like sh¡t. SO CIRCLING BACK TO THE AUTOMATION… The non-human machines on the assembly & quality-control lines can read paint to down to a third of a millimeter. Impressive. But since the paint is not great, the machines keep rejecting it. IT SEEMS THAT NISSAN HAS IMPLEMENTED PRODUCTION METHODS… That are in fact 'restricting production'. And that has yielded very low inventory on new Nissan Zs. Therefore… the prices on new Zs are gouged. Additionally, kinks in production no doubt wastes energy… so arguably on that front, the world is no better off. It's the literal opposite of sustainable. The only measurable difference is – you don't have a Z yet. And if you do… you probably spent $20,000-$30,000 more than its worth. While probably not getting the color you wanted. But have faith, because you'll likely be repainting it in 7 years when the clear coat lifts from the roof, spoiler, and hood. Because having to paint it twice saves energy & the environment for sure. WE'RE BEING MISLED, MISMANAGED, & MISGOVERNED… And completely tangled in a web of sustainability delusions. The result is: A higher price on a lesser product with more delays (let that sink in). And they're urging you to accept this nonsense for the sake of “the environment”?! At a point, that narrative starts to get exhausting & hypocritical. Of course it goes without saying, we all want clean air for our future. But we need the world economy to be able to function within those margins. And we need common sense to step in. Stop moving the damn goalposts around based on virtue signaling. •Get the FREE S3 MAGAZINE APP... with no dealer markups• ;)

I saw a meme that got me a little triggered. I mean, while I can certainly appreciate some of the truth to it... I also think "you can't have it both ways". Fact - your parents and grandparents were not driving around in cars that practically drove themselves - with infotainment screens & bluetooth & navigation & backup cameras & auto-everything with auto/dual climate & remote start & turbochargers & traction control & 400+hp with 10-speeds & 12-way electronically adjustable seats that warm your buns, etc. Also - the government largely stayed out of their damn way & didn't over-regulate every industry... running up the cost & unnecessarily overcomplicating products. Our elders lived a simpler, more affordable life. Today - we have the option to complicate ours. We're practically funneled into it. And often times, we jump at that option... so long as we think we can manage the monthly payments. •Get the FREE S3 MAGAZINE APP•

Here's our 2-cents on the whole Chelsea Denofa vs Stuke drama from Formula D New Jersey. Personally – I LOVE the fact that Chelsea went off. And I DON'T think he owes anyone an apology… if he doesn't mean it. Now let me be clear: I don't have a dog in this fight, I wasn't in the driver's seat, and I'm not taking sides. But if you're not up on the situation, it basically went down like this. https://www.tiktok.com/@builttoboost/... Chelsea Denofa had a missing hood pin, causing the front/right corner of his hood to flop around a little bit on his run with Stuke. The Stuke team protested Chelsea's win, saying that the flopping hood was a distraction. Again – not taking sides, but also not sure how you can protest that a flopping hood was a distraction when your whole damn bumper flew off. FD called a redo of the run in protest, where Chelsea won & Stuke hit the wall. Chelsea ended up confronting the Stuke team in the pits, calling them pussies amongst other things. Here, see for yourself… NOW I KNOW THE PROPER THING TO SAY IS… Chelsea Denofa should have taken the high road & addressed the situation behind closed doors. That he drives for one of the top teams in Formula D… and represents top-tier companies like Ford, RTR, Pennzoil, Nitto, Monster, etc. Monday morning quarterbacks will add – Denofa's behavior did not represent his sponsors or the sport favorably. I SAY… THE HELL IT DIDN'T! That was the realest, most authentic thing I've seen in motorsports in quite some time. I'm not saying that Formula D should be WWE wrestling (or whatever the hell it's called where they throw the chairs). But yeah – I don't want the Candy Land version of motorsports either. This is a high-adrenaline, fast, intense sport… with litter margin for error. Don't censor that. MOTORSPORTS IN GENERAL HAS BEEN LOSING ENERGY OVER THE DECADES. WHY? Partly because: Drivers have all become corporate faces. Race car drivers used to pop-off at the mouth on occasion. They were competitive, arrogant, passionate, & hard to wrangle… with just enough charm to pull it off. But then corporations got involved and wanted to brand them. And in doing so, race car drivers have become soft-d!ck spokespeople. Think of old NASCAR versus modern NASCAR. Sure – there's a time to keep your cool. And for Chelsea Denofa, this wasn't one of those times. I'm fine with that lol. Let 'em settle it at the next round.

