Steve Purdy, the Detroit editor of theautochannel.com, is the latest reviewer to endure the Fasttie.com interview gauntlet. Steve touches on a wide range of vehicles in the interview, from the car that might save Ford to the BMW Z8. Read on to find out more!
Fasttie: How did you get your start reviewing cars?
Steve Purdy (SP): I happened to share a shuttle bus ride with theautochannel.com publisher at the Detroit Auto Show about 4 years ago. I had been shooting and writing about collector cars for years on a part-time basis and was always interested in doing new car reviews but did not have an outlet. That chat resulted in my becoming his Detroit editor and I've been doing weekly reviews since.
Fasttie: What would you say differentiates your reviews from others? Is there a certain perspective you try to bring?
SP: I like to think my life-long love of automobiles comes through in my reviews though that's for others to decide, I guess. More importantly I try to put the car in context, both with where it fits in the overall automotive market and in terms of where it takes me and what I do with it. I add travel and personality elements to the reviews whenever possible.
Fasttie: Could you walk us through your review process? Do you have a set checklist you follow for each review?
SP: I don't have a specific format or formula for doing reviews. I'm a rather unstructured fellow by nature, so I just do a narrative of my impressions of the car and include just the essential numbers. The flow changes from story to story.
Fasttie: Cars are clearly getting safer and more reliable, but do you think cars are getting better in terms of driving experience?
SP: The quality of the driving experience of automobiles for most people is certainly more consistently good now than ever in the past - even homogeneous, we could say. In fact the average white-bread sedan handles better than the best sports sedans of years past. Though, I must qualify that by saying that some of us appreciate the crude, crass, mechanical and imprecise feel of an old sports car, or even the float of an old sloppy big sedan. There was more variation and character to the driving experiences of the past.
Fasttie: Do you think hybrids, fuel cell vehicles, plug-ins etc... are going to take the enjoyment out of driving?
SP: Not at all. Electrics have tremendous torque making for thrilling acceleration. With sophisticated electronic controls these advanced powertrains can be tuned to perform in a variety of ways, and we'll find them in a variety of vehicles.
Fasttie: What was the best car you have reviewed this year?
SP: I'm often asked that question. I have to say the question is too big when asked that way. After all, how can you compare an AMG Mercedes at well over a hundred grand to a wonderful little Miata. I'd say the most surprisingly good car for the price is the Australian-built Pontiac G8 with the V8 engine and manual transmission at a tad over 30-grand.
Fasttie: If you could only have one car for the rest of your life, disregarding reliability, what would that car be?
SP: Another tough question. Assuming that it would be a secondary ride, and if money were no object, I'd probably go for a BMW Z8 - few were made and prices were high but it is perhaps the most spectacular retro-themed sports car I've encountered.
Fasttie: What vehicle that you have reviewed most exceeded your expectations?
SP: One that comes immediately to mind is the big Yukon 2-Mode Hybrid. Huge - yes. Expensive - you bet. But on my round trip to Chicago with considerable city driving I averaged 22-mpg.
Fasttie: In closing, what new models are you looking forward to?
SP: Certainly Camaro is near the top of that list. I'm also looking forward to having a close look at Ford's new European transplant they're calling Fiesta. That may be a company savior. And, of course, I always look forward to seat time in anything fast and sexy.
Great answers Steve and thanks for your time. We look forward to your review on that new Ford Fiesta.
Make sure you check out Steve's reviews at The Auto Channel.