Car Magazines Subscriptions

Popular Mechanics (1-year)

Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $47.88

Popular Mechanics is a Jack-of-All-Trades Magazine. I have been an avid reader since high school picking up every other issue or so at local newsstands. I only recently finally got smart and picked up a subscription. For the price you can't go wrong. PM is filled with informative articles on everything ranging from new technology, world events, woodworking tips, car care, automotive design, and computers. PM does not delve to deep into any particular subject, rather it gives you a broad view of all of them.

In each issue your likely to find tips on how to change and fix a flat tire on your car, plans on how to build wood furniture, reviews on new cars, and reports on upcoming technology. The articles are always interesting and provide enough information to let you do a little more digging if the subject matter sparks your interest. Jay Leno even writes an automotive section that is always enjoyable to read.

The product reviews are informative and have helped me with numerous purchases ranging from new cars, snow blowers, power tools, dirt bikes and the like. I would recommend this magazine to anyone interested in any of the mentioned subjects but can't afford 40 different subscriptions to cover them all. -- "darkwulfe" (Bozeman, MT USA)

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Usually ships in 4 to 6 weeks

Car and Driver

Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $49.41

I've subscribed to C&D reasonably consistently for about 10 years. I've periodically let my subscription expire for a few months at a time (mainly because I'm too lazy to renew) and have periodically subscribed to (or picked up at the mewstand) other US car magazines like Road & Track, Motortrend, Autoweek, etc., but keep finding myself coming back to C&D. C&D is clearly superior to those I just mentioned, in my opinion.

There are, however, a few magazines out there - like the UK's EVO and CAR, that may be better than C&D from some points of view (better photography, great reviews of a lot of exclusive sports cars I'll never get my hands on), but those publications are very pricey and they don't have as much information on mainstream cars you can buy in the US.

What I like: Good all around magazine. The road tests and comparison tests are generally very good, and reviews are generally chock full of tables of data (acceleration times, pricing, etc.). It's reasonably well written and, generally speaking, when you read a review you get a sense that the editor/reviewer knows what he's talking about (this isn't the case for some of C&D's competitors, unfortunately). -- Adam

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

Motor Trend

Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $59.88

Motor Trend never fails to deliver. I like the fact that they cover such a wide variety of vehicles, everything from SUVs, CUVs, trucks, sportscars, import "tuners", sub-compacts, high-priced exotics, concepts and rumors. The news is fresh and accurate, the issues arrive on time, the mags are thick, pics are crisp, letters are interesting and articles provide usefull information. -- Kevin D. Geaslin "Houston's Own..."

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

Trailer Life

Amazon Price: $15.97 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $47.88

We're newbies to the RV lifestyle. This is a great magazine to become acquainted with all you need to learn. The advertisements are very informative...and help to make you aware of different products on the market that you may or may not need. The articles are full of good all-around tips and travel ideas. I'll be renewing our subscription......again. -- loverofjesus (Virgie, IN USA)

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

European Car

Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $71.88

If you want to keep up with the european car scene, this is the mag for you!

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

Nascar Illustrated

Amazon Price: $45.00 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $60.00

What else needs to be said. It's Nascar, it's from sports illistrated. It's nothing but nascar... We gave it as a gift for a hard to buy for relative. He loves it. Will renew the subscription every year. -- J. Twedt "reader" (Eldora, IA)

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

Car Craft

Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $71.88

If a well tuned motor and a humming engine is what turns you on, then this magazine about high performance cars is right for you!

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

Road & Track

Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $47.88

Road and Track is like the tortise and the hare. It doesn't move with lighting speed from trend to trend as some other publications. But its slow and methodical evolution yeilds a contemporary classic. It's format and photography are faultless. The editorials are engaging, particularly Peter Egan's. And no one can match the prowess of technical editor Dennis Semantis. Quite possibly the best automotive magazine in the industry. -- SPDMNMiata (Houston, Texas)

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

Bimmer

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $39.92

This is a great magazine for BMW owners. Unlike most of the other magazines on BMW's, which are often published from the UK, this one is printed in the USA and covers a wide range of topics each month on new and older models. One highlight for US owners is that the magazine is full of ads and websites to buy parts and performance upgrades. A quick glance through this magazine and in about 20 minutes I was able to find some parts for my 1987 535is, and at a significant discount!

