Today in Cars: Recovery Heroes, Radio Gremlins, Daytona Drama, Monaco Magic, and a Prelude Price Reality Check

I brewed the strong stuff this morning and scrolled through a feed that swung from heartwarming to head-scratching to high-octane. We’ve got praise for the people who rescue us when the worst happens, a curious software gremlin in a luxury dash, the return of a rally stage that snakes past multi-million-dollar yachts, and a Rolex 24 scrap with a familiar Porsche in front. Oh—and a very candid dealer take on Honda’s returning Prelude. Buckle up.

Consumer Watch: A Radio Setting That Can Blank a Genesis Dashboard

Modern infotainment can be brilliant—one box replacing two dozen buttons and knobs. But sometimes the software gods demand a sacrifice. The latest? Certain Genesis models are being called back because selecting a particular radio setting can cause the dashboard display to shut off while you’re driving.

That’s not the sort of surprise you want at 70 mph. I’ve had systems freeze on me before (not naming names, but one German brand’s voice assistant once ghosted me for an hour). What matters is the fix and the communication.

• What’s happening: Choosing one specific radio setting can trigger a screen blackout mid‑drive.
• What Genesis is doing: A recall and software remedy. Expect dealers to update the system; owners should get notified.
• What to do now: If you notice any odd display behavior, take a photo or short video, avoid the offending setting, and call your dealer. Documenting the issue helps technicians replicate it.
• Real-world tip: Until updated, set your radio presets and leave well enough alone. And keep your climate controls on a familiar setting so muscle memory can carry you if the display drops out.

I always tell readers: software glitches are the potholes of modern car ownership. Annoying, yes, but patchable. If this recall is handled quickly and cleanly, it becomes a footnote, not a reputation-killer.

Dealer Markup Theater: The Prelude’s Most Honest Sticker

There’s a new Honda Prelude on the horizon, and demand is the kind of white‑hot that has sales managers sharpening their Sharpies. One dealer, rather than inventing a line item like “Market Adjustment Package,” apparently labeled the markup for what it is—markup. Blunt. Almost refreshing.

I’ve stood at plenty of new‑launch windows watching shoppers do the mental math. Here’s how to keep your wits:

• Ask for the out‑the‑door price in writing. Strip out non-essentials. Dealers often budge on add‑ons if you’re polite and prepared.
• Get on a waitlist at MSRP. It takes patience, but the first wave of FOMO pricing usually settles.
• Consider a lightly used alternative for a year. If the Prelude lands near your budget’s redline, a Civic Type R or GR86 might be the happier buy right now—then reevaluate once the dust settles.

And to the honest dealer: clarity is good. Just don’t confuse “transparent” with “reasonable.”

Ode to the Orange Beacons: Recovery Patrols Deserve a Standing Ovation

There’s a lovely tribute today to the people who show up when everything’s gone sideways—the recovery patrols. As someone who’s spent a cold January dawn on a British hard shoulder with a flat and a dead phone, those flashing amber lights felt like a rescue helicopter. They arrive with a calm smile, two ratchet straps, and that magical charger that can wake a stone‑dead battery.

Two small asks from someone who’s been there:

• Give them space. Move over early and clearly when you see a stranded car and a truck with beacons. That lane is their office.
• Carry the basics. A proper triangle, hi‑vis vest, and a compact power pack can turn a crisis into an inconvenience while you wait for the pros.

We praise supercars and superbikes all day. Today, save some applause for the folks in fluorescent jackets keeping the rest of us moving.

Motorsport Morning: Daytona’s Six‑Hour Knife Fight and Monaco’s Rally Cameo

Rolex 24 at Daytona: Porsche Penske No. 7 Sets the Pace (For Now)

Six hours into the day‑night symphony that is the Rolex 24, the No. 7 Porsche Penske holds the lead in a tight GTP tug‑of‑war. A privateer Porsche from JDC‑Miller is giving chase, proving (again) that in IMSA, the badge on the nose is only half the story—execution is everything.

The six‑hour mark at Daytona is a vibe. The sun’s dipped, crews are into double‑ and triple‑stints, and every full‑course yellow feels like a reset button. If you’re new to 24‑hour racing, remember: leading now is like winning lap two of a marathon. Nice, but the night writes the script.

Expect strategy splits overnight—tire double‑stints, fuel numbers, and who gambles on cautions. The sunrise is where contenders harden into favorites.

WRC Monte Carlo: The Monaco GP Circuit Stage Returns, and Everyone’s Smiling

The Monte is motorsport’s cold open—icy cuts in the Alps, tire dice rolls, and this year, a crowd‑pleaser: the stage that loops around the Monaco Grand Prix circuit is back. Drivers loved it, fans loved it, even a certain F1 name in attendance got caught up in the spectacle. It’s a postcard come to life: rally cars threading barriers where F1 cars normally dance, with the harbor behaving like a mirror.

It’s not just theater. The surface changes, the precision required, and the visual drama make it a brilliant showcase for modern Rally1 machinery. It also nudges casual fans into the WRC tent—never a bad thing.

What It Means (Quick Hits)

• IMSA: Porsche looks sharp, but the night is a cruel editor. Privateers have the speed to make this spicy.
• WRC: The Monaco stage shows rally’s showbiz side without diluting its grit. Expect more packed barriers and TV highlights that trend beyond the die‑hards.

Bottom Line

From a human shout‑out to the men and women who rescue our worst mornings, to a software hiccup in a very nice SUV, to a dealer being disarmingly frank about markups, today’s automotive world felt like, well, the automotive world—messy, marvelous, and always moving. On track and stage, the racing’s already giving us storylines worth a second coffee. See you at sunrise for the next stint.

FAQ

• Which car was leading the Rolex 24 at the six‑hour mark? The No. 7 Porsche Penske 963 held the lead, with a JDC‑Miller Porsche close behind.
• What’s the Genesis recall about? Selecting a specific radio setting can trigger a dashboard display shutdown mid‑drive. A software fix via dealers is the expected remedy.
• Are dealers marking up the new Honda Prelude? Early signs suggest some are, and at least one dealer labeled it plainly as a markup. Consider waiting lists or alternative models if pricing feels inflated.
• Why is the Monaco circuit stage in Monte Carlo Rally a big deal? It blends rally craft with F1‑famous scenery, delights fans, and showcases Rally1 cars in a uniquely precise setting.
• How can I keep roadside responders safe? Move over and slow down early, use hazard lights, set a triangle if safe, and keep a small emergency kit in your car.