Thinking about GRM

Junkyard_Dog wrote:

JG Pasterjak wrote: For the readers, though, I'm sure it's different. I don't know exactly what defines "current" for each individual, but I tend to think (from what market research we've done) that issues sort of drop from the collective consciousness after about 5-6 months.

JG Pasterjak wrote: Long story short, for most folks, I'd guess that if there isn't something they particularly like in a single issue, they probably wouldn't have to go more than one issue back or forward to find content that better suited them. That's the plan, anyway. jg

Not that I want to trade quantity for quality, but the most obvious fix is more issues

No, I took it as him being a dick. That being said, I'm sorry if I jumped the gun and upset anyone. It just seems to me that magazines change so much over time that they lose themselves in it.

As for grassroots meaning the common people. I believe the common people make $50k a year. As for the magazine's name I think most people would relate it to any vehicle going fast, whether it be a yugo, a subaru or a dodge dakota. I would like to magazine have cheaper vehicles going fast and not just around cones. Through a school bus race in for the fun of it.

I agree I would like to see a full twelve issues a year, fill the extra issues with articles that could not normally fit into an issue. I mean they don't have to be related to the issue at hand. Just related to vehicles, I'm sure your reader like anything with 2 or more wheels that goes fast.

Andrew

Joe Gearin wrote: Does it mean we will turn our back on the 20 year old penniless kid trying to do his first build in his backyard? Also no.

I'm very glad to hear this....

Does this mean that Randy isn't one of us anymore? Not a chance!

Your article on his alt. fuel daily driver was VERY cool. I never expected that from you guys, and really appreciated it.

I love the blend of resto mods, restorations, dedicated track rats and beer blinded specials.

Every mag is an adventure into what you guys have got up to lately.

I am very happy with the mag, this is my favorite forum and the friends I have made attending your events.

I am one happy camper.

wasn't GRM a 10 month at some point? or am I just imagining that.

i'm also curious what's easier/cheaper, larger issues or more issues?

I suspect we are all a little touchy because we love the magazine, and the last decade has seen many formerly good magazines go to E36 M3.

Please feel free to add this to your cover:

"Earth's premier magazine for gearheads like ZOO, and countless other dorks"

bluej wrote: wasn't GRM a 10 month at some point? or am I just imagining that. i'm also curious what's easier/cheaper, larger issues or more issues?

I'd like to see an answer on this one as well. I'm assuming that bigger versus more would be cheaper though.

Andrew

I have been reading this thread for a while, and have been hesitant to post. All I have to say is please dont change a thing - remember when coke tried to change to new coke and peoples heads exploded? Kinda the same here - if it aint broke, keep your torque wrench off it!

4secondfury wrote: I have been reading this thread for a while, and have been hesitant to post. All I have to say is please dont change a thing - remember when coke tried to change to new coke and peoples heads exploded? Kinda the same here - if it aint broke, keep your torque wrench off it!

But what if the coke recipe has slowly changed so you are really drinking the new coke?

I have not seen one post that said to remove content. I think we can all agree on that. I think the consensus is to add in content.. .. . More divers content and some more on the low buck or at least with a little more focus on value for short money. We like articles on Tim's BMW and want them to stay. (We live vicariously through him !!!!!)

Since you have kept this thread alive, I'll go ahead and say that if they do a cage article - and I hope they do - it should cover whether or not it is a) legal, and b) safe to use stock seats with a roll bar or cage. That's one of the issues that was discussed at length in previous threads and never resolved . http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/cage-article/18656/page1/

White_and_Nerdy wrote: They're getting on in years, they're a dime a dozen, and the aftermarket has changed a lot since the last time they were covered (James Walker Jr's article a while back).

Yea, as in, it's gone away completely

And the twin-engined Saturn thing has been done before in an SL2. I have a picture somewhere...not saying that it can't be done again and wouldn't still be effing awesome, but I think an LSx engine in the back seat of an SW2 would be even sweeter. It's always been my dream to do that...

bluej wrote: wasn't GRM a 10 month at some point? or am I just imagining that. i'm also curious what's easier/cheaper, larger issues or more issues?

Never did 10. We went from 6 to 8, gosh, maybe 12-15 years ago? I'll have to look that up to be sure.

Size vs. frequency is probably a battle every periodical fight. There's no "right" answer in general, just best applications for your particular situation. For our staff size, and for what the readers and advertisers seem to want, our current frequency seems pretty decent.

And don't forget that the costs of more issues also include far more than simply the making and printing of those magazines. There's more invoices to be sent to advertisers, more renewal notices to be sent to readers, and basically more costs associated with everything that surrounds the publication. Plus we'd all end up drinking ourselves into a coma.

Actually that last part might not be so bad.

jg

An article I would like to see, would be titled Alphabet Soup and would list which motors, by which manufacturers, are worth building for reliable HP. By reliable, I meen would run for 2 seasons of autocross or 1 season of trackdays (1 a month for 8 or nine months). Do lists for both NA and boosted engines. I know the Honda boys know which motors to swap in, but I've never seen a comprehensive, multi-brand list. Weight to HP would be helpful too Most of us will swap motors to older lighter chassis, if we know what motor/trans swap is worth the trouble.

I just read through this entire thread, and looked through all the issues near me (there were 5 ranging from 2005, with the rat-BMW 318 and the Honda Civic to the current issue). I certainly have no complaints at all about the content.

Just as an example, I looked in the back issues on the website... just the overview. Using 2005 as a year, we can see October with brand new Mitsu-Evo's, to November with a Porsche, to December with the Civic, to the challenge... Some expensive, some reasonable, some CHEAP.

I took a look at a random 1997 back issue, and got E30, Datsun 510, Boxter vs. Z3 (which wasn't cheap back then). Thats pretty damn good considering the base that they have to cover.

Actually, I do have one complaint. There are not enough articles about bacon.