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Not exactly. Porsche had already been working on a small passenger car for the masses before Hitler showed interest. Ferdinand Porsche founded Volkswagen.
Are VW's that bad!?
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Originally Posted By: swalve
Founded... by Hitler!
http://ask.yahoo.com/20050308.html
Here we go again...
Founded... by Hitler!
http://ask.yahoo.com/20050308.html
Here we go again...
so what if Hitler founded VW? (my dislike of the brand has nothing to do with its founder etc)
Hitler also initiated autobahns, which is a big positive I think...Just because of all the other crazy/brutal/bad stuff that he did, the technological advances that came out in that period don't lose their value...
The German technology, except in a few areas is still hugely respected around the world.
Hitler also initiated autobahns, which is a big positive I think...Just because of all the other crazy/brutal/bad stuff that he did, the technological advances that came out in that period don't lose their value...
The German technology, except in a few areas is still hugely respected around the world.
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Originally Posted By: moribundman
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
So you are saying the Peoples Car (translation of Volks- Wagen) is actually misnamed and mismarketed? The car really isn't for serious transportation purposes, it is merely for hobbiests and tinkerers?
Actually, Volkswagen is the people's brand, because that's what a very large percentage of Germans drive.
A name is just a name and nothing more than that, especially after so many years since the company was founded.
Does that mean you don't have to be a General to drive a GM product?
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
So you are saying the Peoples Car (translation of Volks- Wagen) is actually misnamed and mismarketed? The car really isn't for serious transportation purposes, it is merely for hobbiests and tinkerers?
Actually, Volkswagen is the people's brand, because that's what a very large percentage of Germans drive.
A name is just a name and nothing more than that, especially after so many years since the company was founded.
Does that mean you don't have to be a General to drive a GM product?
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: swalve
Founded... by Hitler!
http://ask.yahoo.com/20050308.html
Here we go again...
Hitler's war machine was also responsible, in a round-about sort of way, for helping develop the US ICBM Missle, and getting the US Space Program up & running, via Wernher von Braun.
Originally Posted By: swalve
Founded... by Hitler!
http://ask.yahoo.com/20050308.html
Here we go again...
Hitler's war machine was also responsible, in a round-about sort of way, for helping develop the US ICBM Missle, and getting the US Space Program up & running, via Wernher von Braun.
Yep, Von Braun's Army team could have beat Korollov's (sp?) Sputnik by almost a year.
My Volkswagon (Jetta GLI), German built, was a terrible car from a quality / materials standpoint, but it was sure fun to drive. It was the only car that I could ever get airborne, and I did it routinely over a little whoop de do on the way to my favorite fishing spot, just like in the GTI commercial they had back then. I can see how a lot of people would be willing to overlook their flaws.
I might get an Audi someday, but probably never again a VW.
My Volkswagon (Jetta GLI), German built, was a terrible car from a quality / materials standpoint, but it was sure fun to drive. It was the only car that I could ever get airborne, and I did it routinely over a little whoop de do on the way to my favorite fishing spot, just like in the GTI commercial they had back then. I can see how a lot of people would be willing to overlook their flaws.
I might get an Audi someday, but probably never again a VW.
I guess they are that bad:
http://www.volksbloggin.com/2006/11/14/consumerreports-vw-still-among-the-least-reliable/
http://www.volksbloggin.com/2006/11/14/consumerreports-vw-still-among-the-least-reliable/
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Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
Hitler's war machine was also responsible, in a round-about sort of way, for helping develop the US ICBM Missle, and getting the US Space Program up & running, via Wernher von Braun.
All that Thrid Reich history doesn't keep the US military from buying and using, among many other German weapons components and systems, M256 smoothbore guns made by Rheinmetall AG (and licensed to General Dynamics) for the M1 Abrams tank.
Hitler's war machine was also responsible, in a round-about sort of way, for helping develop the US ICBM Missle, and getting the US Space Program up & running, via Wernher von Braun.
