End of the Line for the Nissan GT-R

 

Fifteen years is an incredibly long time in the car world. For mainstream cars, where consumer tastes and technologies change at breakneck pace, keeping the same car on sale without major updates for that long would be suicide. Supercars operate on a slightly different timetable. Models from Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Aston Martin are sold in small numbers, so redesigns on a regular basis can be costly to implement. The Nissan GT-R may come from a mainstream brand, but its performance figures put it squarely against competitors from boutique manufacturers. On sale in the United States since the 2009 model year, 2024 will be the last chance for Americans to buy a GT-R before it is finally retired.

To understand the car that enthusiasts refer to as Godzilla, you first must turn your mind back to the year 2007. The R35 Nissan GT-R entered the automotive world at the Tokyo Motor Show that year with an asteroid-sized impact and sent shockwaves through the automotive landscape. 

Styling-wise, there was and still is nothing else like it. Four round taillights harken back to previous Skyline GT-Rs. But a gaping grille, swept back headlights, bulging wheel arches, and angular body lines made the GT-R look more like a jet fighter than a car. Inside the car, the driver and passengers could keep track of various metrics such as coolant and oil temperatures, g-forces, boost pressure and other engine parameters through a central touchscreen with graphics made by the same company behind the Gran Turismo video games. 

But the real meat of the GT-R story lies in its numbers. Courtesy of a twin turbocharged 473 horsepower V6, a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, 0-60 miles per hour arrived in 3.3 seconds and a quarter mile took only 11.5 seconds to cover at 124 mph. A stock GT-R ran around the famous Nürburgring racecourse in seven minutes and 29 seconds. Notably, all of these stats bested those of the Porsche 911 Turbo with an MSRP nearly double the GT-R’s $70,475 price tag. Few if any other cars before the GT-R made going so fast so easy for so little money.

Rolling updates kept the GT-R competitive with its contemporaries over the years. Power and torque increased gradually to its current state of 565 horsepower and 467 pound-feet. 0-60 dropped to 2.9 seconds. A hardcore NISMO model arrived in 2015 with more than 600 horsepower. Chassis and suspension refinements addressed concerns of the car not being involving enough to drive.

Unfortunately for Nissan, while its engineers were improving the GT-R, the engineers at other carmakers were busy working on their own sports cars. In the fifteen years the GT-R has been on sale in its current iteration, Chevrolet has developed two generations of Corvettes cumulating with the current mid-engine C8. Porsche has likewise gone through two generations of 911s. The current 911 Turbo S offers near-Bugatti level performance (0-60 in 2.1 seconds) for a relative fraction of the price.

Speaking of price, MSRP for 2024 GT-Rs have risen consistently over the years to just under $123,000. That’s a heavy sum for a car that on the outside hasn’t changed much in fifteen years. It also hasn’t changed much on the inside either. The GT-R still makes due with an 8-inch touchscreen in a world where 10 inches or more is the norm in everything from compact sedans on up. And those Gran Turismo mimicking performance readouts that captivated car geeks remain carbon stamped in the PlayStation 3 era. Interior materials on early cars probably would be best described as adequate for a car costing a little less than $100,000. While quality has gone up somewhat as the GT-R solidly breached the six figure threshold, you can still find richer materials in Audi, Porsche and Mercedes sports cars costing similar amounts of money.

Then there’s the way the GT-R drives. It still does a fantastic job of making a novice driver feel like a racing champion, but the march of powertrain technology has ironed out a lot of the kinks that are still experienced when driving a GT-R. Back in 2008, there weren’t many other turbocharged V6 all-wheel drive supercars. Nowadays, forced induction is nearly ubiquitous, engines are downsizing, and many supercars also have electric components to smooth out and increase power delivery. Nissan rewrote the performance rulebook with the GT-R all those years ago, but everyone from Porsche, to Chevrolet, to McLaren, to Ferrari have been making amendments ever since. Driving a GT-R today means putting up with turbo whooshes and transmission clunks that have mostly been bred out of fast cars.

It's unclear what the future holds for the next generation GT-R, if there even is one at all. No doubt electric power will play a factor. A recent concept car called Hyper Force may offer a clue as to what a new GT-R could look like. In addition to active aero elements, the Hyper Force has a full electric drivetrain with dual motors and a sold state battery pushing out more than 1,000 horsepower.

While we wait for whatever comes next, we will continue to celebrate all that the R35 GT-R accomplished over its lifetime. It pioneered or was one of the early adopters of go-fast technology that is taken for granted in most modern supercars. It’s been immortalized in popular culture both in its home market of Japan and abroad. It is unquestionably the vehicular Godzilla.

Wish Granted? The Fairly OddParents Return in a New Series

Few animated children's shows last for more than a few seasons. Even fewer spawn a franchise of follow-ups and spin-offs that lasts for decades. The Fairly OddParents is one of those exceptional shows that managed to do just that. 

The series originated from shorts created by animator Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon. Due to their popularity, the shorts were green-lit to become a half-hour series, which premiered on March 30, 2001. The Fairly OddParents received critical acclaim and quickly became the second-highest-rated children's program on both network and cable television behind another Nickelodeon property, SpongeBob SquarePants. Key to the show's success was an intriguing premise - a lonely and bullied boy named Timmy Turner is given a pair of fairy godparents named Cosmo and Wanda to help make him happier by granting him wishes, slick animation, and a bevy of jokes and pop culture references that appealed to children and their parents in equal measure.

Originally scheduled to end on November 25, 2006 after five seasons and 80 episodes, the series was revived in 2008 for an additional five seasons. New characters were added to the main cast to generate fresh interest, including a baby fairy named Poof in season six, a fairy dog named Sparky in season nine, and a girl named Chloe with whom Timmy must share his fairies in the tenth and final season. Amidst all that, three live action television films based on the series were made. These films featured a now adult Timmy Turner played by actor Drake Bell. Production of The Fairly OddParents ceased permanently after Hartman left Nickelodeon in February 2018. It remains Nickelodeon's second longest running animated show, once again behind SpongeBob SquarePants.

It's impossible to talk about The Fairly OddParents without bringing up a certain yellow sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea. The fact of the matter is that SpongeBob SquarePants, released all the way back in 1999, set a Mt. Everest-high bar that every animated Nickelodeon series has been measured against ever since. Out of everything produced over the last quarter of a century, The Fairly OddParents is the only show that has come close to matching SpongeBob's critical and commercial success.

L-R: Wanda, Timmy Turner, and Cosmo from the original series.

That is why Nickelodeon has tried constantly to keep the property alive. The first attempt to revitalize the franchise came in May 2022 with the release of the hybrid live action / animated series The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder. Picking up years after the original series, the new series followed Timmy's cousin, Vivian "Viv" Turner, and her stepbrother, Roy, as they navigate life with the help of Cosmo and Wanda, who are gifted to them by a now older Timmy. Fairly Odder debuted on the streaming service Paramount+ with thirteen episodes over a single season. Reviews were fairly lackluster, with criticism aimed at the acting, cheap production, and creative limitations imposed by the live action setting. In January 2023, the series was removed from Paramount+ and Nickelodeon's official website.

