People like this trigger us because we are descended from founders of high trust societies. The golden rule of such societies is that all members tell the truth and don’t deceive to benefit themselves at the expense of others.
I’m not castigating every citizen of third world countries, but it would seem that there is a limit to the percentage of sociopaths a society can handle before GDP plummets.
Anyways, your boy Casey breaks some of these rules. Even if they are white lies. He is completely wasting numerous peoples time, at least.
Even more disgusting to me is that he’s a clout chaser or fame seeker. A charlatan. Normal well adjusted and well rounded people also have a distaste for this characteristic.
Sum it all up and I start to wonder how exactly daddy did make all of the money. Did Casey learn to be a liar from a young age?
Tangentially related - I really enjoyed your Avoidable Contact #135 on the Maverick. I’ve got an XL / AWD turbo / tow pkg on order. It should be able to do some truck things, take my kids places (can’t do in my NC Miata), and not be so expensive that I have to sell said NC. It’s frustrating that I haven’t been able to even sit in one / check that the car seats fit, much less test drive. But that’s how it goes these days.
Have been shopping Chargers casually lately, mostly because I don't want to take delivery until after the salt is off the roads. I've heard more than one sales person (they/them/it?) refuse to let people test drive a base V6 Charger because they are special cars and don't want the miles on them. Strange times we live in.
Good luck with the Maverick...sounds like a sweet little setup.
Guessing it is because cheap assholes a lot like me are the prime demographic for the V6 Charger and there isn't any way I would buy a new one with a bunch of test drive miles on it. Not without a healthy discount, anyhow.
In 2015 bought a 1 year old service loaner with 24K miles, with new rear tires and front brakes, for $22K. It had a buffed out dent on one of the fenders visible under close inspection. 110K later none of the red flags checked out, but the rear rocker corners rust through like all American cars.
I'm not sure if my inner cheapskate is a good thing or a bad thing. I'm the kind of guy who would go in to look at a Hemi Hellcat and come out with a stripper 6 cylinder. Even when I build a car on a website, I am looking for the minimum viable product, just the things it takes to get what I want and not a cent more.
But getting an awesome deal and not taking an ass pounding in the process feels just about as good to me as getting the Hellcat would. And, truth be told, I'd never get the goodie out of all that engine anyhow...
You're a better man than I am. I didn't even go into the dodge dealer when I was looking for a car. I want a 6.4L challenger bad and I don't trust myself enough to not leave with it. It was in that sweet spot where I could get financed on it but I couldn't afford it.
Just understanding that makes you a pretty damn good man. I do that a lot, avoid temptation by not even going where temptation is. One hard and fast decision eliminates the need for a hundred others on the slippery slope.
My 2012 AWD Hemi Charger is still my favorite vehicle. Had to sell it because of a job change. Wish I still had it. I’d really like to get a scat pack, but my truck is almost paid off and I want to go without a car payment for awhile. That being said, they are about to stop making them.
I'll be doing the 20k service on my XLT FWD EB Maverick this weekend, just two weeks shy of it's six month anniversary.
Overall, its a great cheap car. Drives just like a Focus, which makes sense as it essentially IS a Focus.
There a a few things I've noticed. One is that some seat covers are in order for high mileage use. The seats are very comfortable and heated (on mine anyway) but the surface material doesn't seem all that durable.
Another is that any rumors that the radio sucks are true! I have a $220 box of speakers from Crutchfield sitting in my shop that I think will fix that.
Gas is nearly free again so I haven't paid much attention to economy, but it's in the mid to high 20s at an average speed over 70mph.
As long as you don't try and tow anything heavy, I suspect you'll like it.
Dang. Never knew they were Focus based. I guess it shows my level of interest in the truck world. Saddens me a lot, as I liked the Focus a lot in its various guises, and would easily pick one over anything that looked like a truck. No offence intended.
My parents have one. Having driven it a number of times, I can tell you that it's like somebody took a station wagon and turned it into a crew cab pickup. It drives like a car, but you have to floor it to get any acceleration out of it. It's extremely practical, a truck for people for whom even the most basic F-150 is too much.
My Uncle ordered his XLT Hybrid early July 2021 and it arrived end of July this year. I have driven it a few times and it is a really great experience understanding some of it's limitations particularly with backseat space. I would think the XL's are getting built quicker with less chips for the fancier electronics plus opting for the ecoboost vs. the hybrid. Supporting that (maybe?), a coworker ordered a Lariat AWD Ecoboost in November of 2021 and just gave up last week and leased a "cheap" Frontier ProX. His 22' order was bumped to a 23' and still didn't have a build date after a year of waiting.
I'm amazed at what an incompetent manufacturer Ford has become. It's taking them a year to get these things out the door, and they STILL have significant engine problems.
I'm glad somebody's building something like the Maverick, but two Fords were enough for me.
I have been a Ford guy for most of my life right up until my last Ford Escape. When I had to replace the Ecoboost engine with 34,000 miles on it, I got rid of it as quickly as I could. It’s a shame because they put out some nice looking vehicles with good features, but I just don’t trust them anymore.
I'm quite happy with the 1.4T in my 2019 Jetta for what it is worth. Reasonably quick, I can get up to 50mpg depending on the route, and reasonably pleasant to drive as long as you keep it out of the higher revs in 1st/2nd. Jury is out on how it will hold up, but I've owned cars with much worse engines over the years.
That is precisely why my wife and I both drive vehicles with naturally aspirated V6s now (Pilot and Ridgeline). I want to avoid turbo fours as long as possible. I’m afraid my only choices will be an EV or a turbo four the next time I am vehicle shopping. Not much in the market gets me excited anymore, except for the Challenger, Charger, and 5.0 Mustang. Although I am not impressed with Ford’s latest effort.
I don’t trust a vehicle with over the air updates. I can envision a future where an “update” decides I’ve been taking too many unnecessary trips and parks me against my will.
This was one of the reasons I chose a (used) Highlander. NA V-6 was available and while unglamorous it is certainly a known quantity and under-stressed when compared to ze 2.0L turbro 4s.
Supposedly Toyota is planning something similar. I’m a Ford guy, and would love to get a Maverick, but Ford really s**t the bed with this and the Bronco. Oh, and the Mustang
Oh, good. Something that's built way better, but lazy, retrograde and worst-in-class in every other respect. Toyota's the one automaker I despise even more than Ford - they need to stop screwing around and get the new Tacoma and 4Runner out before they do anything else.
Agreed. As someone who's currently shopping a Ford Explorer against the Toyota Highland (and the 4Runner as a wildcard), the Toyota is built better, but boring in every other sense.
Been there, done that...FIFTEEN YEARS AGO. Liked the vehicle and the drivetrain at the time - don't need to re-live it.
Especially at the prices they go for, new and used, even before the current clown world car market.
