The Real Cars of the Year

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More and I'm here aghast -- in the end of the year quickly approaching which means it's time to get -- And teary -- and who better to do that with in the senior editor of -- -- -- come.

-- you know thanks for dropping by will always play you know and of course hopefully bringing us some holiday cheer from -- Los Angeles.

The half hour from very obviously as always the smoking tired dot com.

Shameless self promotion shameless self promotion I love every minute later.

You know every end of the year show of course has that include some.

Looking back of those we vote lost in the past year in this case that's actually breaking news with -- Filing for bankruptcy this week -- -- got to ask you saw basically going out of business the males in the coffin.

Does the world care or is this another -- revealed -- Plymouth and will quickly get over it.

It's it's really too bad I really likes the older sobs my dad had a 900 Turbo I learned to drive stick on and I had a card a lot of character.

And -- was kind of sad to see it would slowly going toward his grave.

And I fell -- -- had just a little longer in kestre Oda committee got his hands in the air a little more and come out of the trouble new designs that it might him.

Words but since they never got there I'm sort of like where you know.

You -- -- -- have a -- point out that when we talk about sub screen here is -- about the nine under which over the sun it.

It's 87.

Nothing recently although I am a fan of the -- 95 is the best looking Buick LaCrosse out there is no doubt about that.

But you know even the fact that even Sweden didn't get behind saving -- -- I think that says a lot about.

Where sobs -- history -- Absolutely -- the problem really was for -- as they never made the transition GM never help them transition to being a modern car company -- BMW if you look at BMW.

How BMWs changed since when you know the period in the eighties when -- was at its heyday in the 900 Turbo period.

There was you know -- a big big.

Change in the industry in sort of the cars that development.

You know went through the roof and if you look at in modern BMW and a modern -- You know -- that they -- not.

Equals so.

So are you calling GM lazy money I'm calling you I think Jim just -- this brand like nothing I've ever seen before -- -- I'm a fan of the 95 -- overpriced but it's a good little car rides on up action to see them on the road but that said.

It's basically a GM product with the sun dashboard and you know grow so I think we could probably get by yeah I mean.

They they didn't spend their last.

Couple years on now on design so there were big came out to have been in the ninth I was a very attractive looking car.

But I mean underneath.

It's not a premium luxury cars out -- premium sports.

You know sports sedan car I mean it's really you're stuck with what GM put under there and it's not terrible you know by any stretch but it's not.

It's not -- good -- -- lacking character and it's it's just just.

Did you guys having that we are.

Imagining saw was -- more premium placed than it was in the eighties.

Good point Matt I mean I just in my reminder that real well and you know it is -- was it was a notch below.

Obviously Porsche but it wasn't too far off the BMW back then write it may have the -- the floors and you have the key in the floor Iraq.

It had -- go for it I just remember like great Turbo engines and -- Caught you know design that was different but it didn't seem like less then it kind of was and it was so full of character and like they were really fun to drive and they seem screwed together well.

But like I don't know if I'm imagining them as a luxury car because when I was that age that was nice.

Yes I mean I'm -- premium brands kinda like.

Yeah I guess you're gonna spend you know if you're gonna spend it what -- back then was twenty or thirty grand and now it's like fifty.

They're the European version of near luxury much like Buick much like the car that that -- -- is based on.

Right anyway talk about fails for the past year before we get to the good stuff from the past year this also happened in this week.

Think it happened this week.

Gentlemen from somewhere in you to David -- wins 2006 labor anywhere -- I think it was -- 2006 and some sort of contest.

Drives it home crashes it the same day.

Questions about whether I was trying to get the insurance money for this thing we're just trying to sell I mean that what's the lesson that we -- here is it that.

You know labor -- -- don't kill people but people who can't drive liberty -- skilled labor detainees.

Well it's funny you mention the insurance issue because it seems I think it was even on -- say July I'll make that they wrote that he posted on Jay leno's FaceBook page.

Just before the crash asking if they knew someone who wanted to buy because he couldn't afford the taxes on it.

I mean that's the real problem with one of those contests is that -- if you win a 300000 dollar -- now you're stuck with a hundred -- in taxes.

Odds are you can't -- that she really can't keep the car.

The but I mean the problem with contests like that is that the taxes and they should come taxes included.

Give us some extra cash to pay that tax on it like otherwise what's the point because the guy would -- to sell the car in in a month anyway.