Now in 2024, Nick is trying again, this time going back to full animation, albeit 3D computer generated animation, with The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish. Cosmo and Wanda are now responsible for granting the wishes of a ten-year-old girl named Hazel, who is feeling lonely and unsure of herself after moving to a new city and being without her older brother who left to start college. A trailer shown ahead of the series premiere seems to capture the manic spirit of the original in a way that Fairly Odder simply could never replicate.

It can be argued that the Fairly OddParents franchise has run its course and effort should be made on producing something new and unique instead of retreading old ground. Unfortunately, the greater good rarely outweighs studio executives' self interests and they tend to stick with what works. The Fairly OddParents, together with SpongeBob and Rugrats, make up Nickelodeon's crown jewels. Networks generally aim to strike a balance between airing reruns of popular shows to generate consistent revenue and investing in new shows to attract additional viewers and advertisers. Sometimes the easiest way to do both is to reboot existing franchises so that audiences get something new with characters and themes they recognize from their past.

The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish will premiere on May 20, 2024 at 4:30 PM EST on Nickelodeon.

Stylish and Tech-Savvy 2025 Kia K4 Debuts

Kia unveiled its replacement for the Forte compact sedan at the 2024 New York Auto Show today. Now christened K4, the new name brings Kia's smallest model's nomenclature in line with the midsize K5 sedan. Armed with an expressive new design and a plethora of standard and available features, the K4 reaffirms Kia's commitment to the compact sedan market as more automakers turn their focus to SUVs and electric vehicles.

"2023 was the biggest year yet for Kia with growth across our entire lineup," said Eric Watson, Vice President of Sales Operations for Kia America. "Simply put, customers are truly excited about our products, and we're ready to give them more of everything they love about Kia. While others continue to retreat from the ICE compact sedan segment, our entry was Kia's second best selling model last year, and its market share has more than doubled since 2018."

Kia's tiger nose grille now plays with the company's latest design language called "Opposites United," which Head of Kia Design, Karim Habib, claims gives the K4 a confident and technical impression. The K4 sports a radically sculpted body incorporating a steeply raked roofline and rear door handles integrated into the C-pillar. T-shaped headlights give the K4 familial resemblance to other recently redesigned Kia models such as the K5, Sorento, and Carnival.

Inside, the K4 dashboard has been upgraded to a full digital display. Two 12.3 inch screens handle gauge cluster and central infotainment functions. A small 5 inch screen between them operates the climate controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard after requiring wired connection on some Forte models. Other available features usually seen on more expensive cars but rare to find in mainstream compact sedans include a panoramic sunroof, an available 360-degree surround view monitor and an available blind-spot view monitor that displays a live video feed of left and right blind spots in the gauge cluster. Kia also touts the availability of a voice assistant on higher trim levels to help the driver adjust climate controls and audio settings. Furthermore, certain models will be able to receive over the air updates, allowing owners to download available digital features and services.

Powertrains remain unchanged from the Forte with a 147-hp 2.0-liter inline-four powering lower trim levels. The top trim Forte GT has been replaced with the K4 GT-Line Turbo. Although it uses the same 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four, horsepower drops from 201 to 190. This may be due to a switch to a conventional torque-converter eight-speed automatic transmission in place of the Forte GT's six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. No fuel economy figures have been unveiled yet.

The 2025 K4 also marks the return of a 5-door hatchback after the Forte became sedan only in 2019. By offering two body styles, Kia will be able to better compete with compact cars such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda 3. More details about the hatchback will be available at a later date.

The Kia Forte is one of the most affordable new car models left on sale with base prices starting around $21,145 and fully loaded versions topping out at less than $28,000. Forte owners have come to appreciate their cars' affordability, sharp styling, roomy interior, and plentiful standard and optional features. No doubt, they should expect more of the same with the new K4. 2025 K4s are expected to arrive in dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year.

My Favorite NASCAR Driver Wins the Championship, and I'm Not Thrilled

Ryan Blaney did not win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway yesterday, but his second place finish ahead of Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Christopher Bell was all he needed to secure his first ever championship in NASCAR's top series.

So why am I not more excited? I'm happy, yes, but I'm not over the moon beside myself. Blaney is a phenomenal driver and is absolutely deserving of a championship trophy. Yet, NASCAR's way of deciding the championship is to pit the top-16 drivers who have won at least one race during the first 26 races of the season, plus any driver in the top-16 in points if there are less than 16 winners, against each other in elimination style playoffs for the final ten races. Three rounds are divided into three races each. If a playoff driver wins, they automatically advance to the next round. The four drivers who have accumulated the least amount of points without a win after each round are eliminated from championship contention until only four drivers are left to race against each other in the final race of the season. The champion is whoever finishes ahead of the other three drivers.

Simple, right?

Except under these rules, you can win every race leading up to the finale and still lose the championship. Or you can be pretty average over the first 26 races and then have a surge in performance over the last ten as Blaney did.

Blaney qualified for the playoffs due to his victory at the Coca-Cola 600 back in May. He made it through the Round of 16 despite finishes of ninth, twelfth, and twenty-second. The Round of 12 started with a twenty-eighth place finish at Texas, but a win next week at Talladega automatically qualified him for the Round of 8. Blaney then scored three consectutive finishes inside the top six including a win at the penultimate race in Martinsville to lock himself into the Championship Four.   

It's been ten years since NASCAR began using these playoffs to crown champions and twenty years since the sanctioning body first moved away from the traditional championship format that had been in place starting in 1971. You know, the one where drivers accumulate points based on their performance throughout the entire season, and the champion is the driver who has scored the most points by the end of the final race.

After 2003, NASCAR decided the old system wasn't good enough to generate the "game seven" excitement it was looking for in the final race of the season. Blame Matt Kenseth, who won the 2003 championship despite only winning one race that year. Kenseth's consistency throughout the season meant that he topped the points standings four races into the season and never looked back. By contrast, Kenseth won more races than any driver in 2002, yet only ranked eighth in the final standings. 

Some dedicated fans have calculated championship points under the old format over the last two decades, and the results may be surprising. Jeff Gordon, not Jimmie Johnson, would have seven championships to his name. And Kevin Harvick, who wrapped up his 23-year career after yesterday's race, would have been a four-time champion.

For this year, William Byron would have won the championship by a 17 point margin over Denny Hamlin, 33 points over Chris Buescher, and 42 points over Christopher Bell. Ryan Blaney would have finished the season in seventh, 196 points back.

