Shifted Opinions

byPaul Kramer, Dave Van Epps, Casey Parkin

LeisureAutomotive

Shifted Opinions is the car podcast for enthusiasts who live deep in the details — not just the headlines. Hosted by Paul Kramer, Dave Van Epps, and Casey Parkin, the show dives into real conversations about cars, collecting, driving culture, market trends, and the machines that keep us obsessed. From Porsche debates and market shifts to ownership stories, auction results, road experiences, and the opinions enthusiasts argue about in group chats and garages, nothing is off-limits. Expect sharp takes, honest disagreements, and insights shaped by years inside the enthusiast and collector car world. This isn’t hype, reviews, or influencer fluff. It’s...

Episodes(33 episodes)

Episode 33: The Ultimate $300K 4-Car Garage

You have $300,000 to build a four-car dream garage — but there are rules. One car from the USA. One from Germany. One from Italy. One from Japan. Paul, Dave, and Casey build their garages from scratch, and their choices range from genuinely brilliant to completely questionable. The debate includes everything from Porsches, Ferraris and Lamborghinis to an Integra Type R, RX-7, Land Cruiser, Trans Am, Ford Mach-E Rally… and yes, Casey somehow finds a way to put a Chrysler Pacifica into his dream garage. Then the guys turn to listener submissions, break down...

Published: Sep 17, 2026Duration: 1h 4m 59s

Old Cars Were Better at THIS | What Modern Cars Lost | Ep. 32

Modern cars are faster, safer and easier to live with—but did we lose something along the way? In Episode 32 of Shifted Opinions, Paul Kramer, Casey Parkin and Dave Van Epps dig into the things they genuinely miss about old cars: thin A-pillars, incredible visibility, wing windows, pop-out rear glass, real bumpers, hood ornaments, pop-up headlights, spare tires and the simple, mechanical feeling that made older cars feel different. The conversation also gets into where the “modern Porsche” era really begins—and why going back to a vintage Porsche after years in newer cars can be a sho...

Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 1h 21m 22s

Episode 31: The Porsche Auction Deals Everyone Is Missing

Everyone says the good Porsche deals are gone. This episode makes the case that they’re simply looking in the wrong places. Paul, Casey, and Dave dig into recent auction results to find the cars delivering real value—and some of the prices are surprisingly good. From a modified Porsche 924 Turbo selling for just $22,500 to an overlooked 911 SC Targa, rising 996 prices, and a 991.1 Carrera that hammered at $55,000, the guys break down where the market still makes sense. They also get into what actually makes a car a “deal,” why condition matters more than obsessing over mileage...

Published: Sep 3, 2026Duration: 1h 23m 31s

Project Cars Are a Terrible Idea… So Why Do We Keep Buying Them? | Ep. 30

Project cars start innocently enough. Brakes. Suspension. Maybe paint. Then the engine comes out, the car is stripped to bare metal, the budget disappears, and somehow another project car appears in the garage. In Episode 30 of Shifted Opinions, Paul Kramer, Casey Parkin, and Dave Van Epps tackle the reality of project-car ownership—from their own Porsche builds to listener-submitted restoration disasters and expensive decisions. Casey revisits his Porsche 914 project, including the brake failure that caused him to lose confidence in the car and the question of how much money makes sense to...

Published: Aug 27, 2026Duration: 1h 6m 34s

Ep. 29: Stop Overpaying for the Wrong Porsche GT3

Which Porsche GT3 should you actually buy—and are enthusiasts paying massive premiums for the wrong cars? In Episode 29 of Shifted Opinions, Paul Kramer, Casey Parkin, and Dave Van Epps take on the Porsche GT3 hierarchy. The 991.1 GT3 has been haunted by engine-failure stories for years, but has that fear created one of the best values in the modern Porsche market? Paul argues that misinformation surrounding the cars has helped keep prices down, while proper maintenance, monitoring, and buyer due diligence can make them an extremely compelling option. Then comes the bigger question: wh...

Published: Aug 20, 2026Duration: 1h 18m 31s

Porsche Reconditioning: When “Fixing” a 911 Actually Hurts It

How far should you go when reconditioning an older Porsche? Paul Kramer of AutoKennel, Casey Parkin of Group C Curation, and Dave Van Epps of Sonderwerks continue their conversation on Porsche recon—and this time they get into the decisions that can either improve a car or take things too far. How do you know whether an independent Porsche shop is actually good? Should an older 911 remain exactly as it left the factory, or are period-correct upgrades acceptable? When should you repaint a Porsche, and when is original paint and honest patina more valuable? ...

