Last night, while driving out to look at a Heritage Golden Eagle archtop, I got into an argument with Motor Trend’s Ladyboy-In-Chief, Edward “Cop Killer” Loh. During that argument, Loh repeatedly refused to admit that he was proud of his work at Motor Trend. I have to admit that I can’t blame him: that’s the kind of job where you just lie there and take it. Having been bullied out of teaching by super-scary high-school children, Loh really doesn’t have much else he’s qualified to do. Jalopnik’s Matt Hardigree saw the slapfight and decided to test the adage that there’s no such thing as bad publicity.
This whole thing is a bunch of inside baseball crap and not really worthy of TTAC’s readers. So, I’d like to use the comments section of this article for something else. Unlike Mr. Loh, I’m personally proud to be affiliated with my media outlet — TTAC — and I’m interested in providing content that our readers want to see. Tell us what you want to see, and we will do our best to provide it. Unless you want to see me taking a shot at little Edward’s mom. I don’t get paid enough to do that.
I was at the dentist’s office last week, getting a root canal. He had the latest MT in the waiting room. I sat there looking through it and discovered there was worse pain than getting the crown of a tooth sawed off and having it’s nerves sucked out as you smell the decaying absess of a rotting tooth.
So, I found the latest issue of MT to be a great help at a very painful time.
I wonder if a urologist doing vascetomies has current issues.
I remember a Heritage Thunderbird with an old dog eared P-90 off an 1960s Gibson 225T, the thing sounded so nice, not the typical shrilness you sometimes associate wit the cheap ceramic crap I’ve seen from the big G at times, funny enough, it was the only heritage headstock I liked …
Entering into the spirit :
I would like to see more multi-car comparisons. An example I enjoyed was Jack’s articles last year on the GLi, GTi, R and Beetle turbo and the comparison between them all having been driven back to back.
The reviews on this site are usually very good, but they standalone and I would love to see reviews comparing say a MazdaSpeed 3 with a new Focus ST or a Camry hybrid vs a Fusion hybrid. Both Michael Karesh’s quality/interior materials perspective and Jack’s driving dynamic slant. I know other outlets like Edmunds do this but Jack, Michael and others on here have good perspectives I value.
Yes this would be great! Comparing like cars side by side would just be awesome. It’s the one thing I like about C&D, even though I know the outcome of the comparo before reading the first word. SO how about some honest multi-car comparisons.
Otherwise I’d just like to see more reviews, period. Maybe if multi-car is too difficult how about series reviews. One compact after another every day or week until they’ve all been reviewed back to back. Even if there is already a review on the vehicle there is nothing like a back to back perspective.
Guess what…your prayers will be answered shortly. In fact, if there’s any vehicles you specifically want reviewed, drop me a line dkreindler at ttac dot com and I’ll see what can be done.
I’d like a “Big, Cheap, “American” Sedan Test” like the buff mags used to do back in the day. Stripped down almost no options Impala vs Charger vs Taurus which is the best bang for the buck? If you hate SUVS passionately but regularly have to carry 4 people (counting the driver) which is the best car? That’s what I want to see.
Educator- I would like to see that review with the Avalon and Azera thrown in.
JCraig, how bout a no options (‘cept an automatic) Honda Accord? They’re built in Ohio and have gotten as big as an Impala.
Absolutely, and if it isn’t possible to have 2 cars reviewed at the same time, then more detailed comments comparing against other competing cars while in a review of a car.
Comparisons of affordable manual transmission turbo cars are on the top of my wish list. Focus ST vs. VW GTI vs. MS3. ATS vs BMW 328. And, while not a turbo, the upcoming Genesis V6 coupe compared to….I don’t know what!
What this site used to do is they would post mulitpart reviews in which they would compare cars that were compeditors either in reality or in spirt like; Chryler 300 vs Cadillac DTS vs Lincoln Town Car. That I found entertaining.
More witty capsule reviews of older motors and related stories, please.
Acquiring contributing authors from other lands (EU, Down Under, South America) would be a very interesting addition too.
Far East being completely Bertelised, providing an alternative view would definetely liven up the discussion.
There is a site for that,it’s http://www.curbsideclassic.com Paul Niedermier’s site
What kind of shot we talking here? Collateral damage man, cmon! Isn’t that part of what made the “legend”?