Rivian announced the switch to Tesla's NACS charging connectors. So now Rivian, along with Ford & GM, are about to start using Tesla superchargers. I think we can pretty much call the game for Tesla's NACS at this point, as they are truly becoming 'the standard'. Toyota is continuing to push hard for their GR line in 2024. They're bringing a TRUENO Edition GR86, the GR Corolla is coming out in vibrant Blue Flame, and Toyota's bringing us a limited 45th Anniversary Edition of the GR Supra. Last but not least, a diesel truck rolls coal on a Tesla driver, and of course he got it on video & went to social media to cry about it. Soooo we discuss.

We discuss the week's automotive news. •Akio Toyoda stays on board •Land Cruiser returns to USA •GM will switch to Tesla's NACS charging connectors •If the future is in fact EV, we need to start thinking SMALL All of these articles are on our site (s3mag.com), as well as some killer cars features this week. Please check that out! And you can also get the S3 Magazine APP for free, available for Apple & Android devices!

Influential ultra-progressive investors of Toyota are now calling to remove Akio Toyoda from the board entirely at Toyota's June 14 shareholder meeting. Akio stepped down as CEO on April 1st of this year (replaced by Koji Sato from Lexus), but Akio still remained on the board. AKIO TOYODA IS VIRTUALLY THE ONLY AUTOMOTIVE LEADER… With the courage to express his concerns about diving head-first into full-scale EV adoption. And whether or not you personally agree with him… really isn't the point. The point is: we deserve to hear the experts. Akio is presenting facts. But the people who pull the strings don't care about facts. In fact… they're silencing them. AKIO TOYOTA HAS A LIFETIME OF COLLECTED KNOWLEDGE & WISDOM ABOUT THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY & MANUFACTURING CARS. He was born into the Toyota family, and he has led Toyota first-hand. I would bet – the investors now calling for his resignation have no idea (and absolutely don't care) what a 4AGE, AW11, or AE86 is. The point is: They don't know the brand, and they are not investing into the best future for Toyota. They're investing into the best future that backs their other investments. For illustration – if I were one of these investors, & I happened to ALSO be even more heavily invested in cobalt & lithium mining… it would be in my best interest to silence anyone who was not 100% promoting the EV agenda. The wealth & influence is almost unfathomable. And if Akio and/or Toyota is a casualty… so be it. These investors are using their power to silence Akio Toyoda… in order to continue stacking the deck in their favor. And to keep all the useful idiots (like you & me) misinformed & compliant. IT'S BEEN SAID MANY TIMES, AND IT SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING: We need to be listening to the smartest people in the room when it comes to a strategy for EV adoption. Akio Toyoda has earned the platform to speak… and it would behoove everyone to listen. Why are other automotive leaders not speaking? As a society, we should not put all of our eggs in one basket & silence anyone who points out a flaw in the basket. We're past that point, it's not necessary, and the automotive industry has options. Who decided EVs are the best & only way forward… and everything else gets shelved without consideration? TOYOTA IS THE COMPANY THAT PIONEERED HYBRID VEHICLES, REMEMBER? BEFORE IT WAS “COOL”. Toyota has put more than 23 million hybrids, plug-ins, and full EVs on the road. More than every other company combined. Most of those were under the leadership of Akio Toyoda. So this call for resignation is NOT about Toyota's failure to be progressive & innovative & sustainable & green. No – this is about powerful people silencing a voice of wisdom that is questioning the agenda. It exemplifies everything that is wrong with publicly traded companies. And it's made the automotive industry incredibly vulnerable to manipulation. •Get the free S3 Magazine app•

Wooley drives a Genesis EV press car for a week & it changes his opinions/perspectives a little bit?!! Also - we share some data on 'EV battery failures' now that early EVs like the Nissan Leaf & Tesla Model S pass their 10th birthday. We also briefly hit on the righteous new 2024 Toyota Tacoma.... and talk about another questionable engine failure in a new Toyota GR86.... as well as its denied warranty claim. Is it time that the Toyota GR86 gets a Toyota engine?

