The Truth About Cars » Housekeeping

Muscle Car Writing Contest #3: Jarad Petroske Says Rocky You Met Your Match

Robert Farago — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:45:51 +0000

The first time I met an American muscle car, my friend Ben was encouraging me to carve the donut in the Sears parking lot just a little tighter and give it just a little more gas. He wanted to hear the 1977 Chevy Malibu's big block snarl like he knew it could when you pressed the pedal all the way to the floor boards.

Muscle Car Writing Contest Finalist #2: Don Gammil Wants You to Color Him Gone

Robert Farago — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:25:40 +0000

Sounding every bit as superficial as the redneck poseur he portrayed, the expression on actor Warren Oates’ face as he uttered those words in the 1971 cult classic “Two-Lane Blacktop” spoke volumes about what a muscle car was and what it was built for.

Muscle Car Writing Contest Finalist 1: Frank Rodgers Calls You a Nimrod

Robert Farago — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:12:16 +0000

Yes, you little nimrods! The American muscle car does have a future! Detroit simply needs to stick to a few basic principles. The first thing it mustn’t forget is that any muscle car worth building will have a V-8, expensive fuel or no. To any camel admirers ready to start preaching the gospel of turbonium and other unnatural elements, I’ll just say that no other amount of cylinders or configuration can match the distinctive presence of a V-8 - especially a good ol’ American one. Sound MATTERS. Nothing brings out the hairy chested, knuckle dragging Neanderthal in me faster than a carnivorous sounding V-8. If it's cammed up, it's all over. I'd be ready to run the Mille Miglia after a vasectomy.

Not Goodbye, Just Au Revoir

Frank Williams — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:22:24 +0000

Today marks my final day as Managing Editor of The Truth About Cars. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that when I forwarded a snarky letter I'd written to Car and Driver complaining about their lack of editorial direction to some guy at a web site I'd just discovered, it would lead to this. It's been a wild roller coaster of a ride, occasionally aggravating, usually entertaining and always educational - but never boring. I'm going to miss it. A lot.

TTAC Needs YOU! How Do We Add Forums?

Robert Farago — Sat, 10 May 2008 12:16:26 +0000

All hail Frank Williams. TTAC’s Managing Editor spent the best part of last week speccing-out our new website. Every current and future link, every button, every function, every everything. Frank’s road map contains the kind of “granularity” that code writers adore, that I consider “grit,” whose creation requires true grit. In the course of this odyssey, Frank and I made a lot of strategic decisions. Most were easy (a strong brand makes it so). While I’m completely confident the new TTAC will leapfrog the competition (no Volt comparisons please), there’s an 800-pound feature in the room that we need to discuss: forums.

Is The Truth About Cars Unfair, Anti-American, Both or Neither?

Robert Farago — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:08:30 +0000

A couple of days ago, we published an editorial taking English auto scribe James May to task for flaming American cars. For this, we were flamed. Despite TTAC’s blanket ban on comments that diss the website, and our ban on [off topic] comments questioning our editorial stance or style, many of you cried foul. How could Mr. Swanson accuse a British writer of an anti-American car bias when TTAC [obviously] shared this same prejudice? After damping down the flames of perceived hypocrisy, I promised to provide offended readers a place to fire at will. And here it is.

TTAC Site Tweaks: the Return of the Classic Format, Chat and Downtime

Robert Farago — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 03:36:21 +0000

When Frank Williams and I launched TTAC’s news blog, we envisioned an editorial gestalt somewhere between Autoblog (dull but worthy) and Jalopnik (wild but wacky). I reckon we nailed it. We’re cranking-out far more (and timelier) hard news than Neff’s product-crazed army, and creating more pithy posts than Spinelli’s electric cool aid acid test troops. In another sense, thanks to our excellent commentators and snarky bloggers, we’ve established our own unique mindspace. Unfortunately, the feature's done sweet FA for our site stats.

If News Blogging is Wrong, Does TTAC Want to be Right?

