THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends

Episode: Robots Takeover Tesla! Porsche Kills the Electric Car! Doug's Roadtrip!

Date: February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this week’s episode, Doug DeMuro is joined by Filippo and Nick (with Kennan out) for a lively, irreverent discussion on the biggest automotive news. The conversation bounces between their hilarious Euro road trip (and subsequent car sales), major car industry stories including Tesla’s robot ambitions, the possible demise of Porsche EV sports cars, what’s next for the Lexus LC, Acura’s bewildering RDX cancellation, the durability of the C8 Corvette, and much more. Laced with insider banter, self-deprecating humor, and the hosts’ passionate takes, this episode is a must-listen for car enthusiasts and automotive market watchers.

Table of Contents

1. Euro Road Trip Recap & Cars for Sale
2. Tesla Kills the S & X for Robots
3. Porsche Pulls Plug (Literally) on EV Sports Cars
4. Lexus LC: Last of the Special Grand Tourers
5. New S-Class, Acura RDX Canceled, and Other Industry Moves
6. C8 Corvette Evolution and Values
7. Door Handle Safety Regulations
8. Santa Cruz, Durango Lawsuit, & Other News Nuggets
9. Todd Car Segment & Market Report
10. Listener Questions
11. Notable Quotes & Moments

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1. Euro Road Trip Recap & Cars for Sale

• The team’s European road trip, featuring Filippo’s Fiat 500 Abarth, Nick's Multipla, and an Audi A2, is now live in a new video series on the Cars & Bids YouTube channel.
• The cars, bought specifically for this adventure, are now up for auction – but not before some self-mocking about overpaying and the state of the cars.
• Filippo: “Thank God it’s gone.” (Fiat 500 Abarth) [02:47]
• Auctions are open while the remaining episodes drop for “maximum insider drama.”

Notable Segment:

• [03:05] Nick: “The Multipla is a gem. It’s the only one in the country and worth at least 40, 50 grand.” (Said with tongue-in-cheek to Doug’s insistent skepticism)
• Banter about joke bids at “$6969” and who actually cares about the sales price.

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2. Tesla Kills the S & X for Robots

• Tesla officially discontinues the Model S and Model X, supposedly to retool production lines for its upcoming humanoid robot project.
• Hosts discuss the remarkably long life and minimal evolution of the S/X models, noting the S might be “the oldest new car on sale” and drawing comparisons to similarly stagnant vehicles.
• Key insight: Tesla’s innovation edge has dulled—others now have big screens, self-driving features, and access to Tesla’s supercharger network.
• Doug speculates: has Tesla “made its point” and could one day exit the car business to focus on robotics and AI?
• Doug: “Maybe Tesla just gives up on the car biz. Maybe they’re like, we made our point, we’re out… I know it’s laughable to say this right now, but—” [08:40]

Segment Highlights:

• [07:46] Doug: “I just recorded a video of the most impactful cars of the last 30 years. And I put [the Model S] as number one. Spoiler alert.”
• Discussion about how the S and X became redundant once the cheaper Model 3/Y arrived, and design language issues making models indistinguishable to the untrained eye.

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3. Porsche Pulls Plug (Literally) on EV Sports Cars

• Porsche rumored to be pulling the plug on its pure electric sports car, after high investments and lackluster market interest.
• Backstory: Podcast covered the evolving plans over nearly two years – from all-EV Boxster plans, to hybrid proposals, to scrapping the EV altogether.
• Filippo: “Adding [a plug-in hybrid] seems like it’s been really difficult…they’re just considering scrapping it entirely.” [10:50]
• Consensus: the audience wants the flat-six. Porsche could reclaim enthusiast loyalty by simply bringing back a naturally aspirated flat-six.

Notable Quote:

• Doug [11:18]: “I’m not surprised by this at all. Bring back the flat six, you could win all the enthusiasts back.”

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4. Lexus LC: Last of the Special Grand Tourers

• Lexus LC is officially dead after one more year—hosts eulogize it as a future collector car; the last naturally aspirated V8, beautiful and undervalued.
• Comparisons made to the Toyota Supra (mk4) and other now-legendary Japanese GTs.
• Doug [13:15]: “This car is going to go down as special and it will. It’s an NA V8, it is beautiful…this car is going to go down as a special, special car.”
• Arguments over whether LC will appreciate like other icons, but consensus that it’s a “concept-car come to life” and that used prices already remain strong.

