My 7 Favorite Cars I've Ever Reviewed
Doug DeMuro · 2026-06-07
💡 Quick Take
1. Embrace quirky and unique car designs; they often lead to the most memorable experiences.
2. Don't dismiss a car based on initial impressions or general opinions; personal experience is key.
3. Supercars can be surprisingly practical and enjoyable when modified for different purposes (e.g., off-road).
4. The "Doug Score" is objective, but personal favorites are driven by unique emotional connections and quirks.
5. Consider selling enthusiast cars on platforms like Cars & Bids for better market value than dealer trade-ins.
6. Some cars, like the Lamborghini Huracan Stratos, are so unique they inspire immediate purchase intent.
7. Cars without traditional features (like the Smart Crossblade) can be hilariously absurd and incredibly fun.
8. The 2005 Ford GT is a robust and trustworthy supercar that can even be considered for regular use.
9. The Vector W8 is a visually striking and uniquely designed supercar that offers a captivating experience, even if not the absolute best to drive.
10. Don't underestimate race cars converted for the road; they can offer unparalleled driving thrills (McLaren P1 GTR).
11. The Porsche Carrera GT, especially with modern suspension, is a contender for the greatest driving car ever made.
12. The Ferrari F50 is a truly exceptional driver's car, potentially surpassing even the Carrera GT in driving dynamics.
13. Long-term ownership and experience can reveal a car's true greatness, sometimes more than a short review (e.g., Countach).
14. Reviewing old cars can be challenging due to potential unreliability and the need for extra caution.
15. True appreciation for a car can develop over time, even after initial reviews suggest otherwise.
📊 Detailed Explanation
1. Embrace quirky and unique car designs; they often lead to the most memorable experiences. This is all about finding joy in the unconventional. Doug highlights cars like the Lamborghini Huracan Stratos and the Smart Crossblade, which are far from typical. The Stratos, an off-road Huracan, is celebrated for its "crazy, kooky, weird builds." Similarly, the Smart Crossblade, lacking windows, a roof, and even proper doors, is described as "way more weird and quirky and interesting than I expected" and "ridiculous and absurd and hilarious." These aren't just cars; they're statements, and their uniqueness is precisely what makes them special and generates unforgettable driving moments.
2. Don't dismiss a car based on initial impressions or general opinions; personal experience is key. This is a crucial takeaway, especially with the McLaren P1 GTR. Doug admits he wasn't a "big McLaren guy" and generally dislikes race cars, finding them "annoying." He went into the P1 GTR review with low expectations. However, the actual driving experience completely changed his mind, calling it "probably the coolest driving experience I've ever had." This underscores that subjective feelings and the tangible experience of driving a car can completely override pre-conceived notions or common industry sentiment.
3. Supercars can be surprisingly practical and enjoyable when modified for different purposes (e.g., off-road). The Lamborghini Huracan Stratos is the prime example here. Doug points out that modern supercars are often "so focused and so hard-edged and they're just kind of annoying to use." The Stratos, with its off-road modifications like knobby tires, increased suspension travel, and more ground clearance, became "a drivable supercar." It offered a "much more comfortable ride" and the ability to go places without scraping, proving that a supercar doesn't have to be impractical if it's adapted for a different, albeit unusual, purpose.
4. The "Doug Score" is objective, but personal favorites are driven by unique emotional connections and quirks. Doug explicitly states that while the "Doug score" objectively ranks cars, it doesn't always align with his personal favorites. He explains that personal preference can stem from liking how something "looks better or I like how something else is quirkier or weirder or more special or more personal to me." This distinction is vital: the Doug Score is about overall excellence, while his favorites are about a deeper, more personal connection that might involve a car's character, history, or sheer absurdity.
5. Consider selling enthusiast cars on platforms like Cars & Bids for better market value than dealer trade-ins. This is a direct plug for his platform, but it's also practical advice. Doug contrasts dealer trade-in values with Cars & Bids results, showing significant differences. He emphasizes that trading in to dealers means "you aren't getting market value for your car, leaving you with less cash for your next fun car." The platform is presented as the best community to sell enthusiast cars, ensuring owners get the most for their passion vehicles.
6. Some cars, like the Lamborghini Huracan Stratos, are so unique they inspire immediate purchase intent. The Huracan Stratos review led Doug to immediately call his local Lamborghini dealer and "want to be on the list to buy one." He states, "it was the first time that's ever happened after reviewing a car. I was like, 'I'm buying it. Done doing it right now.'" This highlights the profound impact a truly special and unexpected vehicle can have on an enthusiast, bypassing the usual deliberation process and creating an instant desire for ownership.
7. Cars without traditional features (like the Smart Crossblade) can be hilariously absurd and incredibly fun. The Smart Crossblade, with its lack of windows, roof, and minimal doors, is a prime example of a car that defies convention. Doug found it "even more ridiculous and absurd and hilarious than I thought it was going to be." The sheer impracticality and unique design made the experience incredibly enjoyable, proving that sometimes, the less practical a car is, the more fun it can be in its own bizarre way.
8. The 2005 Ford GT is a robust and trustworthy supercar that can even be considered for regular use. Doug bought a 2005 Ford GT after reviewing it and has driven it 14,000 miles. He calls it his "most robust sports car" and mentions taking it places "instead of daily driver cars" because he trusts it so much. He debunks the myth of unreliability, attributing Clarkson's issues to an aftermarket alarm system, and emphasizes its fantastic ownership experience, highlighting that a supercar can indeed be a dependable, go-to vehicle.
