MotorBiscuit Exclusive: Meet the Veteran Who Lives in a Porsche Cayenne off-Roading Camper

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Are you living your dream? Harrison Schoen is. 24-year old Harrison Schoen is a veteran who recently ended his Navy career to embark on a new journey. After getting out of the Navy, Harrison decided he wanted to travel the world. The first stop on his world tour would be Thailand. When the global pandemic derailed his plans, he improvised and turned his 2008 Porsche Cayenne S into an off-roading camper that changed his life.

“I was tired of what I was doing every day”

Harrison Schoen sits atop the hood of his modified 2008 Porsche Cayenne S | Harrison Schoen

Harrison Schoen graciously gave me 15 minutes of his time on Wednesday, August 11th, 2021. He first ended up on my radar when I had discovered stories about a veteran who was living out of a modified 2008 Porsche Cayenne S. I then discovered that Harrison ran a popular Instagram account and was generating a lot of buzz on YouTube.

After reading the stories of Harrison’s extreme Porsche off-roading camper build, I wrongly assumed he would be a recluse or radical survivalist discontent with society’s current direction. When I got to interview Harrison for myself, I discovered that he was a resourceful young man with plenty of life experience who wouldn’t let the pandemic hold him back from living his dreams. Harrison is forging his own path, and luckily for us, he is documenting the journey as well.

“I felt like I was always waiting around for the next thing to happen to me or for me.”

Harrison Schoen

This Porsche Cayenne S isn’t your average SUV

Harrison Schoen’s modified 2008 Porsche Cayenne S | Harrison Schoen

Harrison purchased his 2008 Porsche Cayenne S for $9,000 from an elderly gentleman who had maintained the vehicle well over the years. Schoen had always been a fan of European vehicles. He owned an Audi Q5 but found its chassis limiting for the types of extreme off-roading that he wanted to do.

Harrison bought the 2008 Porsche Cayenne S in February 2021. It had approximately 124,000 miles on it. Today as of August 16th, 2021, the Cayenne has about 143,000 miles on it. The adventurous veteran added a Eurowise 3-inch lift conversion kit and upper and lower control arms to the Porsche Cayenne S.

He also added 33″x12″ Nitto Trail Grappler tires to tackle all sorts of terrain. Harrison’s Cayenne isn’t just made for off-roading. He customized it to make it habitable as he tours the country, checking out some of its greatest trails and national parks.

“I’m hoping to run it until at least 300,000 miles”

Harrison Schoen’s modified 2008 Porsche Cayenne S | Harrison Schoen

Harrison and his 2008 Porsche Cayenne S are both in it for the long haul. He began living in the vehicle on May 27th, 2021, and has been doing so for about two and a half months. He plans to ride out with the Cayenne until it reaches at least 300,000 miles.

The 2008 Porsche Cayenne S features a Thule rooftop cargo carrier. Harrison also stores his surfboard and road shower atop the Cayenne. He keeps a Camp Chef Teton 2-burner stove, some cooking essentials, a small bed, and clothing in the back of the vehicle. He also keeps books, shoes, and tools in the back of the Cayenne. Harrison even modified a small IKEA file cabinet to fit inside the vehicle for extra storage.

Harrison stores a Goal Zero generator in the second row of the vehicle. The second row is also where he keeps his camp chair, water, and a Dometic fridge. All of the gear seems like a tight fit, but Harrison is confident that there’s enough space for a travel companion if needed.

The $25k Porsche Cayenne S build

Harrison Schoen's silver 2008 Porsche Cayenne S.
Harrison Schoen’s 2008 Porsche Cayenne S | Harrison Schoen

Harrison has spent about $3,000-$4,000 on minor replacements such as coils, spark plugs, and air filters. Labor aside, he has spent close to $25,000 to build this habitable off-roading beast—a small price to pay for the adventure of a lifetime.

His YouTube and Instagram audience have both grown rapidly, and soon his content should be able to support his lifestyle entirely. He has a genuine passion for European vehicles, driving, and photography. In 2018 Harrison purchased a Sony a7RIII camera and has been snapping amazing photos ever since.

“I don’t think I’d be who I am if I never learned how to take photos.”

Harrison Schoen

Harrison uses his photography skills to earn money on the road as well as his vinyl wrapping skills. Thus far, he has traveled from Salt Lake City, Utah to St. Louis, Oregon, Seattle, and San Diego. Harrison Schoen plans to keep on livin’ the dream off-roading across the country and looks forward to taking his audience along for the ride.

RELATED: Here Are 5 of the Best Small Vans for a Camper Van Conversion

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A 1995 McLaren F1 Just Set a $20.5 Million World Auction Record

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Even today, there aren’t many cars that command the star power of a McLaren F1. The fastest naturally-aspirated car in the world still looms large even over more modern supercars. And it’s valuable enough that F1s basically can’t be totaled. The 1995 F1 that recently sold at auction, though, is expensive enough to set records.

This 1995 McLaren F1 is now the most expensive F1 sold at auction

Creighton Brown 1995 McLaren F1 | Gooding & Company

While it’s not the most expensive car ever sold at auction, the 1995 McLaren F1 that recently crossed Gooding & Company’s auction block is now a record-holder. No. 29 of the 64 road-going F1s built, it sold at this year’s Pebble Beach auction for $20,465,000.  Officially, that makes it the most expensive F1 ever sold at auction, Hagerty reports.

To put that number into context, the previous record-holder was the first McLaren F1 imported into the US. The 1996 car sold at a 2017 Bonhams auction for a ‘mere’ $15,966,000. Technically, Hagerty notes, that its record was beaten in 2019 by an LM-spec F1 that sold for $19,805,000. However, that was a road car converted into a commemoration of the track-spec F1 GTR. As such, this 1995 McLaren F1 is the most expensive original-spec F1 ever sold at auction.

Why did this 1995 McLaren F1 sell for $20,465,000?

Setting records is impressive, but what made someone pay almost $20.5 million for this 1995 McLaren F1? That price boils down to several factors.

Firstly, it’s a 1995 McLaren F1. As noted earlier, these are iconic supercars with technology that in the 1990s was considered space-age stuff. This is a car with a carbon-fiber chassis, gold-leaf-lined engine bay, a built-in modem, and an electrically powered plasma-sprayed resistive defroster film. And if you’re a US owner, there’s literally one mechanic certified to work on it.

Secondly, McLaren F1 prices as a whole have risen significantly over the last few years. Autoweek points out that a genuine F1 GTR Longtail sold at Gooding & Co.’s 2014 Monterey auction for ‘just’ $5.28 million. Original GTR Longtails are even rarer than ‘standard’ F1s, which shows how high the market has climbed.

Thirdly, this 1995 McLaren F1 is in pristine condition. It has its original tires, TAG Heuer watch, matched luggage set, and both a complete roadside tool kit and tool chest, Autoblog says. And it only has 242 miles on the clock. Though given what low mileage does to cars, the new owner may want to call the US mechanic.

Finally, this record-setting F1 is a 1-of-1-spec car. It’s the only F1 painted ‘Creighton Brown,’ a shade named after McLaren’s creative director at the time of development. And the brown theme continues inside with the two-tone tan-and-brown interior. So, even in the rarified world of F1s, this car is unique.

Was it worth it?

The tan-and-brown-leather interior of the Creighton Brown 1995 McLaren F1
Creighton Brown 1995 McLaren F1 interior | Gooding & Company

It’s difficult to assign ‘worth’ to a car that costs almost $20.5 million. That price puts this F1 above even the Bugatti Voiture Noire, the single most expensive brand-new car.

Looking at the F1 market, though, this seemingly exorbitant price isn’t that far-fetched. An excellent-condition 1995 F1 typically goes for $18.5 million, Hagerty reports. And a Concours-level, pristine one is valued at up to $21.5 million. So, in a way, this unique-spec car is arguably a slight bargain.

Let’s hope the new owner puts some miles on it, though. If only to hear that V12 engine sing.

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RELATED: The Mercedes CLK GTR Story Starts With a Modified McLaren F1

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The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Outranks the 2021 Jeep Gladiator as the Best Midsize Truck of 2021

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Shopping for a new midsize truck? You’ve got plenty of options to consider. But when it comes to choosing the best midsize truck? Two options rank at the top of the segment – the 2021 Honda Ridgeline and the 2021 Jeep Gladiator. When it comes down to it, though, it’s the 2021 Honda Ridgeline that outranks this year’s new Jeep Gladiator as the best midsize truck of 2021.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Outranks the 2021 Jeep Gladiator

2021 Honda Ridgeline | Honda

When it comes to the midsize truck segment, it’s the 2021 Honda Ridgeline that steals the show. In fact, this year’s Honda Ridgeline outranks the new Jeep Gladiator as the best midsize truck of the year,  Edmunds reports. Though, it’s no surprise that the new Honda Ridgeline outperformed its Jeep competition and ultimately snagged the top spot in Edmunds’ rankings.

Don’t just take our word for it, though. While Edmunds gave this year’s Jeep Gladiator a 7.9/10 overall score, it gave the new Honda Ridgeline an 8.5/10. There’s no denying that’s a pretty significant difference in scores. Edmunds’ data shows that the Honda Ridgeline is better to drive too. The Honda Ridgeline also earned significantly higher scores related to comfort and storage. Edmunds’ data shows that the Ridgeline is a better value than the Gladiator too.  

The Honda Ridgeline is the best midsize truck of 2021 

There’s no denying that the 2021 Honda Ridgeline has a lot going for it. After all, Edmunds’ data shows that it’s the best midsize truck of 2021. The organization had plenty of reasons to tap it as the best midsize truck of 2021 too. It comes powered by a 280-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine that’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The setup makes for a smooth ride, too, Edmunds reports.

And when it comes to the Honda Ridgeline’s interior? Edmunds reports that its “spacious crew cab is comfortable and handsomely finished.” It’s also stock full of standard features. In fact, standard across the board are people-pleasing features like push-button ignition, automatic tri-zone climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

“The Honda Ridgeline has been our top-ranked midsize pickup truck for a while now. No other truck in the class can match its smooth ride, innovative storage options, and quiet and comfortable interior.”

