Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!tekecs!jeffm
From: jeffm@tekecs.UUCP (Jeff McMeekin)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: The Good,The Bad & The Ugly
Message-ID: <1918@tekecs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 31-Aug-83 01:42:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekecs.1918
Posted: Wed Aug 31 01:42:01 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 26-Aug-83 06:12:19 EDT
Lines: 46

Recent references to CAR magazine's quick sum-ups of all the car models
available in Britain prompted me to quote a few examples.

Interesting:
   BMW 318, 320i, 323i. 
	For: Suspension grip now good, better balance than previous model, fine
	     drivetrains, build quality, performance (top models especially)
	Against: Outmoded shape, rear still cramped, indifferent aerodynamics
	Sum-up: Far better car now - quick chuckable and fairly frugal
	     even when you go fast
   Mazda 626 LX, GLX, Coupe
	For: Clean Styling, European handling, ride qualities, equipment
	Against: Rear room down on rivals, plasticy dash
	Sum-up: Exceptionally good fwd mid-ranger for Japanese maker
   Morgan 4/4 1.6 2str, 4str, 4/4 TC 2str, 4str, Plus Eight
	For: Marvellous looks, brisk performance with economy, exhilaration
	     per mile
	Against: Bone-shaking ride, general suspension incompetence, vague
	     steering, slowness over distances
	Sum-up: Classic lines, wind-in-the-hair fun; design refinement zero
   Golf (Rabbit) GTi
	For: Pace, handling, sheer panache
	Against: Not much
	Sum-up: Here's hoping GOLF II GTi (September) is as good!
Adequate
   Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, Spur lwb, Corniche conv, Camargue
	For: Aristocratic bearing, quietness, comfort, soft ride
	Against: Extreme thirst (for tyres as well as fuel), cumbersome handling
	Sum-up: Last Edwardian motor car, glorious for rear occupants;
	     now at least has predictable cornering

and my favorite category

Boring
   Cadillac
	For: Exclusivity, quietness, equipment, limo-appeal
	Against: Poor resale, minimal spares back-up, chintzy
	Sum-up: As flash as a rat with a gold tooth
   Datsun 280 ZX 2+2 
	For: Equipment, reliability, smooth six
	Against: Size, weight, cumbersome handling, for 'sports' car
	Sum-up: As we said before, 280ZZZZZZX
   Skoda (Czech)
	For: Cheap
	Against: Crude in everything
	Sum-up: Very possibly the worst new cars sold in Britain