I honestly hope Doug is happy with his decision.

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
08/28/2016 at 14:48 • Filed to: None

...but the new normal has to come as a pretty massive shock to him. His #DougCar “reveal” post on AutoTrader has a grand total of... 87 comments. His reveal post for the Aston on Jalopnik had over 1200 comments. I hope the difference in pay/benefits/whatever is worth losing access to such a huge, involved audience. I can’t even figure out how to get to “Oversteer” from the AutoTrader home page.

Doug, if you’re here, please chime in. Keep up the good content, and fight for a big, obvious link to Oversteer from the landing page and for the design & programming support you need to build something that readers and viewers will want to check out every day!

DISCUSSION (78)

For Sweden > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 14:51

Who needs comments when AutoTrader is giving you fat stacks?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 14:52

we don’t know the joy AutoTrader signed paychecks bring

Batman the Horse > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 14:53

Forget it, Doug, this is AutoTrader.com

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 14:55

I didn’t even know Autotrader had writers until I heard Doug had left. If you google his name, autotrader doesn’t even show up on the first few pages of results...

I don’t know where this /oversteer thing is — this is the only way I’ve been able to find his post:

http://www.autotrader.com/car-topics/lat…

Getting off topic here: The Viper... Another 2-seater sports car on top of his 2-seater sports car? Le sigh.

Trunk Impaired 318 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 14:55

For what its worth, he got a lot more suggestions on this Doug car than the Aston one.

TractorPillow > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 14:56

I just hope he doesn’t exaggerate about the Viper being batshit crazy.

Steve in Manhattan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/28/2016 at 14:56

I really like the guy, and I think he’ll land on his feet.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > For Sweden
08/28/2016 at 14:56

And a free database of dealer listings with no photos!

yamahog > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 14:56

that sounds more like a perk than a loss TBH.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Steve in Manhattan
08/28/2016 at 14:57

I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.

S65 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 14:58

Tavarish I see U

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > S65
08/28/2016 at 15:00

You took a photo of your monitor with your phone and then cropped it?

Steve in Manhattan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/28/2016 at 15:00

So what sort of car were you supposed to see this morning?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > S65
08/28/2016 at 15:02

Nice.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > yamahog
08/28/2016 at 15:03

Maybe, assuming hits/comments don’t factor into his compensation or his odds for sustained, long-term employment.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > TractorPillow
08/28/2016 at 15:03

Well, you can call him on it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > For Sweden
08/28/2016 at 15:04

Hope that lasts for him!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
08/28/2016 at 15:04

True.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/28/2016 at 15:04

Yeah... I was kind of ticked that is what he chose. I mean he even said in the original post he didn’t want something just like what he had... I recommended an FJ40. Would have been much more interesting then the never ending complaint of hot and uncomfortable car thats has a 1,000,000L engine.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Steve in Manhattan
08/28/2016 at 15:06

Yeah, thankfully his following on Twitter and YouTube will probably help carry him even if the AutoTrader thing doesn’t grow into what he wants it to be.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 15:08

What Gen Viper did he buy? a Turd Gen (Excluding ACR) or something else?

scoob > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
08/28/2016 at 15:10

Second gen blue with white stripes

Kinja'd!!!

yamahog > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 15:10

somehow I think he’ll be OK.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Trunk Impaired 318
08/28/2016 at 15:11

His last post on Jalopnik surely drove a lot of that traffic and those suggestions. Like I said, I hope he’s enjoying himself and it works out for the best, but they’ve got a long way to go.

