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

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

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

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

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

In Episode 23 of Between Two Pumps, the guys leave four wheels behind and dive into the world of motorcycles. With decades of riding experience between them, Mike Musto and Terry Shea talk about everything from the Honda CB750 and the rise of the Universal Japanese Motorcycle to the analog sport bikes of the '80s and '90s—and why motorcycles can deliver a level of immediacy and visceral excitement that even great cars can't match. Terry also finds himself in the market for his first street motorcycle, sparking a conversation about what makes a good first bike, whether to go vintage or modern, and why an inexpensive '90s or early-2000s motorcycle might be the perfect way into two wheels. Along the way, the guys revisit some of their own first bikes, favorite motorcycles, the appeal of adventure bikes, and the seemingly endless rabbit hole of motorcycles available on the Hemmings Marketplace. Plus: Why riding a motorcycle can make you a better car driver, the enduring appeal of analog machines, and one very important piece of advice for anyone thinking about getting into riding: spend more on the gear.

In Episode 22 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean look back at the rise of Japanese cars in America, from the days when Toyota, Honda, and Datsun were dismissed as cheap economy cars to the moment they became benchmarks for quality, reliability, technology, and performance. The guys revisit the cars that changed their perceptions, from early Corollas, Civics, and Accords to the 300ZX, Celica, Supra, Prelude, and more, and explore why so many once-overlooked Japanese cars are becoming increasingly desirable collector vehicles. They also clear up what "JDM" actually means, talk about the engineering that helped Japanese manufacturers earn enthusiasts' respect, and reveal which Japanese classics they'd put in their own garages today. Plus: Is it time for a JDM project car in the Hemmings Garage? It's a nostalgic look at the cars many enthusiasts once ignored and now can't stop searching for.

In Episode 21 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry McGean, and Terry Shea dig into the evolution of the 4x4, from old-school, truck-based rigs to modern SUVs and crossovers. The conversation starts with a simple question: What are you actually going to use it for? Because there's a big difference between needing legitimate off-road capability and needing all-wheel drive to get through the snow. The guys revisit everything from early Ford Explorers, Chevy Blazers, Broncos, and Jeep Cherokees to Grand Wagoneers, Wranglers, 4Runners, Land Cruisers, Range Rovers, and today's Bronco. Along the way, they debate the tradeoffs between off-road ability, highway comfort, towing capacity, reliability, size, power, and practicality—and why the best 4x4 might be the one that can do almost everything well. Plus: overlanding excess, questionable used Range Rovers, bulletproof Toyotas, and the Land Cruiser 70 Series—the "Erector Set of the 4x4 world." If you could have one 4x4 that had to handle the trail, the highway, the family, and the occasional tow, what would you choose?

In Episode 20 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean go hunting for the sweet spots hiding within enthusiast-car lineups; the models, trims, and option combinations that deliver most (and sometimes all) of the experience without the flagship price tag. From the Porsche 996 and early Cayman to the C6 Corvette Grand Sport, Mustang GT Track Pack, Mini Cooper, and Camaro SS 1LE, the guys dig into cars where choosing the right spec may matter more than choosing the most expensive badge. Sometimes less power, fewer options, or the supposedly "lesser" model actually makes for the better car to own and drive. The takeaway? Figure out the driving experience you actually want, learn the option sheet, and buy the car that fits you—not the one everyone tells you you're supposed to want. Because sometimes the best version of a great car is hiding in plain sight.

In Episode 19 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean tackle one of the most entertaining hypothetical debates yet: What is the ultimate getaway car? Starting with a tongue-in-cheek movie scenario involving corrupt zombie cops, the guys put a wide range of vehicles to the test, weighing everything from agility and durability to all-wheel drive, ground clearance, top speed, fuel range, and real-world survivability. Along the way, they debate the merits of the Porsche 911 Dakar, Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, BMW M5, Ford Lightning, and several other unexpected contenders, ultimately narrowing the field to two finalists. It's a hilarious conversation filled with movie references, spirited arguments, and surprisingly thoughtful automotive analysis that proves choosing the perfect escape vehicle isn't nearly as simple as picking the fastest car. Which would you choose—the Porsche 911 Dakar, the Jeep Trackhawk, or something else entirely? Let us know in the comments.