This is presumably some sort of cynical promotional gimmick for both Jalopnik and TTAC. I’m not seeing much of an actual story here.
Yes, but it is irrelevant. We are here clicking through and commenting on such non-story.
There is a certain irony in seeing this sort of spin (the great locking of horns between TTAC and another blog, with TTAC and its enemies trading and building traffic for each other) on a website that was founded to attack spin.
I wouldn’t mind seeing fewer stories about other blogs/mags.
+1
@pch101, 1:31p: Agreed. And all probably worked out in a back-room nego. far ahead of time for the sole purpose of traffic.
Jack, can we see more of you hitting those who aren’t women, children, or little people?
I cannot lie: although I sparred and competed in a variety of martial arts into my mid thirties, it has been over a decade since I just scapped with a stranger in public.
I had a journalist “come at me” in the NAIAS media room but he refused to walk outside and finish the squabble. In his defense, it was 20 degrees F outside.
Always carry a Ukelele for self defence, Ukeleles save lives …
The last time I used a Motor Trend mag was when I needed a barrier between a used condom and my fraternity’s carpet. I think our house had a few free subscriptions.
Didn’t want to give that ‘pristine’ carpet any HPV.
To answer the question:
I want to see whatever MT and the like aren’t doing.
I remember Loh when he used to write for Sport Compact Car, when it didn’t suck. I think. Was that him?
Anyway, I really enjoy historical articles. Ones that talk about the industry as a whole, like Generation Y, are fun reads. I enjoy a solid Baruth article as much as anyone else. It’s sort of the automotive journalist equivalent of a dive bar. You just gotta go there sometimes.
Oh, and union bashing. Never can do that too much.
Wow, good memory, you’re right he did write for Sport Compact Car Magazine. Back in the early 90’s???
That brings back memories.
There’s recent s@#$storm brewing between a large provider of Honda aftermarket parts and some online forum critters. Supposedly, the provider sells knockoff parts* of poor quality** and and has now offered a reward for the personal information of said critters who posted the allegations. Personal information for what, I don’t know — a lawsuit, maybe worse. Worth a look?
*usually not that big a deal, but they claim to do their own R&D and charge a premium for it.
** throttle body screws falling off and getting sucked into the engine, bad camshafts causing cam chain slap, etc.
“professional automotive internet troll”
nice
get it printed on some business cards
casually hand them out at auto shows and media events
It should also come printed with his face on the back, just so no-one forgets exactly who they’re dealing with;
http://i.imgur.com/XMaMd.jpg
I recently wasted a staggering amount of time reading your Speed:Sport:Life back catalogue. The “Avoidable Contact” series in particular is fantastic.
I’d like to see more of that genuine analysis and (even more importantly) delicious, delicious car industry information. Lately it’s been more quick-hit criticism and calling out individuals. One that really sticks out was a lengthy description of how a sales manager came to accept four Aerostars from Ford in exchange for getting a few diesel F-series trucks as well. You don’t get that sort of thing anywhere else… and lately you don’t get it here either.
Oh, and also the one about the fall of à la carte options. And the rise of soft corinthian sway bars. And so on. Basically long-form info/analysis of one small or often-ignored trend or phenomenon in the industry.
This wont do you any good, but I’ve been thinking about syndicating the Avoidable Contact series over here. The problem is that the articles are really long and would have to be split.
@ JB – Still sounds good, I think those would generate a ton of interest and discussion over here.
+1. We need more stories from Jack’s time as a salesman.
You could always tease them and link back to the SSL originals rather than copying them and splitting. Saves you from rehosting everything too.
I second the vote for more car comparisons. There’s plenty of articles here already not related to driving (that’s ok). More driver focused reviews of competing models driven by the same folks under the same road conditions would be appreciated. You guys do good work. Thanks.
I’d like to see more content that, by virtue of its quality, implicitly condemns the pap peddled elsewhere in the automotive media. That’s how you stick it to the pimps and dullards… not by descending to their level.
Also, moar pedantically-researched investigations of obscure government programs, in-depth sales/segment analysis, obscure foreign cars, wacky prototype engines, book reviews and interviews with intriguing industry figures. You know, the kind of stuff that generates the epic traffic!
