Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site tektronix.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!mikeq From: mikeq@tektronix.UUCP (Mike Quigley) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Car problems... Message-ID: <1239@tektronix.UUCP> Date: Thu, 28-Jul-83 23:06:00 EDT Article-I.D.: tektroni.1239 Posted: Thu Jul 28 23:06:00 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 29-Jul-83 11:24:20 EDT Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR Lines: 24 Richard Kiessig writes a 7-page letter describing the irritations, problems and complaints with his new ($30,000!) Corvette, then closes by saying: "On the whole, I'm pleased with the car." Mr. Kiessig exhibits a curious phenomenon intrinsic with American-made car owners: they expect to have problems with their cars, and are disappointed if they don't! I used to work for VW, Porsche, Audi (pre 1974). Our biggest complainers were first-time buyers who previously owned only Detroit iron. We found that most of their complaints were unfounded, i.e., about problems that didn't even exist! Apparently these people were so conditioned to expect problem cars, that when they bought one that was (relatively) problem free, they had to imagine that problems existed anyhow. Anyone else notice this phenomenon among first-time foreign car buyers? Mike Quigley P.S. I own an '81 Subaru. No problems, irritations or complaints, thanks.