Why I Own $200,000+ in Cars but NOT A HOUSE...
**Full Article Based on the Video Transcription**
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### Introduction
Good morning, everyone! Welcome back to the channel and to today's vlog. It’s great to see you all looking sharp today as New Year's resolutions start to kick in. If there’s one thing I can confidently say, it’s that we have the best-looking viewers on all of YouTube. So, if you haven’t already, please smash that like button—it just feels like the right thing to do.
Today’s video is packed with excitement. We’re making our first performance upgrade to the Audi R8, and there’s a lot to cover. If you watched the last video, you saw that I got a new exhaust for the Lamborghini. As promised, we’re heading down to Mexico to test if this high-tech, exotic titanium exhaust can spit flames. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this.
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### Sponsorship Segment
Before diving into the car upgrade, let’s take a moment to thank today’s video sponsor: **Vikings: War of Clans**. If you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s the perfect mobile game to play after a long day at work. It’s a top-tier strategy game with stunning graphics that will keep you entertained for hours.
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A special shoutout goes to Vikings: War of Clans for making this video possible. If you enjoyed today’s content, please download the game using the links in the description below. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out their Instagram page for a chance to win an iPhone X or a new MacBook Pro. Good luck!
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### Audi R8 Performance Upgrade
Today marks an exciting day as we make our first performance upgrade to the Audi R8. Let’s be honest: the automatic gearbox in this car is terrible—it’s nonsense, plain and simple. The lag between shifts is so frustrating that it feels like I’m rocking back and forth in a chair every time I try to accelerate.
Thankfully, we’ve found a solution. Our friends at **VF Engineering** in Anaheim, California, have engineered the perfect fix with their “hex tune.” We’re upgrading the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) today, which should improve both the gearbox performance and horsepower output. While I can’t provide you with pre- and post-horsepower figures because I don’t have my own dyno, we do have access to a race track for testing.
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### Driving Modes Explained
The Audi R8 has three main driving modes:
1. **Automatic Mode**: This is our “garbage” mode. It’s slow and unreliable, especially when launching or accelerating normally. Avoid it at all costs.
2. **Macro Mode**: Paddle shifters on the steering wheel allow for upshifting (right) and downshifting (left). It’s better than automatic but still not ideal.
3. **Manual Sport Mode**: This is where the car truly shines. It offers quick, precise shifts and a more engaging driving experience.
Before we dive into the upgrades, let’s test each mode to see how it performs in its natural state.
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### Pre-Upgrade Testing
Let’s start with **test number one** in automatic mode. As expected, it’s painfully slow when accelerating normally. It feels like I’m rocking back and forth in a chair every time the car shifts.
For **test number two**, we’ll switch to manual mode. Even though there’s still some lag between 3,000 and 4,000 RPMs, the shifting is much smoother and quicker. The throttle response feels more responsive, especially when mashing the pedal up to around 3,000 RPMs.
Finally, **test number three** in manual sport mode shows a significant improvement. The car feels more lively, and the shifts are far more precise. Unfortunately, we can’t quantify the horsepower gain without a dyno, but it’s clear that the performance has improved.
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### ECU Upgrade Installation
With our pre-upgrade testing complete, it’s time to install the hex tune. Here’s how it works:
1. **Prepare Your Car**: Turn the ignition to the “on” position and connect the OBD2 port to your laptop.
2. **Flash the ECU**: Using VF Engineering’s software, we upload the new file to the car’s computer. This process is similar to a software update on your phone but with a focus on improving performance and efficiency.
3. **Post-Upgrade Testing**: After successfully programming the ECU, we’ll return to the racetrack for post-upgrade testing.
VF Engineering tells us to expect an increase in horsepower, smoother shifting, and better throttle response. We’re eager to see how much of a difference this makes.
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### Post-Upgrade Testing
Back at the racetrack, we repeat the same three tests:
1. **Automatic Mode**: This will be the last time I ever drive this car in automatic mode. It’s slow and unreliable, as expected.
2. **Manual Mode**: The improvement is noticeable. Shifting feels quicker and smoother, and the throttle response is much better. We’re guessing we’ve gained around 10-15 horsepower based on feel alone.
3. **Manual Sport Mode**: This mode is where the car truly shines after the upgrade. It’s faster, more responsive, and sounds livelier—though it still needs some work in the exhaust department.
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### Personal Financial Decisions
Now, onto a topic that sparked a lot of interest in previous videos: my decision to rent a bedroom upstairs from my buddy Nick instead of buying a house. Many of you were puzzled by this choice, asking why I’d spend on cars and not on real estate.
Let me take you back to the beginning of my YouTube journey. When I first started, I was filming exclusive car events and rare vehicles like the Lamborghini Veneno. This video went viral with over 6.5 million views, which changed my perspective on what’s possible with YouTube from a financial standpoint.
To be clear, YouTube ad revenue didn’t pay for any of my cars. I worked in accounting and finance and used that money to buy the Lamborghini, Jeep Wrangler, and Audi R8. Each purchase was a strategic decision:
- The **Lamborghini** helped me gain subscribers by leveraging the curiosity around owning such an exotic car.
- The **Jeep Wrangler** allowed me to carve out a niche in the off-road vehicle market.
- Renting the **Audi R8** adds another layer of intrigue—how does it work? Will I make money from it? Will someone wreck it?
While financial advisors might suggest buying a house, I’m saving up for a different goal: opening a boutique car dealership. Until then, I’m content with living rent-free and having roommates to keep me company for food vlogs.
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### Future Plans and Closing Thoughts
As we wrap up today’s video, we’re still seven hours away from testing the Lamborghini exhaust in Mexico. Stay tuned for that fiery conclusion!
In closing, thank you all for tuning in. If you enjoyed today’s content, please smash that like button and subscribe for more updates. Whether it’s car mods, financial decisions, or just plain chaos, I’m here to bring it all to you—no holds barred.
Until next time, stay thirsty my friends! And remember: if you’re ever in Tijuana and see a Audi R8 with flames shooting out of its exhaust, that’s us having a blast. See ya!
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**Note**: This article is based entirely on the provided transcription, maintaining all details and sections as they appeared in the original video.