You know what’s something time does better than over half the cars in my fleet? Moves. Forward, even, unrelentingly, unstoppably. Since the Autopian started, that time has been chugging along for six months, a hemiyear, even. Holy crap. How does this happen? So, we figured we should maybe take a chance to reach out and see how everyone is doing, how you think we’re doing, and what we can try to do to make it better. I’d say you can call us terrible names, but I don’t really think we need a special call to do that.
Since we’ve started we’ve grown both our regular staff and contributors; sadly, today Mercedes and Thomas are out, with Mercedes getting ready for her wedding (Mazel Tov!) and Thomas probably on one of those ayahuasca retreats or some shit. He’s Canadian, who the hell knows what he’s doing?
Oh, and David is still in Australia, where I assume by now some determined koala has made him their lifelong mate.
But I’m here, Matt’s here, and lots of your favorite contributors are, too! So, please, ask us questions! Suggest things you’d like to see! Want more spammers on the site because you love both sexy pictures of willing ladies and making so much money at home? We’ll see what we can do! I can complain to you that I need to find more time to write things! You love hearing me complain, right?
We have more videos coming, more stories, more everything, but what matters is you our Autopian community, so let’s talk, everyone.
We’re just getting started.
UPDATE: To address some things I’m seeing a lot, we’re working on images in comments, comment editing, and notification. Same goes for site loading speeds. We see it too, and we want it fixed as much as you do! I’ve already maxed out our servers at 128K of RAM but if it has to, I’m willing to move it to an Apple IIgs, which can have at least a meg of RAM. Also, 4,096 colors!
I’ve been here since day one, and this site is a huge step up from what Jena Optik ever was… That being said, I think more two wheel content would be cool (Mercedes writes semi interesting articles about them, but they’re not always the most technically accurate/she’s already writing about a bunch of other niche things).
The writer from the blue groove might be someone to consider, he occasionally writes for advrider.com, but I’m sure he could come up with weekly/biweekly content that seems to fit the editorial style, without being excessively technical.
More in depth/historical articles would be cool, like for example, the history of Walter Wolf in F1, or the development of the Jaguar straight 6.
I liked the mini review of the Jetta, it was enough to get a sense of the vehicle without obsessing over minutiae to make a word count.
Occasional outside contributors might be interesting, having guest articles. Just some ideas from my end, I actually have an idea for an article, but I’m afraid it might be too niche.
I love what you guys are doing with the site! I would really enjoy it if Jason wrote more of his creative stories.
Got recommended this website by a teacher after I griped about no websites being interesting or actually good. Coolest teacher ever.
Congratulations!
I like that the site celebrates the everyday, accessible “transportation-enthusiast” community (keep the planes, trains and automobiles (and motorcycles and stuff that falls into “other” categories) coming.
I’m done with publications that only celebrate the unobtainable. Or the purely juvenile. (Making the purely juvenile is fine…)
That was “mocking” the juvenile. How about that “edit” button? ????
You guys all rock. Wonderful folk doing and writing about stuff that matters (interests me). Thank you and keep it up.
Wow, does not seem like six months. By now I probably would have moved on because site has become stale or begun rehashing older articles, not the case here.
I really have enjoyed the podcast which I have been listening to while painting the house, while I don’t get the pictures you all may bring up, I prefer it to the YouTube format. You all come across like a bunch of guys and gals sitting around shooting the shit about cars and other maybe related ephemera.
The Pebble Beach article / videos was spot on, so fun to watch when you all see something you have never seen before. Amazing how people are able to find some of the most obscure vehicles, restore them (or not) and bring them to share with everyone.
Love Torch’s taillight fetish/obsession/ ?? Grew up working on old Italian cars and loved how the automakers would repurpose the same rear lenses their competitors were using for a very different look. French the taillight lense in and it looks completely different.
Keep up good work!
Loving it guys – keep up the good work! More wagons are always welcome…. And if you ever want a permanent Australian correspondent, feel free to DM! ????
