https://youtu.be/3aIBtdR8Y2o

Video from Landan Jaeger’s YouTube channel, SLJracing. 

TYLER KEOHANE | Reporter

From compacts like the Chevy Spark to the exotic Alfa Romeo, Lindenwood sophomore Landan Jaeger wants to inform people about the pluses and minuses of makes and models of cars.

Jaeger, a public relations and advertising major, has been running his own YouTube channel, SLJracing, to do video reviews for about a year.

Jaeger’s inspiration for the channel came from other car reviewers on YouTube, but his deep love for cars came from his father, who also is an auto enthusiast.

“My dad still has his Chevy Chevelle from high school, so yeah, that’s definitely something I’m into,” he said.

The first dealership Jaeger approached was Mercedes-Benz of Chesterfield, where he said his goal was to drive a Porsche Cayenne GTS.

Jaeger said he didn’t have an appointment, but he put on a “fancy, high-end” long-sleeve button down shirt, dress shoes and jeans and stayed confident.

“I want to build this into something,” Jaeger said he told the salesman.

He pitched his idea for the video reviews, and because of his enthusiasm, he said he got a positive response.

When he got behind the wheel of the Porsche, he said he wasn’t nervous despite it being a $100,000 car that wasn’t his. Jaeger drove the car around the O’Fallon, Missouri, area.

During the video, he talked about the specifics of the car, including the special features of the interior and exterior, as well as his opinion.

After several reviews with the same dealership, Jaeger said that he dressed more comfortably when he asked for the test drives.

“If you believe in yourself, they definitely see it, and that’s how I did it,” he said.

Besides the Mercedes-Benz dealership, Jaeger said several other dealerships have let him review their cars, including Chevy, Honda and Toyota.

He’s made nearly 50 videos now, and Jaeger hopes they not only show his knowledge and enjoyment for cars, but entertain viewers.

One of his videos, “Owners honest opinion – Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio with undercarriage view,” currently has more than 46,000 views.

The video starts with the car burning out, then the camera turns to Jaeger and the car’s owner, where they go more in-depth about the car’s specifics.

“My favorite car is the Alfa Romeo because it was definitely not a common car to see, and the acceleration was impressive,” Jaeger said.

Jaeger said the next car he would like to review is the Lamborghini Huracan Performante “because of the performance and what the car offers.”

Jaeger’s YouTube channel is monetized, so he’s paid by the number of views each video gets. He declined to say how much he’s made, but according to a Google advertising program, users who link their YouTube accounts will receive 68 percent of all profits earned from allowing ads on their videos.

Regardless of the check behind the reviews, Jaeger said he does it because of his passion for cars.

“How can someone say no to [driving] a $100,000 car?” Jaeger asked. “You just can’t.”

Jaeger isn’t sure where his videos will take him, but they’ve already opened some opportunities. He said because he sometimes knows more about the cars than the salesmen, he’s already been offered a job at a few dealerships. He has yet to accept.

“I want to be in the car industry,” he said. “I want to own my own car business, and maybe this will lead me there.”