From: dclayton@bcarh692.bnr.ca (Don Clayton)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: American engines oversized,underpowered ?
Date: 17 Apr 92 19:27:02 GMT
Article-I.D.: bnr.1992Apr17.192702.19690
Organization: Bell Northern Research, Ottawa, Canada

In article <1992Apr17.173128.13208@cs.dal.ca> smith@ug.cs.dal.ca (Sean Smith) writes:
>In article <1992Apr16.184050.7018@bnr.ca> dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton) writes:
>	GM is making money on the larger cars, as they have correspondingly
>higher margins.  As are Ford and Chrysler, although Chrysler doesn't really 
>make huge cars like the Gran Fury and Diplomat anymore.  Well, except 1... 

I imagine that there will always be a market for big cars, especially in
a culture where bigger is better, but the small car market is getting
bigger (ie. Civic, Miata, Geo).

>>I like Fiat's and Spit's.  Some of my best Youth memories are with a Triumph GT6 Mk3.
>>I remember trying to insure it and the insurance agent saying "I can't find Triumph
>>or British Leyland anywhere - you sure they built cars?" - Aaaarrrggggghhhhh!  Some
>>Canadians are so brain dead, makes me think they're from the states.
>
>	It isn't restrained to Ontario, either.  When I was thinking about 
>buying a Fiero (don't touch it, Don...), my friendly neighbourhood insurance
>broker told me that it was classified as a "high-performance" car and, as a
>result, they wouldn't insure me.

Actually, it was in Alberta.  I'm not sure if the same would happen in
Ontario but I did have one lady look at my Alberta Drivers license and
say "Do you have a Canadian license?".  Uuuuuuggggggggghhhhhhh!  This 
is exactly the same response I get from people in the US when I travel
down there, which is why I make the comments that I do.

>>They will be, but I think one of the Big-3 will die before it happens.  These
>>companies seem to have lead in the heads.  They are not responding to consumer
>>demands at all.  I'm sure they will loose another 20% of the market before it sinks
>>in, and I doubt the "Flag Waving Anti-Japanese" posters on the net will make much
>>difference.
>
>	Ah, but look at the popularity of the new Ford Crown Vic and Chevy
>Caprice.  Some people still *want* huge cars that, as another poster has noted,
>really don't have that much worse gas mileage than the equivalent Japanese 4
>banger or V6.  And as for ride and comfort, well, IMHO larger cars ride better.

True.  Heavier car == more sold ride, of course then there's the BMW M5.

>	Hell, my Sundance is bigger than a Triumph.  :)  And something around
>the size of the Sundance is becoming that size of the "average" American sedan.
>I see more cars that size around here than I see Honda Accords or Ford Tauruses
>(Taurii?).  

True, but I am starting to see more Miatas; actually considering buying
one for my girlfriend - anyone have any comments on them?

>>My Isuze Impulse gets 165hp from a 1.6L 4 cylinder and gets 30-40mpg.  The Japanese
>>are producing "European" like cars and the North American market is responding with
>>their $$$.  BTW the "lack" or Torque has done little to stop me from blowing past
>>Mustangs.
>
>	2.3L Mustangs or 5.0L Mustangs?  There's a HUGE difference.

Hard to say when you only see it for 1/2 second :)

>And remember - the Impulse has turbocharging.  My Sundance develops 99 HP from 2.2L
>of a basic fuel injected 4 banger.  It's not a barn burner, but it works pretty
>well for me.

Hey, if it works for you then all the power to ya.

>	Sean

Don
BNR has better things to do then tell me what to say on Internet,
  so I hardly think these are their views.
"Pick up the receiver, I'll make you a believer." - Depeche Mode
From: mdrayton@hpmwtd.HP.COM (Mike Drayton)
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 20:42:26 GMT
Subject: Re: Sprockets' alignment
Organization: HP Santa Rosa Site (NMD MTA MWTD). - Santa Rosa, Ca.