The Rimac Nevera (an EV hypercar) breaks 23 dang speed/performance records in a single day. Very impressive... but also uninspiring. As my old-school buddy put it "If you're breaking records, it need to be dangerous." Meanwhile Rimac's damn test driver was eating an ice cream cone. ALSO - Toyota drops more knowledge & foresight to the automotive industry. Please check out s3mag.com for automotive news, culture, features, etc. And/Or •Get the free S3 MAGAZINE app• It's free, it's opinionated, and it's good for your health.

Pricing for the new Acura Integra Type S ('DE5' ITS) came out at $51,995. And though we're not surprised... that does hurt our feelings a little bit. Plus - the dealership markups are already in full effect... •Download the free S3 MAGAZINE app• ...and stay up-to-date on car culture news.

Yeah yeah - Riverside is 'just another car show', so what's all the fuss about??? Well... we talk about that. The guest is Ben Battles, and you'll be able to see his photos/coverage on s3mag.com tonight (we'll link you here when it drops).

The WRC (World Rally Championship) is set to make a potential return to the US as soon as 2024. This would mark the 1st time the WRC has been involved in the US in 35 years. And Rally USA's recent demonstration event in Chattanooga was aimed squarely at the WRC to show them – WE WANT THIS! See the full article on S3 Magazine here: https://s3mag.com/rally-usa-brings-ra... •And please check out S3 Magazine's FREE app•

Mike was ranting to me that "the daily COVID excuses" are wearing real thin on him. And as he said this, I was literally having a similar thought that: All these dealer markups & 'shortages' have just absolutely WRECKED the automotive industry for buyers. Especially enthusiast buyers. Me personally - I'd much rather go buy a used car that's fair & convenient to purchase..... than get bent-over on one of these new cars with dealer markups. It's past time to stop making COVID excuses... stop being off-putting... and START putting the customer first again. •Check out our FREE app• (S3 MAGAZINE)

We've begun to see a trend in the data: Where our car enthusiast friends who bought Teslas out of curiosity for ownership experience a few years ago... are getting left a little unfulfilled in the long run, once the honeymoon phase is over. •check out our feee app• for Apple & Android. Called: S3 MAGAZINE

Man do I need a C5 Corvette ! ? That's both a question AND a declaration lol. Problem is, I've already got way too many cars (a normal person would say)... I don't need it. But when it comes to cars, I'm kinda like Sarah McLachlan is with dogs/cats, and I wanna give them ALL homes... in & around my yard lol. Logic has no place here... yet... there are actually some pretty compelling arguments for why I should get a C5. And why you should too. •CHECK OUT OUR FREE APP• (S3 MAGAZINE) ! IT'S FULL OF AWESOME CAR-CULTURE STUFF !

We did a throwback on S3 (•check out our free app• S3 MAGAZINE), to a feature we ran on cover 12 years ago. It stirred-up a bunch of nostalgia for the car scene circa 2011, so we decided to talk about how we picked those feature/cover cars back in the day... and 'what it takes' to get your car featured in general.

Motor Trend Group/Discovery shut down the iconic 'Four Wheeler' mag... and Jeepin Bubba wanted to talk/vent about that 'cause it punched him right in the gut. The roles were reversed a lil bit for this podcast... meaning that Mike & I didn't know exactly what we were gonna be talking about. So hell, it quickly flowed into a conversation about 'media in general' these days.... and whether or not 'the current state of it' is good for the health and/or strength of the automotive culture. •Jeepin Bubba runs an off-road/overland shop in Buford, GA called Black Bear Off-Road. He's also a contributor to S3 Magazine, and does his own Youtube videos as well. Bubba organizes a lot of trail rides here in the N. GA area (for any experience level). He's all about spreading the outdoor love, and getting people from all walks of life to experience the off-road side of car culture. Feel free to hit him up at info@blackbearoff-road for any questions, advice, mod-paths, etc. And... it doesn't just have to be a Jeep either lol. Bring your Yotas, Broncos, Samurais, Subarus, whatever! And shoot if you've read this far, •PLEASE check out or free app•. Available for Apple or Android under the name S3 MAGAZINE.

