They are in the magazine business, their budget is likely almost $0. If they went upscale they would have to rely on handouts from suppliers / sponsors and then they would be, or at least accused of being shills. The TV guys have more money to throw around and do take advantage of the advertisers. For example, almost all the Overhaulin episodes highlight sponsor donations as a quid pro quo deal. I think they are making an honest attempt to do things like most of us would have to. I have spent a lot of money on mine, but I could, and it has taken me 10 years to scrape the money together and I have probably at least another year before I will drive the car. When I was younger I did things on a shoestring and sometimes just the way they are doing things. So I feel it is at least honest, authentic, or at least makes an effort to be.