Daily Podcast: Still Excited at the Mailbox

Justin Berkowitz
by Justin Berkowitz

Today I got this month’s issue of Octane in the mail. What a delight. While the American car magazine landscape is severely lacking in depth, compelling articles, witty writing, and pornographic photography (save 0-60), the Brits are not. I subscribe to Octane and CAR because I’m still excited to see them waiting for me in the mailbox. In many ways, internet just kills print media: in the speed with which it can bring you information, the opportunities for writers to be candid (the result of lower overheard – and lower salaries), and the sheer volume of information and pictures we can include without too much added cost. But there’s still something very special about holding great photography in your hand, from a glossy sheet of paper that’s not out of your printer. Octane is, on the most basic level, just car porn. In addition to the stunning full spreads, they write about cars that aren’t made anymore, dream cars, and talk about the “pre-war” era as though it was the 1980s. Aston Martin mentioned they might revive the Lagonda name today. Months ago, Octane recommended buying a Lagonda if you felt pre-war Bentleys were all too common. Which is, of course, what has always held me back from buying one.

Justin Berkowitz
Justin Berkowitz

Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.

More by Justin Berkowitz

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 10 comments
  • Barberoux Barberoux on Sep 03, 2008

    "pre-war Bentleys were all too common" Yes that has held me back too. That and the lack of ipod connectivity.

  • PwrdbyM PwrdbyM on Sep 03, 2008

    Print media....Yes I still get no less than 7 car magazines each month.

  • Whatdoiknow1 Whatdoiknow1 on Sep 03, 2008

    Ummm, a Grand Cherokee SRT-8 does have AWD which makes a BIG difference when launching from a standing start!

  • Ajla Ajla on Sep 03, 2008
    whatdoiknow1: Well, that's true, but would AWD alone be able to overcome the weight penalty, and make the Cherokee SRT8 .4 faster than the Challenger in the 1/4 mile?
Next