Published: Aug 13, 2026Duration: 1h 15m 1s

The Recon Show, Part 1: Preparing a Car for Sale

How much money should you spend preparing a car for sale? In this special “Recon” episode, Paul, Dave, and Casey reveal how they decide which repairs, services, and cosmetic improvements are worth completing before an enthusiast car hits the market. They debate whether sellers should install new tires, correct imperfect paint, repair minor oil leaks, restore worn seats, remove aftermarket modifications, or preserve a car exactly as it was received. They also explain why spending thousands of dollars on maintenance rarely means adding the same amount to a vehicle’s selling price. Using real-w...

Published: Aug 6, 2026Duration: 1h 28m 41s

Another GT3 RS Goes to Heaven—and Advice From “Honest” Used Car Salesmen

Another Porsche 911 GT3 RS has gone off Angeles Crest—and this one reportedly traveled more than 500 feet down the side of the mountain. Paul, Casey, and Dave discuss what is known about the crash, how the driver was able to walk away, and why the outcome demonstrates the strength of Porsche’s engineering. The crew also provides an update on Dave’s damaged GT3 RS. According to the initial assessment, the car may require approximately $250,000 in damage before it can be declared a total loss. If that happens, would Dave replace it with another GT3 RS—or...

Published: Jul 30, 2026Duration: 1h 34m 15s

Casey’s Hero Disaster, How to Keep Classic 911s Cool, and Why Early 911s Are a Steal Right Now

A long drive up California’s Highway 1 reminds Paul why early Porsche 911s are so special—and why owning one is not always comfortable. After spending several days behind the wheel of an early 911, Paul, Casey, and Dave discuss what it takes to make a classic Porsche genuinely usable for road trips and rallies. Dave breaks down modern electric air conditioning, including installation requirements, airflow challenges, upgraded alternators, cost, and how it compares with a traditional engine-driven system. The conversation also covers the current Cayman GT4 market, a Mexico Blue 914 hot rod, upcoming rallies, and Case...

Published: Jul 23, 2026Duration: 1h 28m 19s

Meet Jo Bejar: The Car Gal Actually Building and Racing Classic Cars

Special guest Jo Bejar—known as @a_car_gal on Instagram—joins Shifted Opinions to talk about building, repairing and driving classic cars instead of simply admiring them from behind a screen. Jo shares how she bought a neglected 1972 Datsun 240Z at 18, left it unfinished while completing the automotive restoration program at McPherson College, and later rebuilt it for the Great Race. What followed was a cross-country adventure involving a mystery engine, a donated transmission, electrical problems, parking-lot repairs, fuel-system failures and an alternator issue that kept disguising itself as something else. Jo also...

Published: Jul 16, 2026Duration: 1h 14m 45s

The Air-Cooled Porsche Comfort Debate

This episode goes from vintage racing chaos to very real Porsche ownership advice. Paul Kramer, Casey Parkin, and Dave Van Epps start with The Great Race, Cannonball Run memories, and the kind of car-movie disappointment only a Countach-obsessed kid could understand. Then it turns into a proper Shifted Opinions shop session: 993 cabriolets, a low-mile Boxster Spyder, dead batteries, jumper-pack hacks, a 968 Club Sport, Cayman GTS auction talk, and Paul’s newly acquired Albert Blue 1971 911T. The listener questions get into the good stuff: when does a sports car become too raw to enjoy, what air-cooled Po...

Published: Jul 9, 2026Duration: 1h 15m 46s

The Hidden Cost of Selling a Car, Airbags & Rally Etiquette

Most auction listings look effortless. They are not. Paul, Casey, and Dave pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to consign and sell an enthusiast car—from photography, research, and write-ups to reserves that miss and the awkward question of who eats the cost. Dave checks in after his GT3 RS accident, leading to a candid conversation about airbags, old-car safety, and why internet reactions rarely reflect real life. Then it is back to rallies: broken 928s, roadside repairs, speeding-ticket etiquette, slow cars that feel fast, ugly cars that grew on us, and a...

Published: Jul 2, 2026Duration: 1h 21m 20s

The Fastest Way to the Hospital Starts with a GT3RS (Dave Is Fine)

Dave is back—and thankfully, he's okay. After a frightening accident in his GT3RS during the Highlands Motoring Festival, Dave shares the full story of what happened, from the crash itself to being airlifted to a trauma center and the recovery process that followed. The crew dives into modern performance cars, airbag injuries, whether today's GT products have become too capable for their own good, and why older sports cars may actually provide better feedback for enthusiastic drivers. Plus, Paul recaps over 5,000 miles of rally adventures across 10 states, Pinewood Derby madness, tornado wa...