My did you get a record -- you've been erected right because this thing's not gonna until you know the insurance if he's gonna fight that so.

It's a man that is the worst part of this whole story is that it if he he didn't wreck it well enough to total it and -- he's.

He's on the hook for a car that's worth a fraction of what.

Even even in its appreciative state you know as an 06.

Was already you know not be a -- itself but a lot off of the the original price but I mean now.

As it doesn't.

You know with that it's a big crash title I mean it's terrible -- Larry like you give a hundred grand millions in taxes on the I think you can go yeah I mean -- he probably could get.

The his money back on what he -- was for taxes but probably not much more than that I mean you know.

Of course the replaced -- correct correct -- isn't worth more than a buck fifty year buck sixty tops.

Although windows maybe this -- -- 25 grand and maybe anyway the replacement for mercy I don't remember any event the door no doubt one of the best cars.

All of last year but I do -- he would you guys thinking of the North American car of the year awards out.

We've got the nominees for that it's just kind of a joke Hyundai Elantra Ford Focus.

Volkswagen facade Begin to be X three which really.

The greens were well over vote -- -- -- the over the other truck of the year is of course the -- crossovers.

In any case.

I was -- about the cars and we actually like to drive -- last year.

The ones that we won't actually go out by.

-- what really sticks out in my last year and and other -- -- -- crazy stuff.

But just what really got stuck in a crawl as -- and that that's a good guy that's how car should be there.

There was actually three cars one is isn't very obvious the BMW one series -- Was hands down the best car drove last year that thing is just.

A barrel of laughs all the time you know whether you're going faster slow great picture.

But it's a phenomenal -- can daily drive it it's stupid fast.

And really really nice light fun car.

Also.

I loved the C 63.

-- with the development package.

It is knots I like my cars to -- -- -- little crazy.

And that one that thing brings the crazy I really like that and as far as like sensible cars go.

I was a big fan and actually the Volvo X C sixty are designed.

Which was totally kind of underwhelming when they first came out -- all that.

Body -- in the plastic but now that.

Everything's you -- -- the same color with a good motor good good interior nice set of wheels on and I got this also over one and and I actually was was very impressed and I was looking on.

And a crossover I would definitely put that thing in the top my list.

I'll tell -- at sixty our design on top of that as well suspension maybe not perfect as far as like going up against -- BMW Mercedes and twisty road.

But tons of power good looking -- overall a pretty good field but like I'm sure you can agree on that.

Me and well.

I cannot -- BMW's top of the list I mean this the -- I I don't think I've had as much fun in a new car as I had in the in the 1 am this year.

I mean ever.

Yeah I mean it's it's just it's like Matt was saying it's it's fantastic it's a fantastic -- it's easy to drive fast.

It's fast it -- you know it's nimble -- as you know it's just.

It's like it's a -- and it's just kind of taken a -- -- a platform in and adding some other part.

And on any track that doesn't have a half a mile street you have a track that can keep up with the BM WM three pretty well yeah what twenty grand less.

-- I mean about to have -- -- -- a good luck finding one it's not marked that's gonna -- sending the biggest problem this guy is it truly is a car of the year really made 800 million barrel sold out or the ones that aren't our dealer lots marked up.

It's a -- 30000 dollars -- look at this thing up from its forty something though yeah there's that huge huge markups on these cars.

Everybody wants one it's like an instant collector's item they'll never go down in value.

I was actually the BMW performance driving senator in South Carolina.

And they have eight of them for their for their school and these are beat up students -- cars.

On their third or fourth clutch and apparently dealerships are calling and begging.

To take those cars off their hands and sell them.

Honestly for MS RP and they'll probably be able to do it -- I think it's kind of machine will -- some of those guys went to a school you have.

Hello I know it's really I think the -- story of the year is how few of those things they're making.

I mean it's a -- 11100 something like that I don't big 800 US and -- the US the world right yes it is I mean it.

If they should be.

You know I mean I guess I don't know I mean to demand it actually shows that they should be making more of them I don't know how many more but but.

Suing that they made to make it because that's a different body panels was only good for that many cars right and they needed money invest in the -- but I mean at this point it's clear think they can charge 101000 more for that car yet and build another probably 5000 of them inside out yet and that engine is actually -- what -- you what -- you wanna bet that the next generation one series has an M that is not as limited production.