9. The Vector W8 is a visually striking and uniquely designed supercar that offers a captivating experience, even if not the absolute best to drive. Doug describes the Vector W8 as "one of the craziest looking cars ever designed," with a "fighter jet, so over-the-top aggressive" aesthetic that's "just like in a really well done, aggressive, absurd way." While he admits it "wasn't amazing to drive," the car's sheer coolness, quirkiness, and interesting design made the entire experience something he "truly loved." It represents the perfect intersection of incredible design and a fun, albeit not perfect, driving experience.
10. Don't underestimate race cars converted for the road; they can offer unparalleled driving thrills (McLaren P1 GTR). Despite his initial aversion to race cars and McLarens, the road-converted McLaren P1 GTR delivered an "unbelievable experience." He describes it as "loud but in a cool way," "precise and so incredibly dialed in and focused," and "over-the-top aggressive and insane and cool." This experience made him realize that race-bred machines, when adapted for road use, can provide a level of engagement and excitement that few other cars can match.
11. The Porsche Carrera GT, especially with modern suspension, is a contender for the greatest driving car ever made. Doug is a huge fan of the Carrera GT, calling it "one of the greatest driving cars ever manufactured." He even believes that with a modern suspension upgrade, it "may just be the greatest driving car ever manufactured." He contrasts it favorably with a new 911 GT3, finding the 20-year-old Carrera GT to be "less skittish, less in control, less balanced." It's praised for being "precision," "surgical," and "focused," embodying the ultimate driver's car.
12. The Ferrari F50 is a truly exceptional driver's car, potentially surpassing even the Carrera GT in driving dynamics. While the F50 is often overlooked in favor of the F40 or Enzo, Doug considers it "quite possibly the greatest driver's car of all time." He notes its similarities to the Carrera GT but believes Ferrari "did it better at that time." He highlights its lighter weight, more athletic feel, and superior shifter/clutch action compared to the Carrera GT. He even states it's "probably the only car that I would one for one trade my Carrera GT4 if I could," underscoring its exceptional driving prowess.
13. Long-term ownership and experience can reveal a car's true greatness, sometimes more than a short review (e.g., Countach). This is a massive learning for Doug. He loved his Lamborghini Countach but didn't feel that way when he reviewed them previously. He explains that reviewing old cars can be tough, and the "finesse and kind of anxiety" involved means a short review might not capture the car's full essence. It took "6 months with the Countach" for it to become his favorite, contrasting with "3 hours with a Countach" during a review. This taught him that "you just need more time to really understand a car," a limitation inherent in many car reviews.
14. Reviewing old cars can be challenging due to potential unreliability and the need for extra caution. Doug touches on this when discussing the Countach. He mentions that "old cars don't necessarily always cooperate when you are reviewing them." Even though the Countaches he reviewed were reliable during the shoot, the process still required "a level of finesse and kind of anxiety" that you don't get with modern, push-button start cars. This inherent risk and the need for careful handling can impact the reviewer's immediate perception of the car.
15. True appreciation for a car can develop over time, even after initial reviews suggest otherwise. This ties into the Countach example. Doug wasn't particularly impressed during his initial reviews of the Countach. However, after he bought one and lived with it, his feelings transformed. He realized that "sometimes that happens" and that a car's true magic can "develop over time." This highlights that a reviewer's initial impression, while valuable, might not be the final word on a car's long-term appeal or personal significance.
🎯 Expert Opinion
Doug's list is a fantastic snapshot of what truly resonates with a deep-seated car enthusiast, moving beyond raw performance metrics to embrace character, history, and sheer audaciousness. What's particularly striking is the evolution of his perspective, highlighted by the Countach example. This reinforces a critical point in automotive journalism and ownership: the difference between a "review" and "relationship." A short-term review, even a well-executed one, can only capture a car's immediate attributes. True appreciation, especially for older or more idiosyncratic vehicles, often blossoms with extended ownership. This is where the nuances of reliability, the charm of their quirks, and the emotional connection truly set in. It’s a lesson many reviewers, and indeed buyers, learn over time.
The inclusion of cars like the Huracan Stratos and Smart Crossblade speaks to a broader trend I'm seeing: a resurgence of interest in unique, less conventional vehicles. In an era of increasingly homogenized automotive design and driving dynamics, there's a hunger for personality. Manufacturers are starting to recognize this, albeit slowly, with more niche models and special editions. The Stratos, in particular, is a masterclass in how to inject excitement into an existing platform by thinking outside the box – a strategy that could be applied to many other models across different brands.
Furthermore, Doug’s emphasis on the driving experience, even in cars that might not top objective "Doug Scores," is paramount. The Carrera GT and F50 are prime examples. These cars represent a pinnacle of driver engagement, where the mechanical connection and feedback are so pure they transcend mere speed. This is becoming increasingly rare. As electrification and autonomous driving technologies advance, the raw, analog thrill of cars like these will only become more cherished. The challenge for the industry is to find ways to translate that visceral connection into future automotive paradigms, or at least preserve and celebrate these analog masterpieces for enthusiasts like Doug and his audience.
Finally, the success of Cars & Bids isn't just about selling cars; it's about catering to a specific, passionate demographic. The market for enthusiast cars is robust, and platforms that understand the nuances of these vehicles – their history, their appeal, their potential value beyond a dealer's wholesale offer – are thriving. This trend suggests that the enthusiast car market is not just surviving but evolving, with owners increasingly seeking communities and platforms that truly value their passion and investment.
Kanal: Doug DeMuro