I’m a member of the Porsche Club of America, so when Texas approved a specialty plate for our club, I was one of the first to order one. Of course, I tried to think up something related to my Porsche ownership. After trying multiple variations with no luck (all of my ideas were already taken), I typed in “P CAR” on a whim and, surprisingly, it was available. I bought it on the spot. ... View more

The MR2 Spyder is called “a poor man’s Porsche” - I know because I owned a 2002 example for thirteen years. And I was able to order it with SMT (Sequential Manual Transmission) which was a single-clutch version of a Porsche PDK. With the way it handled, it was like driving a go cart. I’m six feet tall and had no trouble fitting in the car. I then replaced the Spyder with a ‘15 Porsche Cayman. That was “a rich man’s MR2 Spyder”. 😂 I’ve loved driving both cars. 😁 ... View more

My story isn’t as good as yours, but I once had a specialty plate that combined my wife’s last name with mine. Her’s started with the letters Mc (for McDermott) and my last name is Emr, so the plate said “McEmr”. Probably not exciting to anyone else except us, but it had a hidden meaning that meant a lot. ... View more

IMO, buying a vehicle just so you can flip it (and screw someone else in the process) is not good karma. You’re no better than the dealers that everyone is complaining about. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. There’s a special place in hell for folks like that. ... View more

Said the white guy… Those car enthusiasts probably wouldn’t have wanted to give Douglas a try, so he did the “smart” thing to get his foot in the door. You shouldn’t judge if you weren’t in his shoes. Talk is cheap. ... View more

It’s actually DCT - Dual Clutch Transmission ... View more

I disagree, Topside. I used to do all that, but moved on to dual clutch automated manuals a while ago. Never looked back. ... View more

Not any more. Any clutch wear has long been eliminated. ... View more

I used to drive a stick in my younger days, but after trying a Toyota MR2 Spyder with the SMT transmission in 2002 I was hooked. I now drive a Porsche Cayman with the PDK and would never go back. Around town I let the computer do the shifting, but on spirited Texas hill country drives I always use the paddles. The best of both worlds. ... View more

I also used that approach with my 1971 Camaro SS, when I installed a manual shift valve body in the Turbo 350 automatic transmission. I also added a higher-stall torque converter which gave it better performance “off the line”. Bought that car new and am still enjoying it. ... View more

As others have said, this concept is virtually identical to the old VW AutoStick from the ‘70s. It worked ok, but was no speed demon. I also owned a 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder that also had a real single disc clutch that was shifted by an electro-hydraulic system called SMT (aka Sequential Manual Transmission). It originally used the standard 5-Speed transmission, but switched to the 6-Speed when Toyota made that change to the regular manual transmission. It wasn’t the fastest, but it eliminated the third pedal for easier shifting in traffic. It automatically downshifted to first gear when you were stopped, but the driver had to control the up and down shifting at all other times. I loved that car. ... View more

Please let me be clear: CUVs are NOT cars. I’m willing to stretch the meaning of sedans to include 5-door hatchbacks, but not a high-riding CUV/SUV. I want a true, 3-box sedan, like our 2017 Honda Accord, or a Toyota Camry-type vehicle. Why the manufacturers have ceded the sedan market to European, Japanese and Korean manufacturers is beyond me. At least they give you choices - I don’t understand why the American manufacturers don’t. It sucks. ... View more

Wash your mouth out, Ranger240, when using that 4-letter acronym. Although, a lot of those folks can be seen driving these awful lifted station wagons. I didn’t like the AMC Eagles, back then, either. ... View more

Apparently, the only person you care about is yourself. Please bend over so we can fix that. ... View more

Great response. Friendly, with no animosity. 😂 ... View more

I agree that some of the posters on these forums just like to tear people down. And, they make unsupported statements that belittle other folks. I guess their “mothers” never taught them that “if you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all”. ... View more