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5. New S-Class, Acura RDX Canceled, and Other Industry Moves

New S-Class

• Receives another “incremental” refresh including the EQS’s Hyperscreen, more tech (illuminated hood emblem, heated seatbelts).
• Doug [19:32]: “The S Class is more than a car, though, it’s a brand…when all the other luxury sedans are dead, this will still be prevailing amongst them all.”
• Commentary on Mercedes’ enduring success with S-Class even as rivals scale back sedans.

Acura RDX

• Surprise cancellation of Acura RDX (“30% of Acura’s U.S. volume”), with a promised return as a hybrid in two years.
• Doug [21:59]: “Can you imagine Lexus or Mercedes being like, we’ll be back in two years with the RX? ... This is how you signal [Acura isn’t a priority].”
• Conversation about whether Honda is too conservative, under-investing in Acura vs. just badge-engineering Hondas.

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6. C8 Corvette Evolution and Values

• C8 Grand Sport teased for 2027, likely with a new naturally aspirated 6.7L LS6/LSX, with around 550 horsepower.
• Discussion on the Corvette’s six-year run and how GM has kept it fresh and relevant with continual updates (Stingray, Z06, ZR1X, now Grand Sport).
• Used C8 values “holding strong”—convertibles around $60k even after several model years.
• Doug [27:55]: “60 [thousand] honestly is holding value pretty damn well for a six-year-old. I’m still into the C8.”
• Speculation on driver-focused variants; manual transmission dreams; brief side debate on the E-Ray’s market coolness vs. its actual appeal.

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7. Door Handle Safety Regulations

• China bans purely electronic (hidden) external door handles starting 2027, requiring a mechanical release for safety after high-profile accident rescues failed.
• Hosts predict U.S. will follow; automakers unlikely to develop different handles across global markets.
• Doug [35:21]: “If we go back to normal door handles again, you know it’s because of this.”
• North American car owners in cold climates may rejoice if the trend kills unreliable pop-out/hidden handles.

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8. Santa Cruz, Durango Lawsuit, & Other News Nuggets

Hyundai Santa Cruz

• Rumor: Santa Cruz “Sport Adventure Vehicle” axed after underwhelming sales (25k/year vs. 155k Mavericks).
• Opens speculation that Hyundai will “cannonball” into the segment soon with a true midsize, body-on-frame truck.

Durango Hellcat “Last Call” Lawsuit

• Lawsuit dismissed; buyers who overpaid for “last call” 2021 Durango Hellcat lost their case after Dodge continued production despite promises of exclusivity.
• Doug [38:16]: “Hey, listen, I know I lied to you, but I didn’t intend…when I first said it, I thought it was gonna happen.”
• Moral: don’t speculate on “limited edition” new muscle SUVs…unless you really like 700hp Durangos.

Toyota Three-Row Tease & New Nissan Xterra

• Toyota teases a new three-row (possible minivan or all-electric Highlander), but details are sparse.
• Nissan Xterra appears headed for revival, possibly leveraging Frontier platform.

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9. Todd Car Segment & Market Report

Todd Car Segment

• Doug issues a plea: he wants a 2000 or 2001 Mercedes E55 wagon (W210), left-hand drive, silver, post-facelift, with third-row seat. Offers to import if necessary—contact Sean@carsandbids.com.
• Nick and Filippo joke about what actually gets listed and their experiences with cars up for sale on the site.

Market Report Highlights

• R129 and R230 Mercedes SLs: praised but pronounced “forever cheap.” Nice examples available for $11–14k and unlikely to ever appreciate.
  • Doug [58:04]: “This car simply will never rise in value ever.”
• Early Subaru WRX prices: “So cheap for what started the whole thing.” Team reminisces on the cult status but wonders why values lag.
• NSX sales: OG NA2 cars surpassing new NSX (NC1) in value; rare colors highly prized.

