Modern cars are exciting, but nothing beats the charm and analog fun of wheeling a vintage 4×4 or sports car. Of course, purchasing a classic vehicle isn’t as easy as waltzing into a dealership and signing some paperwork. Even the most reliable old cars and trucks require careful upkeep, and finding one that isn’t a total lemon is tricky. That’s what makes car auction sites such a godsend—they take care of (most of) the detective work for you. Sites like Bring a Trailer have gained a big following in recent years, and aside from a constantly changing array of high-quality listings, they’re also online meeting forums where automotive enthusiasts can swap stories and share knowledge. That makes them a gold mine of information for buyers, whether you have a vehicle in mind or you’re just browsing for fun.
Sure, you can spend your nights scouring Craigslist and sleuthing for hidden gems on used car aggregators, but a new generation of car auction sites (as well as a few established players) make it easier than ever to find the ride you’ve always wanted. Start your search at the sites below, or browse our weekly roundup of car auctions for even more inspiration.
The Best Auction Sites for Finding Your Dream Car or Truck
1. Bring a Trailer
Bring a Trailer, or BaT as it’s known among insiders, sets the standard for car auction platforms. Born out of Randy Nonnenberg’s passion for digging through classified listings to find interesting cars for sale, the site launched in 2007, began hosting its own auctions in 2014, and has been growing steadily ever since.
Each listing comes with a detailed, professionally written description, a wealth of photos, and sometimes a driving video or two. You’ll find a wide range of vehicles on the site, from classic 4x4s to pristine European sports cars to oddities like a WWII-era half-track. The comment section is famously active—be sure to scroll down on each listing to see users chiming in with hyper-specific questions and sharing memories (good and bad) about similar vehicles they’ve owned. It’s always a fun, informative read.
RADwood, the car show devoted to cars and trucks of the ’80s and ’90s, has kindled a love for modern-classic vehicles, especially among the Millennial and Gen X enthusiasts who grew up with them. In spring 2021, the team behind the car show launched Rad for Sale, an auction platform focused on cars from these two decades.
Another site that focuses on modern classics, Cars & Bids launched in 2019 and is the brainchild of automotive writer Doug DeMuro. It lists “pretty much anything that’s cool from the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, or 2020s,” which makes it a treasure trove of interesting and often-overlooked vehicles, like a 1991 Dodge Stealth with four-wheel steering, AWD, and a five-speed manual gearbox. Along with cars no one else in the neighborhood has ever heard of, you’ll find plenty of classics and even newer models as well.
Launched in 2018 in the U.K., Collecting Cars has grown rapidly and now handles car auctions across the globe. It’s an especially great place to look for classic cars and trucks that were never sold in the States, like this Peugeot 205 GTI hot hatch. Not interested in dealing with importation hassles? Collecting Cars has a dedicated page for U.S.-based listings—just look for the American flag toggle button at the top right.
Another new player in the car auction market, Shiftgate promises to be “all about the hobby, without all the snobby.” While it doesn’t have as many listings as more established sites like Bring a Trailer, there’s plenty of variety. We especially like Shiftgate’s listing format: Every auction features a detailed writeup penned by automotive experts, so you get plenty of context about the history and unique features of each vehicle (not just a list of specs).
The site features vehicles from Canada and the U.S. If bidding isn’t your thing, check out the site’s 2nd Gear section, which features cars for sale and vehicles that didn’t meet their reserve at auction—so you can make an offer to the seller.
Hemmings is the old hand in this group. Founded by Ernest Hemmings in 1954, it started out as a 50-cent magazine for car enthusiasts and has since grown into a series of publications and a website full of news on classic vehicles, information on car clubs, and for-sale listings. It also hosts its own auction platform. There you’ll find a wealth of eye-catching rides from nearly any decade. Hot rods, minibikes, this thing—no matter what you’re looking for, there’s a good chance you’ll find something you like on Hemmings.
Maybe you’ve heard of eBay? Although the site has been around for decades, it’s still an important contender for vehicle auctions. Fair warning: You won’t find in-depth expert analysis on each vehicle. It’s filled with dealer listings for new inventory, and the quality of listings varies. But if you’re open to some digging, it can be a great resource, especially if you’re eyeing a specific make and model. The site’s search tools can help pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for. It’s also a great place to search for parts, too.
Just make sure to always check a seller’s feedback rating, which can help you avoid scams, and steer clear of sellers who have no rating. eBay also offers a Vehicle Protection Program that will cover up to $100,000 if you’re the victim of fraud.
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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