All that Thrid Reich history doesn't keep the US military from buying and using, among many other German weapons components and systems, M256 smoothbore guns made by Rheinmetall AG (and licensed to General Dynamics) for the M1 Abrams tank.
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Originally Posted By: XS650
Originally Posted By: moribundman
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
So you are saying the Peoples Car (translation of Volks- Wagen) is actually misnamed and mismarketed? The car really isn't for serious transportation purposes, it is merely for hobbiests and tinkerers?
Actually, Volkswagen is the people's brand, because that's what a very large percentage of Germans drive.
A name is just a name and nothing more than that, especially after so many years since the company was founded.
Does that mean you don't have to be a General to drive a GM product?
I thought GM stood for Garbage Motors.
Originally Posted By: moribundman
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
So you are saying the Peoples Car (translation of Volks- Wagen) is actually misnamed and mismarketed? The car really isn't for serious transportation purposes, it is merely for hobbiests and tinkerers?
Actually, Volkswagen is the people's brand, because that's what a very large percentage of Germans drive.
A name is just a name and nothing more than that, especially after so many years since the company was founded.
Does that mean you don't have to be a General to drive a GM product?
I thought GM stood for Garbage Motors.
Originally Posted By: moribundman
All that Thrid Reich history doesn't keep the US military from buying and using, among many other German weapons components and systems, M256 smoothbore guns made by Rheinmetall AG (and licensed to General Dynamics) for the M1 Abrams tank.
Doesn't the Luftwaffe still keep several squadrons at Holleman AFB?
All that Thrid Reich history doesn't keep the US military from buying and using, among many other German weapons components and systems, M256 smoothbore guns made by Rheinmetall AG (and licensed to General Dynamics) for the M1 Abrams tank.
Doesn't the Luftwaffe still keep several squadrons at Holleman AFB?
Originally Posted By: moribundman
All that Thrid Reich history doesn't keep the US military from buying and using, among many other German weapons components and systems, M256 smoothbore guns made by Rheinmetall AG (and licensed to General Dynamics) for the M1 Abrams tank.
I have watched M256 cannons being made on Watervliet Asenal's very impressive rotary hammer forge in Upstate New York. That's a US gumnt arsenal with no direct connection to GD.
I suspect it is a Rheinmetal design or a modification of one. The US was late to the table with high performance smoothbore cannons.
All that Thrid Reich history doesn't keep the US military from buying and using, among many other German weapons components and systems, M256 smoothbore guns made by Rheinmetall AG (and licensed to General Dynamics) for the M1 Abrams tank.
I have watched M256 cannons being made on Watervliet Asenal's very impressive rotary hammer forge in Upstate New York. That's a US gumnt arsenal with no direct connection to GD.
I suspect it is a Rheinmetal design or a modification of one. The US was late to the table with high performance smoothbore cannons.
Originally Posted By: Win
Originally Posted By: moribundman
All that Thrid Reich history doesn't keep the US military from buying and using, among many other German weapons components and systems, M256 smoothbore guns made by Rheinmetall AG (and licensed to General Dynamics) for the M1 Abrams tank.
Doesn't the Luftwaffe still keep several squadrons at Holleman AFB?
"Several" squadrons might be a bit high. Depends on how they are organized. They do have a large training operation at Holoman AFB in New Mexico. Wikipedia says it varies from 300 to 800 personnel. Being a training outfit, head count per squadron is probably a bit higher than a line outfit.
Probably 20 to 30 aircraft as a peak.
Originally Posted By: moribundman
All that Thrid Reich history doesn't keep the US military from buying and using, among many other German weapons components and systems, M256 smoothbore guns made by Rheinmetall AG (and licensed to General Dynamics) for the M1 Abrams tank.
Doesn't the Luftwaffe still keep several squadrons at Holleman AFB?
"Several" squadrons might be a bit high. Depends on how they are organized. They do have a large training operation at Holoman AFB in New Mexico. Wikipedia says it varies from 300 to 800 personnel. Being a training outfit, head count per squadron is probably a bit higher than a line outfit.
Probably 20 to 30 aircraft as a peak.
I was liking this thread until the last 10 posts or so....
