TTAC’s founder Robert Farago is leaving the website after ten years of astonishing dedication to the pursuit of the truth about cars. Though he will no longer be leading TTAC, he leaves behind a legacy that will guide and inspire those of us who remain. The work of automotive truth-telling will continue under my stewardship, and I am grateful to Robert for giving me the opportunity to take on the challenge of a lifetime. Though no single person will be able to replace his wit, insight and work ethic, TTAC will carry on with the continued support of our contributors, commentators and readers.
Any transition is fraught with challenges, but we are very excited about the coming weeks and months. We will continue to bring the very best news, commentary, analysis and humor to this site, and we know that our Best and Brightest (old and new) will continue to add their voices to the discussion. Your insights and opinions have always been one of TTAC’s greatest strengths, and we appreciate them now more than ever.
Good luck, Mr Farago.
You said Detroit would go bankrupt and everyone laughed. You were proved right.
You told the truth about the car industry when no-one else would.
Indeed. Good luck to Mr. Farago.
Wow, sad to see him go. He was a major part of the reason I like this site so much. Much like Jeremy Clarkson is a major part of the reason many people like Top Gear.
Best of luck in the future Mr. Farago.
Mr. Niedermeyer, please continue the fine effort, in your own inimitable fashion.
“Chart us a course Number One!”
Sorry to see you go RF, you’ve made the site. I’m sure the other writers will be able to carry it on, but with less of a “bite” to go with the bark.
Good Luck!
Damn.
Why? What is next for Farago?
Man… I am bummed.
But, where will he go?
Also, is that really him? I expected somebody… more snarky and irritated looking.
Best of Luck Robert Farago!
To Edward Niedermeyer, I hope you can maintain the site in a way that keeps this place true to the roots that founded it. I visit this site regularly, and would not like to see it decrease in quality.
To the Owners of this site: Please let Edward Niedermeyer run things as he sees fit, and please pay the writers for their work!!
I’m sorry to hear you’re leaving, because you of anyone put a good chunk of your life into this. I’m sure you’ll put the same amount of passion into your next gig.
Hopefully you’ll find some time to chip in once in a while and we’ll see your byline again.
I just checked my calendar and it’s not April 1. What’s going on here?
Wow. I didn’t imagine this day would come. All the best to you RF.
It would be amusing if we see you turn up at Car and Driver or something! In any case, you’ve established a new voice in, and a new approach to, the automotive industry. I wish you continued success.
That being said, Mr. Niedermeyer, you’ve already established a solid credibility of being connected with the soul of what TTAC is. I think the ship couldn’t have been left in better hands.
Tell us where he is going.
Robert Farago is a highly professional writer and has helped establish this site as the best in the industry. I wish him well.
Hope he contributes or comments once and a while.
Corky Boyd
RF,
May the roads be empty, all the lights green and the cops stationed at the donut emporium.
Are you freekin’ kidding me!?!
Judging by your new set of wheels, one could assume you to be far far away from cars and humanity. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
WTF, RF?
Does this photo mean that RF is starting an exciting career as a heavy equipment operator? Whatever you do, best of luck to you. I didn’t agree with you on everything, but your writing was never dull.
So, Mr. Niedermeyer, please accept my best wishes for a great run as the new ranter-in-chief. So, I think all of want to know – What really grinds YOUR gears?
All the best RF – you will be insights will be missed. So few media outlets choose to venture beyond the glossy launch coverages, product announcements and “spy” shots to dig deeper into the state of the automotive industry.
From AutoBlog:
According to our source, the lack of an editorial budget caused Farago’s departure. “RF’s been getting burned out for a while, but what brought this to a head yesterday was the issue of getting pay for the writers. He pushed for it and all they offered was a pittance, not even enough to pay $10 per article at the rate we publish stuff. He pushed harder, and they refused to budge.” So he quit, leaving Edward Niedermeyer in charge of TTAC. Our source continues, “Now [VeritcalScope says they will] provide a decent editorial budget — using the money they were paying [Farago]. TTAC’s writers will be paid once again, but they’ll use RF’s former salary to cover it.”
What?! This makes me very sad.
And just like GM, bad news is announced on Friday afternoon.
Robert,
So sad to see you go! Things must have gotten really rough between you and the site owners in order for you to up and leave. You drew me in with your GM Death Watch (I think I came in around 18 or 19) and I’ve never turned back.
Good luck with your upcoming life adventures, and we hope to see you pop in every once in a while.
It’s the end of an era.
3 cheers for Robert Farago!
Hip-hip-hooray!
Hip-hip-hooray!
Hip-hip-hooray!
I knew something was amiss when they started “Positive Post of the Day!”
RF? Positive? Yeah…right.
Maybe you’ll get a cable TV politics show?
Good luck, RF.
RF – thanks for keeping it real, informative, and entertaining. I will particularly miss your line “the artist formerly known as the world’s largest automaker”. Please chime in from time to time.
EN and the gang – Keep up the great work!
Its been some good years…
Immense respect for your actions if what Autoblog said was true.
Best wishes on your future endeavors, RF.
Wow, this is NOT what I expected to see when I came to TTAC today. I don’t think RF can be replaced, but Edward is definitely the best choice to take the helm. He’s the only writer that occasionally tricked me into thinking he was Farago when I didn’t bother to read the byline. So best of luck, Edward, and I’ll continue to do what I can to push up the site stats and to chime in on rare occasion.
And to RF, it was your Tribeca review that brought me here and the GM Deathwatches that made me stay. You are a man of principle and passion, and I can’t wait to see where your acid pen strikes next. Godspeed.
Well….
it will be different around here from now on.
This is more disturbing then when I found out that Jill the TIME LIFE operator wasn’t real.
God bless you RF. Everyone said GM was to big to fail. You predicted it, we saw it and are now waiting for the fat lady to sing.
“There’s no more reason left to live!!!” BANG!
jpcavanaugh: It’s a dear john time.
It’s like GM leaving NA. Even though it’s inevitable, no one would have guessed it’s so soon.
Hope your new pursuit is worth your while.
What happened to Frank Williams piece, with greetings from Farago?
Best wishes.
You will be missed!