2 Views Jan 25 2023 Tesla has aggressively dropped prices since the first of the year. We talk about the ripple effects it will have on the auto industry. •CHECK OUT OUR FREE APP• (S3 MAGAZINE)

THE CORVETTE WAS ALREADY A SPORTS CAR FOR OLD FARTS.. (that doesn't stop me from wanting one) So Chevy went & made a Corvette for even older farts with the E-Ray? Reading between the lines, GM gets a lot of old guys who want to spend as much money as possible on a new Corvette. And up until this point, that's led them straight into a badass, uncomfortable, RWD Z06 or ZR1 that wants to vaporize you. But most old-timers don't have the heart for that kind of monster on their daily trip to wherever they go for eggs, crispy bacon, and black coffee in the morning. So Chevy decided to offer these geezers an equally expensive Corvette, but with more civility. Still bonkers-fast when you put the pedal down, but a lot more predictable with all-wheel-drive. Give ‘em something they can handle, while still taking all their money, and while implementing some new ‘electrified tech' into a flagship performance model. Basically… an Audi jk. It's actually kind of brilliant. THE THEORY BEHIND THE CORVETTE E-RAY… Is to use a hybrid system to power the front wheels, while letting the C8's mid-engine V8 power the rear wheels. And then give it a really cringy name & embroider it all over dad hats & floor mats. But here's the good part: The battery in the E-Ray is tiny. It only weighs about 100lbs, and can recharge itself almost instantly, either with power from regenerative braking, or power created from the V8. Chevy says, “It's all about power in, power out.” Meaning, the battery doesn't need to be big, because it doesn't store power. It's essentially just a hot-potato to grab & release that extra 160hp to the front wheels. With the additional 160hp, the E-Ray generates a total of 655hp, making an AWD Corvette missile that absolutely rips off the line & sticks in corners. So bottom line: It gives gramps the ultimate acceleration he paid for… while hopefully keeping him between the ditches. I will say, even though the E-Ray doesn't tickle my britches personally – it is encouraging to see GM implement EV tech in a performance-oriented way. And to do so with a smaller, lighter battery approach. It points to a more cost-effective, sustainable middle-ground for future models perhaps. A way to do more with less – GM is thinking like racers here. In other words, not like they were thinking when they built the 9,000lb Hummer EV with a 3,000lb battery. EVEN THOUGH THE E-RAY IS IMPRESSIVE FROM AN ENGINEERING STANDPOINT… Is it what the Corvette nation really wanted? Chevy promised a sub-$60,000 price on the C8. They lied. Now it's been 3-4 years, and you still don't really see Corvettes at dealerships, or even on the road too much. Not like you did with previous generations. The Corvette was always America's sports car. And now Chevy builds an E-Ray at over 100k? Who is this for exactly? It seems like Corvette is straying off-course from its fanbase. There were only about 34,000 Corvettes sold last year. Maybe that's because Corvette buyers want an iconic ground-pounder. I think most of them want a sense of performance purity, not hybrid technology. But what do I know? Maybe Chevrolet sees a customer that I don't.

AS A WHOLE, the auto industry has gotten really generic, numb, dumb, autonomous, disengaging, sanitized, boring, forgettable, gimmicky, etc, etc. If you love to drive, & you love connecting to the moment... it's irritating to say the least. BUT.... glass-half-full... I'll be darn if there's not some really good driver's cars WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS that have been slipping into the lineups... one at a time. We've been hearing about 'em trickle in. But dang - step back for a second, and there's now at least a dozen viable, potent, and (theoretically) affordable driver's cars with manual transmission to choose from. The driver's market is actually getting strong again! In this podcast, we go through some of the new cars that we think deserve some credit & attention.

Mike knows a little bit about financial matters, so I kinda wanted to get his opinion on what the stock market is saying about Carvana & Tesla these days. How did Carvana get in this situation? Has Elon Musk's attention shifted away from Tesla to Twitter? And/or... is Tesla losing their sweet-spot now that the EV market has exploded & every other car manufacturer is competing for battery resources?

