The cars and bikes thread!

[Domo]

VAGes aren't unreliable, but the ownership costs are high and frequent. The A4 may be applauded in the press, because it handles well and has the best interior etc etc but it's a new car when they check it out.

[Raza]

I'd just look at stats, not go from anecdotal personal experience.

The stats are deeply flawed, though. Because they rely on essentially self reporting, they don't adjust for the pickiness of customers. For example, years back, the Lincoln Town Car was one of the top rated in reliability and initial quality; however, the stats don't take into account that, for example, people who buy European luxury cars at a higher price may be more likely to take their cars in for minor issues that elderly Town Car drivers wouldn't bother with.

[geoffbot]

The stats are deeply flawed, though. Because they rely on essentially self reporting, they don't adjust for the pickiness of customers. For example, years back, the Lincoln Town Car was one of the top rated in reliability and initial quality; however, the stats don't take into account that, for example, people who buy European luxury cars at a higher price may be more likely to take their cars in for minor issues that elderly Town Car drivers wouldn't bother with.

Better than anecdotes. I've had a couple of problems with my vw but I'd still buy another.

[93EXCivic]

The stats are deeply flawed, though. Because they rely on essentially self reporting, they don't adjust for the pickiness of customers. For example, years back, the Lincoln Town Car was one of the top rated in reliability and initial quality; however, the stats don't take into account that, for example, people who buy European luxury cars at a higher price may be more likely to take their cars in for minor issues that elderly Town Car drivers wouldn't bother with.

I like to try to find buyer's guides and look at the common problems for the said car. It gives me an idea if it is something I want to deal with or not. Also I will say the Town Car is a damn reliable car so I can see it being top of that list. I mean there is a reason that basic car was used by cops and cabbies across the US.

Either way the New Beetle is still the biggest piece of shit car I have ever worked on multiple times and I have worked on MG Midgets, Triumph Spitfire and an Alfa Spider. Between the dead automatic transmissions, dead A/C units, messed up window regulators, TDi recall, collapsing door cards, dead turbo, cooling system problems between a Jetta TDi, a New Beetle, a Passat TDi and Audi A4 was enough to convince me I never want a VW built post '90.

Anyway I am trying to figure out what to replace the 99 Si with soon. I have to get a problem fixed with it and then it is going up for sale.

[happyscrappyheropup]

Finally a nice day here in MD.



Got to clean these wheels more regularly 😁😁

-- Wayne

[mlcor]

Finally a nice day here in MD.



Got to clean these wheels more regularly 

-- Wayne

I bet you don't like two tone watches, either.

[gnuyork]

Yeah nice day here too, top off driving. Actually I never put to the top on for the winter, so my laziness pays off.

[Seriously]

Yeah nice day here too, top off driving. Actually I never put to the top on for the winter, so my laziness pays off.

You drive a coupe though ..........

[Raza]

I just came back across this episode of Top Gear, and it did nothing to quash my desire for an Evo X.

https://youtu.be/S4CfWdoSOTk

[Raza]

If I ever move to Europe for any appreciable amount of time, I'm buying one of these, in 3.2 with a manual: