The Journal
Stories from the Showroom
Opinions, spotlights, and the occasional confession from people who think about exotic cars far more than is strictly healthy.
The Garage Queen Dilemma: To Drive It or To Display It?
Every exotic owner eventually faces the great existential crossroads: do you actually drive the thing, or do you keep it pristine under a breathable cover and visit it like a beloved relative? We make the case for both — then tell you what we really think.
Three Pedals and a Prayer: In Defense of the Manual Gearbox
The dual-clutch is faster. The dual-clutch is smarter. The dual-clutch will never, ever stall at a red light in front of someone you wanted to impress. And yet the gated manual remains the most romantic three feet of metal in the automotive world. Here is why.
The 360 Challenge Stradale: Ferrari’s Best-Kept Secret (Please Don’t Tell Anyone)
It has no turbos, no hybrid trickery, and no screen to swipe. What the Challenge Stradale has instead is a screaming naturally aspirated V8 and a cult of devoted owners who suspect it might be the last truly honest Ferrari. We are inclined to agree.
How to Buy an Exotic Without Inheriting Someone Else’s Mistakes
The exotic car you want is out there. So is the one with a creative service history, a “minor” accident that wasn’t, and a clutch with three miles of life left in it. Here is how to tell them apart — and why the cheapest example is almost never the cheapest.
Rosso, Resale, and the Courage to Avoid Beige
Specifying an exotic is a high-stakes exercise in self-knowledge. Choose well and you own a future classic. Choose “sensibly” and you own a very fast appliance in the color of wet cardboard. A field guide to picking a color you won’t regret.