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Post by bescheid on Nov 14, 2005 16:07:13 GMT -7
Hi Pawian,
The VW air cooled was a beatle, the other was a type 3 and the last was a 411. This second Jetta is an automatic and is the last year for a Jetta 2 (Bora). It has larger intake valves and a little more power (from 90 horse to 100 horse). I like it. VW Jettas are very reliable and reasonable to maintain. If the car is neglicted though, they can be pricy for repairs.
I do expect my cars to performe though and be stable. Some changes were done in the spirit of stablity over the stock factury out the door.
The shocks (snubers) were changed out to KYB units, world of difference there. A brace bar for the front spring towers and factury tires (tyres) changed over to 195/60-14 from the original 185/60-14. Just those changes made a world of difference with handeling and stabilty on curvy roadways and straight line satablity on the free ways.
In this area, not sure of the remainder of the country, VW is now just over pricy considering the compatition, Toyota and Honda seem to be the leader in value and durabiltiy. My wife owns a Toyota and it is light years ahead in design and performance over my Jetta (hurts my ego, but, truth is truth)
In as much as to American cars. Well, probably get an argue ment on my humble opinion. American cars are good, actually good value if you negotiate the dealer for the best deal. And, they have made very vast improvements in quality control.
But, I have very lousy luck with them. My Mercury was lousy rotten with quality control issues that were never resolved. Our Dodge (my wifes former car) was even worse. They were good designs to start with, then I think the bean counters (cost accountants) got into the action and devalued the orignal design. We had nothing but heart ach and problems with both. So, never again.
But, there are over a Zillion other people with excellent luck with American cars, so, I would only suppose, it was not meant for me and American cars.
Charles
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Post by sciwriter on Nov 14, 2005 16:32:02 GMT -7
Congratulations, Jaga
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Post by Jaga on Nov 14, 2005 17:32:39 GMT -7
good question. You can have different options. In our van there are ... 8 seats! But we do not need that many.
By the way, I am not going to drive it, I just have my Nissam Altima. Generally I hate driving cars, although I have to it makes me nervous, especially during rush hour trafic and at snow.
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Nov 14, 2005 19:01:38 GMT -7
Actually not really new and we had to because the previous minivan of my husband broke... How many seats are there in such a minivan? Regular 5, Ii suppose? Are there minivans with more than 5 seats? Next year I am going to buy a bigger car, I want to drive out of town with my family, including my father-in-law. I need at leats six seats, if not more. What can you all recommend to me? I don`t want a small truck, just a medium-size car for a bigger family. Like Jaga said, there are many different sizes available, like the Ford Excursion etc. I don't know what the driving conditions, rules and regulations are but there may be alternatives. How about a small caravan towed by the car with some passangers riding in there and a small intercom between the vehicles? Here in America this is illegial but it may be different in Poland. In Spain there were minivans, Ford Explorers and the Spanish version of the Land Rover. The regular gasoline engine was replaced by a diesel engine to reduce the cost of fuel. Just some ideas and no more.
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Post by kaima on Nov 14, 2005 19:44:43 GMT -7
OK, I have a Subaru Outbackfor a bit over a year now. This is my treat for myself and it sure is nice to drive! Drivving in the winter is easier, though 2 wheel drive will get you just about 100% of the places you want to go if you really know how to drive.
My 1991 Chevy S-10 pickup pops out fo first gear and rather than have the tranny (transmission) replaced I am trying to sell it to someone who needs good transportation. I will miss it though!
Kai
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Post by Jaga on Nov 14, 2005 22:45:13 GMT -7
OK, I have a Subaru Outbackfor a bit over a year now. This is my treat for myself and it sure is nice to drive! Kai Kai,
I just thought you have a sledge and a couple of huskies. Would it be not cheaper with today gas prices in your cold Alaska?
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Post by kaima on Nov 14, 2005 23:16:53 GMT -7
Taking the serious side of your comments Jaga, it was quite a boon to wildlife and life in the bush when teh Iron DOgs (snow mobiles) came along. Up until then a dog team was often necessary fro life of a family, and the dogs ate MORE than the family istelf - so teh hunter had to shoot more animals and dry more fish for the dogs than for the family.
