The Smoking Tire Podcast – Doug DeMuro Returns (December 2, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this lively and candid annual “Doug DeMurofest” episode, hosts Matt Farah and Zack Klapman are joined by renowned automotive reviewer Doug DeMuro. The conversation covers Doug’s recent acquisition of a Porsche 993 Turbo, the economics and logistics of car collecting, trends in the collectible car world, the infamous WhistlinDiesel/Montana tag registration scam, and the joy (and challenge) of actually driving rare cars as they were meant to be driven. The trio banter on topics ranging from collector car math, car modification regrets, auction site trends, uninspiring yet expensive SUVs, and the intersection of car enthusiasm with personal life, opportunity cost, and a dash of nostalgia.

Major Topics & Key Segments

1. The Collector Car Conundrum: Joy vs. Investment

[03:18] Car collecting logistics: Big collectors like Zuckerman have dozens of cars with linear costs—roughly "$12,000 a year per car just for care and feeding."
[04:21] The math behind car appreciation is rarely honest: “Anyone who does the complete math is f***ing delusional.” (-Zuckerman via Matt)
[05:12] Opportunity cost: Doug notes he’s up on his Ford GT, but would've made more just investing in the stock market.
[06:15] The unique, intangible value of actually using the car—Doug: “I’ve driven that Ford GT 14,000 miles, and there’s value to that.”
[07:22] Shift from "hard to use" to "easy" cars in collector tastes; Doug laments modern “rich guy go-fast cars” that require little enthusiasm or skill to buy/own.

2. Doug’s New Porsche 993 Turbo & Collecting Philosophy

[08:49] Doug describes his niche use case (LA–San Diego drives and family fun) for the 993 Turbo and admits it’s the easiest to use, making it his most-driven fun car.
[16:04] Matt’s struggle selling his NSX due to space and opportunity cost, and a comical aside about sourcing original lug nuts.
[22:11] Doug critiques his Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro for being “the most Republican thing I could imagine,” joking about its styling and character.

3. Rising and Falling Car Values, Auctions, and “Poster Cars”

[40:56] Matt’s experiment with a used Porsche Taycan—he can’t lose as much as the first owner did. “To lose as much as the first guy lost, I’d have to burn it to the ground, no insurance.”
[54:51] The dream: depreciating an F40 “to nothing”—the reality that true driving freedom is impossible at big money.
[55:35] Market “irrational exuberance”—Doug and Matt incredulous at the desirability/pricing of cars like the 993 Turbo, 430 Scuderia, and Aston Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake.
- Doug: “I think Scuds are about to take off. You can still get one for $275K; next year, they’ll be $500K cars.”
- Matt: “Is a Stradale worth $500K? That’s a crazy overvaluation.”

4. The WhistlinDiesel Montana Tag Controversy

[55:39] The legal and ethical issues surrounding registering cars “out of state” for tax avoidance:
- Matt: “If you’re gonna run the scam, don’t put the Montana plate in a video that gets 40 million views.”
- Doug: “Whistlin upsets some people. He made himself a target.”
The group agrees that the law, though sometimes senseless, is clear; flaunting it publicly is just asking for trouble. [57:02]

5. The Realities of Owning, Storing, and Maintaining Car Collections

[38:02] Doug purposefully limited his new home’s garage to four spaces to self-regulate; admits five fun cars is “too much work” with a family and other demands.
Matt’s business for collector car storage and service is “blue-collar, not glamorous” despite million-dollar inventory.
[44:39] Garage Tetris: Arranging stackers so the Countach’s doors can actually open, and learning the hard way about supercar quirks.

6. Driving Them vs. Storing Them (Countach Stories, Project Updates)

[46:04] Matt’s Countach update: Engine and gearbox are finally back from Italy, but reassembly is daunting.
- “We are going to find out something is missing. We just don’t know what it is.” - Matt [48:24]
Doug’s Countach has a “built motor”—forged pistons and bored cylinders—admitting he wants his future Supra to be box-stock, to flex his restraint.

7. EV Trucks, Three-Row SUVs, and Uninspiring Enthusiast Cars

[27:14] Cybertruck & F-150 Lightning: Why the electric truck market fizzled—“People who want Harleys and people who want electric motorcycles are opposite people.” - Matt
[28:10] Why car companies chased EV pickups before three-row SUVs, despite latent demand for the latter.
[113:16] Fast wagons (RS6, M5 Touring): Everyone wants the idea, but in practice, they’re too stiff, too thirsty, and ultimately “boring” as dailies.

