[0:05] - I believe with my whole entire heart that the coolest, [0:10] most tasteful raddest stuff is not [0:14] acquired with a bunch of money. [0:15] The coolest clothes thrifted, the best bands are the ones [0:18] that your friends haven't heard of yet. [0:20] Restaurants are cooler before they blow up on Instagram, [0:23] and cool neighborhoods are cheaper [0:26] and cooler when they're still a little rough [0:28] around the edges, when the rich people are too scared [0:31] to let their kids live there. [0:33] Now, I'm not saying [0:34] that once something gets popular it becomes uncool. [0:37] I love a lot of very popular stuff, [0:39] but it does become a little less special [0:43] and oftentimes a lot more expensive cars are the exact [0:47] same way, but you can bypass a lack [0:51] of funds if you know what you're looking for. [0:53] Now, I'm not saying that every car on this list [0:55] is a future classic. [0:56] In fact, most of them are definitely not going [0:59] to be worth a bunch of money ever. [1:02] What I am saying is [1:03] that every car in this video is pretty cheap. [1:06] They're all fun to drive, most [1:08] of them get pretty good gas mileage [1:10] and every single one has a certain X factor, a certain [1:16] a special, something that makes them unique, desirable, [1:20] and fun to talk about. [1:21] They're fun to drive now. [1:23] And who knows, maybe some [1:24] of these uncut gems will be the next big craze. [1:26] And if that happens, you'll be able to tell everyone [1:29] that you bought yours in 2026 before they got expensive. [1:34] Starting with Mercedes ML SUV, [1:39] this car makes me want to get a puffer jacket [1:41] and a pair of butters. [1:42] Yd luxury SUVs from the late nineties [1:45] and early two thousands are the best bang [1:48] for your buck value in the entire automotive world. [1:51] Woke me on that. [1:52] Back in the day, luxury car companies had a hunch [1:55] that this new SUV market was gonna be a big deal, [1:59] but they had never sold one. [2:00] So they didn't have any real consumer data to know [2:02] what people were gonna use them for. [2:03] Did they want comfort skis, road manners, [2:07] or off-road capability? [2:08] They had no idea. So these early SUVs for Mercedes BMW, [2:13] Audi and Porsche are kind of just good at everything. [2:18] We bought a first generation cayenne [2:19] and did a video throwing some thoughtful mods at it [2:22] to highlight and take advantage [2:23] of its off-road capabilities. [2:25] And let me tell you that thing bangs, I'm actually jealous [2:30] that Zach gets to drive it every day. [2:32] And since we made that video, I've been casually looking [2:35] for something with similar potential but was different [2:39] because I think it would be cute but lame if Zach [2:43] and I drove the exact same car [2:45] and first generation Mercedes ML is the answer. [2:50] This thing's got a ton of stuff [2:52] that makes the Cayenne so great. [2:53] You can get it with a V six, you can get it with a V eight. [2:56] They look amazing [2:57] and I don't think that they'll ever outta style. [3:00] They have great interiors [3:01] and if you find one with the offroad package, they came [3:04] with real locking differentials [3:06] and a two speed transfer case with a low range gear, AKA, [3:11] it could climb up lots of stuff. [3:13] The early ones are even body on frame construction. [3:16] It's a actual truck with a Mercedes badge. [3:20] It's literally a budget G wagon. [3:22] If I were to get one, which I might, I would take my time [3:26] and find a nice ML 500 [3:28] because I think it would be worth a little extra [3:30] money to have the V eight. [3:32] It's literally the same engine that comes in a G wagon. [3:35] The biggest difference is you can find these [3:38] for less than $10,000 every single day of the week. [3:41] Cayennes are an amazing bargain. [3:45] MLS are even more of a hack [3:47] because way less people seem to know about them. [3:50] Now, if I didn't want to go off road [3:51] and I just wanted a