No I would use a VW Passat 3.2 V6
"You would not try to get a race-horse to plough a field".
Ok, I am bored as well:
- the 3.2 is revvy? ... if you want low revs, go for a diesel
- if you spend money on a sports suspension, you cannot seriously complain that it is too hard... otherwise simply save the money and go for the standard.
- the steering is too responsive? A VW Passat?! What are you looking for? A car where you can turn the wheel for 30 degrees to reach for the cup-holder and nothing happens? I live in Switzerland and I like my car to turn as the streets do have corners here...
- fuel consumption: Ok, which similar sized US car would need less at similarly high speeds? (I guess you simply never recognized it as petrol is so much cheaper in the US)
I like some US designs, but the engineering is not on the same level as in Japan or Europe.
I think the point is more that part of the reasons why it is so popular in the US to have humongous cars is that many folks take long-distance driving into consideration when selecting their vehicle of choice.
While it was comfy enough for me in my Chevy Cavalier to drive from Daytona to Chicago and back again with just myself and my dog in the car, the picture changes drastically when adding my mom and 2 (or more) cats into the trip. Switch it up to my brother's family of multiple cats AND 2 young children and you see even more need for space (and entertainment!!) when travelling for 1000+ miles.
Sure a Passat is plenty comfy for driving short trips and with a small number of people packed in and a Porche is comfy for driving to the club and impressing your gal BUT neither of them compare to the comfort of driving in a vehicle with more seating and storage options (let alone integrated drop down dvd players to help keep the kiddies occupied).
Hence my little signature!
Cheers
Jim
It may be something of a "fringe" thing in the US - but it is being done in public, state sponsored schools. Teaching wacky religious mythology as being truth. Separation of church and state?
The Swiss make great cars. I've been driving Volvo's for years.
This thread is so far from the OT it's going to need an Oldsmobile to get back.
So according to you the American Thinker is a reliable, unbiased source and Wikipedia isn't?
I had a us imported jeep cherokee in the uk, huge engine, 4x4 all the toys, frankly it was rubbish!! the power steering was so light you could turn it with your little finger, no matter what speed you where going, it was geared so low its top speed was 80, but if you planted your foot to the floor it would wheelspin through all the gears (it was an auto), and it drank fuel like there was no tomorrow, on the motorway 8 miles to the gallon (UK not US gallon) the build 'quality' was also frankly rubbish.
But, yes it was comftable, and a bloody good laugh
Only if the Oldsmobile was assembled here .
School board gets to vote upon what is done with the tax dollars for their local curriculum... the areas in question likely are quite religious areas where folks hold tightly to "traditional" beliefs. Compare them (somewhat) more more closely to.. hmm... I want to say Orthodox Jewish... so far as adherance to and importance given to religious doctorine.
Also, so far as not having a choice as what school to attend, that isn't necessarily wholly accurate as some (maybe many) states are instituting the use of a voucher system in order to enable children to attend different schools in their area so that taxes are allocated (kinda)to the school on a "per child" as opposed to per resident basis. This is controversial though as (at least in Florida) the vouchers would allow state monies to go to private schools if that is where the family chose to send their children.
Even so, it still is a silly comparison regarding what it is like in a country of approx 7mill vs a country where "mere" cities have populations more than twice that. One of the huge differences is that in the US, if you don't like your community you can move 1000 miles away and still be in the US (with the good, the bad AND the ugly that is entailed).
The engine is revvy, it is essentially the same as the Golf R32. Diesel is good for setting fire to tyres / painting on your fence to keep the woodworm off it.
The suspension was a requirement to allow the 21" low profile wheels to fit.
I drove a GM stationwagon about 1500 miles in the USA, and the steering could be controlled with one finger. You cannot do this on an autobahn in the Passat.
You have a point regarding the fuel consumption, I reckon I would not feel it so much in the USA. The main point is that a huge V10 moving at 130 mph is operating nowhere near its design limits. It would not be experiencing the stresses a smaller engine would, and should therefore be able to do this speed for much longer without a problem (in theory). Ford used this theory very successfully with the GT40 in Le Mans from '66 to '69, though the car was actually designed in Slough. Probably the only decent thing to come out of Slough before or since.
Cheers
Jim
One of the things I learned in a Japanese culture class (as I'd been a child when living there and so had no need at an earlier time to know this) is that Japanese people are expected to get a new car every two years.
Conversely, while Americans are not "expected" to get a new car quite that often, they do tend to get new cars every 2 - 4 years.
Japanese folks ship the used cars elsewhere (prof said Russia, Ukrane and the like) for further use while Americans tend to drive the car to death (taking those long trips previously mentioned).
Since the car will be driven "to death" anyhow AND the manufacturers want you to buy a new car (as do environmentalists who are concerned with emissions), the cars are built much like many other "luxury" items... beholden to the concept of planned obsolescence.
Frankly I think this is terrible, I'd much prefer a vehicle that would last much longer with proper care and maintenance (particularly after dropping $1200 on a new transmission "as soon as" I went over 100,000mi) BUT... such is consumerism and the capitalist exploitation of said consumerism.
Of course that though brings me to the things that I prefer about other cultures in comparison to the US.
Not wishing to get too controversial, but the 'Americans are all religious nuts...' line of attack is a particularly poor choice for the Swiss to try. Talk about throwing stones and greenhouses. Who are all those fat businessmen wearing safron bedsheets and flowers and whacked out grins? And where do you think a lot of those Menonites, Lutherans etc. in the NW USA came from?
Cheers
Jim
Are we talking about the quality of American cars, religious schools in America or American bashing here? or do we go back to OT and discuss weird wonderful whacky wedding entrances (still not sure what the video had to do with the topic)
I certainly didn't learn creationism in my school. You are misinformed,
or it is particular to a certain state.
It is only expected if they are employees of Toyota, Nissan or other car manufacturer which has seen its sales plummet as a result of the recession. Most Japanese use public transports and the only time they go on a "doraibu" with their car is when they get to enjoy their yearly 1-week vacation to Akita or Hokkaidou with the family. Otherwise it is only a symbol of pride and support for the sarariman way of life.
a. & b. are common components of c.
Alles klar?
Jim
[](http://www.edpadgett.com/blog/uploaded_images/266399-788004.jpg)
...which is why for the past couple of years an Audi Diesel engined car has won the 24 hour race of Le Mans?
Actually with a particle filter modern diesel engines are more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly than some pseudo-friendly SUVs with Hybrid Drive.