Do Automotive Journalists Need to Own Vehicles?
Tim Esterdahl | Dec 15, 2015 | Comments 6
There is a hot topic that exploded the other day on an autowriter’s Facebook group, I’m sharing with this audience. The question is: Do Automotive Journalists need to own vehicles?
I don’t want to add my personal thoughts here too much and instead, I’m sharing this article posted on TheTruthAboutCars.com.
What do you think? Does the TTAC writer have a point?
Filed Under: TundraHeadquarters.com
Heck yeah a auto journ should own a car. No wonder a lot of the reviews out there are so incomplete. I sometimes scratch my head as to why certain things was said by certain reviewers. Now I know why.
Does it matter what kind of vehicle? I.e., a classic vehicle or a new one?
-Tim
It matters to a certain point. A car owner may review a truck and notes how bad it drives, handles, corners or ride. The whole time he is comparing it to a car’s performance. But as a truck it handles very well in what it is designed for. Trucks get hit with bad mpg, poor handling and a slew of stuff that aren’t even a big deal in terms of truck world. A vehicle regardless of what class/kind it is should be reviewed for what it is.
“A vehicle regardless of what class/kind it is should be reviewed for what it is.” I couldn’t agree more with this. It is also why I’m leery when I review sports cars like the various Lexus products I have reviewed. I’m clearly not a sports car guy, but I do enjoy them. I hope you got that from my reviews.
I find the reverse happens with trucks. I read a lot of reviews and articles, like you guys do, and I feel like I can immediately tell if that person is a truck person or not. When your review is about how big it is, ride comfort and MPG, I’m going to assume you drive a Miata as your daily driver.
-Tim
Well it does help explain why so many automotive reviews are incomplete and inaccurate.
One of my favorites are the “truck experts” that have no idea how to back up a trailer. I always get a big laugh out of that one.
For the record, I don’t care for backing up a trailer. I can do it, but I don’t like it. LOL.
-Tim