In mid-September, Ford announced that all Ford dealerships had until Halloween to decide if they wanted to become ‘EV Certified'. The giant stipulation was – it would cost each Ford dealer roughly $500,000 or $1,200,000… depending on if they wanted to be Tier-1 or Tier-2 certified. And a huge part of that cost is to build-out a public charging infrastructure at the dealership. In other words, if a Ford dealer wants to play along & be ‘Model E Certified‘, they must now install a complex public charging network at their location. Since there are Ford dealerships in practically every town in America, this is Ford's clever scheme to quickly build-out a national Ford charging network… at their dealer's expense. And Ford's ultimatum/leverage to dealers is this: Tier-1 Elite Certified dealers (@ $1,200,000) get the largest EV allotment. Tier-2 Certification ($500,000) gets to sell some EVs. And if a dealer does not get certified & contribute to the charging infrastructure, they do not get to sell any new Ford EVs. OBVIOUSLY THIS WENT OVER LIKE A FART IN AN ELEVATOR. Those are huge expenses to throw on dealers. Especially considering that real-world consumer demand for EVs is low… at least outside of metro areas. For instance, only about 1% of all cars in the US are currently EV, and almost 40% of those are stuffed into California. Ford sold ~63,000 F150s in July 2022, versus ~2,000 Lightnings. Plus, despite the endless media praise, reality is, Ford's current crop of EVs have been riddled with inventory shortages, soaring prices, delivery delays & sale-stopping recalls. So how many Ford EVs are even going to be available for Ford dealerships to sell? It seems that the new industry standard is to keep supply just under demand. Ford CEO, Jim Farley already announced this past summer that Ford ultimately aims to sell new EVs direct-to-consumer like Tesla… and that dealerships could be involved but that “the standards are going to be brutal”. Ford is also mandating that their dealers sell EVs at fixed pricing with less profit margin… again to try & model themselves after Tesla. Essentially in the Ford EV business model, the dealer is just a point-of-pickup for the customer who buys online. And the dealer basically gets a small fee to take delivery & fluff the customer. All of this points to: Why on earth would Ford dealers (outside of California & a few other metro cities) make that $500,000-$1,200,000 investment? AND HERE'S WHERE IT GETS INTERESTING… Because what happens if/when the dealerships unite & decide NOT to make that investment? In other words, what if the Ford dealers tell Ford to pound sand… because… that's kind of what's happening here. How will Ford pivot & sell EVs if that's the case? Honestly, all signs point to the fact that Ford wishes to eliminate dealers for the EV sales-model anyway (like Tesla). But one of Ford's strongest attributes is their nationwide dealer network. And now there's turbulance & uncertainty in that network. If Ford dealers are not allowed sell new Ford EVs… who will service them when problems arise? As a customer, you don't wanna be caught anywhere near that shit-show. Ford is so consumed with beating Tesla, that they've gotten sloppy. Their stern Halloween deadline got swiftly pushed back to early December due to all hell breaking loose. But now, it's Decemeber. So what's the call boys? You gonna stick to your guns?

GM came up in the news a couple times this week. First - for backtracking on EVs a lil bit. GM has been very ambitious (aka virtue signal-ish) over the past year or so that they're 'all-in' on EVs... even stating that they would be fully EV by 2035. But at an investor day just before Thanksgiving, GM President Mark Reuss said that they have no intention of rushing to kill-off internal combustion in their trucks & other large SUVs. Second - GM is launching 'Corvette' as its own brand... introducing two new Corvettes: an EV crossover Corvette, and an EV 4-door Corvette. Soooo.... we talk about that.

Sometime low-key earlier this year, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) stopped Ebay Motors from selling any automotive products that could be deemed as 'emissions defeating'. That includes aftermarket hardware & software: Tuners, race exhausts, standalone ECUs, air/fuel management devices, etc. Ebay had virtually no choice in the matter, it was an ultimatum: Stop selling these products…. or face fines of ~$4,800 for any part sold from January 2020. Considering Ebay's substantial foothold in the marketplace as a used & NEW retailer, this could be one of the biggest blows to the automotive aftermarket ever. And it went off without hardly a peep. GUYS – THE EPA HAS TURNED UP THE HEAT TO INTOLERABLE. This has gone way past a genuine concern for our planet, and this is now about door-kicking, control, & submission. And after all the dust has settled, don't be fooled, this is NOT about the environment (repeat that as many times as necessary). This is about control, power, & forced obedience. And it ends with big government elites controlling transportation for their own profit & power. The EPA has a bafflingly accurate name for it, it's called the National Compliance Initiative. Make no mistake, this is what is oppression looks like. Comply… or else. NICHE MODIFIED VEHICLES ARE NOT THE GLOBAL CAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE. Not even close. In many cases, they're secondary recreational vehicles. And in fact – they produce no emissions whatsoever unless they're being used. Meanwhile – a new EV creates a GIANT carbon footprint before it ever travels its first mile. But the government is not pursuing the truth or common sense here, because again, this is not about the planet. This is a witch-hunt. And it's happening because car culture is a voice of knowledge & reasoning in the midst a political EV agenda that is contingent on mass ignorance & adaptation. Give that a minute to sink in. LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS… THE EPA IS ATTACKING YOUR FREEDOMS. And they are using ‘the environment' as a fabricated basis to do it. The serious question is: Are we too late to stop it? The EPA & big government is hurting legitimate automotive aftermarket businesses in this country. Crushing entrepreneurs. Stepping in & interfering with businesses & customers. Squeezing business owners. And making it needlessly difficult for them to 'legally' provide for their families… and/or the families of their employees. Where does this stop? Who's next on the EPA's list?

IF YOU SLICED-UP THE BATTERY PACK OF JUST ONE HUMMER EV… You'd probably have enough juice to power 5 little blast-to-drive commuter EVs. That would be a lot less strain on the earth… and isn't that what this is all about? The answer is no. See if the EV movement was still really about being green, we'd be approaching it a lot differently. A lot less materialistically. Green has become a status symbol – point blank. DRIVERS WOULDN'T CARE SO MUCH ABOUT SCREEN SIZE, AUTOMATIC HI-BEAMS, ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, & AUTONOMY… If they actually LOOKED FORWARD to driving the cars they owned. And maybe then – we wouldn't need 2,000 chips for every EV. Maybe then – we could get these new vehicles priced less than a mortgage. And then EVs might start to become a justifiable, affordable solution. But c'mon – what kind of place would America be if we weren't flexing 6+ year auto loans at $750+ per month to drive a pansy-ass forgettable SUV that will become obsolete as soon as its tech does? This is all a mess of our own creation… because we consume more & more & more. And then, we look for technology to be the savior of our overconsumption. We let politicians build their campaigns on it, and pander to the bleeding-heart hypocrites. Maybe it's common sense & personal responsibility that we really need. “BUT SMALL CARS ARE NOT SAFE.” You're damn right they're not safe… not in today's environment. A mouse is safe in a grassy field amongst other mice. But it's no longer safe in that same field when there's a stampede of elephants. Today's vehicles have gotten obese, heavy, and disengaging. Drivers use the roadways as their own personal mobile office. We're being forced to share lanes with Tesla drivers in full self-drive. Look around at any red-light & see how many drivers are completely inthralled in their own bluetooth conversations, virtually unaware of their surroundings. And to top it off – knowing that a stop sign means stop… is about all you need to get your driver's license in America & drive a 5,000+lb vehicle. So where do we draw the line on safety? How do we define it? BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT'S REALLY NOT SAFE? Replacing competency with technology… like we're doing. Requiring less of people, and requiring more from sensors… like we're doing. Catering to the lowest common denominator… like we're doing. Castrating our freedoms in the name of safety over & over again… like we're doing. Keep people safe by keeping them uninformed, incapable & technology dependent – that's the plan. And that mindset is now infiltrating the automotive industry at a wildfire pace. No driver left behind. And it all leads to more tech, more sensors, more regulations, more government control, more problems, higher prices, more delays, dumber people, and lower skills/abilities. You wanna keep people safe? Teach these idiots how to drive, or don't issue them a license. If you want cars that drive themselves, it already exists. It's called a bus, a taxi, or Uber. Vehicle should require their pilot to have some level of intelligence, ability, & good judgement. The Honda Beat that inspired this podcast... represents freedom & driving spirit. It's completely disconnected from nonsense, it's refreshing, and it's as ready to go as you are. When you & I see a car like that, we understand it. But we also have to understand, that the younger generations are so far removed from this concept… that they might never know what a true sense of driver-freedom feels like. Unless we expose them.

