[Moneyguy1]

I will not, under any circumstances, purchase another German car. I am getting far too old for the constant "get out and get under" they demand in order to remain roadworthy. I know, there are those among you who have had a "Deutschesvagon" for 17 years and only had to change the oil". For every one of you there are dozens of others that, given the opportunity, would gladly pay to have the crusher turn their nightmare into a lawn ornament. I have owned three Volkswagons over the years, the lastest one, a Pisant, with less than 80k on it has gone through a fuel pump, water pump, distributor, A/C compressor, and a multiple of other expen$ive things, most of which require special tools to work on so the local European shop makes out quite well. My wife insisted on this particular vehicle, I wanted nothing to do with it. Right now it sits in the driveway and will start with a spritz of ether. This starting problem has resulted in most of the trips to the shop and still occurs on a regular basis. The other two VWs I owned also developed serious problems after only 2 years or so and became money pits. On the other hand, over the past 20 years I have had three Fords, a 1983 LTD II and 1986 LTD II wagons, both saw in excess of 150k without a complaint, were sold and ran for years more without anything other than routine maintenance. Currently, we have a 2000 Taurus as a grocery getter. What a pleasant feeling to get into a car, turn the key and have the damn thing start. While not head turners, perhaps it is advancing years, but getting there is the primary reason for having a car in the first place.

As for Porsches (of which I have owned four...glutton for punishment), I am convinced they are no more reliable than a Yugo and the only reasons they last as long as they do is the $$$$$$$ we sink into them and the fact theyare not usually driven in inclement weather. It may seem an exaggeration mentioning the Yugo, but I posit that any automobile would last indefinitely if it were given the attention that most "exotics" are given...

Just my humble opinion...Why not consider something domestic and save a job or two?