Philosophy of cars

[sgrizzle]

When buying cars, people tend to be loyal to a brand or a couple of brands... or they focus only imports or just domestic.  While all car manufacturers try to be competitive on numbers, do they have other focuses overall as well?

My question I pose for discussion is not who has the highest MPG or 'Merica vs foreign, but rather, do you think cars companies from different regions (Asia, US, Germany, Italy) operate under different philosophies? It used to be assumed that swiss made great timepieces and germans were great engineers, do those kind of regional identities still make it into today's cars?

[Conan71]

All I know is German engineers must not see a need for turn signals as Mercedes and BMW drivers never seem to use them.

[sgrizzle]

All I know is German engineers must not see a need for turn signals as Mercedes and BMW drivers never seem to use them.

They may just not see I need to inform those of your class as to their intentions.

[DolfanBob]

Not real sure. But don't you miss the Yugo? 

[sgrizzle]

Not real sure. But don't you miss the Yugo? 

Nope

[Red Arrow]

Nope

Me either on the Yugo.  What a disaster that was.

I believe that most cars that are available in the USA (I don't know about 3rd and 4th world countries) are much better than even the muscle cars that my generation holds in such high regard.  It's difficult to let go of the ground pounding huge displacement engines of the past but handling is decidedly better. 445 lb-ft of torque at 2800 RPM is difficult to forget.  Can you imagine that with a 6 speed tranny rather than the 2 or 3 speed automatics available then?  OK, maybe a Vette or a few others can do that now but the price is pretty big.   My first car was a '66 Buick Skylark GS (Buick's GTO/442/396 Chevelle).  It actually did have some handling improvements over the standard Skylark/Special.  It was an inch lower and had stiffer anti-sway bar(s), shocks and wider tires.  The rear bar was optional.  My brother drove my '69 GS 350 around Hallett on a standing start/flying finish one lap under 2 minutes.  It had really sucky drum brakes, good for 1/2 a panic stop from 70 mph.  With the 350 engine / 350 Tranny,  it was OK but not the hottest on acceleration.  It had enough handling to do a decent job in the corners.  He did have the back end hung out about 30º around the last turn to the front straight. Everyone (except me) thought he was going to loop it but go-kart training paid off.  In spite of my fond memories, most cars today have better handling, brakes, .....  maybe just not an engine I want.

Over the years I have reduced my requirement from 100 cu in per 1000 lb of car weight to 1 litre per 1000 lb but even that is being challenged.  I just can't buy into a 2.0 litre, 4 banger in a 3500 lb car regardless of the HP.  I still require 0 to 60 in under 7 seconds though.  That gives you maneuvering power at highway speeds.

[Red Arrow]

All I know is German engineers must not see a need for turn signals as Mercedes and BMW drivers never seem to use them.

My BMW has turn signals but if I believe you don't need to know where I am going (as in 1/2 mile ahead of you changing lanes at 70 mph, I'm very likely to neglect using my turn/lane change signals.  If I am in a turn only lane, I expect you to expect that I intend to turn according to the lane control signs.

If you dash to the front of the line expecting to butt into line just because you have your turn signal on, expect me to get close enough to the car in front of me to make both of us hesitant about your intended maneuver.  You can take your turn in line just like everyone else.  If you get hit by someone coming up on you at 65 MPH while you are stopped waiting to butt into line, I just hope no one waiting in line gets hit. (Based on observations of the Gilcrease south/eastbound to I-244 eastbound to 169 Southbound clusterf...)

Big Old Vehicles Rule.

German engineers do have the latitude to make cars that are safe at 200+ Km/hr.  The Autobahns are really great.  Most American drivers would die quickly there.  Germans actually need to learn how to drive before they get their license.  I think the business climate in Germany leans more toward engineering excellence that the last $.02 of profit.  OK, there have been some notable cutting edge technology designs that had less than desirable results.  Many Asian cars are using proven technology so of course their reliability will be higher.   I remember a co-worker EE that interned at Chrysler.  He was told to redesign a new voltage regulator because it didn't fail soon enough.  The redesign was more expensive but met the increased failure rate. Maybe the world market will have a positive effect on US car makers.

