Speed crazed Audi owner

[cobram at juno.com]

Mike Arman <armanmik at n-jcenter.com> writes:

Snipps:
> Now that we have 300+ or so reliable non-turbo horsepower in our 
> Note that there is NOTHING here the factory couldn't do, and without
> Euroland, engines are taxed on displacement. Second, fuel costs more 
> I submit they have it wrong. If it costs $5,000 in first costs and 

> avoid paying a $1,000 tax ONE TIME, is it worth it? Second, if you 
> What's the TCO - total cost of ownership? Focusing on avoiding a
> displacement tax or using somewhat less fuel by trading for complex,

> any more, but how about the A-8? What's wrong with a 400+ HP I-5 in 
> *that* for the USA market?

Your points are all valid, however, the truth is that the only thing Audi
seems to care about is initial sales, and what it's going to cost them
until the car is out of warranty.  Once the sale is made, the thing is a
liability to the company until they get out of  the warranty period. 
With record sales worldwide, they could care less about what happens
after the initial sale/warranty period is over.   This is woefully
apparent in the attitude of Audis' dealer network and regional
representatives.

For the manufacturer it's a plus when the repair to an older model
surpasses reasonable limits....that means the sale of a new
unit..hopefully one of theirs is more likely.  

Autoweek reported that Daimler Chrysler makes about $18,000 a unit on
Jeep Cherokees, I wonder what Audi Really makes on an A8.  Do they really
have an incentive to make the trannies and engines anything other than
mega-dollar ultra complex unit swaps in the after warranty market? 
They'll tell you they lose money on the high end cars....just like motion
picture studios lose money on every single picture they've ever
made...yet they're still in business somehow.  

Over-Engineering is a trait of German hardware as far back as any of us
can remember.  They rarely opt for the simple solution to anything.   

BCNU,
Cobram at Juno.Com
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/1469/

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