HOTVWS JUNE ISSUE (LAME)

[fatass1]

  :(SORRY TO RANT BUT HOTVWS SUCKS LATELY (911 FUCHS WHEELS) LAME MATCH RACE PHOTOS FOR THE LAUFFERS,WHAT SINCE VWTRENDS GOES UNDER,THEY PRINT,ANYTHING MAYBE THEY NEED SOMEONE FRESH EDITORS/PHOTOGRAPHERS (SORRY TO RANT I CAN HANDLE IT ANYMORE) THANKS FRANK  VWTRENDS.COM

[my62ragtop]

What was lame about the Match Race Photos?  I thought the coverage of the BKC Dyno Day, Silver Dollar Showdown #3 and the Match Race was well done.  And may I add in a timely manner since those events were only last month. 

Thanks,
Jason

[bugnut]

I've yet to see the issue, but as one who works in the journalism field, I challenge anyone who bitches about magazine or publication quality to try and do a better job, as there's always freelance opportunities out there...it's not as easy as it looks to please everyone, trust me.  In my line of work, I hear what I'm doing wrong all the time--though usually those who are most vocal are also the least likely to understand or appreciate the amount of work that's involved.

[Ovalnut]

I thought the issue was pretty good, ecspecially the Geogia coverage from just last month and a lot of car spreads.  I think they've been doing a pretty good job.  Like they say, if you don't like it, do it yourself?

[carapace]

I thought it was a great issue... and I agree it was very timely.

[bugnut]

It's gotta be a challenge to keep a VW publication fresh, as there's only so many wheel combos, engine combos, interior schemes and ways to present our favorite car to the public eye, even though for the enthusiasts the minute differences make a huge difference.

When someone tries to break out of the box and do something radically different, then you end up with rolling cartoons like that god-awful (in my opinion) orange POS with huge rims and ugly bodywork.  No disrespect to the amount of work that went into it, but that thing I thought was about as dog ugly as any of the old Mulholland Look/vega taillighted/whale-tailed cars from the '80s.

The beauty in the VW is its understatedness, which is why I'll probably never be a huge advocate of the Volks Rod scene.  No disrespect to those who have 'em, but while they are definitely cool as hell in the creativity aspect, they appear to parody the VW in a cartoony way.  But Volks Rods versus that full-blown bloated orange beast from a few months back definitely find more favor in my eyes

Biggest challenge in a niche market publication like the VW mag is trying to keep everyone happy, and just perusing some of the remarks made over the internet toward either Hot VWs or the former VW Trends shows that it's near impossible to do all the time.

[TRM]

I've yet to see the issue, but as one who works in the journalism field, I challenge anyone who bitches about magazine or publication quality to try and do a better job, as there's always freelance opportunities out there...it's not as easy as it looks to please everyone, trust me. In my line of work, I hear what I'm doing wrong all the time--though usually those who are most vocal are also the least likely to understand or appreciate the amount of work that's involved.

So true it is amazing as to what goes into putting a Mag together!   I know when I did in house photo's in the prephouse for McMullen we had to be at least 3 months ahead of what was coming out.  So when someone ask "Hey what fuel pump did that car use on page 36 of this months Issue?"  LOL  I have not seen that copy for months I have no idea and which mag was it from lol

Oh My

[Zach Gomulka]

Im getting tired of what is going on in the VW scene in general. Dont get me wrong, I love Hot VWs and have subscribed for close to 10 years, but it seems like its the same old thing month after month. Im ready for something new. I really like Ultra VW and Volksworld, but there is no way I can afford those rags right now! I liked the Fuchs article this month, very informative. I also liked that orange Super, and the Pinks coverage was great. Good info for the T-4 guys who like to swing that way, too

[bugnut]

^^I hear ya man...The VW scene in a way is kind of a damned if you do, damned if you don't type of thing, as the guys who do things REALLY differently get shunned by the purists, while the purists get ridiculed by the Hoodriders and other non-mainstream (not saying this in a condescending way, just stating an observation)...and the racing circles have similar politics, too.  I think sometimes there's just as much, if not more, conflict in the scene than there is variety

[garyj]

Competition = Innovation

[James2]

Hey, haven't seen it yet. If my car is in it , then it rocks!. if it not then it sucks!

J/K
I pick it up nearly every month, it's only a few bucks.  Well worth it IMHO.

[Michael Meyer]

I've yet to see the issue, but as one who works in the journalism field, I challenge anyone who bitches about magazine or publication quality to try and do a better job, as there's always freelance opportunities out there...it's not as easy as it looks to please everyone, trust me. In my line of work, I hear what I'm doing wrong all the time--though usually those who are most vocal are also the least likely to understand or appreciate the amount of work that's involved.

Aint that the Truth!  Being part of a VW mag for a couple of years made me realize, "it aint that easy".  Everyone wants to see what they like and have very little appreciation for diversity.  Yeah, Volksrods or some wacky creation with 20" wheels may not be to your liking but, its the risk takers that are on the creative edge and usually the ones that are later seeing as a genius or ahead of their time.  I can't imagine what the hard core vintage enthusiast were saying when the first Cal-look car hit the cover. 