In Episode 18 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean dive deep into the wonderfully weird side of the collector car hobby, each bringing five of the most unusual, obscure, and unexpected vehicles they could find on Hemmings. From Nissan Figaros, Tatra Type 77s, and Euro-spec BMWs to military Jeep trucks, French grand tourers, Model T snowmobile conversions, and even Italian vineyard utility vehicles, the guys celebrate the incredible variety that makes the collector car hobby so fascinating. Along the way, they debate forgotten automotive engineering, gray-market gems, military oddities, French styling, rare imports, and why discovering cars you've never even heard of is one of the greatest joys of being a car enthusiast. If you could own one truly unusual collector car, what would it be? Let us know in the comments.

In Episode 17 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry McGean, and Terry Shea swap stories about the forever cars in their garages and why, despite decades of new models, more horsepower, and better technology, nothing has been able to replace them. From Terry's long-loved Focus RS and BMW M Coupe to Terry's Fox-body Mustang and Mike's beloved '68 Charger, the guys explore what transforms a car from a possession into part of your identity. Along the way, they debate modern performance cars versus analog icons, the thrill of configuring your dream car, whether today's vehicles still create lifelong emotional connections, and why sometimes the smartest automotive decision is simply keeping the keys to the one that still makes you look back every time you park it.

In Episode 16 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean resurrect the cars and nameplates they think deserve another shot. Terry Shea makes the case for a modern Ford Crown Victoria: big, rear-wheel drive, V8-powered, and finally given the enthusiast treatment Ford never quite delivered. Mike dreams up a reborn second-generation Trans Am with the elegance of an Aston Martin, the attitude of American muscle, and, yes, a screaming chicken. And Terry McGean argues for the return of the great American rear-wheel-drive performance sedan, looking back at cars like the Chevrolet SS, Pontiac G8, and the Impala SS. Along the way, the guys debate what makes retro design work, why some modern interpretations completely miss the mark, whether four-door muscle cars have finally earned their place, and the bigger question: If automakers actually built the cars enthusiasts say they want, would anyone buy them? It's part dream garage, part automotive product-planning meeting, and probably a good reminder of why none of these guys work for an OEM.

In Episode 15 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean get personal as they confess the cars they never should have sold, the purchases they probably should regret (but don't), and the smartest automotive decisions they've ever made. From a fuselage-era Chrysler Newport and a rare GMC Sprint SP to an E30 M3, Porsche 968, Volkswagen GTIs, and a 928 that exceeded every expectation, the guys revisit the cars that shaped their lives—along with the stories, missed opportunities, and hard-earned lessons that came with them. Whether you've sold your dream car, bought a questionable project, or still think about the one that got away, this episode is a reminder that the best car stories are often about the decisions we wish we could undo.

In Episode 14 of Between Two Pumps, the guys put a budget on their imagination and build their ultimate dream-spec project cars using one simple rule: the car has to be available right now on the Hemmings Marketplace. Mike dreams up the ultimate Fox-platform sleeper—a Coyote-swapped 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe with modern suspension, big brakes, and just enough subtle modifications to surprise everyone at a stoplight. Terry McGean goes lightweight and high-revving with a rally-inspired second-generation Toyota Celica powered by a Toyota 2ZZ engine, blending vintage style with modern performance. And Terry Shea leans into classic American practicality with a 1957 Chevrolet wagon body-swapped onto a 9C1 Caprice chassis for the ultimate road-trip machine. Along the way, the conversation dives into engine swaps, junkyard builds, body swaps, factory parts-bin engineering, Fox-body Fords, Toyota performance engines, and the eternal question every car enthusiast asks: If you had $50,000 and one dream build, what would you create? Because sometimes the best project car isn't the one in your garage—it's the one you've been building in your head for years.