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10. Listener Questions (select highlights with timestamps)

Questions begin at [63:04]. Noteworthy answers:

• Worst "nostalgic nameplate" revival:

  • Blazer (by far), then Prelude. Blazer became a generic crossover instead of an off-roader; Prelude at least attempted to follow tradition but fizzled.
  • “One of the most laughable mismanagements in the entire history of laughable mismanagement.” – Doug [69:39]

• Automaker for a one-off special (money no object):

  • Nick: “A new Lamborghini LM002 (‘Lamu’)…with a V12, modernized.” [72:25]
  • Doug: “A modernized F40, with a manual.” [73:24]
  • Filippo: “Manual wagon versions of cars that shouldn’t exist, like a C8 E-Ray manual wagon.” [73:53]

• What would Doug do if YouTube hadn’t worked out?

  • Nick: “You’d have won Jeopardy! a few times, then faded into mid-management—your people skills would have kept you from going higher.” [74:53]
  • Filippo: “You’d have gone back to the auto industry but been bored and restless.” [75:32]

• “Holy grail” car Doug would break his local-only rule to review:

  • Doug: “If the Brunei Sultan’s collection opened up—spending a week shooting 12–13 videos would be worth the travel.” [77:55]

• At what number is a McLaren 570S a good buy?

  • Sub-$100k (recent sale at $89k). “That is compelling.” [78:50]

• Which dead car brand do you miss most?

  • Filippo: “Saab—but it really died in 1998 with GM’s majority ownership.”
  • Nick: Jokingly offers “DeLorean, Mercury, Packard.” (Mercury Mountaineer!?) [81:13]
  • Doug: “Pontiac. The excitement brand.” [82:23]
  • Highlights Pontiac’s lost performance ethos—G8, Solstice, Grand Prix GTP/GXP, etc.

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11. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Road Trip Car Sales:

  • Filippo: “Thank God it’s gone.” (500 Abarth)
  • Doug (on Multipla bids): “Whoever put that bid in is going to regret it.” [01:30]

• Tesla’s future:

  • Doug (on Tesla possibly leaving the car market): “Maybe Tesla just quietly, over the next 10 years, says, ‘we killed it, changed the world. Now we’re going to walk away…’” [08:40]

• Porsche’s Electric Reversal:

  • Filippo: “No matter how much money you spend on this thing, ain’t nobody want it.” [10:38]

• Lexus LC Tribute:

  • Doug: “This car is special and...will go down as a special, special car…It’s the Mk4 Supra of our generation.” [13:15, 13:26]

• On S-Class:

  • Doug: “The S-Class is more than a car…it’s a brand.” [19:12]

• Acura RDX Canceled:

  • Doug: “This is how you signal [Acura isn’t a priority].” [21:59]

• Manuals:

  • Nick (on LM002 dream): “And I want it to look like the original Lamu. Just modernize, like, tweak it a little…” [73:05]
  • Filippo: “Make it a manual wagon.” [73:49]

• On Revival Flops:

  • Doug: “Blazer is the worst of all time for sure…” [69:04]

• On Classic SLs:

  • Doug: “This car will never rise in value. Ever.” [58:04]

• Doug’s Dream Car Plea:

  • Doug: “I want a 2000, 2001 E55 station wagon with a third row. If it’s in Europe, I don’t care. Asia, I will import it. Find me the car.” [45:00–46:28]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Euro Roadtrip Recap/Cars & Bids Auctions: [00:35–03:20]
• Tesla S/X Dead, Robot Shift: [04:19–09:09]
• Porsche EV Sports Car Canned: [10:03–11:39]
• Lexus LC Tribute: [13:11–16:03]
• S-Class Update & Discussion: [18:10–20:25]
• Acura RDX Shocker: [21:19–25:24]
• C8 Grand Sport & Used Values: [26:04–29:23]
• Electronic Door Handles & Regulation: [34:15–36:41]
• Santa Cruz & Segment Logic: [31:19–33:35]
• Durango Hellcat Lawsuit: [37:12–40:21]
• Market Report, Collector Car Values: [57:02–59:17]
• Listener Questions: [63:04 onward, esp. 67:17; 72:25; 74:46; 77:44; 79:47; 80:46, 82:23]

Tone & Style

As always, the episode is freewheeling, irreverent, heavy on inside jokes and banter, but packed with market knowledge, quirky insights, and “hot takes.” Doug’s endearing self-mockery, Nick’s skeptic counterpoints, and Filippo’s dry wit keep discussions both informative and entertaining.

For listeners: This episode is a dense, highly enjoyable ride through the latest automotive news, the used car market, and car-nerd debates, all seasoned by the hosts’ uniquely relatable approach.