#144 The reliably unsafe Toyota 4Runner

Friend of the pod Diego wants to get a different car. It's apparently time to get rid of the Ford Maverick he currently daily drives and get himself a sporty car. But he has - of course - a few rules. More than a few actually. So he gives Steve and Adam the requirements and the arguments commence!

The Italian stallion is no more, the Magnum P.I.-mobile has gone to the Hawaii in the sky, Enzo's finest is fertilizer. It's true - Steve's precious Fancy Fiat suffered a small case of major fire damage and now she's gone. Apparently that's what it takes for us to resurrect this podcast. We've got the full story of "the incident" today, along with exciting news of Adam's new DIY garage space opening in West LA: https://www.wanderwellsociety.com/

In what may or may not be Best in Class's final episode, Steve and Adam are swapping keys to their cherished rides to finally see who has the better car. For more than three years they have been insulting Ferrari and Porsche on just about even episode, and now it's time to see if either can stand their co-hosts' car.  It's been a fun and educational ride for all of us here at Best in Class, and we want to thank everyone who came along for the ride. We might be back with an episode here or there if inspiration strikes, so stay subscribed on your favorite app for that day when we pop back into your ear holes.

So many car brands have come and gone over the ages, with some dying during our lifetimes. Edsel, DeLorean, Scion, and more have all shuffled off this mortal coil. But which one was the best? How would we bring back them back today? And which one of these defunct brands did Steve have a direct hand in killing? That's this week on Best in Class. 

Most people have a car. Some have two. But not you, because you're a dreamer and doer and shaper of destiny. You have multiple cars, and you always want more. You might even have a dream garage full of cars you have fantasized about. Well, Best in Class is here to upgrade those dreams with our definitive list(s) of the best five-car garage possible. Buckle up, we're dishing painful truths this week.

Japanese kei-jidōsha, or "kei" cars are micro cars sold only in Japan, and just about the cutest branch of the automotive industry. These diminutive rides feature all the tech and safety of a normal passenger car, but in a bite-sized wrapper. With these forbidden fruits increasingly being imported onto our shores under the 25-year rule, it is the duty of Best in Class to inform you our listening audience which kei car is the very best.

While the 70's produced icons, and the 80's had some hits, the 90's were perhaps the golden era of concept cars. Designers had figured out the perfect ratio of fantastic to realistic, plastic molding technology meant new shapes were possible, and OEMs were flush with cash. But which of these works of art was the best?

Liv is a recent convert to the automotive lifestyle, having only fallen into it a year ago. It's been a whirlwind year so far with offroading, mechanical adventures, Cars&Coffee events, and a cross-country trek. This week Steve and Adam catch up with her to see how her first year as an enthusiast has gone, what she has learned, and what she wants to do next.

Toyota is revealing the new 4Runner today, so on this episode Best in Class we look back at the SUV's past and decide when generation was its very best example. Somewhere in there Steve also brings up his 308, but that's typical.  

The Steve of a decade ago was a different person. He took fancy trips. He drove interesting cars. And he wore shoes. This is the story of Steve's epic European road trip when 10 years ago he watched F1 in person, drove his dream cars, and lived the continental lifestyle.