Robert Farago — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 13:09:18 +0000

The Truth About Cars (TTAC) news blog started on Wednesday. By Friday, we were in trouble. That’s when I posted an item about illegal immigrants getting driver’s licenses in Maine that they could use to purchase a firearm. Some commentators cried flame bait! Others were dismayed that TTAC was wading into political waters. And a few wondered why TTAC was news blogging anyway. In response to the troll accusations, I changed the picture (from a firearm to a gun store) and toned down the text. As for the other questions, well, let’s talk.

TTAC to Become a Social Networking Site

Robert Farago — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 14:50:15 +0000

For over two years, we’ve been telling Detroit to wake-up and smell the homily: everything either grows or dies. We’ve admonished them to adapt and evolve. This they haven’t done. The Truth About Cars (TTAC) will continue to chronicle this slow motion train wreck until the last car derails, and beyond. Meanwhile, we’d be hypocritical if we didn’t follow our own advice. The truth is: we’re not growing. So we’re about to shake things up. Again.

TTAC and TrueDelta: Ready for Takeoff

Robert Farago — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 18:47:20 +0000

Welcome to the next step in the The Truth About Cars’ evolution: TrueDelta spec and pricing data. (If you don’t see a button marked “Get Nissan SE-R Spec V Pricing” above the SE-R review, click on “Classic” in the header, and then click on “Improved” in the top right corner of the header.) From now on, visitors can use TrueDelta data to check vehicle specifications, get new car prices and make an “apples to apples” price comparison to other models. It’s part of TTAC’s ongoing commitment to provide the web’s most trustworthy automotive content.

Write, Buy, Link: TTAC Needs You!

Robert Farago — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 12:15:15 +0000

Someday you’ll boast “I read TTAC before reading TTAC was cool.” Back when the website looked like a parked URL site. When reviewers had to pretend to be new car buyers. When the TTAC’s “take no prisoners” editorial stance was diss-missed as AWAKitude (Anyone With A Keyboard). Back before the site threw auto show Bacchanalia for its loyal readers paid for by firewalled advertising, branded merchandise and TTAC Buyer’s Club car sales. Rewind to now and you’ve got some work to do. Yes, you.

TTAC.COM: Back to the Future

Robert Farago — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 15:08:23 +0000

The Truth About Cars (TTAC) has consistently criticized domestic automakers for some pretty basic mistakes: lack of focus, glacial product cycles, bland design and poor customer communications. I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t admit that this website suffers from these problems. But it is my full intention to address ALL of these challenges, so that we can keep faith with our basic brand promise. So, here’s where we’ve screwed-up and here’s what we’re going to do about it. Provided, that is, you agree.

TTAC FAQ

Frank Williams — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 13:36:44 +0000

As you’ve no doubt noticed, things they are a-changin’ on The Truth About Cars. Our new look is evolving, several new writers have made the scene and a whole lot of new readers/commentators are joining us every day. With all that going on we thought we’d better answer a few of the questions we’ve been getting (and throw in a few more we just made up).

New TTAC Site Design: Your Comments Please

Robert Farago — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 02:11:08 +0000

OK, here it is. And it's already evolving. Our web gurus, Mark Madden and Kyle Morton, are on the case. We've increased the font size. They're going to decrease the column width within the Review pages (as already bitched about). The search box will be restricted to selecting makes (the current search engine is basically worthless). The stats and stars arrive tomorrow. There will be lots of tweaks in the days ahead, as we move towards integrating True Delta data and adding video and, well, stuff. Now, before you let rip, try to keep in mind our goal: to make the site user-friendly for mainstream car buyers while maintaining our full editorial and review mojo for the faithful. OK, the floor is yours.

Site Unseen: TTAC’s New Focus

Robert Farago — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 15:06:07 +0000

In the Brave New World of electronic automotive journalism, The Truth About Cars (TTAC) squares up against some heavy hitters: KBB, Edmunds, MSN Autos and more. Separately and together, the industry leaders generate more page views than Senator Mark Foley-- and us. In truth, there’s an exponential gap between their site traffic and ours. To take on these giants, to pay our writers real money, TTAC must change. Yes, we’ve broken our advertising cherry. But we need to break out of our e-ghetto. So here’s the plan.