The fact that Toyota let this platform sit on the market until it's nearly old enough to drink without at least updating the transmission for better mileage and towing is '90s GM-tier bullshit. Based on what a turd the new Sequoia is - a vehicle that actually has direct competitors - I assume the next 4Runner will be a major disappointment, but I don't see that as reason enough to laud the current model.
Mavericks are still backed up that far? I've been trying to get my grandparents into one (they have a hard time getting in and out of their F150), but have had a hell of a time finding something on the lot for them to even sit in.
Maybe try and check used car lots for a test drive. I've seen quite a few around me (Detroit area) listed for 10-15k over sticker but at least gets you a chance to test it out and place an order. I just remembered another friend ordered a hybrid lariat in September from one of the biggest Ford dealers and they told him to expect at least 12 months for delivery also.
To late for those already in queue since the 2023 bookings closed after only a few days in September, but the only answer for the Maverick is the Hybrid. If you need AWD and the Tow Pkg, bump up to the cheapest Ranger-class you can find.
Given that only 35% of Mavericks will be Hybrids in 2023, Ford doesn't really want to sell them unfortunately - which will only make them that much more desirable down the road. I really want the bigger battery AWD Hybrid with a Tremor Pkg, but Ford is helping me save some $$$ by not offering it so FWD Hybrid it is.
You will love it. I’ve had my XLT ecoboost AWD since April and have been loving it. One of the main reasons to get the XLT over the XL was the unavailability of cruise control on the XL. That has been fixed for 2023 so of you like the more plain interior and the steel wheels the XL is a great choice. Rear facing car seats will be pretty tight but forward facing works great. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I saw earlier this week that a local guy, Andy Didorosi, had his student racing nonprofit profiled on Hagerty. Unlike Casey, who obviously uses child labor as part of a vanity project, Andy actually lets the kids race the cars. Having been Facebook "friends" with Andy for some time, he's tried to do a lot for the kids in Detroit over the years.
If anything, the Andy article makes Casey look like an even bigger grifter than he did previously.
The entire comment section on that BaT auction is weird. Everyone is parroting the same lines about how "rich" people didn't bid more and what a deal it is. That car, if sold via traditional means, would be lucky to pull down $25k I'd imagine. It's basically an unfinished kit car, regardless of how people want to spin it.
Dec 9, 2022·edited Dec 9, 2022Liked by Jack Baruth
Back to the Future Part II told me we'd all be getting fired by fax machine by now.
I've broken up with two serious girlfriends via text, so I can't really throw stones. Big in-person fights predicated both instances, but according to the internet this makes me a horrible person.
I had a girlfriend in the late 90's that I never really broke up with. Wanted to, but was concerned about having a potential suicide on my conscience. Ended up moving across town (she didn't have a car) and changing to a new job at work where I was traveling a great deal. Nine months later she was seriously dating (and eventually married) an Intel engineer who had never had a girlfriend before. Guess it all worked out.
at least they didn't make him travel a long distance and spend his own money to fire him. Not classy of them in the least, and not a surprise really (on how classy they really are) but he is probably better for it in the end.
I’d say it was cowardice. They let jack publish the article but didnt have the stones to say “pound sand”
It amazes me how many people who make lots of money have thin skin. He makes 12mm a year and can’t take a joke. If I made 12 million, you could say whatever and id laugh all the way to the bank.
However, when you have all the money you need, what's left besides people demonstrating proper RESPECT of your class, enlightenment, and ability to wear vests over t-shirts? And if you don't get your propers, woe be unto you! You gotta have something to fight about.
I'd imagine some of your latest work here and this in particular has encouraged a former employer to procure your discretion, but I hope not for our collective future entertainment!
And speaking of Mr. Webster, I read his 'Never Stop Driving' drivel from time to time as reminder to stop going to Hagerty - definitely working. Absolutely AWFUL! His latest entry #29 is a new low. It would be less embarrassing for him to wear a French maid outfit and blow the CEO, at least that would be behind closed doors vs. on display for all.
I didn't realize how far Larry had sold out. I guess when job opportunities start drying up, that's what happens. "First they came for Jack, and I said nothing. Then they came for me ..."
car people do have some weird compulsion to feel obligated to participate in car oriented competition to feel "legit". people get incredible imposter complexes in this hobby, feeling like they dont below unless they either race or LARP as a racer. the fact is this is a big tent and most people, like me, indulge in spirited midnight empty backroad shenanigans, the occasional autocross, and thats it. my car buddies and i swap cars, talk about ON ROAD dynamics at sane speeds, and enjoy the mechanical and aesthetic wonder of them all. we all have lives and other hobbies; we understand not everyone has the time, resources, or motivation to race wheel to wheel or even TA. my message to you, casey, is stop being such a pussy and just accept your station in car enthusiasm. there are millions of us. its ok little guy.
on BAT and C&B (run by the lamentable, limp wristed champagne socialist doug demuro) there is an insane amount of dick riding that i cannot stand. every nice example is a "BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE"; every rusted out one is a "PERFECT RUNNER"; every winner will "surely enjoy this car!". every buy is a "nice buy", or "well bought". come in with a realistic or, god forbid, straight up WOW JUST WOW MEAN comment and surely you will be flagged by the community for such malfeasance, or just deleted by the website operator.
It's worth a separate article, but I think that's because the nature of high-value and collector cars has changed. Nobody felt compelled to race Silver Shadows.
Dec 9, 2022·edited Dec 9, 2022Liked by Jack Baruth
I used to visit BAT quite often and liked it a lot before it became its own dedicated auction site. Once it started showing up on CNN profiles and it became apparent that people like Jay Leno were occasionally buying cars there, I knew I would never be able to buy anything interesting that wasn't just total junk. No hard feelings though, Jay worked for his money like I worked for mine, but I just can't compete with him. It's not even worth daydreaming about.
What I do have hard feelings about is the way BAT sales figures have distorted the entire collector car market. Everyone knows what the best version of the car they are selling for went for and they want similar money even if their car isn't in similar condition. Worse, I have heard rumors that some collectors are staging auctions and using shill accounts to "sell" cars to themselves at outrageous prices to pump the market. Rumors, sure, but it seems to make some sense.
It's stuff like this, though, that gets me and why nothing fun can ever really last - especially once the assholes decide it looks like fun, too.
BAT is still a lot of fun for me. Unlikely I'd ever be a serious buyer there, but there are some extremely detailed photo collages of fun cars an trucks. I end up thinking of it as more of an internet car show than an auction site.
over the last 18-24 months, BAT has typically been straight up depressing to watch. i agree. a lot of easy money is exiting the system. there is speculation that between FTX and SPAC death, we have seen more top end wealth erode than the GCF and dot com bubble combined. that plus a pending recession and more inventory coming online should bring valuations back to a close to pre-pandemic level. i hope.
