That's not only the truth, it's my point. SUVs and sports/sporty coupes are
what the American market is asking for right now and VW isn't coming real
strong with the compacts. The Touraeg is an *awesome* vehicle, but you need the
V8 for worthwhile performance and that means $40-41k before options.

In article <10804akppe50l40 (AT) news (DOT) supernews.com>,
Mike Smith <mike_UNDERSCORE_smith (AT) acm (DOT) DOT.org> wrote:

Actually, I was replacing an '89 (gas) Jetta, and was looking
primarily at the 2.0-liter gas-engined Jetta A4 as a straight
replacement. The V-6 Contour cost about the same, so I compared it
rather than the 4-cylinder Contour. But I didn't like the Contour's
build quality. Unfortunately, I didn't like the performance of the
2.0-liter VW engine (or the relatively poor gas mileage, which you
would think would be better for that engine). The 1.8T was not
available when I bought my first TDI, and the VR-6 was significantly
more expensive than either. So it was on to the TDI. Yeah, it's a
strange pairing. But maybe the thought processes help explain it.

sd

There isn't a big difference driving NORMALLY, ie not flooring it to get to
100kph very VERY fast.... I don't know about you but I don't have to floor
my 90 horsepower diesel to get on the 400 series highways (similar to
interstates) unless the onramps are REALLY short.... These cars I find you
barely have to give more then 1/2 throttle.

I find the Passat had a more flexible engine.

Hell, i've driven a Volvo V70 2,4T with 197 hp and 210lb-ft of torque, and
it felt even better then either one of those cars (and yah the Accord would
still spank it in a 0-100kph test). Its the torque range that's important,
not the HP it produces at 6000+ rpm.

And when did I disagree that it would lose in the performance dept? cuz I
didn't I just said the reduced power doesn't make a huge difference driven
normally.
"Steve Grauman" <oneactor1 (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote

Whens the last time you saw one of those 3+ litre midsized cars flooring it
to get on the highway, or jackrabbit starting at a stoplight to get
ahead.... I've RARELY seen it... In everyday situations the TDI motor cars
will not leave you feeling shorthanded.... In fact I seem to get stuck
behind the biggest most powerfull midsize cars on on-ramps, this could be
because I need more run-up room right after the bend, but still... It really
doesn't matter how much power you got, it doesn't make a huge difference
unless you're racing.

Maybe you need to stop comparing cars based PURELY on how fast they will go
when pushed.
"Steve Grauman" <oneactor1 (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote

Probably some options and trims on the inside... seems redundant tho doesn't
it.
"Randolph" <trash (AT) junkmail (DOT) com> wrote

First off I am not a European.

I have driven cars with 383 Magnums and 440 Magnums, trucks with 396s,
Camaros with hopped up 350s. I have no need for such raw acceleration.
I am not in some freaking race to do my job of going back an forth to
work. The only people that need that are the folks out on the
racetrack. Sure I might want raw acceleration but I want better milage
more. Just because some small percentage of folks want 300 plus
horsepower in a pickup truck does not mean that the bulk of the market
does. I don't want a huge gas or diesel engine in a Tourag. I want a
decent size diesel that would let me pull 5,000 lbs safely. Not drag
race the stupid truck but safely pull the trailer.

Once again there is not proof that dropping some rediculous
unneccessary engine in some wacked out new every 4 years body style is
going to make VW the largest seller of vehicles in America. Or more
important a more profitable company. Who want to be the largest?
Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborgini sure don't care. I would rather have a
Porsche than some VW but a car is not something worth hanging some
silly ego to for me. It is transportation. It is for lots of people
otherwise the Taurus and Camray would not sell so well.

I test drove the 1.8T. I have no need for such acceleration. I doubt
that anyone could prove that they need such acceleration. What do you
do that you need a car that can do a quarter mile in 15 seconds? I can
accelerate to highway speeds at part throttle with a TDI. I can
accerate briskly enough with full throttle. I can maintain 80 mph with
ease. What more do I need?

oneactor1 (AT) aol (DOT) com (Steve Grauman) wrote:


Jim B.

"Rob Guenther" <robertguenther (AT) sympatico (DOT) ca> wrote

there, the Golf sells WAY more units, and is German built.

Yes although the Golf has always been more popular than the Jetta/Vento/Bora
overseas.


As are all Jetta wagons in North America.

"Brian Running" <brunning (AT) tds (DOT) net> wrote

There are both Golf and Bora versions...same cars, different noses, and the
Bora versions tend to be more upscale in trim. Both I think are called
"Variant" (e.g.: Golf Variant and Bora Variant).

I'm not going to debate this any furthur with you other than to say I drove
both cars back to back and the difference is noticeable. The Accord's seemingly
low 212 Ft. Lbs. of torque is still more than the Passat's peak ouput and the
added displacement (3.0 Vs. 2.8) helps offset the Hond's tendancy to want to
revv out. Their also compareable in weight and the Passat's Tiptronic is oddly
slow and clumsy in Automatic mode, something that has been commented on in
numerous writeups and kills a lot of it's appeal. The Accord's automatic is
well suited to it's engine and I found it far less difficult to acclerate and
pass with than much smaller engined Preludes, Civics, and Integra/RSXs and even
the Passat to some degree. The Passat is one of the slowest selling vehicles of
it's price and type in North America and it's partly because VW isn;t matching
the priceerformance ratio of cars like the Accord.

The Passat feels limp wristed, weak and generally sub-par when compared to the
Honda. In fact I can say even as a VW fan that the Accord has got the Passat
beaten everywhere except build quality and the differences are hardly worth
talking about. I drove both cars back to back and I know which one I'd take -
hands down. If it were a comparison of Golf Vs. Civic, I'd feel differently.