Skin It Back

Robert Farago — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 02:25:26 +0000

When we added a comments section to The Truth About Cars, I was determined that TTAC would not become what Jalopnik’s Mike Spinelli called “a picnic over a cesspool.” To that end, TTAC instituted a zero tolerance policy towards comments that flame/insult the website, its authors or fellow commentators. I’ve sent dozens of emails to offenders, explaining why their comment(s) were edited or deleted. I’ve also permanently banned seventeen subscribers from posting. I believe this policy has been a success. But I want to give you a chance to publicly vent your feelings on our editorial policies without fear of retribution. And here it is.

TTAC Xmas SOS

Robert Farago — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 18:16:14 +0000

A blogger recently concluded that The Truth About Cars (TTAC) is the exact opposite of traditional blog. Our posts offer crazed and demented commentary-- which our readers counter with careful and well-reasoned analysis. Yes, well, TTAC is certainly home to the most intelligent and engaged readership in the biz. I am constantly astounded by our readers’ wisdom, passion and insight. While TTAC is dwarfed by the mainstream automotive media, this is the place where crucial ideas are stress tested by an informed audience. I can not thank you enough for your contribution to TTAC’s editorial development. Now click on the damn Michelin ad. And listen up: we need your help.

TTAC’s Ten Worst Automobiles Today (TWAT) Award: The Polls are Now Open!

Frank Williams — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 13:21:13 +0000

The Truth About Cars (TTAC) TWAT Award Selection Committee has convened. Fifteen members of our cadre of car critics and commentators carefully considered the full horror of your 131 nominations. They then selected 20 vehicles that deserve your consideration for the final 10 winners/losers. And so, now, we turn to you, our avid devotees and unshakeable critics, for your knowledge, passion, honesty and sarcasm. It’s time to VOTE for the ten vehicles which will be anointed TTAC’s top TWATs for 2006.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Back to the Forum

Joe Chiaramonte — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 12:26:26 +0000

Why do we come here? Why do we visit this site weekly, daily, hourly, or every couple of minutes when we can spare the time? I began to consider this question in the wee hours this morning, not at all displeased to be trading valuable sleep time for an issue with absolutely no life relevance.

Imports vs. Domestics: The Debate Stops Here

Robert Farago — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 00:40:07 +0000

The flame wars regarding “imports” versus "domestics" have reached Fahrenheit 451. Ironically enough, I’ve doused those fires by banning “any comments that attempt to impugn this site's authors or its commentators for an anti-domestic car bias.” And I mean it. To those who would malign this website on that basis, I state for the record that TTAC writers apply their critical facilities without fear or favor, regardless of a manufacturer’s national origin. Although I haven’t asked my scribes to take a loyalty oath, I’m sure they love their country. What they don’t love is crap cars.

No Static At All; TTAC Going Postal?

Robert Farago — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 16:44:50 +0000

First off, I’d like to ask you a favor. Could you please take a couple of minutes and fill out this survey? The suits at FM Publishing want to hook potential Truth About Cars (TTAC) advertisers on the quality of our readership. As you are all Harvard MBA’s earning seven figure salaries ready to buy whatever high-priced goods we tout, FM should have no problem landing a major sponsorship deal with BMW (you know, aside from the whole flying vagina thing). No really; do what we do: tell the truth. Much obliged. Now, to my main point: should TTAC post once or twice a day, or more?

TTAC: Ad dendum

Frank Williams — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 13:22:49 +0000

After more than two years of free content, The Truth About Cars is about to accept advertising-- despite the publisher’s apprehension about advertising’s corrosive effect on editorial independence. It’s an understandable concern. Browse the auto "reviews" in your local daily newspaper. In the main, they consist of regurgitated press releases juxtaposed with stock photos, buried amongst dealer ads. The monthly automotive “buff books” claim they’re above such compromise. They maintain that they provide objective assessments of their test subjects. At the risk of throwing stones from a house about to add a greenhouse, can any publication that features more advertisements than content be objective?

