THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends!
Episode: JDM Legends Return? Huge STI & Celica News! Is Doug Finally Buying a New Car!
Release Date: June 6, 2025

Doug DeMuro, alongside his co-hosts Kenneth and Filippo, dives into an action-packed episode filled with major automotive news, business milestones, and engaging audience interactions. Here's a detailed summary capturing all the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. News Roundup

a. Grand Tour Reboot

The episode kicks off with thrilling news about the revival of "The Grand Tour." Doug introduces the topic:

[00:37] Doug DeMuro: "It's time to start with the news. The most important news story of the week is the Grand Tour. Filippo, tell us about this."

Filippo shares the exciting developments:

[00:47] Filippo: "It's back. It's back. Amazon announced, leaked, whatever today that there's three new hosts of the Grand Tour. We knew that the original trio had stopped for production. They weren't going to continue it, but they're bringing it back with two of our favorite YouTubers in Todd Holland and James Engelsman."

The trio discusses the transition from the original hosts (Clarkson, Hammond, and May) to the new lineup, including the addition of Francis Bourgeois, a train enthusiast from TikTok. Doug expresses enthusiasm for Thomas and James from Throttle House:

[02:33] Doug DeMuro: "Everyone I've talked to has been pumped about Thomas and James because Throttle House is absolutely beloved and because they have such wonderful on-screen chemistry."

However, there’s uncertainty regarding the integration of the third host, Francis, and how the show’s format might evolve to maintain its legacy.

b. Toyota Celica Resurgence

Next, the hosts delve into Toyota's plans to revive the Celica, a beloved sporty model:

[07:03] Filippo: "We've known for a while that Toyota was thinking about creating a new version of the Celica, their famed sporty-ish vehicle. We learned last week that they've shown it to dealers, so they've kind of shown some early design options, similar prototypes to dealer groups, which is interesting."

They discuss potential powertrain options, including electric, gas, and hybrid variants, and ponder how the Celica will fit into Toyota’s current lineup, which already includes models like the Supra and GR Yaris.

c. Subaru STI Speculation

The conversation shifts to Subaru, highlighting rumors about a potential high-performance STI version:

[10:31] Filippo: "Subaru has teased that they may have a high-performance vehicle coming out. Baseline assumption is that it's a WRX STI or something similar because they've only had the WRX since 2022. Hasn't had an STI version."

The hosts express interest but remain skeptical, noting that Subaru had previously indicated there would be no STI version. They consider the possibility of a WRX wagon as an alternative high-performance model.

d. Dodge Charger EV Acceleration Issue

A peculiar issue with the Dodge Charger EV is brought to light, involving unintended acceleration:

[15:04] Filippo: "This is a Dodge Charger EV. There have been reports that the car gave a bunch of warnings and then it started accelerating despite their foot not being on the gas."

The hosts debate the legitimacy and implications of these reports, comparing them to past unintended acceleration incidents and discussing potential safety concerns.

e. California EPA Waiver Revocation

A significant policy update is discussed regarding California’s ability to set its own emissions standards:

[19:36] Filippo: "This is the first time that the federal government has been like, no, California, you can't do what you want to do."

The revocation of California's waiver by the U.S. Senate impacts the state's plan to stop selling gasoline-powered cars by 2035. The group debates the consequences for the automotive industry and the broader push towards electric vehicles.

2. Cars & Bids: Five-Year Milestone

Celebrating five years since its inception on June 8, 2020, Cars & Bids has become a prominent platform in the online car auction space. Doug reflects on their journey:

[27:53] Filippo: "We have 865,000 users... $625 million in cars sold."

From humble beginnings during the COVID-19 pandemic, the platform has grown exponentially, conducting over 28,000 auctions and building a robust community of car enthusiasts.

3. Special Segment: Massachusetts 250th License Plate

Doug introduces an intriguing topic about Massachusetts' new blue license plate commemorating 250 years of independence:

[29:55] Filippo: "It's blue. It's the only license plate in Massachusetts that hasn't got a white background. And they're only going to offer it for two years this year, and then also next year."

Doug expresses a strong desire to obtain this limited-edition plate, highlighting its potential as a status symbol once it's no longer available:

[30:00] Filippo: "I know, but they won't pass that."

The discussion underscores the exclusivity and appeal of special edition license plates among car enthusiasts.

4. Market Reports

a. NSX Automatic Transmission Sale

One of the standout market reports is the sale of a low-mileage NA2 pre-facelift NSX equipped with an automatic transmission:

[40:30] Filippo: "We sold earlier this week a 9800 mile NA2 pre-facelift NSX, as these are known. There's only one caveat, and that's that it has an automatic transmission."

This sale is notable as it's possibly the highest for an automatic NSX of its generation, sparking discussions about the value and desirability of automatic variants among collectors.

b. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series

The sale of a rare red Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series garners attention:

[43:49] Kenneth: "It sold for $111,000 which... the color had a lot to do with that."

