Magazine drivers - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ender2664 · 03-16-2016, 08:48 PM

This is not to brag, it is a genuine question:
Do magazine drivers suck or do they dumb down the numbers on purpose? I ask because I have always gotten better mpg in my cars and acceleration than ive seen in mags.
My 2014 stick v6:
Just cruising the not so nice streets around me I consistently pull a 5.4 0-60, which in my opinion is significantly better than the 5.7-5.9 I have read in articles.
I have pulled 33 mpg on a 127 mile drive going between 70n80. I usually do 30-32.
I have had similar results in my other cars too (13.0 1/4th in a 2002 m6 z28). What gives? I consider myself a good driver, but I doubt I'm better than professionals.

JCunningham · 03-17-2016, 02:08 AM

magazines are just ad rags. they print what they get paid to print. They give lower ratings so they dont get people pissed off because there car wont do what they say it will. Thay want you to be happy when your car gets better performance than they print. If you buy a full page ad they will do a story saying your snake oil scam is the best thing ever invented. As for times unless your using a real timer like they use in racing you wont get accurate readings.

two_wheel_mayhem · 03-17-2016, 02:23 AM

Besides being biased or just flat out lying magazines tend to use "correction factors" for times as well.

Also they use brand new vehicles, not even broken in. Their drivers aren't slouches and neither are you, but you have more seat time in your car than they had in the test car.

JCunningham · 03-17-2016, 02:30 AM

seams they all like Mustangs. Didn't GM tell the mags to shove it at one time because they wouldnt pay as much as the mags wanted?

JLSuperfly · 03-17-2016, 02:43 PM

I agree with the posts here. Seat time has probably a lot to do with it.

03-16-2016, 08:48 PM	#1
ender2664 Account Suspended Drives: 2016 2SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Palm Desert Posts: 2,353	Magazine drivers This is not to brag, it is a genuine question: Do magazine drivers suck or do they dumb down the numbers on purpose? I ask because I have always gotten better mpg in my cars and acceleration than ive seen in mags. My 2014 stick v6: Just cruising the not so nice streets around me I consistently pull a 5.4 0-60, which in my opinion is significantly better than the 5.7-5.9 I have read in articles. I have pulled 33 mpg on a 127 mile drive going between 70n80. I usually do 30-32. I have had similar results in my other cars too (13.0 1/4th in a 2002 m6 z28). What gives? I consider myself a good driver, but I doubt I'm better than professionals.

03-17-2016, 02:08 AM	#2
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,069	magazines are just ad rags. they print what they get paid to print. They give lower ratings so they dont get people pissed off because there car wont do what they say it will. Thay want you to be happy when your car gets better performance than they print. If you buy a full page ad they will do a story saying your snake oil scam is the best thing ever invented. As for times unless your using a real timer like they use in racing you wont get accurate readings. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

03-17-2016, 02:23 AM	#3
two_wheel_mayhem Would rather be riding Drives: No car no more Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,750	Besides being biased or just flat out lying magazines tend to use "correction factors" for times as well. Also they use brand new vehicles, not even broken in. Their drivers aren't slouches and neither are you, but you have more seat time in your car than they had in the test car. __________________ No dog in this fight anymore. 5th Gen owner 2009-2016.

03-17-2016, 02:30 AM	#4
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,069	seams they all like Mustangs. Didn't GM tell the mags to shove it at one time because they wouldnt pay as much as the mags wanted? __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

03-17-2016, 02:43 PM	#5
JLSuperfly Drives: 2014 Red Hot LS3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 4,266	I agree with the posts here. Seat time has probably a lot to do with it.