TTAC: Shifting Gears

Robert Farago — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 23:05:56 +0000

In a recent comment, Stryker1 raised an excellent point: TTAC seems to have lost a bit of its "edge.” Upon reflection, I agree. I’m not one for excuses, but I reckon the loss of an internal organ threw me off my groove. At the same time, TTAC welcomed a large number of new writers and lost touch with a few familiar voices. The ad thing’s also jerking my chain. And the light’s bad in here. Anyway, I'm fully aware that TTAC will rise of fall depending on its ability to stick to its original remit: kick-ass reviews and take-no-prisoners industry-oriented rants. Here’s how I’m thinking of playing it…

TTAC Bites the Bullet; Help Wanted

Robert Farago — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 13:19:16 +0000

I’ve looked at this TTAC paid subscription thing seven ways to Sunday. After more than four months, I still can't make it work. According to the vast majority of web-savvy TTAC’ers, this is no bad thing. Your advice has been steadfast: accept advertising. So when Federated Media Publishing offered to run TTAC’s advertising business for 40% of gross, I looked into it. My contact, Bill Brazell, assured me that TTAC’s editorial independence would be sacrosanct. Yeah, right. And then I read the fine print…

I’m back

Robert Farago — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:47:00 +0000

Once a pistonhead, always a pistonhead. Even as the paramedics were dragging my sorry ass through the meat wagon’s side door, I felt a scalding blast from the turnouts and thought there’s got to be a better way to vent the big rig’s exhaust. Even as I thrashed on the gurney like a freshly-landed marlin, I wondered why the manufacturer hadn’t fitted the ambulance with air suspension. And then a nice lady gassed me up so a bunch of highly-trained anal retentives could cut my stomach a few times, insert some surgical steel, dice my gall bladder, suck out the remains and dump the diseased bits into a bio-hazard bag. Ah, but did they leave me with enough bile to lead TTAC into battle?

TTAC Down But Not Out

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 18:47:30 +0000

The mighty Farago has taken ill. As our editor in chief is even more of a tenacious bastard in real life than he lets on here, we predict Robert will be back to full strength within a few days. Unfortunately for you, dear TTAC reader, that means no updates for the next couple of earth rotations. Until then, enjoy the archives.

The Truth About This Website’s Future

Robert Farago — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 22:54:54 +0000

It’s been while since I’ve written about The Truth About Cars (TTAC). As you may recall, we were preparing to turn TTAC into a subscription site when we re-launched. When I discovered that our payment software wasn’t ready for prime time, and the site design needed tweaking, I put the move on hold. I’ve used the interregnum to ramp up our content, familiarize myself with the new site’s back end, commission a few improvements and… think. I’ve re-read all your emails, sent out a survey, talked to a bunch of financial folks and come up with a new plan. Here’s how I see it…

A Love Letter From Edmunds

Robert Farago — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 15:56:35 +0000

The text after the jump appeared on Karl Brauer's blog "Karl on Cars" on Edmund's Inside Line. I asked Mr. Brauer for permission to publish it here, without editing or commentary. Nothing. (The same response I received when I asked Karl to email me Edmunds' policy on press junkets and public disclosure thereof.) So, under the "fair use" principle, I'm publishing it anyway. If Edmunds takes TTAC to court, I'll counter-sue for libel and send a note to the IRS asking about the tax implications of junketeering. If Edmunds sends an email asking TTAC to remove this excerpt, I'll take this post down and publish the email. Anyway, Edmunds may have a million visitors [multiplied exponentially], but at least we have transparency, integrity and a spell-checker.

Welcome to the Danger Zone

Robert Farago — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 01:59:52 +0000

Well, here it is. At the end of the proverbial day, a website saved is a website earned. I’m sorry I prepared y’all for a quick and brutal transition into paid content, and then dumped a free site on you. Psych! Actually, over the last few days I gradually realized there was no way to give this ship a proper shakedown cruise without putting it on-line. And if it wasn’t 100% ready for prime time, how in the name of St. Anthony could I ask you to pay for it? Why I’d be no better than GM! We’ve got plenty of time to make this the world's best automotive website.

