In a world where car enthusiasts have tons of raw information and fan forums at their fingertips, why do they need journalists? “Storify” stalk the New York Auto Show to ask members of the automotive media and industry pros to define what car journos must do to stay relevant. With Mike Spinelli and Leo Parente. More comments from DRIVE viewers on storify.com
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at 3:30 pm
yes it is
at 4:03 pm
I like to give everyone the benefit of doubt and see what they know and most auto journalist know a think or two but the real dead egg are the dealers. I’ve been sniping for a new car for some time now and every dealer I speek to doesent know Jake I ask a simple question like tire spec and they don’t know one Guy didn’t know the HP at all and that’s were the masses buy cars.
at 4:57 pm
Most journalists incl automotive journalists are over achiever, self riotous, ivory tower, ivy league know-it-alls that usually know very little about cars are are rarely enthusiasts, Chris Harris is an exception to this rule and that is why he is liked by so many “true” automotive enthusiasts. Most automotive journalists are out of touch with what the common person is interested in. Good automotive journalists need to be car enthusiasts first and journalists second IMO
at 5:12 pm
It’s like saying that movie reviewers aren’t relevant because of movie previews. You need someone who has similar taste to you that goes out and tries out cars, hits on all the points you care about so that you don’t have to waste your time.
at 5:13 pm
Could not agree more, let him produce or plan things behind the scenes, but please, get him off the camera. I’ve never been more annoyed with an on-camera personality.
at 5:19 pm
The price difference between those two cars is so vast a comparison is just silly. And the Veyron is a 4k pound, AWD space ship. It’d be like slaloming a very fast submarine. The 458 is one of the fastest yet most usable super-cars on the road. The only thing that does double-duty as well is a 911 turbo, but with it’s AWD it certainly has a different feel. I know what you’re saying, but the 458 really is that god.
at 5:29 pm
All the magazines are basically advertisers now. The internet holds the truth…
at 6:21 pm
So, what Ray has said, is replace journalists with people telling stories about cars…like journalists, but without having to pay them. He’s like Orney Adams’ un-funny twin. Just because he’s not a journalist, and thinks sites only need to repost videos and write like a tabloid, doesn’t mean everyone should follow suit. Although I hear Jalopnik TV did REALLY well when it came out.
at 7:18 pm
It’s a good show. And, at least for my part, it’s okay to ignore some of the negative comments in here. The fact is, Drive is still finding its voice. I missed the first 12 seasons of Top Gear, so going back to Season One, while entertaining, wasn’t the same as watching them find their voice and style. Top Gear Top Tip has become a joke now, but they were serious. People forget that greatness takes time, and for my part I find all your content eminently watchable. Keep it up!
at 7:23 pm
What I want to see more from other automotive journalists is a source of inspiration for ordinary people to just go out and DRIVE and have a good time doing it.
at 7:34 pm
I read the Mopar magazines. It’s really interesting to read about the condition a car is found in then the process it took to make the car look like it just came off the assembly line. Some of them are in horrible condition (rusted inside and out, most parts missing, weeds growing all over) and team Mopar dig it out, paint it, drop an engine in it, and makes it shine on the race track. One other thing… can manufacturers stop making vans? Unless you have a family they’re slow and useless.
at 7:53 pm
It’s about entertainment. Tom McCahill really filled that role.
at 8:16 pm
@Noonz FTW!
at 9:10 pm
I love RT, but i can see how its above most people’s heads (not in a derogatory way). You really have to be someone who think deeply about cars and car issues to like RT, I am someone like that, but most people are not. On the good side, as a blogger (Mind Over Motor), I am glad to see my own approach is the way other people think the journalism is going. Press releases are boring, people want real stories and real opinions on cars and car topics. The whole Drive team does a great job with it.
at 9:58 pm
I can’t stand Spinelli. I don’t doubt he is intelligent, capable, and a great writer, but as soon as he gets in front of that camera, he annoys the fuck out of me. He looks unsure, nervous, babbles, never fully finishes his thought and therefore his sentence either. He doesn’t come across as someone who knows what he is talking about. The ending rant, he might as well never even started the show and just shown cuts of people he interviewed. Hate is a strong word, but damn, its getting close.
at 10:55 pm
i agree with you 100% like cattle to the slaughterhouse!
at 11:47 pm
Corvette seats for example. If that’s the only gripe from a guy that sits in over 10 cars a week…Then the car is fine for everyone who won’t spend 5+Hours in the seat at a time/people with $600 for aftermarket seats.
I think Auto Journalism is doing just fine. The automotive industry is tough to document….and i find it surprising that the info we get is usually spot on.
Love ya drive…Keep em coming! AND TAKE YO ASSES TO Z NATIONALS!!!
at 12:19 am
“the car industry has gone down the tubes!” Just like today’s music and pretty much everything else in this world. I think one of the reasons might be that most of us settle for mediocrity. We have been fed cow poo for so long that it has become a delicacy. One in a while though, we realize what was on the plate after the last bite.
at 1:14 am
total badass at 3:40 in the background
at 2:11 am
I am an independent car-reviewer from germany with nothing but a Youtube-channel and a blog-site and I can definatly tell you: Automotive Journalism is alive !
I am german, but I do english videos and so just my accent adds alot of fun to my reviews.
If you read the comments people post to my videos, there is one thing that often comes up:
They love reviews by real people !
I couldn’t disagree more with Mr. Wert … Check out my channel and you understand why
at 2:34 am
What do you mean dose it matter?! Of corse it matters! With out Automotive journalists I would never know what I know about all my favorite cars! Sure you can get stuff on the internet, but fourms are the worst of the internet. They are difficult to navigate and it is hard to find credible info on them. I like unbiased opinions and creative writing. You only need to watch Jeramy Clarkson to know how good an automotive journalist can be! Terrable topic for todays show.
at 3:19 am
the show is awesome the only person that sucks is alex and pls change the music on tuned
at 4:13 am
nipples
at 5:02 am
I think what everybody understands is a lot of the cars we love to read about are cars that we will likely never own or drive. Ultimately, the specs will never matter to most of us. Because we love cars for more than just the numbers. We love cars for the stories they tell when we’re with them. For the places we go in them. For the people meet in them. For how we feel about them.
The autojournalist’s job isn’t to review the car, but to tell the tale of the car, the driver and of the drive.
at 5:12 am
I think the automotive journalist is as useless ass tits on a bull! you all give the same reviews and gripe about the same things. we all know corvettes never win comparisons cause there seats suck and that a vw will win any comparison you put it in because it has plaid seats. i think real automotive journalists should also repair cars so they can tell you what is really wrong with the car not just that it has a nice interior or that it has a sexy shape. the car industry has gone down the tubes!