Greatly enjoying the site so far. I can always find an article or two that I’ll enjoy and learn something new from. I really appreciate the fairly slim site that loads quickly and easily, even if you have a weak connection.
If I could recommend one article: I’d love to see a theoretical design for the 80 or 90% car that was mentioned a while back as being all the vehicle that most people will ever need.
One weird thing: Why, quite often, do hyperlinks in articles not include the first letter of the word? (See the first line of this piece.)
Loving it guys – keep up the good work! More wagons are always welcome…. And if you ever want a permanent Australian correspondent, feel free to DM! ????
Loving it guys – keep up the good work! More wagons are always welcome…. And if you ever want a permanent Australian correspondent, feel free to DM! ????
I see that a few commenters are asking for more motorsports coverage and I’d like to offer a balance for that. I quite enjoy not running across motorsports articles here because I find the sport pretty boring for a spectator and inaccessible on a financial and skill level for many enthusiasts. Sure, put in some articles if you want but I’d hate to see a large percentage of your content suddenly not be of interest to me.
I especially would not like to see articles about the antics of famous racecar drivers off the track. Stuff about the engineering I might actually read as that’s the one aspect of motorsports that interests me. I guess I’m saying if you do start covering that stuff try to keep it broad and accessible rather than putting out articles that presume a deep knowledge of, for instance, 80s F1 drivers or how the NASCAR playoff system works. And don’t descend to celebrity gossip. It’s probably fine for the morning roundup (get a better name for that too) but no full write ups about adultery or the like please.
“I see that a few commenters are asking for more motorsports coverage ”
I’d like to see 24 Hours of Lemons coverage.
I want to hear about EVERYTHING that is not the usual pickup trucks, SUVs, CUVs, and 100k+ GT cars. Ideas: Ode to the European MPV: Death of Sharan and Espace; Could we put a v8 helper motor on a travel trailer for hybrid or electric tow vehicles (this seems smarter than the other way around)?; Isn’t self driving and v2v good enough to make tight truck pelotons on the motorways with only a front driver at the wheel?
Also, more different angle pictures and closeups when you make a car design renders would be appreciated- remember we often view on small phones. I feel like I am missing detail.
Thanks for keeping it weird.
Appreciate your point on the design renders, but I’m time limited. The front three quarter and rear quarter views are what is normally done in the studio to capture the most amount of visual information efficiently. I could do straight side or end on views but these tend to be a bit static and boring. There’s no point in doing a higher view point for a couple of reasons. Firstly they are MUCH trickier to get right without using 3D scratch model as an underlay, which there isn’t the time to do. Secondly, they don’t really give you much more in terms of detail because all you’re showing is a bit more of the roof and hood.
Again, as for detail shots, I take the point but there isn’t the time to more images. It usually takes me about two days to do the thumbnails, find something I’m reasonably happy with, do two renders and write the article.
Agreed on your first point, while I’ve never owned a new car, unless the car being reviewed is something extraordinary, I couldn’t care less about a $120k Lexus or Porsche I’ll never be able to afford, or a Lamborghini that isn’t really different than the last one.
Paraphrasing a lot the other members, The Autopian has become my favorite car site in no time. Love to read your takes/opinions, as opposed to parroting press kits.
Also, thank you for keeping the advertising light and non-intrusive and not forcing auto-play videos down your reader’s throat.
I would love to be able to subscribe and support the site. Maybe check out what ArsTechnica is doing for inspiration. Free with adds, subscription with no ads, and pricier tier for people who want you to be able to keep buying parts for whatever it is you are fixing up.
Don’t ever change.
Too weird to live, too rare to die.
This site fucking rocks!
Long time fan of Jason and Torch. Moved over here before the official launch and said goodby to the Lightbulb garage..