The problem with GM can be boiled down to one word Internal Politics. Ok, that’s two words. But, sometimes it’s too much committee-think and not enough “brilliance”. ... View more

I agree with you, Greg. There were no 1970 first generation Firebirds. Due to the delay in releasing the second generation, there were only 1969 models that were delivered through late ‘69 or early’70. When the second generation became available in April, it was given the moniker “1970-1/2” to save face for being late. ... View more

There’s patina and then there’s rust and dents. Please get that fantastic engine running and then give it the beautiful home it deserves. ... View more

So, you’re saying that the Fiat 500 had good design in Europe, but bad design in the U.S.? I don’t think good design is based on location. Good design is timeless; it looks as good (or as bad) today as it did 10 or 50 years ago. Some people thought that the Aztec had good “design” so they bought one. Just saying. ... View more

In case you haven’t noticed, this is an automotive website, not a political rally. Please keep your comments on topic. BTW, the cars and the variety of exhibits are wonderful. ... View more

It may relate to where YOU live. I see a lot of Guards Red, as well as various shades of silver. That probably explains why my Cayman is painted white. IMHO, nothing beats the look of a spotless, shiny white Porsche. But, I would be happy to own other models in almost any color (except maybe brown). ... View more

Keep in mind that a lot can happen in the next 25 years. Never say never. ... View more

I think the purpose of the mileage tax is to get drivers/owners of EVs to pay the same tax amount that drivers of ICE vehicles pay. Nowhere does it say that ICE car owners would pay the mileage tax in addition to the gas tax - it would be one or the other. ... View more

The title of the article is” 4 cars that were the last of their kind, and whose prices command a premium”. Most of the comments are asking “why wasn’t such and such a car included in the article”. All of those cars may be nice (and maybe owned by the commenter), but that wasn’t the purpose of the article. Were those other cars the last of a model run? NO. Do those other cars, that were the last of a model run, command a premium (like the ones in the article)? NO. So, please don’t get your panties in a wad that your favorite car didn’t make the list. Just save your comments for that future article where they will be appropriate. BTW, I don’t own any of the exact cars mentioned, but they all toot my horn. Loudly. ... View more

Jack, I think the other commenters are taking you too literally. This was a well written, sarcastic take on the Oldsmobile/SUV conundrum that faces buyers today. For a flight of fancy, the article was perfect. Don’t be afraid to give us more. ... View more

Sure looks like it’s the vaccine to prevent boredom. I like it. ... View more

Thanks for reminding folks to lighten up. Even thought it won’t contribute to “Whirled Peas”, the idea of discussing something as silly as comparing hood scoops on two totally different cars makes for interesting conversation. I owned a 1982 Firebird Trans Am and currently have a 2015 Cayman. Brute force vs. smooth finesse. I love them both. ... View more

Always liked that song by Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. Now there’s a cool name if there ever was one. ... View more

With every manufacturer moving to electric, the reborn DeLorean will probably not be ICE. Electric power solves a lot of packaging problems and moves the car into the 21st century. And, don’t count on both an electric and ICE version. Producing only 325 car each year doesn’t provide a lot of working capital. It will be hard enough to get a single version out the door. I know this because I’m a rocket scientist. ... View more

If you don’t understand the consistency of the Porsche design philosophy, you won’t be able to appreciate the “same, but different” approach to updating the 911 (or the similar look of the Boxster/Cayman twins). That’s ok, only true Porschephiles need apply. ... View more

Joining the PCA is a great idea. And Jack should talk to some club members so that he can learn the difference between a first generation Boxster (picture above) and a third generation 2014 Boxster. 😂   ... View more

So what if they’re the original seats; who cares? I wouldn’t pay 9 cents for them. Although, there’s a sucker born every minute. Some people have more money than brains. ... View more

I’m thinking that it was an inadvertent typo, not an intentional sexist slight. The article was well written and provided excellent historical information on Porsche (the company) in America. Thanks, Hagerty. ... View more