Let’s see:
– More stories about red light and speed cameras in rural podunks
– More out-of-context attacks on people who like certain types of vehicles (not the vehicles themselves, mind you)
– Some more in-depth coverage about internal politics at Jalopnik – they seem like interesting guys
– I can’t emphasize this enough, the thing that the site has been missing the most: more stories about Saab and the Chevy Volt.
Really, that’s all I’m looking for in my automotive web surfing.
hear hear
Jack – thanks for the opportunity to sound off:
1. Curbside classics. Yes I know, Ed’s dad (dad? do I have that right) left to do his own thing based on Curbside Classics so maybe you name it something else like Road Roaches (as in they won’t die) or the like. I’m always fascinated when I see a malaise era vehicle or an 80’s Japanese vehicle that in many cases would have long rusted away still on the road in great shape. Maybe readers could submit pictures to TTAC and someone could do the writing if finding these road roaches are tough (there are a couple of Chevy Celebrities, one from 83 and one from 85 in my ‘hood both in MINT condition)
2. Junkyard finds. I know this is ongoing, see one above. I have a personal fascination and love reading about finds like LeBarons and Toyota Corolla AllTracs. Again, maybe TTAC readers could submit photos to help ease the editorial seeking.
3. In-depth analysis and trends in international markets. The United States is no longer the largest car economy in the world. Long range data indicates in another ten years we may number three, or four, even five. We’re already seeing “design it in China, and stuff it down the American consumers throat,” by a couple of automakers (with mixed results). Given how North America is no longer the biggest market, reading a lot more about the rest of the world, especially in BRIC nations would be very interesting.
4. More writing about amateur motorsports. I love the LeMons stories and look forward to reading them. I wouldn’t mind reading about SOLO I, regional SOLO II events, amateur rally, shoot even some drag racing wouldn’t be that bad.
5. More interviews with the movers and shakers of the auto industry. This ties into 3 above – insight into their minds and trends would be very fascinating.
6. Analysis of automotive ads. Tons of fodder there for doing something like a truth-o-meter or the like. Whether it’s showing the base model price while showing the $15K more expensive top model, or more heinous like claiming 10K pounds capacity while pulling a trailer, but not saying that 10K includes bed payload and passenger weight (D’oh) there is lots of fodder out there that would make Joe Isuzu blush. Then you have foreign market car ads. to add to the fodder.
Anyway – those are my six.
I’d like Bertel cover our hometown boys GM, Ford and Chrysler in the South East Asia region and screw the Japanese market or Toyota. We don’t give two ****s about Japanese OEM’s. Last I heard, GM is tearing up the south east asia region with market share projected to be 10% in 2013 from 1.3% in 2010. Any information especially monthly sales data is hard to come by from this region. Will be good to have industry experts like Bertel get this information for us.
I don’t think you realize how many people read TTAC for coverage of exactly what you’re whining about. Bertel’s coverage is one of the main reasons I read TTAC over the other blogs. Nobody else covers Toyota or the Chinese market properly and it’s nice to see proper global coverage instead of having to read one site for each segment of the world.
Bertel’s Toyota coverage is like my favorite thing to read on TTAC since nobody else ever does stories on Toyota let alone in it’s homeland.
…Since the younger Mr. Niedermeyer doesn’t work here anymore, he can’t vote.
What I want is more of what the younger Mr Niedermeyer used to kick out – Ed, finish up whatever it is that your working on and get back here.
In the meantime – More Jack slapping around the other guys is fine.
I like articles that teach me new things about cars and the automotive industry that I didn’t know before.
Anything along the lines of “This one time I was working with this guy nobody knows and he was a toolbox” or “There’s this other site about cars on the web and they’re not as good as we are” is a waste, and doesn’t teach anybody anything.
There’s so much navel gazing going on in this story I’m starting to think Jack is a belly-dancer.
With all due respect to the writers here I see too many articles written by “arm chair quarterbacks.” If I want reviews I go to autoguide.com or insideline.com. Maybe they are not 100% influence free as TTAC writers might be but they are enough. I am not feeling the reviews on this site at all.
Baruth is different and entertaining enough to be exempted.
I would like to see more technically oriented articles.
Couple of things off the top of my head as an example:
Where is the follow up on the guys in Texas and Michigan trying to invent new types of engines. Even if it is to say they flamed out you guys can take the initiative to do the leg work to tell us why they flamed out.