As for this current issue, I haven’t seen it. But you talking about it makes me want to go buy it.

[bugnut]

I hope that my previous comments on styles that aren't necessarily my liking came across as strictly opinions, as I also noted in my posts that those who march to a different drummer usually face the most criticism...don't want my views to come across as conflicting

[ErikTheRed]

If it were up to me, HotVW's would be a drag race, hot street VW mag only. Another guy may wanna see off-road dune buggy stuff all the time, and yet another guy wants the vintage stuff every issue. Theres NO WAY to please everyone every month, unless the mag was thick as the Chicago yellow pages. I think they do a pretty good job mixing it up to reach alittle for everyone. The only way the mag would be perfect is if I were the editor.

[Dave Kawell]

Not wanting to rile anyone up here but I would think that if some could spend just one week following an Editor, photographer, journalist, etc., around there would be more understanding of what all it takes to get an edition to the printer much less even being able to find the damn stories that will please everyone.

Off road guys aren't particularly interested in what the hot VW street guys are doing and the circle track VW guys surely aren't interested in what the VW show car guys are doing.

We have known and been good friends with most everyone at Hot VWs for many, many years and  first hand know the amount of work, travel, disappointment, monies spent, etc., that they go thru to get an article done.

Personally I think they do a helluva good job with what they have to work with and who all they try to keep happy, JMO.

So thanks Bruce, Michael, RK, Deano, Linda, Lonnie, Steve, Skip and everyone else that gets the magazines done and out, I say good job !

Judy

[2manytoys]

Wow Frank,

pretty harsh words. I would have to first say, Judy, nicely posted.

HotVWs has been and always will be the premier VW magazine. It has set the mark and has been consistent since it began. Wether offroad or on the strip or in the parking lot or just in the shop. Bummer you feel you are not getting you fair shake on the issues. It is a free country and a free forum and you are intitled to your opinion.

Keep reading, though, I am sure you will see something you like, or maybe read another magazine.

[dyno-whore]

Looks like Lauffers got their fair share of the photos.... And didn't they win both match races?

[taylor]

Looks like Lauffers got their fair share of the photos.... And didn't they win both match races?

   you took the pics you tell us

[bugnut]

   you took the pics you tell us

Don't think that's Deano's email, Taylor.

[Craig Merrow]

Depends on your interests; for example, I'm not into the sand rails and the annual sand issue, but I still enjoy reading it just the same, neat to check out what else is happening in the VW world.  I liked the articles with the Porche alloys and Jake Raby's T4 buildup...you learn something new every day.

[armchair]

I love Cal Look cars as much as anyone here BUT I would not mind seeing some more off road stuff-not buggies but when was the last time Hot VWs had a Class 11 or 5/1600 or similar type?  Or more late model cars, both Type One and Type 2's would be awful nice, stock and custome-there are some real nice restored late model cars appearing on the scene as of late. Cars no one would have taken the time to restore 5 or ten years ago. As for Ultra VW I've seen enough rusted out bone yard cars slammed into the weeds to last a life time.

[toysandprojects]

I like the mag although sometimes they have some funky outdated stuff ,maybe just alot more color pictures would help.
PS thanks for getting my car in pg 75 may, drag day although 6 months later it was killing me while waiting ,
keep up the good work.

        steve

[elmo]

I like this issue just fine except for the fact there are not any chicks in it save for the three in the ads . If you look at and through ANY of the other import mags there are a lot of females in them. I think that is part of the draw for the import crowd- but this is another arguement for another thread.

[bugnut]

I like the mag although sometimes they have some funky outdated stuff ,maybe just alot more color pictures would help.
PS thanks for getting my car in pg 75 may, drag day although 6 months later it was killing me while waiting ,
keep up the good work.

        steve

I dunno, if you compare Hot VWs today to, say, the '80s or the early to mid '90s, I think they've got far more color in there now than they ever did.  And the glossy, thick cover page is really nice too!  It may sound funny to hear this, but I actually kind of miss the black-and-white photos from years past, as it provided a certain dramatic element, especially in the drag racing coverage.  Just my creative sensibilities, I guess

[brian rogers]

I've read HotVWs since THE FIRST Cal_look issue. The imitators have come and gone. Editors and personel have come and gone from the mag. HotVWs give you more bang for the buck. They give you more variety and info than any other rag out there, all with a little for everyone, whether you are cal-look/vintage/resto/racer/off road /what ever.
Thank you Deano for you and your co-horts efforts over the years.
(Please say there is an engine book III in the works, PLease?)

[louisB]

"HotVWs has been and always will be the premier VW magazine."

I think the Euro mags are the best out there for content and quality of writing. HVW has gotten batter the past couple of years which is surprising since they are now the only US mag. I am just happy that HVWs is featuring more T3s. (Though others may think thats wasted space.)

[bugnut]

I love UltraVW but am nowhere near the position of affording the cost of subscribing, what with importation and all.  Hell, even if I did, the way my local post office operates, I'd probably never get it anyway lol.

[David Ward]

My only complaint with Hot VW's is that they are never big enough.  Not enough photos, not enough of everything.  I need more VW stuff!