[opendtv] Re: Euro Cars
- From: "Allen Le Roy Limberg" <allimberg@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:35:30 -0500
If you rent cars in Europe during the wintertime, it is better to choose a
German car over one from Southern Europe. At least in the past cars like Fiat
did not use variable-vicosity drive-train lubricants and so got very hard to
get moving in sub-zero temperatures. Almost killed myself trying to push a
Fiat for a cold weather start a few years back. These cars are kept inside at
airports like Schiphol, so your problem shows up next morning at your hotel.
Al Limberg
----- Original Message -----
From: Dale Kelly
To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 6:39 PM
Subject: [opendtv] Re: Euro Cars
Dan wrote:
(By the way, the German autos are by far the best: Volkswagen, Audi,
Mercedes: they are what to drive).
I suggest that you check the Consumer Reports 2008 Annual Auto Issue: their
extensive automobile ownership research program finds that the reliability of
European brands is average or worse and rank third behind Asian and American
models. The most unreliable of the European models are VW, Audi, Jaguar and
Land Rover.
American passenger cars generally do better in these rankings and Ford is the
most reliable U.S. model (as it is in Europe, as I recall). Quote from CU:
"with cars such as the Fusion, Ford is beginning to distance itself from other
domestic makes".
There is much similarity between Ford and GMs American and European models,
i.e.: Fords Fusion and Focus and GMs Impala and Malibu. However, You are
correct that engines and suspension performance differ but that is by design,
which others on this list have addressed.
Having lived in Europe for eight years and also having extensive driving
experience on the Continent as well as in England, it is my observation that a
drivers needs are much different between Europe and America. European rural
roads tend to be more challenging and their "freeways" can be more akin to
racetracks, where the lead foot rules. Our American driving experience tends to
be very benign by comparison.
-----Original Message-----
From: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of dan.grimes@xxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2008 11:18 AM
To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [opendtv] Euro Cars
I've driven European GM cars (Jeep, Opel) and the American equivalents.
They don't compare. The Euro cars are faster and spunkier. I'm guessing it is
in the programming and I bet the emissions are not as strict. Or maybe just
cheaper components (like smaller exhaust pipes). (By the way, the German autos
are by far the best: Volkwagen, Audi, Mercedes: they are what to drive).
The last car I rented in Europe was an Opel Vectra wagon with a 1.9
turbo-diesel. Those cars are so practical, stylish and comfortable, my wife
wanted to buy one in the states even though she doesn't like wagons. She was
really disappointed that they aren't available here in the US, at least not
like the Opel. The Chevy Malibu wagon is the US equivalent, but not really.
Not in finish, handling and certainly no deisel engine.
Truth is, US car makers don't make cars that most of us want. The Toyotas
and Hondas are more expensive and out-sell. Toyota is now the biggest auto
manufacturer in the world and they don't make massive vehicles that don't do
anything like GM.
Dan
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