really nice daily driver on the street, [3:55] I would try and find an ML 50 5:00 AM G. [3:59] Now, these rarely ever came with the offroad package. [4:02] They might not be available with it at all, [4:04] but they more than make up for it [4:06] 'cause they got big fender flares [4:08] and 350 horsepower you [4:12] first generation Toyota Matrix XS [4:16] slash Pontiac Vibe gt. [4:19] There are gonna be about 12 dudes out there [4:22] who are absolutely ecstatic that we decided [4:27] to include a Toyota Matrix in this video. [4:30] Hi guys. Toyota has a long history [4:33] of taking normal commuter cars [4:35] and making cool versions of them Corolla, [4:38] G-T-S-G-R-R-S. [4:41] But there is a weird shaped wagon thing from the early two [4:45] thousands that a lot of people are not aware [4:48] of the Toyota Matrix XRS, [4:52] which apparently means extreme rally sport extreme [4:56] with an X, like a sour candy or a Capri sun flavor. [5:01] The Toyota Matrix XRS is basically Toyota taking a normal [5:06] practical hatchback thing [5:09] and saying, what if we made it kind of spicy? [5:13] Now the first generation is the one that you want [5:15] because it has the two ZZ GE engine, [5:20] an aluminum block, dual overhead cam four cylinder [5:24] with 16 valves [5:25] and Toyota's V-V-T-L-I system, [5:28] which basically gives the motor a second more [5:31] aggressive CAM profile. [5:33] When you rev it out, it's like VTECH ish. [5:36] The result about 180 horsepower at 7,600 RPM, [5:40] which might not sound huge today, [5:43] but if we're honest with ourselves, it is more than enough [5:46] to have fun, especially when the thing red lines at over [5:50] 8,000 RPM. [5:51] It is a tiny high revving motor [5:54] that absolutely loves living at the top of the tack. [5:59] It's like, Hey, little tiny high revving [6:01] motor, where do you wanna live? [6:03] I'm probably just gonna end up living at the [6:05] top of the tack. [6:06] So that's where I've lived for years. [6:08] We're just, we just really are happy at the top of the T [6:12] and the two ZZGE is the same engine [6:15] that Lotus used in the Elise [6:18] and the xi, which should tell you something [6:21] about how good it is. [6:22] Toyota did not just stop at the engine. [6:24] They gave the XRS or is it pronounced. [6:27] They gave the XRS stiffer springs dampers, [6:30] thicker sway bars, 17 inch wheels, four wheel disc brakes, [6:34] a helical limited slip differential, [6:37] and a six speed transmission. [6:39] Even the steering got the sporty treatment [6:41] with firmer assist and quicker response. [6:44] The steering in the XRS is heavier [6:46] and more direct than a base matrix. [6:49] I always thought that the Toyota Matrix was a very boring [6:52] car with a very cool name. [6:54] All I knew is that they had a 12 volt plug in 'em [6:56] so you could like use a blender, which they do. [7:00] They are very cool and extremely affordable. [7:03] There's a few of them on marketplace in my city right now. [7:06] A lot of 'em are like $5,000 [7:09] and one of 'em is $1,500, [7:12] but the owner says that quote rats chewed harness. [7:16] So yeah, [7:21] and if you're watching this, [7:22] but you're saying, you know what? [7:24] I like this car, but I wish it looked more like a Pontiac. [7:27] Aztec. You are in luck [7:29] because the Pontiac Vibe GT is the exact same car [7:33] with slightly different body work, slightly more AZ techy, [7:39] final Gen Lancer rally art. [7:42] You want an EVO but don't have EVO money. [7:44] You want an evo, but don't want to deal [7:46] with the negative social connotations that may [7:48] or may not come with having one. [7:50] You want an EVO but don't want to smell like gas [7:53] and have your fillings shaken out of your skull. [7:56] Well, do I have a car for you? [7:59] The final generation Mitsubishi Lancer rally art [8:04] was essentially a middle ground between the standard lancer [8:09] poo boring and the full blown lancer evolution. [8:13] Cool, but very popular and [8:16] therefore expensive. [8:19] The