Scooby WRX [NAC]/ San Jose Auto Show [Minimal Audi Content and long]

[Motor Sport Visions Photography]

Just went to the San Jose Auto Show Saturday night. Some interesting
observations made. Keep in mind I only go to these things to keep an eye
on what's new that could potentially be a cool used car score a decade
from now. One thing I try and fairly evaluate are areas of quality in
materials and fit and finish.

VW has made an amazine leap in this regard...the higher line Passat
being pretty much on par, IMO, with Porsche, Audi and MBZ. Much nicer,
again IMO, than WMB (more on the wallet busters later). In fact, aside
from a few notable exceptions, Audi, VW, Porsche, and MBZ seemed to have
the highest level of fit and finish/build quality at the show of all
marques. Volvo and Saab were very disapointing, as was WMB. A notable
Japaense car was the Honda S2000. *Very* nicely done and, again IMO,
blows away the "M badge engineered" Z3 (which WMB pusts M badges on the
shifter and steering wheel while not putting any other "M" parts on the
car...nice job-not). The S2000 is some 10k less than the Z3 and is an
overall better car, again IMO, in every respect.

This brings me to Subarus...while they had no new WRX there they did
have several Imprezas. I found it interesting that the interiors on
these brand new Imprezas were already showing signs of wear and
deterioration after only 4 days/nights of show visitors pawing on
them--not good. While they may well be a better driver's car than an S4
(like I am guessing the S2000 is over the Z3 as well) they sure didn't
inspire me as being solid in the way a new VW did. Not a mechanical
impression, but when the intrior can't make it through a 5 day Auto Show
one indeed has to wonder where else costs are contained.

Back to the Z3, aside from the tacky badge engineering (which I suppose
is now factory blessing to go put M badges on all those 318is) what's up
with the plastic dead pedal?!

Sure was nice to drive home in my '87 5ktq and think to myself that my
total investment was less than tax and license on most of those new
cars. I can clearly recall attending Auto Shows where a late 80s Type 44
was the latest greatest. Funny thing is, after looking at a bunch of
used Volvos for potential "mommiewagon" replacements I found them all to
not be holding up as well as my so called type$$. The real upside was
the reminder that buying cars new is foolish, BTDT more times than I can
remember and won't be doing it again anytime soon.

Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com