This podcast didn't have one specific topic. But rather, everyday it seems we hear about more absolutely dumb & ridiculous news coming from the automotive industry... and it's just hard to watch lol. Here are a couple abbreviated stories from this past week. If you want the full articles, just check out our site (s3mag.com) or download our free app (S3 Magazine). 1) A brand new Hummer EV broke down in the middle of a highway during rush hour. It was wet outside, and GM's all-terrain EV went totally dead. And unfortunately for GM, the brand new Hummer EV belongs to some well-known YouTubers in the truck world – The Fast Lane Truck. The Hummer threw a steering code & I believe a TPMS code. Basically things started acting glitchy. And when the concerned owner, Roman Mica, tried to restart it at a traffic light (as you restart your computer when it starts acting dumb)… it totally shut down. Makes you wonder.... •EVs are more software than machine; essentially a rolling computer. •So when something fails, EVs behave more like a laptop than something mechanical. •Not even the hood would pop open; the entire 9,000lb vehicle was bricked in the middle of a highway. •Any vehicle can fail. But with ICE you at least have a chance to fix it (and/or limp it home) if you're mechanically inclined. •The new Hummer is GM's flagship EV. Its software filters to other GM EV models. 2) The NTSB & NYC's governor are dumb & they wanna make everyone else dumb too. With the help of New York City of course, the NTSB is testing "speed limiting technology" in some of NYC's fleet vehicles… and lobbying that this technology goes into every new consumer vehicle. IT WORKS EXACTLY HOW YOU THINK IT WOULD: YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT LET YOU SPEED. Simple as that. Your pedal goes dead when the vehicle reaches the posted speed limit, and you are not in control. LADIES & GENTLEMEN, YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THIS LOUD & CLEAR: These people are morons. They're clowns, and they're clueless. AND – they think they can do a better job of running your life than you can. That should seriously concern you. Speed-limiters will not eliminate accidents, they will just create new stupider ones. You know why? BECAUSE SPEED ISN'T THE REAL PROBLEM… Bad drivers are the real problem. Distracted drivers are the real problem. A lack of driver training in this country is a real problem. And bad roadways & traffic issues are a very notable issue. But let's not acknowledge the real problems huh? Instead – let's bury our heads even further up our technology-dependent asses & create even more incapable drivers. 3) PSA: Be careful not to back into a tree & crack a taillight when you're off-roading your big-ass new Hummer EV. Because apparently each taillight will set you back over $3,000. Now don't get me wrong, the taillights on the Hummer EV look absolutely killer! But… WITH THE DIRECTION THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IS MOVING AS A WHOLE, ESPECIALLY IN THE EV REALM… The price of vehicle components are going through the roof. We're talking – exponentially through the roof. Everything is so interwoven electronically, that even a single relatively simple malfunction can become crippling, not only to the vehicle… but also to your wallet! Hey - remember to DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP so you can see all these articles as they come out... PLUS features of cool modified cars that are actually awesome because they were made before the auto industry was playing a to-the-death game of dumb & dumber.

Mike posted a video of him & his son listening to the race cars at Petit Lemans during night practice (they live close enough to the track to hear the cars). And some commenter said - they won't stop until they take ALL our internal combustion cars & close ALL the racetracks. Something along the lines of, "He will violate all our cars"?? I dunno that got weird. But it's a glaring example that some people in this country fail to understand how freedom works. It also a concerning glimpse into the mindset of some of these people on the extreme ends of the EV/regulation spectrum.

We brought our good buddy, Ben Battles, to come on the podcast & describe the vibe of Slammedenuff in Gatlinburg TN. Ben has shot (& written) NUMEROUS features for S3 MAG over the years. He's got a really good/informative TikTok channel @thegamblercivic ...so be sure to check that out. If you're in the market, Ben can also source unique/eclectic vehicles, especially of the JDM variety. Follow him on IG at @battles.digital As for Gatlinburg, man it's exploded! It's become the biggest 'stancy' event in the country?? But man, have some of these over-cambered cars just gone full blown AIDS. So inbred they can barely move. We discuss.

