[pixelblue]

http://m.jalopnik.com/5760248/how-ferrari-spins

[TK-421]

DAMN

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by shift@red

I have heard about this before. Ferrari has 'rules' and sends ringers to comparo tests and still cant win all the time (i.e. GT3 RS = best drivers car in the world)

+1

This has come up before.

Despite public performance test fudging and better performers from other brands, they're still pretty to just have in the garage.

[Garduna]

Damnnnnn O_O!

[Year's_End]

Since I consider Chris Harris the closest thing to god in the world of automotive journalism, I pretty much believe whatever he says.

Opinion of Ferrari just dropped a hell of a lot.

[TK-421]

I honestly don't care about politics. I love the cars and that's about it.

[BTM]

Came in here to post this article...

Originally Posted by Nikkahtropolis

Since I consider Chris Harris the closest thing to god in the world of automotive journalism, I pretty much believe whatever he says.

Opinion of Ferrari just dropped a hell of a lot.

I sure hope your avatar isn't your closest thing to Jesus...I've come across Harris and he's a typical British automotive journalist...my opinion of him is still reserved.

That said, while minor fiddling seems to be commonplace (it's come up from Porsche, Audi, and yes Ferrari before albeit not as adamantly), if what is reported here is true it's above and beyond ridiculous...2 cars to provide 1 set of results? Bullshit. Assuming the transgressions reported here are true, big thumbsdown to Ferrari

[330CIZHP]

Wow! Chris Harris is one of the most well respected and honest automotive journalists.

I had been questioning for a while why in every test Ferrari was supplying the test 458 cars with an optional set of custom Michelin Pilot PS2 tires with super-slick outer shoulders rather than the standard factory Bridgestone Potenza S001 tires that the customers get delivered with their 458? This article answers it a bit.

[BTM]

Originally Posted by 330CIZHP

Wow! Chris Harris is one of the most well respected and honest automotive journalists.

Hmm...this is a sentiment I've missed. I've never outright disagreed with the man, and I'm not questioning his integrity, but just never got this impression of him. I'm not big into the euro-mags though...sure they are decent publications but the blind love they get does baffle me.

If this truly is the case, Ferrari has taken the practice of "tweaking" press cars to a new, indefensible level. I wonder what others will have to say about this, he surely can't be the only one fed up with it...

[Cdnrockies]

Good rant, but naive to think that other manufacturer's aren't fudging their results as well. What is laughable is Ferrari's attempt to set the control's for any media reporting.

how ****ing paranoid do you have to be to put even stickier rubber on a Scuderia? It's like John Holmes having an extra two inches grafted onto his ****.

Can someone please turn this into my sig?

[BTM]

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

Good rant, but naive to think that other manufacturer's aren't fudging their results as well. What is laughable is Ferrari's attempt to set the control's for any media reporting.

+1...the difference is the likes of what is being reported here is to a degree that hasn't been witnessed since the muscle car days...

[pixelblue]

loved the john holms analogy. soooo funny and true.

@BTM pick up a copy of EVO and you will understand why I haven't bought an american car mag in 10 years. truly disgraceful with all the advertising pages and half ass test and reviews. even though EVO cost more, at least you get more for your money with insightful reviews, beautiful pictures and videos. better yet they have come up with an ipad edition. they are on the cutting edge when it comes to all things automotive

[BTM]

Originally Posted by pixelblue

loved the john holms analogy. soooo funny and true.

@BTM pick up a copy of EVO and you will understand why I haven't bought an american car mag in 10 years. truly disgraceful with all the advertising pages and half ass test and reviews. even though EVO cost more, at least you get more for your money with insightful reviews, beautiful pictures and videos. better yet they have come up with an ipad edition. they are on the cutting edge when it comes to all things automotive

I have plenty of European mags...buy them all the time. I just don't find them to be the end all for automotive journalist truths, as many in the US have (and understandably, given the recent history of our prominent market offerings...) The only one I buy that really stands out is Octane IMO. I've noticed the same advertising trend in Euromags, and clearly, by Harris' account, they don't have much more integrity than the US rags. I really only read (and in order) Road & Track, Octane, Motor Trend Classic, and Evo/Car/Etc.