What the hell? Farago quit so the writers could get paid? If that crap is true, put up a paypal fundraiser thingy and let us all pitch in and give him some severance! Seriously! I’m in for a c-note.
RF, you did a hell of a job brother. Best wishes.
A terrible shock!
Sad to see you go, RF. Please be sure to let us know where you land. You will, I know, because truth-seeking journalists, though appearing to be an endangered species as old mainstream media painfully evolves, will still be essential to whatever emerges as the new media in a free society. The truth remains the most valuable currency.
Best of luck to you Robert
Sorry to see you go Robert. I love the site and I’ll continue to be a dedicated reader of it. Thanks for all the hard work.
Fare thee well, Robert. It won’t be the same without you.
I’d avoid the coverage this is getting on the other sites. Sour grapes makes for some fine whine.
You put together the only really good automotive journalism around and the automotive industry owes you for it, as do we all. Thanks for the reviews, the honesty, and for your integrity.
Hopefully the next gig is somewhere fun…
The site fulfilled it’s mission: Document the fall of Detroit. It happened. It’s done. Now, time to move on. Good decision. Good luck to you, RF!!!
Thank you for the years of service. You have done a great job, and I wish you great luck in your future adventures.
Three (most deserved) Cheers!
Karl
If it’s indeed true that RF has committed editorial-employment hari kari to protect the current crop of TTAC writers (admirable indeed) from VeritcalScope’s throttling of capital flow, then it may be time for TTAC Death Watch.
Good luck RF, and good luck EN, and good luck B&B…
He can’t go. He is TTAC! All over the lack of money? I guess there should have been a TTAC deathwatch all along. But why the heck was there not a PayPal donate button when so many of the best and brightest suggested it. I would have used it. I remember the plea but no follow-up action to generate revenue. How disappointing.
Good luck Robert.
Lets hope that vertical scope doesn’t ruin this site like they’ve ruined many others I’ve posted on.
They make a lot of promises going in but the end result is a bit…crap-like
Best wishes to RF. He was like an old testament prophet foretelling Detroit’s crumbling from the rot that establishment media were too solicitous to discuss.
I bet he’ll soon be heard from again, we just don’t know where or when.
(Thinking out loud here)
What? You have a baby and then leave it? I bet he’s going to work for Car and Driver. No, no, that can’t be it.
I’m befuddled and perplexed. And, frankly, a little bit angry. And, what, with Ford and GM and Toyota ads around here now there still wasn’t enough money to pay the writers?
And I wonder if the failure to make this a pay site was the beginning of the end? Of course, I’m just shooting in the dark here. Perhaps a Truth About Robert Farago’s TTAC Departure would be in order. Any chance of that happening?
I’m struggling with a “best of luck, RF” wish. I don’t know who’s responsible. I guess the thing that bugs me the most is that I didn’t hear it from him.
WTF?
Excuse me, but I am in mourning.
Well, at least he’s not dead. Best of luck to you in your next endeavor, Robert.
Ingvar
What happened to Frank Williams piece, with greetings from Farago?
Apparently the PTB took it down for some reason.
All the enemies of truth are laughing loud. From Bob Lutz all the way down. :(
Godspeed Mr. Farago,
All pioneers end up with arrows in their back and I think you got more than your share in setting the bar for internet auto news reporting.
It really is refreshing to hear a real opinion based on real facts that you took the time and energy to dig up and share. It is also quite necessary since MSM has given up the role of watchdog and publishing any kind of perspective on the PC pablum we’re fed.
Dont know where we’ll go now, Edward seems to be a stand up guy, but we don’t need another autoblog kind of thing. Hope he steps up. Good luck to all.
@Frank Williams:
“Apparently the PTB took it down for some reason.”
Well, it seems the Truth part of TTAC went away with Farago?
I haven’t been this bummed out since Lee of Lee in China and Right Thinking From the Left Coast up and died on us! Best wishes, RF!
Thanks for all the kind words. I will be posting for the next 60 days. Meanwhile, I’d like to thank some people here (if that’s OK).
My wife, Sam. For telling me to go ahead and press “send” on my original pistonheads’ post, knowing as she did that I’d be leaving bridges smoldering behind me. For understanding the sacrifices needed to make TTAC work.
The Best and Brightest. For showing me that I wasn’t alone, and putting food on my table.
Managing Editors. Frank Williams, Justin Berkowitz and Edward Niedermeyer. For their unswerving dedication to our mission; their talent, passion and, well, help.
The writers. For their selfless contributions to TTAC’s success. For their passion, insight and wisdom.
Thank you.
Best of luck to RF on his next venture. He’s not dead, and hopefully wherever he ends up he’ll once again be in full control of the site.
After he sold the site to NameMedia, he encouraged me to do the same with TrueDelta. I opted not to, nor to sell to one of the people who ended up becoming part of Verticalscop when he wanted to buy TrueDelta, because it was obvious to me that, once you sell, you lose too much control.
Good Luck Robert! Very sorry that you are leaving. It was the GM deathwatch series that introduced me to the site. Once here, the quality of the writing in general and the collective wisdom of the B&B kept me coming back day after day. Here’s hoping you will be checking in with a comment once in a while!
Based on the picture, I figure he burned his hand terribly and can no longer type. You’d think he could dictate still…
Please let us know where you land RF. The faithful will make you look good.
This sucks.
I sent Name Media a little lovenote for you, RF. I hope they all choke. I hadn’t been posting before but I feel I need to now.
Die in a fire, alone, slowly and painfully, screaming and wailing in agony – “Name Media”. I will curse your name henceforth.
Y’all can tell these dudes what you think here:
http://namemedia.com/about-us/contact-us/
Go get ’em!
Mandatory Autoblog reference, shows why you should heap scorn and derision upon Name Media:
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/breaking-robert-farago-leaving-the-truth-about-cars/
Sad sad news! TTAC will not be the same without RF.
It wouldn’t surprise me if RF showed up at another automotive-related website… I hope that is the case.
I wonder if this post will be deleted by our new VerticalScope overlords.
Shit! Where am I going to go now to get my fix of NSFW Automotive F-bombs?
RF: Thanks for the great ride, and best luck in the future.
