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About Me
As a man thinks, so he is. Some people are never. Recent Posts
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CarSpace Alternate RouteTurn off the nav system, crumple up that MapQuest printout, and let's find out where the next random turn may take us! Jun 14, 2008 - Ask Dub Schwartz!
I recently got to sit down (OK, so I caught him in a corner) with Edmunds' editor-in-chief, author of the blog Karl on Cars, the man himself, Karl Brauer to ask a few questions of the man who a couple of the guys in my shop think looks like a combo of Jack Nicholson and Kevin Spacey.
Karl: My older brothers were into cars big time, but they spend more time under them than behind the wheel. I got into cars as a byproduct of their influence, but I was more interested in driving cars then endlessly wrenching on them. I guess the definition of “fun with cars” was different between my brothers and me. For what it’s worth, I’m the only one in the family to make a full-fledged living out my car interest, so HA BROS! IN YOUR FACE!
Karl: The Ford GT. It feels a bit weird saying that, as I grew up a certified Mopar nut. I still have the 1970 Plymouth GTX I had in high school, and I added a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T to the stable a couple years ago, but the Ford GT is such a phenomenal car on so many levels. The history it represents. The killer shape and proportions. The unique aspect of an American manufacturer producing such a radically exotic car. Zero-to-60 in less than 4 seconds doesn’t hurt, either.
Karl: The new Dodge Caliber jumps to mind, but obviously it’s not as bad as some historically wretched cars…is it? No, I guess it isn’t. Anyway, worst car of all time? I’m going to go with the 1977 Mercury Cougar station wagon. That year was pretty bleak across the entire automotive spectrum, but when a former pony car starts parading as an intermediate station wagon there’s something very wrong in the universe. This car itself wasn’t truly horrid (just very bad), but it perfectly represents the Dark Ages of the American Automobile, so it gets to wear the crown.
Karl: Actually the best part is being at the center of sea change in the automotive publishing world. After four years at Petersen Publishing (now Primedia) and 10 years at Edmunds.com I can honestly say it’s a the dawn of a new age. People are going to look back at the turn of this century as a time when EVERYTHING changed. How we research and shop. How we consumer media. How we communicate with one another. Those things are unrecognizable from just 10 years ago, and we’re only at the start of this new age. I couldn’t imagine a more exciting time to be the Editor in Chief of the top automotive Web site.
Karl: Collecting spores, mold and fungi? Sorry. Obscure Ghost Busters reference. I’m a major tech geek. I like video games, movies and audio equipment. I also have random screenplay ideas bouncing around in my head, one or two I’m convinced would make excellent movies. With that spectrum of interests it’s pretty clear -- I’d be selling shoes while trying to save enough money to rebuild the front end on my 1977 Mercury Cougar station wagon.
Karl: Hmm, I think I’ve done close to 1,000, so picking a “most fun” isn’t easy. I believe my blog asking if gas really cost too much holds the record for most comments (152), but I think my global warming posts are the most fun. They never fail to elicit plenty of back-and-forth from both sides of the argument.
Karl: Next question.
Karl: Of course not! The driving beret is a 50/50 cotton-polyester blend!
Karl: When you’re asked “What makes you want to be an automotive journalist?” by prospective employers please don’t say, “Well, I just love driving cars and want to get paid to do it.” Newsflash – Everybody loves driving cars! Or at least everybody trying to work in this industry does. That’s like someone asking, “Why do you want to be an actor?” and answering with, “Well, I love the idea of being rich and famous, so I just know I’d be a good actor.” If you want to use that line as part of a larger answer, like, “Well, beyond being a major car fanatic I’ve got a real interest in helping consumers figure out what car is best for them.” that’s okay. That’s just one example. Maybe you love writing and have always had a passion for cars and want to combine the two. There are plenty of good answers, but saying, “I think it sounds like fun to get paid for driving cars” isn’t one of them.
Karl: Technically there’s a chance of almost anything. You know, there’s a “chance” gas will go back to costing $1 a gallon…
Aug 12, 2007 - Sunday Drive: On the Road to Edmunds!
Even though Karl Brauer didn't take us out in his GT to show us how to get a speeding ticket, we got to spend some time with him discussing the non-existent merits of the Dodge Caliber that I had as a rental in LA. The Caliber generated such feeling and emotion in those who had the experience of riding in it with me, that I've decided to make it the subject of my daily automotive haiku... Caliber, rented Stuck with a Caliber? Try a StickMop to clean up the mess
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