That’s a beautiful redo of the P1800. Someone should do that with an early Porsche 911. Wait a minute - Singer already does that. I like them both. ... View more

Wow, talk about being in the right place at the right time! ... View more

I bet Dave is a fan of unsliced bread, too. 😂 ... View more

Subtle mods can be used to make your car, your special car. I’ve had my one-owner 1971 Camaro SS350 since it was new. Most of the mods were completed in the ‘70s and were done to include features that I liked in earlier Camaros. For example, I added a replica cowl induction hood and 15” staggered-width Chevy rallye wheels (to replace the 14” ones), since I liked the way they looked. Also changed the cam and installed an Edelbrock manifold and Holley carb for better performance. And modified the transmission by adding a high-stall converter with manual shift valve body. All of the changes are reversible, so it can be returned to stock condition in the future. Although, after almost fifty years, it’s probably not going anywhere, at least not in my lifetime. My son says that after I’m gone, he’ll put my ashes in the ashtray and drive “me” around. 😂 ... View more

A nice looking, performance Mustang. And that’s high praise from a guy that still has his one-owner, 1971 Camaro Super Sport. If I were to buy a new pony car today, it would be a Mustang. Sweet ride. ... View more

5G by August/October, really? Everyone wearing masks and/or social distancing? Wishful thinking at best. But, it makes for a great sound bite. ... View more

I currently have two of my three faves. 1) 1971 Camaro SS350 I consider myself really fortunate that I was able to keep the Camaro that I bought new in 1971 for all these years. With only 36k miles, it’s never needed to be restored. I see it parked in my garage everyday and it never fails to bring a smile.   2) 2015 Porsche Cayman S I special ordered it in 2015 and it’s my first mid-engined sports car. I may be keeping this one a long time, too.   3) 1967 Corvette - 427 With Tri-Power I couldn’t afford one in 1967 and that situation hasn’t changed now. But, when I win the lottery...   ... View more

Isn’t that what happens when you squint while you’re trying to read the scale on your voltage meter? 😂 ... View more

I agree with you, Tim. I’ve owned many cars over the years (like a lot of folks). Most of them have been “drivers”, but two of my purchases have been really special. In 1971 I bought my first high performance car, a custom ordered ‘71 Camaro SS 350. I fell in lust with that car and still have it after almost fifty years. After the first year it became my weekend fun car and I’m glad I was able to do that. I didn’t keep it low mileage (36,000) so that I could sell it and make a profit; it’s still my fun car, which I usually drive weekly. It even brings a smile to my face every time I look at it parked in my garage. After many years, I bought a new 2015 Porsche Cayman, my dream car. I don’t think I’ll ever sell that one either. It also gives my much joy, aka psychic rewards. Even though both cars are not daily drivers, they weren’t bought with the expectation of making a profit. The enjoyment I get from them is an ongoing, non-financial reward - worth every penny I’ve “invested” over the years. And if/when my son sells them after I’m gone (at a fair price), I hope the next owners enjoy them as much as I have. ... View more

I have a 1971 Camaro SS 350 that I bought new. It is “mostly” stock and/or stock appearing. Any engine modifications (cam, intake, carburetor, etc.) can be easily replaced with the stock items. Same with the custom Cowl Induction hood that wasn’t available on 2nd gen cars. I made my car, MY CAR. If someone doesn’t like what I’ve done they can change it back after they buy it. I’ve enjoyed driving MY CAR the way it is for almost 50 years and no one can tell me otherwise.  ... View more

I agree 100%. It’s your car, so do it the way YOU want. I understand that not everyone will agree about what you did to your car, but that’s their problem.  ... View more

Me, too. I’ve got my one owner, 36,000 miles, unrestored 1971 Camaro SS350, that I purchased new that year. I pinch myself every time I go for a ride (to pick up takeout, of course). ... View more

Do you mean the article, or your life? ... View more