Ed: Don’t worry about imitating him – it can’t be done. TTAC is yours to run your way. We’ll be very happy with that
powerpeecee
This sucks.
I sent Name Media a little lovenote for you, RF. I hope they all choke. I hadn’t been posting before but I feel I need to now.
Uh, folks, Name Media has nothing to do with the site any longer. They sold it to VerticalScope earlier this year.
Just color you gone, baby!
So now which email do we send news tips to?
I found an interesting one today on the Detroit Free Press’ website:
Chrysler’s Press faces $947,409 lien
U.S. says exec owes taxes from 2007
BY L.L. BRASIER and TIM HIGGINS
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITERS
http://www.freep.com/article/20090918/BUSINESS01/909180377/1002/Business/Chrysler-s-Press-faces–947-409-lien
Now who is banned? Guess it is time for a TTAC deathwatch… And what’s that I hear – singing coming from the Ren Center? Really, guys, “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” is a bit harsh, isn’t it…..
On a very personal note, I’m extremely saddened by this.
Robert Farago was the first editor in this industry to give me a shot. His (accurate) criticisms of the first review I ever submitted were so harsh that it took me six months to resubmit. Trust me — you don’t ever want Robert to point the full force of his venom at you.
Over the years, Robert and I have had some major disagreements. In fact, before today the last time we spoke ended with him telling me to piss off and common decency prevents me from retyping what I said back to him.
But never mind all that. I am where I am in my life in part because of Robert. And his voice in the back of my head (specifically: DON’T FUCK WITH ME, LIEBERMAN!!) helps keep me honest.
It was a great run Robert. Thanks again.
-Jonny-
Oh, and he probably had to sign a deal with the Devil when he signed with his VerticalScope overlords that if he was ever released he could not start a car-related web site for the period of “X” years.I doubt you’ll be hearing anything car-related from RF any time soon.
From AutoBlog:
According to our source, the lack of an editorial budget caused Farago’s departure. “RF’s been getting burned out for a while, but what brought this to a head yesterday was the issue of getting pay for the writers. He pushed for it and all they offered was a pittance, not even enough to pay $10 per article at the rate we publish stuff. He pushed harder, and they refused to budge.” So he quit, leaving Edward Niedermeyer in charge of TTAC. Our source continues, “Now [VeritcalScope says they will] provide a decent editorial budget — using the money they were paying [Farago]. TTAC’s writers will be paid once again, but they’ll use RF’s former salary to cover it.”
Ummm, everyone wishes luck, but nobody dares to ask…
Why?
Thanks for the memories, good luck and God-speed to you RF!!
Gosh, I hope:
– we will soon know where to find him;
– he doesn’t have a non-compete clause;
– and he is not censored in his new gig …
That was the first shoe … I afraid Bertel will be shoe number two…
That said, I wish the new management luck and success and hope they don’t stray too far from what we have becomed accustomed to under RF.
Stingray: The answer’s right above you…
We were right. They were wrong.
Robert, thank you for being our voice. I’m sure the weirdness in automotive will continue.
Don’t be a stranger. Best of luck.
Well…..well… Mr Farago…your moving on eh dude? Your a very talented and gifted writer sir.I wish you the best of luck. Yes sir Robert,you got out while the getting was good.
Oh…I can think of a zillion things I could mention. But I won’t
Good luck Robert
Michael
Good luck Robert!
@FishTank
Posted when your comment wasn’t. It’s updating quite fast.
Thanks. I went to autoblog (which I NEVER visit) and also Jalopnik.
Would like to see what AE will post on Wednesday.
Wait. Really? What a surprise!
‘Next big thing’ lined up yet?
You’re lucky if you have it ready to go –
a lot of us are dying out here.
Well, ok then, I think the site will be just fine.
“Or not.” I’ll still be here!
Robert,
It won’t be the same without you. Best wishes! We’ll be following you around the web.
The bright spot is that if there is someone who can tell the truth like RF it is Niedermeyer. Sometimes I thought I was reading RF but later realized it was Ed. Good luck Ed!
Found this site totally by accident. Read it every weekday. I really enjoy RF’s style, no bullshit. And the fact that he told management to shove it reminds me of some 50’s movie hero. You go RF I have no doubt you will have success in whatever endeavor you pursue. To the remaining: carry on gents, big shoes to fill just means you have some room to move around.
Good luck, and thanks for all the great work.
Also sending Robert my Best wishes for whatever the future holds for him and his family, you made this a great site, you will be missed! George Levecque in Ontario Canada
I leave my cube to do some work and this happens.
Best of luck Robert. It was a pleasure. You could boil my blood like no other. I just kept coming back for more. I will miss seeing how close I could come to Flaming and get away with it.
Edward
I don’t know much about your qualifications to run this other than your articles here. How about a little Bio so we can learn more about the new TTAC champion.
It has been an honor getting to read your editorials and insight into the auto business. I also wanted to thank you personally for allowing me to post an article on TTAC when I had something to share. I remember geting an email from Frank asking me to submit an invoice for the article so I could get payed but I never did. I always considered it a pleasure beyond monetary value to post on a site like TTAC. Best of luck to you Mr. Farago.
Good luck RF.
This site has given me hours upon hours of reading entertainment. The subject matter and commenters are above reproach. I don’t agree with everything, but we all aren’t a bunch of cloned sheep anyway.
I feel at home reading things here. The writers and most of the commenters GET IT in a way that nearly every other car site doesn’t. It is heartening to know that there are like minded people in the world where I don’t think I am nuts for owning a BMW e30, 928, alfa romeo, or B13 se-r.
Cheers!
Wow, quite a shock.
Best of luck, RF.
Edward, you’ve got some major shoes to fill. Keep TTAC true…
I’m speechless.
I hope this will get more than 300 comments.
Wow! This is bad news. TTAC was one of the first car blogs I ever read. It was a major factor in my timely decision to exit the auto biz. I look forward to what Ed will bring, but RF, you will be greatly missed.
Well, damn. It’ll never be the same again.
Good luck, Robert. I always apprechiated your style. Best of luck where ever you go next.
To RF, as we say in the Navy… “BZ”, and “Fair winds and following seas”!!
