25% of all Castle Products in March

[JERRY2KONE]

Are you buying one of these Audi's or are you just dreaming out loud? Most people will never see vehicles in that price range in their liftime. Lexus, Infinity, Porche, Lamborgini. If you can aford any of these vehicles then why are you wasting your time on forums talking about it. Come back to Earth and deal with what most of us can really afford. Sure foreign made vehicles have some uniqure characteristics and pros that make them desirable to own, but the cost of owning one is rediculous. Purchasing one is only the begining of your nightmare. Between insurance and maintenance that is a half years sallery right there for most people. Do you know that very few people over here in Europe can not afford one wither. Most of the BMW's and the like are company owned vehicles, because the cost is out of reach even for the people who make them. European and Japanese cars are really not that much different than American cars. Every car maker out there has simlar vehicles to their competitors, and they all copy each others ideas. The money just goes into the pockets of the countries that are swallowing up the USA year after year. Once again quality is relaitive to price. If we Americans would stop trying to live above our means and focus on what is really important we would support our oun countries products while we still are able to do so. Spoiled rotten.

[Sower]

Originally Posted by JERRY2KONE

Are you buying one of these Audi's or are you just dreaming out loud? Most people will never see vehicles in that price range in their liftime. Lexus, Infinity, Porche, Lamborgini. If you can aford any of these vehicles then why are you wasting your time on forums talking about it. Come back to Earth and deal with what most of us can really afford. Sure foreign made vehicles have some uniqure characteristics and pros that make them desirable to own, but the cost of owning one is rediculous. Purchasing one is only the begining of your nightmare. Between insurance and maintenance that is a half years sallery right there for most people. Do you know that very few people over here in Europe can not afford one wither. Most of the BMW's and the like are company owned vehicles, because the cost is out of reach even for the people who make them. European and Japanese cars are really not that much different than American cars. Every car maker out there has simlar vehicles to their competitors, and they all copy each others ideas. The money just goes into the pockets of the countries that are swallowing up the USA year after year. Once again quality is relaitive to price. If we Americans would stop trying to live above our means and focus on what is really important we would support our oun countries products while we still are able to do so. Spoiled rotten.

You know, it would have been enough for me if you simply said you didn't agree with my statement that cars are just too fun to talk about . Obviously you have some emotional investment here or you wouldn't be going hog wild on me. What that is, I'm not sure. My best guess is that you're reading into my posting something that's not there.

I'm a car nut and love talking about them. Do I plan on buying the $100k S8? No. Never said I did. I am however considering the 2001 S8 as I stated in my post. If you have a problem with one of the cars I've stated, that's great - give me some concrete info and I would love to hear it. But don't just start throwing venom at me like I insulted your mom or something. Why would you start cracking on me about "coming back down to earth" or "wasting our time on these forums"? I just stated a non threatening opinion about cars I like. If you disagree, tell me like an adult and we can both learn and grow. I don't know everything about cars and would love to hear more.

And about them all being the same - that's just intellectually dishonest. How can you even say that?

[JERRY2KONE]

Sorry if I have hurt your feelings Sir. If you read my post closely I was not threatening you in any way. My experiences are based on the fact that I have traveled all over the world for more than 30 years and I have driven so many vehicles that it would take hours to name them all. Yes there are dream cars that we would all love to own and drive on a daliy basis, but a car has four wheels and a motor. Outside of the basic creature comforts the rest is a form of vanity for the most part.

This thread started out about American made stuff with foreign parts in them (CC) in general, and being proud of our country to the point of buying only American made items as Linc so nicely put it. It has metamorphed into issues about Americans purchasing American products in general instead of buying foreign vehicles. The only one getting offended here seems to be you. This was not a discussion about dream cars, it is about the compitition between countries, namely their auto makers. I did not attack you personally, and do not wish to engage in any kind of personal dispute with you. But We can dispute the issue all night long if yo so like. Good luck with that. This is a friendly open forum and there is no need to get angry about anything here.

[lincpimp]

You guys both have valid points, can't we all just get along?! (that was lame, I know.)

In any case, if you buy a used s8 it will most likely be one that is in the country, and for sale by either the current owner or a dealership. Both ways mean that the money stays in the country. A well maintained car for 20k is an ok purchase, for 100k you would have to be nut (or rich and very bored). Nothing against vw/audi, but they are no betterthan any other modern family car save for some specs, and some of their construction techniques are questionable (i do have to put these cars back together after they are smashed!)

I look at a simple design as one that will last and perform well. Overly complex designs that are poorly carried out (space shuttle) do not fair very well in the real world. The japanese make a decent product that is simple most of the time (they can't make an interior door handle to svae their lives though). Their materials are definately infersior to american made materials (steel especially).

In the used car market, maintanence is the most expensive running cost. That ismy main reason for american purchases, next to be a partiot (!). Look at the cost of replacement parts and you will see that even lincoln parts are about 1/2 the cost (average) than corolla parts (toyota parts are too expensive IMO). That is why my previous vehicle was a lincoln, not a lexus.

It all boils down to what you want, as our western society places too much importance on vehicle ownership. Can't be successful without a nice car right?!

[Sower]

Oh boy. How does this happen? Do I just read into it or what? Well, whatever it is, I saw those comments as being less than diplomatic . . . and yes - directed at me. If I'm wrong about your intentions then I'm sorry.

I thought at worst my comments would get people discussing specifics of what they see as pros and cons of different vehicles. I guess the bottom line is that I see big differences in some areas of the sedan class and act accordingly. Not because I want to be seen as "successful" but because I see value that's important to me. That's all.

I think I'll just step out on this one and wish you all luck with it.

[lincpimp]

Hey Sower, not trying to say that your vehicle choice is anything other than your vehicles choice. i was just making the comment that in the US cars are seen as status symbols and that often drives (pun!) people to buy the cars. Most people do not make informed choices, which is strange, considering that the car is often the second most expensive item a person will ever buy, and unlike a house the lose their value quickly.

I am sure that you will buy the car that works best for you, on all levels, financially, emotionally and with the practicallity you desire. To each his own, that is why there is such an abundance of choices! Have fun finding the right one!

[Sower]

Originally Posted by lincpimp

Hey Sower, not trying to say that your vehicle choice is anything other than your vehicles choice. i was just making the comment that in the US cars are seen as status symbols and that often drives (pun!) people to buy the cars. Most people do not make informed choices, which is strange, considering that the car is often the second most expensive item a person will ever buy, and unlike a house the lose their value quickly.

I am sure that you will buy the car that works best for you, on all levels, financially, emotionally and with the practicallity you desire. To each his own, that is why there is such an abundance of choices! Have fun finding the right one!

Right on - I totally agree with you there. Sorry, I think I was just overreacting.

For me, I currently drive a '95 Acura Legend GS. I would love it if there were an equivalent American car, but there just isn't. When I got it I had about $7k to spend since I didn't want a car payment. It's one of the best cars ever made. Now it's on 170k and all I do is routine maintenance. It's not a performance beast but it has 230hp and drives awesome. Anyway, I'll keep my eyes open for an American car when I replace this thing at the end of this year or next. Whenever I have the $$