From: ejv2j@Virginia.EDU ("")
Subject: Re: The PROBLEM with VW today...
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 21:47:29 GMT

jan@camhpp12.mdcbbs.com  writes:
> In article <1992Dec10.191233.12901@bsu-ucs> 01ksdavis@leo.bsuvc.bsu.edu (Rebel without a pause.) writes:
> >In article <1992Dec10.163013.21741@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu>, nils@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Nils Gokemeijer) writes:
> >> In article <1992Dec9.124728.61849@cc.usu.edu> slhmz@cc.usu.edu writes:
> >>>
> >>>Is it just me or have VWs become too... ordinary.  Not as in everybody has
> >	Its not just you, I have noticed it, too.
> 
> IMHO, most VWs still look distinctly different from the rest.
> 
> > Vangons are replaced with the Eurvans.
> 
> Now they look pretty distinct! What other car looks like a toaster on
> wheels ;->
> 
> >>>The "engine in the back".  What car does
> >>>VW make nowdays that have engines in the back?  Vanagon?  Is that it?
> 
> BTW, Citroen 2CVs used aircooled engines, but they were in the front,
> not rear. Just imagine a lawn mower with rubber band suspension.
> Also don't forget Simca, Porsches, TVR(?), Trabant, ....
> 
> >>>It seems to me that VW has gone the way of Ford and GM.  The same old
> >>>cars.  Look alike, feel alike, act alike.  We need new an improved Bettles.
> 
> Now if only we could learn how to spell right (myself included BTW).
> 
> Well there is a reason why they all come up with similar car. 
> All these co's do marketing research and surprise! the market
> wants certain type of cars.
> Furthermore, people don't want to take risks with something totally new
> unless they have some cash to burn, which is not right now. 
> 
> >	The Corrado, while overpriced, is an impressive automobile.  It really
> 
> I always wondered about the price of VWs. Yes, they seem expensive,
> and they are often "essentric" in their behavior.
> But there are many other things that add value to the car which
> are not directly obvious.
> I wonder if you take all these things into account whether these cars
> still seem as expensive.
> Just a couple things:
> - VW uses a thicker layer of paint than most Japanese (according to the
>   body shop I visit). This is/was true for German made cars.
> - Most VWs have anti-submarining seats (in fact was one of the first
>   low priced cars that had it)
> - For its class, VWs are surprising safe (except for the steering wheel
>   column, which is rumored to be made by GM)
> - Technically innovative (G60, RV6, FI Rabbit uses the same 
>   throttle body design as Corvettes, rear suspension geometry and
>   bearing help you steer into corners (GTI, GLI, Cor), etc)
> - Surprisingly easy to disassembly (less so now). Ever try to replace
>   rotors on a Toyota?
> - Little or no dashboard reflection in the windshield
> - Can't lock yourself out easily. Nothing fancy but effective
> - Turns off headlights when ignition is off. Trivial to implement
>   but why do so few cars have/had it?
> - Ergonmics. E.g., Windhsield wiper is right there where you need it
>   you don't have to release your steering wheel to use it.
> - and lost more that I gripe about when I drive other cars/rentals
> 
> Guess it all depends on what you value.
> 
> >	I would also challenge the reality of these crash tests.  You don't
> >read about too many head-on car crashes nowadays, just broadsiders and tail-
> >enders.
> 
> Well....unless you are really clumsy parking, there is usually
> one car that's damaged in the front in every accident.
> Therefore, since well over 50% of the damage is done to the front
> of the car, it is by far the most important area 
> for crash safety (but obviously not the only one).
> Bugs don't do too well, or worse the old VW-busses. 
> VW knows about this. It's also one of the reasons why the new VR6
> is positioned further forward, thereby increasing the safety over
> the G60 equipped Corrados.
> 
> >	Actually, I believe its a conspiracy to seemingly create what appears
> >to be a "class-less" society on the road, if not by the wallet-books.
> 
> It's supposed to be a People's Car after all :->
> 
> >> (What is the most sold european car in the US? is is VW?
> 
> What is the most sold car in the Western Europe? = VW!
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Jan Vandenbrande
> jan@ug.eds.com			(New address, probably wont work)
> jan@camhpp12.mdcbbs.com		(Old work address)
> jan@lipari.usc.edu		(school, usually works, forwards)



Certainly VW is the most popular car in Europe, and I'll be the
first to profess my undying love for the esteemed marque, but
part of the reason (in addition to their appealing cars) is the
import quota on Japanese cars that would compete with VW and
other European automakers like Peugeot, Opel, etc.  

I think its around 14% for the EC, but i may be wrong. Can
someone find the correct number?

ERik Velapoldi
ejv2j@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu
(804)979-8319
Newsgroups: rec.autos.vw