To Mr. Niedermeyer, Speed is life: Keep your knots up, never lose sight of your wingman, stay out of phase with your opponent, and always check six.
Best of luck Robert from a huge fan of yours.
I wish the site continued success.
Kurt
Major bummer. Keep fighting the good fight RF… the TRUTH is out there.
RF-Wow.
I truely hope for God’s blessing on you and your family.
A visionary always annoys those who wish to drink the koolaid.
You have been what most journalists love to pretend they are, principled, aggressive and fearless.
Kudos on doing well what no one else in the industry seems to have even tried.
Ed- Your work has been one of my favorite things about this site. Keep it strong, honest and thoughtful and we will be here.
Truely with my best regards,
Bunter1
RF- will you be posting at all? Or will that be a problem for the PTB?
RF,
Thanks for the best reporting and analysis of this whole damn automotive bailout mess. This site has been great–I really hope it can keep going. I think you would be well suited for a regular spot with a major newspaper or business/news magazine as an automotive industry analyst.
Good luck.
I have given up a number of my hard copy magazines because this site had better info. But as somebody who at one point thought he might make a living as a journalist, I’m saddened to see the writers still aren’t getting any money.
I hope somebody figures out how to make sites like this make enough money to allow writers to make a living and owners to make a fair profit, because the mainstream media is mostly just phoning it in; regurgitating whatever tripe is fed to them on press releases and official sources instead of doing any actual investigative work.
May RF poke his head up somewhere else soon!
This is truly saddening news. I am a relative newcomer to the site, but the truth you guys speak to power has really opened my eyes to what’s going on, not only in the automotive world, but in international politics.
Thank you so much for your insights. Very best of luck in whatever you pursue.
This is crazy. A Paypal link could have prevented this!
Now that Robert is gone, is Vertical Scope going to mess up the editorial independence and content too?
What’s going to happen to the old articles and reviews?
Good luck Robert!!
Absolutely Shocking!
RF and TTAC seem so synonymous, I never thought this would happen.
(+not sure the new owners want to let it happen.)
Well I hope things work out well for you in the future, RF.
I like this site a lot and have learned a Ton from you, the writers and the B&B.
Thanks for doing what you did here in your own unique way. It’s been great.
Looking forward to the next chapter of Farago content.
Best Regards + Cheers!,
-Will
PS: Hope you didn’t sign a non-compete. +Hope the race against Lutz is still on.
You are entrenched in my memory forever, witty prose, snide remarks and especially whenever I see a flying ‘V’…
It has been a memorable ride. Thanks you and good luck with whatever you may do.
But, I sincerly hope it’s not farming based on the photo. No plaid shirt, you see.
Does this mean it’s time for a TTAC deathwatch series?
Just kidding, of course. All the best
Best of luck to both you, Robert, and to Edward going forward. These are interesting times for both automobilia and the media and you’re both likely (or not, if you’re leaving blogging for goatherding or suchlike) to have an accordingly interesting time of things.
What’s more unfortunate, if you read it, is the reaction over at Autoblog. I didn’t always agree with Robert’s take or his politics, but I always found him civil, thoughtful and open to debate. It’s really unfortunate how many people have taken the low-brow “shoot the messenger” approach simply because you said something bad about the brands they happen to like. If your feeling were hurt by TTAC or it’s content and you’re enjoying a little schadenfreude, well, I believe you missed the point.
It also reminds me that this site really is unique in having one of the better forums for discussion in general, and not just in automobilia. It really is difficult to have a range of views and opinions _and_ avoid chaos and name-calling. That’s not an easy balance, and I hope it can continue to be maintained.
Again. good luck and good fortune to both of you.
Damn. Thanks for everything Robert (including allowing me and others to contribute our own work to the site), and best of luck with whatever comes next.
Thanks for the laughter and the words! Good luck!
Robert, at least your Escape was of your own Accord. Your Insight has guided us through a Matrix of misinformation perpetuated by the mainstream media. While it’s hard to replace a man of your Caliber, I’m certain Edward will Traverse this transition skillfully, and continue the Evolution of TTAC — his writing so far has been good enough to Impreza tough critic like me.
Good luck Robert — and thanks for everything!
Mr. Farago
Saying the truth always pisses the big dogs.
My former boss “loved” me for that.
I guess you pissed a lot of people. Far to more for your overlords to care about “protecting” you.
Your site made me see this business from a more realistic, less platonic perspective.
I stand by what I told you in one comment, which received an emailed response. You ARE right.
Wherever you go, keep up the good work, and stand by your principles as you have done here.
I won’t wish you luck. People like you don’t need that. I wish you to be succesful in your new venture.
Regards
Athos.
from Venezuela.
Mr. Niedermeyer, you better keep this “brand” *sigh* up to its standards. You’ve got more than 1.5 million hits that are waiting to read The Truth About Cars. Éxito.
Aaah is it just me but Robert demands the “TRUTH” so why not a copy of his resignation letter for all to see. If Robert won’t do it, perhaps Edward will?
No offense, this ain’t the same site w/o Farago…like the Celtics w/o Bird, Bulls w/o MJ to use a basketball analogy.
If $$$ is the issue, than I will gladly pony up for a monthly subs fee to keep Farago around AND pay the writers a decent wage per article.
Damn, I was away from my computer all day and I just found out about this.
Farewell, RF. You’ll be sorely missed.
Let us know when you turn up on the web again.
(VerticalScope sounds like some kind of colonoscopy…)
It’s really unfortunate how many people have taken the low-brow “shoot the messenger” approach simply because you said something bad about the brands they happen to like. If your feeling were hurt by TTAC or it’s content and you’re enjoying a little schadenfreude, well, I believe you missed the point.
While I enjoy Autoblog, they’re like my white-trash cousins. Enjoyable to hang with, lots of pretty pictures/bling, just don’t let the discussion get too deep.
I find it amazing all the crowing over there about how TTAC hates America cars. No….TTAC just hates incompetence. What happened to GM and Chrysler was a long time coming. RF was just the first to document it.
Onwards and upwards…I know I’ve been far better informed (and better for it) by having TTAC to chronicle the industry. I’m glad there’s an EN to take over.
