Favorite Track Cars, Ride n’ Drive Reviews, and The Sunday Drive

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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #288

From car reviews to the track, we are always up on the latest in the automotive industry. In the top of the hour, Karl Brauer reviews the 2018 Honda Odyssey and Benjamin Hunting tells us crazy stories from working with Roadkill Magazine. We chat with BJ Killeen about the 2017 Honda Civic SI. Scotty Reiss of SheBuysCars is on to talk about her test drive of the BMW X4 M4OI with impressive sport mode. We end the hour with The Sunday Drive’s host, Mark Perleberg who tells us that the driving experience is really what being a ‘car lover’ is all about. Join us now.

[00:00:00] 2018 Honda Odyssey Drive-ability
[00:06:02] Inside the 2018 Honda Odyssey
[00:12:30] The ’78 Datsun 280Z Car
[00:19:51] Understanding Vehicle Tech Integration
[00:29:21] Benjamin Hunting and the Rusty Rasta
[00:35:52] Unaddressed Autonomous Downfalls
[00:42:13] The 2017 Honda Civic SI
[00:48:25] A Turbocharger’s Reputation
[00:54:44] Team Horsepower or Autonomous?
[01:02:04] BMW X4 M4Oi Fits Like A Glove
[01:12:15] The Sunday Drive Experience
[01:18:05] Steve McQueen Car Show

Discover more about segments and guests below…

[00:00:00] 2018 Honda Odyssey Drive-ability

Spring is here and it’s time to get the family ready for some epic adventures! Kelley Blue Book’s Karl Brauer tells us about a recent family trip where he took to the 2018 Honda Odyssey for a test drive in Hawaii. Honda has always made cars that people fall in love with, and they’ve remained true to that with their revamp of this family car. Karl tells us that they took the classic Odyssey and made many improvements; there is more power and an advanced transmission that gives this ride 280-HP. Quite good for a minivan! It also racks up points for excellent handling and driving comfort on its 18-inch rims. Explore the Odyssey now.

[00:06:02] Inside the 2018 Honda Odyssey

Honda is often commended for drive-ability, but how do their interiors stack up? If you are taking your family on long road trips, you want to rest assured that all of your passengers will be comfortable. Kelley Blue Book’s Karl Brauer tells us that the 2018 Honda Odyssey is the perfect family ride. He raves about the easy mobility of the seats, making moving children or pets in and out a breeze. The infotainment system is equipped with onboard 4G Wi-Fi, so your kids can use their mobile devices on the go. The Odyssey also lets the driver see and communicate easily with the rest of the vehicle via Cabin Talk and Cabin Watch features. You can slide into the seat of a base model vehicle for about $30,000, and it won’t disappoint you. Discover more now.

[00:12:30] The ’78 Datsun 280Z Car

After a long and winding journey, Freelance automotive journalist Benjamin Hunting has finally secured his dream track car. His first track car was a Mazda Miata, and after he lost it in a basement flood, he began researching the Cadillac CTS-V. Sadly, while the Cadillac was fun to drive, it was far too heavy for the track. So, the search began again! This time Benjamin’s heart was set on a Datsun 280Z, a track car with endless aftermarket options and a low weight of 2,220 lbs. (after the removal of 300 lbs. of diving board bumpers). Benjamin craved the rough, classic car sound that comes from a lack of insulation. Find out more about this classic track car now.

[00:19:51] SlashGear, Roadkill, and New Car Tech

Computers and new cars are not all that different these days, and some people out there are equally passionate about both. Freelance journalist Benjamin Hunting talks about one of the companies he works for called SlashGear. For over a decade SlashGear has been entirely focused on reviewing the latest electronics. Noticing that cars and technology were marrying, SlashGear launched a special website section dedicated to the automotive sector to help users better understand new car tech. Benjamin also tells us about another company he writes for, Roadkill, which features interesting and outlandish car stories and builds perfect for the everyday car lover. Learn more about both outlets now.

[00:29:21] Benjamin Hunting and The Rusty Rasta

Working for Roadkill has kept freelance writer Benjamin Hunting on his toes, and he wouldn’t want it any other way! Recently, he made his way up to Canada to interview a gentleman who was selling 400 cars. The only catch – you have to buy all 400 vehicles along with the land they sit on for the reasonable sum of $1.4 million. The proud proprietor of the mostly muscle car wonderland, the ‘Rusty Rasta’, has all of the car specs memorized. Discover more about this story and the epic cars on this property.

[00:35:52] Unaddressed Autonomous Downfalls

Autonomous cars are already driving on our roadways, however, there is a huge disconnect between the reality and marketing of these vehicles. Benjamin Hunting says that although autonomous cars are making huge leaps and bounds in areas of safety and comfort, they struggle with poor weather conditions. Autonomous cars use sensors located throughout the car to perform their self-driving functions, but when these sensors are frozen or covered in snow, they go haywire. Assuming that buyers won’t be so happy when their car can’t help them get to work on stormy winter days, this is a pretty big issue. Find out more now.