[heironymouspasparagus]

I still require 0 to 60 in under 7 seconds though.  That gives you maneuvering power at highway speeds.

I got a question....

Being at highway speeds would seem to imply you are already somewhere near 60 mph.... and since the acceleration tapers off rather quickly around the point where you are doing 60, wouldn't that acceleration be pretty much wasted?  Kinda like by definition....?

[Conan71]

My BMW has turn signals but if I believe you don't need to know where I am going (as in 1/2 mile ahead of you changing lanes at 70 mph, I'm very likely to neglect using my turn/lane change signals.  If I am in a turn only lane, I expect you to expect that I intend to turn according to the lane control signs.

If you dash to the front of the line expecting to butt into line just because you have your turn signal on, expect me to get close enough to the car in front of me to make both of us hesitant about your intended maneuver.  You can take your turn in line just like everyone else.  If you get hit by someone coming up on you at 65 MPH while you are stopped waiting to butt into line, I just hope no one waiting in line gets hit. (Based on observations of the Gilcrease south/eastbound to I-244 eastbound to 169 Southbound clusterf...)

Big Old Vehicles Rule.

German engineers do have the latitude to make cars that are safe at 200+ Km/hr.  The Autobahns are really great.  Most American drivers would die quickly there.  Germans actually need to learn how to drive before they get their license.  I think the business climate in Germany leans more toward engineering excellence that the last $.02 of profit.  OK, there have been some notable cutting edge technology designs that had less than desirable results.  Many Asian cars are using proven technology so of course their reliability will be higher.   I remember a co-worker EE that interned at Chrysler.  He was told to redesign a new voltage regulator because it didn't fail soon enough.  The redesign was more expensive but met the increased failure rate. Maybe the world market will have a positive effect on US car makers.

Line jumpers don't seem to understand they are a major part of the reason for log-jams in merging lanes.  They obviously forgot rule #1 from Kindergarten: "Get in line!"

Germany, for being such a great hotbed of gifted engineers, has a dreadfully unreliable postal service.  Germany ranks with Spain and Brazil on lost and long-delayed items for the on-line business MC and I operate.  I would think they would be incredibly reliable unless it's a stodgy customs issue.  I seriously have better luck with the postal service in Indonesia. 

[BKDotCom]

Line jumpers don't seem to understand they are a major part of the reason for log-jams in merging lanes.  They obviously forgot rule #1 from Kindergarten: "Get in line!"

I try to occupy as much of the passing lane as possible while still being in line.
Not sure what the legal definition of "merged" is.  My luck is that I'd be the one to receive a citation for not merging..

Getting out of downtown was a mess yesterday.   Saw one flagrant zoom to the front of the line infraction.   Someone left much too big a gap..  And there was way to much room in the outside lane to give Mr zoom cutter room to zoom

[Conan71]

I try to occupy as much of the passing lane as possible while still being in line.
Not sure what the legal definition of "merged" is.  My luck is that I'd be the one to receive a citation for not merging..

Getting out of downtown was a mess yesterday.   Saw one flagrant zoom to the front of the line infraction.   Someone left much too big a gap..  And there was way to much room in the outside lane to give Mr zoom cutter room to zoom

I've done that only to have them drive around me on the shoulder.  Aholes will always figure out a way to remain an ahole.

[DolfanBob]

Remember Ferris Bueller's Dad driving? I have tried to become that guy. I've just reached the conclusion that my Road Rage tendencies might end up triggering an even worse reaction from today's driving Psychopaths. And I truly just want to get to my destination in peace.

And I drive an old piece of crap work van. So I figure that anyone with half a brain should know who will come out on top if a collision were to happen. My cost of repair is nothing compared to the new vehicles the speed demons drive today. So I just smile and point my finger knowingly.
They'll get theirs. Just not today. 

[RecycleMichael]

My son has just received a driving learner's permit.

Don't say you haven't been warned.

[Townsend]

I've done that only to have them drive around me on the shoulder.  Aholes will always figure out a way to remain an ahole.

While I agree with you, I guarantee he called you that very same name.

[Conan71]

While I agree with you, I guarantee he called you that very same name.

No, something probably worse and it probably even questioned my mother's marital status at birth.