By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Sour grapes of the day: The Truth About Cars has been begging Mopar for a Challenger test car, only to be outraged by the fact that "Chrysler LLC refuses to acknowledge TTAC's existence." Gee, why would a domestic automaker do that? Maybe because all TTAC does is spew hate and vitriol for the Detroit automakers, loudly delight in their every misfortune, and smack their lips in gleeful anticipation of the collapse of our nation's auto industry? Obviously Ma Mopar hasn't heard the one about keeping your enemies closer—and TTAC, after being further thwarted from even taking a regular-joe dealership test drive, decided that the Challenger isn't really that big a deal after all. Here's the news:

• Viper forums and fansites are buzzing about the news that Dodge might be selling off its high-dollar halo car, but they're more optimistic than you might think. The overall consensus of fans is that they'd rather see the Viper die on its feet than live on its knees. Edmunds.
• Here's a sign of the times: even Toyota is throttling back for 2009, lowering its global sales target by 700,000 cars. Things are rough all over, Ponyboy. msnbc.
• Researchers are reporting that the use of seat-warmers may contribute to male infertility by raising, in Jalopnik's words, "the temperature of key equipment above its suggested operating range." Considering the reluctance of drug companies to bring simple male contraception to market, heated seats might be what men have to settle for. Jalopnik.
• Ford has released its "new" galloping-pony emblem for the 2010 Mustang, and it's basically the same as the old one. Only brawnier. Or darker. Or tougher. I dunno, can you really tell the difference? Maybe they should've put a cigar in the pony's mouth, and made him a little more like Mr. Horsepower. About.com.

Comments

Skooter2
Aug 30, 2008 1:42:13 PM

Looks like Farago is up to his usual bashing. Fresh from vacation bashing GM's latest ad campaign and continuing to assault the Volt. Typical. And to Mike- PLEASE investigate before writing a review.

Corey Morgan aka sasktrini
Aug 30, 2008 12:27:19 AM

Mr. Farago, I believe Jen did one better than write a paid article for you to prove her worth as a writer. Her article was written in May, and her experiences were appreciated by comments made from the CarDomain User Community. She's not scared to tell the truth. I am surprised though to read that TTAC has waged a campaign against Jen, "lifting" your anti-flaming policy to attack a columnist who you consider to be so insignificant. Jen is reporting the news as it comes across her desk, and you and TTAC have played into it. Better fire your VP of Public Relations... he/she messed up.

Mr. Farago, to write the truth about the Challenger, it seems you can only say "We couldn't get one to test drive", what do your columnists know first hand about the car? Jen has driven one and shared her experience with you for free.

Really, it seems to me like you are in the business of pushing people around rather than reviewing cars... batter read your mission statement again, and get back to the work you set out to do.

Jen, keep doing the work you do!

machomachoman
Aug 29, 2008 6:08:30 PM

Somebody tell Justin Berkowitz to reinsert that paragraph about TTAC not taking pleasure in Detroit's misfortunes. It seems to have disappeared. I think it's because he now realizes that TTAC does take pleasure in Detroit's woes.

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:B2J5VRlEBQgJ:www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cardomain-blog-editor-jen-dunnaway-not-in-ttac-fan-club/+ttac+jen+dunnaway&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cardomain-blog-editor-jen-dunnaway-not-in-ttac-fan-club/

SexCpotatoes
Aug 29, 2008 12:02:55 PM

TTAC has a specific no flaming policy for commentators. Every reader is invited to write a rebuttal to ANY argument on the site. Don't think Chrysler is going to go bankrupt? Write a coherent article, citing facts, on why you believe they are in good (ha!) shape. The readers are NOT to impugn other commentators dignity, accuse the writers of bias, or any other sort of flaming. Gee, wow, how draconian can you get!?!

I await Jen's UNEDITED article on TTAC, if she can provide one.

Robert Farago
Aug 29, 2008 7:33:25 AM

Uh, Jen, a link to a Charger blurbette with pics is not the same as publishing a proper rebuttal or review on TTAC.

C'mon, if you think we're so closed minded, prove it. Write the truth as you see it, and we'll publish it and pay you. We're ready, willing and able to prove that we're not closed minded, or a closed shop.

John the Accountant
Aug 29, 2008 5:54:41 AM

If TTAC is so biased, why is it on their Chevy review page do key vehicles like the Tahoe get 4 stars? The Corvette gets 4 stars and the "ultra-important" (at least according to Motor Trend) Malibu gets 4 stars from a domestic hating website?

My grandmother always said think before your speak...

Avinash Machado
Aug 29, 2008 2:28:43 AM

I am glad that Autoblog and Jalopnik don't get into these kind of controversies.

Mike Solowiow
Aug 28, 2008 10:18:04 PM

P.S. Read your Challenger review link, and its much too short. Please send me a longer one if you will, at Ltsolo03@mac.com.