To paraphrase a famous philosopher:
A prophet is not without honor, except at his (formerly owned) blog…..
Le Roi est mort. Vive le Roi!
I agree with the sentiment that Robert Farago is to TTAC as Jeremy Clarkson is to Top Gear. What would Top Gear be like without Clarkson? Boring that’s what. Don’t go RF :(
As I Stated in the “Poo in Clarksons Drive” Thread:
POWER!!!!
RF –
I hope the future holds good things for you. You stand for something, whether people agree with you or not, and this site reflects that. It sucks to see you have to let go of something that you created and spent so much time with. It really sucks that it had to happen (evidently) because of money. Well hopefully you’ll find something much more satisfying, or at least less stressful.
Hopefully this will continue to be a place where we can read honest opinions, not watered down bullshit force fed by advertisers and automakers. There are plenty of websites and publications that tell us what the manufacturers want us to hear, but only a few that tell the truth. This site has its good and its bad, but the writers usually don’t pull any punches when stating their opinions, and that’s a good thing. Mr. Niedermeyer, I hope you stay true to TTAC and make it as good as, or better than, it has ever been.
Once again, I say good luck to you, Mr. Farago, and stay classy.
Verticalscope has a god-awful reputation (I hope you’re reading this owner admin). It does not bode well.
You should have negotiated with RF on pay and THEN flooded the website with advertising, we all know it’s coming. You’ve chased out the leading voice on an editorial biased news service, think about that. Not smart.
Best of luck, Robert. You will be missed.
Unfortunately, this is only my second post in over two years. I now resent not giving myself some time before.
Once I started reading a totally unheard of review, actually reflecting the view of the reviewer and complaining about the drawbacks of a truck, I was hooked for life. Infinite number of articles drew strong comments from readers, that many times have been so amusing and enriching.
Past the news sites, I always went to TTAC to spend my sleepless nights. I’ve had complaints from my wife as to why I would be LOL reading car stuff off the web.
I am now much more of a critic, and can smell BS reviews from miles, as well as BS from car manufacturers. You taught me, Robert, and I thank you dearly for that.
Hope your work here is not lost, and that your successors manage to keep up some of the spirit that you infused to the site. I am sure that’s what brought so brilliant people here.
Saludos desde Sonora, México.
What I want to know is where RF will pop up next.
I expect he will start something else and it will be well worth finding out about for all here, whether cars or not.
In the meantime I like the others remaining so I wont jump ship just yet.
The good thing he created lives on after him. That would be a good epitaph for anybody.
Who the fuck is VerticalScope?
Best of luck Robert. I appreciate that you fought so hard for some modicum of an editorial budget.
Verticalscope, et. al. face the problem of plunging internet advertising rates. For all the noise about how traditional media is imploding, very few (if any!) websites are actually making money and paying reasonable wages for ‘net publishing either. Print media has a lot of misery to keep company with.
Godspeed.
Memo to other web entrepreneurs: No bankers, no backers, no bosses. It is the only way.
Robert,
Has it really been a decade already? The time seems to have gone by so fast. I found TTAC through Jalopnik and it became a daily must-read instantly. I was exceptionally proud to be published once the site, considering the front-line polished news source you’ve cultured here at TTAC.
I’m sorry to hear the site was sold, and wish there was a way to put it fully back into your hands (if you wanted to continue without any interference that is). But, I completely respect your decision to move on, and hope you have all the success in the world wherever you end up next. Keep us posted on your plans as well, I’m sure I can make room for another daily blog even if it’s not on cars, as long as it includes your wit, wisdom, and insight.
Congratulations on NOT compromising.
Keep up the good fight,
-Nicholas Cincinat
P.S. The Truth About Construction Equipment just doesn’t have the same ring to it, sorry. :D
John Horner,
The hard bit with no bankers, no backers, and no bosses is that it tends to mean no pay and, more critical in many cases, no decent health insurance.
With TrueDelta, I’ve been lucky to have a wife with a “real job,” with real benefits. She has, at times, wished I’d get a backer and a banker. But in the long run I believe we’ll be better off without them.
But it’s very hard to go this route, and nearly impossible if you’re the only wage earner.
Damnit!
Any media that I’m attracted to, that I’m willing to give my attention to over a regular basis always is the same: opinionated, vigourous and dynamic and they are generally headed by an individual. And yep, they seem to follow the trend: buyouts, corporate makeovers and/or financial manouvers guaranteed to silence the voices.
*sigh* So it is again. Unfortunately, you are in good company with all the other bright lights that have been extinguished over the years. I wish good luck and sincerely hope that you turn up again and again, unwilling to be silenced by the mediocre.
Thank you for all your efforts.
Craig
Yep- when I found this site a couple years ago it made me laugh- the TWAT awards were the best. But I saw the signs of change when they had to change the name of that contest. There is a drive to go mainstream and make money.
Understandable. This is a quality site and tons of effort goes in. TTAC is a real service to the public in the auto journal world. Sad to see Mr. Farago go. Very sad, but predictable. This site is a bit too honest to generate mainstream revenue, leaving it dependent upon contributors’ own initiative, without the expectation of commensurate compensation. Would love to see like 0.01% of the bailout banker bonuses go to a fund for sites like this. Sigh.
I wonder also if there isn’t pressure from auto companies against the site for its honest negative commentary?
Oh well.. I guess we’ll have to get ready for some changes. Nicer reviews, more ads.
Good luck Mr. Niedermeyer! Please carry on the tradition.
Sometimes I think this site could morph into a car wiki with support of the Bed and Breakfast oops I mean Best and Brightest.
But that brings quality issues…
Best Regards to you, RF- I rarely post but this is my favorite site.
RF, I told this to an old Italian restaurateur near the end of his life: “Restaurants come and restaurants go, but you’ve made an institution out of this one.” I feel much the same about your leaving TTAC.
And Niedermeyer, while I know that you have what it takes to keep this site up and running well, I hope that you are not financially starved by the ptb. Hang in there, I’ll be reading….
If nothing else, Robert, you taught me the importance of focus.
thanks.
Best of luck
The other day I was banned, and now Robert gives me a Deere John photo. Ouch.