A deeper look into this season's statistics lends authenticity to this claim. In 2023, Byron led the field with 6 wins, 15 top fives, 21 top tens, and an average finish of 10.97. Blaney won 3 races and scored 8 top fives and 18 top tens with an average finish of 14.08.

Debate over the legitimacy of using playoffs to crown NASCAR champions has gone back and forth for years. All I will add is the fact that twenty years have passed and no other racing series has adopted a similar format in deciding its champions. That alone should tell people all they need to know about the ridiculousness of NASCAR's system.

We've reached a point where I think individual race wins mean more than championships in NASCAR's top series. I would say that Blaney's high water mark this year was winning the Coca-Cola 600, snapping a 59-race winless streak. He showed more emotion in that post race interview and revealed more about his mental state over the months leading up to that win than he did during his championship interview in Phoenix. When I think back on 2023, I will remember that moment just as fondly as I will Blaney hoisting the championship trophy alongside his family, team, and friends.

Pixar's Lightyear Can Change the Toy Story Universe as We Know It

Pixar’s latest creation promises to build upon its flagship franchise in new and exciting ways, but it also raises intriguing questions about the reality of the universe the animation studio has worked to establish for more than 25 years.

Lightyear is being pitched as the story of the man who was deemed iconic enough to have a toy made in his image. This wouldn’t be a big deal if Buzz Lightyear was a normal astronaut, but he’s not. He’s a Space Ranger, part of an intergalactic police group that…umm…, why don’t I just let Buzz explain what he does.

“I am stationed in the Gamma Quadrant of sector 4. As a member of the elite Universe Protection Unit of the Space Ranger Corps, I protect the galaxy from the threat of invasion from the Evil Emperor Zurg, sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance.” -Buzz introduces himself to Andy's toys, Toy Story (1995)

Thanks, Buzz. So, the first teaser trailer for Lightyear, which debuted last month, appears to show Buzz Lightyear, the man, during his early years as a Space Ranger.

This isn’t the first time that Pixar has tried to expand Buzz’s fictional world. There was an animated cartoon called Buzz Lightyear of Star Command which followed the exploits of the “real” Buzz Lightyear and his team of Space Rangers across the galaxy, protecting civilization, as Buzz said, from the machinations of Emperor Zurg. 

However, that cartoon was set in the far-flung future and had no connecting tissue to the rest of the Toy Story universe. It’s the sort of show I can imagine Andy’s toys watching when they’re home alone and they aren’t playing Buzz Lightyear video games.

It’s unclear where or when Lightyear takes place. But if we follow the movie’s logic that Buzz Lightyear was a real person, it would stand to reason that there is a real Space Ranger Corps. And if there is a real Space Ranger Corps, there must also be a real Emperor Zurg somewhere causing trouble. At one point during the trailer, we see Buzz getting attacked by a large, tentacled creature, so at the very least, there are some life forms in this universe besides regular humans.

Despite being populated by toys that come to life when no humans are around, the Toy Story universe follows the same exact rules as the real world. I don’t think the original team at Pixar meant for Buzz Lightyear, the toy, to be based on a real, in-universe person. True, his name was inspired by famous Apollo 11 astronaut, Buzz Aldrin, but his backstory appeared to be a spoof on Star Wars. Both Toy Story and Toy Story 2 make multiple Star Wars allusions when going into detail about Buzz’s missions and his history with Zurg.

I can’t help but wonder if the people of Earth in the Toy Story universe know that they are not alone in the galaxy. Hopefully, there will be a scene very early or near the end of Lightyear establishing how it fits in with the other Toy Story films.

Until then, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to look at Andy’s “I want you to join Space Rangers” poster the same way again. Military conscription propaganda for little kids? Kind of dark, don’t you think? 

Children's TV Series Arthur Ends Production After 25 Seasons

 

I don’t remember too much about Arthur. For a show that has been around since 1996, and will be wrapping up its twenty fifth and final season in the winter of 2022, I think I only watched it between its debut and 2003 at the latest. 

Some moments I recall include Arthur dreading a reunion with his older cousin, Binky being falsely accused of spray painting graffiti everywhere, and one episode where Arthur’s school dealt with a breakout of lice.

I also remember that having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card. And then there was that one time when Francine played her drums loudly from the top of her apartment building. Her landlord approached her to pass along a complaint from another tenant, to which Francine retorted that the other tenant could go suck an egg. For the record, I do not recommend kids try that line with their parents or other adults. 

And who could forget when the cast of Arthur met the Backstreet Boys? It was the stuff of 90’s kids’ dreams!

The reggae-style theme song "Believe in Yourself" is pretty good, too. I suppose it must be, seeing as the show has used it and the same opening animation sequence since the beginning. This only gets strange when you notice the characters still interacting with twentieth century technology. Film cameras and tube TVs, anyone? "Believe in Yourself" was performed by Jamaican-American reggae group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. All the members of the group are the children of legendary reggae artist, Bob Marley. 

Arthur generated some noise on social media a couple years ago when it was revealed that Mr. Ratburn is gay. A lot of people said that they suspected this was the case all along. Regardless, it was a sign that the producers were aware of changing attitudes toward that kind of subject matter as the years have gone by.

I think what I will remember most about Arthur is how it portrayed everyday life in a natural believable way. The kids deal with kid problems, the adults deal with adult problems, and both groups learn about the other in the process. Children’s shows in the 90s and early 2000s had a knack of showcasing a diverse cast of characters with different interests, religious beliefs, ethnicities, socioeconomic classes, and so on without making anything feel forced or preachy. America is a diverse place, and shows like Arthur celebrate diversity and the importance of respect of people from all walks of life.   

What are your favorite Arthur memories? Let me know in the comments.

Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz Push Perception of Small Trucks

How small is too small for a truck? That is the question Ford and Hyundai will be asking customers later this year with the launch of the first ever Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz compact pickup trucks.

People have always bought trucks for their towing and hauling capability, but for many years now, trucks have also become all-purpose family vehicles. It is increasingly difficult to find stripped out, single cab, long-bed trucks on dealership lots. As a result, MSRPs on trucks have risen exponentially. Half ton trucks like the Ford F-150 sell at an average of at least $35,000. Midsize trucks such as the Ford Ranger can also easily go for more than $30,000. Read the comment section on any review of the Ranger or its competition and you will certainly find people moaning for inexpensive compact pickups like in the old days.

The 2022 Ford Maverick revives a name last used on a compact sedan in the 1970s. While not the smallest vehicle in Ford’s lineup, the Maverick will be the least expensive, undercutting the EcoSport by a few hundred dollars. It will be built in Mexico on the same front-wheel drive architecture as the Bronco Sport, but will be longer, lower, and narrower. Prices start at $21,490 for base XL model. By choosing cheap, you will be forgoing features such as cruise control, power-adjustable mirrors, proximity key entry, and alloy wheels. You can get all of that back in the XLT trim for $23,775. The top Maverick trim level will be the Lariat, which starts at $26,985 and should top out in the mid $30Ks with all the options.

