No Subject

[Cabell_T_Treadway@res.raytheon.com]

>Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2000 13:23:06 -0800
>From: Khan Klatt <khan@mediaaccess.com>
>Subject: Re:

>People  buy SUV's for different reasons. For example, I'd never buy
>any current Jetta/Audi/BMW (perhaps the X5, don't know much about it)
>if I was an avid boater and wanted to tow a boat.

>Based on what I've read, I'm really excited about the BMW M class
>cars. The M5 and M roadster in particular. However, they are 2WD, and
>regardless of what BMW marketing hype says, there is no substitute
>for 4WD.

I'm pretty excited about the M5 as well, but I couldn't afford a $70k car
at this point.  Again, based on what I've read as well (Dr. Bob will say
I'm just brainwashed by propaganda, since I have no actual experience with
driving these cars), the M3 is a great car, and the M Roadster is pretty
sharp as well, with some reservations.  First, I believe the traction
control is not available on the Roadster, along with a few other niceties.
I love my trip computer in the Jetta, and for whatever reason, BMW has
decided that Roadster's and the cool little Coupe don't get computers.  I
think they're either standard or an option on every other car they make,
but not the Roadster/Coupe.  Also the suspension in the Roadster and Coupe
is borrowed from the older editions of the 3-series, not the newer stuff
the M3 has.  I don't know why, but hopefully by the time I can afford to
look at these cars that will change.  My little dream is to buy an M3 or
Roadster and keep either my Jetta or by then have an Audi Quattro to drive
in the winter, keeping the BMW garaged in the snow.

>And because I am solely a German engineering car buyer (i.e. no

Amen to that.

>Subaru) my next purchase will probably be an Audi. I have considered
>a Jeep G. Cherokee, but then that's a totally different kind of car.

>... or the Passat 4motion, but the Passat is pretty gutless compared
to....

>exactly, the S4, but it is TINY*** (smaller than our cars in some
>ways) so perhaps an S6 Quattro? The S8 sounds pretty amazing, but out

I had heard that Audi doesn't offer the A6 in a standard tranny.  Is it the
same for the S6?  That's the reason I would only consider an A/S4.  People
may say that tiptronic or whatever they want to call it is a good
substitute, but I'm sorry, give me a clutch or I won't buy the car.

>of my price range at the moment... :) According to VWVortex, it looks
>like the S6 may be here in the US by September 2000. Time to start
>saving up! :)

>- -K

>*** In my opinion, the backseats of the Jetta and the Audi are
>unusable by adults (I'm 6'2", and my seat is all the way back). I

You're right.  I'm 6'4", and the seat behind me is worthless.  Oh well,
someday when I have to worry about kids and stuff, the wife can have the
"family car".

>don't plan on having kids, so I might as well have bought a two door
>car... So, the only way to go in my mind is to get a two seater like
>a TT, Boxster, 911 Carrera, M3, or get a larger 4 door sedan, like an

If you go with a Boxster, I think you would be much happier with the new S
model.  My friend has the non-S, and I was very unimpressed when I drove
it.  Good power up high in rpm's, but not much low end torque, and for tall
guys like us, that mid engine really limits the legroom.  Anyway, fine out
on a highway, but for around town or windy type roads, not that much fun.
Have you seen the new E46 M3?  I think they're not available until next
year, but wow, they're pretty sweet.  Definite improvement over the current
E36 model.  (Again Dr. Bob, I'm just brainwashed here.  It's going to take
serious convincing to get me to abandon my little BMW world completely.)

>BMW M5, an S6, or, give up the performance, and get an X5, a Jeep G.
>Cherokee, or the upcoming VW/Porsche SUV. I've ignored Volvo,
>although I like their cars...

Volvo does have some nice cars.  I'm interested in the new 40 series, but I
think you can only get them in basically one trim, a turbo 4 and automatic.
(See earlier comment about clutch, and I'd like a 6 cyl as well.)

>Khan Klatt                                         khan@mediaaccess.com

Cab