Lancer rally art has a bunch of the same equipment [8:22] and technology as the evo, [8:24] but in a slightly toned down, much less expensive package. [8:29] Under the hood is a de-tuned version [8:32] of Mitsubishi's Turbocharged four B 11 T two liter in line [8:36] four, the same basic engine found in the Lancer [8:40] evolution 10. [8:42] This hog makes about 237 Hearst PERS [8:45] and 253 pound feet of twerks. [8:48] It puts that power to the ground [8:49] through a simplified version [8:52] of the advanced all wheel drive system from the EVO nine. [8:57] It's got everything except for active YA control, [8:59] but what it does have is an active center differential [9:03] with different driving modes that adjust torque distribution [9:06] between the front and rear wheels to improve traction [9:09] and handling in different conditions. [9:11] What kind of conditions you might ask James, [9:14] what are these modes called? [9:16] Tarmac gravel snow. [9:19] Those are places that you do rally racing, which is an art. [9:23] Hence the name Rally Art. [9:26] It's got stiffer springs than a standard lancer, [9:29] bigger brakes than a standard lancer. [9:31] And it's also got some lips and spoilers and badges [9:34] and stuff. [9:36] The one downside is that it is DCT only. [9:41] You cannot get it with a manual transmission. [9:45] I know, I know paddle shifters only I know, I know, [9:49] which I know is a bummer. [9:51] But honestly, for some situations, [9:54] automatics are totally acceptable. [9:57] And dare I say preferred, if you're looking for a car [10:00] to drive to work with all-wheel drive and a turbo [10:05] and you want to give your left leg a break while you sit in [10:08] traffic, this car is cool. [10:11] It's practical and it's cheap [10:13] because it is wildly underrated. [10:18] Again, part of being cool is being willing to admit [10:22] that you think things are cool [10:24] that other people might not be willing to admit or cool yet. [10:30] Have you been curious about investing in crypto [10:33] but don't wanna make it your whole personality? [10:35] Maybe you've been thinking about buying the dip right now, [10:37] but you don't want to use a bunch of sketchy crypto sites [10:40] or join 47 WhatsApp groups or Discord servers. [10:44] Introducing today's sponsor, SoFi. 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[11:44] Now I gotta go finish cleaning Goop out of this sunroof [11:55] Acura TL type SI like these cars [12:00] so much that my stepdad had one and I still like them. [12:04] I think these are so good looking, [12:07] just a nice classy luxury sports sedan from the [12:12] tail end of the golden age of Honda. [12:16] The Type S was the performance version of the TL [12:20] and it's powered by the J 35, A eight, [12:23] 3.5 liter B six, a stout, [12:27] extremely simple aluminum block, single cam motor [12:33] with vtech that produced about 286 Hearst PERS [12:37] and 256 pound feet of twerks. [12:40] A noticeable jump over the standard TLS 258 horsepower, [12:45] which is nice [12:46] because a lot of times car companies will just add letters [12:50] and crap to the back of a car's name [12:52] and it doesn't add any power, [12:55] but this one adds kind of a lot. [12:58] Hey, so what do all the letters [12:59] on the back of your car mean? [13:00] It means basically they glued a bunch [13:02] of plastic and stuff all over it. [13:06] Is that it? The thread on the seats [13:09] is a different color dew. [13:13] That power went through the front wheels [13:15] through either a five speed automatic with paddle shifters, [13:19] which we've established are fine. [13:21] Or a close ratio [13:24] six speed manual. [13:26] And the manual version included a limited slip differential [13:31] to manage torque and improve corner exit traction. [13:35] It's a Honda and [13:36] because it's a Honda, [13:37] it's got double wishbone front suspension [13:40] and multilink in the rear and it's got Brembo front brakes. [13:44] This little boy could go from zero to 60 [13:47] and