Mike Solowiow
Aug 28, 2008 10:14:40 PM

Jen, hate to burst your bubble, but guess who gave us a Challenger SRT8? Expect the review next week.

anon
Aug 28, 2008 10:00:20 PM

Truth about cars, a leader with an iron fist..dumb as marketing. Truth about cars and real people who want to know it, have a mechanic that swears, welds, and crushes components shrugged off...and there is at least 10 in every automobile, sometimes the entire automobile itself. TTAC cannot lie to me, no blogger can....I am glad jen "bitches". I am glad about any blogger that does...even if vague. I frequent this as an everyday joe...At least cardomain has real people photos and users real voice in the real world. this going after new stuff like it is a legend and then being a ninny...Ridiculous. I think I may understand jen's gripe more than the purpose of ttac...as an everyday anonymous reader...even I was made target (inadvertantly I have assumed)

Dr Lemming
Aug 28, 2008 8:50:18 PM

"Hate and vitriol"? I disagree. TTAC is pretty critical of Big Three management. Do I always agree with it? Nope. But the analysis tends to be more sophisticated than in almost all of the major enthusiast magazines. Just as importantly, the comments threads tend to draw some remarkably thoughtful discussion.

To my eyes the American auto industry has declined partly because the news media has been asleep at the wheel. Too many journalists seem to see their work as glorified stenography -- if not outright hackery. I can understand why. The automakers can be quite aggressive in pressing media outlets for positive coverage (e.g., GM's boycott of the LA Times in the wake of Dan Neil's iconoclastic reviews). My bet is that Dan would have been fired if he wasn't such a darn good writer and holder of a Pulitzer.

Jen, if you aren't careful you may give the impression -- whether mistakenly or not -- that you see yourself as brainless cheerleader rather than a serious journalist. I suppose there is plenty of fame and fortune to be made by waving those pompoms, but in the long run that ain't gonna save Detroit.

Robertdj
Aug 28, 2008 8:48:49 PM

TTAC is not biased. It is in the business of providing truth about the current car market and its manufacturers... The 2009 Acura TSX also got what it deserved. TTAC is run by car people, and the reviews are not written by marketing types who maximize advertising income. Why would anyone want to read edmunds' generic "great car" reviews?

Jen
Aug 28, 2008 8:40:55 PM

Mr. Farago,

It's a bit old, but here you go:

http://blog.cardomain.com/blog/2008/05/one-lap-of-a-13.html

Thanks!
Jen

Michal O
Aug 28, 2008 8:34:15 PM

I agree, Mr Robert Fargo, I thought you were taking the week off?

TTAC is the truth accord to MR Fargo, and editor with an ego so large, he cannot stand being criticized He rules his site with an iron fist, and only those that agree with him, and his domestic bashing agenda are deemed worthy to post there. All others be banned, because Mr Fargo cannot stand someone thinking differently then him. (must still be cranky after being fired)

You reap the bed you sown. That’s what TTAC preaches for the domestic's, well then, its about time they get a taste of their own medicine.

Mr Fargo, and his site, are on a crusade against the domestic industry, that’s fine, that’s their choice. But why whine about it, why after complaining about all the crap that comes out of Detroit, no one in Detroit wants to talk to you.

machomachoman
Aug 28, 2008 6:59:25 PM

CTS, Malibu, Corvette, three token TTAC reviews that people can point to and say, "hey, TTAC loves Detroit!", meanwhile they have an award that they've named after a GM exec to highlight the year's worst quotable line, their 10 Worst awards are filled from top to bottom with domestic cars, and their 'Deathwatch' series just conjures up images of vultures circling over a wounded gazelle.

Funny that calling out a site like TTAC automatically implies that we've got our head in the sand.

Robert Farago
Aug 28, 2008 6:57:53 PM

I invite Ms. Dunnaway to write an 800-word editorial/review on the Challenger-- or any aspect of Chrysler's current products or plans-- for The Truth About Cars. I will publish her views without any editing, and pay her our standard fee.

Jason
Aug 28, 2008 5:28:22 PM

TTAC is only perceived as anti-domestic because currently the domestics have so very, very much wrong with them, and they point it out. Now whose fault might that be?

Regular readers will recall them passing out some kicks in the shin to quote-unquote foreign car companies also, when cause arises.

Skooter2
Aug 28, 2008 5:19:55 PM

TTAC perhaps the most anti domestic site I have ever seen. If you are brave enough to hint that TTAC may be so, expect to be banned.

sean362880
Aug 28, 2008 4:29:44 PM

Two of TTAC's 10 Best for 2008 are domestics (Cadillac CTS and the Corvette). Many domestic car reviews on TTAC are positive. The vast majority of TTAC's readers lament the decline of the big 2.8, if you take the time to read the comments.

It's one thing to accuse TTAC of bias, it's quite another to stick your head in the sand.