The Carmudgeon Show

By Hagerty Media

Part of the Hagerty Podcast Network, the Carmudgeon Show is a comedic, information-filled conversation with Jason Cammisa and Derek Tam-Scott, two car enthusiasts who are curmudgeonly beyond their yea... more

4.8

321321 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about The Carmudgeon Show:

How many episodes does The Carmudgeon Show have?

The podcast currently has 173 episodes available.

The Carmudgeon Show episodes:

January 05, 2026 Carrera RSR IROC: The Sensory-Overload Porsche 911 — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Cammisa & DTS — Ep. 220
2026 has begun - and we’ve already had a healthy mix of highs and lows. But Carmudgeonation carries on, this week bringing along some pretty heavy metal that ISN’T an IROC-Z Camaro - rather, the 1974 Porsche Carrera RSR IROC.
===
Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote!
===
Jason is nearing the finish line on his MK3 VW Cabrio VR6 swap - with much of the car torn apart and roughly put back together again, he discovers a fatal engine flaw that will put him back quite some time. While the VR6 runs, a bastardized time-sert has cracked the head - pushing Jason to make the decision to go big and begin the process of a full Techtonics VR6 engine build.
But not all in the land of 6 cylinders is lost. Derek and Jason kick off the new year by driving an iconic race car that happens to be road-legal - the 1974 Porsche Carrera RSR IROC. A car they both agree, is perhaps the most extreme 911 either of them has ever driven.
The story goes - in October of 1973, Roger Penske took delivery 15 of special 1974 cars in Riverside California, which had been built to his order. He acquired the cars to participate in the first ever International Race of Champions (IROC), which was actually a series of four races, three at Riverside in late October and the final race at Daytona in February of 1974. The cars would be driven by a dozen of the best racing drivers in the world, hailing from different racing disciplines including Indy, Can-Am, NASCAR, and Formula 1. In the hands of George Follmer and Mark Donahue at Riverside International Raceway, this particular car won twice - more than any other of the 15 cars it competed against.
All this and more, on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
1h 19min
December 29, 2025 The Best and Worst Cars This Year — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep. 219
2025 has come to a close - and it’s another year-end episode reflecting on the best and worst cars Jason and Derek have encountered this year. Maximum Carmudgeonation is achieved today, so hold onto your hats - and we guarantee, you’ve never listened to another podcast where the Vinfast VF8 and McLaren F1 are both mentioned.
===
Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote!
===
Before getting into the thick of it, Jason updates us on his MK3 Volkswagen Cabrio VR6 swap - with the 2.slow and the rest of the front + rear subframes out, we learn one other MK3 (Jetta GLX) has been sacrificed in the name of top-down VR6 burnouts. A myth is busted - Harbor Freight plastic carts don’t appear to be makeshift engine stands after all. But they do explode catastrophically!
Derek also goes over some highlights of another year dealing cars at OTS - with sales and consignments including the likes of the Ferrari F50, Porsche Carrera GT, and an array of modern Ferrari Challenge cars (360 Challenge Stradale, F430 Scuderia, and 458 Speciale to name a few). He also reflects on a changing market - moving away from 60s Ferraris like 250 Lusso and 330 GTC.
Jason begins with his first wave highlights - including but not limited to: Lancia Stratos, Lancia Thema 8.32, Cizeta-Moroder V16T, Saab 9000 Aero, Alfa Romeo 164 Quadrifoglio, E34 BMW M5 with an S70B56 swap, the Kwiek Classics Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series 6-Speed, Ford Sierra Cosworth, Merkur XR4Ti, Jeep Cherokee, and of course Derek’s recently acquired Mk1 Jaguar.
Derek follows with the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale, RUF Tribute, Kimera EVO37, the Toyota 2000GT, and more recently the Porsche 911 IROC RSR (to be further explored on a future episode…)
Jason remarks on many of the the other great cars he’s driven for various Revelations, Ultimate Drag Race, and Ultimate Lap Battle episodes, including the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (C8 and C4), Porsche 992 GT3 RS, Ford Mustang GTD, Ford GT (both generations), W204 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (including the Anderzen manual swap), Alpine A110, Audi RS6 Avant, and the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid (the BMW M5 Touring was unfortunately not so good).
But not to worry- plenty of Carmudgeonation goes down - with roasts of the automatic Porsche 996 Turbo, BMW i3 and i8, the ND2 Mazda Miata, and even Jason’s own MK3 Cabrio (while it still had its 2.slow).
All this and more, on this week’s end-of-2025 finale of The Carmudgeon Show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
1h 16min
December 22, 2025 Peugeot 205 Rallye - A Better MK1 Volkswagen GTI? — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 218
Derek brings in a rare French treat to the studio this week - a Peugeot 205 Rallye. Take a 205 GTI, replace the fuel injection with Weber DCOE 45 carburetors, remove weight, and you’ve got the key components to the Rallye.Jason, naturally, attempts to make the episode about MK1 Volkswagens - in particular, the Rabbit and the Golf GTI. He’s always claimed his 16V-swapped MK1 Cabriolet is the most fun car he’s ever driven - but can the 205 Rallye dethrone the gold standard?===Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! ===...well, yes. Sort of.
But first, we have to understand where Peugeot was coming from when they conceived the 205. Derek and Jason discuss the stately and reserved aura of the Peugeot brand before the launch of the 205 in 1983, referencing cars like the 204, 304, 404, 504, and 604. Although the 205 was a modern departure from its stodgy (and abundantly French) past, the base car remained quite frumpy - until the GTI came around, boasting fender flares, rev-happy 1.6 + 1.9L engines, sport-tuned suspension, and a host of other upgrades that made it one of the most iconic hot hatchbacks of the 80s.Jason recalls the time he drove a 205 GTI 1.9 and MK1 Volkswagen Rabbit back-to-back, both owned by Rich Griot of Griot’s Garage. Having been thoroughly impressed by the 205 GTI, he dives into his latest drive with the Rallye - in comparison to said GTI, a much more charismatic car wanting to vibrate its nuts and bolts apart all the way up to 7,000 RPM.This naturally triggers the inevitable - what criteria makes a hot hatchback great? Is practicality most important, or can great driving dynamics overshadow the initial intent? Jason and Derek reference other small and fun successes like the Hyundai Veloster N, ND3 Mazda Miata, and Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86 - and how none of them are quite as special as the 205 Rallye.All this and more, on this week’s holiday special of The Carmudgeon Show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
55min
December 15, 2025 Can One Metric Define a Driving Experience? — Carmudgeon w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 217
This week’s episode topic comes from a listener-submitted AMA request - one worthy of its own episode. They ask - what single metric about a car’s driving experience tells you the most before you drive it?