Another example, Bertel’s interview with Tada-san about the Toyobaru was freaking great. Talk more to the insiders of the business, they might not give up anything official but at least we can get to know the people designing and engineering the cars we buy.
The Tada-san interview was excellent.
Personally, I’ll admit I love anything Jack writes, especially if it causes consternation in others. If he wrote ad copy for Depends and posted it here, I’d click on it.
Other than more unfiltered Jack, I’d say the rest of the crew is doing a bang up job. I come here to get stories and content (car related and otherwise) that I can’t get anywhere else. Want a 4 way car comparo? There’s at least a dozen other sources. Having said that, I wouldn’t mind seeing TTAC’s take on that, but I realize the logistical nightmare of renting 4 correct spec cars on the same day. :) The junkyard finds is fun and nostalgic, and I enjoy the Gen Y take on advertising. The industry insider stuff is usually interesting too.
Now that I think about it, I’d like to see more from Michael Karesh and Steven Lang on long term durability and quality of various models of cars. Pure statistics mixed with some subjective analysis. Kind of a “Consumer Reports” without all the suckiness. Just a thought.
Multi car comparos? Paging Alex Dykes.
I’d love to do more of them but that’s the downside to having staff scattered across the globe? I could enlist a few friends to help, but I don’t know if the B&B want to read “Derek’s Summer Camp Bros” take on the Hyundai Elantra vs the Chevy Cruze…
I agree there are logistical issues but I could see say Michael renting/being given say a Focus and a Civic on the same day to do a back to back comparison. Or Jack having a Civic Si and a Focus ST (just examples) to compare their driving dynamics. That is what made the 4 car VW comparison in Virginia last year good because it was same weather, same roads, same time.
What does it take to be a contributor to the site? Can I write something and just submit it? Do you actually pay people? That’d be amusing.
You can submit anything you like using the email addresses on the sidebar. There isn’t a lot of money in this business, though!
Just read the exchange. Damn, Jack.
I was chuckling the whole time but that isn’t necessarily apparent.
I think you were channeling Sean-baby for a minute there.
Was going to say you were hard on Loh… but I just finished watching “Rolls Royce Day” on youtube.
You were the child in that exchange, Jack.
My respect for you and TTAC continues its nosedive. This site has dropped to the bottom, and YOU are mostly responsible.
It’s sad.
1) Comparison test of America’s rental cars. Comparisons based on the rental car company categories: sub compact, compact, full size, luxury, etc.
2) Comparision tests of electric razors. Are the Germans really the industry leaders?
3) Advice from Vodka McBB on how to properly size and purchase, um foundation garments.
4) Ongoing series of: Where in the World is Robert Farago?
5) Return of the TWAT awards.
6) Craziest towing stories. Y’all know we’ve all put it in the rhubarb from time to time.
7) Wackiest “I lost the keys” stories. Goodness knows I’ve got a few.
8) The worst dealership service department shake down stories. To quote Smokey: “Next time go with a big jar of Vaseline so it wont hurt so much.”
9) Greatest explanations ever given to your spouse as to why you have to buy that car.
10) Ongoing series of worst roadside bathrooms in America.
11) Best roadside eats not created by a national chain.
12) The most intelligent things ever said by Brock Yates.
I’ve got a few more, but that should be enough for brother Baruth for now.
This is a great list. Seriously, 10 and 11 would make good fodder.
And if V McB doesn’t have a blog yet, she should. I’d read it.
I have a story about a roadside restroom in Wisconsin that still gives me the willies to this very day.
We were mountain biking at Levis Trow Mounds near Black River Falls WI. On the way back to Minneapolis after a long day of riding and drinking lots of water, we needed to unload and get some fuel for the truck so we stopped somewhere in the Twilight Zone, or County RD Hh. I’m really not sure where we were, but when we got out of the truck, my eye was immediately drawn to an early 80s Chevy Caprice wagon, probably an ’84 or ’85 or so.
