Auto Journalists, It's Time To Stop Grumbling About Giving Advice

"Satish Kondapavulur" (becauseCAR)
10/29/2013 at 02:21 • Filed to: OPINIONS

That's it. I'm finished reading articles griping about giving automotive recommendations to non-gearhead friends. You know them. They have the tag "RANTS" and then the writer promptly complains about the action of giving car advice. I've read them twice in one week on Jalopnik (and don't get me started on Oppositelock). And I'm fed up with them.

For instance, last week, Matt Hardigree decided to preach to non-car people saying they were wrong and then !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! why, most of which will be ignored in favor of that big hybrid Japanese/German sedan. (We'll have to wait for the 4th quarter sales reports to see if there were results from his effort.)

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Meanwhile, Stef Schrader provided !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to the car recommendation question (which, if successful, may increase the value of Porsche 944s and trolling) to keep advice askers at bay instead of referring them to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! as an end-all.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I will admit that I'm not beyond reproach when it comes to complaining about car advice being taken. But having written many !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! which involve somewhat-relevant automotive advice ( " !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! What is he on about!? ) and responding to almost every bit of criticism until 3 in the morning, I've become accustomed to my advice never being taken.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Despite that, I too have gone through the moments of frustration that result from advice not being followed. For instance, an uncle bought a brand-new Prius after I recommended he test drive a Volt. Another uncle bought a Prius with 100K on the clock as his daughter's first car without getting the battery checked.

In spite of these moments, I don't decline giving car advice one bit. Just ask anyone on Oppositelock. And Doug DeMuro, to whom I suggested a Murano CrossCabriolet this week. (He didn't promptly shoot it down, so there's hope.)

If they're asking for recommendations, who am I not to give one? After all I'm just an unemployed millennial who spends much of his day playing Gran Turismo , determining the formula for the perfect omelette, and sending resumes to automakers who will hopefully overlook my criticism of them.

So auto journalists, if you don't like recommending cars, don't recommend them. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! while calling out the types of people who don't take his advice. Instead, he brings up having a Nissan of questionable style (so there's a precedent for future CrossCab ownership) rather than provide some car-buying guidance.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

In fact, his piece on car recommendations is my go-to reading material after my recommendations are ignored, kind of like how a high school student watches Mean Girls after her tent dress was ostracized by her clique for being " so 2007 ."

That's the way it should be among both auto journalists and car enthusiasts. Don't give solicited recommendations unless you believe your audience will take it into account. And if you think they won't, make them second guess their choice.

Say things like, "You know, the battery in the Prius doesn't last as long as you might think" or "the engine in that BMW may suffer a fuel pump failure." Then they're much more likely to take your advice.

I know it's crafty and cynical; but it's a way to ensure your advice does get taken into account. However, auto journalists will lose quite a bit of credibility, which most importantly to them, means no more Porsche test cars.

But in the end, ranting about people not taking car advice is auto journalists' modus operandi. Otherwise, they'll sound off about the low salaries, how the Toyota Corolla is boring, and the fact that Mercedes doesn't offer red in its S-Class color palette.

Let's face it, if all people did take their advice, we'd end up with rear-drive diesel-engined manual stations wagons all round.

And I'd promptly ignore the advice in favor of a front-drive gasoline-powered automatic sedan.

Which is what I drive now.

DISCUSSION (17)

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Satish Kondapavulur
10/29/2013 at 04:42

I really wish other people would stop giving me advise on giving advise.

Crocket Bernet > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
10/29/2013 at 05:18

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Satish Kondapavulur
10/29/2013 at 07:58

"And Doug DeMuro, to whom I suggested a Murano CrossCabriolet this week. "

Tell us exactly WHY you hate Doug so much.

And no dissing Hardibro. I think that's a crime on Oppo.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
10/29/2013 at 08:02

I don't always give advice on buying cars, but when I do...

Its because my mom just bought the same car I did, again.

I wish she'd stop doing that.

Satish Kondapavulur > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
10/29/2013 at 11:35

Are you kidding? I love reading DeMuro. Honestly, his car recommendations article is a masterpiece.

As for Matt Hardigree, I wouldn't call it dissing...more like questioning the influence among non-car loving people.

Satish Kondapavulur > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
10/29/2013 at 11:36

Oh, the irony of it all...

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Satish Kondapavulur
10/29/2013 at 12:13

Friends don't let friends drive Nissan Murano CrossCabrios. Even the mere suggestion that a friend should drive one really speaks to how you view them. :)

And Hardibro does make good points. The main issue I have with people asking me for advice is really "Why would you ask me for advice if what you are really looking for is someone to validate your pre-determined outcome?"

Example: My grandfather was looking for a car to replace his 2002 Cadillac DeVille. As he didn't like the new styling of the Cadillacs (too angular, he said), I suggested looking at an E60 5er, a Hyundai Genesis, Infiniti M37, and Lexus ES. The Cadillac CTS was also offered, but shot down because "It's a Cadillac". The Merc E-Class was shot down because it was German (But the BMW was accepted because "It's Bavarian". Still trying to figure out how Bayern is not part of the Bundesrepublik Deutschland).

In the end, what did he buy? A Toyota Avalon. After admitting that he really liked the Genesis. And after admitting it was his top pick.

Why? "Well, the Hyundai dealer wasn't nice to me, so I went to my friend Joe and bought an Avalon from him."

Umm, but you liked the Genesis: "Yeah, but Joe's a nice guy, and the car is okay."

Does he like it? "Well, it's nice. And it's easier for grandma to get in and out of the front seat."

I don't give advice anymore.

texasfordfan > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
11/03/2013 at 18:25

Bavaria isn't the same as Germany because Bavarians are Bavarian before they are German. Just like a Texan is Texan before they are American.

Speedmonkey > Satish Kondapavulur
11/07/2013 at 12:57

I get asked advice most days, from cheap cars to Porsches. It's quite flattering so I'm always happy to help. Mind you my answer to 50% of questions is Porsche 924S. We all have our favourites

Satish Kondapavulur > Speedmonkey
11/07/2013 at 13:02

Now I need to drive a 924...

Simplecar > Satish Kondapavulur
11/07/2013 at 14:20

A well written but entirely predicted article. I knew this type of article is in the coming. Well, now that you have written out your heart, I would really be interested in reading your thoughts on 'Auto Enthusiast'. I personally think, this particular term has been abused too much by most people who visit these sites. Unfortunately, I am not a person who can articulate his thoughts well.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
11/07/2013 at 14:28

Pretty much the reason why I tag along to make sure they follow my advice. If they deviate, I make up convincing lies except said person goes for something equally decent.

Mosqvich > Satish Kondapavulur
11/07/2013 at 18:11

My fav line: "We'll have to wait for the 4th quarter sales reports to see if there were results from his effort."

Mosqvich > Satish Kondapavulur
11/07/2013 at 18:12

I don't give advice. I make demands and nobody ignores my clearly superior edicts.

Satish Kondapavulur > Mosqvich
11/07/2013 at 23:50

Haha!

Stef Schrader > Speedmonkey
11/08/2013 at 00:44

944 drivetrain + lighter shell = HHHHHNNNNGGGGGG

Want.