A colleague of mine has been approached by an individual who is very interested is starting a new import oriented car magazine. The content would focus on the Asian marketplace (shocker). The individual in question does have substanital experience and contacts in this area (import cars, parts, manufacturers, etc.) and is looking to bridge his extensive background into the world of print media. My friend has asked me what my thoughts are on this since I have a bit more expertise. I wanted to get some informal feedback from you all.

Do you think there is room for a new market entrant?
If you were the editor, what type of content would you like to see? (More cars? Women? Street Racing? Reviews?)
What are the existing magazines doing right? wrong?
Would you pay $3.95 - 5.95 or just read it at Barnes & Noble?

Thank you all in advance, I appreciate your help.

HP

 

I'd rather see lots of detailed reviews on new performance cars coming out. And shootouts are always fun.

 

Performance reviews of new stock cars? Or after they've been modified. One thing I don't like about a lot of the "import" reviews is that they never take the cars to the track. So - they tell me its a 600hp Supra, but how fast is it really?

 

I agree with this one.

There isn't a megazine out there that focuses on aftermarket product testing, I think if the reports are based on the same group of drivers, same quarter mile track, and maybe one or two technical tracks - say Summit Point and the Jefferson Circuit nearby. This way the results are more comparable.

 

Any plans for the magazine to branch off to an online arena? If so I'm interested.. job wise that is.. no no j/k...
I think a magazine that concentrates on testing aftermarket prducts on a track or strip vs. just a dyno is an excellent idea. I find that most magazines out there just list the parts and peak HP achieved on a particular car, they rarely mention driveability/performance on both street or track conditions. If a magazine can achieve a good blend of product/car testing, event coverage (street, strip, track, autocross, etc) and the import culture (babes, clubs and tricked out car ) it can be a success.

-John

 

American auto/motorcycle magazines, in general, pale in comparison to the British "rags". "Car" "BIKE", "sportscar international" (among others) are all nice examples of what Americans are missing out on. Even a "performance Bikes" magazine would be a good magazine to take notes from. They test all their test bikes to the point of overtesting with almost TOO much data, including graphs for tractive force to the ground compared to other models. But I won't spend 7.95 on a magazine. Road and Track has seemed to notice the brit mags and they seem to be changing for the better.. we'll see.

 

One other thing - a video megazine like the Japanese Best Motoring VCD.

 

At first glance, the video magazine sounds like an excellent idea. Does anyone have any basic information on the series? How often does it come out? What is the general format and how much does it cost? Do people buy them in stores and/or through the mail?

Thanks!

 

A monthly subscription and they test all kinds of cars .... from average minivans to F50 race cars. Buy them in stores .....

 

There are a variety of video magazines, but they are typically underground affairs right now. To my knowledge there isn't much a market for these things. Other than Best Motoring (and S2000Porn) I haven't heard of anything.