Re: Q45 vs. 200

[Chris Maresca <ckm@eainet.com>]

On Tue, 17 Mar 1998, Bruce Aukerman wrote:

> >>>all japanese cars have failed<<<
> 
> As was pointed out, try the 300z.  Or, how about the last generation
> RX7t, Supra t, [or either of those in NA form], sc400, NSX [little
> pricey, agreed], gsr, etc.  Plethora of fun Japanese cars, but, they
> don't have the old Audi quirks, I admit.  
>  

Not to mention the Toyota MR2/MR2 Turbo. Or the Miata (why buy an over
priced Z3?). And, I would love to drive one of those new GS400's, despite
the automatic... 

As the owner of both a Japanese car (Mazda RX7 TII) and an Audi (CQ), I
would second that.  The RX7 is much, much faster, handles better, and, in
some ways, is more fun to drive.  In its heyday, it was the Japanese
equivelent of a 944, except cheaper and more reliable.  Car & Driver
called it "a better 944 than the 944".

BUT, it only seats two people, handles like cr*p in anything but dry
weather (never mind the snow...), is loud, stiff, somewhat
uncomfortable, and has no trunk space.  On top of that, as it ages, it has
increasing reliability problems, at least as a daily driver (it's fine as
a weekend car).

I think that every car company has the resources and technical talent to
build any kind of car they want, but they are constrained by marketing
decisions.  Audi chooses to build cars that satisfy the needs/wants of the
people on this list (including me), other car companies go after other
market segements, and we are not in them (perhaps we also are). 

Just look at Chrysler/Dodge.  Their market segement is family cars, yet
the choose to build outrageously engineered cars like the Viper and
Prowler.  I'm not saying I like these, but the are at the top of their
market segements.  Same can be said of cars like the Nissan Skyline GT-R
and the Subaru WRX.  Both of these are showcases of exceptional technical
prowess by Japanese manaufacturers.  And let's not forget that when the
Japanese went after that quintessentially Audi sport, the rally, they
wound up on top.

A car is a personal thing.  It is as much a question of personal image and
emotion as it is about technical merit.  Every person balances their needs
and personal image/emotion to find a suitable car for them.  Good or bad
is really not a consideration, car companies are just trying to meet those
demands. 

Chris.
'90 CQ (looking for dark '91 w/low miles)
'87 RX7 Tii (for sale, I don't need two cars)
[If i lived in a sunnier place, I would also have a Miata...]