8. Auction Trends, Value Myths, and Enthusiast Downers

[109:29] Discussion about flooded auction sites: Are Cars & Bids and BaT becoming “eBay Motors”? Doug says there’s an enthusiast for everything and some weird stuff sells for bonkers money.
The value added (or lost) from color, miles, and mods—especially aftermarket wheels. “Sell the wheels separately!” - Doug [79:31]
Manual swap Ferraris, JDM mod culture, and the paradox of bone-stock but underwhelming Supras and Skylines.

9. Nostalgia, “Poster Car” Colors, & Community

[65:58] Doug’s always sought the poster color (Arena Red 993 Turbo, green Defender); it scratches a childhood itch, even if the color isn’t his favorite.
[67:30] Matt on the “Kills Bugs Fast” 993 Turbo ad—“Possibly the most iconic [Porsche] thing.” Many fans reached out after Doug’s announcement to reminisce about the poster.

10. Listener Q&A and Notable Tangents

[100:24] Plans for 2026? Doug: “Nothing. Shouldn’t have bought this 993 Turbo.” Matt hopes to finish the Countach and maybe attend Detroit’s Dream Cruise instead of Monterey Car Week.
Favorite (regretted) mods, car storage, concept car adventures (Doug driving a Cadillac Voyage prototype), car market “missed opportunities,” and the questionable wisdom of rare-spec restoration projects.

Notable Quotes & Funny Moments

Collecting Cars and Economics

“Anyone who does the complete math is f***ing delusional.”
– Zuckerman via Matt Farah [04:21]

"I've driven that Ford GT 14,000 miles, and there's value to that."
– Doug DeMuro [05:48]

"To lose as much as the first guy lost, I’d have to burn it to the ground, no insurance."
– Matt Farah, on used Taycans [41:32]

On Collecting “Easy” Cars

"People have seemingly gravitated towards cars that are easy. There's still a huge market for the old cars, but... people have kind of gravitated towards the cars that are easy."
– Doug DeMuro [07:00]

"I call those all those cars 'rich guy go-fast cars'. It's crazy how much pride people take in their 296, which is an amazing car. But like all it requires is you need to be a rich guy."
– Doug DeMuro [08:01]

On the Montana Registration Scam

"If you’re gonna run the scam, don’t put the plate in the video that gets 40 million views."
– Matt Farah [55:57]

“Whistlin upsets some people. Not me. I love him dearly, but there are people who he upsets. And so they're gonna call... ‘Hey, you should check him out’.”
– Doug DeMuro [56:27]

"Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. ...Just shut up and pay the bill and go."
– Matt Farah & Doug DeMuro [64:19, 64:33]

On Poster Cars and Colors

"I always get my cars in the poster color. Always."
– Doug DeMuro [65:58]

"In my mind, there isn't a 993 Turbo that isn't Arena [Red]."
– Doug DeMuro [66:43]

"Possibly the most iconic Porsche ad of all time."
– Matt Farah, discussing the ‘Kills Bugs Fast’ campaign [67:17]

On Garage Quirkiness and Car Storage

“I intentionally limited it to 4 [garage spaces] because I wanted to limit myself… and then instantly bought a fifth car, which is idiotic.”
– Doug DeMuro [38:02]

"We learned you can't open a Murciélago door underneath the lift at all."
– Matt Farah [44:39]

On Car Values and Market Surges

"Challenge Stradales are half-million-dollar cars. That’s a crazy overvaluation for a 360."
– Matt Farah [75:00]

"430 Scuds… you can still get one for $275k. Next year, they're gonna be $500k cars."
– Doug DeMuro [74:48]

On the Joy of Actually Driving

"My dream is to depreciate a Ferrari F40 to nothing. That's the dream."
– Matt Farah [54:34]

"I think about that a lot. I would love to drive my Carrera GT or an F40 like I drive my Ford GT—just like, use it."
– Doug DeMuro [55:08]

Engaging Highlights & Memorable Banter

Car Storage and Space: Both Doug and Matt have far fewer garage spaces than people assume—Doug intentionally limited his new garage to keep his habit under control; Matt converted a triple garage to gym space.
Sequoia TRD Pro Roast: Doug roasts his own SUV: “The Sequoia is... I have Trump's face printed on my personal checks car. It's my personality. It’s a little much. And I regret it.” [23:00]
Countach Project Trials: Matt’s Countach restoration saga involves Italian bureaucracy, missing parts, and a comedic attitude toward the challenge—“We are going to find out something is missing. We just don’t know what it is.”
Auction Inside Baseball: Doug’s auction tip—“Whenever people say ‘reserve is off’, that kills bidding.” [80:44]
Manual-Swap Ferrari 599: The pair agree that a manual-swapped 599 GTB is a way to get tremendous value and experience: “You’re driving around for $140K in a manual V12 Ferrari. Meanwhile, a 550 Maranello is a $200K car and is slower!” [79:56]