At that price range, Ford is positioning the Maverick as an alternative to compact sedans such as the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla. In fact, base model Mavericks will be cheaper than entry level 2021 Civics by $755 when they go on sale this fall.

All Mavericks come in four-door crew cab configuration and have two available engines. The first is a 191-hp hybrid drivetrain using a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor. People looking for more power will want to select the turbocharged 2.0-liter with 250-hp and 277 pound-feet of torque. Since the hybrid is only available with front-wheel drive, it will probably appeal most to people who do not travel far off road. However, Ford claims that opting for the hybrid Maverick will reward drivers with 40 mpg in the city.

People have been looking forward to the Hyundai Santa Cruz since a concept was first unveiled back in 2015. The production version will share much of its structure, exterior, and interior with the all new 2022 Hyundai Tucson, but will ride on a 9.8-inch longer wheelbase. It will also be built alongside the Tucson in Montgomery, Alabama. 

Hyundai would like you to think of the Santa Cruz as a “Sport Adventure Vehicle” as opposed to a truck in order to keep expectations in check. Like the Maverick, the Santa Cruz also has two powertrain options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 190-hp and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter with 275-hp and 310 pound-feet. Both engines can be paired with front or all-wheel drive. Pricing for the Santa Cruz has not been revealed, but expect it to start around $25,000 for a base SE and cap off around $35,000 for a top-of-the-line Limited.

It’s difficult to judge what these trucks can do based on manufacturer provided photos. Hybrid Mavericks can tow up to 2000 pounds while the turbo 2.0-liter can tow 4000. Payload is rated at 1500 pounds regardless of powertrain. The Santa Cruz can tow and haul more with a tow rating of 5000 pounds and a payload capacity of 1748 for the upgraded engine. A Santa Cruz with the base engine can only tow 3500 pounds. Hyundai has yet to provide exact dimensions of the Santa Cruz’s bed, but the Maverick bed has a length of 4.5 feet bed that extends to six feet with the tailgate down. Compared to a Ford Ranger, the Maverick is 11 inches shorter overall and has a seven-inch shorter bed.

Test drives have always been important factors in buying a new vehicle, but they will be even more crucial for these two trucks. Not only will you want to drive the Maverick and the Santa Cruz, you should ask your dealer if you can bring them home with you and try fitting various objects in the bed and throughout the cabin. The Maverick and Santa Cruz will not be for everyone. Prospective buyers should do their due diligence to make sure either of these trucks will fit comfortably into their lives before signing on the dotted line.

Analyzing the Current Pokemon Card Craze

If someone told me in the year 2000, when I was in the height of my personal Pokémon excitement, that more than 20 years later, people would be tripping over themselves to buy Pokémon cards and leaving shelves bare within minutes, I would have told them that they were crazy. Yeah, Pokémon was big at the time, but there is no way the hype could survive for a quarter of a century. 

However, that is exactly the situation we find ourselves in today. With a pandemic raging around us for almost a full year, people are grabbing onto anything to give them some form of escapism from social distancing, face mask mandates, and Zoom meetings. The result is that products that used to be fairly easy to find have become practically nonexistent on store shelves as limited production capacity due to the pandemic is compounded by insatiable demand.

First it was bicycles. With gyms, restaurants, movie theaters, and other shopping centers closed or operating under reduced hours, people turned to riding bikes just to get out of the house and get some fresh air and exercise. Bike shops around the country experienced business like they had never seen before, with supply unable to keep up with demand. In my neck of the woods in New Hampshire, Goodale's Bike Shop in Nashua saw a 30 percent increase in floor sales and a 900 percent increase in internet sales by July 2020. Ryan Maszczak, the store's chief operating officer also reported that his repair shop and service department were at full capacity. 

Then it was home pool systems. Public beaches remained closed or heavily restricted this past summer, forcing people to cool off at home instead. Pool stores were mobbed with customers once they could reopen safely, while phones were reported to be ringing off the hook and online orders continued to come at a breakneck pace.  

So this brings us to Pokémon. Like other industries, the Pokémon Company had to shut down production of its products until its factories could guarantee the safety of their workers. Supply was reduced while demand soared. Card collecting is something that can be enjoyed from home, so naturally, lots of people turned to Pokémon and other collectible card brands to pass their time.

Meanwhile, a series of incidents were making their rounds on the Internet. High quality cards from some of Pokémon's first ever sets sold for tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. There was a first edition holographic shadowless Venusaur card which sold for $50,000. A Pikachu Illustrator card, one of the rarest cards in existence, changed hands in a deal worth an estimated $900,000. On top of that, popular PokéTubers, Pokémon Trading Card Game collectors and/or competitive players who share their passion through their YouTube channels, were posting daily videos of themselves opening piles of boxes and booster packs in search of the rarest and most valuable cards. As they open packs, these individuals constantly reiterate how important these cards are as collector's items or as the winning ingredient in a competitive Pokémon Trading Card Game deck.

While this is nothing new - in fact, I routinely watch content on these channels to see which cards are worth pulling from certain sets and if the pull rates for particular sets are any good in the first place - other, less desirable influencers have latched onto Pokémon lately and are now fueling an additional wave of speculation and emboldening those who see the cards solely in how much money they are worth.        

Champion's Path and Shining Fates have been two sets most
severely targeted by bulk buyers. With the potential to pull a
Shiny Charizard in each set, collectors are buying everything
they can find for themselves and scalpers are forcing people
to pay big money for the chance to pull one of these cards.  

On the day I bought a Shining Fates Elite Trainer Box, I was fortunate to clock out of work shortly after the trading card merchandiser was replenishing my store's stock. Waiting for her were between 10 and 15 individuals with empty shopping baskets in their hands. I witnessed with my own eyes as they took Elite Trainer Boxes and other Shining Fates products off the shelves nearly as soon as she placed them down. It was exactly like watching vultures swarming a carcass in a nature documentary. I couldn't help but shake my head as people walked off with armloads of products. My store has a trading card policy that people can only purchase three of a product, but I guess it can be interpreted as being able to purchase three of each Pokémon product. And it's not just Pokémon. They also carried away boxes of basketball, football, and baseball cards as well.

I strongly disapprove of buying Pokémon trading card products en masse like this, because I'll bet anything that these people are just flipping them online for a profit. Shining Fates Elite Trainer Boxes have an MSRP of $49.99. However, I have seen some listed on eBay for anywhere between $80 and $100. Well, if the supply is being gobbled up by scalpers, regular people are going to be forced to buy things at their exorbitant prices.

