2020 Vanderhall Carmel Review: A Luxurious Three Wheeler?

[@frankcasatelli4078]

Beautiful! I love it! Wish I could afford it. Oh well may be a used one in say 10 years ? Oh wait I’m 77 years old probably don’t have 10 years. Next life time maybe.

[@gregnutter4658]

I have a 2022 Carmel GTS and love it. The transmission shifts really good. It's not a race car and I never looked at it as a race car. It's a machine made to enjoy the drive.

[@MultiPabloe]

Pero si que funciona en Track day para disfrutar las curvas Epaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa🎉

[@mider9996]

How far can you drive it?

[@501jonesw]

It's a cool toy if you have money to burn. I've driven a couple earlier versions of the Vanderhall at Daytona Bike Week Demo rides and it is a fun ride that gets a lot of attention. BUT for less money you can get a Fiat 124 Spider or a Mazda MX5 and they come with heat, AC, real doors, and a roof. Maybe someone can do a drag race comparison between the MX5 against the Vanderhall so we can see if the Vanderhall is actually quick or does it just feel fast because it's so small and open.

[@apexerman1]

Well that's kind of the point... it feels fast because it's so small and open. Nothing against the Miata (I've owned three), but this offers a more visceral, open-air experience. True, you can get a used Miata for much less, but I see why the Vanderhall appeals.

[@zedwpd]

I have a used Porsche Cayman S 350hp for less than $26k

[@Mark-rt6fy]

@@zedwpd 718? How do you get it so cheap

[@bmwcarrmann429]

Love it nuff said. The engineering is second to none. Love it I want one. Peace

[@5150Rockstar]

I’ll wait for a manual thanks

[@deltavee2]

If you really want to terrify yourself, take out their latest 2021electric version. A dead silent neck-snapper. Jay has a review on one in here somewhere.

[@robertsamson4610]

The music interferes with the narration.

[@donnhugh6609]

New drinking game... Take a slug every time he says, "Oh my God!" Nice car/bike/trike/toy

[@deltavee2]

Classed as a motorcycle, actually with two wheels out front and a single wheel at back. A trike has one in front and two in back and will kill you first time you hit the binders on an off-camber downhill decreasing radius corner that you didn't know was there. With the Vanderhall, like the famed Mini, if you are stuck in too fast and crossed up you do *not* touch the brakes, you *floor* it and it will drag you around the corner.

[@MatthewW713]

Or pauses mid sentence for no reason lol

[@chrismaggio7879]

I have driven several Vanderhalls and I absolutely love them! I currently ride a Goldwing (the minute I drove my Wing I lost any desire to buy a Porsche, as had been my plan) but the Vanderhall is still on my bucket list because it is as fun as the NA Miatas I have had and as free feeling as my motorcycles... so best of both fun worlds. Anyone who is inclined to say "It's no Porsche/Ferrari/Jaguar/(enter other name)" You are totally correct, it isn't a supercar... It actually isn't supposed to be, and is in fact about the same cost as getting one of those aforementioned cars tuned up! It is proof that you don't need $90+ grand to have fun! You will smile and giggle and chuckle and have a shitload of "whooooah!" moments the moment you open it up on a back road. The improvements he mentioned were needed and expected, and if it does get that manual I might have to visit the idea again.

[@Gee4747]

Needs to be wider . Fuk it’s American copy of a vintage morgan . For 21st century

[@IG-kn6ne]

As soon as they bring out a manual transmission i'm getting one.

[@DriveBreakFixRepeat]

Every time I drive a Vanderhall I tell their team this. It's so niche, but that niche wants a manual, and this thing would be cranked up to 11 with a good three pedal box.

[@apexerman1]

@@DriveBreakFixRepeat - Glad to hear you've mentioned it. I occasional ping 'em about it too. This thing really begs for a true manual transmission.

