Why cant Toyota or Honda make a car that drives just like a BMW?

Like the guy said, for people who want a car that waddles along while they
lounge in their bordello-look sofas.... Oldsmobiles are (were ?) just the
ticket.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

Like the original guy said: If GM could get past the image, they'd have it
made. The only Olds that waddles anymore is the 98 Regency, and it waddles
because old people like cars that drive like motorboats.

me??

 

But waddling is only ONE of the characteristics of the Olds 88 that I
mentioned. I also listed quietness,power, smoothness of ride,
durability, lower cost of replacement parts, roominess, corrosion
resistance....

Please note that none of the above positive comments apply to GM small
cars such as the Cavalier, Corsica, etc which are the products of the
Roger Smith era at GM. (Remember the film "Roger and Me"?) I reserve
my judgment on the Grand Am, Impala, Malibu etc, although they sure
look good. But we'll see..

Based on my 40+ years of buying cars (and observing other people doing
so)I reached the following conclusion: A very important factor in car
selection is image. Car ownership has a lot to do with personal
identity. Ask yourself this: will a person who went out on a limb and
bought a Volvo (mainly
because of advertisement about its safety features) ever admit that he
or
she could have spent that money more wisely by buying a more reliable
domestic car at a much lower cost whose safety features are very
adequate? Not on your life. Car makers know that a car is not a means
of safely getting from point A to point B. Ir is a part of a person's
precious identity. And they exploit it. And purchasers fall for it
and
make the venture profitable.

The Lexus es300 is a wonderful car. But not more so than the Olds 88.

A.Z.

 

They'd "have it made" with what? The traditional Olds is well known for
waddling. Later GM products have been plagued with other issues, like
piston slap before break-in is done and timing chains which wear themselves
out on their covers. No thanks.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

When you say that the Lexus es300 is no more wonderful than the Olds 88 are
you including reliability? "Wonderful" is a quality that the owner is
privileged to define for him/herself. If a car requires many more repairs
than another car, most people would have difficulty seeing it as equally
wonderful.

 

I never spent a dime on my last Oldsmobile outside of routine oil changes.
The problem with Oldsmobile was twofold: GM violated one of their original
precepts. They allowed it to become indistinguishable from their other
nameplates. The second problem was shortsighted management - Oldsmobile got
very popular in the 80's and GM proceeded to cheap it out to make bigger
profits. They fixed the reliability issues by the early 90's, but it was
too late to save the name.

 

Hi Folks

I've been reading about BMW, Toyota, Lexus and Olds/GM cars but spare a thought
for ROVER (Woof Woof) Yes that Old British Company ROVER! Their cars hold the
road, are comfortable, fairly economic (by US std anyway) and reasonably well
put together.

However when the 800 model changed from the "boxy" Mk1 that was sold in the US
as the OXFORD (I think) with the 2.5 & 2.7 Honda V6 engines to the more
gracefull Mk1 (same 2.7 V6) things were removed like the trip computer and a few
other toys.

However, the reliability of the electrical/electronic toys was always suspect
and this weirdness carried over to the Mk2. When BMW bought ROVER in 1985 Honda
pulled out and wouldn't supply any engines so the KV6 was quickly drafted in
from the test bed to power the car - nice DOHC V6. Almost EVERY engine in the
800 range went BANG and was replaced by Rover/BMW on most (not all) cars.

The current KV6 is a really good engine but almost totally different from the
original test engine fitted to the last of the 800 series. The 800 was replaced
by the 75 jello mould BMW developed "5" series competitor 75 which seems a nice
car even if Bloody Ugly as is the S type and X type Jag.

If one was to visit the or
(have to join first but don't say you just wanted a laugh) you will see what I
mean.

Image is the thing and so is comfort.

I would rather have a big, comfortable, well handling car than a point and
squirt shoe box.

But then that's me.

Hugh

Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it!

Hugh Gundersen


http://www.bognor-bill.co.uk
Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK

-------------------------------------------------
Vyisder Asmeni
Orsisarsis Asderisorsis.
B.Cozderiz
Vunarz
PERORZ
-------------------------------------------------

 

Hi Folks

I've been reading about BMW, Toyota, Lexus and Olds/GM cars but spare a thought
for ROVER (Woof Woof) Yes that Old British Company ROVER! Their cars hold the
road, are comfortable, fairly economic (by US std anyway) and reasonably well
put together.