All of this is especially disheartening because 2021 is the 25th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise. A number of promotions have already happened this year, and every one of them has been ruined by scalpers. McDonalds Happy Meals are being bought in bulk by greedy adults just for the special edition Pokémon cards inside. Or in the case of the General Mills cereal promotion, people aren't even bothering to buy the food. They're just ripping boxes open and stealing the cards for themselves. I already mentioned how dozens of people are staking out trading card displays waiting for merchandisers to restock shelves like it's Star Wars Force Friday or something. I can also add that violence have reportedly broken out in some places between people fighting over Pokémon products. It's gotten so bad at my local store, that the merchandiser has resorted to handing things over at the customer service counter because she no longer feels safe.    

The Pokémon Company made an announcement last month that it acknowledges the shortage in trading card products and is working hard to increase its printing capacity. "For new Pokémon TCG expansions launching in the future, we are maximizing production to increase product availability upon release, and we will continue to reprint the products to replenish stock at retailers as soon as possible."

Only by increasing supply and by spreading awareness of this major problem can we hopefully drive scalpers out. In the meantime, please do not play the scalpers' game. We need to stand together and encourage our stores to crack down on scalpers, ask them to impose strict product limits, and let everyone have a fair shot at getting the products they want at a fair price. It is my hope that once the pandemic is over, supply chains get back to normal, and life returns to the way it used to be, these dirtbags will go back to whatever hole they crawled from. When exactly will that be? Only time will tell. 

Before I go, I want to share one last thing that links the Pokémon card craze with other examples of rampant speculation in recent months, such as GameStop stock and Dogecoin. I mention this as a warning for what all of this may mean in the grand scheme of things. I first became aware of this while watching the February 22 episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight. In one segment, Carlson brings up American investor Michael Burry and Burry's concern regarding the federal government's plan to print more money to fight the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Carlson mentioned a series of Twitter posts by Burry, where Burry quotes the 1974 book Dying of Money by Jens O. Parsson. The book details the dangers of inflation, using the hyperinflation Germany experienced following World War I as an example of what could happen to the United States if it embraces the notion that everything can be solved with more money in the system.

The following quotes from the book were shared: 

Right before it collapsed, the German economy exhibited “…unmistakable characteristics. One was the great wealth, at least of those favored by the boom…Many great fortunes sprang up overnight…The cities, had an aimless and wanton youth. Prices in Germany were steady… and both business and the stock market were booming. The exchange rate of the mark against the dollar and other currencies actually rose for a time, and the mark was momentarily the strongest currency in the world… Side by side with the wealth were pockets of poverty. Greater numbers of people remained on the outside of the easy money, looking in, but not able to enter. Accounts of the time tell of a progressive demoralization which crept over the common people, compounded of their weariness with the breakneck pace, to no visible purpose and their fears from watching their own precarious positions slip, while others grew so conspicuously rich… Speculation alone, while adding nothing to Germany’s wealth, became one of its largest activities… The fever to join in turning a quick mark infected nearly all classes. Everyone from the elevator operator up was playing the market.”

Sound familiar?

Pontiac G6 Convertible Made Top-Down Driving Affordable and Fun

Suppose you are in the market right now for a new car, and you have set your mind on getting yourself a convertible. After all, who doesn’t want to lower the roof with the press of a button and let warm sunshine or a cool breeze inside while you drive? At first glance, it would appear that you are spoiled for choice. All but a handful of luxury brands have at least one convertible in their lineups. But, unfortunately, you’re on a tight budget. You need a convertible that costs no more than $40,000. That lowers your options considerably. Your choices are between two pony cars (Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang), the Mazda Miata and Fiat 124 Spider siblings, and the Mini Cooper.

There was a time when mainstream convertibles were much easier to come by. Remember the Toyota Solara, Chrysler Sebring, or the Volkswagen Eos? In the mid-2000s, General Motors didn’t have an affordable convertible in its portfolio anymore. The fourth gen Camaro went out of production in 2002 with no plans for an immediate replacement. To prevent shoppers from going elsewhere for their open-air driving experience, GM tasked Pontiac to fill the void with a hard-top convertible version of its midsize G6.

The 2005 Pontiac G6 sedan was introduced in 2004 as a replacement for the Grand Am. The new name is derived from the fact that the G6 is ostensibly the sixth generation of the Grand Am line. It also served as the starting point for a new lineup organized by an alphanumeric hierarchy. The larger G8 soon replaced the Grand Prix, and the G5 took over from the Sunfire in the compact car segment.

A coupe and convertible G6 joined the sedan for 2006. Upon its introduction, the G6 convertible was the only folding hardtop on the market for less than $30,000. Two trim levels were available. GT versions were powered by 3.5-liter pushrod V-6 making 201 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. GTPs received a 3.9-liter V-6 with 227 horsepower and 235 pound-feet. Both trim levels utilized a four-speed automatic gearbox. Opting for the GTP added ABS, GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system, auto climate control, a power driver’s seat, premium audio, and adjustable steering.

Differentiating the convertible from the coupe was an increase in curb weight by 350 pounds due to necessary additional structural reinforcement. The suspension was also softened a little to reduce shock loads on the car’s body. Raising and lowering the convertible roof took approximately 30 seconds. With the roof lowered, trunk space was reduced to a near unusable 2.2 cubic feet. However, rear seat passengers were treated to an impressive 34 inches of legroom thanks to what Pontiac claimed was the longest wheelbase in the midsize convertible class.

Pontiac added variable valve timing to the GT’s 3.5-liter engine in 2007, boosting horsepower to 217. The 3.9-liter engine also became an option on GT spec cars as part of a sport package. GTP convertibles were discontinued for 2008.

A mid-2009 refresh brought resculpted front and rear bumpers, new headlamps, and larger exhaust tips. Interior updates included new gauges and center stack controls. All G6 coupe and convertibles ceased production at the end of the 2009 model year, making examples with the exterior and interior updates fairly rare.

The G6 was Pontiac’s best-selling model since its debut all the way up to the brand’s demise in 2010. It is unknown what would have become of the car had Pontiac survived GM’s restructuring. Some rumors suggest that the next G6 could have transitioned to a rear wheel drive architecture. A RWD G6 might have provided some interesting competition to the BMW 3-Series/4-Series and the Audi A4/A5. As it is, the end of Pontiac left an affordable performance hole in General Motors’ lineup that to this day has yet to be refilled.

Thoughts Working at a Kia Dealership

In my time working at my local Kia dealership, I had the opportunity to spend lots of time with the Korean brand's latest models. Driving the cars to different lots, dealerships, and customers' homes both near and far away revealed much about each of them. Kia has built its brand around offering a comprehensive 10 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, but how do its cars and SUVs stand on their own merits? Here are my thoughts about all the cars I drove on the job. However, there are a few models that I didn't get fully acquainted with. The dealership used a base-trim Sedona as a service shuttle; it reminded me of my family's old Ford Windstar. My dealership also never stocked any new Cadenzas. A used one showed up once, but I never drove it. As for the Kia K900, well, let me know if you ever see one.

