Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!ihnp4!gargoyle!stuart From: stuart@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP (Stuart Kurtz) Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: Detroit's dying dinosaurs. Message-ID: <212@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP> Date: Wed, 3-Oct-84 10:03:22 EDT Article-I.D.: gargoyle.212 Posted: Wed Oct 3 10:03:22 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 4-Oct-84 02:42:15 EDT References: <209@gargoyle.UUCP> <352@edison.UUCP> Organization: U. Chicago - Computer Science Lines: 34 > one reason that US autos get bad milage is the way that they > are constructed, (to save your life, when you wreck) domestic cars > have to answer to all kinds of regulations and consumer groups. > (foreign cars do not have this problem). > for you flamers out their all of these things cost money > and this cost is passed to the consumer, foreign manufacturers dont > have these costs BULLSHIT!!!!! My VW Rabbit was assembled in the US, and so is subject to all of the same regulations as any GM or Ford. Moreover, I seriously doubt that large volume foriegn cars (e.g., Toyota's, Audi's, even Porsche's) are exempt from US safety regulations. Now, I'll be the first to admit that if some cretan in an Olds plows into me, it's over. Even with the VW's enviable safety features -- crash hooks so the hood won't decapitate me, an engine and transmission designed to shear off and go under the passenger capsule rather than into it, safety belts that are so convenient and comfortable to wear, etc. -- simple physics shows that a 1400 lbs car stands little chance against a 3000 lbs. one, no matter how well it's constructed. On the other hand, the Rabbit has several safety features unknown to GM: responsive steering, and a solid suspension to name two. I've got an excellent chance of avoiding accidents that typical American cars would wallow into. (A paraphrasing of the relevant section of Consumer Reports.) I simply can't accept your criticism. Foriegn cars are subject to the same governmental constraints as US ones, and they are certainly subject to the same litigation in this litigious society. Stu ihnp4!gargoyle!stuart