Car Magazines: Do You Subscribe?
 

I've found myself with a stack of Automotive magazines I hadn't read yet...

So, I had some free time while traveling and looked them over.

One magazine had an Editorial of why vehicles were trending towards bigger and more powerful, spouting the usual claims.

A clever letter to the Editor plainly stated that the magazines themselves were at fault too. I'm coming to that realization. It struck me, in particular, when they quoted a small car's base engine as "Fine for a daily driver, but..." and it went on into nonsense. So, is the readership expecting to take their new Dodge Avenger to the Track? I didn't think so.

So, do you read car magazines or journals, and if so, what do you think?

For me, it has been: Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Automobile. C&D expired, and I'm not renewing. I like to keep up on the new models, but unless it has the top-line engine rated over 250-hp, then it doesn't get their respect.

I can roll them all into a Green car magazine subscription, but the content would be so sparse, that it would be lucky to be quarterly. I've also considered a European car magazine like "WhatCar?", but it's almost like a tease of efficient little Diesel cars that it only leaves you wondering what and when - here.

RH77

RH77 -

Give this one a chance (and your right, it's quarterly) :

https://greencar.com/

It's not critical of the car industry. Instead it highlights the pro-environment cars, and it is a decent read. You will almost always know more than the mag because you're a GasSaver, but it is nice to see color pages devoted to our interests.

I have been buying some rice-rocket tuner mags recently because I like to look at all the (might as well call them Lego) parts you can get for small cars. I really do wish that cool looking mufflers and exhausts were good for MPG, :) .

Here in LA, I can find el-cheapo Japanese car mags, if I wait long enough (I think it's not cost effective to mail the covers of $10+ Japanese mags back to the publisher, so the 3 or 4 month old ones show up on the discount table after a while). They are UTTERLY FULL of little cars that you just wish they sold here. If I could read Japanese, I would feature some of them here.

Also in LA, I know I could find some British or other Euro-stuff stores and buy car mags there, but I don't think I would get a discount :( .

If you go to the Barnes and Noble or Borders, you have the implicit right to read any mag you want (and not buy it) if you get something in the cafe section. That's what I do (I can get my Kit Car Magazine fix there).

I've never had a car mag subscription. I have mostly only ever liked the car mags for the "concept car" sections and the few features on the cars I have liked. Car mags are almost always in libraries, so just go there and save your $$.

I'm mostly post-hard copy journalism. I find my real info on the net. I mean, how many mags can I find called "Saturn MPG Performance Monthly", ;) .

CarloSW2

I have some YEARS old still in wrappers. C/D R/T MT, Automobile, Classic Car, Practical Classic, British Car, car, Sport Compact Car, Classic and Sportscar, brand specific mags/newsletters like Jaguar World, The Star (Merc), Mini World, Rolling (Volvo), Citroenthusiast, and the occasional one or more oddballs, such as Automobiel Klassiek (Dutch) and a lot of others most non US and not in English (Polish, French).

Where are you finding "WhatCar?" in the states?!? That has to be one of the best mags in the UK, better than the ultra-slick, ultra-expensive, post Setright "car".

"WhatCar?" is a good mag, like a well-written C/D with normal cars (some fun stuff like the best used banger estate for under GBP 2000 and the like) combined with Consumer Reports would be the best way to describe it.

Years ago I had a C/D sub. I read 2 weekly newspaper auto review supplements regularly (Toronto Star / Ottawa Citizen).

But like others here, I'm finding these to be more and more irrelevant as time goes on.

I now mostly get my fix online:

https://greencarcongress.com (good quality comments, most of the time)
https://autobloggreen.com
https://evworld.com

... and a few more I can't think of at the moment

Oh, and I never miss an episode of Top Gear. Just too entertaining, even though they almost reflexively reject any vehicle that even hints at being green.

MetroMPG -

There is a show called "AutoWeek" (EDIT : MotorWeek, corrected below) on the Speed channel. I think it is related to the mag of the same name. I used to see this on PBS. It's all over the place in terms of what it shows, but I like it. A 30 minute "car snack" for when my brain is in "input only" mode.