Robert,
You will be missed. I’ve enjoyed your writing.
Best Regards,
DEZ
WTF?
Farago don’t tell me that your going to replace Csere at Car & Driver.
I’ve been a TTACer since earth was still cooling.
So long Robert. We hardly knew ye…
Mr. Farago,
I really enjoy this site, you should be very proud of what you’ve accomplished here. Best of luck in the future.
Michael Karesh :
“The hard bit with no bankers, no backers, and no bosses is that it tends to mean no pay and, more critical in many cases, no decent health insurance.”
I hear you. I assume that by benefits what you mean is primarily decent health insurance. One of the things which is almost never talked about in the current health care debate is just how much of a problem health coverage, or the lack thereof, is for the always talked about American Entrepreneur. The lack of a national health care program is one of the biggest things which holds back small businesses, sole proprietors and entrepreneurs of all stripes. Why should having health insurance be contingent on putting up with The Man? How many people are stuck in a job they hate, doing things they don’t like, for people they can’t stand because they don’t have another good option for getting the health care needs of themselves and their families covered?
Good Luck Sir !
Well this is surprising. I will miss your vision and dedication to telling it as it is.
I remember when I wrote to the editor of the California newspaper in disgust when they let you go after I believe your Tribeca review. I hope you find another channel with which to continue your work. I look forward to reading your work again somewhere.
Thanks Robert. Come back soon.
@ John Horner,
To use Robert’s departure as a pulpit for off-topic political preaching is, I believe… a perfect tribute to the man! So I will suggest that, here in Canada, our socialist health care system does more to encourage a culture of dependency than entrepreneurialism. Don’t do it! Don’t do it!
RF, we wish you the best. We know that you will keep speaking the truth as you see it, and that you will keep doing the right thing for your readers as well as your family.
Gosh, I’m saddened by Robert’s departure. I may not always have agreed with his positions, but because of Robert, this site really IS the truth about cars. It makes C&D look like The Beano in comparison. Good luck Robert and thanks. I hope to see your name pop up some place else soon.
Ed, you know you have big shoes to fill, but if you do it your own way and be yourself, I’m sure you’ll do fine.
Mr. Farago was a literal pioneer in casting aside political correctness and cutting through automotive (and government) propaganda to deliver raw truth, no matter how grating to some, for the readers of TTAC.
No one ever did it better, and it put TTAC first and foremost on my bookmark list, as I knew where to go to find “sunshine as a disinfectant.”
Mr. Farago succeed where most fail, by successfully nurturing what is now an extremely popular, thought provoking and heavily visited industry-specific website.
In summary, by putting TTAC on the map of masses, Mr. Farago is nothing short of a pioneer.
Best wishes to you, Robert. You represent the best American ideals.
So long, and thanks for all the fish!
What a long strange trip its been…
Vertical Scope will be the death of this site, just as it has been the death of dozens of others.
All the best to you and yours, Farago.
Good luck Rob. Shame things worked out the way they did.
Sorry, but I’m not here to join the Farago circle jerk. Maybe at one time, this site had a grain of truth to it, but lately, it’s been one man’s whiny personal vendetta against all things domestic. It’s almost comical how every single bit of positive Ford news gets turned around into why it doesn’t mean anything and they are going bankrupt. Not to mention how retooling loans given to 3 automakers constitute a bailout for Ford but not the others (I guess taking out a loan and having the government take an equity position in your company is the same thing). It’s one thing to be right about Chrysler and GM’s problems, but there’s not much truth when it’s mixed with obvious and biased personal opinion (Wow, another post about how the Sebring is ugly. And here’s another one about the Caliber’s dash plastics). Not to mention the cheering on by the parrots in the TTAC echo chamber. Your heavy-handed banning of all dissenting opinion is legendary among the auto blogosphere.
As far as your being ‘right’ about the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies, I guess you were right in the sense that anyone with a pulse knew what was going to happen. It’s not like anyone is a stranger to GM-bashing nowadays. Their red ink filled balance sheets weren’t exactly a secret all this time.
TTAC’s ‘reviews’ are stupid and formulaic. Expect criticism for every car that doesn’t have a rock hard suspension, 6-speed, and a stitched dashboard. Anything outside of these parameters is absolute crap and not worthy of anyone’s purchase. And what the hell is this garbage, other than obvious anti-domestic bias? Is anyone cross-shopping these cars? Anyone who has been here for more than 10 mins knows the obvious conclusion of that comparo just by reading the headline. Besides, the B&B echo chamber would never buy a domestic anyway, because almost every thread, someone says ‘Why would I buy [brand new domestic car X] , when I could get [15 year old BMW with 150,000 miles] for the same price? Good luck with that. And could there possibly be a bigger shark-jumping than cup holder and trunk hinge shootouts?
TTAC is like the guy who keeps getting rejected by his peers because he’s “too real”. Yeah, maybe there’s a grain of truth to the message, but the boorish attitude and obvious personal biases overshadow it. Sorry to have to tell the truth, but someone has to call you out on your BS biases, BS reviews, BS fact checking and BS website. The first post at Autoblog sums up how I feel about this place. Hopefully Mr. Neidermeyer can bring a shred of integrity back to this hole.
I have greatky appreciated TTAC for a couple of years now, so thanks to RF for bringing this about!
Ed… If we can keep the likes of yourself, Bertel, Johnny, Sajeev, Baruth, and all of the regular contributors who make TTAC what it is, this site will continue to be the standard bearer of good automotive journalism. Keep up the good work and I’ll be here to stay.
Thanks
When every other rag out there was a mealy mouthed, pandering, tribute to the highest paying advertiser, TTAC was the antithesis. He also managed to attract the best damn commentators out there, and keep all of the fanboys and wackos out (although a crazy man who really loves Mitsubishi still manages to hang around). This is basically unheard of in public communities. Maybe we can look forward to similar qualities in his future work.
RF: Thanks for many enjoyable hours of reading your thought-provoking missives and best of luck with your future endeavours.
So, you did not idolize money, and thus became extraordinary..?
