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Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, starts off the show with her not-so-favorable review of the Mazda CX-9. This car just didn’t do it for her, what can you do? Cars are meant to fit people like shoes, and this one just didn’t fit BJ. Up next, we discuss the top 10 luxury performance cars for under $40,000 on Autotrader with Executive Editor, Brian Moody, as well as the best electric vehicles for 2020, and some oldies-but-goodies like the Buick Reatta, and Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera. Changing gears, we catch up on motorsports news with Automotive Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, as he shelters himself from a hail of nail gun fire as roofers install a new lid on his abode. Closing out the show, AutoNXT Editor and MSN.com Contributor, Perry Stern, talks about his new article, “The 1,000-Horsepower Club” and all of the insanely overpowered cars on it, from the Hennessey Venom F5 to the Czinger 21c. Tune in to catch this high performance episode.

·[00:00:00] Mazda CX-9 Just Doesn’t Do It for BJ

·[00:06:07] Cars Fit People Like Shoes

·[00:12:31] FCA vs Ford: Truck and SUV War Heats Up

·[00:19:51] Buick Reatta, Cutlass Ciera, RAV4 PHEV

·[00:28:53] 10 Luxury Performance Cars Under $40k

·[00:35:53] Autotrader’s Best 2020 Electric Vehicles

·[00:42:13] Cup Cars on Daytona Road Course?!

·[00:48:49] Roofers and Racers/ Go Bowling 235

·[00:54:45] Racing Is Just For TV? COVID Changes All

·[01:02:05] The 1,000 Horsepower Club

·[01:11:03] Cars With Over 1,000 Horsepower

·[01:18:06] Porsche 718 Cayman GT4/ American Muscle

[00:00:00] Mazda CX-9 Just Doesn’t Do It for BJ

We always say there aren’t really any bad cars out there anymore, but every once in a while you get behind the wheel of a car that just wasn’t made for you. That’s how Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, felt when she drove the Mazda CX-9 recently. It looks great, and is probably a good fit for most people, but the infotainment system is overly complicated, and the cabin space was limited for BJ’s tastes.

[00:06:07] Cars Fit People Like Shoes

The Mazda CX-9 that Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, drove came in at about $47,000. For that much money, BJ feels there are plenty of other options on the market if the vehicle doesn’t fit. The good news is that BJ loves the Mazda6, Mazda3, and will probably love the Mazda CX-5, but sometimes cars just don’t fit. Cars are like a pair of shoes, you can’t wear shoes made for someone else comfortably, even though they might be amazing shoes.

[00:12:31] FCA vs Ford: Truck and SUV War Heats Up

RAM is set to unveil the details of their new RAM Rebel TRX, which is set to compete with the Ford F-150 Raptor. On top of that, in response to the new Ford Bronco, Jeep is beefing up their Jeep Wrangler lineup with additional engine options. Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, and Alan discuss the newest edition of the pony wars, and how GM and Chevrolet bowed out early with their re-release of the Chevrolet Blazer.

[00:19:51] Buick Reatta, Cutlass Ciera, RAV4 PHEV

Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, has some advice for those of us on the hunt for some oldies but goodies, like the Buick Reatta and Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera. These are pretty awesome, generally overlooked vehicles with V8 and V6 engines that you can generally grab for a decent price on Autotrader. We also discuss the Toyota RAV4 PHEV and the utility of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle system. Are you thinking about getting your hands on any of these vehicles?

[00:28:53] 10 Luxury Performance Cars Under $40k

Getting a high performance vehicle with a nice interior might not cost you as much as you think. Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, gives us a list of ten performance vehicles with a cushy interior that can be found for under $40,000 on Autotrader.com. Check out cars like the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2007 Porsche 911 Targa, 2017 Jaguar F-Type on Autotrader to see if you can find your dream car today.

[00:35:53] Autotrader’s Best 2020 Electric Vehicles

If you’re on the lookout for a good 2020 model year electric vehicle, Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, has got you covered. Autotrader recently put out their list of the best EVs of 2020, and some of the entries might surprise you. To no one’s surprise, though, the top spots go to the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt, and 2020 Tesla Model 3; these vehicles embody everything good about electric vehicles right now. If you want something more unheard of check out the Hyundai Ioniq, or the Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona EV for just some good all around electric fun.