Timestamps for Must-Listen Segments

[03:18] – Car collection costs and the joy/investment duality
[05:12] – Opportunity costs & the honest math of car ownership
[07:00] – The shift toward "easy" modern cars and Doug’s “rich guy go-fast cars” theory
[09:07] – Doug’s 993 Turbo: Use case and driving enjoyment
[40:56] – Owning & running a used Porsche Taycan
[54:34] – The dream vs. reality: Depreciating an F40, driving rare cars fearlessly
[55:39] – The WhistlinDiesel Montana license registration controversy
[65:58] – Doug’s poster car color philosophy
[79:53] – 599 GTB manual swap value vs. modern collectibles
[109:29] – Are enthusiast auctions being watered down?

Closing Thoughts

With sharp wit, humility, and unfiltered opinions, Matt, Zack, and Doug deliver an episode packed with insight into the realities of car collecting and enthusiast culture. The show is as much about the “why” of old cars as the “how much” (both in dollars and in joy). Their combination of laughter and candor ensures listeners are both entertained and informed—whether they're plotting their first classic or their next five-car garage build.

Note: All timestamps are approximate and refer to elapsed podcast minutes/seconds for listeners’ easy reference.

The Smoking Tire Podcast – Doug DeMuro Returns (December 2, 2025)

Episode Overview

Major Topics & Key Segments

1. The Collector Car Conundrum: Joy vs. Investment

[03:18] Car collecting logistics: Big collectors like Zuckerman have dozens of cars with linear costs—roughly "$12,000 a year per car just for care and feeding."
[04:21] The math behind car appreciation is rarely honest: “Anyone who does the complete math is f***ing delusional.” (-Zuckerman via Matt)
[05:12] Opportunity cost: Doug notes he’s up on his Ford GT, but would've made more just investing in the stock market.
[06:15] The unique, intangible value of actually using the car—Doug: “I’ve driven that Ford GT 14,000 miles, and there’s value to that.”
[07:22] Shift from "hard to use" to "easy" cars in collector tastes; Doug laments modern “rich guy go-fast cars” that require little enthusiasm or skill to buy/own.

2. Doug’s New Porsche 993 Turbo & Collecting Philosophy

[08:49] Doug describes his niche use case (LA–San Diego drives and family fun) for the 993 Turbo and admits it’s the easiest to use, making it his most-driven fun car.
[16:04] Matt’s struggle selling his NSX due to space and opportunity cost, and a comical aside about sourcing original lug nuts.
[22:11] Doug critiques his Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro for being “the most Republican thing I could imagine,” joking about its styling and character.

3. Rising and Falling Car Values, Auctions, and “Poster Cars”

[40:56] Matt’s experiment with a used Porsche Taycan—he can’t lose as much as the first owner did. “To lose as much as the first guy lost, I’d have to burn it to the ground, no insurance.”
[54:51] The dream: depreciating an F40 “to nothing”—the reality that true driving freedom is impossible at big money.
[55:35] Market “irrational exuberance”—Doug and Matt incredulous at the desirability/pricing of cars like the 993 Turbo, 430 Scuderia, and Aston Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake.
- Doug: “I think Scuds are about to take off. You can still get one for $275K; next year, they’ll be $500K cars.”
- Matt: “Is a Stradale worth $500K? That’s a crazy overvaluation.”

4. The WhistlinDiesel Montana Tag Controversy

[55:39] The legal and ethical issues surrounding registering cars “out of state” for tax avoidance:
- Matt: “If you’re gonna run the scam, don’t put the Montana plate in a video that gets 40 million views.”
- Doug: “Whistlin upsets some people. He made himself a target.”
The group agrees that the law, though sometimes senseless, is clear; flaunting it publicly is just asking for trouble. [57:02]

5. The Realities of Owning, Storing, and Maintaining Car Collections

[38:02] Doug purposefully limited his new home’s garage to four spaces to self-regulate; admits five fun cars is “too much work” with a family and other demands.
Matt’s business for collector car storage and service is “blue-collar, not glamorous” despite million-dollar inventory.
[44:39] Garage Tetris: Arranging stackers so the Countach’s doors can actually open, and learning the hard way about supercar quirks.

