The Road Rat Magazine
Discussion
Don't be ridiculous. I'm simply saying that despite my disagreeing with him and others politically, I've still spent £80 or so on his magazines in less than 12 months but will probably choose not to do so in future. Had his political views not become as pervasive throughout the magazine content, I may very well have chosen to renew again despite disagreeing with his political views on social media. As you quite rightly say, opposing views inform the debate so I see no need to stop following anyone on social media because they hold different views. Operating within an echo chamber is no good for reasoned debate, on that it seems we agree.
My point is no more nuanced than simply saying that were it not for the overtly political tone of the magazine in places, I'd probably renew. That's the issue with introducing your politics to something which by and large should in my view remain apolitical. It runs the risks of those who disagree with your political views choosing to take their business elsewhere. As I've already said, I take no interest in the political views of my customers and I don't expect them to have any interest in mine. I don't expect anyone to lose any sleep about my comments nor I am sure will the absence of my 12 quid a quarter cause Messrs Harvey and co to lose any sleep whatsoever. This thread is however about appraising the said magazine and I stand by my opinion that it is too political at times. If that does it for you then no doubt you will continue to subscribe and to enjoy it. All i'm saying is that it isn't for me and i've tried to give the reasons why.
I do agree with your comment about anodyne and sanitized content. I'm not saying I want to read What Car or watch William Woollard on old Top Gear. I do maintain however that quality content can still be achieved without the need for overtly political articles and moralising. Chris Harris has always done a fine job of keeping his personal opinions to himself on matters outside of motoring and that long predates his involvement with the BBC. He is notoriously protective of his personal privacy and he always manages to produce inspiring and quality content without becoming political or overtly personal in regards his views on matters beyond cars. You mentioned EVO magazine as a comparator and I agree about the clubby mentality. I wouldn't agree however that it was in any way political. Harry Metcalfe was/is too shrewd for that.
My point is no more nuanced than simply saying that were it not for the overtly political tone of the magazine in places, I'd probably renew. That's the issue with introducing your politics to something which by and large should in my view remain apolitical. It runs the risks of those who disagree with your political views choosing to take their business elsewhere. As I've already said, I take no interest in the political views of my customers and I don't expect them to have any interest in mine. I don't expect anyone to lose any sleep about my comments nor I am sure will the absence of my 12 quid a quarter cause Messrs Harvey and co to lose any sleep whatsoever. This thread is however about appraising the said magazine and I stand by my opinion that it is too political at times. If that does it for you then no doubt you will continue to subscribe and to enjoy it. All i'm saying is that it isn't for me and i've tried to give the reasons why.
I do agree with your comment about anodyne and sanitized content. I'm not saying I want to read What Car or watch William Woollard on old Top Gear. I do maintain however that quality content can still be achieved without the need for overtly political articles and moralising. Chris Harris has always done a fine job of keeping his personal opinions to himself on matters outside of motoring and that long predates his involvement with the BBC. He is notoriously protective of his personal privacy and he always manages to produce inspiring and quality content without becoming political or overtly personal in regards his views on matters beyond cars. You mentioned EVO magazine as a comparator and I agree about the clubby mentality. I wouldn't agree however that it was in any way political. Harry Metcalfe was/is too shrewd for that.
Edited by Ct9823 on Monday 1st February 15:13
Edited by Ct9823 on Monday 1st February 15:14
I let the political stuff wash over me, as quite honestly the car based content is worth it. In the recent climate pretty much everything is politicised in one way or another - but each to their own.
The 917 article (Issue 2?) was probably one of the best articles I've read on that car. I was working at Ford when the 021C was launched and to read the "inside story" was an interesting comparison.
The 917 article (Issue 2?) was probably one of the best articles I've read on that car. I was working at Ford when the 021C was launched and to read the "inside story" was an interesting comparison.
I am a magazine w
e and try out many including foreign mag/books like Duck and Whale/ Airmighty aswell as Magneto etc. I bought the first Road Rat but have not went back. I look at the content and it is just too expensive for what it is for me. Many of the monthlys can be bought for good value on subscription. EVO last year for£36 plus free autoglym pack. CAR 2 years for the price of one ,same as Practical Classics etc etc
e and try out many including foreign mag/books like Duck and Whale/ Airmighty aswell as Magneto etc. I bought the first Road Rat but have not went back. I look at the content and it is just too expensive for what it is for me. Many of the monthlys can be bought for good value on subscription. EVO last year for£36 plus free autoglym pack. CAR 2 years for the price of one ,same as Practical Classics etc etcBeautiful magazines, book like quality, high definition pictures and interesting quirky stories. I used to read the octane and auto italia before and no doubt the road rat is on face value appears more expensive but if you consider how many pages of commercials the mainstream magazine have then it's not that bad really. For me it has been a good company over the lockdown months.
As others say if you have a discount coupon code please share!
As others say if you have a discount coupon code please share!
I have issue 7. It's a wonderful thing. I was attracted by the Gordon Murray notebook article.
It's obviously much more like a (nice) book than a magazine.
My wife insists on getting me Evo and Octane subscriptions for Christmas even though I barely read Evo and perhaps 2/3 of Octane on a good day. I'm going to persuade her to bin them both off and subscribe me to this instead this year.
It's obviously much more like a (nice) book than a magazine.
My wife insists on getting me Evo and Octane subscriptions for Christmas even though I barely read Evo and perhaps 2/3 of Octane on a good day. I'm going to persuade her to bin them both off and subscribe me to this instead this year.
Issue 7 (the current one)
"Once Bitten Twice Bitten"
- the Porsche 911 eulogy written by Jon Claydon. p42-59
The best piece of motoring journalism I've read in the last 20 yrs. And I've subscribed to car magazines for 30 years and had This Poster on my wall as a 12 year old...
Truly wonderful writing.
" .... You get the picture. I flicked the switch. I mean I bought one, which tells you all you need to know. Because We Pass This Way But Once. And because, as someone at the factory gate put it, this is the 911 that's parked up waiting for you by a beach in Heaven, with the love of your life smiling quietly in the front seat and your childhood Golden Labrador in the back. "
I know I'm 911 bitten, but any piece that can quote Austin (Danger) Powers and Ayrton Senna and Warren Buffet within 4 pages of each other is all right in my book.
Looking forward to Issue 8
also, just leaving this here.... enjoy enjoy enjoy, turn up the speakers, enjoy. f
k the EV cars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qghjl2tJsooEdited by The_Doc on Sunday 1st August 09:08
ettore said:
I seem to have dropped off the subscription list - their business management might not be up to scratch because I haven’t been contacted at all.
mmm, me too. Moving house means I hadn't realised my Issue 6 onwards subscription (for 4 magazines) has only delivered Issue 6, not 7 or 8 
eeneff said:
The_Doc said:
Nope, (UK)
Quoted shipping w/c 23/8
Got this response yesterday when I chased upQuoted shipping w/c 23/8
Edited by The_Doc on Tuesday 7th September 07:21
"Sorry for the wait. We're still sending them out this week. It takes a while, especially with the national distribution issues."
However they cannot publish an issue on time. They never give a specific date, just vague weeks of when it’s likely to come out and that is never kept to anyway.
And it’s always someone else’s fault.
Frustrating.
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