RE: 325ix vs. Quattro

[Rob Bailey <baileyr@cuug.ab.ca>]

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Mark Nelson <mnelson@brls.com> wrote:

>If the BMW AWD idea was a better design than the Audi, then why didn't
>they keep making it??

I'm not sure that better designs guarantee market share. I'm not 
indicating that the 325ix is better than a quattro, but lets face it, how 
many people on this list are running DOS or Win95 based computers? Or use 
VHS VCR's at home? I bet some even own 2WD Audis!

>Another thing to remember on the Subarus that McRae and Erikkson run as
>well as the Mitsubishi that Tommi Makinen runs, is that those cars have
>a completely custom drivetrain as well.  I will guarantee that you will
>not see the same drivetrain sitting in say a Subaru Legacy wagon.

The Subarus you get overseas are much closer to the rally cars than the 
ones available for purchase in North America. Unfortunately, due to 
poor sales and import restrictions, not many of the real fun AWD cars 
are even imported to NA. Not to mention that North Americans don't want 
to spend the money on AWD, they would rather have a really loud stereo. 
The US gov't would prefer to mandate crash survival equipment (like 
passive seatbelts or airbags) than crash avoidance (AWD, ABS, DRL).

Rob