Godafoss@aol.com wrote:
>
> Peter,
>
> Really now, don't be hostile.
>
> There was no intention on my part to flame TR6s. They are pretty nice and
> very popular cars with the Sports Car and British Car people.Their engines
> are fantastic, no arguments. Durable cars, fun, etc.
Really now....the ideas was just to compare and contrast the
characteristics
of TR6s and MGBs. Why do people have to take things personally? It
doesn't
mean you're an idiot just because you own a silly car.
Myself, I LIKE to make fun of my vehicles, and I LIKE to make fun of the
countries from which they came. I've owned Italian, British, Japanese,
German
and American vehicles and they ALL have something silly about them.
With regard to the Ralph Nader "Unsafe at any speed" reference, I
*suspect* (though
I'm not certain) that he was referring more toward the rear engine
configuration
and the fact that the suspension did not accomodate that setup well. It
took
Porsche many years to lessen it's effects and the 911s are still "arrows
trying
to fly backwards".
If the only thing I cared about was performance and handling I'd not
play with
British cars. I'd just go plonk down a nice wad of cash and buy a new
BMW M3,
widely acclaimed to be the best sedan available today. Grocercy getter
reliability
and world-class handling. If I wanted nothing short of the best I'd buy
a new 911.
I thought we all loved these cars because they are beautiful, fun,
inspiring,
stupid, maddening and yet compelling transportation. Did anyone catch
the President
of Jaguar cars comment about Jaguar "not being in the transportation
business" ? That
comment epitomizes the mentality. Most of Europe just doesn't have the
expectations
that we in America have.
As for my paddock, I like to point out that my MG leaks oil and is
underpowered and you
get wetter in a rainstorm with the top up than down. I love to make
fun of the Ducati's
maddening valve adjust intervals and cheese-wiz engine castings. I love
to make fun of
the TR's 3 inches of vertical suspension travel, and the fact that they
used felt for
bushings in the steering column. And my BMW, well, despite it's
superior reliablity
history, it too is stupid in many ways. I love to make fun of the
"chemans" anytime
I can when it needs some overpriced hard to replace part.
Taking potshots at no one except myself, hoping to offend no one, and
now climbing down
from my soapbox and shutting up.
Sincerely,
TJ
"united nations garage"
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