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For those who might be interested in a set of Automobile Magazines:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/bks/966183560.html  

Bly me!  It's too bad you can't sell the bloody collection to some curators who will take good care of it such as the Smithsonian Institute.  I myself being a owner of the first issue of the magazine have wondered how much it's worth now?  For those who don't know, Automobile Magazine got their presses rolling with the Fiero vs. MR2 on their first cover   I've been hooked on the mag ever since.  Albeit I still read Car & Driver too since I was well aware of the advent of this magazine thanks to Car & Driver.  
Austin Cooper

Austin,
Thanks for your interest and for hanging onto our first issue (April 1986)! It was an MR2 vs. a Ferrari 308, though, not a Fiero as you said.

Cheers,
Copy Editor Rusty  

Well I dont know about anybody else but I am in the car business and have been for over 30 years and KNOW cars very well. Not to be arrogant but just a background note before I say what I'm about to.  In the February 2009 edition there is a section called "2009 ALL STARS"  listing great vehicles such as the Audi R8 , Porsche 911, BMW 3 series, Corvette ZR-1 and here's where the objectivity gets blown down the road into the land of PR payoff's they list the CHEVY MALIBU which ranges from $22,000 - $27,000 as one of the 2009 "ALL- STARS"  Now I dont know who's kissing who's arse but this is clearly NON-OBJECTIVITY or SUBJECTIVITY at it finest. That car is a depreciating pig that after 1 year wont bring anything close to less than 1/2 of its original sale price unless you want Pesos!!!  They did list the Honda Fit and the CLEAR winner of this financial slot is the MAZDA-3 ! It blows this Chevy Malibu away in every single aspect .Just name any one , In fact dont even compare it to the Mazdaspeed which is the same price just the 2.3 GT -Sedan or 5-Door which is less than or about $20-22 Grand . Its smokes it in preformance , ammenities, residual value EVERYTHING who at Automobile is on the take here . It sickens me to see this false BS printed just to give GM a kick up and help the Dying Quail of a company , But if Kitman is behind this OBVIOUS PR- TAKE he should be fired for this pathetic and blatant wrong choice - who at automobile would buy the chevy malibu for themselves or thier kids before a Mazda-3 . ????   NOBODY THERE WOULD -  Now I'm going to throw-up on this edition and flush it where it belongs ......HEY AUTOMOBILE WE ARE NOT IDIOTS HERE - WAKE UP - YOU CANT SLIDE ONE BY US THAT EASILY . The Truthsayer -out  

Can't say I've driven either the Mazda 3 or the new Malibu.  I've taken the media's word though that GM broke away from the same old, same old with this new reiteration of their family sedan though.  If it does depreciate quicker than let's say its Toyota or Honda competition I'm not surprised there though since GM dug the hole deep for Chevy to begin with.  
Austin Cooper

I can't speak for everyone at the magazine, but I would have no problem owning a Chevy Malibu if I needed a mid-size sedan. The Mazda 3 is a smaller vehicle and I don't see how the two compete at all. I haven't driven the new Mazda 3 yet, but the last car was quite good. I have driven several new Malibus and found them to be very decent transportation. The new Ford Fusion might be a better deal, but those aren't on lots yet.

Phil Floraday
Senior Web Editor