| Author | Message | ||
| Steve B (Sjb509)
New member Username: Sjb509 Post Number: 17 Registered: 6-2003 |
Chris, Perhaps my example was not the best one to make my point, as I would also probably read an article like that at least once. The point I was trying to make is the articles that interest me the most in Forza (subscriber for 5+ years) are articles that are not usually found in more mainstream magazines. An article about repainting a Ferrari would never appear in Road & Track, for example. If you are an owner of an older car, at some point you will someday face the decision to repaint or not, and if so what quality standard do you want. From that perspective the article was very interesting, IMO. I'd personally like to see articles such as DIY servicing, as well as at least one article on some of the more affordable models each issue. With all that said, however, I do not read Forza as much as I used to. The best source for information about Ferraris and the ownership experience is right here at FerrariChat.com. | ||
| Andy Barre (Abarre)
New member Username: Abarre Post Number: 31 Registered: 7-2003 |
Let's face it folks. We drive cars that are comparatively rare as hens' teeth. To have a magazine that covers them exclusively - without a $100 annual membership/stipend - is a pretty risky venture. Even if there are 10 times (conservatively?) as many paying Ferrari enthusiasts as there are Ferrari owners. At $25 per year, I don't see how they can make money with a full-time staff or without lots of advertising. I used to run the National Muscle Car Association (Chevy, Ford, Mopar, AMC) and we had a hell of a time getting 3000 members - and we santioned regional races too. It was hard for me to even figure out how to subscribe to Forza. I had to stumble over an old issue and call the editorial offices. The last issue (with 308 dyno) was my first and I wasn't that impressed, but their $25 for 8 issues compared to $100 for FCA's crappy, redundant monthly newsletter publications with an occasional "Prancing Horse" seems like a deal! Truthfully, compared to the annual costs of owning an f-car, both are in the noise-level. If you can get *anything* out of them, they are worthwhile. Just my $.02 | ||
| Chris Coffing (Valence)
Junior Member Username: Valence Post Number: 146 Registered: 3-2003 |
Steve - I'll take that 6-page expose any day (seeing as I make carbon fiber paddle shifters for 360 spider) true, forza is a bit "weak," but it's fun to look at. | ||
| Joe V. (Jts)
New member Username: Jts Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2003 |
True V.Z., but whatever happened to taking pride in one's work?  | ||
| V.Z. (Ama328)
Junior Member Username: Ama328 Post Number: 236 Registered: 11-2002 |
from a biz standpoint, it works, for whomever's bankrolling Forza: * great unwashed masses don't know any better, so some of them will buy it. * clued in types(like FChat folks) will still buy it, wading through 95% crap to find a little tidbit here or there. I doubt if they fixed the problems with the mag that it would boost circulation all that much, so why not let slide & collect the $$ ? Poor way to run a mag, but $$ are $$. | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 334 Registered: 2-2003 |
I have to admit I'm a little disappointed in Forza as well. The recent 308 Engine Dyno article left much to be desired. Basically it just said bolt on a tubi to gain the most power. I'm hoping the next article, where they put in high compression pistons and cams, etc has more technical stuff. The rebuild article a few months back was kind of short on information as well. I've got a 1-yr subscription. Hopefully it will improve or I'll let it go next April. | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 2269 Registered: 7-2001 |
Forza drives me nuts. I like it because of its Ferrari focus, but am frequently disappointed in the articles. The article about Chris, Tims, and Rolands F40's had NO pictures of all 3 cars. Nor did it have a picture of Tims 360C. If I were surrounded by 4 cars like that for an article, you can bet your a$$ I'd show you pictures. I also get annoyed with the editing! In the numerous writing classes I've been stuck in, I was always told to NEVER use an exclamation point! But some Forza articles have dozens of them and it drives me crazy! Is there an editor in the house?! I also wonder why every other issue is a 'Buyers Guide'. | ||
| James Selevan (Jselevan)
Member Username: Jselevan Post Number: 691 Registered: 6-2002 |