I sure hope so. As soon as I was in a position to maybe swing a 550, a few BaT sales sent prices to the stratosphere. Now I can barely get a nice 456 for what a 550 used to go for.
For that matter, my C5Z with 90k miles is somehow worth more than I paid 8 years ago when it had 30k.
I had a feeler out to see what it may fetch as-is (needs brakes, tires, and a good detail). Car is probably #4 condition but mechanically sound. I had people beating down my door to give me low 20s. It’s insane.
One quick anecdote. Last track day at Grattan this year, the advance group for the organizer, contained several guys with Porsche GT4 club sports (cage, race seats, 425hp, etc). With them was a buddy in racing gear with some sort of badass Corvette (I don't keep track which one is top dog, but it was that. It had a wing). These guys brought a transporter, and what looked like a race shop set up in the infield. Why, I don't know because the cars are brand new and the organizer is an Indy shop that maintains them. They run.
The track day was predictable. The Porsches roared down the straight and overbraked in the corners. It looked like a total shit show. I immediately took myself down to a lower speed run group because I didn't want to have to look out for these folks. Where I encountered the Vette buddy who braked on the corners and needed a bit of waving to let my friends'stock Mini by.
I guess this answered the question who buys these things, but not why. You're surrounded by people at the track on a casual weekend who enjoy driving their sports cars quickly, and who don't really like to have a $200,000 quasi race car driven badly around them.
the caged porsches are simply part of the mise en scene of their deliberately manicured lives. they would all be happier in C5Zs or god forbid a mustang track pack, but the way they paint themselves and project their lives, it must be a porsche, and it must be 200k. i work with many like this. its close to the male equivalent of instagram selfies on the beach in st kitts or the south of france with their 50k tits just barely in frame.
A friend of mine told me his wife's tits cost him $15,000 for two boob jobs as she wasn't happy with the initial results. He asked me to do some work on his computer and from the pics he was saving, I'd say they did a decent job.
I like this comment. Car enthusiasm does come in many flavors. I suppose judging each other is also part of the hobby. Hell, I’ve become someone I would have formerly disliked for no good reason.
Had a lot of fun driving to Cars and Coffees with friends in my late teens/early 20s.
Now that I live on the other coast and I don't have friends here I share the hobby with, Cars and Coffees just feel weird. Maybe it is because my social skills can be extremely lacking in such situations, but I'd rather it just be a proper show. The strange cliquey vibe is extremely noticeable when you're entirely on the outside, as opposed to a true car show where everybody knows it is about viewing the metal.
totally. whats a good hobby without a little bit of preference and judging? but having the perspective to be honest with yourself about how you use cars and enjoy the hobby is something most people lack.
Jesus! I'm sorry I even searched his name and clicked on his web page. I spit my coffee all over my desk at work when I read "modern day renaissance man".. What a f-ing deutsche bag. I love reading about self important morons. I have always known I'm a nobody and nothing will change that, and I'm ok with that, so it is amusing to witness the opposite of my personal philosophy and perceived self worth. Would I love to be more involved, scratch that, involved at all in the racing community? Absolutely. Do I think it will ever happen before I retire and it won't matter anymore? Nope. I can still enjoy life though.
The interesting thing about 501(c)(3) organizations is that their tax returns are public information. If you want to see what the car sold for, find the year and see what the revenue is.
I skimmed this through lunch. They're listing the race cars as assets owned by the non-profit. I'm guessing the Morgan is the same blue one that his dad has plastered all over LinkedIn and such. I'm no expert on accounting, but something strikes me as odd about this part of the arrangement. Well, the whole thing is odd, but I wonder what the advantages would be of (presumably) transferring ownership of some old cars to the non-profit?
I've come to the conclusion that I'll never be successful in this life, for the simple fact that I lack the two characteristics common to all high-achieving men:
1 - I don't have a hard-charging, alpha-male, son-of-a-bitch father whom I hate, but still desperately want to impress.
2 - I'm not sneaky enough to do Rich Guy 101 shit like put all my worldy possessions into trusts, or lease Ferraris as "company cars" for tax purposes.
A man becoming Great, or at least Successful, because he thinks he can buy his father's love with accomplishment is so common throughout history that it MUST be mandatory for winning on some level. And using legal curlicues to pretend you don't really own the big-ticket items you obviously do is again, so commonplace that doing it HAS to be a bedrock principle to some degree.
To build wealth you just have to consistently save and invest. Living below your means is where the vast majority of people fail.
I hate giving the government money as much as anyone, so I don’t begrudge that mentality. But you won’t catch me setting up some bullshit charity. False pretenses there.
Invest may be true, but not so sure about this saving thing. Been living below my means since graduating college last decade and I certainly would've come out ahead YOLOing my money into the Porsches and houses I wanted but couldn't afford. Maybe that counts as "investing" but it just seems reckless. Jokes on me though...
Smaller non-profits all have awful accounting. It might be shady, it might not be. I didn't delve too deeply into it and you probably can't tell from the tax returns.
I am way late to this comment party, but I want to praise a guy who is the polar opposite of Casey Putsch: Dr. Jack Miller, the racing dentist. Remember him? He was one of the guys who saw the IRL/CART split 25 years ago and said "HOLY CRAP, HERE'S MY CHANCE" and went Indy racing. The doc wasn't the most talented driver in the field, but the fact remains that he bought a damn Dallara and qualified for and competed in three Indy 500s, which means he has more talent and bigger balls than 98% of his detractors. No, Miller didn't win a race - never even came close - but instead of making up lies or excuses, he just went out there and risked his ass and his money and made it happen. Why wouldn't you respect a guy like that? Better to give your best effort and lose than make up some alternate universe in which you're a winner.
Ah, one of the articles that led me into Baruth-world. Checked out Casey’s website and everything. I think I may have even commented on the BaT auction after I learned what was going on. Amazing what some people will do to try and create a persona - and some people buy it 100%.
The beauty of Casey’s story, if you want to call it that, is that he’s probably not done yet. There will likely be more story fodder for years to come.
Oh just looked at the pro2000 test sheet. Funny thing one of our friends is on that sheet too. He was a world karting champ and British f3 champ, but I think beating ‘ace’ needs to be added to his resume.
You know, going back and reading that original article? I'm kinda surprised that Ace, or anyone else, would want it removed. Yeah, it's a bit of 'shaming' in the beginning, but the ending of it?
That made me stop and think.
The guy loves the sport, loves everything about the sport. Yeah, he can't (or won't) compete in it, but he still promotes the hell out of it and cheers it on. There is something to be said about that. Yes, all of the real racers know he's a bit of a fraud, but how many fans has be brought to the sport?
The question is, is he doing more harm? Or more good?