Published: Jun 23, 2026Duration: 1h 7m 59s

Why Are GT3 RS Prices Exploding? Plus Oregon Safari Rally Adventures

Paul checks in from Oregon after completing the Safari Party rally, sharing stories from gravel roads, beach driving, overland-inspired Porsches, and the incredible people behind one of the most unique automotive events in the country. Meanwhile, Casey breaks down a week of record-setting collector car sales, including a 2011 Porsche GT3 RS, a Heritage Ford GT, Ferrari Speciales, GT2 RS models, and the surprising market trends pushing analog performance cars higher than ever. Dave joins with an update on an incredible Russell Built 964 Safari project, explaining what makes these builds some of the most capable off-road 911...

Published: Jun 11, 2026Duration: 1h 12m 13s

Porsche 964 vs 993: Which One Would You Keep?

This week on Shifted Opinions, the guys trade Thursday-morning coffee for Sunday-evening cocktails and dive into everything from the Ruchlos Rallye to the current state of the collector car market. Dave returns from an epic West Virginia Porsche rally with stories of incredible roads, close calls, and why the people you meet matter more than the cars you drive. Meanwhile, Casey shares updates on multiple high-dollar auctions, including GT3 RS models, Ford GTs, and a Ferrari Pista. The conversation turns philosophical when a listener asks a simple question: Is it really about the...

Published: Jun 4, 2026Duration: 1h 34m 41s

Did Social Media & Online Auctions Ruin the Porsche Hobby?

Has the Porsche hobby become unrealistic for normal enthusiasts? The guys break down the real reason enthusiasts feel locked out of the market — and why social media, online auctions, and “perfect spec” culture may be doing more damage than the cars themselves. From six-figure GT3 RS auctions to bargain 914s and rally-ready drivers, this episode explores why there’s still fun to be had if you stop chasing internet validation. Also: • Porsche market psychology • Rally culture explained • Affordable enthusiast cars • Bring a Trailer chaos • Pinewood Derby memories • Why imperfect cars a...

Published: May 28, 2026Duration: 1h 26m 5s

Air-Cooled Porsches Catching Fire, Rally Prep & Nostalgia Cars

Old cars break. Air conditioning catches fire. 356s smoke on the side of the road. And somehow… we still love them. This week on Shifted Opinions, Paul prepares for his longest driving adventure yet, Dave deals with a Porsche 356 fire, and Casey dives deep into auction prep, rally cars, Porsche 964 ownership, Bring a Trailer culture, nostalgia cars, and why enthusiasts continue chasing machines that make absolutely no sense. The guys also discuss: Porsche 968 Club Sport impressions Selling enthusiast cars in today’s market Rally-ready budget cars Air-cooled Porsche reliability The emotional conn...

Published: May 21, 2026Duration: 1h 34m 54s

Driving vs Collecting: Why Real Enthusiasts Actually Use Their Cars

What’s the point of owning a car you never drive? In this episode of Shifted Opinions, the guys break down the difference between real enthusiasts and collectors — and why the best cars are the ones that get used. From selling a rare Isuzu Impulse RS Turbo to chasing the perfect Porsche 964 RS experience, this conversation dives into rally culture, ownership realities, and what actually makes cars meaningful. You’ll hear: Why “garage queens” miss the point Real rally stories (breakdowns, chaos, and all) The psychology behind collecting vs driving What makes a truly gr...

Published: May 14, 2026Duration: 1h 32m 59s

GT3RS, Rally Driving, and What These Events Are Really About

This week on Shifted Opinions, the conversation goes beyond specs and performance numbers — and into what driving is actually about. From GT rally experiences to time on the Tail of the Dragon, the guys unpack what happens when you take cars like the GT3RS out of controlled environments and into the real world. It’s not just about speed — it’s about feel, adaptability, and the experience behind the wheel. They also explore the reality of modern rally events, what makes them worth it, and why the best moments often come from the unexpected. In...

Published: May 8, 2026Duration: 1h 18m 11s

Air|Water Reality Check, Radwood Origins & Inside Japan’s Wildest Racetrack

This week on Shifted Opinions, we sit down with designer, Radwood co-founder, and Driving While Awesome host Lane Skelton for a raw, unfiltered conversation on car culture—past, present, and where it’s actually going. We break down the real story behind Air|Water—from underwhelming show layouts to why it might be better understood as a trade show for Porsche enthusiasts. Plus, what most people completely missed. Then we go deep into: The origin story of Radwood (and how it accidentally became a global brand) What it actually takes to turn passion into a busi...

Published: Apr 30, 2026Duration: 1h 23m 13s