Automotive Journalist

Automotive Journalist

Frank Bacon

Detroit, MI

Male, Late 20s

I get to test drive and critique new cars. They are sometimes delivered to my home, or the manufacturers fly me out to opulent hotels in swanky locales with unlimited quantities of food and booze. Ask me anything.

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24 Questions

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Last Answer on September 14, 2012

Best Rated

Are you optimistic about the future of American car manufacturing, or are we toast?

Asked by brettchristian over 12 years ago

Very optimistic...but it will be the Japanese who really lead the resurgence.

Are you supposed to just test cars for "typical use" like city and highway driving, or are you supposed to push them to the limit on speed tracks, etc?

Asked by orange over 12 years ago

It depends. My own personal philosophy is that I review a car based on what it's intended purpose is. Do I need to track a Chevrolet Cruze? No (although some journalists, who are wannabe racer types, will go and do this). But something like a Porsche 911 is intended for both road and track, so it would be appropriate. Side note: do not trust a journalist's impressions of a car's track performance unless they have some kind of race car driving background. Most of them are pathetically bad, and love to wear Puma or Piloti racing shoes and talk about how great they are at driving. I am not so great, but I am learning, which puts me a step above 99 percent of the other guys.

Do manufacturers pretty much bribe you for good reviews with various gifts? What happens if you accept all the swag and wind up giving a bad review?

Asked by Midas over 12 years ago

Yes and no. We are all offered swag. Some take it, some don't. If you are swayed by a baseball cap or something like that, then you aren't worth your salt as a journalist. Most of them just write good reviews because they can't be bothered to write anything else.

How much of an effect do reviews from auto journalists have on car sales? Does a glowing review give them a notable boost?

Asked by el jefe over 12 years ago

None. There are awesome cars praised to high heaven by us that totally flop in the marketplace (see: Pontiac G8) and then there are cars like the Camry that sell in huge volumes.

Have you ever gotten into an accident while test-driving a car?

Asked by Sid over 12 years ago

No.

What car in the last decade do you think was the most underrated?

Asked by spincity KC over 12 years ago

Too broad of a question. Some stuff, like the Ford Five Hundred, wasn't stellar but didn't deserve the drubbing it got in the press. The current Impala with the 300 horsepower V6 is a cool sleeper.

What car reviews publication or website do you think is the most reliable & unbiased?

Asked by Joey Florida over 12 years ago

I like Automobile magazine and EVO.