The Road Rat Magazine
Discussion
I'd never heard of it until you posted. I've had a quick look at the web site, and when it finally displayed it's quite a nice looking magazine. £12.50 a copy, though? Would be interesting to be able to browse through a copy before dismissing it completely - I've paid more for stuff that looks far less nice.
dabooga79 said:
I've ordered a copy after seeing the ad on Facebook. Looks like an interesting idea.
It's also worth noting they add a £4 p&p charge on at the checkout too
although it is a very similar price overall to a monthly car mag in reality
Looking forward to it arriving.
I’ve seen the Facebook ad too and it looks interesting, despite the presence of Beckham. But £4 p+p - does the editor deliver it by hand?It's also worth noting they add a £4 p&p charge on at the checkout too
although it is a very similar price overall to a monthly car mag in realityLooking forward to it arriving.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Free shipping if you order the 4 issues for £40 though, which presumably is what they're trying to get you in for. I'm tempted to be honest
Ok, not so bad then. I’m half way through my first issue of Motorpunk, and very much enjoying it. I’ve been buying Car every month since about 1978, but I’m getting bored by the same kind of article, is the new 911 better than the last, is the new Audi better than the Merc, is this finally the EV to go mainstream etc...it’s all just predictable. I may give this one a go too.LaurasOtherHalf said:
Free shipping if you order the 4 issues for £40 though, which presumably is what they're trying to get you in for. I'm tempted to be honest
Where does it say that? I order the 4 issues and the total cost was £56.Once i've had a chance to have a read i'll report back.
dabooga79 said:
Where does it say that? I order the 4 issues and the total cost was £56.
Once i've had a chance to have a read i'll report back.
Yep Get to checkout, put your address in and another £16 (or £48 for express ) gets added to your years subs, thats a lot. Once i've had a chance to have a read i'll report back.
I'm also subscibed to motorpunk - which is brilliant - I may just hold off a little and see what feedback on here is like - it does look a lovely thing though. Currently along with my owners club/BMMC memberships my "motoring magazine budget" is under some pressure.....
S.
That’s a bit naughty imo. I also thought it was £40 delivered - on the website it looks as shipping is free (states ‘-‘) until you go to the payment page at which point it sticks £16 on. I was intending to sign up for 4 copies but think I’ll pass now - more inclined to give Motorpunk a try at £32 for 4 issues versus £56 for this.
Hi guys - first post!
I received my copy a few days ago - I've been looking for a more literary, quality kind of car journalism recently. It's pretty good as a first issue goes - the photography is particularly great. There's an immense shot of Lewis Hamilton with the pattern from his fireproof balaclava imprinted in his skin which I thought was just genius. Some quirky choices of font colour and a few typos but on the whole, it's a good debut.
My only comment about the initial articles is that they are clearly in the 'feeling out' stage of the publication so I thought some of them were slightly meandering or perhaps hedging their bets a bit while they develop the house tone. Which is fine! The profile of Hamilton is clearly something done with care and attention; perhaps it's not too revelatory but I'm a huge fan of the general ethos of the mag which appears to be a desire to focus on stories behind motorsport rather than technicals or pure entertainment in the Top Gear tradition.
I think there's a balance to be struck in car journalism between technical writing and entertainment journalism and I'd hope to see Road Rat focus on high quality writing that sits alongside LJK Setright and that kind of thing. Clarkson was a brilliant journalist first and foremost before he turned to entertainment so I'm hoping that as time goes on, RR finds that perfect balance and gives car fans relief from the quite juvenile Youtube and Instagram car scene.
I also find some of the current car mags a bit insipid - either dreary classic car guff or churnalism about the latest family estate/SUV. I don't begrudge either of those scenes or their journos making the bills but it's great to see a new voice on the scene. Hopefully it will encourage a renaissance in quality automotive writing and inspire some decent people to pick up their pens.
I received my copy a few days ago - I've been looking for a more literary, quality kind of car journalism recently. It's pretty good as a first issue goes - the photography is particularly great. There's an immense shot of Lewis Hamilton with the pattern from his fireproof balaclava imprinted in his skin which I thought was just genius. Some quirky choices of font colour and a few typos but on the whole, it's a good debut.
My only comment about the initial articles is that they are clearly in the 'feeling out' stage of the publication so I thought some of them were slightly meandering or perhaps hedging their bets a bit while they develop the house tone. Which is fine! The profile of Hamilton is clearly something done with care and attention; perhaps it's not too revelatory but I'm a huge fan of the general ethos of the mag which appears to be a desire to focus on stories behind motorsport rather than technicals or pure entertainment in the Top Gear tradition.
I think there's a balance to be struck in car journalism between technical writing and entertainment journalism and I'd hope to see Road Rat focus on high quality writing that sits alongside LJK Setright and that kind of thing. Clarkson was a brilliant journalist first and foremost before he turned to entertainment so I'm hoping that as time goes on, RR finds that perfect balance and gives car fans relief from the quite juvenile Youtube and Instagram car scene.
I also find some of the current car mags a bit insipid - either dreary classic car guff or churnalism about the latest family estate/SUV. I don't begrudge either of those scenes or their journos making the bills but it's great to see a new voice on the scene. Hopefully it will encourage a renaissance in quality automotive writing and inspire some decent people to pick up their pens.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
I still haven't ordered, mainly as I feel the postage charges are a piss-take. Which is probably stupid as if they'd asked £15 an issue with free postage I'd have probably ordered ages ago.
Apparently it weighs a kilo and comes in a box. Still, tend to agree it’s too much.
I agree on the cost, too high when you add the postage in. They need to work on better value delivery as according to them they are charged £4.
Shame as sure it could have wider appeal at a slightly lower total cost.
They also need to work on their social marketing skills as their tone in replies when you point out the cost sucks and that does not convince you to change your mind, instead just makes sure you never will buy it! Marketing 101 fail.
Shame as sure it could have wider appeal at a slightly lower total cost.
They also need to work on their social marketing skills as their tone in replies when you point out the cost sucks and that does not convince you to change your mind, instead just makes sure you never will buy it! Marketing 101 fail.
Edited by MattBCardiff on Thursday 1st November 19:04
I’ve had a quick flick through. It is indeed a very high quality thing with fantastic photography, great paper, lovely smell etc. Some familiar writers too if you’ve read Car etc. Looking forward to reading it but have to say nothing is jumping out at me as “I must read that immediately” which was the case with Motor Punk.
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