Can One Metric Define a Driving Experience? — Carmudgeon w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 217
The Carmudgeon ShowShow Notes
This week’s episode topic comes from a listener-submitted AMA request - one worthy of its own episode. They ask - what single metric about a car’s driving experience tells you the most before you drive it?
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At first, you may think there’s one straightforward answer. But you’d be wrong.
Discussion begins with Jason’s MK1 Volkswagen Cabriolet - a car he claims is the most fun he’s ever driven. Derek roughly agrees - but counters with the Peugeot 205 Rallye, and much more substantially - the McLaren F1. But how can a nearly 40 year old subcompact convertible be as rewarding to drive as a hypercar?
Mass seems like the obvious answer - but a 4000 lb car from today can often out-dance a 2000 lb car from 35 years ago. Take a Lotus Elise (perhaps, with a small cow in it) and a Rivian R1T - both will dance around a race track in a much more similarly than differently vs. any car and truck combination from even 10 years ago.
Having covered that base, Jason and Derek explore other possibilities - including peak horsepower per RPM and engine configuration. Derek recalls a time when Alfa Romeo stuffed their Twin Cam four cylinder in everything from GTVs to large Ambulances - simply because it was a such a good engine despite whatever weight it was tasked to pull around. Jason decides to ask AI what it thinks, answering (oddly) with the Toyota Matrix, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa.
On theme with the MK1 Cabriolet, the boys discuss structural rigidity - which leads to another exploration of convertibles ranging from 996 Porsche 911 Cabriolet, to BMW Z3M, Mercedes-Benz SLK, and of course- the Nissan Murano Cross-Cabriolet.
There’s an answer for everyone out there - and more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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