6. Driving Them vs. Storing Them (Countach Stories, Project Updates)

[46:04] Matt’s Countach update: Engine and gearbox are finally back from Italy, but reassembly is daunting.
- “We are going to find out something is missing. We just don’t know what it is.” - Matt [48:24]
Doug’s Countach has a “built motor”—forged pistons and bored cylinders—admitting he wants his future Supra to be box-stock, to flex his restraint.

7. EV Trucks, Three-Row SUVs, and Uninspiring Enthusiast Cars

[27:14] Cybertruck & F-150 Lightning: Why the electric truck market fizzled—“People who want Harleys and people who want electric motorcycles are opposite people.” - Matt
[28:10] Why car companies chased EV pickups before three-row SUVs, despite latent demand for the latter.
[113:16] Fast wagons (RS6, M5 Touring): Everyone wants the idea, but in practice, they’re too stiff, too thirsty, and ultimately “boring” as dailies.

8. Auction Trends, Value Myths, and Enthusiast Downers

[109:29] Discussion about flooded auction sites: Are Cars & Bids and BaT becoming “eBay Motors”? Doug says there’s an enthusiast for everything and some weird stuff sells for bonkers money.
The value added (or lost) from color, miles, and mods—especially aftermarket wheels. “Sell the wheels separately!” - Doug [79:31]
Manual swap Ferraris, JDM mod culture, and the paradox of bone-stock but underwhelming Supras and Skylines.

9. Nostalgia, “Poster Car” Colors, & Community

[65:58] Doug’s always sought the poster color (Arena Red 993 Turbo, green Defender); it scratches a childhood itch, even if the color isn’t his favorite.
[67:30] Matt on the “Kills Bugs Fast” 993 Turbo ad—“Possibly the most iconic [Porsche] thing.” Many fans reached out after Doug’s announcement to reminisce about the poster.

10. Listener Q&A and Notable Tangents

[100:24] Plans for 2026? Doug: “Nothing. Shouldn’t have bought this 993 Turbo.” Matt hopes to finish the Countach and maybe attend Detroit’s Dream Cruise instead of Monterey Car Week.
Favorite (regretted) mods, car storage, concept car adventures (Doug driving a Cadillac Voyage prototype), car market “missed opportunities,” and the questionable wisdom of rare-spec restoration projects.

Notable Quotes & Funny Moments

Collecting Cars and Economics

“Anyone who does the complete math is f***ing delusional.”
– Zuckerman via Matt Farah [04:21]

"I've driven that Ford GT 14,000 miles, and there's value to that."
– Doug DeMuro [05:48]

"To lose as much as the first guy lost, I’d have to burn it to the ground, no insurance."
– Matt Farah, on used Taycans [41:32]

On Collecting “Easy” Cars

"People have seemingly gravitated towards cars that are easy. There's still a huge market for the old cars, but... people have kind of gravitated towards the cars that are easy."
– Doug DeMuro [07:00]

"I call those all those cars 'rich guy go-fast cars'. It's crazy how much pride people take in their 296, which is an amazing car. But like all it requires is you need to be a rich guy."
– Doug DeMuro [08:01]

On the Montana Registration Scam

"If you’re gonna run the scam, don’t put the plate in the video that gets 40 million views."
– Matt Farah [55:57]

“Whistlin upsets some people. Not me. I love him dearly, but there are people who he upsets. And so they're gonna call... ‘Hey, you should check him out’.”
– Doug DeMuro [56:27]

"Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. ...Just shut up and pay the bill and go."
– Matt Farah & Doug DeMuro [64:19, 64:33]

On Poster Cars and Colors

"I always get my cars in the poster color. Always."
– Doug DeMuro [65:58]

"In my mind, there isn't a 993 Turbo that isn't Arena [Red]."
– Doug DeMuro [66:43]

"Possibly the most iconic Porsche ad of all time."
– Matt Farah, discussing the ‘Kills Bugs Fast’ campaign [67:17]

On Garage Quirkiness and Car Storage

“I intentionally limited it to 4 [garage spaces] because I wanted to limit myself… and then instantly bought a fifth car, which is idiotic.”
– Doug DeMuro [38:02]

"We learned you can't open a Murciélago door underneath the lift at all."
– Matt Farah [44:39]

On Car Values and Market Surges

"Challenge Stradales are half-million-dollar cars. That’s a crazy overvaluation for a 360."
– Matt Farah [75:00]

"430 Scuds… you can still get one for $275k. Next year, they're gonna be $500k cars."
– Doug DeMuro [74:48]

