[s-cars] WAS gas prices, now racist subaru's

[Taka Mizutani]

I think we agree on a lot of the issue- it's just that I do blame the 
manufacturer for a parts supplier's shortcomings. I don't mean to drag this 
out, but I don't think it's fair to the consumer to blame the parts supplier 
and not really do anything about the issue.

In that regard, I think that since you are in the business of fixing the 
cars, you have a slightly different outlook on things- it's not hard for you 
to fix the problems (being professionally trained), it's not nearly as 
expensive (having a facility to work on the car as well as buying parts at 
wholesale and having free labor) and since you're very familiar with the 
cars, it's no big mystery.

Same thing with some Porsches- I won't buy a 944 turbo because the upkeep is 
too pricey. If I were a mechanic and had the tools and facility to work on 
the car, that would be different. Replacing bearings in a 944 is not 
something the average home mechanic is inclined to do, nor is a clutch job 
an easy thing (not in an Audi, either).

I love German cars, like how they feel and drive a lot. I also think they're 
some of the best engineered and safest cars out there. I just don't trust 
the dealership network or Audi themselves enough to buy a new one. Our
'99.5A4 was enough of a headache that it was replaced by a Volvo. On
the other
hand, if I could have afforded to do so, I would have kept my 200 as a daily 
driver- I liked it that much. I still want an UrQ and if I could afford to 
own and maintain one, I'd do it.

Taka