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Comments
It's also pure fact that every country out there sees Americans as the laziest species on earth (maybe the common slug is the exception).
It's also pure fact that the US has more gadgets and gizmos to automate everything than any other country. It's true that Japan creates most of this stuff, but only a very few elite people there actually get them/test them. Then they're marketed in the US and sell like hot cakes.
Now the reason that we buy all these gizmos might have something to do with Americans being the most vain people on Earth as well. "Hey, check out me turning on the fireplace from way over here!" It's the "show-off" thing. That's why there are so many BMW's, MB's, and Lexus's on the road. It isn't because all these old people really appreciate them. It's a status of "look at how much I made". That doesn't exist in other countries. It's actually an embarassment to be viewed as a show-off.
I'm not saying that YOU are lazy for getting an automatic. Maybe you have a disability, or are old, or deal with very heavy traffic on a constant basis. I'm just saying that that Americans, over all, are lazy, and the purchase of automatic transmissions is a piece of the pie.
-Craig
Then I'll go home, sit on the couch with my remote control TV, remote control ceiling fan, and remote control gas fireplace, watching infomercials on how to lose weight 100 different ways. All while eating a frozen TV dinner.<<
You say that like it's a bad thing...
j/k.
I personally love my 5 speed,
Later ...
But then again, the same feel is easily replaced by frustration when you're stuck in rush hour traffic.
It's ironic how Americans love their cars so much - and yet buy automatics over a stick by a 9-to-1 ratio!!! It's the complete opposite in Europe.
As for the person who said that Americans scoop up electronic gadgets, Bzzzt! The Japanese scoop them up much faster. The availability of high-tech toys here is nothing like in Japan or Hong Kong - where they debut at least 6 to 12 months earlier.
Go to the "Best" electronics store in the US, then go to Japan or Hong Kong, their selection will not only be twice as large, but technologically twice as small or sophisticated.
You're right, some elders DO enjoy the luxury vehicles they buy. But it's the far minority.
I have seen many, many, MANY elders, driving 50 mph on the highway, in their S430/S500, 740iL, and LS400/LS430's. Do they appreciate the power that these cars employe? Not a bit. They just want a big car with the luxury name plate. Elders may not be showing off per se. They just want the status of "being on top".
In Germany, people who buy these luxury cars sometimes pull the badges OFF to not look snobby or uppity.
-Craig
If I was stuck in Boston traffic, where it took me an hour to travel 5 miles, I most certainly would consider buying a POS auto to drive in.
And save the manual Passat for the other times.
-Craig
Most of the coolest gizmos are created in Japan. The "elite" society (upper middle/upper class) of Japan gets to test them out, play with them, work the bugs out, etc. Not many people in Japan can afford these things. Once a product is proven to be useful or deemed useful to an American society, they're manufactured and marketed for the American market. Americans love gizmos just as much as Japanese, but we tend to have more people in the middle/upper class that and afford them than they do.
That's why the "Gizmo fest" in Japan is so much better than the ones here. They create the most inovative (and sometimes useless) products.
-Craig
Until recently, I beleive the typical Japanese was on par with the Americans in terms of disposable income.
But anyway, that's off topic.
I went for the V6 for the higher torque and the lack of spool-up on the turbo. I don't think the AWD buys all that much with so little ground clearance. I have just had alot of icy weather here in Colorado and I am amazed at how surefooted this car is on the ice.
If I had to drive in heavy traffic I would have an auto, but I don't and I get 28 MPG with a car that will hit 130 mph just a little sooner than the turbo can.
gatorsnap
Politically INCORRECT...:)
A previous post said something about the lady of the house not liking manual transmissions because it made her think too much. That's exactly why I started my kids on manuals. And that's what they still drive. I believe that if teenage driving accidents were normalized for the mix of automatic and manual transmissions the result would be far fewer accidents among teenagers driving manual transmissions.
There's an added benefit, too. While away at college my kids were only asked to borrow their cars once or twice. In fact a friend on mine was thinking about trading his BMW 528 in for an Audi A-6 (smart move, in my view) and asked if he could take my car for a drive. I hated to say no, though I wasn't keen on saying yes, but when I asked him if he had driven a 6-speed before he changed his mind completely.
I read recently that 8.7% of cars sold in the US have a manual transmission - though the trend may be shifting slightly higher. My personal view - beyond the practical approach for teenage drivers - is that a manual brings out the best in an automobile and if you're going to spend the money for a sports sedan a manual is worth considering.
That said, can anyone tell me the latest on residuals and money factor for a Passat with 10,000 or 12,000 per year?
