So I just had an idea....NYSPEED Test Drivers??

[TORQDSS]

@JayS

Pretty good idea, but how many NYSpeeders have the writing talent to write a decent review?

Also, I’m not a fan of having GM fanboys write GM reviews and Honda fanboys write Honda reviews. A quality review comes from someone who is objective.

Would this be a paid gig? It would take some time to drive a car enough to write a quality review. I know Car and Driver has a test loop that includes some highways and decent back roads near their office so they can see how a vehicle responds to a number of different road types. Add this driving to crawling around the car checking out legroom, headroom, trunk space, features and ergonomics and you’re talking about an hour plus per car.

If you get a high response of volunteers maybe have them “interview” by test driving a car and sending you a sample review. If it’s quality offer them a dollar amount per review. I’d definitely be willing to do this.

As a dealership owner how would you handle a review like this of a car you’re trying to sell?
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/performance_files_tested_by_c_d/saturn_ion_3_road_test

And they go on to continue tearing this car apart. I’ve driven several Ions and I can’t disagree with much of their very critical review, but if I was trying to move them from my lot I don’t think I’d have copies of that article anywhere near my showroom.

Knowing I was reviewing for a dealership I’m sure I would temper my criticism somewhat and never come right out and call a turd of a car a turd, but I would definitely list the positives and negatives.

I think you’re right here and wrong in some ways. I would handle the review fine because not everyone likes every car. Thats the point though. Get a GM guy to write an objective review of a Ford, Chrysler etc and put it here. Obviuosly I wouldn’t go handing out reviews that totally bash cars we are trying to sell. The point is to have people who know cars and can put most of thier bias aside and write a review of a car, good or bad. This is a car lovers website and I think it would work if its done right.

I think you would almost need to be a driver, every time we talk we are always debating something.