On the commode
I'm always excited when the new issue arrives and I take it straight to my favorite spot where nobody will bug me. Yes, the commode-you know what I'm talking about, right?
Now, when I turned the January '09 cover page over, the first car I see is a Camaro. I actually looked back to the cover to make sure I wasn't reading the wrong magazine. I understand you need advertisements, but this guy could've driven a VW Rabbit or a BMW 2002 to high school, no?Gerrit De PreterLavonia, GA
Unfortunately, the editorial staff has no direct control over what the ads actually look like-that's up to the advertiser. However, we must agree that a Euro would have been nice.
Stay in school, kids
I was reading through Mike Febbo's latest column (January '09) when I noticed an error in the fifth paragraph. He writes, "A mass mounted between two springs will have a natural frequency were it resonates." I'm sure he meant "frequency where it resonates." All that slipping and sliding must have caused him to leave out the "h."George ZdraleaUniversity of Connecticut
Good eyes, George... looks like that college education is paying off.
Duel: the rematch
Karl Funke's long-term wrap-up of the 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe (January '09), crafted around the Duel imagery, was one of the best pieces to appear in ec. And yes, in response to Eric Simpson's sidebar, it scared the hell out of me when I saw that tanker just off to the right in the main picture.
I was originally scared by Duel the first time I saw in, back in the 8th grade. But the German car fan in me always wondered how differently the story would have played out if Dennis Weaver was driving a period 911S 2.2 (or, for that matter and keeping with the '70s theme, if it had been Jim Rockford driving his gold Firebird Esprit-now that would have been an interesting result for those of us who also love and respect classic Detroit muscle). Funke's version unfolded exactly as I imagined things would have gone with the Porsche-less power, of course, but oh that original, non-electronically-nannified handling. I think I'll pop-in the Duel DVD and watch the movie with new enjoyment.Keith DolanBrooklyn, NY
What a fantastic writeup of the Z4 M Coupe in this month's mag. I received it less than an hour ago and that article I read twice. An excellent way to do a car story. Duel has always been a favorite movie for me even though it is somewhat eery. That the truck is still around is pretty cool. Creepy, but cool.Wayne WalterMt. Morris, MI
Thanks for the encouragement. I used to be good, you know. -KF
Back to basics
I am a long-term subscriber but lately my enjoyment has waned. I first got hooked on ec about 10 years ago with the "Keeper Coupes" about five mainly stock cars from distinguished European marques that were worth a look for anyone interested in a great Euro driver. Then came the "Best Buys" series that over several months looked at everything from Rolls-Royces to Ferraris, Loti, 911 Turbos and VW Corrados. These area the kinds of stories I keep hoping for.
Why not revisit some of the old formulas with some Best Buys or Keepers? What about something like "Beater Turbos from the '80s." Maserati Biturbo, Saab 900, Volvo, Porsche 944T, Merkur XR4Ti, for example. Stories about modern European mega-buck customs are OK, but instead of featuring them throughout, why not keep it real by including some real cars owned by real (middle class) people looking for useful and entertaining information rather than just something to dream about?Todd GravesPittsburgh, PA
The feedback is very much appreciated, thanks. Putting together groups of pristine older cars like we did five or ten years ago is harder than it sounds, particularly with today's budget constraints. But it's not outside the realm of possibility. Hopefully you can stick with us