Typically the articles, photos and tips cover the wide range of models from the 70's, 80's, 90's up through the most recent offerings. While the editorial staff has often been accused of being too biased in favor of the marquee, what would you expect from a BMW magazine? If you are an owner or fan of these "ultimate driving machines" then this publication should be part of your monthly reading. -- Michael Erisman (Seattle, WA)

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

Automobile

Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 12/24/2009)

Automobile magazine emerged from the creative mind of David E. Davis, Jr. who founded it in 1986 after leaving Car & Driver abruptly. Their moto: "No Boring Cars." This moto has largely succeeded. Davis left several years ago - he's in his 70's so he's entitled to slow down - and left the editorship to Ms. Jean Lindamood Jennings, also formerly of Car & Driver. Personally, I think she is brilliant, but Davis and the suits didn't agree. She assumed the position of "President," while Brit Gavin Conway joined as the new editor in chief. Jennings colum returned to it's traditional place on the back page. She is charming, sharp-witted, and just a share irreverant. Like I said, brilliant. Other notables include the incomparable Jamie Kitman and the newly discovered Ezra Dyer. Both write with a candor unmatched by any other automobile publication.

The downside: the magazine is a bit thin. They charge as much or more than other magazines for a subscription, but include less "stuff" each month. Their tech stats also pale in comparison to others. But if numbers are your thing, read Road & Track or Car & Driver. However, if you read to read, you'll love Automobile. Personally, I just subscribe to them all. -- SPDMNMiata (Houston, Texas)

Excellence: The Magazine About Porsche

Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $44.91

This is a great magazine for both owners and fans of Porsche. Bruce Anderson's columns alone are a good enough reason to purhcase it. The mix of topics makes it a magazine for everyone; from reviews of the latest and greatest to articles on older Porsches which well within the reach of any enthusiast. I have subscribed for many years and can't conceive of it not arriving in my mailbox.

The market section and owner reports make it invaluable for someone looking to purchase a Porsche (no one would sell one would they?), I have been trying hard not to to use excellent or excellence in this description, but quite frankly it is an excellent magazine! -- M. J Bauer "Mike Bauer - Voracious Reader" (Commerce Township, MI USA)

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

Four Wheeler

Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $71.88

If Four Wheeling is what gets you pleasure and if you want to keep up to date with the developments in 4 wheelers, then this is exactly the magazine you need!

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

Hot Rod

Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $71.88

Highly tuned engines, great looking rods... This magazine deals exclusively with the hottest and fastest there are. If you're in to muscle cars and speed, then this is the magazine for you!

This is the best car magazine in the universe for all you gear heads out there. As the name implies, it is strictly about hot rods: big blocks, big tires, big smoke--you get the picture. You can learn how to get rid of the rust on your car and find the best place to get parts for your '69 Sting Ray and find out about the new Z06's. I am car-tarded, my husband is the mechanic. He runs an auto shop and he actually refers to this magazine in his line of work. However, I've actually *learned* something from this magazine and I can actually talk shop with the boys! It's a great entertainment and learning tool regardless of the reason why you read it--to learn about the brand new Camaro coming out and different car reviews. -- L. M. Bachman "the newlywed" (Hanover, PA)

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

4-Wheel & Off-Road

Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $71.88

This magazine is focused on beginning and advanced four-wheel drive enthusiasts who involve themselves in the sport of mastering rough terrain and personalizing trucks. Its features include how-to advice and information on truck purchasing, racers and racing, recreational drivers and outdoor enthusiasts.

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months

Old Cars Weekly (1-year)

Amazon Price: $30.98 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $130.00

I purchased a subscription to this magazine for my father, who loves old cars. It is not a beautiful publication, but it comes every week and he seems to thoroughly enjoy it. The publication style fits those who hang out in cold garages and scrounge for parts! - a customer

I bought this for my father and he couldn't be happier. The price is great for the quality and detailed information. It was delivered well before the projected date. -- B. Maurice (Chicago, IL)

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Usually ships in 1 to 3 months