Gas & Gavel

Gas & Gavel IN DEPTH AUTOMOTIVE REVIEWS BY MICHAEL LAM
(1)

30/07/2026

023 BMW M3 6 Speed Manual Transmission - Base G80 M3 is the most PURE Ultimate M Experience

A classic BMW M car is defined by a high revving naturally aspirated inline 6 cylinder engine, rear wheel drive ,a smooth shifting traditional six speed manual transmission and WIDE BODY FENDERS.

The rear wheel drive G80 BMW M3 in base trim equipped with the manual transmission option is the closest that you’ll get to a pure BMW M experience in 2026. If you ignore the 2 turbochargers in the the G80, the rest this sedan’s specs checks all the boxes of a classic BMW M car.

With no heavy automatic transmission and no heavy BMW all wheel drive X-drive system to weigh down your G80 sedan, it is indeed the lightest of all the G80 Trims. It also has the additional bonus of being the most affordable of all the G80 variants available.

And with manual transmissions from the factory, especially in a 4 door sedan, becoming almost non existent in 2026 automotive landscape I would like to argue that equipping your G80 with a manual transmission may not only protect your car from depreciation, it may in the future actually appreciate the value of your BMW G80, no matter if it was purchased new or used !

In this complete review including point of view test drive of this 2023 BMW M3 Manual Base Trim, I will share with you exactly why the least powerful Base BMW G80 equipped with the 6 speed manual transmission is the purist BMW M car you can get in 2026 and why you should pick the slower and cheaper base G80 trim over the more powerful, faster Competition trim/Competition X all wheel drive trim !

Link to Full Video Review of this 2023 BMW M3 :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qRmtt2_moI&t=1s

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22/07/2026

Behind the Scenes special of Gas and Gavel Car Reviews with Mothers Polish Auto Detail Products !

I usually start filming my car review usually between 6AM - 8AM, and surprise, it usually not filmed in the order that my videos are edited.

In fact, the very last part of my video , the driving review, is usually filmed first !

For 3 reasons :

1. Usually at the time, roads such as Angeles Crest Highway are relatively empty !
2. Golden hour sunrise usually has the best lighting !
3. Saves me time, I usually drive deep into Angeles Crest Highway to film the exterior / Interior / car stationary scenes, so it just makes sense to film this portion first ! And if there are any other issues, I still have at the end of the day during sunset to reshoot the driving portion if necessary.

So filming the driving portion first causes dirt to get EVERYWHERE .. especially with the Vanderhall Venice a autocycle that has NO ROOF / NO DOORS !

By the time I am done with the driving video, the interior is a little dusty, and the front end usually has some sort of dirt/grime/bugs on it !

I love using Mother’s Interior Detailer to clean and touch up the interior of vehicles before filming, and I love the fact that this detailer does not leave a greasy shiny sticky mess like other interior detailer sprays.

For the exterior , I am using Mother’s Ceramic Exterior Detailer spray for Exterior s touch up after my POV drives, and before I film any exterior shots.

Not only does it easily remove dirt/dust and grime, it also leaves a shiny new ceramic wax like coating, which looks great on film. In addition it is safe to use on exterior paint services and on vinyl wrapped cars. It was especially helpful because this Vanderhall Venice front end is so low to the ground, the front hood and fenders are prone to easily picking up a large layer of dust even after only short drives.

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09/04/2026

2024 VinFast VF 3

CUTEST Electric Car and I were both MADE IN VIETNAM

The newest model from Vietnamese Auto Manufacturer VinFast, the VF3 is a 2 door, 4 seat hatchback electric mini-SUV designed for urban mobility.

The VF3 features a factory lifted suspension, and a MSRP under $15,000 USD !

This VF3 and I also happen to share a few major things in common ..

First and Foremost , we were both MADE IN VIETNAM.

The VinFast VF3 is currently made in VinFast’s manufacturing facility in Hai Phong, Vietnam.

I was born in Vietnam after my parents had a romantic evening together in 1980 something.

The second , we both would eventually be EXPORTED to the United States.

In 1985, when I was a year old, my family left Vietnam in search of a better life for their children in America.

In 2025 VinFast announced the VF3 would eventually be offered for sale and exported to America.

Last week, 40 years since leaving the country of my birth

I was blessed with the once in a lifetime opportunity to return to Vietnam with my family.

To rediscover TOGETHER the roots of our family tree and to witness first hand the tight knit group of strangers who came together as one big FAMILY to rebuild a country torn apart by war, creating a new Vietnam filled with peace, love and community.

VinFast is the quintessential symbol of Vietnam’s success as a country that has recovered from its past traumas and is moving towards a path of prosperity in all areas of its society.

Today , on this very special edition car review on the gas and gavel channel …

I share with you the CUTEST and MOST AFFORDABLE electric vehicle of 2026 ,
LIVE from a country that will forever hold a special place in my heart , Saigon (AKA Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam.

Link To Full Video Review of this VinFast VF3 :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTeIkFfhOWY&t=3s

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SPECIAL THANKS TO MIRENCAR FOR THE VF3:

if you are looking to rent a car for self driving or car with driver in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam this is the business to contact

Website: www.mirencar.com
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Hotline: +84 966 69 68 49

The owner went out of his way to accommodate my filming schedule (needed the car at 6AM, he was washing it at 530AM for me !) , recommended filming locations around his area and For a Tourist like myself, owner communicates in English , was the Nicest car host and I was treated more like family member than a customer !

26/03/2026

2018 Bentley Bentayga W12 Signature Edition - Budget Bargain Bentley SUV is the Better Buy in 2025

When this 2018 Bentley Bentayga Signature Edition W12 rolled off the factory floor it had an original MSRP starting at $228,100 BEFORE any factory options.

With options this Bentley easily approached a staggering $300,000 after checking off a few factory option checkboxes on the order sheet.

For all those dollars, you get a 600 HP plus twin turbo W12 motor, all wheel drive, Bentley level luxury interior and one of the best adaptive sport suspension found in any SUV today.

Now in 2025, a lightly loved version of this exact Bentayga, with decent low mileage, clean title and relatively good maintenance history can be had on the used car market for under $100,000.

In fact, a quick browse on the auction space and used car listing websites show many are selling for between $60,000 - $90,000.

Is 2025 the perfect time to buy a Budget Bargain Bentley Bentayga for your garage ?

In this video review of the Bentley Bentayga ,

I do a deep dive into the history, engine, exterior and interior features of this luxury handbuilt British SUV.

I then take you along for the ride in a exciting point of view test drive, share with you the pros and cons of the Bentley Bentayga and in the end share with you why I think the Bentley Bentayga is the perfect bargain budget Bentley SUV to purchase in 2025.

Link to full YouTube video review of this Bentley SUV :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wkKjQnOA_Y&t=27s

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25/03/2026

1991 Chevy Corvette C4 with rare Porsche 959 suspension

This 1991 Chevy Corvette Convertible is equipped with the rare Bilstein Selective Ride Control option also known as the RPO FX3 Electronic Selective Ride and Handling package, a factory optional equipment from Chevy for the 1989-1995 Corvette model years that gave this car electronically controlled suspension dampening right from the cockpit of your C4 !

This Bilstein package was derived from the same Bilstein suspension package that was developed exclusively for the Porsche 959.

Not many left the factory with this suspension, fortunately the one I am reviewing in this video did !

In this in depth gas and gavel car review,

we travel back in time, to the late 1980’s and review the most hated, controversial and hardest to love corvette of all generations, the C4 Chevy Corvette.

Link to Full Video Review of this C4 :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV0y2dy9lL8&t=3s

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25/03/2026

2016 Mercedes Benz S550 4matic Coupe with Renntech Surprise (C217)

As a owner of a Mercedes Benz SL500 (R230) , the only other Mercedes that I have lusted after while driving around town with the top dropped
….that has me on Facebook marketplace at 3 am asking total strangers if they would trade their car for my SL500 is the Mercedes Benz CL class coupe.

