Mind Over Throttle – Interview with Kyle Lindsey of SaabKyle04

By Garrett Davis - January 8, 2020

Welcome to Mind Over Throttle, an interview series where we reach out to our favorite automotive content creators from all over the internet to pick their brains about what they do and why they do it. From reviewing obscure, forgotten cars to vehicle builds, Kyle is a true car guy’s car guy.

Review of a 1990’s imported Honda Beat? Absolutely. Working on Chevy S-10s and 240SXs? Sure, why not. Why draw the line anywhere anymore? We’re pretty sure that Saabkyle04 as a channel will go in any direction that interests our guy Kyle here.

For our readers that don’t know you, who are you and what is your content primarily about?

Aside from being named after my first car that I got in 2004, my channel is all about giving folks the opportunity to see cars in-depth. As a long-time automotive enthusiast, I tailor my videos to those who love cars. Over the years, my channel has become well known for my signature in-depth tours that are designed to be an immersive experience. Also, with my more recent introduction of project content, I’m always working hard to deliver new videos that are not only entertaining, but informative. My goal always has and always will be to have a channel that delivers consistent and quality automotive content time and time again with videos that appeal to a wide audience of passionate enthusiasts.

Your content is an interesting mix of reviews and builds, with more “average” cars thrown in the mix than a lot of other channels. What’s one car you’ve reviewed that ended up surprising you, good or bad?

Maintaining variety on the channel is very important to me so that there’s always something for everyone. One of the more surprising vehicles I’ve looked at lately is the 2020 Nissan Versa. It seems the days of the traditional economy car are gone as that car appears to redefine the segment. I thought it was a fantastic value for those looking for an affordable first car or a good all-around commuter. Lots of standard safety tech, good fuel economy and sharp looks.

Now having driven both the MK IV and MK V Supra, which one would you choose to take home?

I’m not going to lie, I’m a stickler for the classics. If we lived in a perfect world where money wasn’t much of a concern, I’d go for a MK IV all day long. That car is just iconic and timeless. The styling inside and out is just perfect in my eyes. Sadly, MK IVs are reaching collector prices now and are mostly out of reach for the average person. Importing a JDM MK IV is an intriguing option too. The MK V is an incredible car to say the least, but for me, it just doesn’t feel as special. The BMWness doesn’t really bother me that much. Most new performance cars are driven by so much tech that I feel it takes away from the visceral feeling of what you want out of a performance car. It’s fun at first, but then you find yourself wanting more involvement in the driving experience that the car isn’t able to deliver. Of course, this isn’t limited to the Supra, it’s just the way things are heading.

Seeing your Honda Beat and Chevy SS reviews, what’s an obscure car you’d love to review?

I have filmed some really off-the-wall stuff in the past and my list of things-I-want-to-film is never ending. Instead of singling out a specific car, I’ll just say that I’d like to film more vehicles made in the 1980s and early 1990s. That’s kind of where I started the channel way back when and I get lots of requests to film more from that time period. Sadly, it’s hard to find stuff like that nowadays. However, one of my bucket list cars to film is a 1959 Cadillac. It doesn’t matter the model or bodystyle, they’re all stunning.

With the Mustang Mach-E and the Cybertruck being announced, what do you think about the future of the internal combustion engine?

Full disclosure, I’m not very big into EVs. I appreciate the technology and advancements that they’re providing the industry, but I’m an old school guy at heart. For every day commuter cars, I think EVs really hit their stride. There’s also a lot of really cool mild-hybrid technology out there that enhance ICEs. I think we’re going to see a big rise in Electric technology over the years, but I don’t think it’ll ever totally replace ICEs.

If you had to start your 240sx build over, what would you do differently knowing what you know now?

Ohhhh, if only I had a do-over button, I’d do a lot of stuff different! For starters, I probably wouldn’t have dove into such a complicated and expensive project to begin with! However, it has taught me so many things over the years that I can’t complain. I had no idea what I was doing with that car at first so I changed directions a lot. I got so far into it that I had no choice but to soldier on and make the coolest mashup I could. A skyline engine with a 350Z transmission, a silvia differential, an aftermarket suspension, etc. It’s a hodgepodge of stuff, but it’ll be AMAZING when finished. Everything happens for a reason, and I believe that car gave me the motivation to get out of my comfort zone and move toward the mix of project content and reviews I’m doing now.

With all the cars you review, what would you say is your favorite and least favorite automotive trend lately?

I’d say my least favorite trend is all of the driver assistance technology that’s flooding the market. Safety is a VERY important thing, but I feel more and more people are using this tech as a crutch. Autonomous technology worries me the most. It’s really incredible to experience, but I still feel we’re so far away before it can be reliably trusted. I will say though, the Cadillac Super Cruise system is pretty cool because it forces the driver to keep their eyes on the road ahead. It’s probably my favorite autonomous system I’ve experienced so far. My favorite trend is the apparent resurgence of bold colors, designs, and customization options. Things are getting more futuristic, designs are becoming more intricate, and manufacturers are offering more ways to personalize your vehicle than in years past. Some manufacturers do it better than others, but I really appreciate the ability to “customize” your car to a degree. That’s how the industry was way back in the day, so it’s nice to see that again.

Do you have any brands you’d like to give a shoutout to?

My channel has always been ad-supported, and it’s the reason I have been able to do this full time for almost 7 years now. Fortunately, a number of brands out there have also taken a liking to the channel over the years, especially when it comes to the project videos. Helping lower overhead is so important when it comes to youtube. Unless you’re chasing viral views, long term success on youtube boils down to volume, consistency, and cost effectiveness. That being said, the following brands have been major supporters of the channel, and I am forever grateful for it.

• O’Reilly Auto Parts
• Valvoline
• Roberts Oxygen
• Lexol
• Second Skin Audio
• Teng Tools USA
• Xpel
• and more...

Kyle, thank you for taking the time for this little interview and for the thoughtful answers!

Have a favorite content creator that you’d like to see us interview? Drop a comment below!