MultiplaOrgasms > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 15:15

Could be worse. If he were employed by CarThrottle he’d have to buy a GT-R every year.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
08/28/2016 at 15:15

I’d be stunned if he ever chose a Toyota. He has mentioned many times he wants to replace his RR with a 100 or 200 series LC. That’s probably the only time you’ll see one.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > yamahog
08/28/2016 at 15:17

Yeah, he’ll be fine. He’s a smart, funny guy and a hard worker. I gained a lot of respect for him over the years seeing how responsive he always is to all of his readers. If he keeps doing his thing, he’ll do well, I just hope AutoTrader gives him the support he deserves to turn Oversteer into a real competitor in this market. I was a regular Winding Road reader back in the David E Davis, Jr. days, but they changed up a lot and lost what I’d loved about that site/magazine. I was also a loyal Edmunds Inside Line reader & commenter, but then they changed it to What’s Hot and lost what I’d previously enjoyed. That’s around the time I came over to Jalopnik & OPPO.

The communities are very hard to build and very easy to lose with just a few bad decisions...

TractorPillow > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 15:17

I think I’ll sit this one out. My email last time to him contributed to him not getting the viper, and then when he saw my post and that it got a fair amount of comments he emailed that it’s obviously a very interesting car to everyone. He’s one of my favorite authors so I am rooting for his success, just hope he doesn’t play it up for the views. I don’t think he will though.

Monkey B > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 15:30

I am, I never understood why he was liked so much.

Rico > yamahog
08/28/2016 at 15:31

Lol out of the 1200 comments here 1000 would have consisted of:

Trolling

Hate

Name calling

People saying he’s “annoying for making articles like this” on a car blog no less

Neat.gif

Rico > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/28/2016 at 15:32

Lmao some thing my mom would do. Except she wouldn’t crop it and the pic would somehow be sideways.

Rico > Monkey B
08/28/2016 at 15:35

What makes him so unlikeable?

Rico > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 15:39

He probably left because nobody knew what the heck was gonna happen to gawker. A few weeks ago it seemed like the ship was sinking fast. They had gotten rid of some great talent out of nowhere, bankruptcy was looming, the future of Gawker Media was completely influx.

If it were my job I probably would’ve been looking for an exit strategy too, no point in going down with the ship or waiting to see if you’ll get a surprise email “RE: Surprise: you’re fired!”. Now that Univision will take over I’m sure we will see Doug in a contributor role once in a while.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/28/2016 at 15:44

Yeah I agree but an FJ40 is not just any Toyota was kind of my thought. It’s just so different.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Monkey B
08/28/2016 at 15:46

Well, he’s a writer targeted more for readers looking for a laugh instead of the normal style (good drivers looking to pass on information and impressions). So, much more subjective and easier to like or dislike than the average car reviewer.

Kind of like not liking a certain comedian’s schtick.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 15:46

Doug is one of my favorite auto writers, his whit and sarcasm are unmatched.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Rico
08/28/2016 at 15:47

Definitely a good point! Job security is no minor thing.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > scoob
08/28/2016 at 15:47

WOW. Doug went for a Cliche

scoob > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
08/28/2016 at 15:50

What would you have gotten?

Monkey B > Rico
08/28/2016 at 15:50

Too much Me, Myself & I in his writing. Tried too hard too shove humor everywhere making his work longer and harder to read by constantly drifting from the point. Only thing I ever learned due to him was CarMax has a good warranty, otherwise he didn’t really bring much to the table. The “Ask Doug” stuff was useless, uninteresting and he’s just not funny for someone who try’s so hard to be.

Sure, minority opinion in these parts. But I’m glad his stuff is somewhere else.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/28/2016 at 15:51

Just a whit of a correction, to wit, “wit”. =)

If I’m honest, my favorite thing about Doug’s stuff is often his clever responses in the comment section.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > scoob
08/28/2016 at 15:55

Model T, dammit! (my suggestion before he got the Aston)

Rico > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 16:00

Yeah man your loyalty should always be to yourself not any company. When they got rid of Sean, Mate and Tyler there was obviously no loyalty to them and it happens every single day to some truly talented, hard working individuals across every industry.

