GM has a relatively successful RWD car out in their Cadillac division. The
Catera, which is a German import. There I believe it's called the Opel
Omega and I hear is one of the most popular vehicles in mainland europe.
(Can anyone back me up on this?). While I haven't driven in one yet, the
fellow down the street from me has one and loves it. He said it's quick
and handles great. The few I've sat in at dealerships are REALLY nice
inside with loads of cadillac type options. Net cost fully loaded: only
35K. Not bad 1) for a caddy, and 2) considering you could easily spend
that much when shopping for a new car nowadays.
Mike
PS Just to further the insurance frustrations: My buddy and I have spent
the last few weeks shopping for a SUV (for him, not me). We looked at the
Chevy Tahoe, the GMC Yukon, Toyota 4 Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, and finally
the Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The one we both liked most (and the only SUV
I'd consider owning other than the Rover Defender (which a dealership here
in Greenwich CT has for sale @ 60K)) was the Montero Sport. Almost
completely loaded it cost 29.5K (including leather, sunroof, cd player
alarm, etc...). The poor bastard liked it so much he even put down a
deposit. Then he calls the insurance company..... THE G#$^#MM INSURANCE
WAS $4,000 FOR 6 MONTHS. Now my buddy's reinsuring his '87 Monte Carlo SS
and saving $6,400 per year.
Mike Gigante wrote:
>
> FYI, here in Australia, 2 of the top three selling new cars are RWD
> family sedans. Both Ford and Holden have just released completely
> new models this year indicating this trend is expected to continue
> for quite some time. Note that these are overall sales, not just for
> family sedans!
>
> Of course in the small car class, FWD dominates.
>
> FWD medium-large cars aren't all that popular, with the exception of the
> Toyota Camry and to a lesser extent the Mitsubishi Magna.
>
> The Ford Taurus has been a notable failure in this market.
>
> Nissan still have a RWD sucess the US in the form of the
> 200SX right?
>
> Mike
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert Allen <boballen@sky.net>
> To: William Eastman <william.eastman@medtronic.com>; mgs@autox.team.net
> <mgs@autox.team.net>
> Date: Monday, September 21, 1998 7:47 AM
> Subject: Re: Engine placement
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: William Eastman <william.eastman@medtronic.com>
> >
> >
> >I love arguing with this guy. . .
> >
> >>Now no one will risk upsetting the apple cart by introducing a
> >>RWD car. For some reason the upper end of the market has been somewhat
> >>immune to this.
> >
> >You're wrong, of course. It seems everyone that has reached their social
> >station in life is drving a RWD car. They're called Sport Utes. But maybe
> >they secretly lack the confidence to go all the way as they carry around
> >pristine and unused FWD running gear where ever they go.
> >
> >Seriously, in the top five vehicle sales charts, trucks have taken at least
> >three positions for the last decade in the U.S.A. And trucks are all RWD.
> >
> >I think there are a few German makes that still make RWD work acceptably. I
> >find it odd that manufactures don't get a clue and reinvent the Monte
> >Carlo/Chevelle, T-Bird/Fairlane, Charger/'Cuda or something. Of course,
> they
> >can't seem to reinvent anything under $30,000 a copy anymore so it's all a
> >moot point.
> >
> >Mercury reinvents Cougar and what a featureless, bland, and uninspiring
> car.
> >There may be a glimmer of hope, though, as the next Mustang will have
> >angular lines. Maybe the Jellybean era is closing. GM might get a clue in a
> >decade.
> >--
> >Bob Allen, Kansas City, '69CGT, '75TR6
> >500+ LBC miles this weekend; 90% on 2 lane backroads. Life is good.
> >
> >
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