Doug DeMuro & Friends Discuss New Cars, Market Trends, and Dream Machines

Filippo's New Porsche 911

• 🤩 Filippo has purchased a car: a 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (997.2) in basalt black with 90,000 miles.
• 🚀 The car is a manual, widebody, and equipped with BBS LM wheels, with Carrera IIs to be fitted soon.
• 💡 Filippo expresses immediate love for the car, highlighting its delightful driving experience and practicality, despite initial hesitation about joining the "Porsche club."

Chinese EVs and the US Market

• 🇨🇳 Chinese automakers like BYD and Geely are planning to enter the US market within two to three years, potentially utilizing existing US factories.
• ⚠️ Tariffs and other regulations present challenges, but Chinese companies are expected to find ways around them.
• 📈 While European markets have seen strong inroads from Chinese EVs, the US faces political and consumer sentiment hurdles.

New Automotive Releases and Market Trends

• ⚡ The Sony Honda Afeela electric sedan, priced around $90,000, has begun production in Ohio and will initially launch in California.
• 🚀 The Ram TRX is back with a 777-horsepower supercharged Hemi V8, starting at $102,500.
• 🔥 The Dodge Charger will once again offer a V8 engine option, alongside its EV and V6 variants, after a market hiatus.
• 📈 New car sales were up 2% in the past year, with a notable increase in hybrid sales and a decrease in EV sales after incentives ended.
• 📉 Lower trim levels are seeing the most sales growth, indicating a shift towards more affordable options for consumers.

Dream Cars and Future Purchases

• 🤩 Doug is back on cars, expressing interest in a Lexus LX700H Overtrail and an E55 station wagon (W210).
• ✨ The De Tomaso P72 is highlighted as a beautiful, manual supercar with a Coyote V8, though its $2-2.5 million price tag and sold-out status make it a dream.
• 🐍 Kenan is considering selling his Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG and is contemplating a Gen 1 Viper for 2026.

Arizona's "Autobahn" Proposal and Market Insights

• 🛣️ Arizona is considering legislation to return some rural speed limits to "reasonable and prudent," potentially allowing for unrestricted driving during the day.
• 📊 A 2003 Lexus LX 470 with 583 miles sold for $67,000, despite a "not actual mileage" title and a repainted exterior, due to its exceptionally low mileage.
• 🏎️ Matt Farah's 2005 Honda NSX-T sold for $167,510, reflecting the well-defined market for these late-production, manual examples.

Community Questions and Car Talk

• 🏠 Doug explains his past house reviews were due to a desire for travel and variety, but he stopped as his travel appetite waned.
• ⚙️ The panel agrees that CVTs are underrated, offering efficiency and keeping engines in their power band, despite their reputation.
• 🚗 Discussions also covered the desirability of a manual Audi R8 V10 Plus, the challenges of owning a Lancia Delta Integrale, and the appeal of the De Tomaso P72.
• 🚚 Filippo plans to transport a 1973 Ford F-250 using a U-Haul, a decision met with skepticism from his co-hosts.
• 📍 The team will be at the Avant Pit Stop during Arizona Car Week in Mesa, Arizona, on January 23rd.