People like him can be hard to deal with when you feel like they're stealing your thunder - I know all about that one. But if they're not stealing people's money with fraud schemes and the like, maybe it's just better to cheer them on and enjoy the show?
Honestly, you really got me thinking with that one.
He was trying MIGHTILY to get some of that Hagerty cash.
One thing that always troubled me about working there had nothing to do with the company itself, but rather the public perception that Hagerty was made up of dipshits who would drop astounding sums of money on nothing and no one. It was actively embarrassing. People would walk up out of nowhere say to me, "Holy shit, those idiots will pay millions for a parking lot car show." That perception attracted people like flies: Art Cervantes, Randy Pobst, a hundred grifting-ass wannabe female road racers... and Casey Putsch, who pitched Hagerty for Genius Garage funding at least twice during my time there. Everyday Driver tried to sell out to Hagerty so hard I'm surprised they didn't prolapse their rectums in the process.
I was always of the opinion that we had the talent and the time to build our own media and event properties in-house, rather than taking a shortcut. How right or wrong I was is not for me to say.
Harm. He is doing harm. Jack (and others) may disagree, but the car hobby could use a lot more gatekeeping. Maybe there doesn't need to be as much as there used to be, but the car hobby is rife with carpetbaggers.
Radwood took a segment of "unloved" cars and popularized them for the sake of irony. Now you have every 20-something with a college education trying to buy a personality via a 964 and some thrifted clothes.
There's been enough ink spilled about Porsches in general between the "loofa cult" and Magnus Walker, so I won't even go there.
"Respect all builds" turned every local car meet into your shopping mall parking lot. I see way more shitty "builds" (Fusions with plastidip and no muffler) today than I did at peak rice in 2006. Only back then, we could drag those people on the forums without a dozen of other people crying about it.
The only positive thing I see is that it is easier than ever to get a car on track. That should be promoted further, but not so much that they let every idiot with $100 run their car on the track (and into a tire barrier). Based upon my limited experience with motorsports as a participant, most of these groups self-police and are very strict about safety.
Radwood looked like a lot of fun until it went commercial. I was planning on taking my truck and maybe my CB1000 to one if they ever did one close to me, but then I started seeing the Jalopnik coverage of the cars and what people were all excited about and I realized it wasn't for me.
It's basically an 80s/90s cosplay by people who were either too small to remember those days or not even born yet. They don't need me, a basic country hick, wearing a flannel shirt I actually bought in 1993 (and have on right now) and my old Nissan. It wouldn't be "period enough" for anyone to appreciate.
Now that Haggerty owns it, Radwood is on its way to becoming one of those shows that encourage regular people to attend - as spectators. Just another silly, fun thing killed because someone thought they could make a buck.
That's why I don't have much patience for "art cars". I can appreciate a weird and wonderful concept like a car covered with ceramic cows but most art cars seem to be made by people who don't really like cars.
Late to the party here with my comment, but I think you're exactly right. I went to the event nearest to me earlier this year, I don't think I'll need to go next year. I was treated like a spectator that accidentally paid a show car admission. They put my car at the back of a dusty gravel lot, across the street and wholly disconnected from the rest of the event.
I was negative 3 years old when the car I brought was built, but I've been driving something similar since I could first legally drive 15+ years ago and the cars were cheap beaters (the models are the same, but I'm into much better examples these days). At the show, I wasn't in with the elite guys that got their cars parked inside or even just where anyone could see them, nor did I fit in with the young kids going all in on a culture/time period in which they never participated.
There are other events out there that do a better job of what Radwood states is their purpose.
I'm really sorry to hear that you had such a crappy experience at Radwood. They should be ashamed to do that to people. If they can't have all the cars reasonably together, they should have limited the number of entries. It just shows that they are more interested in money than they are the community.
Half and half. The more expensive the car the more rules. Jack hates it but the PCA does a decent job of making sure the car doesn't spew oil or set itself on fire on the track. Both not true for some private track groups.
People like this trigger us because we are descended from founders of high trust societies. The golden rule of such societies is that all members tell the truth and don’t deceive to benefit themselves at the expense of others.
I’m not castigating every citizen of third world countries, but it would seem that there is a limit to the percentage of sociopaths a society can handle before GDP plummets.
Anyways, your boy Casey breaks some of these rules. Even if they are white lies. He is completely wasting numerous peoples time, at least.
Even more disgusting to me is that he’s a clout chaser or fame seeker. A charlatan. Normal well adjusted and well rounded people also have a distaste for this characteristic.
Sum it all up and I start to wonder how exactly daddy did make all of the money. Did Casey learn to be a liar from a young age?
Tangentially related - I really enjoyed your Avoidable Contact #135 on the Maverick. I’ve got an XL / AWD turbo / tow pkg on order. It should be able to do some truck things, take my kids places (can’t do in my NC Miata), and not be so expensive that I have to sell said NC. It’s frustrating that I haven’t been able to even sit in one / check that the car seats fit, much less test drive. But that’s how it goes these days.
While we are bringing up old episodes of AC, I was always a bit disappointed that #69 was spent on a father-son road trip.
Comment of the day
[Avoiding reality] Wouldn't that at least in part depend on the destination?
You're going to like it. I am certain.
Are you still taking Ask Jack questions?
Every day. I'll drop you an email
Have been shopping Chargers casually lately, mostly because I don't want to take delivery until after the salt is off the roads. I've heard more than one sales person (they/them/it?) refuse to let people test drive a base V6 Charger because they are special cars and don't want the miles on them. Strange times we live in.
Good luck with the Maverick...sounds like a sweet little setup.
Guessing it is because cheap assholes a lot like me are the prime demographic for the V6 Charger and there isn't any way I would buy a new one with a bunch of test drive miles on it. Not without a healthy discount, anyhow.
In 2015 bought a 1 year old service loaner with 24K miles, with new rear tires and front brakes, for $22K. It had a buffed out dent on one of the fenders visible under close inspection. 110K later none of the red flags checked out, but the rear rocker corners rust through like all American cars.
I'm not sure if my inner cheapskate is a good thing or a bad thing. I'm the kind of guy who would go in to look at a Hemi Hellcat and come out with a stripper 6 cylinder. Even when I build a car on a website, I am looking for the minimum viable product, just the things it takes to get what I want and not a cent more.
But getting an awesome deal and not taking an ass pounding in the process feels just about as good to me as getting the Hellcat would. And, truth be told, I'd never get the goodie out of all that engine anyhow...
You're a better man than I am. I didn't even go into the dodge dealer when I was looking for a car. I want a 6.4L challenger bad and I don't trust myself enough to not leave with it. It was in that sweet spot where I could get financed on it but I couldn't afford it.
Just understanding that makes you a pretty damn good man. I do that a lot, avoid temptation by not even going where temptation is. One hard and fast decision eliminates the need for a hundred others on the slippery slope.