I also noticed an odd smell, which isn’t unusual for Wisconsin, but this was more putrid than usual. I looked over at the Caprice and I saw that about 8 people had just bailed out of the car as if it were on fire or something. Never being a person to ignore possible danger, I walked over to see what was the matter. A big guy in a brown and white tee shirt and a Harley looking jacket told me without asking that “The dog took a huge shit all over the car, like a fuckin’ cannon or something, god damn”
He, and the rest of his clan were all covered in a layer of dog shit that looked like it was literally sprayed on. I don’t know what was wrong with the dog, but he was running around the parking lot as if he was fine. The dog had a bit of the same runny doo doo on him that the rest of the family did, but not to the same extent.
The stench in the afternoon summer heat was overwhelming. My bladder was full, but my tank was empty, so I went back to my truck to fill ‘er up so we could make it back to the Twin Cities. As I filled the tank, the family continued to curse and pull stuff out of the car covered in runny dog slop.
I ran inside and used the restroom and bought some snacks for the road. As I walked back outside, there was a real life Delorean filling up its gas tank.
It was a very surreal moment.
Now that’s my kind of side-splitting, eye-tearing, truth about cars!
Robert Farago is alive and shooting at The Truth About Guns: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/
Tell me some stories about and from the 80s. How cool 560 SECs and 8 series were. How the C4 Z51 stomped everything. How everyone traded bonds and did coke. How 911s were still old fashioned and still tried to kill you etc.
(Re-posted so as not to show up as a reply to Ed’s comment)
Let’s see:
– More stories about red light and speed cameras in rural podunks
– More out-of-context attacks on people who like certain types of vehicles (not the vehicles themselves, mind you)
– Some more in-depth coverage about internal politics at Jalopnik – they seem like interesting guys
– I can’t emphasize this enough, the thing that the site has been missing the most: more stories about Saab and the Chevy Volt.
Really, that’s all I’m looking for in my automotive web surfing.
I used to read Autoblog and Jalopnik all the time, then I found this site.
Much better content, plus I can actually read full articles in Google Reader now (don’t change that!!!) I still click through quite a bit.
I like the “inside baseball” stuff and anything about the BS automotive “journalism” that exists.
My favorite review was the one on the latest Mitsubishi Eclipse, the writing was hilarious! I still remember the line about pencils getting stuck in the subwoofer due to the trashy women who own them. Lol!
Keep up the good work!
Can’t seem to find where Loh says,”I’m not proud of what I write.”
False quoting someone? Yep, classic TTAC journalistic accuracy and integrity right there.
I’m outta here.
Nobody’s being “false quoted”. I asked Loh if he wanted to see that headline, and he indicated that he did.
If you say to me, “I’m running the headline ‘Jack Blow Goats’, you okay with that?” and I reply,
“I accept,”
then we are off to the goat-blowing headline races.
Ah, ok.
So your “journalism” consists of posting on irrelevant and unprofessional topics so that everyone knows you’re (immature) Facebook trolling threats aren’t empty.
Yeah, that’s much better.
Loh never said he wasn’t proud of what he writes. He brushed of a ridiculous threat by a childish adult. With the stupid threat deflected, this childish adult was obligated to fulfill it, and now we have this awful post you see here.
A wrong, immature, mess of words that wouldn’t exist if you didn’t feel you had to prove (to yourself?) that you are right…
…Even though you’re not.
Goat blowing, this is suddenly The Truth About Armenia
Have fun blowing goats, because you sure are a sorry excuse for journalist if Facebook trolling for fake headlines is how you go about creating articles. So, if I am to ever read one of your articles again, every time I see quotes I will assume you are just putting words in their mouth and will have no idea if they actually said that or not.
Goat blowing eh? A series of Trackday Diaries following the slow destruction of poorly braking and poorly turning Pontiac GTOs. We can make this happen.
Well, now we all know your day job.
I don’t know how the IT world works, and I’ve never seen you shill for Honda, but if you are actively being paid by an OEM, that probably should be something you disclose.
Believe me, the minute I take a job with an OEM, or even a payment from an OEM, I will disclose it. As I noted on FB, I have consulted and contracted for companies which consult and contract for Honda, among others. At some point in the past twenty years, I’ve done work for pretty much every major manufacturing facility, healthcare provider, and financial services provider in Central Ohio.
I worked directly for Ford Motor Credit and directly for BMW Financial Services, as well as several dealerships, and I have disclosed all of that.
Jonny and Ed are trying to make the argument that my providing technical advice to people on a manufacturing line is equivalent to Jonny taking a $50,000 trip to Dubai on Cadillac’s dime for no reason other than to “build relationships”.
