THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends

Episode: The AI Online Car Auction Drama, an Ugly Ferrari Collection & Bugatti Repair

Date: January 23, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is a fast-paced, entertaining ride through the latest hot topics in the car world, blending in-depth analysis, industry gossip, and classic banter. Doug DeMuro, Filippo, and Kenan cover a recent AI-generated auction scandal, dissect the strange world of highly optioned Ferraris, debate the car market’s direction, and provide colorful takes on everything from Bugatti repairs to Chinese EVs and ultra-high-mileage collectibles. The crew also answers lively audience questions, often veering into hilarious tangents. Throughout, the show maintains its trademark blend of expertise, irreverence, and passion for all things automotive.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. AI Car Auction Controversy (00:09–08:19)

• Background: An AI-generated Cadillac Deville appeared on Bring a Trailer, sparking uproar due to impossible features (dual shifters, cobblestone floor mats, mismatched design elements).
• Analysis:
  • The hosts acknowledge the growing challenge AI poses for online auction sites.
  • Doug emphasizes the importance of careful vetting and personal attention at Cars & Bids, contrasting their approach with what they perceive as Bring a Trailer’s high-volume, lower-touch model.
  • Debate ensues about the growing risks of subtle AI image manipulation (e.g., hiding dents).
  • Memorable Quote – Doug:
    "AI is going to be a problem for any auction site because people want to make their photo a little bit better..." (02:35)
  • Filippo’s candor:
    "Someday this will happen to Cars and Bids. Randy's up there right now going, I'm going to submit an AI Honda Prelude to Cars and Bids right now." (02:22)
  • Discussion on process, transparency, and community policing to mitigate such issues.

2. The ‘Ugliest’ Ferrari Auction Collection & Market Shifts (09:12–16:58)

• Story: Ferraris from the Bachmann Collection, left undriven and spec’d in bizarre ways, sell for huge sums at auction.
• Market Commentary:
  • Modern, limited-edition Ferraris outperformed expectations, selling for more than blue-chip classics like the 250 GTO.
  • The hosts debate if there’s a generational shift in collectible tastes away from 1960s icons toward late-model rarities.
  • Quote – Filippo (re the Ferrari 360 CS):
    "That 360, I'm telling you, is the ugliest thing I've ever seen." (11:20)
  • Kenan notes:
    "Money can't buy you taste – and this is proof." (11:35)
  • Discussion of auction house competition (Mecham, RM, Gooding, etc.) and the quirks of auction pricing.

3. Movie Cars: The Iron Man NSX Auction (17:29–19:51)

• News: Acura’s Tony Stark (Iron Man) NSX—an old NSX rebodied as the movie’s “prototype”—is coming up for charity auction on Cars & Bids.
• Doug’s excitement:
  "I love one offs. I love movie cars. I can't wait. We're going to sell this on Cars and Bids." (18:16)
• The panel discuss its provenance, high mileage, and collectible appeal.

4. Chinese EVs Entering Canada & Global Shifts (20:02–24:52)

• Main Point: Canada dramatically drops tariffs on Chinese-made cars (notably EVs), allowing limited units at low tariff rates.
• Macro Analysis:
  • China’s EV market is surging globally, while US EV growth lags.
  • The hosts argue the US risks falling behind by resisting EV imports and not investing enough in domestic EV production.
  • Filippo warns:
    "As we hold the world off from electric cars, we are going to fall behind..." (23:11)

5. New Model Spotlight: Volvo EX60 (25:34–28:07)

• Highlights:
  • All-electric Volvo crossover with up to 670 hp
  • Hosts marvel at the power escalation and discuss the absurdity and market motivations for such figures in family cars.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • Doug: "Volvo globally has speed limiters. So you can't drive Volvo more than 112mph." (27:05)
  • Filippo: "There's now a midsize...God only knows, the full size Volvo crossover has 1000, 1100 horsepower." (26:12)

6. V8 Enthusiasm: Mustang Dark Horse SC Announcement (28:12–31:57)

• News: Ford launches the supercharged Mustang Dark Horse SC.
• Analysis:
  • It’s essentially a GT500 without the Shelby name, expected to slot between 700 and 800 hp.
  • Sentimental longing for analog cars like the GT350, lamenting their disappearance.
• Quote – Kenan:
  "That Tremec 6 speed felt so good. And that flat plane crank Voodoo engine. Not reliable. I know, but like the sound was just..." (29:59)

7. Lamborghini Sales Records & CEO Praise (33:48–37:52)

• News: Lamborghini sets a new annual sales record (10,747 units, mostly Urus SUVs).
• Discussion:
  • Praise for CEO Stefan Winkelmann’s leadership and product strategy.
  • Numerically small year-on-year growth, but impressive given model cycles.
  • Kenan:
    "I'm happy for Lamborghini, to be quite frank with you. I think it's really cool. I think the appreciation of their older cars shows that there's more interest in this brand, which it deserves." (36:56)

8. Formula 1 Livery News: Audi’s Entry & Engine Musings (37:47–41:17)

• News: Audi unveils new F1 team livery; detailed discussion of the shifting team landscape.
• Skepticism:
  • The team expresses disappointment that Audi isn’t making its own engines yet; similar criticism for Cadillac.
  • Filippo’s wish for production car engines in F1 like the old days.

