I'm a new boy on the block so pardon me seeming a little unreasonable.
I want to buy a new car, and have been trying to keep up with developments by reading motorcar magazines. Has anybody else noticed that very little is given about the practical aspects of vehicles? In the past the magazines used to contain thorough road tests, but all of the mags which I can find just report on the cosmetic differences between similar cars, 'Head to head tests'.
One weekly magazine, which in days long past was quite good, seems now to be a frothy fashion magazine. Is there a mag that anyone can recommend ?
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Hillman,
Forget the car mags, you've come to the right place for advice on motors - new or old.
What's on your shopping list? - fire away and I'm sure you'll get plenty of practical feedback
C.F.
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I presently drive a Subaru Legacy 2.0 GL manual. I am looking to replace with an auto, either Legacy or similar, with decent tyres and steel rims. (I drive on some dreadful roads, getting worse). The only other car which seems suitable is the Mazda 6 Sport, but that has alloy rims. Know anything ?
Hillman
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Hillman:
You're right about the magazines. The only decent one I know at the moment is Evo, but that's not a lot of use to the buyer of more mainstream motors.
Have you found the car-by-car breakdown section of this site. It's full of great information about loads of cars new and used. Also, to second Mr Fodder, ask away.
Andy
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Either Volksworld or Ultra VW
Everything you'll ever need to know about standard or modified beetles, camper vans, karmann ghias etc. None of this modern rubbish!
Buy a 40 year aircooled motor - you know it makes sense!
Tee Hee
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Tend to agree that the mags have a rather strange set of priorities.
For example, they'll happily compare an Alfa 156 with a BMW 318 on the basis of performance, handling, equipment, cost etc. but will barely mention the fact that the Alpha is two-three* times more likely to go wrong than the BMW.
They are also biased towards tail-happy cars (so would I be if I drove on airfileds and test tracks regularly!) and their comments on fuel economy are always based on "enthusiastic driving".
Finally, their coverage of second hand cars is rather light weight.
Overall, they make most sense if you're spending someone else's money.
This site provides excellent real-world advice. Some people also recommend a well-known consumer mag, but I've never checked-this out myself.
* Estimate (uscientific). I am aware that your brother's girlfriend's 147 has given her no trouble.
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Tend to agree that the mags have a rather strange set of priorities. For example, they'll happily compare an Alfa 156 with a BMW 318 on the basis of performance, handling, equipment, cost etc. but will barely mention the fact that the Alpha is two-three* times more likely to go wrong than the BMW.
Agree with you here and reminds me of a mini-test in TopGear (which I buy to find out boot volumes and sizes) where they were comparing fuel efficient mid sector cars.
Can't remember all the cars but seem to remember that it was pointless having a BMW 318 petrol vs Astra 1.7 diesl vs I think a Skoda diesel
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I don't think much of the mags. I quite like the online AA car test reports though:
www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/cartestreports/index.jsp
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What about What Car? no one has mentioned that.
Its deadly dull, but gives loads of very boring measurements like rear leg room, fuel tank size etc. Suitable for stats and info tho.
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What Car's comparative stats are a great help to decision-making but be aware that they can be wrong! The showed an adjustable steering wheel for the MGf, something it badly needed, for ages before one was actually available (if indeed it ever has been). Its website is also very informative but dreadfully slow.
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If you want an unbiased view, have a look at the Which reports.
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Used car buyer. It makes sense as they often cover cars that are a year old but are still on sale new so basically you are getting the lowdown on potential costs and problems for that year. Evo for a bit of fun.
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On a tangent, does anybody remember Auto Express when it first started? As I recall, it was like a proper newspaper and I think that the first issue had a scoop about the 'new' Rover 200/400. Bless...
Cheers
Rob
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