On the other side of the coin, some reports are of gasoline in the bush villages being over $5.00 per gallon or closer to $7.
Kai
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Yanc
Full Pole
Posts: 337
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Post by Yanc on Nov 14, 2005 23:42:51 GMT -7
Hello
Bob S. - travelling in a caravan is strictly forbidden in Poland. Passengers must not travel at caravans, trailers etc. in any condition.
The only exception is a special passenger trailer sometimes hauled by buses (never seen it though).
BTW polish word "karawan" is spelled same way as your "caravan" but has different meaning: it is a special car to carry bodies from funeral house to cementery. You call it "hearse".
Greets Yanc
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Post by justjohn on Nov 15, 2005 4:35:19 GMT -7
Actually not really new and we had to because the previous minivan of my husband broke... How many seats are there in such a minivan? Regular 5, Ii suppose? Are there minivans with more than 5 seats? Next year I am going to buy a bigger car, I want to drive out of town with my family, including my father-in-law. I need at leats six seats, if not more. What can you all recommend to me? I don`t want a small truck, just a medium-size car for a bigger family. Pawian, That particular style of minivan has seven seats, They are all removable individually. That's what I like about the GM van.
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Post by leslie on Nov 15, 2005 4:45:23 GMT -7
My experience of credit cards is quite the reverse of Jaga's and many others. I noticed an entry for 300GBP on my monthly statement - money coming in, not going out, and it hadn't been me. Investigation showed it was betting agency in Gibraltar and when the credit card company asked them for details so they could refund this money, they didn't even reply. So I was 300GBP into pocket! The opposite to credit card in UK is a debit card which is usually the card from your bank that allows you via an ATM to withdraw money from your current account in the bank. I'm a little more of a pessimist than Jaga - I carry between 20 and 30GBP around in my wallet in addition to my credit and debit cards. Very small shops, markets and the like here just don't deal in cards. Leslie
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Post by basia362003 on Nov 15, 2005 17:46:41 GMT -7
I DRIVE A 1994 BUICK SKYLARK WHICH THEY DON'T EVEN MAKE ANY MORE' GETS ME WHERE I NEED TO GO.
BASIA
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Nov 15, 2005 17:59:23 GMT -7
Actually not really new and we had to because the previous minivan of my husband broke... Pontiac Montana, from 2001, not really new but you can see. Actually it is a NEW car for you Jaga even though you bought it "used" I hope you and your family enjoy the new ride and it comes in handy when you have a family. A minivan makes a long trip a lot easier.
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Pawian
European
Have you seen my frog?
Posts: 3,266
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Post by Pawian on Nov 16, 2005 1:14:41 GMT -7
[quote author=justjohn board=general thread=1131985772 post=1132054519 That particular style of minivan has seven seats, They are all removable individually. That's what I like about the GM van.[/quote]
When all 7 /or 8/ seats are inside the car, there is not much space available for luggage at the back, I suppose? To get more space, you need to remove some seats. Correct?
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Pawian
European
Have you seen my frog?
Posts: 3,266
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Post by Pawian on Nov 16, 2005 2:01:01 GMT -7
BTW polish word "karawan" is spelled same way as your "caravan" but has different meaning: it is a special car to carry bodies from funeral house to cementery. You call it "hearse". Yes, my students always laugh when I tell them this difference and they have to use the word caravan.
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Post by justjohn on Nov 16, 2005 5:59:32 GMT -7
[quote author=justjohn board=general thread=1131985772 post=1132054519 That particular style of minivan has seven seats, They are all removable individually. That's what I like about the GM van. When all 7 /or 8/ seats are inside the car, there is not much space available for luggage at the back, I suppose? To get more space, you need to remove some seats. Correct?[/quote] That's correct. I usually just leave 2 seats in the 2nd row with the middle seat out. that way I can haul building material such as lumber up to 10 ft. long.
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