Stop The Cock 2 - Jason Barlow

[Agoogy]

Ari wrote.."honestly its like reading Viz....." well this month THEY HAVE A VIZ PAGE!, detailing the fall and fall of Mercedez boss.... Bin laden's glovebox..and a prank call to GM about pension(er)s... the cover is good and the rest of the content is good...but they have also acknowledged the input of one of the Max Power contributors...slippery road eh...

EVO's better for me....but I subscribe ot both

[topgeartc]

I think you'll find that there's more than a little bit of misguidance here. As someone more involved in the motoring industry (a writer), I can tell you what the problem is with Car. The problem is that it is hugely underfunded by E-Map (the publishers), whereas Autocar for example (which is published by the Haymarket group) is very well funded, hence its 110 year run of success. If you're going to blame anyone, blame the people who decide on Car's budget, not the editor, who - I assure you - is doing everything he can to turn each dollar he gets into ten, in order to keep the magazine alive!

I applaud Jason for his efforts.

[naywa01]

I think the slow demise of CAR is a real shame, maybe a campaign is needed to wake EMAP up before it's too late.

The recent obituary of LJK Setright really bought home how much the magazine has changed, I agree with most that some of the new ideas don't really work in CAR (like the Q&A style roadtests), but to loose the magazine completely would be like loosing an old friend.

[Ari]

[ QUOTE ]

The problem is that it is hugely underfunded by E-Map (the publishers), whereas Autocar for example (which is published by the Haymarket group) is very well funded, hence its 110 year run of success. If you're going to blame anyone, blame the people who decide on Car's budget, not the editor, who - I assure you - is doing everything he can to turn each dollar he gets into ten, in order to keep the magazine alive!

I applaud Jason for his efforts.

[/ QUOTE ]

But then why are you, sorry, why is Jason, trying to send it downmarket? Is this just a case of quantity over quality? Sod how good it is, look how many we can sell?

Sort of Big Brother TV of the magazine world. Forget how bad it is, look at the ratings, that kind of thing?

Absolutely tragic if so.

[charliecroker]

I prefer to stick to Octane and Motorsport. But I'm a bit of a ponce.

[duster]

Ahoy hoy!

I've been reading Car for about 15 years, but to be fair it started going downhill a long time before Jason Barlow arrived. He is actually not a bad writer - to the earlier poster he used to write for Loaded in that magazines Glory years.

I think the trouble is their is not the calibre of writers around now, compared to when Car was at it's zenith. Bulgin, Bishop, Setright and Llewellin, all sadly no longer with us and who is going to replace them? Gavin Green is a much better editor than writer, presiding over Car at it's peak, the late eighties and early nineties. Bremner can write very well, but seems to be too much of a slave to the Haymarket dollar now - his Autocar stuff is strangely subdued.

James May is another Car alumini - give him a job, along with Giles Smith from the Guardian (he does the motoring bit). I would hire Charlie Brooker from the Guardian as well - motoring journalism needs someone like him. Angry and not afraid to piss people off!

[Ari]

Exactly right. Car in the Eighties was a fabulous read and Barlow could do a lot worse than spend a day or two reading some eighties editions instead of his staple diet of Viz and Loaded.

I agree he's not a bad writer, but it just feels that now he's been given Top Job he's desperate to make his mark and take it in a new direction, just like Bangle with the 5 Series.

And just like the 5 Series, gentle evolution was needed, not revolution. Why take one of the very best products in the market place and dynamite it for the sake of change? Do it for the sake of improvement by all means, but not just to "be different".

In my study at home I have every edition of Car going right back over more than 10 years, plus some copies going back further (earliest is 1985 I think, and includes a group test of hot hatches including the Mk2 Golf GTI!) I've never missed a copy and eagerly awaited every issue. I've not bought it this month yet. I will, but the enthusiasm for a great mag is gone, it's now just another mag...

[Ari]

[ QUOTE ]

I think you'll find that there's more than a little bit of misguidance here. As someone more involved in the motoring industry (a writer), I can tell you what the problem is with Car. The problem is that it is hugely underfunded by E-Map (the publishers), whereas Autocar for example (which is published by the Haymarket group) is very well funded, hence its 110 year run of success. If you're going to blame anyone, blame the people who decide on Car's budget, not the editor, who - I assure you - is doing everything he can to turn each dollar he gets into ten, in order to keep the magazine alive!

I applaud Jason for his efforts.

[/ QUOTE ]

Out of interest, how does Car's funding compare to Evo? After all they started from scratch didn't they? And they produce a terrific quality magazine (abeit one focused to a particular ethos, performance cars).

