From: bowers@rigel.dfrf.nasa.gov (Al Bowers)
Subject: Re: HONDA CIVIC BASHING C
Organization: NASA Dryden, Edwards, Cal.
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 17:22:06 GMT

In article <1992Aug27.220249.18714@midway.uchicago.edu> epc1@quads.uchicago.edu (Merlin) writes:

>In article <9058.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us> erich.lim@cutting.hou.tx.us (Erich Lim)  writes:

>> I agree 100% with you on spending a couple of thousand more and getting
>>a European or a BMW.  
>>For a little more, it's worth the money for a European and the prestige
>                                                                ^^^^^^^^
>>of a BMW.  I have a BMW 524td (1985) and an Acura Integra GS (1991),  I
>>turn more heads driving that old 4-door sedan Bimmer than I get with my
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>clean and shiny 3dr hatchback Integra. 

>>workmanship on the Bimmer far exceeds the one on the Lexus and they're
>>built better.  Sure, the Lexus is faster, more space, more comfortable,
>>and is supposed to have no maintance problems.  For the price of a Q45,
>>I would rather get a MB 300e, BMW 535i, or a  Jaguar XJ6.

>Some of us are not interested in "impressing" and "turning other people's
>head".  I, for one, do the things that I do because I want to do
>it.  I, and most of the people I respect, do not care for the opinions 
>and admirations of others if this admiration is based on the type
>of car I drive and how I'm dressed and how much money I flaunt.

hey, Hey, HEY!  Take it easy!  People can do what ever they like.
That's what's so great about living here in a free market economy,
democracy.

And I for one am always impressed with good taste over good sense
anyday.  Anyone and everyone can do the `sensible' thing and buy good
quality.  But it takes real guts vision and perserverance to buy art,
you know?

>In addition, I don't understand you last couple of sentences.  How
>can the workmanship on the BMW be better if, as you say, the Lexus
>"is faster, more spac[ious], more comfortable, and... [has] no 
>maintenance problems"? 

>It certainly seems like you're thinking with an inflamed ego and
>very little objectivity.

Inflamed ego?  It sounds to me like there's a little of that on your
part simply because other people don't agree with you.  Look, it's
really simple.  Some people see quality in different ways.

I get to replace my cam belt every 30,000 miles, and I get to replace
my water pump every 40,000 miles.  Bad design?  No, simply the
requirements of driving a non-utilitarian automobile.  If it wasn't
worth the extra effort and cost, why do you think I'd buy it?

I look at my car and I see art.  You obviously look at yours and see a
transportation appliance.  That's cool, I own one of those too.  My
shopping cart Japanese car is great for running around town to pick up
groceries, take the kids to the sitter, hauling the dog to the vet,
etc.  I wanna go for a drive in the mountains?  The Honda stays
parked.  Out comes the Alfa and we roar off.  Or if I am feeling in a
particularly solitary mood, I'll whip out the _real_ exotic (though
nobody ever notices, the Ducati).

>Think about what you're saying next time.

Ibid.

Don't flame anyone for their choice in anything.  Choices are just
that.  And an informed choice is better than a blind prejudice.  IMHO.

--
"Time is simply the illusion of the passing of history, and history is
simply the illusion of the passing of time..."
                                -The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Iaido   Takamine   Hobie   Rossignol   Alfa GTV6  Ducati MHR(DOD #900)
Newsgroups: rec.autos