Podcast Summary: THIS CAR POD! EP88

Episode Title: Doug Bought A 993 Turbo! Genesis Supercar and the Audi G-Wagon!
Date: November 27, 2025
Host: Doug DeMuro
Co-hosts: Filippo, Nick

Episode Overview

In this episode of THIS CAR POD! Doug DeMuro and friends dive into Doug’s long-awaited purchase of a 993 Turbo, unpack the latest in supercar news from Genesis, discuss the rumored Audi G-Wagon rival, upcoming Xterra revival, Porsche’s recommissioning program, wild car auctions, market trends, listener Q&A, and the joys (and financial pains) of owning quirky enthusiast cars.
Tone: Informal, witty, enthusiast-driven; lots of back-and-forth banter, inside jokes, and storytelling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Doug’s 993 Turbo: The Reveal and Ownership Experience

Timestamp: 01:20–04:40

• Secret Purchase: Doug reveals he bought a Porsche 993 Turbo "about two months ago."
• Hidden Hints: He secretly placed the car’s license plate set on the podcast stage weeks ago, challenging attentive fans to spot it.
  • Doug: “There was a hidden trick. And from now on, anytime we buy a car, we'll put a hidden trick somewhere in the podcast set.” (02:52)
• Driving Impressions:
  • Loving it for everyday use.
  • Appreciates having a sports car that isn't a constant attention magnet:
    • “It’s nice to have a car that literally nobody cares about or pays attention, including Nick.” (03:31)
• Color & Miles: Bought at around 58.5K miles, now up to 1,500, lots of LA trips, regular driving.
• Enthusiast Reaction: Notes intensively how forums like Renlist both love and criticize him for owning it, questioning his "Porsche guy" status.
• Ownership Stats: Compares number of Porsches and Nissans he’s owned, rebuffing the label of being a “Porsche guy.”

2. The Joy & Sanity of Dealer-Bought Cars

Timestamp: 05:47–08:28

• Doug shares the rare pleasure of simply purchasing, registering, and enjoying a local, well-serviced car from a dealer, rather than dealing with import headaches.
  • Doug: “It was so nice. I came home at 2pm this day. The car was in the garage and I haven't had to do a thing. And I'm like, oh my God, is this what it's like when people buy cars?” (07:09)

3. The Controversy: 993 Turbo Ride Height

Timestamp: 08:28–09:38

• Doug prefers the U.S.-spec ride height over the Euro “SUV ride height” critics detest, pointing out how lowering it distorts the car's proportions.
  • Doug: “My personal belief is that the car has significant overhangs… when you lower the car, you kind of pull… visually, you pull the whole car, stretch it out. And I think it looks silly, like lowered.” (08:36)

4. Genesis Gets Bold: Supercars, Wagons, and Racing

Timestamp: 10:26–14:44

• Wingback & Magma Line: Genesis revealed the G90 Wingback (station wagon) and the Magma GT, hinting at a comprehensive new performance sub-brand.
  • Doug: “This thing, I mean, this is a C8 Corvette rival. Right. Or an R8 rival… It’s not like this is a silly concept car with no mirrors.” (13:14)
• Genesis aims to homologate cars for GT3 racing and will develop a full lineup for enthusiasts, taking bold risks other automakers shy away from.
• Comparison to Japanese conservatism (Honda) and Hyundai/Kia’s willingness to just “go do it.”

5. Korean Car Industry "Glow Up"

Timestamp: 19:54–20:26

• Panel marvels at Hyundai/Kia/Genesis’ profitability leap and rapid product advancement—from the Tiburon to becoming Toyota’s closest profitability challenger.

6. Mercedes’ Mini G-Wagon and Audi’s Scout Project

Timestamp: 20:32–24:10

• Mini G-Wagon: Spy shots confirm Mercedes’ shrunken G, provoking mixed feelings among the hosts—resemblance to a Jeep Liberty, GLB, Suzuki Jimny.
• Audi’s G-Wagon Rival: Discussion of VW’s Scout project, predictions coming true about Audi collaborating, and general skepticism about electric SUV expansion in Europe.

7. Nissan Xterra Is Coming Back

Timestamp: 26:13–27:39

• Back to Basics: The new Xterra will be simple, affordable (<$40K), body-on-frame, with real off-road credibility and lots of mod potential.
  • Doug: “They're going to undercut the 4runner and base it on the Frontier and that's the way that they should do it. And it's probably the way they should have been doing it for the last 15 years.” (27:14)
• General industry trend: “Everybody's doing it”—more rugged off-roaders, more enthusiast-targeted products.

8. Porsche’s Recommissioning Program & Factory Customization

Timestamp: 31:07–34:45

• Porsche expanding factory rebuilds for older models (including Cayenne GTS)—for “an absurd amount of money.”
  • Doug: “They will make it ugly. Which pretty much has been exclusively what they've done.” (31:12)
• Some factory creations seen as highly tasteless, compared to aftermarket mods.
• Quote: “I think Singer kind of ruined this, where Singer did it pretty tastefully. And now every manufacturer thinks like, oh, we can recommission our cars.” (34:23, Nick)

9. Wild Market & Auction Talk

Timestamp: 36:15–39:45

• Record Sale: Gordon Murray S1 LM sells for ~$21 million at Las Vegas F1, setting a new bar for new-car auctions.
• Crime & Cars: The story of a Mercedes CLK GTR seized in Canada, criminal intrigue, and how law enforcement learns about exotic cars—possibly from Doug’s videos.

10. Old Cars, Big Projects & Ownership Pains

Timestamp: 43:45–55:40

• LX700H Temptation: Doug’s rekindled desire for a Lexus LX700H, prompted by a diecast model, restrained only by front-end styling gripes and frequent use of the Sequoia.
• P38 Pain: Nick bought a cheap Range Rover P38, promptly shelled out $5,000+ in repairs, and embraces the cycle of British car suffering.
  • Doug: “$4,800 is going to lose it. You are out of your mind. You're insane. What did you do?” (50:47)
• Reflections on enthusiast car culture—pain is part of the pleasure for certain owners.

11. Filippo Is Shopping

Timestamp: 57:06–62:28

• He’s in the market for a 991.1 Carrera 2 Cabriolet or Coupe, manual, preferably in the $60K range.
• Shout-outs for tips, with realistic expectations and some regret over cars missed earlier in the year.

12. Market Report

Timestamp: 64:06–68:55

• Doug’s Pick: Mercedes GLA 45, an underrated “hot hatch,” shows up at a bargain price.
  • “GLA 45, I think, is one of the most underrated cars in existence.” (64:17)
• Nick’s Pick: Hand-built BMW 3 Series wagon with a Maserati V8 and Nissan 6-speed swap. Insanely creative builds, labor of love—market value impossible to determine.

13. Car Talk: Pluralization, Q&A, and More

Timestamp: 76:35–80:07

• Amusing debate over the correct plural for LEAF (Leafs), Prius (Priuses), and how brands handle pluralizing model names.
  • Doug: “It's a proper noun… so it doesn't pluralize into leaves. It pluralizes into Leafs.” (76:51)
• Why the new Honda Prelude likely won’t become a beloved classic.
• Filtering through why Doug picked his particular 993 Turbo—thanks given to an eagle-eyed team member who spotted the right car before it was public.

14. Community, Thankfulness, and Show Wrap

Timestamp: 87:43–93:21

• Thanksgiving reflections: The hosts express gratitude for each other, their extended friend group, and the supportive podcast community.
  • “We have gotten into an unhealthy dynamic of enabling each other's worst decisions and peer pressuring. However, this group… it’s wonderful.” (90:32, Nick)
• Final tangents include car enthusiast workplace culture, license plate trivia, and a uniquely Californian license plate discussion.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Social Media Car Sales:
  • Doug: “If you have a big Instagram account, you get DMs from people you follow. But then there's like a section… I never check that folder, ever.” (01:23)
• On Dealer Simplicity:
  • Doug: “Oh my God, is this what it's like when people buy cars?” (07:09)
• On Porsche Ownership:
  • Doug: “I'm not a Porsche guy.” (04:53)
• On the 993 Ride Height:
  • Doug: “My most controversial take ever… I think the US ride height on 993 turbos looks better.” (08:36)
• On Hyundai/Kia Success:
  • Doug: “This is like going from a money-shifted TTRS to an SLR.” (20:26)
• On Nissan’s Off-Road Products:
  • Doug: “Not having the Xterra in the product lineup for the last 15 years is the single largest product planning mistake in the entire car industry of our lifetimes.” (27:39)
• On Porsche’s Customization:
  • Doug: “They will make it ugly… for an absurd amount of money.” (31:12)
• On BMW With a Maserati Engine:
  • Nick: “It's such a bonkers build in the best way possible.” (68:19)
• On Car Community:
  • Doug: “If you're out there and you don't have car enthusiast people, we are proud that once a week we get to come and be your car enthusiast people for a little while.” (90:46)

Notable Timestamps

• Doug reveals 993 Turbo purchase: 01:23–04:53
• Easter egg plate trick: 02:28–03:15
• Genesis supercar/Wingback wagon discussion: 10:26–14:44
• Mini G-Wagon & Scout news: 20:32–24:10
• Xterra/Off-Roader trend: 26:13–29:44
• Porsche recommission criticism: 31:07–34:45
• F1 LV auction/S1 LM sale: 36:15–37:40
• P38 and Arnage financial lament: 43:45–55:02
• Filippo hunting for 991: 57:06–62:28
• Hot hatch praise (GLA 45): 64:17–65:54
• Wacky BMW V8 wagon: 66:55–69:45
• Listener questions & pluralizing cars: 76:35–80:07
• Thanksgiving reflections and community: 87:43–91:45

Conclusion

This episode typifies the eclectic, informed, and mischievously honest tone of THIS CAR POD!, with Doug leading revealing personal stories, expert takes on industry news, and fun community banter. The combination of insightful car talk, practical ownership wisdom, and genuine friendship makes this a must-listen for true automotive enthusiasts.