Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] computer and car prices (was Re: [MLUG])

[Dave Lloyd <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Tue, 5 Mar 2002, Kmicic wrote:

> 1. just about every european car maker has a similar model. You won't
> see this design in Northern America anywhere.
> 2. beside the point, but i drive a ford tempo. I don't think you want to
> pit it up against C15 in the argument who makes crappier cars - French
> or Americans. in order not to humiliate your national pride I won't even
> bring dodge neon into this.
> 3. Citroens do pretty well in reliability ratings. I think you got them
> confused with Fiats.
> 

I think that Citroens had poor records in the US in the past.  That's why
they stopped selling them here.  Remember the car that Kent drove in 
"Real Genius?"  That was a Citroen.

Keep in mind, though, that the French are responsible for such maginificent
feats of engineering as the Duex Cheveaux and the Maginot Line.  Fiats
are a whole 'nother ball of wax.  

> 
> nobody said cab access to bed should be permanent. i don't think rear
> opening cab door would be such an insane idea so as not to try it on any
> model since the dawn of times (instead of the half assed attempt at the
> idea with the rear sliding window)

Not that I like the idea of such a beastly vehicle, but there is the 
Chevy Avalanche/Cadillac EXT.  Aside from being way too big, using way
too much gas, they're really ugly.  But, it is an innovative design 
nonetheless.  Or, there's the classic two door hatchback.  Check out a
Volkswagen GTi, Golf or even the Focus SVT/ZX3.  Good on gas, fun to 
drive and room enough to haul a couple of 20" (or one 24") monitor.

All this said, between my wife and I, we have my 97 Protege ES (a hoot
to drive, believe it or not) and her 4WD 93 Ford Ranger.  We only drive
the truck once a week or so, and then it's for the Home Depot run, so it
gets to haul mulch, lumber and do other manly truck type things.  Trucks
are great if you use them to haul stuff.  It's when you stick station 
wagon bodies on top of them and market them to families advertising the
"rugged, outdoor lifestyle," that they become a safety hazzard.  Rollover
accidents are a very real, very deadly threat that strikes SUVs about 10 
times more often than cars.  I honestly doubt that you're much more likely
to survive an accident in an SUV than you are in a car.  

BTW, the 4WD truck is because my wife used to live in Northern Arizona where
they occasionally wake up to find 36" of snow has magically appeared on the
ground.

Dave Lloyd

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