9. YouTuber Supercar Repairs: Bugatti & Legalities (42:22–45:08)

• Case: Matt Armstrong’s Bugatti rebuild; CEO Mate Rimac of Bugatti responds on social.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Supercar repairs are complicated, parts are often not interchangeable, and costs are astronomical.
  • Rimac can’t officially condone privateer repairs for safety/legal reasons but appreciates the enthusiasm.
• Filippo humorously relates:
  "But we all watch the Matt Armstrong videos. All of us have you watch him ... if I could sell Filippo for that property, I would." (43:50)

Market Report, Quick Takes & Fans Q&A

10. Collectible Car Market: SLS AMG, Subaru STI, & More (55:11–60:46)

• SLS AMG with 67k+ miles sold for $160,500
  • Demonstrates the market’s strong appetite for well-used, well-maintained modern exotics.
• Subaru WRX STI Type RA with 13k miles sold for $40k—shows "modern classics" are appreciating.
  • Kenan: "A rare Subaru is one that's rare because it's not modified..." (58:56)
• The panel debates which modern enthusiast cars are "the next thing" for collectors.

11. Listener Questions & Banter (61:12–77:58)

• Prius Generations Ranked (62:05–65:35)
  • General agreement: 2nd gen (2004–09) is the most significant. Most modern Prius is a close second.
  • Doug: "This car changed the world. It showed us all that you didn't have to be some weirdo hippie... to drive a Prius." (64:07)
• “Most Republican Cars” Discussion (65:37–69:03)
  • Picks include Hummer H2, Sequoia TRD Pro, Ford Raptor, Tundra TRD Pro, Cybertruck, and E-class wagon ("in a different way").
  • Humorous but insightful riff on vehicles’ cultural signaling.
• Pre-1980 Cars on Cars & Bids (69:23–71:50)
  • Doug: "When you have a team that's incredibly good at knowing the market values of every car from 1981 to the present day, it takes a little bit of time to get really, really good at every other car from 1901 to 1980." (70:10)
• Color Spec Obsession (71:56–73:46)
  • Explored the line between reasonable color preference and Porsche-owner-level option mania.
• VR6 Debate (74:09–75:58)
  • Doug and Filippo argue the “VR6” is mainly marketing, not fundamentally different from other V6s.
• Cinematic Videos Behind-the-Scenes (76:00–78:55)
  • The team discusses the considerable work behind "cinematic" car videos.
  • Doug: "That night video of The NSX took 61 hours. Actually, I bet it took more than that..." (76:56)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Doug (on auction vigilance):
  "What we can do is be more forthright, be really vigilant, and then be really responsive..." (07:20)
• Filippo (on ugly Ferraris):
  "These cars are really special because they were undriven cars. They had zero miles on them ... and they were all also like incredibly high window sticker cars because every box had been checked in a crazy way." (09:55)
• Kenan (on market trends):
  "I do wonder if it starts to indicate that there's a shift in the market away from those cars, from blue chip cars from the 1960s..." (11:35)
• Doug (re: Carrera GT):
  "It doesn't look like one. It straight up is one." (15:30)
• Filippo (on Koenigsegg and Pagani):
  "Every Pagani, new Pagani and Koenigsegg buyer is sketch." (16:01)
• Kenan (about SLS market):
  "They drive the same dual clutches in the 458. It's modern car, fast. And the doors go like this." (56:15)
• Filippo (rationalizing a $25k Porsche repair):
  "As far as I'm concerned, this $25,000 service saved me like almost $400,000. I really owe those folks a debt of gratitude." (46:45)

Episode Structure & Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |--------------------------------------------|----------|----------| | AI Auction Scandal | 00:09 | 08:19 | | Ferrari Collection/Market Discussion | 09:12 | 16:58 | | Iron Man NSX Auction | 17:29 | 19:51 | | Chinese EVs in Canada | 20:02 | 24:52 | | Volvo EX60 | 25:34 | 28:07 | | Mustang Dark Horse SC | 28:12 | 31:57 | | Lamborghini Sales Record | 33:48 | 37:52 | | F1 Livery and Engine Brands | 37:47 | 41:17 | | Bugatti Repair Drama | 42:22 | 45:08 | | Used SLS and Modern Classics Market | 55:11 | 60:46 | | Listener Q&A & Trivia | 61:12 | 77:58 |

Tone & Language

The episode features lively, opinionated, and often hilarious banter. The hosts take deep dives into technical and market issues but always circle back to personal perspective, storytelling, and self-aware humor. They don’t shy away from poking fun at themselves, the car community, or each other. Industry critiques are thoughtful but never mean-spirited; satire blends with insight throughout.

For listeners who missed the episode:

This summary covers all major topics, arguments, and standout moments—with quotes and context—so you’ll be up to speed and ready to join the conversation, debate a Ferrari spec, or laugh at the notion of cobblestone floor mats and dual shifters ruining an AI-generated Cadillac Deville.