Kia Forte

A surprisingly competent and composed small sedan with strong build quality and attention to detail. Available in a wide range of trim levels for different budgets. Top-spec 201 hp, 1.6L turbo GT is fun to drive and significantly undercuts rival sporty compacts on price. Models with the standard 147 hp, 2.0L engine return fantastic fuel economy. Many times driving on the highway I averaged high 40s or even 50 miles per gallon. Pity it doesn't come as a hatchback.

Kia K5

The Kia K5 improves upon all aspects of the Optima it replaces by leaps and bounds. Knockout exterior design and a completely overhauled interior move Kia's midsize sedan game up a level considerably. In a clever advertising campaign, Kia calls out other manufacturers for killing off their sedans while Kia "turbocharges ahead." The sedan market isn't dead yet, and Kia is determined to attract sedan shoppers to its dealers with the all new K5. Be on the lookout for the 290 hp, all-wheel drive GT out soon.

Kia Niro

How do you make sure your hybrid/electric vehicle doesn't suffer from any packaging compromises or performance issues that come from fitting extra batteries inside the car? The answer is you design a vehicle from the outset to accommodate the necessary electric hardware. While on the small side of the crossover spectrum, there is plenty of room in the Niro for a family of four and their cargo. If you have never driven a hybrid or electric vehicle before, the silent operation of the motor may be a bit disconcerting. The Niro can be pricy, but a combined fuel economy rating of 49 miles per gallon can result in significant savings at the pump.

Kia Rio

Don't let the Rio's low price, and admittedly chintzy ancestors fool you. The current generation Rio subcompact sedan and hatchback exceed their humble mission brief to deliver a classy and sophisticated experience with a smart layout and pleasing materials. 120 hp isn't much, but it is plenty adequate to move the Rio along at normal speeds. Ride and handling are also impressive for such a small car. The hatchback model adds more cargo space and slightly more passenger volume, making it the ideal choice.

Kia Seltos

The first ever Kia Seltos had an important job upon its introduction for the 2021 model year. It effectively splits the difference between the subcompact Soul and the compact Sportage by pairing tidy exterior dimensions and robust all-wheel drive with enough style and personality to stand on its own. The Seltos feels big on the inside and material quality is superb. Seltos buyers should never leave the showroom feeling shortchanged. Confident handling and aforementioned all-wheel drive should make the Seltos a hit here in New England.

Kia Sorento

Life for the Kia Sorento hasn't been easy. Forced to pull the brand along following the spectacular sales failure of the Borrego, the Sorento now finds itself regularly upstaged by its newer big brother, the Telluride. Despite this, the Sorento makes sense as a family vehicle in the ultra-competitive midsize crossover market. The interior layout is simple and straightforward with upper trim levels adding noticeable luxurious elements to class up the cabin. Acceleration is strong, and the vehicle rides comfortably enough to make long trips a breeze. A third row of seats comes standard, but should only really be used in emergencies. The Sorento functions much better as a two-row SUV with the third row folded flat to maximize cargo space.

Kia Soul

One of my personal favorite cars in the Kia lineup, the Soul's balance of style, practicality, and affordability is hard to beat. It manages the rare feat of being cheap without looking or feeling cheap. The fact that the Soul is popular with people ranging in age from 17 to 77 speaks volumes to its versatility and ease of use. True, it doesn't come with all-wheel drive, but the Soul's engaging handling and a set of proper tires should get the Soul out of most trouble spots.

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage holds the distinction of being one of the brand's oldest nameplates in North America, first debuting back in 1993. The vehicle has gone through quite a metamorphosis since then. There was a time when you could buy a three-door Sportage with a convertible roof! Now, the Sportage is a lynchpin to Kia's SUV lineup, and impressed me with its intuitive interior layout, comfy seats, and optional turbocharged engine. Although the current model is getting a bit long in the tooth, it continues to hold its own against the competition.

Kia Stinger

It's rather unfortunate that the Kia Stinger has fallen off the radar as of late. Sales have slowed considerably, and there are questions as to whether the Stinger will live to see a second generation. The loss of the Stinger would be a heavy blow to Kia as well as the entire automotive industry. The halo cast by the Stinger has imbued several of Kia's models with greater degrees of sportiness. With a base price that undercuts similar models from Audi and BMW by several thousand dollars, and performance figures that keep the Germans within reach, the Stinger makes for a compelling performance sedan. When you enter a Stinger, you immediately know that you are getting inside something special. A flat-bottomed steering wheel, deeply bolstered seats, and a distinctive T-shaped shift lever communicate that this car means business. Rear legroom is generous, even though outward rear visibility isn't the best. It even comes with a hatchback, making loading things into the trunk a breeze. Don't let your significant other talk you out of getting a Stinger. Just mention all the practical benefits as well as the Stinger's 365 hp, twin-turbo V6.

Kia Telluride

2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. 2020 Motor Trend SUV of the Year. 2020 World Car of the Year. And now a two-time Car and Driver 10 Best award winner. Does the Kia Telluride lives up to the hype? Yes it does. Forget the K900. That car is a unicorn for the couple hundred people who know or care that it exists. The Telluride is the true flagship of the Kia brand. If you are looking for a new family vehicle, there are not many better choices out there than a Telluride. It's outer appearance is unlike anything else on the market, and the Nightfall Edition package, such as on the Telluride in the photo above, adds an appropriate level of menace to the vehicle. Build quality and materials are top notch and there are plenty of comfort, convenience, and safety features included regardless of trim level. Unlike the Sorento, the Telluride's third row is spacious, and can be enjoyed by children and adults. On the road, the Telluride drives smoothly, with the 291 hp V6 engine never feeling like it is struggling to move the car along. Loaded SX Tellurides top out just below $50,000, a relative bargain for the level of luxury you get. Car and Driver even jokes that people interested in the Telluride should buy one now before Kia realizes how good its car is and raises the price accordingly.

Toy Story at 25

Moviegoers on November 22, 1995 had no idea what they were in for when they lined up to see Toy Story for the first time. They were going to be the first people in the world to see a feature length animated film made entirely on computers. Leading up to Toy Story's release, executives at both Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios were nervous about how people would respond to a film unlike anything that had been produced before.

Earlier in 1995, Casper marked a cinematic milestone by featuring the first fully CGI character in a lead role. But Toy Story was going to be different. Not only were all of the characters CGI, their entire world would be created solely through the use of computer based animation. 

For Disney, a company that pioneered and mastered the art of traditional hand-drawn animation, Toy Story was a bold step in a new direction. For Pixar, a young animation company with roots in Lucasfilm's Computer Division before being purchased and spun off as an independent company by Steve Jobs in 1986, the film was a chance to prove that the technology they used to produce 3-D animated short films and TV commercials had reached a level of maturity capable of handling the processing power to create a full length movie.