===
Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote!
===

At first, you may think there’s one straightforward answer. But you’d be wrong.

Discussion begins with Jason’s MK1 Volkswagen Cabriolet - a car he claims is the most fun he’s ever driven. Derek roughly agrees - but counters with the Peugeot 205 Rallye, and much more substantially - the McLaren F1. But how can a nearly 40 year old subcompact convertible be as rewarding to drive as a hypercar?

Mass seems like the obvious answer - but a 4000 lb car from today can often out-dance a 2000 lb car from 35 years ago. Take a Lotus Elise (perhaps, with a small cow in it) and a Rivian R1T - both will dance around a race track in a much more similarly than differently vs. any car and truck combination from even 10 years ago.

Having covered that base, Jason and Derek explore other possibilities - including peak horsepower per RPM and engine configuration. Derek recalls a time when Alfa Romeo stuffed their Twin Cam four cylinder in everything from GTVs to large Ambulances - simply because it was a such a good engine despite whatever weight it was tasked to pull around. Jason decides to ask AI what it thinks, answering (oddly) with the Toyota Matrix, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa.

On theme with the MK1 Cabriolet, the boys discuss structural rigidity - which leads to another exploration of convertibles ranging from 996 Porsche 911 Cabriolet, to BMW Z3M, Mercedes-Benz SLK, and of course- the Nissan Murano Cross-Cabriolet.

