Model Cars Opinion Poll

[Enzoenvy1]

I have been reading MCM a long time. I know it started in '99, but I think I have been reading it for 4 years? I generally am glad I spend the money on it. There never has been an issue that made me disappointed in spending money on it. This is good as I have about 6 other magazines I get a month and some of those tick me off.

I like the Ask G&J column just fine. Heck, it is kind of the foundation of the magazine. I love the Kit reviews, and I love the show coverage.

But,.................YOU NEED TO GO TO FULL COLOR!!!! I know that printing costs are high, but the magazine is kind of pricey at retail stores.

Please stop making MCM about nostalgia builds and anything pre 1972! There are indeed thousands of readers who are about the Rat Rods, and 32 High Boys, but there are an equal amount of Ferrari/Lambo/Porsche/Mazda/Nissan/Subaru,etc...... readers as well. I keep hoping that one day I will see a piece devoted to a builder of an Italian car that is more than a paragraph, and not just a Ferrari.

On that note we need to see truck builds other than pre 1972 big rigs. We have been seeing an influx of wheeling rigs that would look great in your magazine. Most of these have to be custom so they are important on a lot of levels. Again, I know that they are not common, but to change it up a little would be great.

Die cast is not what this magazine is about, neither is the main focus of this forum. The "Heavy Metal" section seems to be a filler section. I know it is a part of car modeling but not for most of us. I don't even think there is a sub-forum for die casts?!?!?!

Make it bigger!!! I know that constitutes more effort, time, and money for supplies and employment but it could help.

I am in no way a voice of knowledge in this field, but you asked so I told. Hopefully all of this will help. Above all, thank you both for doing the magazine and I love it and will always support it!!!!!

Jon

[lordairgtar]

Hoo boy, you gone and done opened a can 'o' worms here. First, I like Ask G & J (I didn't used to, but I mellowed), but I would like more letters to the editor stuff. I always find those the most interesting parts of any rag that I read. A guest editorialist every so often would be awesome. Serious articles about changing body styles or creating a car from some other car (like Juha Airo does). More models of cars that are not the norm, I mean, how many 32 dueces or 69 Camaros can we read about unless of course they are outstanding in detail and build. Also would like to see more hard news about the industry and the people in it. Once in awhile a cartoon would be nice (Model Behavior?) More sketch pads by Jairus of course and perhaps other artists who can meet the design and quality criteria. Also, pictures of models could be a bit larger, a certain contest issue had me reaching for a magnifier lens which us old guys need because of macular degeneration due to age. Bios of leading masters in the hobby and in the aftermarket industry.

[Steve D.]

Kit reviews , Whats new , and Ask Gregg & Jarius are my three favorites in any order . Over the years the Mag has evolved into what it is now , the perfect resource for the model car and truck builder . Now that the internet is so popular , the magazine's forum has become one of my main connections to the hobby period .

Questions that used to take 4-6 weeks for an answer , now , a couple of days , and you have multiple answers , from some of the finest builders in the "WORLD" . Hmmmmm it's hard to complain about that !!!

So what do I want ? MORE , MORE , MORE , MORE , MORE !!!!!!

It's better now than ever , so keep the evolution going , and hopefully I'll run into you guys at a show on the east coast .

Take care and see you around the clubhouse ,

Steve D.

[Guest rick r]

Great magazine, resembles SAE when it was good, when Gary owned it, before the bureaucrats took over.

However, if you're going tol do a magazine, Gregg, do a magazine! it has been late, what, 75% 0f the time? That's not professional, (or even adult!) and it shows the same lack of respect for the readers and the hobby, that I see displayed in oh, so many ways in the last decade's SA. Make no mistake, I like MCM a lot more than I do SA...the themes and comments are more crisp, there is ACTUAL HUMAN INPUT, you use more than one caption in your show coverage, and this editor actually gets up and walks around a little at events!

But it's difficult to get built up about a title if you never know when it's going to appear. You could make the mcm title a viable, MONTHLY go-to for readers with a bit more work, but to do so there would have to be an attitude change for the editor... from 'part-time' to 'professional'. The sales and money follow.

G&J? It can get a bit tedious at times, but the information is solid... tune it up and keep it! (kinda like the rest of the magazine!)

Edited November 22, 2007 by rick r

[Gregg]

72% of the time, PLEASE!!!!

I know, that is my biggest problem, besides being such an #49*&%^%+

Can I say that?

I have a complete overhaul in progress, and I hope this make the mag what it can be.

I have to take the blame and the brunt of everything, although deadlines seem to be something that are taken for granted, I end up whistling Dixie trying to do things at the last minute.

I am tired of excuses, and 2008 will have a full editorial calendar that will be adhered to.

There will be a lot of changes, some big mass mailings, and some major changes (ALL GOOD, I PROMISE!)

This has been my baby since I started it in 1999.

I put millions of hours into it, endless rubber checks, hundreds of thousands of road miles, may an equal amount of air miles, all for OUR HOBBY!!!!

It is a hobby, I am a builder, and I am doing the best I can.

I will never be able to fit or wear Gary's shoes: he started what we all know today as the modern model car hobby, I just happened to be at the right place, at the right time.

I owe everything I have done to Gary and Roy; they were the two who I would not be where I am today without, besides the hundreds of writers, contributors, and tens of thousands of friends I have made over the past nine years.

I am not going away, MCM is here to stay.

My two cents: change, please!!!!

