Letter Of The Month
This month's Letter of the Month will receive an exclusive eurotuner T-shirt for his effort. If you'd like the same, email us at eurotuner@primedia.com or write to: eurotuner Magazine Letters, 6420 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Doors 1
I'm writing about your editorial in the 10/05 issue. I can honestly agree with you about the level of pure garbage that's become so common in the Euro community. Taste has become so lost that it really frustrated me when building my own car. And it seems that although I do receive respect for my car from people in the scene, my car places near or dead last at most shows. To me this has become the norm, and honestly I couldn't care less. It is completely pointless for me to build a car to win a show. I'd rather build it for myself.
Your comments were what I would expect to see in other magazines in the VW scene, not in et. The reason for this was even cited in your article: that et somehow has cars like this in the magazine.
I mean, the Miami Vice green BMW in the issue is just another example of a car with 12 miles on the odometer and 300 plastic trophies in front of it at a show. However, I can only hope things are changing. The last three cover cars made me stop and actually buy the magazine off the shelf, (Frankie B's Mk3, JJ's Jetta and the 10/05 GTI) as the cars represent style and taste. I honestly like the 10/05 issue more than any other for two years. I am desperate to see a mag that doesn't cost $10 a month that actually covers and promotes the real VW/Audi/BMW scene.
BTW, thanks for dropping a photo of my Jetta in the Waterfest coverage, it brought a huge smile to my face. It's the silver widebody on p52.Greg TivadarEmail
Interestingly, the GTI you liked on the cover of the 10/05 issue also had Lambo-style doors but we chose not to show them in photos.
Doors 2
I've just finished reading your editor's letter concerning the swarm of Hondas and other cars with Lambo doors, and I cannot tell you how relieved I am that somebody has finally expressed that opinion. I've seen Honda Civics with barely any engine mods but Lambo doors. Thanks for getting that out in the open.
David Bryant
Email
Doors 4
After reading your editorial I too agree with your views. I've spent years in the aftermarket automotive industry, and like you I thought this trend would have stayed with the Honda fans, but alas it spread like wildfire. I've seen these doors at mini truck shows on a nicely painted and slammed Toyota Tacoma, no less! And what's it all worth? A 4ft plastic trophy. I for one don't wish to see this trend invade the Euro scene, but to each his own I guess. Everybody has their own taste, no matter how obnoxious it may look.
Brad Harvey
Email
Bikes 5
Here is a pic of my 2004 Buell XB12S Lightning. I shot it with my 2001 Jetta 1.8T Wolfsburg Edition and 2004 Touareg V6. Neither the Jetta or Buell are stock (the Touareg is because my wife drives it!) and I have a hard time deciding which to drive to work, unless the weather decides for me...
Chris Robbins
Email
Intimidated "Bringing the 5 alive" was an excellent piece in 8/05 issue. As the proud owner of an R32, I was a cautious about the new Golf. But this article that showed the car's setup, stance and attitude really got me thinking about the potential of the Mk5 once it's in the hands of the devoted.
On another note, I was crawling some rally sites the other night and ran across one dedicated to the Escort RS Cosworth (www.wrc-cosworth.org). I had the pleasure in late 1997 to pilot an RS Cosworth while working for Ford in the UK. I can clearly remember walking up to the machine and feeling intimidated by it. I knew before even stepping into the saddle that it operated on that razor-edge of out of control; insurance on the vehicle was so high it was like a second car payment!