[00:42:13] The 2017 Honda Civic SI

Are you looking for an affordable sports car that’s exciting to drive, but also a great daily commuter? Look no further, the Honda Civic SI is here and she’s a beauty. The Sunday Drive’s BJ Killeen gives us an inside look on her test drive of this zippy little car. The base model starts at $23,000 and is available in a coupe or sedan model, making it incredibly attainable. The Civic SI’s lower intakes, 18-inch wheels, and sporty wing, give you a sports car feel with the fuel efficiency of a daily driver at 28-MPG city/38-MPG highway. This is also the first time in history that Honda has equipped a car with a turbocharged engine, giving this 1.5L an extra boost of power without the added weight. Hear more now.

[00:48:25] A Turbocharger’s Reputation

In the past, Alan always told himself that he would never own a V6 engine – The power and sound just didn’t do it for him. Times have changed and turbochargers are making a comeback. When turbochargers were first introduced they had a terrible reputation, you had to wait for them to cool down before you could turn off the car. Even then, something was always going wrong. Technology has solved this problem bringing the mighty turbocharger back into the limelight. They are now extremely light weight with outstanding horsepower and the fuel economy. Discover why Alan and BJ Killeen have fallen back in love with the turbocharger.

[00:54:44] Team Horsepower or Autonomous?

The Sunday Drive’s BJ Killeen asks, when it comes to horsepower versus autonomous technology, which side is Alan on? While Alan appreciates the advances in tech and safety features, he is a ‘gear-head’ through and through. The sound of a V8 engine is music to Alan and BJ’s ears, though they believe someday that their garages will house both options. The next generation may never understand why the growling sound of an engine revs a muscle enthusiast’s heart. Which team are you on?

[01:02:04] BMW X4 M4Oi Fits Like A Glove

Luxury cars are in a category all to themselves, and there is good reason for it. While you’re spending more money out of the gate, you are hopefully gaining a long term relationship that is worth more than its weight in gold. The BMW X4 M4Oi is a coupe that looks like a sedan and drives like a crossover. It’s midsize and seems to fit well in the lanes without feeling too bulky. This car is also easy to park, and automotive journalist for SheBuysCars, Scotty Reiss, tells us that she felt very much in command while test driving this vehicle. Her review of the BMW X4 M4Oi includes many positive points – The only downside is the amount of gas that it likes to guzzle, especially in sports mode. If you can look past that one little hitch, then you can hop into this comfortable, luxurious ride for about $66,000. Explore luxury now.

[01:12:15] The Sunday Drive Experience

The experience of the drive is what’s important when it comes to cruising with true car lovers, says The Sunday Drive host, Mark Perleberg. When Mark thinks of ‘going on a drive’, he doesn’t imagine running around doing errands, but dreams about putting the top down and cruising on some back country roads. At the beginning of each year Mark gets out a road map and plots out the car events he wants to attend. His goal is to attend events that aren’t extremely overdone and document the driving experience from many different angles. Join in on the fun now.

[01:18:05] Steve McQueen Car Show

Mark Perleberg, Host of The Sunday Drive, tells us about the Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show. This event features classic cars and helps raise proceeds for the Boys Republic, a youth detention center in California that takes in at-risk boys and girls like popular inmate, Steve McQueen. The benefit has raised more than $1 million for the center over the past nine years. Mark will be driving a fully-dressed Audi S8 to the event with an MSRP of $130,000, and he couldn’t be more thrilled! Discover more now.

Explore More with Helpful Links:

Contributor: Karl Brauer | Executive Publisher, Autotrader & Kelley Blue Book
Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist, The Sunday Drive
Guest: Benjamin Hunting | Freelance Journalist, Roadkill Magazine
Guest: Scotty Reiss | Founder, SheBuysCars
Guest: Mark Perleberg | President & CEO, The Sunday Drive
Vehicle: 2018 Honda Odyssey
Vehicle: 2017 Honda Civic Si
Vehicle: 2017 BMW X4 M4Oi
Review: 2018 Honda Odyssey
Review: ’78 Datsun 280Z
Review: SheBuysCars 2017 BMW X4 M40i Review
Event: 10th Annual Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show

Episode Credits:

Program Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Production Assistant: Joanne Bolden
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Jess Baumgardner
Graphic Design: Becky Vaughn

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

Karl Brauer | Executive Publisher, Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader

Benjamin Hunting | Freelance Journalist, Roadkill Magazine

BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist, The Sunday Drive

Mark Perleberg | President & CEO, The Sunday Drive

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This episode was produced by Entertainment Right Now (ERN). If you found value in this episode, and you’d like to hear more, please consider leaving us a review on iTunes and be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss a beat. Your feedback helps us to reach more enthusiasts around the world! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, please leave a comment below or e-mail us at info@ernlive.com.

About THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor puts you in the driver’s seat for a unique, fast paced look at today’s automotive industry. This is your pedal-to-the-metal, two-hour thrill ride devoted to the latest car news and test-drive results, how-to tips, car maintenance tips, auto show coverage, expert insights and behind-the-scenes race day action. Don’t miss exclusive interviews with top auto executives, athletes, celebrities and prominent newsmakers from around the world.