Well, not that. Your balance between being imaginative and rude is frankly on the rude side, and I cannot see any good coming from here. Way better stay on your imaginative side. Between this tendency from you and Bertel not benefitting from editorial supervision and sometimes not checking his dear numbers, I regret the Niedermeyers.
Nuff said.
I’d rather not see The Truth about Cars become The Truth about Trolling.
Sometimes it’s best to let the “insider baseball” fights stay inside.
What I want to see? I don’t know. How about fewer “boners” and “creaming of pants” for anything Toyota/Japanese? I can’t blame the site for pandering to its import humping reader base. For a site that claims no-bias & no-spin, a few less hard-ons for Toyota would def. help. You may risk losing a few visitors but gain journalistic integrity in the process.
Some days i wonder why you don’t save the trouble and just redirect your URL to pressroom.toyota.com.
My first pick up, a Nissan Frontier, was built in Tennessee. How Japanese is that?
My current Ranger, a 2010, was built in the US with a V6 from Germany and an automatic transmission from France. is it American?
I’m not looking for The Truth Against Japanese Cars, nor Against American Cars. I want The Truth About Cars. All of them.
In other news, I’m happy to announce that come April, I will be comparing a 2012 Civic LX sedan with a 2000 Civic LX sedan. Assisting me will be an auto enthusiast of the highest caliber…my grandma.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/01/2012-honda-civic-wins-about-com-best-new-cars-award-praise-from-dereks-grandma/
Stay tuned!
See? Now THIS is why I come here.
I’d like to see Murilee leave TTAC and go back to Jalopnik.
Wow, this is really still going? I’ve frequented this site for 7+ years now, Jalopnik for 5-6. I think I’m done here and Jalopnik isn’t far behind.
Web 2.0 is starting to implode on itself because of all these man-boy slap fights.
From what I read of your comment bitch fight, you were nothing but a juvenile antagonist. He never once said he wasn’t proud of his work at MT. That was your summation since he wouldn’t answer your insult laden question. When I read about that comment war I had no idea you wrote for this site. I don’t if I will be coming back to TTAC if that is the kind of asswipes that work here and try to pass off as journalists. I’ll stick to Jalopnik.
I frequently enjoy your posts, Jack. So:
Maybe a few more Adventure stories with cars as the canvas;àla~ Zen and the Art.., Art of Racing In the Rain, The Road, with police as the Antagonists, etc.
I think you need more original car-culture based comics and illustrations to go along with your otherwise fine articles.
Too many lifted pictures from the net.
I have samples if you are interested. ;^)
Seriously though- I think the site had a good mix now- but I wouldn’t mind more long format pieces. I like polemic type stuff too, but would like to see articles that have more research and in-depth analysis.
Lately I feel like there’s been a lot of editorial stuff written here that’s goes like “the auto-industry has it all wrong because in my experience… and the people I know are like this…” Which is fine, but after while starts to lose its impact without hard data and material support. Research isn’t the fun part of journalism but it is what leads credence to it. Otherwise it’s just an enthusiast echo-chamber.
More posts with image macros for leads.
Seriously.
I’m always down to read a flame war.
Just about any junkyard/Murilee article is good, too.
The only things I don’t like are the articles about Obama kicking someone’s dog, taking their guns, repossessing their pickup truck and stealing their wife. Save that for your day job.
Wow. What an utter waste and misuse of editorial space.
Been on this site daily for the past 4 years. A lot has changed.
Shame.
I’d like to see:
– more actual car reviews, especially comparisons of competing models, as someone else mentioned.
– more of the good writing TTAC used to be known for. I’ve enjoyed Jack’s adventure stores in the past, but this grade-school-bully food fight was a waste of time, space and bandwidth.
I’d love to see more: episodes in the Bertel autobiography, Steve Lang’s posts in general, and (my personal fav) JB getting all literary and humerus about whatever moves him.
Less of: Why? I can always not click, and if I make a mistake the back button works just fine.
I really liked the articles from Brazil by Marcellos (sp?)and Murillee’s Stuff. I still prefer TTAC to Jalopnik which feels like it is sinking and Autoblog which has sunk.
I like it when Baruth skewers the practices of “auto journalism.”
