Re: Audi Haters/Japanese cars

[DeWitt Harrison <de@aztek.com>]

On Fri, 30 May 1997 14:19:33 CDT, Al Powell wrote:

>Those of you (not named here) who have engaged in Japanese car 
>bashing are off-base, IMNSHO.  The fact is that Japanese cars are 
>incredibly durable, inexpensive to drive, and have re-shaped the US 
>car market (for the better, also IMNSHO) over the last 25 years.
>[ ... ] 
>The Audi is great to drive, a safe and fine 
>performing car, but it is a pain in the butt to maintain!
>[ ... ]
>That's not putting Audi down.  I would not put up with all the 
>silliness I must endure from our 200 if I didn't love the car! [ ... ]
>The remark has been made in this group that Audis illustrate the 
>difference in meanings between the words "durable" and "dependable".  
>They are incredibly gifted in #1, but rather lacking in #2.  Casting 
>all cheerleading for Deutschland aside, my 280ZX scores extremely 
>high on both.  So do most Nissans, Toyotas, and I must admit the 
>obvious, Hondas.
>
>We may not choose to drive them; we may vastly prefer the feel and 
>safety of the Audi; but that doesn't mean that the Japanese 
>automakers make inferior cars.

Al, thanks for the reality checks, both automotive and moral.
National politics aside, "bashing" posts disgust me and, I'll bet,
most all members of the q-list as well. I will second your assessment
of the relative dependability of Japanese cars vs. our beloved
marque and yet whenever I read one q-listers standard postscript
"If you ever see me in a Honda, for God's sake shoot me!" I
smile and nod affirmatively because dependability, in and of itself,
is far from automotive soul food in my book. I gather your perspective
is similar. My wife, on the other hand, finds joy in having the
motor start _every_ time! Imagine that. An Audi lover she is not.

One note of caution: you are definitely tempting the wrath of
those Gods I dare not name who could easily turn your 200 into
a German Yugo. Better rip off a quick 100 Hail Boschs.

DeWitt Harrison   de@aztek
Boulder, CO
88 5kcstq