[@victorvandyke9898]

So a $38,000 Vanderhall with the brake kit and the upgraded 19" wheels is probably over $40,000! Nice trike though, love that it has the GM engine and trans. Think reliability and warranty over say a motorbike engine with chain drive? Even with shaft drive a motorbike engine will not outlast this combination. Good choice by Vanderhall.

[@apexerman1]

Thanks for the review! So any word if the manual is an option? I've got a paddle shift sports car and it's fine, but there's nothing like rowing a gearshift with a clutch pedal. I hope Vanderhall hears enough interest.

[@219tochi3]

i dont

[@Whammo77]

Those things are ugly as heck!!!! When i saw it I thought "Ah, the Chinese came out with some junk to 'compete' with the Slingshot".... That thing is too narrow, and way too ugly. I'll stick with my Slingshot thank you!!!

[@reece784]

My dad just got one it is so cool

[@johnmorgan9068]

My Venice is awesome. I’m a manual guy but the slap-shifter actually works great

[@idid1866]

I like it, but $38k...c'mon!

[@jrichieander6832]

I thought these might be 20k ...for $40 I can buy a used hellcat

[@Aron-ru5zk]

The cheapest one is 26k

[@sjw811]

I’ve driven both, if you are in to this type of stuff it blows the hellcat away in the fun department.

[@mark0decker827]

The point is a caveman open roadster feel. Fer old dudes that just can't ride a bike. Anymore. Is a good alternative. For wind in yer face. I dig it

[@alfonsohernandez8793]

Yea yea yea you’re forgetting that’s it’s over 60 thousand for a cheap build bike a corvette starts at 56

[@buddyholleypoint9032]

No, top model is why less than that

[@donrome3835]

Automatic is better & this is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@electronicsNmore]

It's nice, but def not worth almost 40k.

[@sterlingforbes3872]

Agreed, I love that it's all American made and that it's not a ridiculous price like 50K, but still... 40K is up there and I think puts it out of range as a fun weekend ride for most people. The other models are 25-30K is right on the money I think.

[@sterlingforbes3872]

@Spike Elwood 80k for a bike... wow, that's up there. I had no idea they went for that much. Maybe to get the bang for the buck on these 3 wheelers it's just best to buy a used one. I spent 200k on an audi r8, but I felt like I was getting a ton. Maybe that's what I'm missing with these 3 wheelers... I suppose I just feel like it's an expensive go cart.

[@billwaller4094]

@@sterlingforbes3872 the top of the line model is 38, 000 not 80,000.

[@sterlingforbes3872]

@@billwaller4094 whats up brutha... nah I was referring to a comment by @spike that was since deleted where he was saying he bought a motorcycle for 80k

[@mark0decker827]

Great review. Thank you

[@marvinlabandeira8361]

Need to put a canvas top so people won't get sunburn.?

[@ryanlayman2560]

They make them now with the hard top roof. I just picked one up and it’s a lot of fun.

[@danielbohland5271]

It's not a car it's a 3 wheeler

[@lloydkeller1809]

But l like it

[@MegaWam1]

Looks like something I can quickly get myself killed in. I can see me driving this with my baby in the car seat. Sounds like you are burning rubber in every turn. Sounds over powered. Nice death trap.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Open cockpit is my cup of tea! I drive my FJ40 with the top and doors off; it rains , I get wet, life is tough. I’m pretty high off the ground in the Land Cruiser; one of these will have the same low-to-the-ground feel that my 914 gave me

[@ziauddinsarwar5609]

What will happen if you travel on this device when raining.

[@Aron-ru5zk]

You get wet...

[@billwaller4094]

They're available with a hardtop.

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

Looks like a morgan

[@theresonly1dice]

#ExpensiveLemon

[@robertnorkus5582]

Might have been able to hear you better if you would have shut off the radio

[@denstontjackson6279]

Three-wheel platform like this vehicle which is an autocycle could never handle a standard or stick shift transmission because torque steer. Unless vander hall implements a system like what Volkswagen did with the new golf GTR where it has torque vectoring for the front wheel that platform cannot handle 230 brake horsepower.