And they crank up the price of the M three to make sure it doesn't.

Take away too many sales I think they learned their lesson when you look at the price of the new M five which is open and 90000 dollar range right now there's no room to move the M three up.

Move this one MO what -- -- want to end -- called it be interesting to see now one of the cars and of course went up the supposedly goes up against the and three and I would guess.

It gives this is well because you know it's pretty much on par performance wise was the mustang boss three in terms of -- -- -- you guys mentioned.

This allowed -- Gonna get to him.

This is my second no the most second most fun I've had this year was with the the boss -- -- in the bus route to Laguna -- The track where -- I mean you know and you you know people complain about mustang with a lot axle and all that -- they they just.

They did so many things right with his cards and it's amazing.

The you know that the high revving.

-- the engine red -- I forgot what -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- the Red Line but since like 77400.

Again it's it's big it's big it's big it's it's such and it's I mean.

Talk about fun just straight up fun car to drive it's it's that it's easy like when you had years did they wire your baffles open.

They did.

It.

-- -- our minds it was the best thing ever you undo like three bolts and you're driving like a NASCAR it's amazing yet yet so that it met for only write the book.

On muscle cars with this car.

Well they have transitioned it successfully into sports cars I mean.

I would rather own a boss than an M 3 I am sorry BMW but I would.

The question is I think I might rather -- -- one end and a boss who.

I'm not sure that that's a tough battle between those two similar prices stuff.

If there's ever got a nicer interior -- -- -- -- mustang fan there would be a tough call but something about that -- and he got -- you know.

He got to live with the stripes and all that became a sandwich that was a delete you know you don't -- threw two innings and signage.

Car and now they they just came out with a package.

That makes it look like -- -- Field trans am car from you know late sixties racing car.

Bomb and it just it.

I mean you know people complain about that the different -- top they got rid of that and a couple of things -- so it's you know it looks a little bit more subdued but it's still.

Still great in little more -- mustang just a second looking forward to twenty to a but I do want to throw one more car out there just because it's the one car.

That surprised me the most I don't know for you gestured drove it.

Did you get behind the wheel Nissan -- this year yes yes it's the most and I it is looking car the world.

But it's fun to drive car -- -- -- no no I don't think Iran of course you pick the juke a picture -- -- PT are well let's get to ask not what it looks like guy coming up.

Hello I'm but I like the fact that -- -- so behind this guy that they took the performance stuff from the GTR and shoved it into would you just because that would be doing really the most awesome car ever.

But -- this is.

Real this is just to get it embodies everything that's great about car ownership it's got that look which -- you buy into it.

It just it feels good to be in the car and its got fun to drive dynamics.

You got all wheel drive if you -- it even with the CBT.

It's not that bad that's the best CBT I've driven yet.

Yeah I hate CBT's I mean I hate them I'm on record you know -- thank you Mike yes I mean they're the worst driving experience ever.

But you know the duke it's probably has to do with the software some that they've done.

They've -- it so that it doesn't it's not so distracting only bad it actually is pretty good it also army friend for -- small SUV.

Yup first lot of love the shape -- and resistant.

Tiniest.

Bit -- -- -- -- -- you know it's fun it's actually fun to drive and you don't feel like you're gonna flip or go up on two wheels when you take a corner it's got.

That networking factoring that said the 2012 GTR was a pretty good content area guys hear that countrymen yet I have driven -- country.

I have not -- to countrymen as all wheel drive I think is kind of it's more expensive than the -- but I got that exact same vibe off that thing I didn't want to like it and then I drove it.

It felt like just like my -- -- people good fit in the back.

And with all wheel drive you like hump get on dirt roads -- that thing was need to I was a big fan of that now that's keeping many businesses here this and so many around here in the northeast and it is a fun to drive car only has his -- and I don't think interior.

-- that is worthy of the price is much is a regular -- I don't know it just seems a live probably not -- the whales and the center console rail system is weird.

Yeah I've been looking forward to next year now got a couple awesome performance -- coming up next year and -- -- the -- again one more time course next year now we've got the mustang Shelby GT 500.

Going up against the Camaro ZL one.

Mustang routed the party for the 580 horsepower is the only one showing up at the LA auto show with the 650.

Horsepower.

Mustang GT -- Shelby GT 500 with a top speed well over 200 miles an hour or a couple of 1200 miles an hour.