However when the 800 model changed from the "boxy" Mk1 that was sold in the US
as the OXFORD (I think) with the 2.5 & 2.7 Honda V6 engines to the more
gracefull Mk1 (same 2.7 V6) things were removed like the trip computer and a few
other toys.

However, the reliability of the electrical/electronic toys was always suspect
and this weirdness carried over to the Mk2. When BMW bought ROVER in 1985 Honda
pulled out and wouldn't supply any engines so the KV6 was quickly drafted in
from the test bed to power the car - nice DOHC V6. Almost EVERY engine in the
800 range went BANG and was replaced by Rover/BMW on most (not all) cars.

The current KV6 is a really good engine but almost totally different from the
original test engine fitted to the last of the 800 series. The 800 was replaced
by the 75 jello mould BMW developed "5" series competitor 75 which seems a nice
car even if Bloody Ugly as is the S type and X type Jag.

If one was to visit the or
(have to join first but don't say you just wanted a laugh) you will see what I
mean.

Image is the thing and so is comfort.

I would rather have a big, comfortable, well handling car than a point and
squirt shoe box.

But then that's me.

Hugh

Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it!

Hugh Gundersen


http://www.bognor-bill.co.uk
Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK

-------------------------------------------------
Vyisder Asmeni
Orsisarsis Asderisorsis.
B.Cozderiz
Vunarz
PERORZ
-------------------------------------------------

 

Absolutely I am. My Olds is as reliable as my Lexus. As I said in
other posts, I never experienced reliability problems with the GM cars
I owned. Of course, like the word "wonderful", the definition of the
word "reliable" is also relative. All I can say is that while i'ts
true that my Lexus does not break down often, neither does my Olds
even though it has a third more mileage on it (200 000ks vs 300 000).

The reason I wrote in praise of Olds is not because I want to
downgrade Lexus. When I say that my Olds is quieter than my Lexus, I
am recognizing ipso facto the expected quietness of a Lexus! It's
just that, based on my personal experience, big GM cars do not get the
credit they deserve, I feel. They are much better cars than the
impression you get from the press and import cars enthusiasts. When
you factor in the price differential and the lower cost of replacement
parts, they are a tremendous value. (Too bad the're so darn ugly.
Buicks anyway. Hopefully this guy Lutz will make a difference
eventually)

A.Z.

 

This is just not true. IS300 was designed and built to be a 3-series killer,
not the GS. No one will try to build something and call it a 3-series killer
without offering a 5 speed manual transmittion. A low-end GS has 220hp which
is about a high end 3-series. That's not right...

In fact, I was trying to pick between a 325i and a IS300 when I was buying a
car a few months ago. The 325i that I tested was with sport suspension.
Logically the ride in the IS was much better - firmer and accurate and yet
comfortable. The 325i, even though with sport suspension, was too soft. I
believe the 330i with sport suspension has the same suspension too.

Then added the reliability and the price, there was no competition. I picked
the IS300, although my heart is still in a European car.

 

Lutz I think will make a difference. He's already taken a car thats really
taken off over here (the GMH Holden Monaro) and had it LHD prepared and
shipped to the US as the new Pontiac GTO... although GTO diehards call it a
total abortion and a slur on the name.

He's obviously a car enthusiast and recognizes other parts of GM building
something the US market could use. Don't be suprised if he also recognizes
the Monaro's twin, the Commodore, as a good replacement for the Caprice.
After all, you can still buy Caprices in the middle-east, but lo and behold
they *ARE* a Commodore... with a new front fascia.

GMH are doing things that are exciting the rest of the company at long last.
Lutz recognizes this I think. He's got the idea. Keep an eye out people,
Australian hardware is a-coming!

And I say GMs are good reliable machines too - sure my Toyota has a
horrendous mileage and is in good order, but I haven't had any issues with
3800 powered Holdens in the time I've spent with them, and that includes my
Fiero3800.


Nick.