My 2012 AWD Hemi Charger is still my favorite vehicle. Had to sell it because of a job change. Wish I still had it. I’d really like to get a scat pack, but my truck is almost paid off and I want to go without a car payment for awhile. That being said, they are about to stop making them.
I'll be doing the 20k service on my XLT FWD EB Maverick this weekend, just two weeks shy of it's six month anniversary.
Overall, its a great cheap car. Drives just like a Focus, which makes sense as it essentially IS a Focus.
There a a few things I've noticed. One is that some seat covers are in order for high mileage use. The seats are very comfortable and heated (on mine anyway) but the surface material doesn't seem all that durable.
Another is that any rumors that the radio sucks are true! I have a $220 box of speakers from Crutchfield sitting in my shop that I think will fix that.
Gas is nearly free again so I haven't paid much attention to economy, but it's in the mid to high 20s at an average speed over 70mph.
As long as you don't try and tow anything heavy, I suspect you'll like it.
Dang. Never knew they were Focus based. I guess it shows my level of interest in the truck world. Saddens me a lot, as I liked the Focus a lot in its various guises, and would easily pick one over anything that looked like a truck. No offence intended.
Strictly speaking, it's an Escape/Bronco Sport, a bit larger than a Focus in all directions.
None taken. The Maverick sits on Ford’s C2 platform. It’s used for a variety of vehicles, including the now non-US Focus.
https://fordauthority.com/fmc/ford-motor-company-platforms/ford-c2-platform/
Best way to get Americans to buy economy cars is to shape them like pickup trucks.
My parents have one. Having driven it a number of times, I can tell you that it's like somebody took a station wagon and turned it into a crew cab pickup. It drives like a car, but you have to floor it to get any acceleration out of it. It's extremely practical, a truck for people for whom even the most basic F-150 is too much.
If you can get one, it's a good buy.
My Uncle ordered his XLT Hybrid early July 2021 and it arrived end of July this year. I have driven it a few times and it is a really great experience understanding some of it's limitations particularly with backseat space. I would think the XL's are getting built quicker with less chips for the fancier electronics plus opting for the ecoboost vs. the hybrid. Supporting that (maybe?), a coworker ordered a Lariat AWD Ecoboost in November of 2021 and just gave up last week and leased a "cheap" Frontier ProX. His 22' order was bumped to a 23' and still didn't have a build date after a year of waiting.
I'm amazed at what an incompetent manufacturer Ford has become. It's taking them a year to get these things out the door, and they STILL have significant engine problems.
I'm glad somebody's building something like the Maverick, but two Fords were enough for me.
I have been a Ford guy for most of my life right up until my last Ford Escape. When I had to replace the Ecoboost engine with 34,000 miles on it, I got rid of it as quickly as I could. It’s a shame because they put out some nice looking vehicles with good features, but I just don’t trust them anymore.
All the small displacement turbo fours are trash, including the Hondas. There's a reason Toyota didn't make the switch in the Camry, I think.
I'm quite happy with the 1.4T in my 2019 Jetta for what it is worth. Reasonably quick, I can get up to 50mpg depending on the route, and reasonably pleasant to drive as long as you keep it out of the higher revs in 1st/2nd. Jury is out on how it will hold up, but I've owned cars with much worse engines over the years.
That is precisely why my wife and I both drive vehicles with naturally aspirated V6s now (Pilot and Ridgeline). I want to avoid turbo fours as long as possible. I’m afraid my only choices will be an EV or a turbo four the next time I am vehicle shopping. Not much in the market gets me excited anymore, except for the Challenger, Charger, and 5.0 Mustang. Although I am not impressed with Ford’s latest effort.
I don’t trust a vehicle with over the air updates. I can envision a future where an “update” decides I’ve been taking too many unnecessary trips and parks me against my will.
This was one of the reasons I chose a (used) Highlander. NA V-6 was available and while unglamorous it is certainly a known quantity and under-stressed when compared to ze 2.0L turbro 4s.
What’s small? My 2.3 litre mazdaspeed3 engine was nice. I still want a v8 mustang before i die
Different generation and philosophy from today's emissions engines.
The chip supply issue is not entirely in their control and it is a good look at globalization and consolidation gone wrong.
I thought part of the problem with Maverick availability was Ford prioritizing electric car stuff.
Supposedly Toyota is planning something similar. I’m a Ford guy, and would love to get a Maverick, but Ford really s**t the bed with this and the Bronco. Oh, and the Mustang
Oh, good. Something that's built way better, but lazy, retrograde and worst-in-class in every other respect. Toyota's the one automaker I despise even more than Ford - they need to stop screwing around and get the new Tacoma and 4Runner out before they do anything else.
Agreed. As someone who's currently shopping a Ford Explorer against the Toyota Highland (and the 4Runner as a wildcard), the Toyota is built better, but boring in every other sense.
Not before they de-uglify the Supra.
I was excited for the supra “a straight six with Toyota reliability” to find out it’s just a bmw
Buy a body on frame Toyota with a servicable 5spd Aisin and port injected 1GR 4.0 V6 while you can. I can't imagine *complaining* about that.
Been there, done that...FIFTEEN YEARS AGO. Liked the vehicle and the drivetrain at the time - don't need to re-live it.
Especially at the prices they go for, new and used, even before the current clown world car market.
The fact that Toyota let this platform sit on the market until it's nearly old enough to drink without at least updating the transmission for better mileage and towing is '90s GM-tier bullshit. Based on what a turd the new Sequoia is - a vehicle that actually has direct competitors - I assume the next 4Runner will be a major disappointment, but I don't see that as reason enough to laud the current model.
Mavericks are still backed up that far? I've been trying to get my grandparents into one (they have a hard time getting in and out of their F150), but have had a hell of a time finding something on the lot for them to even sit in.
Maybe try and check used car lots for a test drive. I've seen quite a few around me (Detroit area) listed for 10-15k over sticker but at least gets you a chance to test it out and place an order. I just remembered another friend ordered a hybrid lariat in September from one of the biggest Ford dealers and they told him to expect at least 12 months for delivery also.
To late for those already in queue since the 2023 bookings closed after only a few days in September, but the only answer for the Maverick is the Hybrid. If you need AWD and the Tow Pkg, bump up to the cheapest Ranger-class you can find.
Given that only 35% of Mavericks will be Hybrids in 2023, Ford doesn't really want to sell them unfortunately - which will only make them that much more desirable down the road. I really want the bigger battery AWD Hybrid with a Tremor Pkg, but Ford is helping me save some $$$ by not offering it so FWD Hybrid it is.