@forditude:
Cup holder and trunk hinge shootouts are intended to be entertaining, but also show an appreciation for details that the mainstream car pubs miss. Anyone can measure 0-60 times and skidpad Gs, but cupholders have real impact on your life when you’re at the drivethrough window. If you think these comparisons only take place at TTAC, then consider Autoblog’s article comparing the Challenger to a “Camaro” guitar: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/18/review-a-different-take-on-challenger-vs-camaro/. Will you send some hate their way, too?
As for domestics vs imports: My 05 Odyssey was a lemon, which I dumped for a 98 Caravan with 99k miles and no payments. TTAC isn’t the kind of place where I expect much criticism for a personal car decision, and lots of people here disagree with the reviews. But guess what, the American public – with all of its wide and varied tastes – is voting against the domestics with its wallets. You don’t need TTAC to realize that, I hope.
My memory of Autoblog’s coverage of the pending GM bankruptcy was that it might not even happen, right up until it did. Despite the title of this article: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/experts-call-gm-bankruptcy-inevitable-w-poll/, it concludes with the statement that “we’ll know all too soon whether or not GM is bluffing”, written only 3 weeks before they went belly-up. Thanks to Mr. Farago, TTAC’s readers had no such illusions.
Oh, and for your knock on ‘cross-shopping’ articles, maybe this one at Autoblog will interest you: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/review-2010-ford-taurus-sho-gets-measured-against-the-original/.
forditude: Is anybody cross-shopping a 2010 Taurus SHO vs. the 1991 version?
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.
George Orwell
In a revolution, as in a novel. the most difficult part to invent is the end.
Alexis De Tocqueville
cc-rider:
You’re not nuts.
RF, thank you and hope to read your work again someday.
Well, the ship’s yours now, Mr. Niedermeyer, and she’s a fine one. Here are some suggestions for making it better:
1) No reviews by someone who owns the car being reviewed.
2) Four stars are fine for Roger Ebert, but I think rating cars is so subjective that it takes a larger scale; I’d suggest one-to-ten.
3) While I enjoy a opinionated piece as much at the next guy, particularly when they’re as witty as RF’s were, I think this site needs some editorial balance. The snarky attitude is fine; just find some contributors to play devil’s advocate.
4) And please, please, please…enough with the constant GM and Chrysler bashing. Whether they deserve it or not is a settled question; they do. But beating on them at this point is like running up the score in a 63-7 football game; what’s the point?
gslippy :
September 19th, 2009 at 12:39 am
As for domestics vs imports: My 05 Odyssey was a lemon, which I dumped for a 98 Caravan with 99k miles and no payments. TTAC isn’t the kind of place where I expect much criticism for a personal car decision, and lots of people here disagree with the reviews. But guess what, the American public – with all of its wide and varied tastes – is voting against the domestics with its wallets. You don’t need TTAC to realize that, I hope.
No argument there, but here’s what I find galling about the vast majority of the hate directed at domestics: it’s mainly based on politics and/or ideology, not the products themselves.
Thanks for all the kind words, the antidote to which is found elsewhere on the net.
I am contractually obliged to provide 35 posts per week for 60 days, starting from last Thursday the 17th. My math sucks, but I reckon that my last post will appear in eight-and-a-half weeks’ time: November 12. And require 297 posts. So you’ll have Richard Nixon to kick around for a while, anyway.
Look forward to it.
You’ve got guts RF. You’ve done a great job with this site over the years. It’s not easy to tell the truth and keep telling it when so many people don’t want to hear it. But for those who did and wanted to discuss it – this site has been wonderful.
MY truly best wishes for Robert, in whatever he gets into after TTAC, and also to his successors here.
I only joined this site a month ago, and I was amazed to read today that it (and Robert) has been around for ten years!
“KatiePuckrik :
September 18th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Good luck, Mr Farago.
You said Detroit would go bankrupt and everyone laughed. You were proved right.
You told the truth about the car industry”
All true
“when no-one else would.”
Most others did not, but some did. For example, Peter DeLorenzo (Autoextremist) was very critical of the big 3 and GM in particular, for a decade as well.
What I want to know is where RF will pop up next.
He’s gonna’ start a site for comments from Anarchist-Commie-Nazi-Socialist Obama haters.
Oh wait…
Goodbye Prince of Darkness…you will be missed
RF….we butted heads many times, mostly about my perception of what appeared to be your over-the-top hatred of all things GM…but I imagine MOST of the B&B got the RF “flame” warning at one time or another, and wear them like badges of honor….
But, like the scars in fine leather, or the particulates in a fine bottle of wine, the less-than-perfect helped establish the scale that defined the sublime.
Time to do what I suggested long ago, and take the GM Death watch manuscripts and turn them into what will be the best, most insightful book into the demise of GM….since no one else saw it coming, no one else understands it better, and no one else could do the cautionary tale that it will become justice.
I’ll be watching for your by-line….
‘Til we meet again. Thanks for the fish.
“4) And please, please, please…enough with the constant GM and Chrysler bashing. Whether they deserve it or not is a settled question; they do. But beating on them at this point is like running up the score in a 63-7 football game; what’s the point?”
Excellent point from FreedMike for consideration. The rants are really getting old and have become much more subjective instead of journalistically objective.
Bummed that Farago is gone. But i hope that Neidermeyer takes this as an opportunity to improve the content of this site. It could be a lot better.
Stay the course, Edward.
If I wanted Jalopnik, Autoblog, Leftlane, or Edmunds, I’d just go there.
Over one million hits per month at TTAC. It drives the critics nuts. Build on it.
This situation illustrates A.J. Liebling’s dictum: The power of the press belongs to those who own one. I’ve been in journalism long enough to be deeply skeptical that a cutting-edge site like this can “go corporate” without losing its soul. Sometimes you gotta sell, but I’m also glad that Michael Karesh has been able to stay independent.
To my eyes, Farago has been one of the top five automotive writers of the last decade. He was ahead of the curve in integrating automotive gearhead culture with sophisticated business reporting. But where he really distinguished himself was his courageous journalistic crusade against the corruptions of the Big Three –- at a time when this simply was not done. That took balls.
Farago’s courage seems to be rooted in a starkly defined sense of right and wrong. When Farago thought something was wrong he’d go after it with all he had.