[@chrismaggio7879]

Ok, now whyyyyyy would you come on here and make so much sense? (Yes, I'm being sarcastic) If true, that is a seriously important issue to consider. If the manual would actually make it less safe/fun then that would actually defeat the purpose and the emotion people would have about getting one.

[@JuanGarcia-fv9ph]

The Venice is 25k. Buy that one instead

[@GrahamDavenport]

Yeah, i dont really know why anyone would want to buy a "luxurious" version

[@justint1181]

i bought the carmel because I dont want to climb in and out of it. the suicide doors make a big difference and does give a luxury, cozy , interior. i have trouble accepting a $10k difference but oh well

[@waltersheridan6334]

Question? How does it handle speed bumps?

[@SGI01]

ツクツクGT

[@EvendimataE]

is the rear not going to lift if braking hard form high speed?

[@tapdizzle2696]

Slingshots R alot better,an cheaper!! Much more room also,seats def too small....

[@apexerman1]

Yeah, but Slingshots are so ugly they might damage your eyes.

[@joelao3659]

I agree should be manual transmission

[@abajaj1510]

I'll keep my stick shift nd 1, to thanks

[@tl56kmair]

What road were you on? Thanks

[@marvinlabandeira8361]

And it protect the upholstery from the elements outside. A canvas top

[@lloydkeller1809]

Still to narrow inside

[@lavalarry9107]

No offense but this guy can’t drive

[@DriveBreakFixRepeat]

better and faster driver than you

[@freddyo2k10]

Cars cool and all but NO storage at all😤😤😤

[@DriveBreakFixRepeat]

🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@alberttty8092]

Is it available in India sir?

[@HobbyZobby]

It’s front wheel drive...

[@miketdarnell]

Well said

[@wahyuendra7112]

I love it😍

[@lavalarry9107]

Do you have any other moves besides smash the gas and let off smash the gas and let off smash the gas and let off smash the gas and let off smash the gas and let off?

[@DriveBreakFixRepeat]

Nope, that's all I can do. Hopefully lava Larry will take pittance on me and coach me, so I can one day reach his level. Related: Where are your hot lap videos? Post them up, maybe I'll learn a thing or two.

[@19mati67]

That huge flat grill looks ugly.

[@Whammo77]

It all looks ugly!

[@MonderickGoggins]

Don't buy a Vanderhall Carmel it's a problem from start . I bought it this year in April and it's been down since . Wire harness problem the bike goes in limbo mode . Vanderhall doesn't know how to pick the problem or compensate you for there problem . I'm about to file a lawsuit against Vanderhall . Remember you all take it from me $50k for NOTHING . .

[@jenky1044]

Thank you for the demo and specs. **Carmel* = is a light brown candy also the name of a town in a few states in the US. *Carmell* with 2 ll's would be what you said all except for 1 time. (no problem). Also for $38k I would buy a used mustang and have twice the car, power and fun. This thing is one of the ways of GM trying to make up for lost money (extra) when they had to be bailed out by the government. $38k hahaha 😆 maybe $16k, but never over $20k.

[@DriveBreakFixRepeat]

Cool story bro. It is pronounced "car-mell," unless Vanderhall's own team, who personally delivered the car to me to review, is also pronouncing it wrong. If so, you should really let them know. Also, Carmel, CA, the beautiful town outside of Monterrey where Car Week is held, is also pronounced "car-mell," so perhaps use a better example when trying to school me on grammar and the English language.

[@zedwpd]

@@DriveBreakFixRepeat yep brits and yanks say the word caramel differently too

[@tnolan3754]

They should make them with Honda engines....... I wouldn't buy it just because of the power plant.

[@upnorthkenny9674]

What happened to the August release of the brawley?👀👀