You will love it. I’ve had my XLT ecoboost AWD since April and have been loving it. One of the main reasons to get the XLT over the XL was the unavailability of cruise control on the XL. That has been fixed for 2023 so of you like the more plain interior and the steel wheels the XL is a great choice. Rear facing car seats will be pretty tight but forward facing works great. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I saw earlier this week that a local guy, Andy Didorosi, had his student racing nonprofit profiled on Hagerty. Unlike Casey, who obviously uses child labor as part of a vanity project, Andy actually lets the kids race the cars. Having been Facebook "friends" with Andy for some time, he's tried to do a lot for the kids in Detroit over the years.
If anything, the Andy article makes Casey look like an even bigger grifter than he did previously.
The entire comment section on that BaT auction is weird. Everyone is parroting the same lines about how "rich" people didn't bid more and what a deal it is. That car, if sold via traditional means, would be lucky to pull down $25k I'd imagine. It's basically an unfinished kit car, regardless of how people want to spin it.
I met Andy when I agreed to serve as the "stunt driver" for this:
https://jalopnik.com/switzer-p800-nissan-gt-r-first-drive-5209429
Example of a not-rich kid, but more upper-middle-class kid, who has used his advantages to do some wonderful things.
I don't know what's sadder - that Hagerty pulled that article because it annoyed a total nobody, or that you were fired over Zoom.
I got fired over Teams, the idiot cousin of Zoom. So yes it could be worse.
This one actually hurt. Sorry I laughed and Sorry man for that outcome
It was for the best
At least it wasn't a text message
Back to the Future Part II told me we'd all be getting fired by fax machine by now.
I've broken up with two serious girlfriends via text, so I can't really throw stones. Big in-person fights predicated both instances, but according to the internet this makes me a horrible person.
BTTF II also said we'd have flying cars by now.
Oh, but we do! It's all the batteries that are weighing them down.
I had a girlfriend in the late 90's that I never really broke up with. Wanted to, but was concerned about having a potential suicide on my conscience. Ended up moving across town (she didn't have a car) and changing to a new job at work where I was traveling a great deal. Nine months later she was seriously dating (and eventually married) an Intel engineer who had never had a girlfriend before. Guess it all worked out.
Hate to break it to you but you’re still a couple
at least they didn't make him travel a long distance and spend his own money to fire him. Not classy of them in the least, and not a surprise really (on how classy they really are) but he is probably better for it in the end.
The irony was that I was literally in the middle of picking up a motorcycle for a Hagerty reader, as a favor.
scumbags. Egos ruin companies, and I suspect that is part of the reason why they are experiencing so much loss over there.
I’d say it was cowardice. They let jack publish the article but didnt have the stones to say “pound sand”
It amazes me how many people who make lots of money have thin skin. He makes 12mm a year and can’t take a joke. If I made 12 million, you could say whatever and id laugh all the way to the bank.
However, when you have all the money you need, what's left besides people demonstrating proper RESPECT of your class, enlightenment, and ability to wear vests over t-shirts? And if you don't get your propers, woe be unto you! You gotta have something to fight about.
Was it an HR hack who did it, or did a superior actually grow a pair and do it himself?
Webster, reading from a script, while the HR hack nodded.
I'd imagine some of your latest work here and this in particular has encouraged a former employer to procure your discretion, but I hope not for our collective future entertainment!
And speaking of Mr. Webster, I read his 'Never Stop Driving' drivel from time to time as reminder to stop going to Hagerty - definitely working. Absolutely AWFUL! His latest entry #29 is a new low. It would be less embarrassing for him to wear a French maid outfit and blow the CEO, at least that would be behind closed doors vs. on display for all.
I didn't realize how far Larry had sold out. I guess when job opportunities start drying up, that's what happens. "First they came for Jack, and I said nothing. Then they came for me ..."
Prediction: they're gonna come for him, and sooner than he really thinks.
That happened to my sister's ex twice. Fly half way across the country to get canned. Sales guy.
Having experienced the humiliation of having to come in for an "exit interview" I think I would have rather it been handled by email.
Nice to see Casey getting some of the fame that he craves.
car people do have some weird compulsion to feel obligated to participate in car oriented competition to feel "legit". people get incredible imposter complexes in this hobby, feeling like they dont below unless they either race or LARP as a racer. the fact is this is a big tent and most people, like me, indulge in spirited midnight empty backroad shenanigans, the occasional autocross, and thats it. my car buddies and i swap cars, talk about ON ROAD dynamics at sane speeds, and enjoy the mechanical and aesthetic wonder of them all. we all have lives and other hobbies; we understand not everyone has the time, resources, or motivation to race wheel to wheel or even TA. my message to you, casey, is stop being such a pussy and just accept your station in car enthusiasm. there are millions of us. its ok little guy.
on BAT and C&B (run by the lamentable, limp wristed champagne socialist doug demuro) there is an insane amount of dick riding that i cannot stand. every nice example is a "BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE"; every rusted out one is a "PERFECT RUNNER"; every winner will "surely enjoy this car!". every buy is a "nice buy", or "well bought". come in with a realistic or, god forbid, straight up WOW JUST WOW MEAN comment and surely you will be flagged by the community for such malfeasance, or just deleted by the website operator.
It's worth a separate article, but I think that's because the nature of high-value and collector cars has changed. Nobody felt compelled to race Silver Shadows.
I used to visit BAT quite often and liked it a lot before it became its own dedicated auction site. Once it started showing up on CNN profiles and it became apparent that people like Jay Leno were occasionally buying cars there, I knew I would never be able to buy anything interesting that wasn't just total junk. No hard feelings though, Jay worked for his money like I worked for mine, but I just can't compete with him. It's not even worth daydreaming about.
What I do have hard feelings about is the way BAT sales figures have distorted the entire collector car market. Everyone knows what the best version of the car they are selling for went for and they want similar money even if their car isn't in similar condition. Worse, I have heard rumors that some collectors are staging auctions and using shill accounts to "sell" cars to themselves at outrageous prices to pump the market. Rumors, sure, but it seems to make some sense.
It's stuff like this, though, that gets me and why nothing fun can ever really last - especially once the assholes decide it looks like fun, too.
BAT is still a lot of fun for me. Unlikely I'd ever be a serious buyer there, but there are some extremely detailed photo collages of fun cars an trucks. I end up thinking of it as more of an internet car show than an auction site.
Same here.
But now i have a thing for 60s Lancias
Oh yes, one Fulvia please with a side of HF.
over the last 18-24 months, BAT has typically been straight up depressing to watch. i agree. a lot of easy money is exiting the system. there is speculation that between FTX and SPAC death, we have seen more top end wealth erode than the GCF and dot com bubble combined. that plus a pending recession and more inventory coming online should bring valuations back to a close to pre-pandemic level. i hope.
It is imploding. I bought the absolute top of the market if you want to feel smug at my expense.
i prefer to save for schadenfreude for people who deserve it. plus you bought a porsche, so ultimately, the floor is pretty high.