PS - Now I remember. AutoWeek is the only mag I have ever subscribed to. Not any more. At least it was more current in terms of what was happening than the monthlys.

CarloSW2

MotorWeek actually, I have some on VHS-tape from PBS that are 20 years old....

Spule 4 -

Yes, MotorWeek, that's it! I think the same guy is hosting it. Sounds like him, anyway.

CarloSW2

Do they have the odd mechanic Gosse or the like still? Not on PBS around here anymore.

Also, anyone else remember there were two car shows on NPR. One that gave good (dry) advise and there was Car-Talk. Time has shown how that turned out.

theclencher -

Never knew it existed ... Wow, I was looking for 1st Gen CRX but I just found that I could get the issue with the Ford Ghia Barchetta!!!!!

https://mercury-capri-parts.com/uploa...pt1-742504.jpg

https://www.carstylingmag.com/default...ECTIONSword=ww

Item# 0450184 Volume 045 (January 1984) $19.50
Ghia Barchetta, Opel Jr., Nissan Bluebird vs. Toyota Corona, MMC Mirage, Nissan Fairlady Z, Volvo Italia 99. 132 pages.

Temptation knocks, but it doesn't ping ... If I use 91 Octane, that is.

PS - Perfect gift for my car nut nephew (he loves Vipers).

CarloSW2

I really liked that show... But I guess click and clack are just too hard to beat.

Spule 4 -

Yup, here he is :

https://www.mpt.org/motorweek/whoswho.shtml
https://www.mpt.org/motorweek/images/ww_goss.jpg
Goss has a radio show, too!

TireRack supports it, so I think it is a "Matt-GasSaver-Approved" show.

CarloSW2

https://babelfish.altavista.com/babel....carstyling.ru ??

theclencher -

Ok, so the Car Styling and the Russian site are related. Hrmmmm, Vay-ree Een-tay-rest-ink.

DING DING DING DING DING! ... Or maybe not.

I think I just found a car I have been looking for :

1981 Ford Shuttler
https://www.carstyling.ru/car.asp?id=2161
https://www.carstyling.ru/resources/s...shuttler_1.jpg

This looks very very very close to a little Ford I saw at the LA Auto Show (in 1981 or earlier) that was called the "Ford Gnat". But I remember the Gnat being designed by Ghia. Anyway, it looked similar to the above and less than a Geo Metro in size.

If I ever find that Auto Show mag that has the picture of the Ford Gnat, I will scan it and post it. It's a total GasSavers car if ever there was one.

CarloSW2

theclencher -

Give it a name,

CarloSW2

Attachment 247

Mmm. Look at that classy interior!

Unless you have worked on cars and realize that 50% of their suggestions are pure drivel.

They can't get ratings making quality suggestions, that'd take too long... Why do you think they laugh so much? :D

Wow, he and I have not aged well!!

Davis looks about the same from 20 years ago.

The tests I have (had) on tape included:

The US market Citroen CX (CXA of New Jersey, 60-0 stop in 97 feet!!!:eek: )

The US market Opels that never made it here:mad:

Ford Scorpio and XR4TI.

Austin Healey Frogeye (hey, there would be a car to do some FE stunts with if there ever was one) kit car they built (or maybe a Lotus 7 kit?) with a Mazda RX7 motor.

Red Dellinger (Citroen DS specialist)

Not sure what the Tire Rack comment is about, but they are dominating the net anymore. Check this out for some interesting reading:

https://www.snowtire.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=201

Especially the .org bit! Try it, www.snowtire.org

I have bought tires from them in the past, they can have some good deals, but Bridgestone and Firestone are hard to beat here in Nashville (their US HQ). Also, do not cary a few brands I buy, or old stuff (Coker for that).

I would hope they would have more technical data on LRR tires or the like, but no dice.

Corinthian Pleather?