None really stands above another IMO, Peter Egan is my favorite automotive journalist, bar none...and a R&T script is like $18 for 2 years. I wish Octane would've stuck to their mission of balanced classic/contemporary articles (classically biased), but overall they are my favorite. I appreciate Evo, Car, but don't have the hardon for them many seem to get when paying $12 for a magazine that says imported from the UK on the cover...I just don't find them that compellingly above and beyond or groundbreaking

2c

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by BTM

Hmm...this is a sentiment I've missed. I've never outright disagreed with the man, and I'm not questioning his integrity, but just never got this impression of him. I'm not big into the euro-mags though...sure they are decent publications but the blind love they get does baffle me.

If this truly is the case, Ferrari has taken the practice of "tweaking" press cars to a new, indefensible level. I wonder what others will have to say about this, he surely can't be the only one fed up with it...

I've watched all of his autocar reviews and comparisons, read nearly all of his Evo articles and columns, and I hold him above all other journalists without a doubt.

Forget the fact that he has a brilliant way with words; he's able to provide really intricate insight about how cars drive, avoiding the typical bullshit like saying "X" passenger car has a lot of steering feel over "Y". In fact, I love how he calls out most passenger cars as lacking much of anything in steering feel, which is true. He's always professional by finding criticism in a car, which is what his job should require (I see way to much unabashed love for certain cars in domestic mags). It's also the fact that I can completely relate to him when he explains whatever it is about a car that makes it feel special.

His columns are great reads. I just think I'd be able to spend a solid day nerding out about cars with the guy.

Originally Posted by BTM

I sure hope your avatar isn't your closest thing to Jesus...I've come across Harris and he's a typical British automotive journalist...my opinion of him is still reserved.

Hell naw. I just love Clarkson.

[BTM]

Originally Posted by Nikkahtropolis

I've watched all of his autocar reviews and comparisons, read nearly all of his Evo articles and columns, and I hold him above all other journalists without a doubt.

Forget the fact that he has a brilliant way with words; he's able to provide really intricate insight about how cars drive, avoiding the typical bullshit like saying "X" passenger car has a lot of steering feel over "Y". In fact, I love how he calls out most passenger cars as lacking much of anything in steering feel, which is true. He's always professional by finding criticism in a car, which is what his job should require (I see way to much unabashed love for certain cars in domestic mags). It's also the fact that I can completely relate to him when he explains whatever it is about a car that makes it feel special.

His columns are great reads. I just think I'd be able to spend a solid day nerding out about cars with the guy.

Hell naw. I just love Clarkson.

Good to know man. Like I said, I'm aware of his work but was never so enthralled with it to seek it out. This has caught my attention however, and I'll continue to give it to him. If what he's reporting here is true, this is the type of journalist who is ideal for car magazines, and may even dial back much of my pessimism when it comes to reading reviews and also considering the motives behind them...how many people cross check the tires pictured on a car with what the factory equips them with? Especially if there are different packages that come with different tires?

[Epik]

Ferrari's business is not just cars. They have a brand to protect and they they seduce people into a higher class lifestyle with stupid looking ferrari logos on everything.

I've never been a real fan of ferrari. They've been doing this sort of thing forever and when you let the cars speak for themselves they do ok but are not the best let alone bang for buck.

I think the aura with Ferrari has already shriveled ten fold within our generation and it doesn't look like they're doing anything to change that trajectory. New 458 and 559 are meh and a FF now lol.

[330CIZHP]

I do respect Chris Harris more than any other automotive journalist.

[michaelthepsycho]

Never been a huge fan of Ferrari. The only one I'd have is the 430 Scuderia. 458 Italia looks like ass; 599 looks like ass. Props to Chris Harris for sticking it to The Man.

[footie]

Originally Posted by shift@red

I have heard about this before. Ferrari has 'rules' and sends ringers to comparo tests and still cant win all the time (i.e. GT3 RS = best drivers car in the world)

And you think Ferrari are the only one sending ringers to comparisons? Need to look closer to home.

[manicm]

What all of you miss is that he acknowledges that Ferrari makes great cars - he just justifiably hates their politics.

To call the 458 and 599 duff cars is completely foolish, because the fact is they're not. And to ask why people buy Ferraris, well why do people buy Rolls-Royces or why do people smoke Cuban cigars?

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by manicm

What all of you miss is that he acknowledges that Ferrari makes great cars - he just justifiably hates their politics.

To call the 458 and 599 duff cars is completely foolish, because the fact is they're not.

+1

[NYCGP]

It's like John Holmes having an extra two inches grafted onto his dick