There’s an answer for everyone out there - and more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
56min
December 08, 2025 We Drove A VinFast VF8 So You Don’t Have To — Carmudgeon w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 216
That’s right - on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show, Jason and Derek risk their lives to deliver crucial mass-market automotive journalism by getting behind the wheel of the VinFast VF8 - one of the most criticized vehicles ever to be sold in the US. But c’mon, really - is it as bad as everyone says it is?
Well. Uh…yeah. It’s even worse than you thought.
===
Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote!
===
Before jumping down the throat of the VF8, Jason and Derek discuss the recent developments of ADAS systems and vehicle acceleration regulations being considered within the Chinese market: “The cars are too damn fast!” - CCP, probably. Surprisingly, Jason and Derek both agree - and discuss the potential benefits of having acceleration-limited vehicles, referencing the terror of Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat drivers, F80 and G80 BMW M3, and of course the Nissan Altima.
As a counterpoint to the VF8, Jason discusses his recent experience driving the newly refreshed Tesla Model Y Plaid, and how he still thinks they are some of the best appliances on the road. Jason was able to test the most recent version of Tesla Full Self Driving (FSD), and how it’s made great improvements in recent years - even without LiDAR.
A great appliance, the VinFast VF8 is not. Jason and Derek share their findings in their individual driving experiences - in agreement on nearly all of the shortcomings of which there are many. At just 10,000 miles, the VF8 has experienced broken suspension components, dangerous throttle calibration, and other poorly-executed features that make us wonder how it was ever allowed to be sold to the public in the first place.
There are also dumpsters involved. More on that in this riveting episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
1h 11min
December 03, 2025 Has The Porsche 911 Turbo Been a Worthy Flagship? — Carmudgeon w/ Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 215
The 911 Turbo is 50 years old this year! We’ve come a long way since the days of having just four manual gears to row and enough turbo lag to sustain the birth, life, and death of a civilization. From the beginning of the 930 until now, the Turbo has always been the flagship of the 911 range - but has it been worthy of being at the top?
===
Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote!
===
During this episode, Jason discusses his involvement with the latest 50 Years Of Turbo video, discussing some special cars he was able to drive like an early Euro 930 all the way up to the 50th Anniversary 992 Turbo S.
Jason and Derek break down the Turbo lineage and where it comes from - first materializing on the Carrera nameplate on the 356, working its way into the nomenclature of the 911 range including the 1973 Carrera RS and Carrera 3.0, and eventually into the 1975 Turbo Carrera. After covering the various versions of 930 (including how the terms “930” and “Carrera” often have different meanings than most people realize) , they eventually work their way up the timeline to discuss the 964, 993, 996, 997, and 991 Turbo models. Jason and Derek discuss their favorite and least favorite models within the range - and their answers may surprise you.
One thing is for sure - the character of the Turbo lends itself much more to a drive who simply wants capability and not pure necessarily driving enjoyment. Which begs the question - is it the “best” 911? Or has the popularity of recent GT3 and GT2 models changed the narrative?
Find out more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
1h 14min
November 24, 2025 The Most Important Vehicle You’ve Never Heard Of — Carmudgeon w/ Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 214
It’s highly likely that the Grumman LLV has been a regular part of your life for much longer than you’re aware of. But what is it? And why is it so important? Luckily for you, the newest Revelations episode on the Hagerty YouTube channel answers all of the above.
===
This episode of the Carmudgeon Show is sponsored by Vredestein Tires:
https://www.vredestein.com/
===
Before getting deep into the excitement of mail delivery vehicles and government contracts, Jason discusses his recent autocross experience at Sonoma Raceway in his MK7 Volkswagen e-Golf and E30 BMW 325i - with none other than Randy Pobst as his passenger and coach. The results of this endeavor surprise us - from new learnings about tires, to beating lap times in ways we might not expect.
Meanwhile on the other side of the track, Derek discusses his recent track day at Sonoma driving his 1982 Porsche 911 SC - bringing the oldest car on track by a good 15 years closest to a 1997 BMW M3.
Most of the episode is devoted to discussing the Grumman LLV (Long Life Vehicle’) - one that has delivered the mail to millions of Americans for decades, and will soon retire and be replaced by the Oshkosh NGDV, for better and worse. Jason and Derek discuss Grumman’s long and illustrious history covering everything from canoes to large aircrafts such as the Albatross and the Tomcat. As the LLV is on the brink of being fully retired, they have already become relatively collectable (and difficult to obtain as a civilian) - so no better time than to celebrate it’s long life on the road.
All this and more, on this week's episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
51min
November 17, 2025 Which Era is Peak Automobile? — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 212
On today's episode, Derek and Jason discuss a very important important question -- which era was peak car? Or is the best era yet to come?
We promise you this - the answer is much more complicated than you think.
===
This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender.
Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off.
===
Fresh off the release of Retrospective, a new Hagerty show that explores old magazine comparison tests and how they stack up in the modern era, Jason begins to wonder which era is peak car. Having discussed what is "peak sports sedan" between BMW E90 M3, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, and Audi B7 RS4, Jason and Derek break down the criteria of what makes a car era great as a whole - from serviceability and intended purpose, to speed, value, styling, and other intrinsic characteristics. More importantly, is the true value of a car established by the opinions of enthusiasts or non--enthusiasts?
All this and more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
1h 7min
November 17, 2025 Cheating VS "Optimizing" Manufacture Test Data — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Cammisa & DTS — Ep 213
Whether it's going racing or producing zero to sixty times, many car manufactures have spent decades doing whatever it takes to get a competitive edge on their performance figures. But in a world of democratized speed where your average EV truck or SUV can do an 11 second quarter mile, does anyone still value the numbers? And at what lengths will manufactures go to keep their performance figures competitive?
===
This episode of the Carmudgeon Show is sponsored by Vredestein Tires:
https://www.vredestein.com/
===
Before digging into the data, Jason discusses his recent trip to the Wednesday Night Drags at Sonoma Raceway - garnering some rather unusual attention in his MK3 Volkswagen Cabrio with the almighty 2.slow . Upon laying down several solid runs, he finds his mid 18 second quarter mile times are far more lethargic than what Volkswagen reported in period.
This prompts the larger discussion at hand - historically speaking, do manufactures cheat or "optimize" their test data? Jason brings in his own previous findings, first by exploring the testing of his MK1 Volkswagen Scirocco, and wondering how his test figures could be more than a second off from the official numbers.
More glaring however is the data from Jason's in-period testing of the Ferrari 458 Speciale and 458 Italia, as well as the 599 GTB - the likes of which far out-performed cars in magazine testing vs. cars that were delivered to real-world customers.
All this and more, on this week's episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
51min
November 03, 2025 Is There Any Manual Swap You Shouldn’t Do? — Carmudgeon w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 211
Today's episode explores an array of different tangets: most notably, Sacco-era Mercedes-Benzes, the ALSO Elecric Bike, and a broad discussion of manual swaps.
===
This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender.
Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off.
===
Derek and Jason begin the episode discussing yet another Sacco-era Mercedes-Benz fleet update - Derek's newly acquired W140 Mercedes-Benz S500 Grand Edition and the installation of a new steering box on Jason's 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth.
Jason then takes a turn to discuss the new ALSO Electric Bike, a sister company of Rivian. The first Series-Hybrid Bicycle of its kind, the ALSO draws parallels in function to road cars like BMW i3 REX, where both vehicle have a backup generator propelled by an alternate energy source (in this case, pedal power). Jason gives reason for why car enthusiasts should take an interest in this new two-wheeled technology and how it might change the future of mobility.
Naturally, conversation finds its way into the discussion of manual swaps and whether or not there is a case in which a manual swap is unfavorable vs. an automatic. Derek and Jason extrapolate on different types of manual swaps (IE: modifying a semi-automated manual in a Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale vs replacing an automatic transmission in a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG).
All this and more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
1h 7min

