Top Gear Philippines magazine

bishop

i saw a Top Gear Philippines magazine earlier today at one of the magazine stalls at galleria. it had the M3, SLK 2004 and another car in the cover.

has anyone seen/read it already? any feedback?

i was thinking of getting it kasi.

BOOGIECAT

The magazine's kinda lame and the articles is too unorganized(just like C!),just like FHM which also published by Summit.I'd rather spent my money on Autocar ASEAN WHICH IS MUCH BETTER!

Pao|o

I'm confused I thought the cover below is the premier issue.

mrpathetic

yep! autocar definitely much better...i was disappointed nga with the first issue...

shun_sakurai

Autocar Asean's actually gotten worse these past few months...been reading it since Dec 2001. Ever since they moved operations from S'pore to Malaysia they've come up a bit lacking. The UK content always helps though.

Top Gear Phils. is lacking in pictures daw, according to friends who've read it.

BOOGIECAT

Originally posted by shun_sakurai
Autocar Asean's actually gotten worse these past few months...been reading it since Dec 2001. Ever since they moved operations from S'pore to Malaysia they've come up a bit lacking. The UK content always helps though.

Top Gear Phils. is lacking in pictures daw, according to friends who've read it.

Oo medyo nagiging worse na ang Autocar Asean kasi nasa Malaysia na siya,mas maganda pa yung dati nung nasa Singapore pa ang operations.Anyway its true lacking ng pictures ang Top Gear Philippines,medyo malabo yung iba at panay crappy ang articles.Sana panay galing sa U.K nalang ang stories niya kasi nagparang FHM Philippines yung mag.

pse907

Bought the copy at P125 lang so it's cheap. To tell you the truth I was looking forward to reading the articles by Clarkson because it is witty and a very enjoyable read.

While I was reading the articles written by the Pinoy writers I noticed the similarities with the FHM style of writing ;writers seem to be competent as every one of them are linked to motorsports or auto journalism through one way or another.

It's like FHM for cars, but the big plus is the article by Clarkson

mrpathetic

i was expecting more pictures of the cars, interior engine etc...but it lacked and i lost interest going thorugh the magazine...also, it would be nice if they'd include a buyer's guide of cars available in Britain...hey, we buy the British Top Gear to see those cars anyway...

shun_sakurai

The way I see it Autocar Asean and Top Gear Phils. share one major selling benefit: the UK writers' content. Whatever foul-ups the local writers will have with their (ahem) contribution, the UK content will guarantee at least good circulation.

Sad state of affairs for local motoring journos but that's what licensing a popular brand gets you. C! should take this as a challenge.

I've had difficulty looking for a copy of Top Gear Phils. and so have my other friends. Hmm...

slamm

I have a copy but i still have yet to sit down to read what they have so i cant give any impressions on that side yet... Initial impression after a skim-scan was it could use more livelier pic layouts and colors... and a thicker paper grade (maybe that's partly where the P125.00 cost comes in). I also noticed a similar thinner grade paper on the last C! issue.

Verbl Kint

I just bought the mag yesterday. It's not the greatest car magazine but it's not bad for a maiden issue. I didn't find the articles lame or anything like that but there is definitely a little room for improvement here and there

I've been a huge fan of the show for many years now so it was kinda academic that I'd want to see Clarkson and The Stig's thoughts on print.

dindi

top gear as in the show on bbc? 'stig!

JB Nalang

Originally posted by shun_sakurai
I've had difficulty looking for a copy of Top Gear Phils. and so have my other friends. Hmm...

I found Top Gear in the news/magazine stands in the malls. It's usually beside C! magazine.

Clarkson is so funny in a dry wit Brit kind of way.

kyle618

Autocar Asean's actually gotten worse these past few months...been reading it since Dec 2001. Ever since they moved operations from S'pore to Malaysia they've come up a bit lacking.

wow i didnt know that... last issue i bought they were still in Spore. good thing i hvnt bought one lately

bishop

Originally posted by shun_sakurai
[/B]
I've had difficulty looking for a copy of Top Gear Phils. and so have my other friends. Hmm... [/B]

there are tons in galleria

shun_sakurai

Bought an issue in SM Bicutan a few days before I left for Bacolod.

It's...not bad. Pretty good IMO, actually.

They have a number of good reporters (the Ang brothers of Motioncars.com) and experts (Migs Herrera of Speedyfix). The ripped-off UK content (admit it) is as dry and witty as we've come to expect, and I'm pleased to see Jason Barlow still writing for Top Gear too (he was a former host).

The stories seem conflicting though. 80% of the UK content is all about praising/nitpicking big, brash sporting cars with [email protected]; obviously the local counterparts can't deliver too much of that (RP's car market is too horribly small). The local "Top Gear 2" back pages are pretty darn nice and thoughtful though.

Layout-wise I think it's okay. The body text is a bit too heavy on the eyes though...I suggest a change of typeface. Or at least make it thinner.

The photos are all okay but a bit...blah. Even from the UK stories I was expecting SIDEWAYS shots...where were those?

Verbl Kint

They should also show the Top Gear sched on BBC along with the reruns so the readers know when to watch.

BOOGIECAT

Marami silang magagaling na contributors(MAS MAGALING PA SA C!) pero wish ko improve nila yung layout nang kaunti lalo na yung photos.Anyway maiden issue to kaya i don't expect to much(ganyan naman talaga ang Summit Media eh)Sana myroon yung ibang articles sa U.K version para mas maganda.At local official website please.

shun_sakurai

I appreciate the inclusion of articles on how to get oneself involved in motorsport.

Surely a small step towards getting racing off the streets...

Pao|o

I think Top Gear Phil reached the right balance of the written word and photos. Other mags have little to say (minsan pilit) and too much badly taken shots.

JB Nalang

What do you guys think of the women's section? Pia Boren is my big crush, but do you think this section fits in Top Gear?