[Problem_Child]

[ QUOTE ]

I think you'll find that there's more than a little bit of misguidance here. As someone more involved in the motoring industry (a writer), I can tell you what the problem is with Car. The problem is that it is hugely underfunded by E-Map (the publishers), whereas Autocar for example (which is published by the Haymarket group) is very well funded, hence its 110 year run of success. If you're going to blame anyone, blame the people who decide on Car's budget, not the editor, who - I assure you - is doing everything he can to turn each dollar he gets into ten, in order to keep the magazine alive!

I applaud Jason for his efforts.

[/ QUOTE ]

That doesn't really explain Celebrity Glovebox/Crank call/Q&A road tests...

The content's fine, it's just these little embelishments that grate. I bought this month's car at the same time I bought Evo and while Evo's now looking a little dog eared, Car's only been out of it's sleeve once. I had a quick flick through it and now can't bring myself to read it. I'm really sad to say it might be the last issue I buy- and I've got every issue from December 1987. Barlow's a good writer, the problem is I think he'd rather be editor of GQ or Wallpaper.

[Ari]

[ QUOTE ]

Barlow's a good writer, the problem is I think he'd rather be editor of GQ or Wallpaper.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nail head hit.

Sadly.

Although I'm thinking more like Loaded or FHM, his new stuff is very much in that vein (which is why I stopped buying FHM and switched to GQ years ago).

[NeilB]

It seems that Barlow is going for the FHM/Zoo/Nuts mag readers, who only have a passing interest in cars and will loose it quite quickly after passing thier test or when children enter the equation.

[tafster]

Never been a fan of car - never read it in the 80s. prefer the poncier maf these days, tired of top gear and there is only so much i can take of evo masturbating over sports cars.

Barlow needs to be stopped though, i bet he has a moped.

[Ari]

Well it seems the crap is gone, so either he's reading this forum or we weren't the only ones thinking this and someone's "ad a word".

No more childish and unfunny "Celebrity Glovebox" and no more nausiating Noel Edmundsesque "Prank Call", and the mag a huge improvement for it.

The writing is good, photography frankly stunning, all in all back on form, good news.

I might even take out a subscription at this rate!

[Problem_Child]

I've not bought it for months- thanks for the heads up, I may have a quick look!

Although I note you've not mention the road tests- please tell me they'e not still Q&A...

[w1how]

Must admit that my fav car mag ever was Fast Lane from the 80's,really liked Peter Dron's style.Car was also fantastic around that time.Nowardays there is only Autocar which interests me-Ive bought it every week from being 12 years old!Top Gear is just a large looking magazine full of advertisements and all the important bits can be read in about 20minutes.

[Ari]

[ QUOTE ]

I've not bought it for months- thanks for the heads up, I may have a quick look!

Although I note you've not mention the road tests- please tell me they'e not still Q&A...

[/ QUOTE ]

They have still got the Q&A, but actually I quite like that, I think it's a format that works well.

But yes, worth a look again, we seem to have steered away from Max Power thank feck.

[Ari]

[ QUOTE ]

Must admit that my fav car mag ever was Fast Lane from the 80's,really liked Peter Dron's style.Car was also fantastic around that time.Nowardays there is only Autocar which interests me-Ive bought it every week from being 12 years old!Top Gear is just a large looking magazine full of advertisements and all the important bits can be read in about 20minutes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree, Fast Lane was a quality mag.

I think Evo has the ethos of Fast Lane these days though. I buy Car and Evo every month, and they're just far enough apart not to be reading the same stuff (by different writers) in both mags.

Autocar annoys me with their "Scoops". They seem to invent a "proposed model" at random, photochop up a few pics of "how it will probably look" and suggest it'll be here in a year safe in the knowledge that if it doesn't come (probable) everyone will have forgotten they said it would, and if by some chance they happen on a car that does come into existance they can loudly trumpet they they scooped it first!

Still waiting for the "Everyman Supercar" Audi S3 they assured us would be here within a year. Two years ago...

[JCCH]

You can't blame it all on Jason. I'd love to because he is the embodiment of everything which is bad about the motoring press but Jase is just the latest in a long line of editors of Car who are just plain crap. Jason’s problems are made worse because Car no longer employs anyone who can write for toffee. I defy anyone to read anything ever written by Greg Ford without feeling the almost irresistible desire to smash his face with a spade. Don’t believe me – go onto eBay and buy a copy of Car from the 1970s. It doesn’t matter which one because you’ll find them all brilliantly written by people who could, and this is the important bit, write. Witty and irreverent. Willing to bite the hand that feeds. Not the press release driven tosh that is churned out now. Can’t offend press departments in case you don’t get any more cars or, God help you, don’t get any advertising money. Christ, it’s depressing.