[00:42:13] Cup Cars on Daytona Road Course?!

We have an exciting weekend of races coming up in the world of motorsports. Who better to give us the details than Automotive Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith? The Indianapolis 500 has suffered many scheduling issues due to COVID-19 and will be one of the most overlooked in its history, but the real show stealer is the NASCAR race in Daytona. This race will feature NASCAR cup cars on the same course as the 24 hours of Daytona sports cars!

[00:48:49] Roofers and Racers/ Go Bowling 235

Automotive Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, is working under the nail guns of the roofers working on his house at this very moment! This reminds him of the story of Randy Lanier, rookie of the year for the 1984 Indy500, who got busted for selling marijuana. We also discuss the Go Bowling 235, its strange off-brand name, and what we have to look forward to from that race.

[00:54:45] Racing Is Just For TV? COVID Changes All

As we learn about all of the changes that have been implemented to attending a sporting event like the Indianapolis 500 Alan has just one question: Are we done with the fun? Is it all just for TV now? Automotive Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, says it sure seems that way. We discuss the current state of the motorsports world, and how COVID-19 has changed our world permanently, and may have accelerated changes that were already on the horizon.

[01:02:05] The 1,000 Horsepower Club

A long time ago, AutoNXT Editor and MSN.com Contributor, Perry Stern, did a piece called the 500 horsepower club, detailing all of the vehicles that had hit that 500HP mark, and it wasn’t a long list. Now, Perry just released a new piece called the 1,000 horsepower club, and the number of cars that are making over 1,000 horsepower, blinding 0-60 times, and insane top speeds is off the charts! The Hennessey Venom F5 comes in at 1,817HP, the Bugatti Veyron makes 1,200HP, and the Lotus Avia puts 1,973HP to the road. Perhaps the most insane vehicle is the Rimac C2 which makes 1,914HP and goes from zero to 60 in 1.85 seconds! Would you get behind the wheel of one of these beasts?

[01:11:03] Cars With Over 1,000 Horsepower

When you’ve got a car with over 1,000 horsepower, where do you take it!? In Europe there are plenty of roads without speed limits for you to open up on, but in the United States its very illegal to put 1,000 HP cars to the test. AutoNXT Editor and MSN.com Contributor, Perry Stern, fills us in on all the cars in his article “The 1000-Horsepower Club”, and the outrageous speeds they present, like the Czinger 21c, the Aston Martin Valkyrie, and more!

[01:18:06] Porsche 718 Cayman GT4/ American Muscle

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 fits like a fine fitted suit, according to AutoNXT Editor and MSN.com Contributor, Perry Stern, and it even comes with a manual transmission option! With its big rear spoiler, high performance, and great handling, you’ll never be disappointed, or bored, with a Porsche 718 Cayman. We also discuss the Ram 1500 TRX, and Dodge’s domination of the modern American muscle scene.

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist, Voice of Reason

·Contributor: Brian Moody | Executive Editor, Autorader

·Contributor: Steven Cole Smith | Automotive Journalist, Autoweek/ Automobile Magazine/ Grassroots Motorsports

·Contributor: Perry Stern | Editor, AutoNXT | Contributor, MSN.com

Vehicles Discussed:

Toyota GR Supra, RAM Rebel TRX, Ford F-150 Raptor, Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Chevrolet Blazer, Mazda CX-9, Mazda6, Mazda3, Mazda CX-5, Buick Reatta, Oldsmobile Cutlass Cierra, Toyota RAV4 PHEV, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Porsche 911 Targa, Jaguar F-Type,  Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq, Kia Niro EV, Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Kona EV, Chevrolet Bolt, BMW M8 Competition, Lotus Avia, Hennessey Venom F5, Rimac C2, Bugatti Veyron, Aston Martin Valkyrie, Czinger 21c, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4

Credits

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry 
Contributor: BJ Killeen
Contributor: Brian Moody
Contributor: Steven Cole Smith
Contributor: Perry Stern

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

·Austin Hatcher Foundation

·Brembo

·Dodge

·Foundation of Human Understanding

·Shell

·Subaru

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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.