Looking at what happened during this bootleg-version of H2Oi in Wildwood, it's glaringly obvious that we have a severe culture problem in this country... and now it's spilling over into car culture. What we saw in Wildwood was not ‘a little disruptive,' it was totally destructive. There's a difference. Historically, hot-rodding culture has always been a bit disruptive, right? But... there's always been some level of charm to the disobedience. Meaning, there was always enough morality, good judgement, and overall intelligence to respectfully ride-that-line between bad boy & good guy. That's the sweet spot. What we're seeing now though, is truly ugly. It's not car culture anymore. It's… trash people in trash cars doing trash things. In these cases, 'the car' is just an excuse for destruction. See - this is gonna sting a little bit, but let's look at where we're at. Automotive culture already has a target on its back. The current administration wants to push an EV agenda - hard. And the kind of ignorance we saw at Wildwood gives them the silver platter to wake-the-woke & vilify car culture as a whole. People... died. Let's look at how this scenario always plays out: When a criminal commits a crime these days… we blame law enforcement. When a psychopath shoots up a school, we blame guns. Americans never stand up anymore, take accountability, and blame our diseased modern American culture that's at the root of all of this. And when I say 'modern American culture', I'm talking about the one that glamorizes ignorance, violence, sin, & the breakdown of family. So WHAT DO YOU THINK is gonna happen when these takeover events turn into riots & start getting innocent people killed? They're gonna blame car culture. And they're going to do it loudly with a broad brush. An undeniable part of this infection that is 'the new generation of car culture' - is fallout from the automotive industry abandoning its own traditional/established media. When I say 'traditional media'... I mean MAGAZINES and CAR SHOWS/EVENTS. Traditional media had the integrity to INSPIRE the culture in a positive, inspirational way. Anyone over 35 knows… that's what magazines did. Car shows & events used to be hosted by responsible, professional, well-staffed organizers. These types of things built-up the culture; not destroyed it. And what I'm calling 'traditional media' was able to exist, because it was funded by the automotive aftermarket through advertising budgets. In other words, advertising dollars were invested back THROUGH the culture... and it made one hell of a strong culture! But about a decade ago... The automotive industry really started pulling advertising budgets from traditional media (magazines & events), in order to put that budget into their own social media pages. They fixated on becoming their own media. It was a selfish play in regards to the broader strength/health of true car culture. But it was one that was easy to justify, because they could count the likes & be the master of their own domain. Many of these auto-aftermarket companies started doing their own car features, Youtube channels, even hosting their own events and/or making their own online mags themselves. The thing is - can you call it true media if it's really all just self-promotion to sell products? I don't personally think so.

Our opinion - Ford nailed it. The S650 Mustang seems to be everything it needs to be. Enough to offset the 'soft side of Ford' that we've been seeing too much of lately with all the EV stuff. It's given the Ford-loyal enthusiasts something to be proud of. One argument - is that Ford already ruined the Mustang by using the name on that sad 4-door electric crossover... the Mach E. But the other side of the coin is... they could have just ruined the coupe & convertible TOO... but they didn't. They could have axed the Mustang like Chevy is axing the Camaro & Dodge is axing the Charger/Challenger... but they didn't. And that has restored some of my faith in Ford. This was the right move. I've always said that when Ford gets out of their own way... they can really do badass exciting things. I'd like to see more of that... and less brown-nosing shareholders & administrations. ENGINE.. The base model Mustang is still a 2.3 Ecoboost. Which really is a fun car to drive in its own right, But the Ecoboost will always live in the shadow of the GT. So let talk about the GT: The 4th-gen Coyote V8 now has twin intakes & throttle bodies! Badass. Ford says it's the most powerful Coyote yet, but they did not release horsepower numbers on there GT to my knowledge. But what we should really be celebrating here - is the fact that we can still get the next generation Mustang with a ground-pounding V8 and a bonerific 6-speed transmission! Dark Horse: The Dark Horse will make 500... normally aspirated... horsepower! Just saying the name silences the room and causes a bead of sweat run down your butt cheek. This is what America does; this is what we bring to the automotive world! We can make the Mach Es, the Volts, & the Bolts... and all that other sissy sh*t. But when it comes down to it... THIS is what America does. In the same month that Mopar killed their Scat Packs & Hell Cats... Ford unleashes a Dark Horse. Let that sink in. The Dark Horse is the future we grew up for. The Mach E is the cop car from Demolition Man. Soon... you're gonna have to choose a side. DESIGN... As mentioned, I think the S650 Mustang design is exactly where it needs to be. It's more chiseled, which is the design trend of the times. And when you look at it, especially from the side profile, you can tell that Ford is trying to give the Mustang a broader, more global appeal. Which is also what they did when they released the 2015+ model. The S650 has a shorter rear overhang than the current Mustang. And again, from that side profile, the short overhang behind those rear wheels (combined with the side rear windows), gave it Nissan Z vibes to me. At first, that seemed a little wrong. I love Nissan Zs, but not on a Mustang lol. But - the original '65 Mustang ALSO had that short/stubby rear end. So in that regard, I guess it works. And the more I look at it (especially from the rear corner angle), the more it grows on me quickly. Lastly - it's got thicc hips - gotta love that!