8/7     JD Power dependability study:
        http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080807/ap_on_bi_ge/autos_dependability
        "Toyota's Prius hybrid was the top-ranked vehicle in the compact car
        segment."
        Hybrid cars are not inherently less reliable.
        \_ But how will it be in 10 years? 15? Will it end up in a
	...

5/14    I'm strongly considering getting a new VW GTI (based on looks,
        performance, price), but I'm unsure about its long term
        reliability and maintenance costs, as the reason I'm ditching
        my current car is because of very high  maintenance. Does
        anyone have any information on VW's (or a GTI's) reliability
        information? Thanks.
	...

8/16    What car did you drive before, what car do you drive now, and what
        car do you plan to buy in the future? Left wing communist bikers like
        tom and lafe need not respond. Thanks.
        \_ So if I don't live the way you live, I'm a communist?  This sounds
           a bit like "no free speech for fascists".  "If you don't like the
           fact that your money is taken from you by force and spent on
	...

8/15    So I just had an interesting discussion with my one and only
        Republican acquaintance regarding my new Prius. He is perplexed as to
        why I bought an overpriced, under-horsepowered Prius when I could have
        afford a Lexus GS300 which is quieter, has a much smoother ride, a
        much better stereo system, and a LOT more horsepower. Besides, it's
        not like I couldn't afford gasoline. I explained to him that it's
	...

8/18    Forget about Prius.  Does the VW TDI diesel engine Jetta and
        Passat help save fuel costs?  are there drawbacks?  diesel
        seems to be about the same price as the lowest grade gasoline,
        but does it really run 30% further per gallon?
        \_ you can convert diesel engines to run on vegetable oil.  You
           need to start and end the day on diesel to clean out the engine,
	...

2/3     Can someone explain to me why no car mfgrs. produce a sports car
        with a turbodiesel?  I rode in a friend's A6 TDI, not a small auto,
        which went like shit off a shovel.  Just curious.  -John
        \_ Probably because not a lot of people like diesel, it's not even
           economical anymore. Plus a sports coup with a turbo diesel would
           probably not meet emmission standards, after all, diesel is
	...

7/4     Poll, how long did your last few cars last? Include cars that you
        grew up with as well, I'll start:
        dad's 83 Pontiac: 0-85K, total piece of shit, wouldn't start, engine
                died in U turns (something about turning the wheels),
                etc.
        86 Honda Accord: 0-170K, transmission rebuilt at 150K. Still
	...

5/12    http://www.wired.com/news/autotech/0,2554,63413,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1
        Honda's Civic Hybrid is rated by the EPA to get 47 miles per gallon
        in the city, and 48 mpg on the highway. After nearly 1,000 miles of
        mostly city driving, Blackshaw was getting 31.4 mpg. "I feel like a
        complete fraud driving around Cincinnati with a license plate that
        says MO MILES," says Blackshaw, who claims that after 4,000 miles
	...

4/24    Ok, in market for new car.  Prius or Insight?
        \_ Two words: "peak oil"
        \_ There were some Edmunds advisors I saw a while back on TV who
           said that that the demand for hybrids is still too high and
           that if you're worried about fuel economy, you should invest
           in a high mileage non-hybrid vehicle instead. To my surprise,
	...

3/28    The dealer said my jalopy needs a new catalytic converter, and it's
        gonna cost $900. I read on the web (yes I stfw) that they simply
        burn unburned gas so that you wouldn't pollute as much. Now here
        is my question, does it affect the safety and longevity of my
        vehicle?
        \_ I had the same problem - honda told me the part would be
	...

12/28   Can anyone recommend a good VW mechanic in/near Berkeley?
        \_ European Motors in Berkeley, San Pablo at Channing
           \_ Any guy in particular to talk to? I've been to McNevitt (?) but
              as a VW dealer, they are $$$.
        \_ Try asking the friendly folx at German Auto Salvage (G.A.S.)
        \_ Precision Peoples on San Pablo one block south of Gilman (next
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