[Vwdiesel] Am I the only one?

[Just Joe]

I think we've reached a point in America where car ownership is more of a
fashion statement than anything else.  My ex chose her last car (an Accord)
solely because of it's specific shade of red.  People just don't keep cars
anymore.  Sure, if you live in the salt belt and drive regularly in the
winter, your car won't last more than 10 years before it starts rusting away
but it's not just that.  Now that all cars have air bags, any time you're in
an accident (no matter how minor) and the bags are tripped, most insurance
companies will total the car right then and there.  Combine this with the
fact that all cars have at least 27 computers in them anymore (read,
electrical nightmares as they age) you practically have to be an computer
engineer to maintain them.  Modern auto "technicians" can only read codes
and replace parts.  If that doesn't fix the problem, it's "unfixable".  And
when certain repairs like catalytic converter replacements can cost over
$2000.00 (Toyota Tacoma) just to meet PA inspections, it becomes easier to
just trade your problems away.  Having a perpetual car payment is as
American as apple pie, right?

Having said all that, I still get a kick out of driving my old 82
BattleRabbit.  It's ugly, rusty, smelly, slow and for some stupid reason the
kids think it's cool to drive an old MK1.  I just shrug my shoulders and
keep driving...

Joe


-----Original Message-----
From: vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com [mailto:vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com] On
Behalf Of Shalyn Shourds
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2011 1:36 AM
To: Vwdiesel
Subject: [Vwdiesel] Am I the only one?

I've been driving my '85 TD Jetta lately while I iron out some issues with
my '00.  I drive daily through a huge metropolitan area.  It occurred to me
that I can go for days and not see a car even ten years younger than mine. 
The rest of y'all share the experience of being alone out there?  

I'd forgotten how much I like driving that old car.  If I could get the same
mileage as my TDI and, maybe, have airbags, I'd pretty well park the newer
car.  Both cars just had a full suspension rebuild and the 85 (Wolfsberg)
drives so much better.   

-Shalyn

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