Neutral

Neutral

By Marco Arment, Casey Liss, John SiracusaLeisure
Download on the App Store

Neutral episodes

  • 12: Vomit Ruins Everything

    In the final episode of Neutral:

    • Casey and Marco drag John through the story of their European Delivery vacation picking up Marco's M5.
    • BMW Welt, the BMW Museum, and the factory tour.
    • Driving on the autobahn.
    • Finding and driving the Nürburgring.
    • German drivers, food, culture, and hospitality.

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      1 hr 57 min
    • 11: Frankenstein Car Monster

      In this episode:

      • The upcoming Automatic smartphone app as a replacement for expensive built-in options.
      • Why car makers' custom media and navigation systems are so clunky and why we have such low expectations for it.
      • Software defines much of the experience of modern cars.
      • What car maker will be first to make a truly major advance in software quality?
      • What we think of Mini.
      • Targeting young buyers.

        • Sponsored by Squarespace: Use code NEUTRAL3 at checkout for 10% off.

        58 min
      • 10: Driving To Ohio

        In this episode:

        • The LaFerrari and hybrid supercars.
        • Cars' increasing complexity as technology gets applied.
        • Becoming accustomed to the turbocharged feel.
        • How much electric vehicles need to overcome gasoline's convenience.
        • How quickly we can expect electric-vehicle range to increase.
        • Aspirational SUVs.
        • If we had infinite money, what car would we buy?
        • Renting supercars.

          • Sponsored by Squarespace: Use code NEUTRAL3 at checkout for 10% off.

          1 hr 14 min
        • 9: Everyone Loves A Spoiler

          In this episode:

          • Octane ratings and myths.
          • What optional equipment should you get or avoid on a car?
          • Parking-distance sensors vs. backup cameras.
          • Mysteriously sized mechanics and car-wash drivers.
          • Satellite radio, HD Radio, and premium sound systems.
          • OEM navigation systems vs. aftermarket options.
          • More on the BMW 3-series GT.

            • Sponsored by Squarespace: Use code NEUTRAL3 at checkout for 10% off.

            1 hr 21 min
          • 8: Three James Mays

            In this episode:

            • Top Gear presenter metaphors.
            • Back-in parking FU.
            • Why John likes Hondas so much.
            • Visibility and a lower-back-friendly seating position.
            • Our three most boring Ferrari stories.
            • Fond memories of ancient and less-ancient Volvos.
            • Designing for safety.
            • LED daytime running lights as tacky "eyeliner", our modern Altezza-like design fad.
            • Casey says "braaaands."
            • How Audi, BMW, and Mercedes compete.
            • Toyota and Scion.

              • Sponsored by Squarespace: Use code NEUTRAL3 at checkout for 10% off.

              1 hr 21 min
            • 7: Leasing Puppies

              In this episode:

              • Three geeks try to define "hipster"
              • The stress of owning vs. leasing
              • The first scratch
              • Weirdest car repairs
              • Synthetic oil
              • Keeping fuel and repair records
              • Buying and selling cars privately

                • Sponsored by Squarespace: Use code NEUTRAL2 at checkout for 10% off.

                1 hr 17 min
              • 6: Alternate!

                In this episode:

                • The safety of voice-recognition interfaces
                • Driving etiquette: turn signals, merging, tailgating
                • The hand-wave and the finger
                • Backing into parking spots
                • Driver prediction and accident avoidance
                • Our past traffic violations

                  • Sponsored by Squarespace: Use code NEUTRAL2 at checkout for 10% off.

                  1 hr 19 min
                • 5: Child Service Intervals

                  In this episode:

                  • Project cars.
                  • The many problems with having multiple cars.
                  • Marco's next-car decision.
                  • Ogling a showroom's Audi R8 from behind its velvet rope.
                  • Test-driving the BMW M5 back-to-back with a 550i xDrive.
                  • The odd new BMW 3-series GT (F34) compared to the Honda Crosstour and the Audi A7.
                  • Americans' incredible efforts to avoid buying minivans and wagons.
                  • Battery lifetimes and disposal for hybrids and electric vehicles.
                  • John Siracusa's review of the Tesla Model S after an extended test-ride.
                  • A proposal to require electric vehicles to emit fake engine sounds at low speeds for pedestrian safety.

                    • And a bonus "secret track" after the episode's official end at 1:31:40.

                    Sponsored by Squarespace: Use code NEUTRAL2 at checkout for 10% off.

                    1 hr 36 min
                  • 4: If You See A Cursor, They Blew It

                    In this episode:

                    • Control interfaces for media and navigation systems, including BMW's iDrive knob (of course), touchscreens including the Tesla Model S's giant one, and Lexus' weird new "Remote Touch" control.
                    • Balancing on-screen controls and dedicated buttons.
                    • Our great (or horrible) future of dynamic, all-software dashboard dials.
                    • Gambling with the "Premium Sedan" rental-car category.
                    • Casey's newfound fame.
                    • Personal value judgments.
                    • FU on white cars in hot climates and DCT nitpicks.

                      • Sponsored by Squarespace: Use code NEUTRAL2 at checkout for 10% off.

                      1 hr 7 min

                    About Neutral

                    From the publisher's feed

                    A casual car show from people who should know better than to do a car show.