That's a modern delusion. I remember dozens of 911SCs and 928S4s going unsold at 10-12k.
Got a time machine I can borrow? Feels like yesterday I was a senior in high school looking at those $12k SCs...
I sure hope so. As soon as I was in a position to maybe swing a 550, a few BaT sales sent prices to the stratosphere. Now I can barely get a nice 456 for what a 550 used to go for.
For that matter, my C5Z with 90k miles is somehow worth more than I paid 8 years ago when it had 30k.
I had a feeler out to see what it may fetch as-is (needs brakes, tires, and a good detail). Car is probably #4 condition but mechanically sound. I had people beating down my door to give me low 20s. It’s insane.
Spoofing! Is the financials world term for this. It is illegal in regulated markets. I’m not sure how rigorous the policing is though.
This is how FTX pumped its valuation.
True that.
One quick anecdote. Last track day at Grattan this year, the advance group for the organizer, contained several guys with Porsche GT4 club sports (cage, race seats, 425hp, etc). With them was a buddy in racing gear with some sort of badass Corvette (I don't keep track which one is top dog, but it was that. It had a wing). These guys brought a transporter, and what looked like a race shop set up in the infield. Why, I don't know because the cars are brand new and the organizer is an Indy shop that maintains them. They run.
The track day was predictable. The Porsches roared down the straight and overbraked in the corners. It looked like a total shit show. I immediately took myself down to a lower speed run group because I didn't want to have to look out for these folks. Where I encountered the Vette buddy who braked on the corners and needed a bit of waving to let my friends'stock Mini by.
I guess this answered the question who buys these things, but not why. You're surrounded by people at the track on a casual weekend who enjoy driving their sports cars quickly, and who don't really like to have a $200,000 quasi race car driven badly around them.
Casey Putsch is what we call a putz.
the caged porsches are simply part of the mise en scene of their deliberately manicured lives. they would all be happier in C5Zs or god forbid a mustang track pack, but the way they paint themselves and project their lives, it must be a porsche, and it must be 200k. i work with many like this. its close to the male equivalent of instagram selfies on the beach in st kitts or the south of france with their 50k tits just barely in frame.
I'm an entitled asshole myself, but I wouldn't know how to manicure my life.
Tits don’t cost that much. Maybe someone charges that though.
or someone told me thats what their ex husband paid. or thats what her ex husband told her they cost. life is an enigma wrapped in a mystery.
A friend of mine told me his wife's tits cost him $15,000 for two boob jobs as she wasn't happy with the initial results. He asked me to do some work on his computer and from the pics he was saving, I'd say they did a decent job.
Good friends are worth keeping.
When they owe six figures on them and are participating in an uninsured activity, can you blame them?
Yeah. I can.
I'm racing an SR8 with no insurance in a contact class. Would cost me $160k to replace.
I like this comment. Car enthusiasm does come in many flavors. I suppose judging each other is also part of the hobby. Hell, I’ve become someone I would have formerly disliked for no good reason.
Don't be that guy. Remind yourself, no one cares about what you paid and why you drive what you drive. And don't ever go to a Cars and Coffee.
Had a lot of fun driving to Cars and Coffees with friends in my late teens/early 20s.
Now that I live on the other coast and I don't have friends here I share the hobby with, Cars and Coffees just feel weird. Maybe it is because my social skills can be extremely lacking in such situations, but I'd rather it just be a proper show. The strange cliquey vibe is extremely noticeable when you're entirely on the outside, as opposed to a true car show where everybody knows it is about viewing the metal.
I would never
totally. whats a good hobby without a little bit of preference and judging? but having the perspective to be honest with yourself about how you use cars and enjoy the hobby is something most people lack.
"champagne socialist" - I personally prefer progressive patrician.
I like "chardonnay socialist," myself.
Limousine liberals?
Another one I've been using lately is "the global aristocracy."
Great name for an evil conspiracy, huh? Very cinematic.
The problem is most of them are rather illiberal.
They're the most liberal - they're so liberal they're freeing humanity from itself.
Jesus! I'm sorry I even searched his name and clicked on his web page. I spit my coffee all over my desk at work when I read "modern day renaissance man".. What a f-ing deutsche bag. I love reading about self important morons. I have always known I'm a nobody and nothing will change that, and I'm ok with that, so it is amusing to witness the opposite of my personal philosophy and perceived self worth. Would I love to be more involved, scratch that, involved at all in the racing community? Absolutely. Do I think it will ever happen before I retire and it won't matter anymore? Nope. I can still enjoy life though.
Thanks for the read!
We need a term for the automotive version of stolen valor.
Genius Garaging
Is it sad that i think the most pathetic thing about it is he won’t even pay for a domain? @hotmail.com. Really?
You see, he hates snobbery.
I chuckled slightly to myself that it was Hotmail. Not even Yahoo! It doesn’t make sense, but at the same time it does.
The interesting thing about 501(c)(3) organizations is that their tax returns are public information. If you want to see what the car sold for, find the year and see what the revenue is.
https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/462323216/ae7f58b0df66b2b688c40cb337447083
Holy shit this fuckin' mook mentions a PODIUM AT ROAD AMERICA in the filing!
I believe they finished 3rd of 3 cars.
I skimmed this through lunch. They're listing the race cars as assets owned by the non-profit. I'm guessing the Morgan is the same blue one that his dad has plastered all over LinkedIn and such. I'm no expert on accounting, but something strikes me as odd about this part of the arrangement. Well, the whole thing is odd, but I wonder what the advantages would be of (presumably) transferring ownership of some old cars to the non-profit?
I've come to the conclusion that I'll never be successful in this life, for the simple fact that I lack the two characteristics common to all high-achieving men:
1 - I don't have a hard-charging, alpha-male, son-of-a-bitch father whom I hate, but still desperately want to impress.
2 - I'm not sneaky enough to do Rich Guy 101 shit like put all my worldy possessions into trusts, or lease Ferraris as "company cars" for tax purposes.
None of that is required.
Oh, really? I think it is.
A man becoming Great, or at least Successful, because he thinks he can buy his father's love with accomplishment is so common throughout history that it MUST be mandatory for winning on some level. And using legal curlicues to pretend you don't really own the big-ticket items you obviously do is again, so commonplace that doing it HAS to be a bedrock principle to some degree.
To build wealth you just have to consistently save and invest. Living below your means is where the vast majority of people fail.
I hate giving the government money as much as anyone, so I don’t begrudge that mentality. But you won’t catch me setting up some bullshit charity. False pretenses there.
Invest may be true, but not so sure about this saving thing. Been living below my means since graduating college last decade and I certainly would've come out ahead YOLOing my money into the Porsches and houses I wanted but couldn't afford. Maybe that counts as "investing" but it just seems reckless. Jokes on me though...