Tune into to this in depth inside out review of this Renntech Tuned Designo Edition 2016 Mercedes Benz S550 4matic coupe to find out why this is the LAST , BEST and ONLY Pillarless Big Body Benz to add to your garage in 2025.

Link to Full Youtube Video Review of this S550 :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5iCZ8VPKrY&t=2s

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25/03/2026

2023 Nissan Z Sport Manual 6 speed transmission

How FAIR is this LADY?

I am a huge Z / G enthusiast, in fact, the only car I ever purchased brand new off of a dealer lot was a 2005 Nissan 350Z Enthusiast Trim in Redline Red, every car that came after were always from the used car marketplace.

I was heavily involved in the Z/G community, modifying my 350Z with such parts as a Veilside Version 1 front lip spoiler, KW adjustable suspension, 19 inch Volk Racing CE28N in bronze, HKS Hi-Power Exhaust and a set of BRIDE JAPAN racing seats in matching red.

So here in 2025, I was excited to finally experience the newest generation of what Japan calls the Fairlady Z , or here in America the new Nissan Z.

In this in depth video review, I evaluate the new Z in its base SPORT trim, from the perspective of a long term Z owner and life long Z enthusiast.

Follow along as I show you what I loved from the new Z, and what I absolutely HATED when it came to the new Z.

And why I think that the Sport Base Trim is not only meant to be modified ..but NEEDS TO BE MODIFIED WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS !

Link to Full Video review of this 2023 Nissan Z :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VanuvBx-SWQ

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25/03/2026

2002 BMW E39 M5 with Factory Manual Transmission Review

My girlfriend has the highest standards and is one of the toughest critics, especially when it comes to cars.

I asked her, what do you think of this 2002 BMW E39 M5 ?

With frustration in her voice she replied “ I still don’t like it, its old, it smells, it jerks, I don’t know ! “

I appreciate and love her and her honesty.

I then asked YouTube, other automotive reviewers and the internet their opinion on the BMW E39 m5.

The Internet’s collective agreement was the BMW E39 M5 is not only the best M5 ever made, but quite possible the best M model ever produced by BMW.

In this car review video of this 2002 BMW E39 M5

I am going to do a deep dive into the history, engine, interior, exterior, driving experience and pros and cons / in and outs of this 2002 BMW E39 M5,

In order to find out whether my girlfiend’s opinion of this M5 is true, or whether the internet’s opinion of this M5 rings true.

In the end, I found out nobody was wrong about their opinions of the BMW E39 M5.

Link to Full Youtube Video Review of this BMW M5 :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oDsWDVivkA&t=6413s

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25/03/2026

2004 BMW E46 M3 Manual Convertible

In this video, I share with you my first experience with the legendary E46 M3 equipped with a six speed manual transmission.

They say never meet your heroes .. did this hero live up to its ///M name ?

By the end of the review I will share with you why I believe the E46 M3 is the next modern classic collectible BMW in 2026.

Link to full YouTube Video review of this BMW E46 M3 :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyI4bDpiA1U

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25/03/2026

2025 Honda Civic Type R

Ultimate JDM FWD Enthusiast Car FTW !

In my opinion the best looking Civic Type R started with the legendary 1997 Honda Civic Type R also known as the EK9 hatchback.

In my opinion the FK8 was the worse looking Civic Type R.

IMHO the 2025 Honda, took the clean and sleek appearance of the original EK9 civic type r and combined them with the performance of the FK8 civic type r to create the most current generation of the Civic type R

The FL5 series Civic Type R is the nicest looking and best performing Type R variant of the Honda Civic.

In this video, I’ll share with you why the 2025 Honda Civic Type R is the ultimate Japanese domestic market front wheel drive enthusiast car you can buy in 2025.

By the end of the video, I hope you’ll share my belief that it truly is Civic Type R For the Win !

Link to Full Video Review of this Honda Civic Type R :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqtRJ-ZRMz8&t=628s

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