THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends!

Episode 83: Ferrari Builds Modern F40! Porsche 18 Cylinder Coming? Car Dating Red Flags?

Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Nick (filling in for Doug DeMuro), Kenneth, Filippo

Episode Overview

This week’s episode dives deep into recent, eye-catching automotive news, from Ferrari's divisive “SC40” modern F40 homage, to Porsche filing a patent for an 18-cylinder turbo engine, and Toyota’s frustrating decision not to bring the new FJ Cruiser to the US. The crew also debates car-market trends and red flags in automotive dating, with audience Q&A rounding out the lively, banter-heavy episode.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ferrari “SC40” – A Modern F40 Homage?

[01:25–05:19]

• Ferrari’s New One-Off: Based on the 296, the new SC40 is crafted for a very special client as a tribute to the F40, though opinions are mixed and the design is controversial among enthusiasts.
• Design Critiques:
  • Kenneth: “Does this remind you of an F40? In absolutely no way does this look like an F40. But they have said that this car...is an F40 reimagined.” [01:42]
  • Nick: “...the rear quarter of it definitely looks F40. The wing, you definitely see it. But it isn't like the Countach where it is just a blatant ripoff.” [03:02]
• Specs & Choices:
  • Questions raised about why the car is based on the “middle-level” 296 instead of the higher-end SF90.
  • Novelty interior: Kevlar used instead of carbon, with a gold tint.
• Collectibility:
  • Only one will be made; destined for a private collection.
  • All agree: it should be red, as all true F40s are.

2. Porsche’s Big Moves: New CEO and W18 Patent

Porsche’s CEO Shuffle
[07:14–11:19]

• New CEO Michael Leiters (ex-Ferrari/Ferrari’s 296 and SF90) will likely push for hybrids over full electrification.
• Nick: “The CEO is not designing the car...his goal is to be the visionary.” [09:20]
• Concerns about Porsche’s sales in China and ability to fund enthusiast models amidst corporate growth.

18-Cylinder Engine Patent
[16:51–19:27]

• Porsche’s jaw-dropping patent for a W18 tri-turbo engine, with each “bank” turbocharged.
• Kenneth: “If they make a W18 engine...that is insane.” [18:55]
• Discussion around whether this is just a paper project or a sign of true intent for future hypercars.

3. Elon Musk & Tesla's Compensation Drama

[11:31–14:57]

• Elon Musk’s extreme pay package, the Delaware Supreme Court lawsuit, and hints at quitting if terms aren’t approved.
• Filippo: “Is he helping the brand? Is the brand advancing? Is that market cap correct? Short answer: no.” [13:21]
• The panel is skeptical about the headlines and Musk’s actual value to Tesla in the past year.
• Reference to Roadster delays as a symbolic “fool me once, shame on—can’t get fooled again” moment.

4. Toyota’s FJ Cruiser: Off-Road for Everyone Except Americans

[19:29–22:29]

• Toyota unveils a new FJ Cruiser—Hilux-based, part of the Land Cruiser family—but not for sale in the US or Europe.
• Hosts are baffled, given America’s appetite for rugged SUVs.
• Kenneth: “All they have to do is look at the Jeep. The Jeep is the only product keeping Stellantis alive...” [20:28]

5. China’s Rare Earths & Global Car Production

[22:37–26:33]

• China’s clampdown on rare earth exports could cripple EV and even ICE car manufacturing globally.
• Comparison to the Covid chip shortage, with hosts warning of potential industry-wide disruption.
• Filippo: “This would be that, but much, much more impactful to actually important parts of the car.” [24:43]

6. Waymo’s Robotaxi Safety in Question

[26:33–28:48]

• Investigation into Waymo after an incident involving a school bus and passenger safety concerns.
• Nick: “I do not trust a tech company to drive a vehicle without someone overseeing it...not safety oriented enough.” [28:18]
• Debate over increased autonomy, ethics, and potential inevitability despite misgivings.

7. Talk Cars: “What’s New With You?”

Nick’s Murcielago Auction
[30:55–36:30]

• Nick’s manual-converted Murciélago is about to end auction at $251k with strong interest and community engagement.
• Reflections on emotional readiness to sell and the ups and downs of exotic ownership.