[novadose71]

Overhaul!? Chip Foose isn't coming aboard is he. Anyway, I think it's a good idea to change some. I do like most of the content, it's a good mix, and I try to learn a little something in most articles. One thing that sticks in my mind, is when you do a vintage model desk shoot, those make for a cool cover. I think the kit build and or history articles are a good idea. I tend to focus on 60s-70s street machines-stock-and most types of vintage racing, and exotics, so naturally I want to see more of these, but it's impossible to cater to everyone. I do like rods and customs too, I've even been eyeing up some big rigs lately, and I guess I just like models, so keep those. The consistency can be a little off, but it doesn't bother me, especially it's being improved upon.

I can barely find time to work 40 hours, be part of my family, and build too. Let alone fly to shows, write articles, shoot pictures, and the thousand other things it takes to put out an article or whole magazine. So my hat is off to everyone who contributes to the magazine, can't wait to see the changes. Thanks

[Guest rick r]

HUH? WTH is all that?????

Go easy,G!

I said nothing of your immediate predecessor, for whose title I had less than zero respect! (as a 'real' automotive writer, I can say that, right?)

I DID say YOU SUCCESSFULLY EMULATE Gary's SAE, right? (maybe around the '92 era...)

And I meant it!

MCM is a literate work that simply deserves a steady effort to turn it into a monthly must-read!

MONTHLY, Greg!!!

That will bring you the added income you deserve to earn, and the major bookstore sales that already await will also bring enough $$$ to bring to an end the bargain basement treatment to your most loyal supporter(s) and contributor(s).

Support? I really do feel like times are developing for a modest surge in the hobby, but something has to be done to attract new eyeballs!

The less bureaucratic of the two model car magazine market entries has the least to change to keep ahead... & since that's you, you have the best shot at progress and can better set, and AFFECT the coming trends, something that your Wi. contemporary as said he has NO INTEREST in doing with his title.

Seems to me you have the mantle at your hands, and talent to lead a good magazine to greatness far exceeding that of those bureaucrats in Wi.

You really haven't THAT far to go to leave em in the weeds.

As the changes are made the sales will follow...

You have my number if you want more...

[old-hermit]

You really haven't THAT far to go to leave em in the weeds.

I think "leave em in the weeds" has already been accomplished.

Now all that is nessasary is to go back with the lawn mower.

[ismaelg]

What I like the most is the personal touch. I mean, what other mag can you say you have met the editor and graphics artist and consider them your friends? That creates a sense of "ownership". Whatever you do I know it will be carefully thought and from the heart. One possible change for the G&J section is to change it to "Ask the experts" so others can chip in on the answers.

Something I would address is not the content itself, but the distribution model (pun intended) both retail and subscription. Mail the subscriber's copies first. Get it out to the masses! Get it to big stores like Borders, Barnes and Noble, WalMarts, Airport news stands etc. Write to your congressman! ehh no, not that one. I'm amazed that even some Hobby Shops I visit on my trips don't even know about it. Let's spread the word! That is not a job for the editor alone, we are all responsible for that.

Thanks,

[BIGTRUCK]

I have to agree with Harry on this one , you'll never please everyone..I like the magazine as it is but I'm done when I get to the die-cast in the back...I dont hate it , I own my share of it, but it will not entice me to buy more of it. The company I drive for has a sister company that hauls media from the presses to the post offices and another division that handles newstand copies , some big titles have been toying around with the idea of a subscriber only magazine , others an on-line magazine.

I pick up my issues of the magazine on the road from hobby shops I buy from across the country to read while I'm away...if I had to subscribe I would , this is my favorite model mag and I never miss an issue..Gregg and Jairus and all contributing writers do a great job , bundled up with this forum its the best 1,2 punch in the business .

[Guest rick r]

Truck got me thinking about my model column in Muscle Car Review, (two pages a month, mid-book, still shocks me!!!)

The readers of that title are not 'real' modellers... what we run into is that these subjects have to tie to a theme in the magazine... November'subject was gen-1 Camaros, diecast & plastic, Dec is E-body Mopars...

Perhaps the diecast material in MCM could be a bit less scattershot, (fewer Audi promos or whatever, maybe?), could focus on a particular subject matter covered elsewhere in the book.

I have a self-set restriction for MCR, to try to have 30-40% plastic in that column... I don't need it to be a 'look what Rick built' column, (the Ed., the Ed in chief, the Ed in charge of the Ed-in-Chief, his three supervisors, the oversight committee, & on up the line wouldn't like that much!)

Besides, this RICK don't build that much...

Model builders are a small part of the MCR readership, and don't buy ads... so it remains a business decision...

One thing you might look at is, is there ad revenue coming in from diecast sellers, how much, and how often?

I have friends in diecast now who are putting ads in MCR for their stuff, because our 'hints' have worked for them... no reason MCM shouldn't have same advantage if diecast is a viable, and clearly SEPERATE section of the body of the mag.

I can see the need for segregation of the various media in MCM, just hope the diecast section carries its own weight.

[Aaronw]

I only started reading the magazine late in 2006 so I'm not really familiar enough to provide any real opinions but... I don't really get much technical info out of the G&J section that I can't get here on the site, but I think the banter as you answer questions kind of sets the tone for the magazine. So whether you keep it as is, shorten it to one page or come up with something else entirely I'd suggest you maintain a light weight opening to the magazine. One of the reasons I really like the magazine vs some of the others I occasionally read is the tone of the magazine is light, it doesn't take itself very seriously, but provides good info, entertaining articles and has the feel that the readers really are included and welcome to participate beyond just buying the magazine and reading it.

There was a comment further up mentioning those not on the internet and that was a good point, IPMS estimated that a rather large % of its members did not regularly visit online modelling sites (I don't recall the specifics but I want to say they found only 30% of the members were registered on the IPMS site), I'd have to believe that is probably true of non-IPMS members as well. So the readers of this opinion poll may not really represent the overall readership very well.