Smaller non-profits all have awful accounting. It might be shady, it might not be. I didn't delve too deeply into it and you probably can't tell from the tax returns.
Other expense and other assets seem to be the biggest line items on the P&L and B/S.
Thats normal. There’s usually a statement with a breakout the irs gets.
I am way late to this comment party, but I want to praise a guy who is the polar opposite of Casey Putsch: Dr. Jack Miller, the racing dentist. Remember him? He was one of the guys who saw the IRL/CART split 25 years ago and said "HOLY CRAP, HERE'S MY CHANCE" and went Indy racing. The doc wasn't the most talented driver in the field, but the fact remains that he bought a damn Dallara and qualified for and competed in three Indy 500s, which means he has more talent and bigger balls than 98% of his detractors. No, Miller didn't win a race - never even came close - but instead of making up lies or excuses, he just went out there and risked his ass and his money and made it happen. Why wouldn't you respect a guy like that? Better to give your best effort and lose than make up some alternate universe in which you're a winner.
EXACTLY
THANK YOU
Ah, one of the articles that led me into Baruth-world. Checked out Casey’s website and everything. I think I may have even commented on the BaT auction after I learned what was going on. Amazing what some people will do to try and create a persona - and some people buy it 100%.
The beauty of Casey’s story, if you want to call it that, is that he’s probably not done yet. There will likely be more story fodder for years to come.
What a tool.
So I’m guessing that 2022 “Road to Indy Pro 2000” campaign never came to fruition.
Oh just looked at the pro2000 test sheet. Funny thing one of our friends is on that sheet too. He was a world karting champ and British f3 champ, but I think beating ‘ace’ needs to be added to his resume.
"I BEAT 7 TIME WORLD CHAMPION CASEY PUTSCH IN EQUAL MACHINERY"
Pray tell us what sort of non-constructive comment you left on the Devin-Bodied Triumph TR3 Race Car BaT auction.
Just what you'd expect.
You know, going back and reading that original article? I'm kinda surprised that Ace, or anyone else, would want it removed. Yeah, it's a bit of 'shaming' in the beginning, but the ending of it?
That made me stop and think.
The guy loves the sport, loves everything about the sport. Yeah, he can't (or won't) compete in it, but he still promotes the hell out of it and cheers it on. There is something to be said about that. Yes, all of the real racers know he's a bit of a fraud, but how many fans has be brought to the sport?
The question is, is he doing more harm? Or more good?
People like him can be hard to deal with when you feel like they're stealing your thunder - I know all about that one. But if they're not stealing people's money with fraud schemes and the like, maybe it's just better to cheer them on and enjoy the show?
Honestly, you really got me thinking with that one.
He was trying MIGHTILY to get some of that Hagerty cash.
One thing that always troubled me about working there had nothing to do with the company itself, but rather the public perception that Hagerty was made up of dipshits who would drop astounding sums of money on nothing and no one. It was actively embarrassing. People would walk up out of nowhere say to me, "Holy shit, those idiots will pay millions for a parking lot car show." That perception attracted people like flies: Art Cervantes, Randy Pobst, a hundred grifting-ass wannabe female road racers... and Casey Putsch, who pitched Hagerty for Genius Garage funding at least twice during my time there. Everyday Driver tried to sell out to Hagerty so hard I'm surprised they didn't prolapse their rectums in the process.
I was always of the opinion that we had the talent and the time to build our own media and event properties in-house, rather than taking a shortcut. How right or wrong I was is not for me to say.
Harm. He is doing harm. Jack (and others) may disagree, but the car hobby could use a lot more gatekeeping. Maybe there doesn't need to be as much as there used to be, but the car hobby is rife with carpetbaggers.
Radwood took a segment of "unloved" cars and popularized them for the sake of irony. Now you have every 20-something with a college education trying to buy a personality via a 964 and some thrifted clothes.
There's been enough ink spilled about Porsches in general between the "loofa cult" and Magnus Walker, so I won't even go there.
"Respect all builds" turned every local car meet into your shopping mall parking lot. I see way more shitty "builds" (Fusions with plastidip and no muffler) today than I did at peak rice in 2006. Only back then, we could drag those people on the forums without a dozen of other people crying about it.
The only positive thing I see is that it is easier than ever to get a car on track. That should be promoted further, but not so much that they let every idiot with $100 run their car on the track (and into a tire barrier). Based upon my limited experience with motorsports as a participant, most of these groups self-police and are very strict about safety.
Radwood looked like a lot of fun until it went commercial. I was planning on taking my truck and maybe my CB1000 to one if they ever did one close to me, but then I started seeing the Jalopnik coverage of the cars and what people were all excited about and I realized it wasn't for me.
It's basically an 80s/90s cosplay by people who were either too small to remember those days or not even born yet. They don't need me, a basic country hick, wearing a flannel shirt I actually bought in 1993 (and have on right now) and my old Nissan. It wouldn't be "period enough" for anyone to appreciate.
Now that Haggerty owns it, Radwood is on its way to becoming one of those shows that encourage regular people to attend - as spectators. Just another silly, fun thing killed because someone thought they could make a buck.
Sadwood always sucked balls. I don't know how it could get any worse. It was always based on this weird jerkoff hipster contempt for automobiles.
That's why I don't have much patience for "art cars". I can appreciate a weird and wonderful concept like a car covered with ceramic cows but most art cars seem to be made by people who don't really like cars.
"No matter what it is in life, as soon as there's money involved, IT'S NOT FUN ANYMORE!"
- Red Green
Late to the party here with my comment, but I think you're exactly right. I went to the event nearest to me earlier this year, I don't think I'll need to go next year. I was treated like a spectator that accidentally paid a show car admission. They put my car at the back of a dusty gravel lot, across the street and wholly disconnected from the rest of the event.
I was negative 3 years old when the car I brought was built, but I've been driving something similar since I could first legally drive 15+ years ago and the cars were cheap beaters (the models are the same, but I'm into much better examples these days). At the show, I wasn't in with the elite guys that got their cars parked inside or even just where anyone could see them, nor did I fit in with the young kids going all in on a culture/time period in which they never participated.
There are other events out there that do a better job of what Radwood states is their purpose.
I'm really sorry to hear that you had such a crappy experience at Radwood. They should be ashamed to do that to people. If they can't have all the cars reasonably together, they should have limited the number of entries. It just shows that they are more interested in money than they are the community.
They wanted $30 to attend in the bay i think. Id rather pay for hot import nights..
Half and half. The more expensive the car the more rules. Jack hates it but the PCA does a decent job of making sure the car doesn't spew oil or set itself on fire on the track. Both not true for some private track groups.
Walter Mitty, George Plimpton, and Johnny Knoxville? Good God. Didn't George Plimpton write for SI?