As it turned out, no one should have worried. Toy Story opened at #1 that weekend and went on to become the highest grossing animated film of the year with a worldwide total of $362 million. The film was later recognized with Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song, Best Original Score, and Best Original Screenplay. It was the first time an animated film of any sort had been recognized for screenwriting. Director John Lasseter also won a special Oscar for the technical achievement Toy Story represented.

The success of Toy Story sent shockwaves through the movie industry, forever changing the way animated movies were made. By the end of the next decade, nearly all animation studios, including Disney, had switched to full CGI to produce their films. The benefits of animating solely on computers are tremendous. Up to this point, animated films were basically gigantic flip books - series of individual frames one after the other with everything having to be redrawn for each successive frame. Static elements like backgrounds could be carried over, but anything that changed shape had to be adjusted even if the changes were miniscule. With a computer, all elements of a scene - characters, background elements, props, etc. - are stored as separate assets, and can be replicated infinitely without any loss of quality.

This is particularly beneficial for franchise building if the studio wishes to spin off its movie characters into sequels, television shows, or video games. Take for example the 2001 animated film, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. Originally, Nickelodeon envisioned Jimmy Neutron as a TV series with an accompanying theatrical movie later down the road, but series creator, John A. Davis, suggested that the film be made first, so that the development team could create all assets at theatrical quality, and then reuse them for the TV series. The Jimmy Neutron TV series could then be made relatively cheaply since everything was pretty much already in place.

Toy Story also furthered the burgeoning trend of getting A-list celebrities to lend their voices to animated projects. Disney films of the 1990s were slowly beginning to feature well-known actors in voice over roles, the most famous of which being Robin Williams as the Genie in 1992's Aladdin. But Toy Story raised the bar by featuring a cast made up almost entirely of celebrity performers and character actors whose voices were immediately recognizable to adult viewers. Even so, there was still a stigma among actors about not being able to show their faces in a movie role. Tom Hanks only signed up for his now iconic role as Woody after seeing some animation synced to his voice from Turner & Hooch. Tim Allen on the other hand signed on instantly for the role of Buzz Lightyear. Allen was approached after Pixar's first choice, Billy Crystal, dubious of the potential of the project declined to participate, a decision he later regretted. Crystal would later take on the role of Mike Wazowski in Pixar's 2001 film Monsters, Inc.

But perhaps Toy Story's greatest achievement was establishing a blueprint that all Pixar films since have stuck to, putting the story first. While audiences were undoubtedly wowed by the impressive technology behind the film, it was the story of Woody and Buzz learning to work together and make their way back home to their owner, Andy, that kept audiences coming back for more. Future Pixar films continued this theme. By not talking down to children, but instead talking up to adults, the people at Pixar created movies that the whole family could enjoy. 

Moviegoers certainly lined up to support Pixar, with Pixar films outgrossing Disney animated films on a regular basis. Realizing Pixar's prowess at filmmaking, Disney purchased the animation studio outright in 2006 for $7.4 billion in 2006 and installed Steve Lasseter as Chief Creative Officer. Even so, it would take until the release of Frozen in 2013 for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film to earn more money than a Pixar film released the same year. It is also worth noting that Toy Story 3 released in 2010 became the first animated film to gross more than a billion dollars worldwide.

Twenty five years later, the effects of Toy Story continue to be felt throughout the movie industry. Constant advances in computer technology make it easier than ever to produce animated movies with incredible attention to detail. Voicing an animated character is no longer something to be ashamed of, but rather a prestigious addition to an actor's resume. And animated movies no longer just exist in the realms of children's entertainment, they can be enjoyed and beloved by adults as well.

Happy Anniversary, Toy Story!  

Jaguar Prunes Lineup Amid a Changing Luxury Landscape

The business of selling luxury cars isn't what it used to be. Customers are no longer expected to leave dealerships in big, V8-powered sedans. Nowadays crossovers and SUVs reign supreme, and there is a growing expectation that they will be powered, at least in part, by electricity.

Some carmakers have already adjusted for this new reality. Buick and Lincoln are now SUV-only brands for the first time in their history. Volvo has promised that half of the vehicles it produces will be fully electric by 2025. Mercedes-Benz is staying busy adding new models to its EQ electric subbrand.

Jaguar is in the midst of carrying out its own plans for the future. For 2021, the British luxury brand has dropped the XE sedan and the XF Sportbrake - Jaguar-speak for wagon - from its US lineup. The XF sedan continues on with a reshaped front end and a significantly updated interior. Base prices drop by $7,105 to help mitigate the loss of the entry level XE, and all XFs will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine making either 246 or 296 horsepower. The XF is also Jaguar's last sedan standing, at least until a new, all-electric XJ arrives. It joins the E-Pace, F-Pace, and I-Pace SUVs, as well as the F-type sports car.

Jaguar has never been a major player in the American market. Annual sales have been around 30,000 units for the last two years. For comparison, that's about the number of cars BMW sells in a month. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jaguar has sold a little over 16,000 cars according to data compiled by GoodCarBadCar. Of that total, the F-Pace accounts for 7,891 vehicles.

Both the XE and the XF Sportbrake have been slow sellers, so cutting them from the lineup makes sense as way to reign in expenses. Only 3,551 XEs found homes last year, and less than 250 Sportbrakes have been sold over the course of three years according to Road and Track. Jaguar's sister brand, Land Rover, has sold 52,335 cars so far this year, further accentuating the shift in consumer preference toward SUVs.

With so little market share, positioning itself as a sporty, electric alternative to mainstream luxury vehicles appears to be Jaguar's best bet. However it must act quickly. As mentioned above, Mercedes and Volvo are steaming ahead to an electric future, and Audi and Porsche have also released their first all-electric model lines. Jaguar needs to capitalize on its core strengths: distinctive design, motorsports heritage, and wholesome British charm to keep loyal buyers coming into its showrooms and attract curious new prospects to the brand.

New Grand Wagoneer Pushes Jeep Further Upmarket

Hard to believe, but Jeep has been without a three-row vehicle in its lineup since it discontinued the Commander back in 2010. That will soon change with the arrival of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer next summer.

Sitting on the same body on frame platform as the Ram 1500, the Grand Wagoneer debuted on September 3 as a near production ready concept. Dimensions and powertrain specifications were not announced, but it seems likely that V-6 and V-8 gas engines, a plug-in hybrid setup, and quite possibly a diesel engine will be offered. Standard four wheel drive is a given. In fact buyers will be able to choose between three 4x4 systems. Both short and long wheelbase versions will be built. Lower content versions will be called Wagoneer, while the Grand Wagoneer name will be used on the upper trim levels. 

With prices expected to span from $60,000 to over $100,000, the Wagoneer / Grand Wagoneer goes toe-to-toe with a full spectrum of competitors from the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition to the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Land Rover Range Rover. As such, the Grand Wagoneer is equipped with plenty of wood, leather, and screens to satisfy the modern luxury SUV buyer.