Edmunds

Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book agree on the Honda Ridgeline

A grey 2021 Honda Ridgeline driving through snow on a sunny day
2021 Honda Ridgeline | Honda

Now, Edmunds isn’t the only organization pitting the 2021 Honda Ridgeline and the 2021 Jeep Gladiator against each other. Kelley Blue Book made the same comparison. The organization even came to a similar conclusion: “If you have little to no desire to head off-road, the Honda Ridgeline with its carlike ride quality and Honda reliability will be your natural choice.”

Kelley Blue Book isn’t wrong, either. Unless you’re after a tried and true off-roader, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline is a better choice than the Jeep Gladiator. It offers up a better ride, more space for passengers, and is known for being a reliable truck.

How much the Honda Ridgeline costs

As for how much the 2021 Honda Ridgeline costs? This year’s model starts at $36,490. Upgrade to the Honda Ridgeline RTL and you can anticipate spending a minimum of $39,470. And if it’s the fully loaded Honda Ridgeline Black Edition that you’re after? You can anticipate spending $43,920 on the most expensive Honda Ridgeline model.

Is the new Honda Ridgeline the best midsize truck for you?

Sure, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline outranks the Jeep Gladiator as the best midsize truck of 2021. But does that mean it’s the best midsize truck for you? Not necessarily. To find out, we recommend taking this year’s model out for a spin.

RELATED: The 2021 Honda Ridgeline and the Toyota Tacoma Duel as The Most Reliable Midsize Pickups

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Engine Sound: Greatest Hits of the 1990s

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Electrification is well-underway and poised to fundamentally change the automotive experience in a myriad of ways, including sound. For many enthusiasts, the noise made by cars is as important as the acceleration or handling. To some gearheads, it’s actually more important. Here are a few sonic gems from the 1990s that exemplified the term “engine music.”

The Ferrari F355 was a rolling symphony

Ferrari F355s at the factory in Maranello, Italy, in February 1995 | Alain Benainous/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Ferrari tends to place an emphasis on sound, but certain models just tower above the rest. The F355 of the mid-’90s is definitely a superstar. The 3.5-liter flat-plane V8 lives to hit the high notes, and there’s a distinct musical quality to its sound. With a redline of 8500 RPM, there’s also plenty of range to work with. Power was impressive for a small displacement V8, with 375 hp and a specific output of 107 hp per liter.

The Ferrari F129 engine used architecture similar to previous V8s from Maranello, dating back to the Dino 308 GT4 of the 1970s. Unlike its predecessors, however, the F355 variant had five valves per cylinder instead of the usual four. The improved breathing resulted in more power and one of the sweetest sounds in the automotive world to this day.

The C4 ZR-1 made a glorious V8 noise

1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images via Getty Images

While standard C4 Corvettes were pushrod-powered, Chevrolet departed radically with the ZR1 in its quest to build a world-class sports car. GM enlisted help from engineering wizards at Lotus, who designed a new 5.7-liter aluminum-block V8 with four valves per cylinder. Mercury Marine was chosen as the manufacturer, because of its experience working with alloy engine blocks.

The resulting DOHC LT-5 could rev past 7000 RPM with the snarl of a cammed racing motor. It was still rumbly and pleasant at lower RPMs, but screamed with far more authority and range than the standard L98 ever could. Despite the successful power improvements, GM chose not to further develop the DOHC engine. That said, some of the LT-5’s less radical design elements did appear later, in the pushrod LS-series.

The furious sound of Godzilla

1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images via Getty Images

Japan was cranking out impressive machines left and right in the 1990s, but none had a sound quite like Godzilla. Nissan’s inline-six career peaked with the R34 Skyline GT-R. The final variants of the RB26 could hold a sonorous note at higher RPMs than ever before, and retained the familiar turbo noises to boot.

As with any GT-R, aftermarket exhausts were common modifications on these cars. Each can impart a slightly different twist on the RB26 experience. But the inherent goodness remains with any of them, and it’s spectacular. The Skyline range has long since moved to a V6 configuration, but the inline RB series is still beloved by Nissan fans, and for good reason.

The BMW E34 M5 was a highway star

In the 1990s, BMW was making some of the best naturally-aspirated six-cylinder engines in the world. You can find one of those under the hood of an E34-chassis M5 sedan: the legendary 3.6-liter (and later 3.8-liter) S38. A large inline-six that can rev to 7000 RPM is rare these days, and it was uncommon then as well.

The engine derived from the M88 series, which was first seen in the BMW M1 supercar from the late ’70s. Though compression was lowered for the US market, dual overhead cams offered plenty of breathing room to make power and sound at high revs. With tall gearing that left ample time between shifts, the last six-cylinder M5’s soundtrack was pure joy on the highway.

The auto industry has changed drastically since these vehicles were released, and technological advancement will only accelerate from here. Performance cars from the 1990s are gaining in popularity with enthusiasts, and that’s no coincidence. While these particular vehicles were standouts for their sonic excellence, the decade was full of amazing cars that can still be enjoyed today.

RELATED: JDM Cars You Can Legally Import in 2022

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