a little over six seconds putting it right in the middle [13:50] of the mix with a lot of Mercedes BMWs [13:52] and Audis of that era. [13:54] But what makes the TL better than those is how it blends [13:58] that performance with Golden era Honda durability. [14:02] The J series V six is famously durable [14:06] and it's known for being capable [14:08] of going well over 200,000 miles with routine maintenance [14:12] because it's simple [14:14] and it's got strong internals just like my huge cousin. [14:22] - Hi guys. Can they see? Can they see me? He's [14:27] - Simple, but he's got strong internals. [14:31] - You - Need any help? No, buddy, I'm good. Okay, you [14:34] - Just let me know. [14:36] I'll be right here. [14:39] - Thanks pal. Heart of gold. That one. [14:44] These things look really cool. They handle really well. [14:47] The interiors are nice. They're pretty cheap. [14:50] These are cool. [14:53] Anything with a three liter V six TDI, Audi A four, [14:58] Audi A five, Audi A six, [15:00] Audi A seven, Audi A eight. [15:03] Audi Q five, Audi Q seven, Audi Q eight, Audi A six, [15:08] all Road Volkswagen Toric, Volkswagen Ton, Porsche, [15:11] cayenne Diesel, Porsche, Panama Diesel. [15:14] What do they all have in common? [15:17] All these cars became an interesting used car bargain [15:21] largely because of a little thing I like to call diesel. [15:26] The three liter V six TDI engine was used in a bunch [15:29] of cars throughout the Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche lineup [15:32] and was found to have software [15:35] that altered emissions behavior [15:38] during testing ums. [15:41] After the scandal broke, Volkswagen [15:43] and Audi were forced to buy back [15:45] or modify thousands [15:48] of diesel vehicles in the us So a lot of the diesel, [15:53] Porsches Audis [15:54] and Volkswagens from this time [15:57] that you see on the market today were reacquired [16:00] by the manufacturer, repaired [16:02] with updated emissions hardware and software [16:05] and then resold with extended warranties. [16:08] Now that situation created a bit [16:11] of a hidden value in the used market. [16:13] These are high-end luxury cars with nice interiors. [16:16] They look awesome. [16:18] They have all wheel drive [16:19] and a three liter turbo diesel V six producing [16:22] around 240 horsepower [16:24] and 428 pound feet of turf. [16:28] They pull like a tugboat [16:30] and they get 30 to 40 miles per gallon. [16:33] And because of the emission scandal stigma, [16:36] resale values are in the toilet, [16:40] which is why today you can often buy any of these for a [16:45] minute fraction of the original price. [16:48] They're really well engineered. [16:50] A lot of people don't know [16:52] what year they're from, so they won't know. [16:54] And the Dieselgate thing was all fixed value. [17:01] Yeah, buddy I like means a diesel [17:08] Altima SER. [17:09] Now based on my personal experience, [17:12] Nissan Altimas are the fastest street legal cars [17:16] on the planet. [17:18] I have often been driving on the interstate, [17:20] went out of nowhere. [17:22] A Nissan Altima passes me in the right lane going well [17:26] over 200 miles per hour [17:29] with a foot hanging out of the window. [17:31] Well, the Nissan Altima SER is the fastest [17:36] version of the fastest car on planet earth. [17:41] It follows the same theme [17:43] as the other hopped up commuter cars. [17:45] In this video, bigger brakes, stiffer springs, [17:48] more powerful engine. [17:50] In this case, it is the VQ [17:52] 35 de basically the same engine from the [17:56] three 50 Z. [17:57] The Ultima version makes 260 horsepower, [18:00] which is 20 less than the Z. [18:02] And while the Z is rear wheel drive, all the power [18:05] for the Ultima goes through the front wheels by way [18:08] of a six P transmission [18:09] with a helical limited slip differential. [18:12] This is a very cool under the radar car that you can get [18:17] for a great price. [18:19] This might be the best car on the