During the introductory presentation, Jeep President, Christian Meunier, stressed how the Grand Wagoneer is a different kind of Jeep.

"The Jeep customer," said Meunier, "loves travelling, camping, and fishing. The Wagoneer driver would rather go golfing on the finest courses or cruising on their sailboat. If Jeep was a house, it would be a cabin in the woods. The Wagoneer, a glass house on the ocean. In our vision, Wagoneer will become a portfolio of SUVs that will redefine American premium and deliver a unique customer experience."

Ralph Gilles, Fiat Chrysler Automobile's Head of Design, echoed this sentiment. "We look at what Jeep means to most people. A Jeep, of course, has this incredible overtone of adventure. And we look at what Wagoneer can mean and it's the same idea but executed in a much more artisanal way."

Gilles likened other Jeep models to rugged hiking backpacks, while the Wagoneer is more akin to a luxurious designer backpack. It certainly looks the part with plentiful chrome trim, 24-inch wheels, backlit badging on the front and rear of the car, and LED lights front and rear which also run between each of seven slots of the signature front grille.

With the on sale date of the Grand Wagoneer almost a year away, there is still plenty of time for car buyers to decide whether a $60K+ three-row Jeep is the right car for them. Jeep owners are among the most passionate and loyal people out there when it comes to supporting their brand, so current owners looking for a larger car will certainly be excited.

And if the notion of spending close to six figures on a Jeep seems strange, you may not have noticed that Jeep vehicles have been climbing steadily in price for several years now. It is not uncommon to spend more than $50,000 on a new Wrangler or a Gladiator. Even a fully loaded Renegade can crest $30,000. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk with its legendary 707 horsepower, 6.2 liter Hellcat V-8 already comes close to $100,000. When people pay for a Jeep, they are also paying for membership into an exclusive way of life. Jeep is betting big that the Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer will provide owners with a distinctly American luxury experience no other domestic or foreign SUV can match.

My Favorite Racing Miku Designs

Photo: Good Smile Racing

If you follow Japanese Super GT racing, chances are you are familiar with the Good Smile Racing team. The Good Smile company is primarily involved in the production and sale of figures and toys, usually based on anime, manga, and video games that are popular in Japan. In 2008, Good Smile Company became the primary sponsor of Studie GLAD racing, a BMW team that took part in the GT300 division of the Super GT series. Good Smile used the opportunity to promote their Hatsune Miku merchandise through a licensing partnership with Crypton Future Media, the creator of the Vocaloid software that Hatsune Miku is a mascot for.

In 2010, after Studie took a leave of absence from the series, Good Smile Company formed their own racing team and continued to use Hatsune Miku as a mascot on a Porsche 911 with Team COX as a partner. The team, known as Good Smile Racing, switched back to BMW the following year after Team COX withdrew from the series, and re-entered a partnership with the returning Studie. The partnership between Good Smile Racing and Studie lasted until the end of the 2013 season and both teams went their separate ways. Good Smile Racing fielded a BMW Z4 for 2014 before changing over to its current partner, Mercedes-AMG.

Good Smile Racing won its first GT300 championship in 2011 by winning three out of eight races. They would later win another two championships in 2014 and 2017, becoming one of the most successful Super GT teams in series history. The team is very active on social media, sharing the race atmosphere to fans online, live streaming before and after races, and inviting fans to team parties. Good Smile Racing also employs a distinctive Personal Sponsor System. This system enables fans from all over the world to directly support the team.

Hatsune Miku's design has been adapted into a Racing Queen version for each season since 2010. The following list is my personal ranking of each design from worst to best. All following photos are from the official Good Smile Racing website.

#16 - 2015

This was an interesting year to say the least. It was Good Smile's first year with Mercedes-Benz yet it was Mercedes' last year campaigning with the gullwing-doored SLS AMG. It's most unfortunate that the beginning of this promising partnership kicked off with what I believe is the worst Racing Miku design. It doesn't look like her at all. The hair is far too spiky and something about the face is just off.

#15 - 2024

In 2024, someone thought that Hatsune Miku needed to be a witch and this is the design they used for that season. Why is she a witch? I don't know.

#14 - 2010

Like 2015, this version suffers mainly by not really looking like how Hatsune Miku is depicted in other media. I think the orange suit is also throwing me off.

#13 - 2011

Not a bad design. All the right colors are there, her face just has no personality. It must also be noted that this design was on the car that won Good Smile Racing's first championship.

#12 - 2020

I'm not a fan of the chibi style going on here. I always pictured Hatsune Miku as being around 16 or 17. Here she looks like she's either 13 or 14. The outfit is kind of odd, too.

#11 - 2023

I'm not sure how this outfit would work in real life. Seems borderline unwearable to me.

#10 - 2016

2016 put the Good Smile Racing drivers into a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the first time. It also saw the return of the orange Racing Miku outfit. This design is also a little too chibi for my taste, but not as bad as 2020's. I think this design makes a better use of orange than 2010.

#9 - 2014

Remember what I said earlier about Hatsune Miku's age? Well, here she looks like she's about 23. It's a very different aesthetic that this time I think goes too far in the other direction.

#8 - 2012

All the right colors are there. Not a bad looking outfit either. We're definitely heading in the right direction now.

#7 - 2022

I like how this design gives the suggestion that she is wearing at least part of a firesuit. It solidifies the connection that she is supporting a racing team. The lower part is a bit X-rated for my tastes and I find the giant neon green flag rather distracting.

#6 - 2025

For some reason, the first thing that comes to my mind when I see this design is Kill la Kill. Very unique from a stylistic standpoint compared to the other Mikus. I like it, even though it doesn't feel right.

#5 - 2013

When someone mentions Hatsune Miku to you, this is most likely what you see in your mind. Great design all around.

#4 - 2017

First of all, I really like this one. It's easily my favorite of the softer edged designs. The outfit is adorable and her face is full of life. My only problem is I'm not sure people would recognize her without the Good Smile and Crypton logos. Her hair here is just a little too green that I don't think it will click with the majority of people that it's supposed to be her.

#3 - 2018

This design fixes the previous one by adding a bit more blue to her hair. She also has one of the more unique outfits of the bunch.

#2 - 2021

Now this is how to do a Hatsune Miku design. Everything about this version is spot on. Great hair. Great face. Awesome outfit. No doubt in anyone's mind who this is.

#1 - 2019

And here is my favorite Racing Miku design. At first glance it is very similar to 2021. I just like the outfit on this version a tiny bit better, but really both 2019 and 2021 are pretty much perfect.

That's it for my list. Which Racing Miku design is your favorite? I'd love to know! Perhaps I'll next rank the actual car paint schemes and see how that list compares to this one.