Odd thing is you know Matt -- got the mustang 650 horsepower to -- top speed you've got the Camaro.

580 horsepower but that suspension that the Cadillac CT SB the Corvette ZR one hand on.

I don't know what do you think who wins this battle -- -- -- obviously taken the mustangs but -- sales lately just based on the way it looks but as far as performance is concerned.

You put these two of the track.

Are they really the same car these two different classes of cars that an -- The year.

I think the battle is going to be very -- thing I'm not particularly a fan of Camaro is because I don't fit in them well and they make my back -- But you know that's a lot of power and we all know how -- the suspension is.

You know on the other hand a must thing they can go 200 miles an hour is.

Completely insane.

I did 165.

Or so in its when he eleven GT 500 on bull run and it felt like the body panels we're gonna fly off the thing I mean.

You know they've done some aerodynamic tweaks that supposedly keep it on the road at those speeds especially around the nose -- -- -- And you know generally on a racetrack mustangs out handle.

She equivalent -- -- so I think it's gonna be a battle but I have a feeling at the end of the day the mustang will -- the Camaro.

Around the track and in sales.

-- I just match probably right about.

Sales and and the track well I don't know I mean I I really I really -- out on the -- on the Camaro.

Bomb we went to Detroit to get an early look at underneath and and you know we were I was -- -- engineers about that.

This -- the suspension that it Cadillac is the may need a real logical stuff.

The you pronounce that well yeah like -- -- I had yeah.

I think it does practice that on the but it's some.

It's so much faster than the one in the Cadillac so it responds whole lot quicker and you know -- we've seen the -- -- -- It lap time that it's that it's done it's pretty pretty fast.

Com.

I've never been a real big fan of the come marrow anyway -- that'll be I don't like how would be the the visibility is not so hot you know I'm not.

I think in -- -- a little -- bit over stylized and stuff.

But you know I think that that that's -- -- be that one little piece of gear that it has is gonna set it apart.

And and you're gonna see that it it's gonna feel like a car that's 20000 dollars more than a must -- other -- -- not.

Other big -- of next year.

-- Jersey vs Scion FRS.

Aside from the front and they are doing on match up this same car that's what -- -- that.

Block that please explain to me who would -- the other one of these cars and why.

What what's the selling -- for the Subaru dealer against the -- idea.

I don't know a side note I actually saw an FRS on the street in LA today the first one I've seen in the -- And it's and it's a great looking car they're both -- cars.

I I don't know why you'd buy one over the other I happen to think the interior looks a little better in the -- version there's slightly different.

And that sit back and look at that he might -- -- talking about -- people in the northeast to -- Subaru is a by the -- people in California by silence.

-- -- -- -- -- on the never the Twain shall meet.

I think it might have some to do it better than that might have some to do it with them there's sort of a brand.

-- division in in brand culture that it makes it even goes to the same car you probably won't see a lot of overlap well.

I don't know I mean they are exactly the same car maybe maybe taking you know they'll get people in -- aren't caring too much about the brands.

Not since the Hyundai excel Mitsubishi increases and who -- MSU Carson junior recovers looks well like wow.

Exactly sorry you guys that I -- look forward to drive in Baltimore real quick Matt what's the one -- next year you wanna drive more than anything else.

-- I'm getting to drive the MP 412 C in February I'm very excited for that.

And I think possibly a chance in the -- zen vision era.

Bomb yet definitely McLaren I mean it's that's the one that's the one mean we've heard a lot about.

It's not as as as emotionally.

It's set up as as a Ferrari.

I just want to drive I'll.

I'm excited about that also of course the focus STC.

-- Ford can make a sports car.

Other than the -- saying that any fun because the Taurus show just they do it it.

That's the one yeah I mean we -- waiting for this one for years.

Line all right Mike's going to lobby of -- -- that -- the smoking tire.

Having -- both you guys have to see you next year also wanted to let you guys are also both part of the new YouTube drive channel yes which launches January 2 -- with settled.

Well it's it's new -- I YouTube based automotive channel that we're hopefully gonna cover the whole spectrum of the automotive enthusiasm not community -- -- -- More might more -- that's it for -- -- this year let's see you next time.

Over a fox car report dot com for the latest news and car reviews.

Thanks for watching.

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The Real Cars of the Year

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