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.