Rico > Monkey B
08/28/2016 at 16:03

I can see your point. It just depends on what kind of writing people prefer. I liked his writing and some of his articles would have me laughing pretty hard.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Rico
08/28/2016 at 16:07

Yeah, definitely. My point was, Doug’s strength is his loyal and involved reader base, and I hope that this doesn’t decline over the long term without the big audience at Jalopnik.

Rico > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 16:12

Oh yeah I completely got your point for sure. Some of jalopnik’s reader comments are pure gold, interesting and sometimes I’ve gained perspective when reading some good comments. I’m sure some part of him misses that!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Rico
08/28/2016 at 16:19

Pretty sure all of the “good” comments on Jalopnik are from Opponauts. Hahaha...

McMike > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 17:16

In case anyone is curious what the rest of that “inbox” says:

Kinja'd!!!

McMike > S65
08/28/2016 at 17:17

I made that image for him - all those emails are fake.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/in-case-anyone…

S65 > scoob
08/28/2016 at 17:20

A new Viper

A C4 ZR-1

Kinja'd!!!

samssun > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 17:30

It’s a great bucket list car, especially for someone who grew up with it as the epitome of exotic overkill, but I don’t know how much mileage he’ll get out of hyperbole and impractical situations.

Once you’ve talked about how face-melting, earth-rotation-slowing, and deathtrap-ish it is (keeping in mind 400-450 hp/tq isn’t crazy any more), and LOL through a craigslist furniture pickup, what’s left?

LtotheG > Rico
08/28/2016 at 17:35

“Loyalty to yourself not any company” couldn’t have said it better

Liam Farrell > scoob
08/28/2016 at 17:48

I texted him a few days ago saying one of my friends had a defender for sale, but he said he had already put a deposit on the viper. He said he loved the defender, but that it would be something he would love, but not the readers. It wasn't that expensive at all and in great condition.

Chasaboo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 18:11

Dude, you sound weepy.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > McMike
08/28/2016 at 18:31

This is good work.

Raphael... ha! How long did this take you?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chasaboo
08/28/2016 at 18:33

Nah, just hoping the best for an old OPPO bro...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > samssun
08/28/2016 at 18:34

Camping trips? Yeah, I wish he'd gotten a legitimately old car, like a Model T.

McMike > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 18:52

I did it in excel, and was disappointed that not all the emails were visible.

The hardest part about these is not being able to use whatever images I want. I’m stuck in the pool of non-licenced images.

...and it’s SHALLOW

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > McMike
08/28/2016 at 19:05

Are you getting regular-ish work from Doug? Once every week or so?

McMike > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 19:08

Yeah, I’ve done three or four of them so far.

NJAnon > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 19:32

Well Im sure he’ll have more vehicles to choose in the future. The lucky bastard will be able to opposite lock a Viper? nice choice Doug.

yamahog > Monkey B
08/28/2016 at 19:42

Yea I wasn’t a huge fan either, but I do appreciate being able to trot out that Ferrari video whenever some tool is like “hurr dur chicks liek dudes with expensive cars”

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > McMike
08/28/2016 at 19:58

Very cool. He needs to just give you his story ideas as soon as he starts writing or researching, to give your mildly demented mind the time it needs to run free. Haha! Your illustrations might be just what Oversteer needs to help pull in the views they want.

Doug DeMuro > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2016 at 20:05

The main reason the DougCar reveal post had such few comments is I didn’t do a video to accompany it! That goes up next week. Check the post where I ask what DougCar to buy...

http://www.autotrader.com/car-video/help…

Right now, at 2,615 comments — more than the post where I asked Jalopnik what car I should buy last year!

So far so good with Oversteer. We are off the charts impressed with the numbers from the first four weeks.

LongbowMkII > Doug DeMuro
08/28/2016 at 20:42

Right. it’s the video of your face that brings in the eyeballs, not your masterful VW unreliability metaphors.

