Autoblog Podcast #148 with Jon Linkov from Consumer Reports
by Dan Roth on Oct 6th 2009 at 6:15PM 
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For Episode #148 of the Autoblog Podcast, Jon Linkov, Consumer Reports managing editor for autos, fills Sam's chair and mulls some timely topics with Chris and Dan. First up is the wheels coming off Penske's deal to take on the Saturn brand. Honda's CRZ concept, holding great promise in its CRX-like bodywork, comes under scrutiny next, before talk turns to the Chevrolet Caprice police vehicle. There's a tire discussion in there somewhere that takes the 'cast on a tangent, and the Audi E-Tron surfaces briefly before we touch on some Buff Book tricks: The Motor Trend and Automobile effort 6 vs. 8, and Car & Driver's fun with Photoshop. As always, we wrap with some questions as we ride off into the sunset. Thanks for listening, drop us more fodder at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, and let us know how we're doing by adding a review at the iTunes page and filling out our survey. As always, when you get lonely for Weblogs, Inc, check out what the guys at Engadget and Joystiq are doing on their shows, and we'll see you back here next week!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Torrent 6:40PM (10/06/2009)
Honestly though? Consumer Reports...Talking about cars...
Should be interesting!
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thatsmybusiness 8:02PM (10/06/2009)
How about listening to the podcast before passing any judgement?
Torrent 8:12PM (10/06/2009)
Hey now Sparkle... I said "Should be interesting." As a matter of fact, I'm listening to it, and it *is* interesting.
Is that ok with you, autoblog police?
Snowdog 8:18PM (10/06/2009)
This was the first and last time I listened to one of these. The really need to revamp, go shorter and more focused. Maybe have some kind of chapter index or break it in pieces. I couldn't listen to the whole thing and almost gave up during the whining about getting a ticket. Are people actually bored enough to listen to the whole thing?
The CR guy was good. If he had his own podcast I might listen to his, he seemed the most interesting of the three and spent less time on drivel.
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Dan Roth 9:49PM (10/06/2009)
What whining?
We were doing shorter 'casts, and since we've added guests and gone a little longer with the length, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Hate to be off-putting, but maybe you were expecting something more...radio-y?
Snowdog 10:27PM (10/06/2009)
Ok, maybe whining comment was harsh.
I never listened one before and like I mentioned never again. Sounds like the ramblings about cars me and friends have over cards. Fine while you are there, but tedious for any third party. At 90+ rambling minutes, I can't fathom anyone listening to these. For the content, I expected 15 minutes.
Maybe if there were a time index so I could find the one bit I was interested in like about the CRZ...
Sorry, just not for me I guess.
daleam 10:42PM (10/06/2009)
I thought the "whining" was a bit entertaining and y'all did a fine job of engaging me into the show. I didn't agree with everything I heard but it's good.
Dan Roth 10:54PM (10/06/2009)
Again, that "just a bunch of pals talking about cars" feeling is one of the things that listeners are consistently happy with. It's certainly a bit loose structure wise, and we do ramble from time to time, but, you know, it's all in fun.
It's too bad you're put off by it, but hey, you can't please everyone.
daleam 11:57PM (10/06/2009)
Not at all. Y'all did a fine job.
jeff 4:26AM (10/11/2009)
maybe its long if your sitting down and just focusing on the podcast and not doing anything else at the same time. I listen to it on my iPod while I'm getting around town, or sometimes on the stereo while I'm doing chores around the house, helps pass the time. It is just like a bunch of guys sitting around talking about cars, which is great, cause to be honest I don't have enough friends who are into cars enough to actually sit around and talk about them this much.
This was a good one, Jon was really good, great to see CR has some real enthusiasts on staff.
To beat the ZR1, I'd take the Ariel Atom with the 500hp V8, and that's almost even road legal (it is in Europe anyways). Or how bout something based off an Elise??
Chris Shunk 10:30AM (10/07/2009)
FYI: If you get angry about anything re: podcast Dan is going to flip. I'm just sayin.
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Warren Wang 1:45PM (10/07/2009)
You typoed Jon's name. I know him from his Audi days. It's Jon Linkov. Congrats Jon!
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Lucas 6:39PM (10/07/2009)
Not the most exciting 'cast -- Consumer Reports isn't exactly a page turner, after all...
...but please don't change a thing!
Lucas.
PS, love the rambling, guys BS'ing, feel.
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disbelief0 3:38PM (10/08/2009)
For what might beat a ZR1, I think CR Guy (?) was on to something with the 5.0 Miata.
The change I would recommend is to make it an LS3 or even an LS9 Miata, since those are aluminum blocks and thus much lighter than the 5.0. The guys over at Flyin' Miata have a kit to drop an LS-series motor in, with minor modifications to the firewall. They'll do the conversion for you (if you provide the car) for around $30K, for a hot-cam LS3 with 430 horsepower. They claim the weight gain is ~200 lbs, and the car has roughly the same weight distribution as one of their turbo cars.
If you're really insane, you could likely have an LS9 crate motor in there for under $50K, maybe less if you do it yourself (and do it right).
So my answer is a Miata with a ZR1 engine. Which is kind of a cheat of an answer, but there you have it.
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MixiM 12:38PM (10/10/2009)
Jon Linkov was great, the CR thing scared me away at first but he seems cool! Too much focus on making him into Sam though, as he seems to be doing fine as Jon ;)! You guys should have him on some more occasions!
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