I did read the article, and I found it refreshing that the author called it as he saw it. Why put a great deal of money into a car that doesn't justify it? He described a very low end paint process to make the car look good, but not for show or value. It seems that the author of the letter found this earth-shattering - I interpreted the article as simply honest (perhaps honesty is earth-shattering?). Jim S. | ||
| Steve B (Sjb509)
New member Username: Sjb509 Post Number: 16 Registered: 6-2003 |
The buyer's guides from the early Forza's were very good IMO. While maybe not as in-depth as some would like, they aren't bad for a magazine. Comparing Excellence and Forza, both have a lot of advertising, but Forza gets the nod for me with every issue being all-color. The photography in general is better in Forza. Some technical articles in Forza are very interesting, such as the 308 rebuild articles recently. I think the majority of potential readers would enjoy articles such as these on keeping older "more affordable" Ferraris on the road. Obviously there is a place for new car test drives such as the 575 or Enzo, but R&T, C&D, etc will also have these same tests (probably with more access to the cars, and be accessed by many more readers). Hopefully Forza can incorporate more technical articles to differentiate itself from more mainstream car magazines. I am, like most potential readers, not in the financial position to purchase an Enzo or 575, but I am at the position where a $30k or $40k used Ferrari could be in my driveway. Articles that elaborate on the ownership experience of these cars (maintenance, simple hop-ups, paint jobs) are what would excite me about receiving the magazine in the mail every 6 weeks, not a six-page expose on the carbon fiber weave patterns that are available for the paddle shifters on a 2004 360 spider. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1838 Registered: 10-2002 |
I agree with Martin. I have also Cavallino, but get definitely more out of Forza. My bone to pick with Forza is the increased Maserati focus, but I guess that comes with the territory. But I still think those are wasted pages... | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 5648 Registered: 5-2001 |
I did not read the article yet so I do not want to comment. Forza has doone much for the actual driver crowd out there instead of the "I-park-my-Ferrari-only-in-a-heated-garage" crowd. Concolurse guys read Cavallino and drivers read Forza. If you think a $20K 308 needs a $ 10,000 paint job go ahead and waist your money. If you can do it decent for $ 3000 do it and put the extra money into a service and a new CD player. Maybe there is room for improvement, there actually always is. It is a damn good magazine no matter what! Thaks for DRIVING Ferraris not SHOWING them! | ||
| Ryan Alexander (Ryalex)
New member Username: Ryalex Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2003 |
The thing that disappoints me about Forza is that it has about as much advertising (% wise) as a DuPont Registry, and not enough writing. I can't count the number of times I bee-line to it on a magazine rack (with intent to buy), flip through it in 5-8 minutes, and then put it back. Excellence has much more content - I'm not as much of a P-car fan, but I'll agree even with the 2-3 I've read through it was much more substantial (and convicing I might want a 911...). If I'm going to shell out anything over $4-5 for a magazine I usually buy CAR. | ||
| Dave Goldman (Dave328)
Member Username: Dave328 Post Number: 255 Registered: 11-2002 |
Patrick: Thanks, but I have the issue already. I'll just have to read it again to refresh my memory. Chris:It was a different guy from the one I'm talking about. I'm drawing a total blank on his name though. He had made several comments that made us look like a bunch of backwoods bumpkins. Even going so far as calling a F50 the "worlds rattiest" because it had gotten dirty from driving it.Of course,like I said before, I don't think he's a regular writer. More freelance. For the most part,I do like Forza. They do a good job of covering everything Ferrari which isn't very easy. | ||
| Chris Parr (Cmparrf40)
Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 692 Registered: 3-2002 |
This guy overreacted.... With a temper like that he probably works at the post office! As part of the F40 article last December, I got to know the FORZA crowd pretty well and I truly think they are true Ferraristi, but even with all of that enthusiasm, our article did not go as planned. My F40's master cylinder failed, Roland's F40 would not run due to fuel issues and Tim's car was not given the credit it deserved. Peter Brock wrote the article and he has turned into a very good friend, but I am afraid we did not give him much to write about... This article was not bad, I agreed with the notion to leave cars untouched, but I disagreed with the thought of putting a cheap paint job on any car, a proper repaint IMHO includes removal of windows, doors etc. I do not care if it is a TR6 or a TR250, if it worth doing, do it right! Jackie Jouret is a good person, her integrity shows when she posted this guys letter... | ||