The Vagina Dialogues Pt. 2

Robert Farago — Wed, 31 May 2006 00:00:00 +0000

To review: BMW has banned The Truth About Cars from its press vehicles because of the "tone and tenor" of the website. Specifically, they objected to the fact that we compared the Subaru B9 Tribeca's front grill to a 'flying vagina,' and considered our review of the Lexus IS350 unnecessarily "harsh." I invited you to email your comments on the ban to dave.buchko@bmwna.com and copy TTAC for publication here. On June 12, the new-look [still-free, more on that later] TTAC will have a commentary option. Meanwhile, here's a sample of the correspondence sent to Mr. Buchko's in-box (so to speak):

"I'm a firm believer in the right to free speech, but unfortunately your so-called "new media" has opened the floodgates for anyone with an opinion, a keyboard and a good repertoire of fifth grade put-downs to set themselves up as being a journalist… You have trumpeted your wounded pride with the self-righteous indignation of a newly ass-whipped schoolyard bully, yet you fail to see that you, not BMW, Subaru or any of your other victims, are the true cause of the problem." Dave Scrivener, Motor Week.

BMW Bans TTAC: The Vagina Dialogues

Robert Farago — Tue, 30 May 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Last week, BMW flackmeister Dave Buchko banned The Truth About Cars from access to BMW and MINI press vehicles. Mr. Buchko wanted to be clear: the company was not responding to TTAC's criticisms of its products. The decision represented "a general concern about the tone and tenor of the site." More specifically, BMW objected to my characterization of the Subaru Tribeca's grill treatment as a flying vagina and our "inappropriately harsh" review of the Lexus IS350. So, BMW doesn't mind us calling the new M5's shifter the world's worst gearbox, but we can't mention female anatomy or wail on their opponent. Are you getting this?

I'm disappointed. I was looking forward to launching a retaliatory campaign based on our right to call it like we see it. You know: 'BMW can't handle The Truth!' But how do you fight a company that cuts you off from its press fleet because its corporate leaders object to the word vagina, and the fact that we preferred their products to their competitors'? Following Mr. Buchko into the rabbit hole, I tried to negotiate a solution to this bizarre situation. During our most recent phone call, I told Mr. Buchko we wouldn't use the words "vagina, penis or testicles" in any future posts and [almost] promised to shower Lexus with love the next time 'round.

The Truth Be Told

Robert Farago — Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Last Tuesday, a man named John E Packowski sent me an email: 'Effective immediately, The San Francisco Chronicle will no longer be using your automotive columns.' I'd never heard of the Chronicle's Creative Director. But I was hardly mystified by Mr. Packowski's motivation. The week previous, the paper ran my review of the Subaru B9 Tribeca.

I'm not sure if the Chronicle removed my description of the SUV's front end as a 'flying vagina' (the editors ignore my request for a copy of the published review), but even without it my analysis of the B9 was not bound to please its manufacturer. The section's editor, Mike Berry, refused to clarify the exact cause of my summary dismissal. But a colleague let it be known that a Subaru-scented shit storm had hit the department responsible for my employment. The paper caved.

Summertime

Robert Farago — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:00:00 +0000

You may have noticed that TTAC hasn't been maintaining its usual fecundity. That's 'cause we're busy hanging with the homies during the challenging camp - school hiatus, and trying to earn a crust. (If you're suffering sarcasm withdrawl, please note that Robert Farago's reviews now appear on a weekly basis on www.jalopnik.com and in the ghetto known as 'User Reviews' on www.automotive.com. Same cars, different jokes.) Meanwhile...

TTAC has recently been voted 'Best of the Web' by Forbes magazine (official watermark to follow). We've also crested the 3k per day visitor ratio, and have a stunning four minute per visitor hang time. We'd love to expand our coverage in all directions, but we need cash money to do so. We're looking for a single advertiser to help us grow. Someone with vision, money, respect for our editorial independence, money, a cool-looking ad and money. Interested parties please apply by email to robertfarago@hotmail.com. Thanks.