Glad to hear it's going well!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Doug DeMuro
08/28/2016 at 20:45

Great to hear, Doug. Glad you’re getting the numbers you were hoping for. I hope you do get the support from up the chain to help give Oversteer the exposure and presentation the content deserves. All the best, seriously.

As for ideas... does your Viper have a trailer hitch?

Funktheduck > Doug DeMuro
08/28/2016 at 22:32

The only way I can find your articles is I have to google “autotrader oversteer.” I can’t find it at all through the website

Doug DeMuro > Funktheduck
08/29/2016 at 00:17

You mean you can’t find them when you go to Autotrader.com/Oversteer? Where they’re all listed one by one?

Doug DeMuro > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/29/2016 at 00:23

Hah! Have some great Viper ideas, and I think I’ll do some cool stuff.

Definitely don’t want a link to Oversteer on the Autotrader main page. Very different user base!

Something to consider: the majority of Jalopnik traffic does not come from people directly typing in “Jalopnik.com,” or even from people visiting the main page. Even though that’s how you or I might view it, the majority of hits come from social media or some content aggregator or another website that links to it.

This is true for most modern blogs and probably the dirty little secret of the web in the last 3-4 years...

Doug DeMuro > Rico
08/29/2016 at 00:27

I do miss the comments — no question.

It’s worth noting, however, that Oversteer is already getting way better comment traffic than virtually any car blog aside Jalopnik and maybe one or two others. We’re trouncing The Drive, and Motor Trend and Road and Track don’t even allow comments on their articles.

I think, in all honestly, the commenters are the only thing I really miss so far — but I knew I would. That community doesn’t really exist outside Jalopnik.

Doug DeMuro > TractorPillow
08/29/2016 at 00:28

Don’t sit it out! I’m curious to hear your thoughts!

Already got 500 miles on it from the drive back from NC, first impressions Tues/Weds.

TractorPillow > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/29/2016 at 06:29

that was my suggestion!

TractorPillow > Doug DeMuro
08/29/2016 at 06:33

Sounds good. Funny note, I sold my Viper to a 58 year old woman who wanted to have a cooler car than her husband’s C7.

Funktheduck > Doug DeMuro
08/29/2016 at 06:57

I was addressing the issue davesaddiction brought up. I didn't know it was /oversteer at first. If I didn't know of you or the page I wouldn't know about it at all. I think you should make them change the site to where when you go to autotrader.com it automatically adds /oversteer

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > TractorPillow
08/29/2016 at 08:25

Great minds...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Doug DeMuro
08/29/2016 at 08:33

Definitely a different user base, but how do they know how many AutoTrader users would be into Oversteer unless they expose them to it? I’d guess that some decent percentage of AutoTrader traffic is guys like us, just “window shopping” and dreaming of what’s next, that would definitely be into your stuff.

Interesting point about how web traffic flows. Your 35k Twitter followers and YouTube subscribers should help with that!

If you don’t mind sharing, what’s the primary goal AutoTrader and you have for Oversteer in the short time?

p.s. - Glad to hear you and McMike are getting to work together!

Doug DeMuro > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/29/2016 at 09:16

I think the goal is the same as any blog - get readers, get loyal readers, get excited readers, and help get them into other areas of the site. So far, we’re succeeding; I think our first month is going to hit or come near the traffic goal we set for 3 or 4 months out.

The way web traffic reaches blogs is so interesting, and it’s why companies have paid so much money for big reaches on Facebook, Twitter, etc. As you mentioned, my YouTube channel is one of our biggest drivers now; I’ve had 4.3 million views in the last 25 days, and a good portion of those people are coming to the site.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Doug DeMuro
08/29/2016 at 11:09

Always good to exceed expectations!

I think you’ve been pretty savvy with getting a following of your own (on platforms that your employer doesn’t own, like Twitter and YouTube) that can, in turn, drive readers to your paid gig(s). Matt Farah, Chris Harris and a few others led the way here, I guess. Time to work product placement into your YouTube videos...?