FAQs about The Carmudgeon Show:

How many episodes does The Carmudgeon Show have?

The podcast currently has 173 episodes available.

More shows like The Carmudgeon Show

CarCast by Bleav, Carcast

CarCast

2,422 Listeners

The Smoking Tire by Zack Klapman, Matt Farah

The Smoking Tire

2,705 Listeners

Everyday Driver Car Debate by Everyday Driver

Everyday Driver Car Debate

2,043 Listeners

Talking Cars (MP3) by Consumer Reports

Talking Cars (MP3)

411 Listeners

Spike's Car Radio by Spike Feresten

Spike's Car Radio

1,183 Listeners

Behind The Glass by Seen Through Glass

Behind The Glass

250 Listeners

Past Gas by Donut Media by Donut

Past Gas by Donut Media

6,715 Listeners

TFL Car Chat by www.allTFL.com

TFL Car Chat

326 Listeners

The Intercooler by Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel

The Intercooler

148 Listeners

Smith and Sniff by Jonny Smith and Richard Porter

Smith and Sniff

195 Listeners

The InEVitable by MotorTrend

The InEVitable

124 Listeners

The Big Three by Donut Media by Donut

The Big Three by Donut Media

158 Listeners

THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends! by Doug DeMuro

THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends!

372 Listeners

The Car Podcast with Chris Harris & Friends by Chris Harris

The Car Podcast with Chris Harris & Friends

125 Listeners

The evo podcast by evo

The evo podcast

12 Listeners