I love what your doing and I find myself reading and enjoying articles I never thought I would, (the front suspension article comes to mind, though my friends think Im nuts now) And I never knew how much I didn’t know about RV’s until Mercedes showed up (Thank you for that, but I think my friend think I know to much about them now. ).
I also never seriously looked into the Optimo batteries until Torch said they were making a custom replacement for his Chanli. This, and some research, swayed me and now I have a new yellow top and no need to worry about battery issues on my consumer electronics heavy minivan again. If only I can find a way to work at home and make tons of cash….
Seriously though, this is the best car site I have found. Please keep it up.
True story. I used to visit another car site daily. On a car site I enjoy car opinions. They started reaching reeeaaalllyyy far to make some opinions car related. Said to my self, “I wish this guy and this guy would start their own car site.” Voila! So far, so good. All of you know so much more than I do about cars, but I don’t feel talked down to. Can’t believe it’s only been six months. Thanks. There are sites I throw a few bucks a year to because I visit them so much. My feelings wouldn’t be hurt if you did the same. We all have to eat.
True story. I used to visit the same exact site daily. There were a lot of commenters digging deep to complain about how they just wanted the site to “stick to sports.” I left that site when this one launched. One major reason was to get away from all the entitled “stick to sports” commenter complaints. It’s exhausting to hear commenters complain about how they’re offended someone
Suggestion for the Autopian crew: I happily pay for an annual subscription to Defector. I don’t really care about sports. But I do care about cars. And y’all. So, I’d be ecstatic to pay for a subscription. And also, you don’t have to “stick to sports.”
They absolutely do not stick to sports, and it’s really funny to think that some people actually thought that The Autopian would turn out to be Jalopnik minus the politics.
You guys [and gals] are doing a great job.
Mercedes was a coup landing her.
The tech is outstanding.
I can’t believe you don’t have more sponsorship. Yet.
Keep it up. This is a daily stop for me.
I think you guys are doing a great job on the content side. I would dearly appreciate the ability to choose a dark theme via profile or something. It’s brutal on my eyes and one of the very few sites I frequent to not have that ability these days. Thank you!
Podcasts and videos–generally don’t watch unless you are driving a very cool old car. Talking heads, not much interest,but that is just one man’s opinion.
Mercedes and Thomas are out? sorry, read it twice, out right now, or out for good, please say the former.
Mercedes is getting married and Thomas is getting a much deserved day off!
I thought the same thing at first, I bet Torch is doing it on purpose 🙂
I sill have days where photos will not load, but overall, much more car orientated and fun to visit.
Tried to get through all the comments,but not sure if I ever did. How about a way for users to post longer pieces, lots of talent and knowledge out here that might even contribute a few things. Realize this might be work to suss out or review for inappropriate content, but would seem to fit the vibe of the place pretty well.
Content is good for a time I thought it might be too geeky even for a geek like me, but is all good. Motorsports, both past and present, engineering and results, might be an interesting add.
With all those tech upgrades will you have to start selling ad space? A good 3.5″ floppy drive could cost upwards of $20.
Been with the site since day -30 (or something while waiting for the big kick off). I was thrilled when I saw took brought Mercedes over from the old lightbulb company, the other contributers you’ve pulled are great!
I’m still trying to make money at home, but I’m starting to think I got scammed.
Europe and european stories should have more coverage. You all get a well deserved applause for these 6 months!
If only they had someone in Europe…..
One of the things I like most is the general tone of the site, which for some reason no-one has mentioned. .
I hated how the “old site” had this nasty, snarky tone about pretty much everything, including insulting readers. I deleted the bookmark the very day Torch and Tracy left, and never looked back…
Keep it up, guys.
That is by design! We love all things on wheels (and things without wheels) and we hope that shows in our enthusiasm.
Hey, go back to your honeymoon! 🙂
Also: congrats!
Also also, after the scare Torch gave us: please never leave us!
“I hated how the “old site” had this nasty, snarky tone about pretty much everything, including insulting readers.”
It wasn’t always that way…