Built Not Bought: Does It Really Matter?

There was a time when four-door cars were considered little more than parts donors, while their two-door counterparts got all the attention. But times have changed. Are four-door classics finally getting the respect they deserve? On Episode 33 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry McGean, and Terry Shea make the case for four-door cars, from overlooked American sedans and vintage hardtops to some of the greatest performance sedans ever built. The crew dives into everything from the Chevrolet Impala SS and Dodge Charger to the Pontiac G8, Cadillac Blackwing, BMW M5, and legendary Mercedes-Benz sport sedans. They also share their dream four-door picks, debate whether an old family sedan can be just as cool as a muscle car, and explore how changing tastes and rising collector car values are giving once-overlooked classics a second life. Whether you're into big-body American cruisers, high-performance European sedans, or affordable classics with room for the whole crew, this episode proves that sometimes two extra doors are a good thing. Looking for your next classic? Explore thousands of collector vehicles on the Hemmings Marketplace at https://www.hemmings.com. Join the conversation: What's your ultimate four-door collector car? Let us know in the comments!

In Episode 32 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean tackle one of the automotive hobby's most divisive debates: Is it better to build your dream car from scratch or buy one that's already finished? From the pride of turning wrenches to the staggering costs of professional restorations, the guys explore what it really means to call a car your own. Mike shares his perspective on creating his custom Dodge Charger and Daytona, while the conversation touches on million-dollar restorations, unfinished projects, and whether commissioning a build deserves the same respect as doing the work yourself. Plus, Hemmings' own Master Mechanic, Junior joins the discussion to offer a hands-on builder's perspective, sharing why knowing your limitations can be just as important as knowing your way around a toolbox. Whether you're a DIY builder, a turnkey buyer, or somewhere in between, one thing's certain: there's more than one way to enjoy the automotive hobby. So where do you stand: Built Not Bought, Bought Not Built, or a little of both?

On Episode 31 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean explore how generational tastes are reshaping the collector car market. From classic muscle cars and Fox-body Mustangs to Japanese performance icons, vintage pickups, and modern analog sports cars, the guys discuss what's gaining value, what's being overlooked, and what the next generation of enthusiasts might be collecting. They also debate the appeal of analog driving in an increasingly digital world, why clean examples of once-common cars are commanding serious money, and whether the collector car hobby is doing enough to welcome younger enthusiasts. Because at the end of the day, you don't need a perfect collector car to enjoy the drive. Whether you're a Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, or Gen Z, this conversation is a reminder that the cars we love may change, but the passion behind them doesn't.

In Episode 30 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean take a closer look at some of their favorite recent sales on Hemmings Marketplace. From affordable classics and unusual muscle cars to iconic European sports cars, the guys discuss what makes each vehicle special, what they sold for, and whether they'd want one in their own garages. Along the way, they explore the engineering behind GM's clamshell station wagons, the history of Dodge's original muscle trucks, the enduring appeal of Honda's S2000, and why certain collector cars are becoming increasingly desirable. Featured vehicles include: 1971 Pontiac Grand Safari Station Wagon 1979 Dodge Little Red Express 2007 Honda S2000 1972 Volvo 1800E 1986 Ford Bronco 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL600 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible 1992 Ferrari 512 TR 1962 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Whether you're hunting for your next collector car, following the market, or just enjoy a good automotive debate, this episode celebrates the incredible variety of vehicles and stories found on Hemmings Marketplace. Explore collector cars at Hemmings.com and discover more episodes of Between Two Pumps on the Hemmings YouTube channel.

On Episode 29 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean debate the perfect vehicle for showing up to a high school reunion. From a chauffeur-driven Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman and a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro to a Ford Bronco Sasquatch and a 1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, the guys explore what your choice of car says about your personality, success, and automotive taste. Along the way, they revisit the cars they drove in high school, share reunion stories, and debate which vehicles they'd never want to be caught arriving in. Whether you're looking to make a statement, relive your glory days, or simply prove you've still got great taste in cars, this episode is packed with nostalgia, laughs, and plenty of automotive opinions. What would you drive to your high school reunion? Let us know in the comments!

