Newsgroups: rec.autos.vw
Subject: Re: The PROBLEM with VW today...
From: jan@camhpp12.mdcbbs.com (Jan Vandenbrande)
Date: 11 Dec 92 11:29:31 PDT
Organization: M&E (Division of EDS), Cypress CA

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)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.vw