I have to comment. I was looking for a four-door, four-cylinder sedan about 10 months ago. Giving up my Mustang GT Convertible, I wasn't expecting much that would "inspire" me. Drove a Saturn, floppy chassis, boring. Drove some others. Same result. Drove a Jetta with the 1.8T engine. WOW! Wow, wow, wow. That car simply floored me. Handling... there is something about turning a corner and feeling perfectly balanced... there is something about going down the freeway at 75 and feeling like it's 50...
So I don't know... not a single problem in the 10 months that I've owned it. What can I say, I love VW.
I changed the AT fluid. No, it doesn't have a dipstick, but if you KNOW HOW to do it, it's the simplest one I've ever done. Dare I say, dipsticks are for dipsticks? I mean, come on, if there is a smarter, simpler way to do it, why route a dipstick up to the top of the engine bay?
What someone said about a soul, makes you WANT to drive it... I agree completely. I can also see that some people get it and some don't.
I have to comment. I was looking for a four-door, four-cylinder sedan about 10 months ago. Giving up my Mustang GT Convertible, I wasn't expecting much that would "inspire" me. Drove a Saturn, floppy chassis, boring. Drove some others. Same result. Drove a Jetta with the 1.8T engine. WOW! Wow, wow, wow. That car simply floored me. Handling... there is something about turning a corner and feeling perfectly balanced... there is something about going down the freeway at 75 and feeling like it's 50...
So I don't know... not a single problem in the 10 months that I've owned it. What can I say, I love VW.
I changed the AT fluid. No, it doesn't have a dipstick, but if you KNOW HOW to do it, it's the simplest one I've ever done. Dare I say, dipsticks are for dipsticks? I mean, come on, if there is a smarter, simpler way to do it, why route a dipstick up to the top of the engine bay?
What someone said about a soul, makes you WANT to drive it... I agree completely. I can also see that some people get it and some don't.
Originally Posted By: crw
I can also see that some people get it and some don't.
Maybe it's not that they don't get it. They just treat a car as an appliance that gets them from A to B, on time, every time. Another words, reliability is the only important factor, and everthing else is meaningless. And that's not wrong at all. People buy cars for different reasons. I say, if you're going to drive a car, you might as well have some fun and satisfaction from doing it. I did go the "appliance" route before, and it was just not my cup of tea.
But I won't force anyone else to think the way I think. For a lot of people driving is a chore and a necessary evil. My g/f is one of them, and she too drives a Jetta.
I can also see that some people get it and some don't.
Maybe it's not that they don't get it. They just treat a car as an appliance that gets them from A to B, on time, every time. Another words, reliability is the only important factor, and everthing else is meaningless. And that's not wrong at all. People buy cars for different reasons. I say, if you're going to drive a car, you might as well have some fun and satisfaction from doing it. I did go the "appliance" route before, and it was just not my cup of tea.
But I won't force anyone else to think the way I think. For a lot of people driving is a chore and a necessary evil. My g/f is one of them, and she too drives a Jetta.
Originally Posted By: crw
So I don't know... not a single problem in the 10 months that I've owned it. What can I say, I love VW.
Aww, young love, still so sweet and innocent. Yes, as a handful of VW owners have reported, the honeymoon can last longer than a whole year. But you will know, and when that time comes, you WILL KNOW! At first, a piece of plastic trim will fall off, and you'll just shrug it off. Then you'll wonder if one of the power windows is slower than you remember. A squeak will turn into a groan. But the long downward spiral into the moneypit will have just begun. Torture and ultimate doom awaits thee. Run away!
(By the way, I'm a hater with a lot of time on my hands.)
So I don't know... not a single problem in the 10 months that I've owned it. What can I say, I love VW.
Aww, young love, still so sweet and innocent. Yes, as a handful of VW owners have reported, the honeymoon can last longer than a whole year. But you will know, and when that time comes, you WILL KNOW! At first, a piece of plastic trim will fall off, and you'll just shrug it off. Then you'll wonder if one of the power windows is slower than you remember. A squeak will turn into a groan. But the long downward spiral into the moneypit will have just begun. Torture and ultimate doom awaits thee. Run away!