True about diss'n the Automatics (I call them slush boxes). We all have our causes. Although automatic sales are rising in Europe, one of the reasons there are so many autos is due to the price of fuel. Automatics are not as efficient as sticks, and with skilled driving they aren't as fast. They still have their place, and if I lived in Denver, or had a broke leg, I would have an automatic.
Gatorsnap
My wife has bought three cars of "her own" since the kids started moving off to college and she wasn't obliged to drive the family "bus" any more. Her choices...
1990 Plymouth Laser RS 2.0L
1997 Acura Integra GS coupe
2002 BMW 325Ci
She selected manual transmissions for all of them; totally her decision. She says that driving an automatic makes her feel like an old lady. She kept the Integra when she bought the BMW - it's her weekend car. One of our daughters has the Laser and loves it.
It ain't worth the aggravation. Let people be people and don't try to force any of them into any pre-conceived notion of a category. Who cares.
We are all entitled to our opinions, and none of us appreciate being categorized and then summarily dismissed due to that categorization.
Postulating that any randomly defined "group" acts in lock step about ANY thing is really a foolish thing to do.
MHO, of course.
begins tomorrow, but Sport Suspension with 17s
available today with the Tiptronic...
Although you wouldn't have all the goodies (and weight) of the GLX options.
-Craig
Sales of the W8 have been rather lackluster.
And what's with the W8 label? Just call the stupid thing a V8. Please don't explain to me that it's two V4's mounted together, making what looks like a W. We all know. But prospective buyers have no idea what it is. They know V6 and V8. The term W8 means nothing to them.
This pricing discount is going to affect resale down the road as well.
-Craig
If Daewoo had such a serious parts shortage after they closed shop in the US, imagine how much worse it will be for W8 owners with a three year model run! Eeek!
At any rate, it's about time. Those tin cans are death traps.
As for W8 parts. I agree. They aren't selling many cars with the W8 engine. Who knows 5-7 years from now what will be available, and how long will it take to get, for example, a simple gasket.
-Craig
There is only incentive money on 2002s; not 2003s, and we have only one 2002 remaining and it is a Demo with 4800 Miles on it & 18s...
"Sir, we don't have an oil filter for this engine. It'll arrive in 4-6 weeks."
Imagine getting THAT 7 years from now?
-Craig
TOP UP WASH FLUID
I guess something got lost in the translation from German to English.
I thought it was too funny!
I really do like all the GLX goodies. I figure I'm running about 300 lbs heavier than a 1.8T GLS (2WD)with a stick. I'm still very happy with the car. (It's the precious baby)
I had a little fun with a A6 2.7T the other day. I don't know if the guy was just cautious or what, but... well we were in heavy traffic, and then there was a clearing where if you stood on it you could get out past everyone and cruise for awhile. I was behind the Audi (keeping my usual low profile) and he shot into the opening and I got right behind. Before the opening we were doing the double-nickle, so I stuck it in 3rd to be sure I could make it through the hole, and I stayed with him up to the top of (my)3rd gear. He seemed to be suprised I was keeping up. I never passed him, but he never dramatically pulled away either.
I would most certainly guess he wasn't flooring the 2.7T, and I definitely had more body roll when we went into a pretty good curve, (it was as fast as I am ever taking that curve again !) but It was fun. Especially since the the Audi cost 10K per ring.
Someone told me that the 2.7 and the 2.8 were the same basic engine. I am going to look into that. I may be able to do some add ons from the Audi dealer
Gatorsnap
Not that believe everything I read, but I notice that Car and driver consistantly post shorter 0-60 times than any other mag. I figure either they lie, or they know how to drive.
Gatorsnap
There is a saying over there - that the U.S. and The U.K. are two countries separated by a common lauguage.
After I come home from a long trip it takes about a week for me to speak (U.S.) English again. Usually about 2 weeks (or a ticket, whichever comes first) to slow down to the speed limits here.
Gatorsnap
They drive on the wrong side of the road. We don't.
They spell things incorrectly, like colour for example. It's color, damn it!
They also have crappy weather year round. Depending on where in the US one is, it can be better.
They also renamed parts of the car, such as boot, bonnet, etc. I do believe that the US had cars before the British. We can name things whatever we damn well please!
-Craig
REALLY BORING FOOD!
American: Burger and Fries.
British: Potatoes and something bland.
Native cousines from either country really don't show much style, or leave your pallet watering at the sight of them.
Gatorsnap is right though, it does make sense when you read it as an Englishman...
Outrun, you missed: Aluminum vs Aluminium
Sigh... That is soooo sad. But, despite it's measly 190HP, that sucker shifts sooooo silky smooth....
Although the 1.8T in the TT has a 225hp option, but, that's an option. And there's no comparable VW to the TT (like the A4/Passat).
-Craig