Aston Martin Virage Review
[36:45–41:02]

• Filippo raves about the overlooked Virage after spending quality time in one.
  • “I went in with very low, medium to very low expectations and it blew them away…” [37:44]
• The full review video is available on Cars & Bids’ YouTube.

Kenneth’s F1 Bachelor Party
[43:48–46:08]

• Kenneth is heading to the Mexican Grand Prix for a friend’s bachelor party, highlighting racing as a great group activity.

Radwood & Car Event Etiquette
[51:07–54:45]

• Nick discusses prepping for Radwood with the Fiat Multipla.
• Hosts comment on the recent shutdown of big US car events due to unruly behavior (“takeover crowd”).
  • Nick: “Please...Stop ruining the events if there are a ton of people there. All you're doing is risking the fun for everyone.” [52:56]
• Public road safety and canyons: strong PSA to be responsible and avoid putting others at risk.

8. Market Report: Winning Cars & Trends

Volvo V70R Manual in Flash Green
[56:02–58:14]

• Flash Green/Atacama manual V70R achieves a record high result, underlining the value of right-spec enthusiast Volvos.

Dodge Viper ACR Market
[58:47–61:03]

• GTS Viper at $85,500 noted as a deal, while ACR extremes are now $300k+ cars, with Striker Purple bringing top dollar.
• Kenneth: “Largest displacement engine put in the car since the Second World War.” [61:16]

Audi RS4 Avant in Canada
[62:48–66:15]

• Sprint Blue B7 RS4 Avant for Canadian sale prompts longing and discussions of import loopholes—and why North America needs more “unmolested” rare Euro wagons.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “In absolutely no way does this look like an F40.” — Kenneth, [01:42]
• “The Murciélago was such a good car...I am thrilled though—cars and bids was so easy to work with.” — Nick, [34:34]
• “If they make a W18 engine...that is insane.” — Kenneth, [18:55]
• “I do not trust a tech company to drive a vehicle without someone overseeing it...” — Nick, [28:18]
• “If you have an M3 CRT, that's a green flag.” — Kenneth, [72:59] (on car dating red flags)
• “Stop ruining the events if there are a ton of people there. All you’re doing is risking the fun for everyone.” — Nick, [52:56]
• “Largest displacement engine put in the car since the Second World War.” — Kenneth, [61:16]

Audience Q&A Highlights

Rank Your Top 5 Fast & Furious Cars

[67:32–70:00]

• Supra, R34 Skyline, Jetta, Fiero, and Torque Tuareg discussed.
• “The franchise has gotten exponentially worse each episode…sales have gotten exponentially higher.” — Nick, [69:04]

Automotive Dating Red Flags

[71:29–76:57]

• Modified M4s, wrapped cars, “Carolina squat” trucks, and serial poor financial car decisions are major red flags.
• “If their car is so high-maintenance it’s a G wagon, that would scare me.” — Nick, [73:47]

Getaway Cars and Automakers Poised for Enthusiast Revival

[77:02–83:08]

• Tesla Model 3 or nondescript hatchbacks ideal for discretion after a heist.
• Mitsubishi, Buick, and Cadillac as brands best positioned to relaunch enthusiast models.

Timestamps for Reference

• Ferrari SC40: [01:25–05:19]
• Porsche CEO & W18 Engine: [07:14–11:19, 16:51–19:27]
• Tesla Compensation: [11:31–14:57]
• Toyota FJ Cruiser: [19:29–22:29]
• Rare Earths Crisis: [22:37–26:33]
• Waymo Safety: [26:33–28:48]
• Talk Cars: [30:55–41:02]
• Bachelor Party/F1: [43:48–46:08]
• Radwood & Car Events: [51:07–54:45]
• Market Report: [56:02–66:15]
• Q&A: [67:05–83:08]

Tone & Style

The episode is fast-paced, irreverent, insightful, and loaded with car enthusiast banter in an unfiltered, friendly, sometimes sarcastic way—true to DeMuro & Friends’ signature energy.

Takeaway

A classic episode blending serious analysis with playful squad energy, from billion-dollar pay disputes to the sacredness of red Ferraris. If you want to know what’s buzzing in the car world (and get a sense of car market red flags—for both investments and dating!), THIS CAR POD! episode 83 is a must-listen.