(By the way, I'm a hater with a lot of time on my hands.)
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My best friend has had a GTI for over a year now and he loves it. I rode with him a time or 2 and its a solid feeling ride! He had to take it back to the dealer a couple times when he first got it though, PCM problems. They reflashed it like twice, didn't make it feel quite right to him though. He got a custom tune and he couldnt be happier.
Like 3 girls now at my campus just got brand new Jettas as well. They also love those things. My one friend Liz drives hers like she stole it and she hasnt had a glitch yet.
Like 3 girls now at my campus just got brand new Jettas as well. They also love those things. My one friend Liz drives hers like she stole it and she hasnt had a glitch yet.
My family has a 1999 Volkswagen Jetta GL. Worst vehicle we have every owned in my opinion. Engine burns oil like a sieve, you can smell oil in the car when you start the car, engine sounds like garbage at idle with knocking/tinking, transmission gives jerky shifts, catalytic converter needs replacing, numerous sensor failures, worn struts, falling apart cupholders, radio gets 1 station in FM, burning out bulbs etc.
Car has 100k miles and fed synthetic oil it's whole life. I'm surprised someone hasn't strapped dynamite and ran into our local VW dealer. They deny oil burning a problem at 30k miles on an engine. The VWs are a fortune to repair.
Car has 100k miles and fed synthetic oil it's whole life. I'm surprised someone hasn't strapped dynamite and ran into our local VW dealer. They deny oil burning a problem at 30k miles on an engine. The VWs are a fortune to repair.
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Originally Posted By: crw
.. there is something about turning a corner and feeling perfectly balanced... there is something about going down the freeway at 75 and feeling like it's 50...
I had this exact feeling recently while driving a friend's car that he just bought...it was a 2007 v6 Sonata. It felt great...
I wonder if you should have tried a few others cars..don't know exactly which cars you tried...but I'm sure there are cars other than the Jetta that would give you the same handling (in the same price class)...if that Sonata is as reliable as my wife's Elantra (75k not a single repair), then i think my friend that got the Sonata made a great choice...sure, it doesn't have a premium name, but man it sure feels premium when you drive it..
.. there is something about turning a corner and feeling perfectly balanced... there is something about going down the freeway at 75 and feeling like it's 50...
I had this exact feeling recently while driving a friend's car that he just bought...it was a 2007 v6 Sonata. It felt great...
I wonder if you should have tried a few others cars..don't know exactly which cars you tried...but I'm sure there are cars other than the Jetta that would give you the same handling (in the same price class)...if that Sonata is as reliable as my wife's Elantra (75k not a single repair), then i think my friend that got the Sonata made a great choice...sure, it doesn't have a premium name, but man it sure feels premium when you drive it..
It's like this... recently Car and Driver, who has been gushing about the Corvette (rightly so, for the most part) for years, then after all this time, Chevrolet decides to really "engineer" the steering. Better parts, less play in the gearing, etc. All of a sudden it's a new car! Wow! The 2008 Corvette actually has steering that doesn't wander on the freeway.
Well... welcome to a decades old VW or BMW or...
It's very subjective. Nine out of ten people would not have seen the difference between the other cars I drove and the VW.
There are other good cars out there, certainly. But I just can't drive an appliance (i.e. Corolla). If I go that route, I end up wishing I can get rid of it after a year... and that trading in and out of cars gets much more expensive than most repairs.
Well... welcome to a decades old VW or BMW or...
It's very subjective. Nine out of ten people would not have seen the difference between the other cars I drove and the VW.
There are other good cars out there, certainly. But I just can't drive an appliance (i.e. Corolla). If I go that route, I end up wishing I can get rid of it after a year... and that trading in and out of cars gets much more expensive than most repairs.
Originally Posted By: moribundman
I thought GM stood for Garbage Motors.
Or General Maintenance.
I thought GM stood for Garbage Motors.
Or General Maintenance.
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