With only around 800 units produced globally, this particular model stands out due to its unique color and low mileage, making it a highly sought-after collector's item.

c. Rolls Royce Cullinan with High Mileage

An unusual listing catches the hosts' attention—a 2020 Rolls Royce Cullinan with 115,000 miles:

[47:03] Filippo: "That's insane. 2020... 115,000 miles on the odometer."

They discuss the rarity of such high mileage in a luxury vehicle, contemplating its value and the implications for Rolls Royce's reputation for durability and exclusivity.

5. Audience Questions

In an interactive segment, the hosts engage with questions from their audience, covering a range of topics from personal branding to the future of Tesla.

a. Name Alliteration and YouTube Growth

A listener asks about the impact of Doug's alliterative name on his YouTube growth:

[51:30] Doug DeMuro: "I think that my unusual name was very beneficial... If your name is Mike Smith... it's hard to remember."

Filippo adds:

[52:17] Filippo: "Your name is the perfect balance of easy to spell, fun to say... memorable."

This discussion highlights the importance of a memorable personal brand in the digital content landscape.

b. Elon Musk's Influence on Tesla's Future

Another question probes whether Tesla would continue to thrive if Elon Musk stepped down:

[54:30] Filippo: "I think that people's memory is short and therefore the current era of Elon fades quickly in memory."

The hosts debate the inseparability of Elon Musk's personal brand from Tesla's success and speculate on the company's resilience amidst changing leadership dynamics.

c. Holy Trinity of Supercars

A listener inquires about ranking the Porsche 918, McLaren P1, and LaFerrari:

[58:28] Filippo: "I think it's LaFerrari, P1, 918."

Doug expresses his preference:

[60:48] Filippo: "I really wish there was more history on the Carfax... but I don't love any of the three."

This exchange underscores the subjective nature of supercar evaluation among enthusiasts.

d. Matching Cars to Personalities

Listeners also ask which cars best represent the hosts' personalities:

[67:26] Filippo: "XJ6."

[68:09] Doug DeMuro: "The first gen Cayenne Turbo."

Keneth adds humorously:

[73:15] Doug DeMuro: "If I had a... I need a car that matches this blue license plate, maybe the Toyota Progress."

The playful banter reveals personal preferences and how individual traits influence car choices.

e. Drive an Enthusiast Car as an Uber

A creative question challenges the hosts to choose an enthusiast car for a thousand-hour stint as an Uber driver:

[65:14] Filippo: "My mind went to a Model 3."

Doug jokes about unconventional choices:

[65:26] Doug DeMuro: "Toyota Century..."

This segment blends practicality with automotive passion, showcasing the hosts' diverse perspectives.

f. Exclusive Gas Station Preferences

The final question explores whether the hosts prefer specific gas station brands:

[71:00] Doug DeMuro: "I go to whatever is the most convenient."

[71:27] Kenneth: "I go to Shell exclusively."

Filippo contends:

[73:12] Kenneth: "I wear a lot of the same sneakers... Puma sneakers."

This discussion highlights brand loyalty and personal preferences beyond just car choices.

6. Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, the hosts share personal anecdotes and heartfelt messages, maintaining their characteristic camaraderie:

[74:35] Kenneth: "Happy late birthday to Noodle, your dog. It was recently his sixth birthday and we miss you dearly and can't wait for you to come back."

Doug humorously contemplates balancing his "off cars" pact with his desire for the special Massachusetts license plate, adding a light-hearted closure to the episode.

Notable Quotes

• [02:33] Doug DeMuro: "Everyone I've talked to has been pumped about Thomas and James because Throttle House is absolutely beloved and because they have such wonderful on-screen chemistry."

• [07:03] Filippo: "We've known for a while that Toyota was thinking about creating a new version of the Celica, their famed sporty-ish vehicle."

• [10:31] Filippo: "Subaru has teased that they may have a high-performance vehicle coming out. Baseline assumption is that it's a WRX STI or something similar."

• [19:36] Filippo: "This is the first time that the federal government has been like, no, California, you can't do what you want to do."

• [27:53] Filippo: "We have 865,000 users... $625 million in cars sold."

• [29:55] Filippo: "It's blue... they're only going to offer it for two years this year, and then also next year."

• [40:30] Filippo: "We sold earlier this week a 9800 mile NA2 pre-facelift NSX, as these are known."

• [43:49] Kenneth: "It sold for $111,000 which... the color had a lot to do with that."

• [58:28] Filippo: "I think it's LaFerrari, P1, 918."

Final Thoughts

This episode of "THIS CAR POD!" offers a rich blend of automotive news, personal milestones, and interactive discussions that cater to both casual listeners and die-hard car enthusiasts. Doug DeMuro and his friends provide insightful commentary, humorous exchanges, and heartfelt moments, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about cars.