On the Joy of Actually Driving

"My dream is to depreciate a Ferrari F40 to nothing. That's the dream."
– Matt Farah [54:34]

"I think about that a lot. I would love to drive my Carrera GT or an F40 like I drive my Ford GT—just like, use it."
– Doug DeMuro [55:08]

Engaging Highlights & Memorable Banter

Car Storage and Space: Both Doug and Matt have far fewer garage spaces than people assume—Doug intentionally limited his new garage to keep his habit under control; Matt converted a triple garage to gym space.
Sequoia TRD Pro Roast: Doug roasts his own SUV: “The Sequoia is... I have Trump's face printed on my personal checks car. It's my personality. It’s a little much. And I regret it.” [23:00]
Countach Project Trials: Matt’s Countach restoration saga involves Italian bureaucracy, missing parts, and a comedic attitude toward the challenge—“We are going to find out something is missing. We just don’t know what it is.”
Auction Inside Baseball: Doug’s auction tip—“Whenever people say ‘reserve is off’, that kills bidding.” [80:44]
Manual-Swap Ferrari 599: The pair agree that a manual-swapped 599 GTB is a way to get tremendous value and experience: “You’re driving around for $140K in a manual V12 Ferrari. Meanwhile, a 550 Maranello is a $200K car and is slower!” [79:56]

Timestamps for Must-Listen Segments

[03:18] – Car collection costs and the joy/investment duality
[05:12] – Opportunity costs & the honest math of car ownership
[07:00] – The shift toward "easy" modern cars and Doug’s “rich guy go-fast cars” theory
[09:07] – Doug’s 993 Turbo: Use case and driving enjoyment
[40:56] – Owning & running a used Porsche Taycan
[54:34] – The dream vs. reality: Depreciating an F40, driving rare cars fearlessly
[55:39] – The WhistlinDiesel Montana license registration controversy
[65:58] – Doug’s poster car color philosophy
[79:53] – 599 GTB manual swap value vs. modern collectibles
[109:29] – Are enthusiast auctions being watered down?

Closing Thoughts

Note: All timestamps are approximate and refer to elapsed podcast minutes/seconds for listeners’ easy reference.

Doug Demuro

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Summary

The Smoking Tire Podcast – Doug DeMuro Returns (December 2, 2025)

Episode Overview

Major Topics & Key Segments

1. The Collector Car Conundrum: Joy vs. Investment

2. Doug’s New Porsche 993 Turbo & Collecting Philosophy

3. Rising and Falling Car Values, Auctions, and “Poster Cars”

4. The WhistlinDiesel Montana Tag Controversy

5. The Realities of Owning, Storing, and Maintaining Car Collections

6. Driving Them vs. Storing Them (Countach Stories, Project Updates)

7. EV Trucks, Three-Row SUVs, and Uninspiring Enthusiast Cars

8. Auction Trends, Value Myths, and Enthusiast Downers

9. Nostalgia, “Poster Car” Colors, & Community

10. Listener Q&A and Notable Tangents

Notable Quotes & Funny Moments

Collecting Cars and Economics

On Collecting “Easy” Cars

On the Montana Registration Scam

On Poster Cars and Colors

On Garage Quirkiness and Car Storage

On Car Values and Market Surges

On the Joy of Actually Driving

Engaging Highlights & Memorable Banter

Timestamps for Must-Listen Segments

Closing Thoughts

Summary

The Smoking Tire Podcast – Doug DeMuro Returns (December 2, 2025)

Episode Overview

Major Topics & Key Segments

1. The Collector Car Conundrum: Joy vs. Investment

2. Doug’s New Porsche 993 Turbo & Collecting Philosophy

3. Rising and Falling Car Values, Auctions, and “Poster Cars”

4. The WhistlinDiesel Montana Tag Controversy

5. The Realities of Owning, Storing, and Maintaining Car Collections

6. Driving Them vs. Storing Them (Countach Stories, Project Updates)

7. EV Trucks, Three-Row SUVs, and Uninspiring Enthusiast Cars

8. Auction Trends, Value Myths, and Enthusiast Downers

9. Nostalgia, “Poster Car” Colors, & Community

10. Listener Q&A and Notable Tangents

Notable Quotes & Funny Moments

Collecting Cars and Economics

On Collecting “Easy” Cars

On the Montana Registration Scam

On Poster Cars and Colors

On Garage Quirkiness and Car Storage

On Car Values and Market Surges

On the Joy of Actually Driving

Engaging Highlights & Memorable Banter

Timestamps for Must-Listen Segments

Closing Thoughts