About the only time I think to myself “I’ll buy a car mag” is in the airport. You wander in to the newsagent and are faced with this barrage of Supercar Supertest shite tempting me with yet another toadying article that would warm the cockles of any cash strapped PR department’s heart. Even my usual retreat of Classic and Sportscar has descended to the same ill written toss as everyone else. Oh and don’t give me the shite about magazines like Octane because they are just as grim. Pretending to be for wealthy people and churning out the same received wisdom about expensive classics does not make you any better to read. As for Autocar you would get more enjoyment from reading Exchange and Mart.

Fact to remember: One of the best articles I have ever read in Car was about a Fiat 126.

[Dave]

[ QUOTE ]

You can't blame it all on Jason. I'd love to because he is the embodiment of everything which is bad about the motoring press but Jase is just the latest in a long line of editors of Car who are just plain crap. Jason’s problems are made worse because Car no longer employs anyone who can write for toffee. I defy anyone to read anything ever written by Greg Ford without feeling the almost irresistible desire to smash his face with a spade. Don’t believe me – go onto eBay and buy a copy of Car from the 1970s. It doesn’t matter which one because you’ll find them all brilliantly written by people who could, and this is the important bit, write. Witty and irreverent. Willing to bite the hand that feeds. Not the press release driven tosh that is churned out now. Can’t offend press departments in case you don’t get any more cars or, God help you, don’t get any advertising money. Christ, it’s depressing.

About the only time I think to myself “I’ll buy a car mag” is in the airport. You wander in to the newsagent and are faced with this barrage of Supercar Supertest shite tempting me with yet another toadying article that would warm the cockles of any cash strapped PR department’s heart. Even my usual retreat of Classic and Sportscar has descended to the same ill written toss as everyone else. Oh and don’t give me the shite about magazines like Octane because they are just as grim. Pretending to be for wealthy people and churning out the same received wisdom about expensive classics does not make you any better to read. As for Autocar you would get more enjoyment from reading Exchange and Mart.

Fact to remember: One of the best articles I have ever read in Car was about a Fiat 126.

[/ QUOTE ]

I couldn't have put it better myself!!

I agree totally with every part of your post.. it is now impossible to find a magazine which is imparcial and an interesting read. i can guess the outcome of most tests before i open the cover

[RacingRed]

Hi guys, new Tyresmoke member today. Been reading SniffPetrol for ages though, last month's 'Poomacher Controversy' was inspired!

Evo is the only magazine I bother with, I'm only interested in reading about the stuff I can't possibly afford, I can't imagine being daft enough to need a journalist to help me choose between a diesel Focus and an Astra. Sports and supercars are the only thing worth getting a magazine for right? That said, Evo has put a few feet wrong, the 4x4's towing a Fiat Panda at Santa Pod a few months ago was a bloody waste of paper, and they have featured tests of 4x4's which are unwelcome and don't fit with the magazines stated performance driving subject matter.

[andyboy]

I rarely read any car mags these days. Autocar is cheap sensationalist rubbish and is useful only for starting a fire with. Car is not really my cup of tea although I agree it has got better of late. But almost anything owned by Haymarket or Emap is advertising led dross. I stopped reading Classic Cars when that awful Quentin Wilson started a column.

I read Classic and Sportscar - Buckley, Mick Walsh etc still haven't been toned down and it's still a good magazine. The best CAR ever? Probably the December 1987 'Setright Decides' issue comparing the then-new BMW 750iL, 560SEL Merc, Bentley Turbo R and Jaguar XJ12. It was a superb issue and I remember buying it in a filling station in Tadley and sitting in the pissing rain in an old 850 Mini and spending two hours being rivetted to it. For me, the old CAR died along with LJKS, George Bishop and Steady Barker and after Gavin Green left the editor's chair. Old Setright could be a funny old fart and in his later years became a little too erudite for my tastes but if you get the chance read his article in the November 1979 issue recalling his drive in 1962 of an early 3.8 E Type FHC. It's about how he tried to drive from central London to Malvern hills to watch the sun come up over three counties - probably the most stunning pice of writing I've ever read.

Jason Barlow? I don't mind the guy but can appreciate the awful situation Emap publishers and product planners put him in. He might be the editor but be under no illusion he's told what to do. I've worked freelance for both companies and they're a nightmare.

And I bet it really pisses him off.