Spule 4 -

Matt Timion has TireRack in his advertiser list, I think. I always liked the Scorpio. Citroens and Opels. For the USA. *sigh*.

Motorweek is on at 4 AM this morning. Think I'll tape it.

CarloSW2

Sometimes I wish I had cable. Sometimes.

Great Suggestions
 

Great Suggestions Guys!

Same here. I D/L both Top Gear, and Fifth Gear (I do still like to see what we can't get :rolleyes: ) There's also some WRC stuff that I come across now-and-then since the Speed Channel quit carrying it for another motorsport, which shall remain nameless.

I go to AutoBlogGreen often -- it's a good dose of Green goodness :thumbup:

When I was in England a few years ago, I tried to find a publication that outlined every make and model available to bring it back with me to research stuff like "Hot Hatches", and Diesel FE. At the time, the "New Car Issue" was out, and I was hooked. I found a small bookshop in London and picked up some old issues.

I visit their website mostly these days since I would have to invest $100/year USD for a new subscription (they do have shipping to the 'States) -- so I just read their articles online. I still pick up the old issues from time to time and re-read them. I'm tempted to let all of the current subscriptions lapse and take the plunge on 'WhatCar?' :D

cfg83 and Spule 4: I've been watching MotorWeek since the late 80's. It used to come on early Saturday mornings, and I'd set the alarm just to watch it (granted I could've taped it). Now the Speed Channel carries it at odd hours, so I just "Tivo" it and usual watch it when a few episodes pile up. Yeah, it seems Goss' Garage has become more of an advert for different products. There's still some good advice on the show -- but it's funny -- they could absolutely hate the car their testing, but they're always diplomatic about it.

Car Talk is just funny -- they rarely get the right fix for the problem at hand, but trying to guess what they're going to guess is a entertaining. "Whad'ya Know?" comes on right after, which is a bit of a weekend tradition to listen.

'Clench: "CarStyling" looks pretty cool: I like that little Orange car with the "Aerostar" front end. That Buick is priceless, though! I need to do some looking around.

Peakster: Ahhhh. Velour. Corinthian Pleather sums it up :p At least it wasn't vinyl - ouch.

I still find myself needing a hard-copy of something to read when the 'Net isn't available. Ironically what started my whole car modification and subsequent insanity was "Sport Compact Car". When I had my Civic DX, someone gave me a few older issues of it to convince me that it was indeed possible to make it fast. It was all downhill after that :cool: But, I too just lost that pursuit of horsepower after a few years -- it just looked way too expensive to attain.

RH77

I do American Street Rodder and Hemmings Motor News.

Did anyone catch the 1992/3 Toyota Corolla automatic call this weekend, the first (female) call they got?

Q: Why does my Corolla (auto) take a while (on the interstate) to shift to top gear on a cold day, and will not until temp gauge comes up to 1/4 (big hint that she gave)?

C&C's A: Change the flud and your gearbox is probably near ruin.

Anyone that has owned 1980s-90s Toyotas care to give the correct answer?

TC
 

The fluid and gearbox is more dramatic -- less dramatic is the thermostat not letting the coolant get up to temp for the TC to engage...;)

Correcta-mundo! Put a $10 thermostat in the car.

Because this thread came up....

I subscribe to autospeed... An Aussie motoring mag.... While they do tend to go for big engines etc. -- they have some GREAT tech articles :)

Used to subscribe to Car and Driver back in the '70s...Jean Shepherd (famous author and literary smart guy) had a column, and occasionally they would road-test something worthwhile...'48 Chrysler, 51 Nash, etc. Also remember a great article on how to get a Pinto to go from the kind of mileage a V8 of the era should get to nearly what my Corvair would get by adding front air dam, grille block, changing to radial tires, etc. See MetroMPG's website for a copy of this article.

Also used to subscribe to Cycle and Motorcyclist magazines. Got bored with them since all they were interested in was quarter mile times on bikes, and how great Japanese bikes were and how horrible everything else was (of course, who purchased the most advertising?)