New Subaru-only Magazine?

[ricochet]

I used to post here a couple years back when I had my '92 Legacy Turbo. The place has changed a bit since then

My company is exploring the possibility of publishing a Subaru-specific magazine. Currently, we're evaluating the following format:

a) 64+ pages
b) Glossy stock, color printing throughout
c) bi-monthly (6 issues/year)

We'd appreciate feedback from LegacyCentral members on content, design, the name, and anything else you can think of.



Please note that *nothing* is finalized on this yet. Not the name (though I do own the URL), not the design. Final product could look completely different...or almost identical. This is for informational purposes only.

Your feedback (or lack of feedback) will help set the direction we take on this.

Ryan Douthit, Director
Midnight Cafe Media
Publisher of Driving Sports Magazine
http://www.drivingsports.com

[THAWA]

Hell, yeah that'd be awesome, but what all would be included in the mag? Would it be like a subaru version of sport compact. Would it be more like a subaru version of time? Would it be more like the subaru owned and published drive performance?

Would you have reviews of things? What about previews? What years would you cover? Would you have modding sections? What about repair instructions? About how much would we be looking at money-wise?

[kastrix]

That sounds hella sweet. Wow i havnt ever used the word hella before...

As i look at the cover i Really wanna open it and start reading. If you ever wanna send out free copies for evaluation purposes i'm sure everyone wouldnt mind

[ricochet]

Hell, yeah that'd be awesome...About how much would we be looking at money-wise?

That's a lot of questions packed into a reply

Here's a stab at answering them all:
- Currently, I see it as a cross between Sport Compact Car, a little of AAA Journeys magazine, some Driving Sports Magazine-style events covered and a buch of Subaru-specific tech for both new and old-school Subies. However, feedback and writer availability can alter this concept.
- We'd have a lot more on Subaru aftermarket and old cars than Drive can have. We'd also work in some community pages in some form or another.
- Yes, we'd review some things.
- Yes, we'd preview things (even if it means a junket to Japan).
- Yes, mods are good.
- Probably wouldn't have repair instructions
- Price? Between $3.99 and 5.99 single-copy, and $19.99 to 29.99 subcription (pagecount, paperstock and advertising base out of the gate need to be figured before this gets stapled down.)

--Ryan

[Legacy777]

Ryan,

Sounds like a pretty cool idea....it'd definitely be nice to get a little interest/respect for the old school subies

[georryan]

I'd subscribe!

[evolutionmovement]

I'd go for it as long as there's a good mix of older stuff, too.

What about off-road sections or coverage, too? Rarities would be another nice thing, like the FF1 if you could find one. I undersatnd that appealing to the newer WRX fan is necessary, but with Subaru's commendable owner loyalty you definitely shouldn't neglect the old stuff. Conversion features might be nice, like sourcing and installing a dual-range transmission for a Forester or replacing an EA81 with an EJ22 on an old model.

Steve

[kelley]

sounds like a good idea. I would be interested in advertising in a magazine like that.

[AWD_addict]

That's sounds great, I'd subscribe too.
Your link says Driving Sports is based in Kirkland, so this would be as well?
I'm in Kirkland, so if you ever want to install some parts in a Legacy for an article...

[Brat4by4]

There would have to be Subaru specific support from vendors to make this magazine stand out from the crowd. It would be completely amazing to open up a magazine and see the latest and greatest from Cusco, Whiteline, MRT, STi, SPT, and other organizations that have a large stake in Subaru parts.

And having at least one article on how-to stuff with old school vehicles will bring in readers ten-fold. Pre-GD Subaru is almost neglected here in the states. There are tons of XT owners, Brat , SVX, and GL owners that would kill to have something written on hopping up their vehicles, especially performance-wise.

[ricochet]

We've decided to take the next step.

A page is now posted so you can sign up to monitor the development of SUBIESPORT Magazine. Even if you're only moderately interested, please sign up so we can show potential advertisers the strong support we know is here!

http://www.drivingsports.com/subiesport/

This list will *only* be used for major updates (such as calls for modified Subarus to consider profiling in the mag, letting everyone know when subscriptions are available, etc.) and will not be sold or shared with advertisers.

Thanks,

Ryan Douthit, Publisher
Midnight Cafe Media, LLC

[evolutionmovement]

I'd be willing to submit my car for a feature when I finally finish the thing. 1990 5MT wagon, TD05 and AWIC. If I can afford it and it will work with the Legacy, I plan on Prodrive active suspension and if I can engineer it, active antoroll bars like the Citroen rally car.

Steve

[ricochet]

I'd be willing to submit my car for a feature when I finally finish the thing. 1990 5MT wagon, TD05 and AWIC. If I can afford it and it will work with the Legacy, I plan on Prodrive active suspension and if I can engineer it, active antoroll bars like the Citroen rally car.

Steve

[legacy92ej22t]

I like the sound of it so far and echo the statements and suggestions of other members. As long as it has well rounded content that covers all Subarus and not just the new school.

Depending apon when you're going to start putting this together you might want to think about sending someone to cover the 3rd Annual East Coast Subaru Shootout in Sept here in PA. Lots of vendors, 100-200 Subarus are expected (there were around 100 last year even though it rained), factory team cars and Suby nuts everywhere! You can use me as a contact and I'll help you any way I can if you decide to come.

[Brat4by4]

I will pass this along to the local Suby board. Maybe this thing will snowball to show the support this kind of magazine will have.

Nasioc anyone? I'm not signed up for that place. Maybe you could obtain vendor status or something so you could get a front page announcement about the magazine. I'd think you'd be launching a whole lot quicker .

[ricochet]

Nasioc anyone? I'm not signed up for that place. Maybe you could obtain vendor status or something so you could get a front page announcement about the magazine. I'd think you'd be launching a whole lot quicker .

No front page announcements have been posted, but I do have threads similar to this one running at the 11 forums I have listed at the bottom of http://www.subiesport.com

If anyone here has some "extra pull" with any good platforms that can help get the word out to the community, please let me know.

Ryan

[Legacytuner]

Sounds like a great idea i love it, with the loyalty that subaru owners have this mag would really do well.
I also think that all subarus should be included there is so much neglect when it comes to older subarus.

Once a subaru fan, always a subaru fan

[ricochet]

Last chance to get your subscriptions for the debut issue! To get number one you need to have your sub completed by end-of-day on Monday, October 4th. After that...issue number two will be your first. Issue one is now set to ship out on October 15th.

Final numbers: 8,000 copies to newsstand throughout North America and 1,400 subscribers. The debut issue will be sporting 68 pages, a perfect-bound spine, UV Gloss cover and heavy internal stock.

Cheers,

Ryan Douthit, Publisher
Subiesport Magazine
http://www.subiesport.com

[THAWA]

SWEET!, cant wait

[georryan]

Me either. You should get a cover story on Kelley's legacy sometime.

[kelley]

Me either. You should get a cover story on Kelley's legacy sometime.

I think she would look good on the cover.
look for our ad in the first issue.