[Betaphile]

[ QUOTE ]

You can't blame it all on Jason. I'd love to because he is the embodiment of everything which is bad about the motoring press but Jase is just the latest in a long line of editors of Car who are just plain crap. Jason’s problems are made worse because Car no longer employs anyone who can write for toffee. I defy anyone to read anything ever written by Greg Ford without feeling the almost irresistible desire to smash his face with a spade. Don’t believe me – go onto eBay and buy a copy of Car from the 1970s. It doesn’t matter which one because you’ll find them all brilliantly written by people who could, and this is the important bit, write. Witty and irreverent. Willing to bite the hand that feeds. Not the press release driven tosh that is churned out now. Can’t offend press departments in case you don’t get any more cars or, God help you, don’t get any advertising money. Christ, it’s depressing.

About the only time I think to myself “I’ll buy a car mag” is in the airport. You wander in to the newsagent and are faced with this barrage of Supercar Supertest shite tempting me with yet another toadying article that would warm the cockles of any cash strapped PR department’s heart. Even my usual retreat of Classic and Sportscar has descended to the same ill written toss as everyone else. Oh and don’t give me the shite about magazines like Octane because they are just as grim. Pretending to be for wealthy people and churning out the same received wisdom about expensive classics does not make you any better to read. As for Autocar you would get more enjoyment from reading Exchange and Mart.

Fact to remember: One of the best articles I have ever read in Car was about a Fiat 126.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, yes, and yes again. The best thing about CAR - and there were many great things about it back in its day - was the writers. Erudite, witty, amusing - the sort of people you'd love to have around for dinner. Best of all, they wrote with a nonchalance that told you their ability was pure talent and they didn't have to work at it, and it was reflected in the consistently excellent quality, month-in, month-out. For me, the key was their ability to write in a way that I can't, but desperately would like the skill to do so. Any plonker can knock up a banal road-test (e.g. Autocar), but it takes a special kind of writer to make the article worth coming back to. That's why I've never chucked an issue out and my stash goes back to the late '80s.

I stopped buying CAR regularly in 2003 and haven't bought an issue since. I might be tempted to go back and have another look based on the comments in this thread, but I'm not holding my breath. Without Setright, Llewellin, Bulgin, Goodwin, May, Kitman et al, it's just not the same anymore.

Having said that, whilst the lack of quality writers is the most important factor, it's not the only one. Back in its heyday, CAR was all you ever needed to know about the motor industry. Genuine scoops, special investigations (Kitman's one on leaded petrol springs to mind here), great layout - and it was all reflected in the quality of the readership, with amusing and/or thought-provoking letters. The last issue I bought, the design was appalling and the general quality of the writing gone markedly downhill, but I think the letters were the last straw. Gone were the witty insights of old - replacing them were juvenile insults about how ugly the latest crop of Bee-Ems are. Oh stop it, ha bloody ha, my sides are splitting. If the writing was as good as it used to be, then maybe I could overlook this. But the letters are symptomatic of the new direction.

It's especially sad because as you say JCCH, the rest of the mags on the market are, pretty much without exception, ill-written tat. There's a few things in some that are worth a look (e.g. Martin Buckley's column) but none justify the overall cost of the mag.

[charliecroker]

What about Motorsport? That's still enjoyable. Simon Taylor, Marcus Pye and Bill Boddy are good journalists..

Pus I disagree with the above comments about Octane - I generally find it to be fairly well written. Some of the celebrity columnists can be a little odd, but they get swapped reasonably regularly. Part of the appeal of any magazine is going to be the subject matter though, and I am interested primarily in vintage and classic cars, and historic racing. It also has a nice twist in that it concentrates alsoon stylish things with an automotive link, so you get some interesting articles about watchmakers, or artists, and the like.

[Problem_Child]

I'm glad this thread stays alive as it was the first one I ever contributed to...

Have you seen the latest issue? Even the design put me off, it looks like a coffee table magazine rather then something I'd read on the train. And were are the scoops? The news looks interesting but it's stuff I've read on the BBC weeks before. Bring back the scoop photos!

When Georg Cacher driving a Veyron for a week doesn't tempt me to buy what used to be my favourite magazine I know it's in trouble. I'll just keep reading my '89-'05 collection. And of course Evo.

[RacingRed]

[ QUOTE ]

What about Motorsport? That's still enjoyable. Simon Taylor, Marcus Pye and Bill Boddy are good journalists..

Pus I disagree with the above comments about Octane - I generally find it to be fairly well written. Some of the celebrity columnists can be a little odd, but they get swapped reasonably regularly. Part of the appeal of any magazine is going to be the subject matter though, and I am interested primarily in vintage and classic cars, and historic racing. It also has a nice twist in that it concentrates alsoon stylish things with an automotive link, so you get some interesting articles about watchmakers, or artists, and the like.

[/ QUOTE ]I'm with you there, I don't buy it but I'll have a flick through in Smiths, and the dealer ads in the back tend to have lot's of interesting metal to browse. Isn't Carroll Shelby starting a column?