3 places to Waste Your Time… With Cars
When I choose to consume car content, I do so in a variety of ways, whether that be print, video, or contributing to it myself. I could list a whole swath of different mediums in which to intake, but I’ll keep it short at three. The first two of these, I have been consuming for the past five years.
Car and Driver
My uncle first subscribed me to a magazine called Car and Driver back in middle school. It’s a car magazine that takes itself a little too seriously, based on the thoroughness of their journalism. For example, one of their average car comparisons never will fail to analyze not only the size of the trunk to skidpad roadholding. Based in Michigan, Car and Driver is beloved by enthusiasts not only for their reviews and data, but also their introspectives into car technology, columnists, and interviews with faces from across the automotive community. I would recommend picking up the magazine for a weekend unplugged, but for reviews on a specific vehicle and car buying advice, visit their website.
The GRaND TOUR (AND TOP GEAR TOO)
If you’re a car enthusiast and aren’t familiar with these shows, are you really a car enthusiast? Hands down my favorite TV program ever was the BBC’s Top Gear. Following a controversial firing of one of the presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, Amazon created The Grand Tour, which essentially is Top Gear with an unlimited filming budget. While both these programs are centered cars, journalism takes a backseat to the trio’s antics. The three presenters (not hosts, don’t ask me why), Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond have a dynamic unlike any other. The three hosts go on adventures in exotic destinations driving anything from brand new Ferraris to clunker Chevrolets. When a friend of mine first told me about Top Gear, I didn’t really understand what could make “three old guys driving cars” so special. You truly have to watch it to understand it. Non-enthusiast friends I’ve showed these programs too have liked it for the the banter, not the cars. There’s roof that there is a little something there for everyone.
Facebook Groups
Now this might site someone my age would be on, but Facebook Groups were integral in helping me get more involved in the car scene. My two favorite groups I am apart of are BIMMERSQUAD and the BMW F8X M3/M4 Club.
The BIMMERSQUAD is the local BMW club in Austin who organizes cruises and meets, and the BMW F8X Club helps me gain inspiration from other builds of my M3 from around the world. Facebook Groups are usually private, but require a very easy application. If you have a Facebook account and a car you want to learn more about, join that group. In both groups, members sell used car parts and modifications to each other, which is helpful because they are always cheaper than the new prices of said parts. Great value, but IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO BUY, LOOK OUT FOR SCAMMERS.
A combination of any of these three resources will help you better versed with cars and I guarantee you will learn something from any of these three. If you’re not a car person, it’s a great, painless way to expand your knowledge while having a good time.