That resulted in some great advocacy journalism. Alas, it also could give TTAC postings a humorless and ideologically shrill quality. There were times where it wasn’t clear whether Farago saw himself as an automotive journalist or a political activist, and that blurred the TTAC brand.
His referring to TTAC commentators as the “best and brightest” has a lot of truth to it, and this was achieved partly because of his dutiful moderating of comments. I very much appreciate the lack of flaming at TTAC, but I also drifted away when I was censored for pointing out problems with Farago’s forays into ideological purity. Struck me as hypocritical.
Whatever. Farago has enormous talents, and I look forward to seeing what he does next. I would just advise against landing at Faux News.
I shall miss RF.
I am quite sure that Ed Niedermeyer is up to it but it somehow just won’t be the same.
God’s holy trousers.
Good luck Robert and Edward, you’re both going to need it.
“Farago’s courage seems to be rooted in a starkly defined sense of right and wrong. When Farago thought something was wrong he’d go after it with all he had.”
I’d describe it as a relentless passion for cutting the crap. There’s enough corporate bullshit in this world, and obviously, there was a window of oppurtunity as the mainstream media bought the spin hook line and sinker. And still does.
That passion and integrity is truly inspiring, it encourages people in a profound way, from the bottom and up, from the heart and out.
Many of the writers have pointed out how Farago edited their efforts in the same relentless way, and for the better, in spite of all the heat. He has an ability to scan people, see the best in them, and cut the rest.
The point is, it feels like you have been driven over by a bus, but it also makes you do better things. He has an ability to see the potential in people, and boost that up to the level it deserves. Scanning peoples inner and true aspiring intentions, seeing the higher goals that people have, with the ability to make people reach those goals.
The writers have commentated what a revelation that experience was, and how they now, in this field and others in their lifes, simply have evolved to better people, with the ability to meet their potential.
And I wanted to point out that that feeling prevails on the entire site, from the top and down. From Farago, from the writers, from the b&b. And I’m equally sure there are hundreds and hundreds if not thousands of people that have never ever written a comment that feels the same way.
Encouraged, inspired, boosted to meet their true potential. People reaching out, stating their mind, making a stand. It is a very very rare gift to have that ability, and use it for the common good.
Say it ain’t so, Robert! And if it is, please reconsider.
Robert IS TTAC.
As a long time lurker I felt compelled to register this morning and thank you, Mr Farago, for turning someone who isn’t much of a petrolhead into an avid reader on the insights of the American motor industry. The title TTAC can surely be taken literally. The website you set up and nurtured with the help of all the other excellent writers has become the first site I check after reading my email and the news.
I wish I could offer you a new writing job or your own TV show, but alas, I’m just a wage slave. [Mr Jay Leno, if you read this, here is a golden opportunity for a special RF&JL segment on your new show. You would make it the Roger&Ebert segment for cars. Seriously Mr Leno, DO IT!!!].
Thanks again, and best of luck for your next move.
HB
Best wishes.
Nothing Runs Like a (Green) Deere
Best of luck to RF in whatever’s next.
Baruth leaving sort of balances it out, as I’ll now be able to read everything on the site that looks interesting without worrying about giving that NSFW extra clicks.
WTF?!!
I don’t even want to ask. I’m sure it was no easy decision. Good luck with wherever you’re going, and good luck to EN keeping the site up to spec.
And MMH, is Baruth leaving too? I really hope this shakeup does not mean we’re entering the era of Politically Correct Tripe About Cars. Please, EN, continue keeping it real….!
FreedMike :
…here’s what I find galling about the vast majority of the hate directed at domestics: it’s mainly based on politics and/or ideology, not the products themselves.
Nope, I hate ’em because of the crap they make and the dealers’ piss-poor sales attitude and even worse service track record. The manufacturers never stepped up and whipped these dealerships into shape, and that’s why they have earned my hate.
Honest, it’s not political or idealogical. For me, it’s personal, dammit!
ummm, best of luck
everything has its time and place. bob’s time at ttac is over. i have every confidence that wherever he turns his attention, bob’s innovative journalism and dedication to the subjective truth will transform the playing field, just as it transformed automotive journalism. he wasn’t just the first automotive journalist to predict the big three’s demise; for a long time he was the only journalist to chronicle that demise. that’s important because the arrogant morons who have run this country’s auto industry into the ground and taken our money with them, would like us to believe that they were the victims of an unpredictable economic perfect storm. well it just ain’t so, and we can prove it because bob & ttac documented it every step of the way.
Robert, thanks for the personal welcome when I joined (and to my shock, responding to my response). You don’t get that type of rapport on basically any site these days. So, I’m sad to see you go. New guy has some big shoes to fill. Good luck to ‘im, and I wish you well.
A little late with my well wishes, but I would like to echo all of the (positive) posts here.
Robert, best of luck to you.
My only hope is that my favorite aspect of this site – the mostly intelligent, respectful commentary – is managed in a similar fashion by the incoming administration.
Civil discourse is a rare commodity in our society, and the web in particular.
I know Mr. Niedermayer will continue where our beloved Robert left off as a friend of the domestic automobile.
Just found out today about RF’s departure.
How did I find TTAC and RF? Searching the news after GM announced the two seater Segueway on 4/7/2009 https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-reveals-latest-product-two-seat-segueway/ – made me laugh and forget my embarrassment (for those that don’t know, I work for GM, and this is my personal opinion).
+10 to The_Imperialist – very clever.
Farago, you are intelligent and so are the commentators, and despite the rants and strong opinions against GM, I stayed. A good read isn’t – unless it sends the reader to the dictionary. What other group of auto editorialists and commentators does that besides this site? (exigency, hagiography, conduplicatio, and yes, even farrago).
In about 8 1/2 weeks, Ed Whitacre will be assessing the performance of the -tz’s at GM and RF will be free and clear to apply for a leadership position at GM if he chooses.
So I say to you RF, from the Woods Bros. song – be the wind not the sail, be the train not the rail – and keep driving your brand of truth.
Just came across this. WOW, sorry to hear of your departure. You will be missed. Good luck and don’t lose that tenacity.
EN – good luck with maintaining the quality and integrity of the site. Keep up the good work, we know you are up to it.