Cars

And I’m James™

While I’m still a big fan of Everyday Driver and enjoy their YouTube video car reviews along with occasionally listening to their podcast, my latest car review obsession is Throttle House. I hate to give credit to a computer algorithm, but I have to thank the the YouTube version for the discovery of this channel.

It all started with one guy, a Canadian named Thomas Holland, who bought an E46 BMW in 2016 and started posting videos about it. This progressed from “How To” videos to comparing the BMW to friends cars, to reviewing new cars for a Canadian car magazine to reviewing cars as a YouTube business. As the videos move forward they become better and better, but still just a guy talking about cars. They really became something else when a recently emigrated English fellow named James Engelsman joined him in 2018.

Now, the two of them (along with 3 other full time employees) produce a professional grade video of 15 to 20 minutes in length each week. There is typically a brief 2 to 3 minute scripted humorous intro “skit” inspired by the car or locale. This is then followed by both of them driving the car along with discussion of the design of the interior and exterior. There are also track tests and comparisons of old and new versions of the same auto.

Plus they have an “Extra” channel that includes unscripted quick car reviews and other random stuff. All of their content is made with their unique humorous interplay of good friends really enjoying what they do (or they are better actors than car reviewers.)

Today’s post title comes from their “patented” lead in to the driving portion of the videos and they sell a t-shirt in their store with this phrase on it. I considered buying one, but hesitate because people who see me in it will think that is what my name is, unless of course they are one of their nearly 2 million subscribers. I really like the hoodie, so much so, that I’ve actually considered dropping $55 on one. Maybe for my birthday.

If you would like to see an overview of how it started and then over time transformed to its current iteration, I’ve got a playlist of 6 YouTube videos for you or just go straight to the Throttle House channel and enjoy.

7.5 mile round trip to to take a walk in the park this past Monday.
Times Miata Driven since 01/01/22: 12

 

Sport, Off-Road, Touring

Erin go Bragh Edition of SORT
As of Monday, March 14, 2022 at 6:00 PM pacific time:

Sport Off-Road Touring
2013 BMW
M3 Coupe		 2004 Jeep
Wrangler Rubicon		 1955 Chevrolet
Apache Pickup
I got two out of three of the GOAT cars returning, but that is just by coincidence
because they happened to be some of the brightest green vehicles I could find.

Here is what last week’s cars sold for, or bid to, if the reserve was not met.
Sports: 2004 BMW M3 Sold for $83,000 on 3/14/22
Off-Road: 2008 Jeep Wrangler Bid to $23,500 on 3/13/22
Touring: 2016 Porsche Cayman Sold for $61,500 on 3/11/22

Sport, Off-Road, Touring

GOAT Edition of SORT
As of Monday, March 7, 2022 at 6:00 PM pacific time:

Sport Off-Road Touring
2004 BMW M3 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2016 Porsche Cayman
This week is pretty much my “Greatest Of All Time” SORT Bring A Trailer picks,
a BMW M3, a Jeep Wrangler and a Porsche Cayman.

Here is what last week’s cars sold for, or bid to, if the reserve was not met.
Sports: 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo Bid to $24,000 on 3/5/22
Off-Road: 1981 Nissan Patrol LG-61 Sold for $29,500 on 3/1/22
Touring: 1961 Volkswagen Type 2 Sold for $32,500 on 3/3/22

Sport, Off-Road, Touring

So Long February Edition of SORT
As of Monday, February 28, 2022 at 6:00 PM pacific time:

Sport Off-Road Touring
1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo 1981 Nissan Patrol LG-61 1961 Volkswagen Type 2
One half scale Ferrari
from Japan.		 Perfect for taking the squad with you. A bamboo headliner and
a camper too.

Here is what last week’s cars sold for, or bid to, if the reserve was not met.
Sports: Packard Bayliff LeBaron Convertible Sold for $64,949 on 2/23/22
Off-Road: 1974 Land Rover 88 Series III Sold for $36,000 on 2/25/22
Touring: 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 Sold for $253,000 on 2/22/22

Sport, Off-Road, Touring

President’s Day Edition of SORT
As of Monday, February 21, 2022 at 6:00 PM pacific time:

For President’s Day I decided to pick vehicles that said presidential…your mileage may vary.

Sport Off-Road Touring
Packard Bayliff LeBaron Convertible 1974 Land Rover 88
Series III		 2021 Mercedes-Maybach GLS600
For some reason this reminded me of our 45th president. If this is good enough for Queen Elizabeth, it’s good enough for a president. This looks enough like a Buick so it is a fit for an American President.

Here is what last week’s cars sold for, or bid to, if the reserve was not met.
Sports: 2021 Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 Sold for $108,000 on 2/15/22
Off-Road: 2018 Jeep Wrangler Golden Eagle Sold for $39,500 on 2/16/22
Touring: 2016 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon Bid to $35,388 on 2/16/22

Sport, Off-Road, Touring

Valentine’s Day Edition of SORT
As of Monday, February 14, 2022 at 6:00 PM pacific time:

Because it is Valentine’s Day I was going to pick out all red cars, but just last week I picked cars of the same color, so instead I’m going to pick cars I’d actually love to own. And the fact that I have picked three cars that are in the gray/silver category was purely accidantal.

Sport Off-Road Touring
2021 Porsche
Cayman GTS 4.0		 2018 Jeep Wrangler Golden Eagle 2016 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon
The only thing I’d change on this car would be to paint the caliper cover black. First things removed will be the three golden eagle decals on the hood. Those yellow accents on the bottom trim will have to go along with that silly front tow strap.

Here is the MSRP for last week’s new cars. I’m sure that is exactly what I would have to had to pay for them too, what with crazy car market.
Sports: 2022 Porsche Cayman S – $87,690
Off-Road: 22022 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon – $48,445
Touring: 2022 Audi SQ5 Sportback – $62,090

Sport, Off-Road, Touring

Tiring of looking at more of the same overpriced previously owned vehicles on Bring A Trailer, this week I’m going to just go ahead and buy brand new versions of the three types of cars. And I bet even with paying total MSRP for them I will still come out cheaper than one low mileage 80’s Porsche 911 Turbo.

New Blues Edition of SORT
As of Monday, February 7, 2022 at 6:00 PM pacific time:

Sport Off-Road Touring
2022 Porsche
Cayman S		 2022 Jeep
Wrangler Rubicon		 2022 Audi
SQ5 Sportback
Addons from the base model were the Shark Blue paint, 20″ Carrera S Wheels, Premium Package, Power Sport Seats and the 7-speed Porsche PDK giving an MSRP of $87,690 Addons from the base model were the Hydro Blue Pearl paint, Black 3-Piece Hard Top, Cold Weather & LED Lighting Groups, 8-speed Auto w/ 2.0 Liter Turbo giving an MSRP of $48,445 Addons from the base model were the Ultra Blue Metallic paint and the Convenience Package giving an MSRP of $62,090

Here is what last week’s cars sold for, or bid to, if the reserve was not met.
Sports: 2001 BMW M3 Coupe Sold for $50,000 on 2/4/22
Off-Road: 1988 Mercedes-Benz 240GD Sold for $44,000 on 2/5/22
Touring: 1955 Ford Courier Sedan Delivery Bid to $18,000 on 2/2/22