Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:42:22 EDT
Reply-To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: VW FOX - Been driving one since Feb. but have not...NVC
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In a message dated 7/26/2007 1:31:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM writes:
>The Fox was made from 1987 to 1993.
I've got a '93 Fox with 95K miles. I bought this one about 5 years ago with
50K on the odometer.
I think it's a great car: Attractive Italian design (I think they scaled down
the Audi 4000), nicely laid out interior and dash, nice upholstery, big
enough trunk, small, good on gas, easy to drive, 5 speed, and so much more. A
little plastic-y, but what isn't anymore?
The first problem with the Fox is as a society we are followers. And in this
case, specifically, we are all encouraged to update our cars every two years
when the lease runs out and such. Many of us luddites on this list probably
don't fall into that trap.
Anyway, the Fox... By 1993 it's 1987 design was antiquated compared to other
cars offered. Look at what Toyota and Honda were offering for that model year.
Air bags were coming into fashion, contoured bumpers, more streamlined cars.
I don't think the Fox lent itself to such upgrades including air bags. A real
utilitarian car. Simple, but no room for upgrades for the most part. So It
would have had to be totally redesigned. And I assume it was for other markets
under another name. And then I think it was in production until recently in
Brazil with the same body style and all as the Variant or POLO or no, Voyager I
think.
But it is a small car better suited to European or South American "cities"
and roadways than the USA's super highways. It's noisy on the highway. And I'd
hate to see it in a collision at super highway speeds. And so I don't think it
fits into what people are looking for in a car for American roadways.
VW called it an "entry level car" and it was marketed to recent college grads
as their first car in the literature from VW. It was never offered with an
automatic transmission. Never offered with electric windows, and never offered
with a lot of conveniences we expect in a car. And yet still a very suitable
and simple car. But my guess is too simple. And new ideas and upgrades and
gadgets is what consumers think they need.
I'd love to find the person who put a positive spin on the word "consumer"
and shake their hand. Because that could not be an easy marketing feat. MUST
CONSUME! CONSUME! CONSUME! like some giant lizard/monster/walmart shopper. I have
a friend who uses the work "consumer" as his ultimate insult to another. With
the right inflection very effective I think.
Anyway, great car. Not too many here in LA, although some. But considering
it's last model year was 93 you don't see many 14 year old cars on the roads
here by any manufacturer--no public transportation and it's spread out like
butter. Most are beat to crap. I think because they can be bought so cheap, those
who own them don't or can't afford to keep them up to snuff.
I got mine for about $3000 which was book value for it with the mileage at
that time. A brand new (in my opinion) car with 50,000 for $3000 with ice cold
A/C clean straight body. I was thrilled. I had to put in a tach since it wasn't
offered with one in 93-- that was a project because it is a CA emissions car
so it needed a special instrument cluster foil to accommodate the tach AND the
Check Engine light. But I found it by gosh!
Blue book is about $500 now. If the paint hadn't faded to make it look like
a stainless steel DeLorean it would still be perfect. But I say if you can
find one with 50K on the odometer, buy it.
I'm not sure the Brazilian manufacturing lends itself to getting 200K out of
it, but if I found another with 50K I grab it. Because it does get an easy
100K even at this age.
Fairly simple mechanics, somewhat user serviceable by modern standards. And
since I'm usually forced to drive alone it has all the room I need and them
some. VW has discontinued some parts though. But that's a who 'nother rant.
Best,
Jeff
83.5 Westy
93 Fox
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