list. [18:21] I said that like other than a concert. [18:24] This next one, this next one [18:28] is the best car on this list, favorite of mine, [18:32] the E 90 BMW three 30. [18:40] The E 90 BMW three 30. [18:42] I was only made for one year [18:47] in 2006. [18:50] I said at the beginning of this video [18:51] that I don't think a lot [18:53] of these cars are ever gonna be worth money or collectible. [18:57] This is not one of those, one [18:59] of the most iconic things on the entire planet is a [19:02] naturally aspirated BMW straight six. [19:05] And this is sort of like the end of the era. [19:07] It sits at a very interesting moment in BMW's history right [19:11] before Turbocharging took over. [19:13] Earthing under the hood is the N 52 3 liter [19:18] naturally aspirated in line six. [19:21] An aluminum magnesium blocked engine with double vanos, [19:26] variable valve timing and valve tranic, variable valve lift. [19:30] That's basically double vtech. [19:33] It makes about 255 horsepower and 220 pound feet of torque. [19:37] And just like basically all BMW in line sixes, [19:42] it's an awesome engine. [19:44] It's smooth, it loves to rev. [19:47] You can get it with a six P manual. [19:48] The chassis is extremely balanced. [19:51] McPherson struts up front multilink in the rear. [19:55] And the result is the kind of balance [19:57] that BMW is famous for. [19:59] Neutral handling, sharp steering, a car [20:02] that feels composed whether you're commuting [20:05] or on a back road. [20:07] And one of the reasons that the three 30 I has aged [20:10] so well is because the NA N 52 engine is extremely reliable, [20:15] unlike the turbocharge engines that came after it. [20:18] The N 52 is relatively simple. [20:20] It's got no turbos, it's got strong internal components [20:26] and it's got a reputation [20:27] for lasting well over 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. [20:31] And overall, it's considered one [20:32] of BMW's more durable modern engines. [20:35] It's got some normal things that you gotta fix. [20:36] Water pumps, valve cupboard gaskets, [20:38] oil filter housing gaskets, that combination [20:41] of naturally aspirated in line six, rear wheel drive [20:47] amazing E 90 chassis makes this car like one [20:52] of the final BMWs like this. [20:56] BMWs now are great too, but they're big [20:59] and they're so fast. [21:01] For a long time, BMWs weren't the fastest [21:04] car in a straight line. [21:05] They were light, they were stiff, they were rear wheel drive [21:08] and you could rev the hell out of 'em and just chuck 'em. [21:12] And this is one of the last ones of those. [21:15] So get 'em while you still can [21:18] 'cause they only made 'em for a year. [21:20] Before we get to the final car, there are some cars [21:22] that didn't quite make the list [21:24] that I just gotta mention honorably Mark five [21:28] Volkswagen, any of 'em. [21:29] Jetta Golf, GTIB five Passat Wagon, [21:33] second Gen BZ slash [21:35] FS Nissan three 70 Z Honda CR-v Mazda [21:40] RX eight, Lexus Ellis 400 slash four 30 T two Toric V eight [21:46] early Macon, Porsches. [21:47] Now if you want to hear me [21:50] and the boys talk about those cars in more detail [21:53] and maybe why they didn't make it on this list, [21:56] you can check out our members only podcast, the Legion [21:59] of Speed podcast. [22:00] For more information on that, go to speed.co. [22:03] The members only podcast is a great way to hear me [22:07] and the other guys behind speed talk about stuff. [22:10] We really think without the oppressive algorithm breathing [22:14] down our necks. [22:15] I bet you didn't see this one coming. [22:18] I bet you didn't see this one coming. [22:21] The BM BMW three 30 is probably the best car on this list. [22:24] This car is the most indie record store [22:29] guy on this list. [22:30] It's like, oh, you don't know what that is. [22:32] If you ever heard of of an Oldsmobile Integra type R, [22:38] the Oldsmobile achieve A SCX. [22:42] The Oldsmobile achieve A SCX is a deep cut example [22:46] of my favorite genre of automobile. [22:49] The homologation special. What is HO allegation? [22:53] Well, I'm glad you asked. [22:55] - Back in the day, in order [22:56] to compete in certain racing series manufacturers were [22:58] required to produce a certain number of road govers [23:02] of the cars that wanted to race. [23:04] - Thanks pal. This gave us cars like A-B-M-W-M [23:09] three, the lancia Delta Integr Raleigh, [23:11] and the old mobile [23:14] achieve A SCX, [23:16] which is basically a forgotten [23:20] gm Integra type R. [23:23] Don't laugh. [23:24] Under the hood was the legendary 2.3 liter quad four W four [23:29] one engine, a high revving dual overhead cam inline four [23:33] that produced about 190 horsepower [23:36] and 160 pound feet of twerks, which is kind of crazy [23:40] for a naturally aspirated four cylinder in the [23:43] early nineties. [23:45] What makes the SCX special wasn't just the engine. [23:48] It was built specifically [23:49] to compete in showroom stock racing series like [23:53] SCCA World Challenge. [23:55] - Now we take a look at the leader in Class C. [23:56] This is Dave Jolly out of California [23:58] and his old achievement, [23:59] - It had tuned suspension, it redlined, its 7,200 RPM. [24:04] It had aggressive gearing [24:06] and distinctive body trim with W 41 graphics on it [24:10] so everyone knows what the name of the engine is. [24:13] The achievement platform won the SCCA World Challenge [24:17] Touring Card Championship from 1992 to 1994. [24:22] I've watched the Oldsmobile people over the last few years. [24:24] You have to hand it to 'em. [24:25] They've been winning a lot of races. It's a real race car. [24:28] It's also very rare. [24:30] They only made about 1,650 of them total, [24:34] and a handful of them were ultra rare track focused versions [24:39] that had no AC [24:41] and an LSD deleting AC from a car [24:44] and then selling it to you for more money is a thing [24:48] that normally just Porsche and BMW do. [24:51] Oldsmobile today, the Achieve A SCX is remembered as one [24:54] of GM's early nineties Sleeper Performance cars, [24:58] a lightweight front wheel drive coop [25:01] with a high revving kind of bonkers, powerful for the time. [25:05] Four cylinder engine manual transmission, [25:09] genuine motor sport route [25:11] that most people have either never heard of [25:14] or totally forgotten about, which means [25:18] they don't know about it, which means [25:21] you might be able to score one. [25:23] Listen guys, I think that everyone deserves [25:27] to drive a cool car and with a little knowledge [25:30] and a lot of digging, I think that just about anyone can, [25:35] A lot of these cars are not easy to find. [25:38] A lot of them were limited runs, special additions, [25:42] specific trims, or even one year only models. [25:46] But now that you know about them, [25:50] the real fun begins. [25:52] This is the hobby, the search. [25:55] It's time to constantly have 12 different tabs open on your [25:58] computer, put feelers out on the group chat, let all [26:02] of your friends know that you're looking [26:04] for something specific [26:05] and be ready to jump on it when the opportunity pops up. [26:09] And if you find something super cool [26:12] and super special, post it on Instagram [26:15] and tag me at James Humphrey and I will share it. [26:18] Or you can join our discord [26:20] because guys, there are a lot of guys on there [26:24] who like weird little stuff like this, a whole bunch. [26:27] We've made a few curated carists kind [26:30] of like this on this channel. [26:31] So if there isn't anything in this video [26:34] that really resonated with you, go check those out. [26:37] Let us know what other list you want to see. [26:40] Me and the boys have incredible taste. [26:42] We make videos about a bunch of stuff related to style, [26:45] aesthetics activities. [26:46] So go give some of those a watch [26:48] and if you like them, please consider subscribing. [26:53] All right. I love you.