Octane

Octane is so far above the mainstream car magazines that it is hard to know quite where to start. First, while enjoy an occasional flip through Automobile, Car and Driver, etc., they are all basically the same reviews of the same cars -and while it may be interesting to someone to know that the brake rotors are larger on the 2010 Mustang/Camaro/Z-car than they were on the 2009, ultimately it's hard to wallow in it month after month.

Octane covers an appetizing range of motoring topics, with an emphasis on sporting cars from all eras. You will read about historic competition cars, classic sports cars that you might want to buy and actually drive, and get exposed to a massive number of events from tours to shows, auctions to amateur racing. Mixed in are a smattering of modern car reviews, product and book reviews, brief buyer's guides to featured attainable older cars (Porsche 928 this month) a column on watches, biographical sketches and so on.

Refreshingly, the editors seem to speak from experience -I believe editor Robert Coucher has a Jag XK120 coupe. Octane benefits from an enthusiast's voice and feels less corporate. If you want a publication to tell you the most practical car to buy for the daily grind, you might want Consumer Reports. Octane is more about indulging your passion for cars.

On the downside, being a UK publication, it's on the bloody expensive side for those of us in the States. I also find the market section too broad-brush to be directly useful -Keith Martin certainly has that covered better. Finally, for U.S. subscribers, there is a length advertising section in the back that features items for sale in Europe, so while it's an interesting glance-through, it is less relevant than it might be, considering transport and shipping costs.

But, that aside, it's a dependably good read and a handsome magazine. While I toss the others in the recycle bin after a few days, Octane tends to be a long term keeper. There is a special kind of joy to the older sports cars, and Octane captures it nicely.

This magazine is excellent magazine, so much beter than the equivalent U.S. magazines. Articles are well writeen and informative -it's one of U.K. magazines I look forward to each month and have never been disappointed. If you this "Octane" plus "Classic and Sports Car' and "Motor Sport"you will have all the inormation you will ever need about Motor Sport and classic cars.

Buy Octane Now