On Episode 28 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry McGean, and Terry Shea talk about the cars that completely changed their minds once they got behind the wheel. From a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am with the Pontiac 400 and a four-speed to a first-gen Toyota Tacoma that unexpectedly became a family favorite, the guys dig into the cars that proved their assumptions wrong. The conversation covers an unlikely love affair with a high-mileage Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ, eye-opening experiences with Japanese performance cars, the BMW E36 that made a believer out of a muscle-car guy, and a Ferrari 308 that was far better than its reputation suggested. Mike also recalls driving the outrageous Dodge Viper ACR Extreme at VIR—and discovering just how capable the most intimidating version of the Viper really is. Plus, the guys get into the Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ, classic Alfa Romeos, and why sometimes the best automotive experiences come from cars you never expected to love. What car completely changed your opinion after you finally drove one?

On Episode 27 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean take on Monterey Car Week—from the crowds and social-media-fueled car spotting to the changing culture surrounding one of the biggest weeks in the collector-car world. The guys debate whether a new generation of enthusiasts is disrupting the experience or simply experiencing the hobby in a different way. They also dig into a massive year for the Monterey auctions, the changing mix of cars commanding serious money, and how Pebble Beach continues to evolve beyond the traditional classics. From historic hot rods and Japanese race cars to what could eventually earn a place on the concours lawn, the conversation turns to what Monterey—and the collector-car hobby itself—might look like for the next generation. Is Car Week losing what made it special, or is this simply the next chapter?

On Episode 26 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea and Terry McGean are joined by Hemmings Motor News Managing Editor, Mike McNessor to talk about their first cool cars, the questionable decisions they made to get them on the road, and the lessons they had to learn the hard way. From a rusty 1969 Camaro and a $300 junkyard Dodge Dart GT to a battered Chevelle SS and a Datsun/Nissan 300ZX, the guys look back at the cars that helped turn them into lifelong enthusiasts. There are rusty quarter panels, borrowed license plates, questionable teenage driving decisions, missed proms, blown budgets and plenty of stories about learning to wrench with whatever tools and money were available. They also tackle the question every enthusiast eventually asks: If you could have your first cool car back, would you want it? Plus, the conversation turns to the cars they've managed to hold onto for decades, why certain vehicles become permanent members of the family, and the projects that somehow never quite get finished. What was your first cool car and would you buy it back today?

In Episode 25 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean set out to prove that getting into the collector-car hobby doesn't have to require a six-figure budget. Each of the guys goes shopping through the Hemmings Marketplace with three price caps: $5,000, $10,000, and $20,000. The results are all over the automotive map. A customized 1969 Dodge A100, a project 1940 Ford, a V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a Volkswagen Beetle convertible, a V12 Jaguar, a funky 1962 Dodge Dart wagon, and plenty more make the list before the $20K category opens the door to everything from vintage off-roaders to '90s Japanese performance cars. Along the way, the guys make the case for buying cars you can actually use, finding value in overlooked models, and remembering that you don't have to marry every car you buy. With plenty of genuinely interesting cars still available at attainable prices, the hardest part might be talking yourself out of bringing one home. If you had $5K, $10K, or $20K to spend on a fun car today, what are you buying?

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:8216d286-5daf-4abe-8226-318bd6110071-42" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:8216d286-5daf-4abe-8226-318bd6110071-42" data-testid= "conversation-turn-86" data-turn="assistant"> In Episode 24 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean take on the technology and features reshaping modern cars. Touchscreens controlling basic functions, questionable electronic shifters, gesture controls, turbocharged everything—some innovations have the guys wondering whether automakers have forgotten that cars still need to be intuitive to drive. But they're not against progress. Backup and 360-degree cameras, better climate control, heated and ventilated seats, Bluetooth, modern sports seats, and integrated towing technology all earn their praise. Then comes the wish list: full-size spare tires, analog gauges, traditional PRNDL shifters, mechanical parking brakes, simple fresh-air vents, and other features that disappeared somewhere along the way. What modern car feature could you live without—and what old-school feature deserves a comeback?