One of the many beauties of The Autopian’s partnership with Galpin is that the huge dealership network gets loads of trade-ins, which I’m allowed to drive at my leisure to create content for you, dear readers.
Every single day I look forward to reading the list of cars that were traded, and now I’d like to share a few of those recent lists with you, dear Autopian Members, so you can help me choose what to drive.
If you haven’t watched Trade-In-Tuesday yet, here is the first batch of episodes, starting with the Dodge Nitro with a missing catalytic converter:
Then I drove the swanky BMW 8 Series:
This traded-in 2018 Toyota Mirai hydrogen car was quite an interesting experience:
And the latest episode featured the incredibly entertaining but janky Chrysler 300C, which overheated during a burnout:
A few things I’d like to ask you members:
- Which episode did you like best?
- How can we improve?
- Which cars on the following lists would you like me to drive next?
Avalanche, no question
I wanna see you hoon around in a Miata
That or do truck stuff with the Ridgeline
Pilot. They’re still relevant as older beaters. Plus comparing it to a modern 3 row CUV would be good for seeing what the industry did in 19 years.
A head-to-head with the 2013 Explorer vs the 2021 Explorer
The Volt, the Avalanche, the Beetle, the MX-5 or the 6.
I can already picture how gray the black plastic on the Avalanche is.
TBH when these first hit the site I thought they were kinda low-risk filler, but I was fully engaged while you did the burnout in the last video. I very much look forward to what comes next.
Volt, either Prius, any CR-V.
No questions, but will comment that, as an old, I’m not a fan of the intro bit. It reminds me of why I stopped watching Hoonigan. I assume it’s done ironically which I suppose makes it ok, but still doesn’t appeal to me
-you did ask
I assumed the intro was done ironically in an “Xzibit/Pimp My Ride” style. That was the vibe I got. It’s not an exact match because they changed it every show, but it’s a similar style. In that context, I found it hilarious.
Xzibit/Pimp My Ride intros.
https://youtu.be/2dkN0YIBjEM
Thanks
—obviously, I wouldn’t have gotten the reference
Eh, First World Problems: I can live with it
I’d rank my preferences as Avalanche, New Beetle, and the 2 Series. The Avalanche in particular interests me because I’d like to see how a SoCal model holds up 20 years later. I don’t see them often around where I live due to rust.
2014 Beetle
Been a fan of all the videos, but gotta say I like seeing the old beat to shit stuff the most. Stuff that ends up being a $500 trade in is what i’m interested in.
2021 Mazda MX5 Miata
Another vote for the Avalanche! Runner-up would be the Volt.
More votes for: (1) Volt; (2) Avalanche; and (3) SRX. Interested in seeing how each has aged (knowing that a sample size of one is statistically meaningless . . . but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun!)
Avalanche or Volt.
How about a ‘how bad is it’ checklist? Deduct points for everything bad about that larticular car, with the crown going to the lowest (negative!) Points? Warped dash? Lose points. Bad lugnuts? Lose points. Engine is barely running? Points. That odd, sticky stuff covering that backseat that looks like its breathing? Believe it or not, points.
Bonus points if you review your own vehicles with the list.
I’m loving this series. I enjoyed the Mirai the most, just because it’s so odd, but they have all been good.
I have to vote Volt, since I had a 2014. It was way ahead of it’s time and a great car. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts vs. the Leaf and I3. The center stack is very different (nearly all capacitive buttons). I grew to like it, but it was odd. You can find out what the “TP” button on the center stack does (it’s not that exciting).
Avalanche would be good too.
I’m voting Avalanche because it stands out the most on that list. Also an ex had one and I enjoyed driving it, interesting to see how it is holding up at 20 vs the few years old it was when we were together.
2013 Cadillac SRX a decade old American luxury club is definitely worth a revisit. Or the 2014 Beetle could also be interesting as a not a GTI alternative.
Here’s my vote:
The Avalanche would be interesting. It is such a unique product and most Avalanche owners say they are incredible. It would love to hear David’s thoughts on one of these.
As for the other questions, the Mirai review is my favorite but all have been interesting. I don’t have a lot of constructive criticism at this point. The videos have been entertaining and I like that David points out a lot of random stuff that other reviewers wouldn’t think of.
Assuming you’re asking for one from each list:
If you want them ranked by preference:
I’d like to hear how the Volt holds up, and how it compares to you i3. If the SRX has a Northstar, it’d be interesting to see if it is alive. And I’d like to see your reaction to a 2013 Corolla.
Keep it up. This series is fun!
I agree with this preference list. The first-gen Volt and the SRX are both quirky GM, and then looking at the Beetle and Corolla through today’s lens as economy cars from a decade ago.
I believe the 2013 SRX was the second gen, no Northstar. Definitely would agree if it was a first gen.
This series is so awesome – it’s now my favorite recurring series on the platform (well except for Shitbox Showdown). The Mirai one was my favorite – keep doing weird cars like that. Of that list, here’s my ranking:
Miata Is Always The Answer 🙂
Tiguan
Challenger
New Beetle
F150
Volt
BMW 2 series
A lot of the others will be penalty boxes, but in cases where there are multiple examples – as with the 2017 Civics – maybe you could do a quick comparison.
Or – also as with the Civics – you could compare the 2017 to the 2023.
I’d love to see your take on the Avalanche or the Ridgeline, which some people might tend to malign as not being real trucks.
The Volt – I want to see what you think as compared to your i3.
As for Q1 – they were all good. Q2 – hard to say. I tend to just read the text and not watch the videos.
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE!
Goshdarnit, I need a New Beetle rallycross beater so much. That car that car that car.
(And heck, if it’s in horribad shape and only worth a few hundred at best, you might have a buyer lined up. Hi!)
As for the questions, I need to catch up to pick a fave (sadly) as I’ve been bogged down with new job stuff on my end, but this series is a hell of a lot of fun and the videos are great. I like seeing cars reviewed in real-world situations, after real-world drivers had their hands, feet and butts all over them. The Nitro in particular was a riot, though.
So, to answer the overall question: MOAR. Just do more of what you’ve been doing.
Thank you, Stef! Hope the new job is going great!
So far, so good. The Puffalump gets to visit an office today. MUCH EXCITEMENT.
Either the Avalanche or the Challenger