The best car magazines
 

Hey, folks -

No doubt many of you live, eat and breathe cars outside of this forum. What rags are you into? Here are my top five "musts" for the car enthusiast:

1) Car and Driver - It's the Applebees of the auto mags. There is something in there for everyone to like, though sometimes it can be a little general. The writing is world class, and new car testing is evaluated in a data-driven, real-world, at the limits method that is second to none. John Phillips and Brock Yates write columns each month that are worth the price of the magazine alone.

2) Automobile - Sort of like Car and Driver, but has a greater dose of automotive culture in it. Like art and photography related to the automobile, concours meets, and Robert Cumberford's "By Design" column that picks apart car designs to see what styling tricks work, and which do not. Truthfully, I subscribe mainly to read Jamie Kitman's incredibly entertaining editorials every month.

3) Autoweek - Good for updates in motorsports, and it comes every week. It'll give you your car mag fix in between receiving Car and Driver and Automobile. Plus, you'll get to see the concept cars before readers of the other mags will.

4) Grass Roots Motorsports - A must for anyone who has ever entertained the idea of (legit) racing. Great tech articles, reviews of cars that would do well on the track, and helpful driving technique information. Plus, it will keep you in the loop regarding NASA and SCCA events that are coming to a track near you!

5) Sport Compact Car - you saw this one coming, didn't you? Great tech articles, fun to read features on fast cars and import racing, without as much coverage of the scene as other magazines that seem to be more about the girls than the cars.

If you have other suggested reading, please share! BTW, anyone know of any Mazda BOOKS (not mags) that are worth reading? I've looked on Amazon, and have not found a one (other than the usual Miata and RX-7 stuff).