Ongoing developments at allpar
Recently, we conducted a survey partly to see what you, the readers, wanted. Some of the things you wanted are mentioned in our survey results; but some other items of interest have just been accomplished, or are on their way.
Before we start, though, let me say this loud and clear – Chrysler can stay or go; we will stay. There may be changes, we may post less often, but Allpar will remain. We do not plan to become a GM site, either — among other things, I personally do not have the memory for all those brands.
Moving on:
First, we have restored, based on your requests, the news feed to the home page. It’s on the right-hand column.
This 1987 photo is completely irrelevant.
Second, we are working on making our history, factory, bio, and car articles more accessible, which is a long-term project partly involving adding a multitude of internal links. We have assigned Gene Yetter to interview duty, and he will be talking to more people within the company. Our planned factory worker interview project is moving slowly, but we hope to have the first interviews before the end of the year. If you know people within the company and think they’d be willing to talk to you for Allpar, or would be willing to talk to us, please let us know.
Third, we will soon be setting up a greatly improved events calendar, which we hope clubs and local groups will take advantage of, with upcoming events on the home page.
We’ll also try to improve our internal search engine – or dump it entirely and replace it with Google Search. The latter course is a little risky, of course. What do YOU think?
Please let us know.
Love the pictures of your kitties. It’s sad that they are no longer around.
Guess I’ll have to show the new kitties next time…
Hmmmmmm….. Perhaps you can assign a couple of their “nine” lives to furthering Chrysler along… Glad to hear that you are determined to stay on even if Chrysler goes. There is much more to do no doubt. Probably need to expand car reviews into (on horrors) other makes. And there needs to be a FLORIDA connection…. hint hint, for winter proof tests and reports. Ol’ Tom McCahill knew why he was here. He did live in New Jersey once….
»crosslinked«
You’re the third person to talk about expanding car reviews into other makes — but for that, you have http://www.acarplace.com/ … I guess I can merge it back in!
I am no Tom McCahill by any means. Nor do I live in the more idyllic area of Florida that he did. However, Much like he managed to pull off his first automobile test of a late 40′s Ford, I did manage to get in to drive a Viper, and reported what it was like. There is a real need for people to know the facts about cars. ALLPAR has established a unique down to the bone overall look, feel, drive, how does it work, is it comfortable, etc: in what it has done SO FAR. The element lacking that gave the McCaHill touch was the over the road, long mile test. Put 400-500 miles on inside a “something” in one day, and see how you feel when you climb out. How does it feel to have it parked in your driveway? What happens when you go to the mall. grocery store, around town? FAR, FAR, FAR too many enthusiast rags (particularly automotive magazines) slant their stuff. Heard any good things about ANY Chrysler products lately??? I think it could be packaged and sold outside the realm (well, of course INSIDE too) of the site. BTW, we are looking at a 2009 PT Cruiser. Time to downsize.
Good deals are there on the PT. I wonder if you can retrofit a 2009 with the first generation seats? The comfy seats of the early models are gone now (along with the armrests).
I agree on the McCahill stories, but we just don’t have the facilities to equal his work – even if I had the skill.
It would be great to have a track for testing, different people to provide their opinions, etc… but we do what we can with what we have. I should probably say more about the long-drive feel; however a lot of that varies dramatically with the person. Just having my wife in the car, we come up with very divergent viewpoints on comfort. It’s hard to come to real conclusions without ten people, unless the car is really bad or really good.
I’m often surprised by cars that I’ve read about, having almost no relationship to what I’ve read. I’m also sometimes surprised at how good or bad a car can be. The Corolla XRS automatic – VERY disappointing. The Challenger – both SRT8 and SE were very surprising in the other direction, though for Heaven’s sake, how could they make no provisions for passengers getting into the back from the driver’s side?
Dave, old friend, I wasn’t exactly asking or tasking you to do it………… :>) Florida doesn’t get snow… at least none that sticks….
I think given the target of the Challenger, it was more meant for a two pax hot jobbie than one to haul you and your “posse” around. In the idiom of an “old” impertinent 340 Duster driver, the other pax was meant to be a female, all smiles, legs, and long hair, who appreciates the fires under the hood, and makes fires under your hood, if you know what I mean. Probably should not try to repeat arrangements like that with a wife, kids, a mortgage, and credit cards….. BUT, it sure doesn’t hurt to remember. I rather envy the age that would drive that Challenger to its total completeness. And to end speculation, it was somewhat of a trick to get into the back seat of the 340 Duster, and I wasn’t married to the female that inhabited the “second” seat either. What a car………