Date:         Sun, 7 Apr 2002 19:18:58 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: German engineering vs British electrics
In-Reply-To:  <002301c1dd75$1d228c00$b943d618@knology.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>  > It's just a shame that VW Germany doesn't make a SINGLE enthusiast's
>>  car. Not one model handles well (Polo, Golf & notchback Golf by other
>>  names, Passat...); if you want a new VW which handles well you have
>>  to go to South Africa. VW has lost its roots, which is part of the
>>  reason i wouldn't buy a new German one. Gimme a new SA Microbus
>>  please...
>
>Aaaah, my friend, welcome to 2002!  The anniversary GTI is here and the New
>Beetle Turbo S!  Both have a 6-speed transmission, 180 HP motor AND a
>suspension to match. That's in US, of course.
>
>Chris.

Ha! US-market (and Canadian, I thihk) cars have detuned suspensions.
Every single one. Policy based on a market where the majority of
buyers are lazy slobs who want soft rides over all else, so those who
want better suffer... without even knowing it! This is one reason why
American cars just can't cut it in the world market (others are poor
quality and strange styling).

Australia and NZ, as well as most other countries, get what Americans
mistakenly call "European" suspension settings. And even these, when
it comes to VWs, are not good enough. I'll wait for Australian tests
of the Golf GTi and New Beetle Turbo S, but I'm not holding my
breath! VW really does seem to have lost the plot... manufacturing
quality over performance (handling).

Toyota doesn't compromise on quality or function (no wacky flawed
"retro" trendy cars here), but handling unfortunately isn't high on
its list of important items. But 2 out of 3 ain't bad.
--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut