Drive Thru News #71 - Is car culture as we know it... Dead? episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 25, 2026 · 1H 36M

Drive Thru News #71 - Is car culture as we know it... Dead?

from BREAK/FIX the Motorsports & Vehicle Enthusiast Variety Show · host Gran Touring Motorsports

Break/Fix’s Drive Thru News #71 debates whether car culture is dying, citing fewer young drivers, cars becoming appliance-like (EVs, driver aids, subscriptions), the decline of manuals, and a “sweet spot” around 2008 for tech that didn’t interfere with driving; we also discuss parts scarcity for older cars and concerns about increasing regulation and tracking. Headlines include Ford’s rumored Mach-4 sedan and naming controversies, Honda pausing manual Civic Si/Integra for emissions certification, Ferrari’s polarizing "Luce" meeting sales targets via a $40M charity auction, a luxury/hypercar market slump, Volkswagen transmission reset quirks and rumored lineup cuts, Stellantis’ Charger Sixpack branding, Maserati wanting V8/manuals despite weak demand, GM’s CEO gets a dig on its oversized vehicles, a $64K limited GR Corolla, Subaru app-based remote start fees, and upcoming cars like the Rivian R3X and VW-owned Scout. Other segments cover lost-and-found car oddities, dealership misconduct, viral driving fails, and a trackside update: their endurance race car runs again, aiming for Summit Point and possibly Road Atlanta, while Brad faces upcoming surgery. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00:00 Is Car Culture Dead? 00:04:11 The "Flip Phone" Epiphany and the Collector Market Wealth Shift 00:10:07 Low Tech Sweet Spot, 2008? 00:15:16 Mustang Mach-4 Debate 00:17:42 More Manuals On The Chopping Block 00:21:13 Ferrari Luce $40 million sale? 00:25:49 Luxury Market Confusion 00:27:49 What Is OEM Plus? 00:34:49 Oh Volkswagen... 00:39:14 Bugatti Bolide on Steroids, aka Destrier 00:41:16 Dodge Charger Sixpack? 00:46:02 Maserati Wants a V8 Back 00:51:33 GM vs Kei Cars 00:53:12 GR Corolla Price Shock 00:55:04 Subaru Remote Start Fees 00:59:21 2026-2030: The Cars Worth Waiting For? 01:02:43 Scout Skepticism 01:04:43 Lost And Found 01:10:05 Dealer Parts Cannibalism 01:12:29 Rear Wiper Delete Fail, Jawn 01:15:39 Hot Wheels Storage Racks 01:17:25 Lego Subaru Rally Car 01:18:23 Florida Man! 01:23:42 Days Of Thunder 2 Rumors 01:27:17 DC "American 250" Street Race Preview 01:29:05 Trackside Report: The Focus Fix! 01:33:01 Wrap Up, Sponsor Plugs and Post Outro Banter ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 25, 2026

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Break/Fix’s Drive Thru News #71 debates whether car culture is dying, citing fewer young drivers, cars becoming appliance-like (EVs, driver aids, subscriptions), the decline of manuals, and a “sweet spot” around 2008 for tech that didn’t interfere with driving; we also discuss parts scarcity for older cars and concerns about increasing regulation and tracking. Headlines include Ford’s rumored Mach-4 sedan and naming controversies, Honda pausing manual Civic Si/Integra for emissions certification, Ferrari’s polarizing ”Luce” meeting sales targets via a $40M charity auction, a luxury/hypercar market slump, Volkswagen transmission reset quirks and rumored lineup cuts, Stellantis’ Charger Sixpack branding, Maserati wanting V8/manuals despite weak demand, GM’s CEO gets a dig on its oversized vehicles, a $64K limited GR Corolla, Subaru app-based remote start fees, and upcoming cars like the Rivian R3X and VW-owned Scout. Other segments cover lost-and-found car oddities, dealership misconduct, viral driving fails, and a trackside update: their endurance race car runs again, aiming for Summit Point and possibly Road Atlanta, while Brad faces upcoming surgery.

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Drive Thru News #71 - Is car culture as we know it... Dead?

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This episode is 1 hour and 36 minutes long.

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This episode was published on August 25, 2026.

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