NY times article

["Matthew Pfeffer" <matjen@xsite.net>]

There is a fine NY Times article where the reviewer (he is reviewing a Jag)
discusses what he likes in a car and howdifferent countries/regions produce
different types of cars.  Choice quotes include:

 "If the Jaguar demands a deep, dark color, the magnificant German machines
from Mercedes, BMW and Audi look most natural in something approaching
brushed aluminum. If Britain celebrates classic beauty and rich tradition,
Germany carries the banner of engineering."

"I confess this is where my preference lies -- I have had German cars as
disparate as a Golf, a Passat and a Mercedes, and they have all shared a
sense of precision, purposefulness and the primacy of function and
technology over marketing. To my mind, the current Audi sedans stand at the
pinnacle of German auto making; when I see one, I wonder how it will be
improved upon. "

God knows I think these things everytime I need to get my 89 200 TQW
repaired...which is, unfortunately, much too often.  I suppose that is the
price I must pay for the "primacy of function."

The article can be found at
http://www.nytimes.com/library/auto/wheels/990815jag.html

Matt Pfeffer