The piston slap articles can be interesting.
But I’m finding that the whole snarky Internet thing is getting done to death (and not just by car blogs) that it doesn’t really add much to my life.
I do feel that Curbside Classics is a good place to hang out. It seems to have a more grown up and positive vibe.
I’d like to see used car reviews. Writeups on what eight grand will get you in the used sports car market today, or what six grand will get you in used pickups, etc. Kind of like Piston Slap that Steven and Sajeev do so well, but more detailed. I’d like to know the typical problems of the vehicle, the reasons you’re choosing it over its obvious competitors, and the positive qualities that would result in you forking over cash for it. And I’d like this imaginary purchase to be capped off with an active craigslist/ebay/other ad of the car in question, currently for sale, to avoid all the commenters saying “you can’t get a Typhoon for that money!” and so on.
If that’s a stretch too far, I’d like to see the Ask the Best and Brightest column extended to include more TTAC writers. The roundtable approach would be great, though I can understand six people not wanting to split pay on one post.
I’d like to see informative, educational posts about driving. Not cars, but driving. We could all use some tips and improvement, and I know Jack has the knowledge and the ability to describe these things well.
And I want more Steven Lang. Anyone not intrigued by the automotive auction world is, well, not me.
I enjoy TTAC’s content. I read it everyday. Has it gotten better or worse over time? I don’t know, but I’m still here every day. And Jack, sure you piss me off sometimes when you write yourself as too much of an elitist Macho Camacho lone wolf, but your writing is fantastic, and I’m reading every piece. Keep doing what you do, all of you.
Reasons not to mud wrestle with a pig:
1. You can’t win. You will be so dirty and it will take so much time and effort to clean up that your victory will be consumed by your chores.
2. The pig can’t lose. It loves mud wrestling. Even if it loses, it gets a good workout and a beauty treatment, and it will be as happy as a pig in $#;+.
What I thought was funny was how so many of the Jalop regulars over there were ragging on TTAC, and here most of the TTAC regulars rag on Jalop! It looked to me like you were both just having some fun with each other, no blood no foul. But I used to read Jalop, it turned into total crap, I gave up. I just spent 20 mins reaffirming that decision tonight.
This is the worst, most embarrassing mistake that has ever been published on TTAC. I feel bad for Ed and Paul and the rest of the editors.
*sigh* Reading the exchange, I feel like I’ve stepped into a junior high school lunchtime yard fight. You know what they say about arguing on the internet http://bit.ly/wmqVUX
Seriously, the end result of this is that both of you come off looking ridiculously childish. There’s no glory in winning an internet fight and really, both of you should know better.
I’ll give you a point for the Delta boarding pass joust though, touche.
I’m still waiting for that whole “why cars understeer and why it’s a good thing today” thing that was promised like three or four months ago. Unless, of course, it was published and I missed it and someone is kind enough to leave a link, then I’m good.
Suggested content?
On the political side, stick with the Truth (calling out the car rags, consumer rags, manufacturers, environmentalists, unions, politicians, regulators, etc.). But try to keep it relevant. Some of the insider stuff gets a little esoteric and/or catty.
On the car side, +1 on the new-car comparo suggestion. Even if you have to splice together two separate reviews, or pair them in some way. It’s just more interesting to read about cars in a context than in a vacuum.
All these mouth breathers suggesting Jack is a troll can go to hell. It seems like they’d be better suited for Motor Trend home delivery – lets keep auto journalism strictly by the book, right? Jack mixes things up and he occasionally writes so well, I quietly get pissed realizing I’m not that creative. I come to TTAC to be entertained and like it or not, his pieces are quite entertaining.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but this article (or lack of one) is as far as I can tell not an attack on anyone else, but a question asked by Jack, to us, about how he can avoid becoming someone who can’t say he’s proud of what he’s writing.
And as far as I have read (only just a year or something), you can still keep your pride Jack, and thanks to those who actually come up with suggestions.
To those who keep criticizing, I hope some of what you write can be used as constructive criticism, not that I fear Jack won’t keep annoying you in the future ;)
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but this article (or lack of one) is as far as I can tell not an attack on anyone else”
Yes, you are wrong. Of course, it’s an attack piece.
“Unlike Mr. Loh… I’m interested in providing content that our readers want to see.”
Hint: this is not it.