Cars you didn't know existed...

[Jimmy Recard]

JxJ Jr. said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You do realise that brands can be perceived differently in different countries and can also be intentionally positioned differently?

I thought that that's what VW is here too though?

I just see it as another alternative to a Ford or Vauxhall

[poing]

Ares said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sit in a Passat, then sit in an Insignia, or a Kia/Hyundai/etc. The Passat IS a cut above.

But it isn't really. I care about ergonomics and true engineering rather than a bunch of plastics I'll never touch. Worst car I've had for a while on my driveway was an Audi which was quite clearly style over function in lots of ways, it was replaced by Hyundai which is at least a generation above technically.

[JxJ Jr.]

Jimmy Recard said:

JxJ Jr. said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You do realise that brands can be perceived differently in different countries and can also be intentionally positioned differently?

I thought that that's what VW is here too though?

I just see it as another alternative to a Ford or Vauxhall

In the UK I think most people would say Ford and Vauxhall (used to be) the standard mass-market brands, VW sat (image, perception and/or positioning-wise) a little above, not a class above but perhaps half a class. In Germany I'd say it was something of the opposite whereby VW is the mass-market standard and Ford and Opel were seen as a bit beneath that ("a car for beginners" as Ford was once described to me by a German colleague). To suggest VW is the same 'in every other country in the world' is frankly rubbish, VW as a brand and as products are very different when you look at South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, the US or China.

[StescoG66]

talksthetorque said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

They’ll be the same countries that thought a Rover 400 was a luxury car

Having had the misfortune of having one, it really isn’t.

Lard arsed piece of crap cobbled together by lying, cheating, corrupt and immoral nazis.

[Buster73]

dme123 said:

Compared to the awful Escort/Astra type car of the time the original 200/400 Rovers were luxorious! Honda did a great job

Bought my wife a Rover 214 SLi effort in 1992 , she still hasn’t forgiven me.

[Wildcat45]

Can we bring this back on topic please.

The VAG debate is worthy of a thread of its own.

[T-195]

Had these before?

CX Orphee.

[Ares]

Jader1973 said:

Ares said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sit in a Passat, then sit in an Insignia, or a Kia/Hyundai/etc. The Passat IS a cut above.

That is because VAG do perceived quality very well i.e. it looks better. Their actual quality / reliability etc isn’t much better.

Depends if you are talking quality, or reliability. Unreliability doesn't really exists anymore.

[carlove]

Ares said:

Sit in a Passat, then sit in an Insignia, or a Kia/Hyundai/etc. The Passat IS a cut above.

To be honest I sat in a Passat and it was a very smart design but it didnt feel higher quality than my Astra, cant comment on the Insignia though. Was most surprised when I opened the glovebox and it slammed down on my legs, even my old Corsa had a damped glovebox as does my Astra. I wasnt impressed.

I also don't think soft touch dashboards matter that much, but that Troc had a cheap hard dashboard, even the Hyundai and Kia alternatives have soft touch.

I don't get the love for VW, they cost more than the alternatives normally for less equipment. I did look at a Polo when I got the Corsa, but the rude uninterested salesman had me change my mind, didnt reach a test drive. Vauxhall next door were friendly, offered good discounts which is why I chose a Corsa, which was cheaper and better equipped than a Polo, no brainer to me.

[LuS1fer]

Ares said:

Depends if you are talking quality, or reliability. Unreliability doesn't really exists anymore.

My daughter's Golf and sister's now sold Tiguan beg to differ. I had an old Golf GTI Mk III which was always going wrong, where old Ford's and Toyota's didn't.

[Blown2CV]

Ares said:

Jader1973 said:

Ares said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sit in a Passat, then sit in an Insignia, or a Kia/Hyundai/etc. The Passat IS a cut above.

That is because VAG do perceived quality very well i.e. it looks better. Their actual quality / reliability etc isn’t much better.

Depends if you are talking quality, or reliability. Unreliability doesn't really exists anymore.

not strictly true. Extremes of either unreliable engineering or wonderful engineering do not exist anymore. Every manufacturer now sits closer to the median. There are still comparatively st marques, but the gap is no longer as wide.

[98elise]

Jimmy Recard said:

JxJ Jr. said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You do realise that brands can be perceived differently in different countries and can also be intentionally positioned differently?

I thought that that's what VW is here too though?

I just see it as another alternative to a Ford or Vauxhall

Same here. I've always considered them to be middle of the road like Ford and Vauxhall.

[anonymous-user]

... getting back on track

Daihatsu Mira and Mitsubishi Minica Walk Through Vans:



People seem to like putting new noses on them:

[anonymous-user]

I feel I've let myself down not knowing about the De Tomaso Vallelunga:

[Pericoloso]

I'd heard of the Vallelunga ,didn't know much about them and until relatively recently didn't know it was a much smaller car than Pantera.

Saw one at a European show couple of years ago.

Those little vans you posted are a good laugh too......

[Doofus]

Spumfry said:

I feel I've let myself down not knowing about the De Tomaso Vallelunga:

Yes. Yes you have.

[Pericoloso]

Quite easy to have missed it's presence as Wiki says only 58 made.

[ChevronB19]

I knew about these, so against thread rules I guess, but oh how I wish they made more...



Elva GT 160.

There was also the Diva Valkyr

[Dapster]

I only found out about the stunning Bizzarrini 5300 recently

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mc14/auction/lo...

[Doofus]

I fking hate young people