| Patrick Denonville (Arizonaguy)
Member Username: Arizonaguy Post Number: 515 Registered: 4-2003 |
Dave, give me your email address and I will email you the article. | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Intermediate Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 2021 Registered: 1-2001 |
IIRC, the Sheehan article on painting a 308 actually appeared in an earlier FORZA. | ||
| Russ Turner (Snj5)
Member Username: Snj5 Post Number: 368 Registered: 2-2003 |
While Forza could improve, the letter is a bit histrionic. I'm pretty proud they printed it without comment. I am glad there is an adjunct magazine to Cavallino such as Forza. Pretty challenging to keep a niche magazine viable and maintain a wide demographic appeal. Personally, I am hoping they start to drift more into technical/user/owner issues like their sister publication Excellence. Cavallino does quite well with Ferrari history. I also agree if they got LWayne, many of the technical and Vintage posters, or some of the other great folks on this board to contribute, it would be interesting. Of course, I get fired up about the electric window circuit mod posts, which may not have wide appeal.... best rt | ||
| Dave Goldman (Dave328)
Member Username: Dave328 Post Number: 252 Registered: 11-2002 |
There is a guy, his name escapes me at this time, who is a contributing writer for Forza. I think he's a regular in Roundel. He has butchered the articles in one way or another for our last few Concourso's. I wouldn't be surprised if he had something to do with the article in question. | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 958 Registered: 12-2001 |
Agree that Forza has gotten pretty bad. I quit reading some time ago, but recall that some F-chat members(the ones who had their F40s there) had issues with the author who covered the Buttonwillow F40 day. Something about the author being less than honest. | ||
| Faisal Khan (Tvrfreak)
Member Username: Tvrfreak Post Number: 799 Registered: 3-2003 |
http://www.ferraris-online.com/ | ||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Intermediate Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 1152 Registered: 8-2001 |
What is the address to Michael Sheehan's website? | ||
| Faisal Khan (Tvrfreak)
Member Username: Tvrfreak Post Number: 797 Registered: 3-2003 |
It's one of the worst magazines I force myself to wade through--just in case there's something useful. 90% of the time, there isn't. Sheehan's website is pretty good. Lots of great info. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 5688 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hey, you think they'd give me a column...? i could go to the editor and say: "Hey, listen... i have nothing to write about for next issue; why don't you give me the keys to the Enzo..." | ||
| L. Wayne Ausbrooks (Lwausbrooks)
Moderator Username: Lwausbrooks Post Number: 2277 Registered: 8-2002 |
 | ||
| Dr. Ken Lee (Kenster888)
Junior Member Username: Kenster888 Post Number: 246 Registered: 4-2003 |
They can start improving by hiring Wayne as editor. Or at least a consultant. | ||
| L. Wayne Ausbrooks (Lwausbrooks)
Moderator Username: Lwausbrooks Post Number: 2276 Registered: 8-2002 |
Agreed. | ||
| Dr. Ken Lee (Kenster888)
Junior Member Username: Kenster888 Post Number: 245 Registered: 4-2003 |
BTW, I think this thread belongs in General Ferrari Discussion. | ||
| Dr. Ken Lee (Kenster888)
Junior Member Username: Kenster888 Post Number: 244 Registered: 4-2003 |
I do agree that most of the articles are junk with mistakes everywhere. The articles are too shallow and a journalism class is probably a good start. I can finish a whole magazine in half a dump and that's just not right. I do however, enjoy reading the letters. The magazine definitely needs improvement. Just my opinion. | ||
| Dave (Dave)
Member Username: Dave Post Number: 569 Registered: 4-2001 |
I would like to read the original article in issue #47 to see what was outlined. | ||
| Joe V. (Jts)
New member Username: Jts Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2003 |
What do you all think of this letter in the recent Forza #48? I agree that Michael Sheehan's article is great, but am I the only one that thinks this letter was a little too harsh?  |