by  TCC Team

(2006-11-20)

More Letters to the Editor   

Totally the best ever

I cannot now remember how I was able to get on your mailing list. But, it doesn't matter. I write to say that thecarconnection.com is simply THE BEST!

I live in New York City and I am planning on purchasing an automobile - eventually. I haven't as of yet because, well, where I live ( Elmhurst , Queens ) there are few parking garages, so one is obligated to park on the street. And, that can give one pause, especially when one sees one's neighbors driving around the block endlessly at night waiting for a parking space to appear. (Believe me, it is not pretty to see grown men and women cry as they make their 50th turn around the block).

Anyway, your emails are informative, educational, entertaining, expert, and unbiased when writing about what's new in the world of automobiles. I know that when I do purchase an automobile, it will be with all the great information you send me. In fact, one friend was unable to decide on the purchase of his car until I showed him the thecarconnection.com. He was able to research with you and made a decision - one he is very happy with. So, thanks to everyone at thecarconnection.com for the very excellent writing and reporting you do.

Michael A. Jackson

Elmhurst, N.Y.

GM's controversial ads

We received plenty of mail on Cargirl's latest column, Cargirl: What Are Heroes For? Here are some - and we go on record-taking offense at the Republican dig:

I think the ads are first class, and first rate. All the other car companies are eating GM's lunch right now, but GM and Chevy has a heritage. Spots like these remind people that we're America , we're Americans, we have a great history, and Chevy does too. I think the ads are awesome, and your criticism is off-base.

Bclark

I just read Kate's article on Chevy's use of two national tragedies in their latest ad campaigns and I couldn't agree more. To exploit two of our nation's most painful disasters for the purpose of selling anything is a shameful reminder of just how opportunistic and unscrupulous this country can be. Much like the Republican leadership of this country who believes that you can sell any message to the public as long as it's wrapped in a flag and/or a Bible, GM's latest ads attempt to convince people that if you don't drive a Chevy, you're not a patriot. How revolting.

Bkaiser

Thank you to thecarconnection.com for questioning Chevrolet's ad campaign. I found it cheap and offensive. I'm one of the most "patriotic," to use that word, people I know who has not actually served in our nation's military. And I own a Nissan Titan. And for Chevrolet to, in a way, question my patriotism, is offensive.

I hate to break it to Chevy, but I'll buy [a] GM truck when I feel as though they offer a competitive product at a competitive price. Until then, I'll keep buying Nissans, Fords, and Dodges and at the same time, providing jobs for Americans as well. And when they stop questioning my patriotism.

Nick H.

Fishers, Ind.

More patriotism explain'd

I'm tired of hearing Americans stick up for Ford (and to some extent, GM), saying it's patriotic to buy an American brand. Most Fords are built in Mexico and we know how that country feels about us. I'd rather buy a Honda or Toyota for a few reasons. They're better made cars, period. Many are built by Americans and sold to Americans. The technology inside the cars is superior to American technology. Honda and Toyota aren't encumbered by corporate welfare (i.e., overly generous union contracts) like Ford and GM are.

Buy American, sure. As long as it's Honda or Toyota.

Jim Wald
A patriotic American

On AOL I noticed a review of the Lexus LS460. I didn't really read it, I just took note of your name and the Web site. The reason I didn't really read it is because it's a Lexus. As far as I'm concerned, even if it's twice as good as a Mercedes and half the price, I still wouldn't buy it.

Apart from the fact that a Lexus often embodies everything that's wrong about car styling, right down to hideous gold badges, there's one thing that will probably never change. It's Japanese.

As an Englishmen, I've seen decades of underinvestment, lack of interest, bad management, and ego ruin the car industry here. With Rolls-Royce being owned by Germans and Rover's carcass thrown to the Chinese, I'm forced to drive a BMW and I have to confess I love it.

But the U.S. still has some amazing vehicles; the Ford Mustang and Lincoln Navigator are two favorites of mine - the whole DaimlerChrysler Benz thing is a bit of a horror story but the 300C is a striking car I'd be happy to own.

In the U.K. we don't make tangible physical product any more. We sell insurance and 'financial services'. And even those services are supported by Indian call centers. In effect we do nothing. If I'm lucky I won't live long enough to see the U.K. become a Third World country, but the signs are already there. If Americans buy American flags that are made in China, the same will happen in the U.S. too.

At least I can still buy a Triumph bike.

Steve Ayres

MINI moves

Great review of the Mini Cooper S. Having driven (but not owned) the current MCS, I look forward to all the changes in the new model.

I think the current car has gotten a free pass on the stiff ride, rattle-prone interior, and liberal dose of hard, squeaky plastic in the interior - particularly the flexible, faux-aluminum center console frame. All of these things added up to making the car seem like a whole lot of money for what appeared to be a cost-cutting poster child. That said, I have always wanted one and I will make the plunge with the 2007.

Charles Mayer

Trivial pursuit

Question #6 in TheCarConnection Trivia: Oct. 6, 2006 set of questions has the wrong answer in my opinion. Your answer is Studebaker. While it could be argued they never mass-produced cars on a large scale, the Tucker Automobile Company was the first to hit magazines and TV saying they had the first post-war new car. One of Tucker's biggest initiatives was to get people excited about cars again and he advertised in many formats about Detroit sticking with boring designs while his was "fresh."

I'm only 30 years old, so I don't know any of this firsthand, but I'm a huge fan of Tucker's. I love the story and his internal drive to accomplish insurmountable tasks, and wanted to bring this up. I could be wrong, but I've read countless books on him, have old advertising material on the company, etc., and wanted to be sure I stuck up for him.

Kris Bulla

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Bulla. The question was intended to refer to established, mainstream U.S. automakers. With only 51 examples produced, I would not place Tucker in that category.

Notwithstanding the foregoing comment, the Standard Catalog of Independents notes (p. 316) that Studebaker was "the first established American automobile company to introduce a new postwar styling." Production of its dramatic new 1947 models commenced in March 1946. Studebaker's ads and promotional material for the 1947 models loudly proclaimed the slogan "First by far with a post-war car."

As I understand it, the Tucker, a.k.a. Tucker 48 (for its first model year) had its world premiere unveiling on July 17, 1947 and production of the 1948 models was subsequently delayed by various mechanical issues. -Murray Jackson

Christmas theology

Just read the article about the M6 for Neiman Marcus. Is really so hard to type the word Christmas? I do not appreciate taking the reason for the day out of the title. Xmas does not set well with me. I maybe only one but I had to speak my mind. Christ is the reason we celebrate this day of the year and to take His name out of the title is like not showing the same respect for the President of the United States only on a grander scale.

Dan Harsh
Russiaville, Indiana

"Xmas" may not sit well with you, but in terms of lexicography and iconography, it's purely correct. X has been the literal and figurative representation of Christ as far back as the Dark Ages, and in fact throughout the history of art and literature, it has always been understood as standing for - not omitting - the presence of Christ. Ravishing artistic examples practically write the history of the Renaissance, from Giotto all the way to mannerist El Greco. We suggest a few texts: Ladis and Eiland's Visions of Holiness: Art and Devotion in Renaissance Italy; Norman's Art, Society and Religion, 1280-1400; or really anything by our favorite Italianate disciple, the late Rona Goffen.

Clean cars

Your neighbor (Mechanic's Tale: A Clean Car) sounds like my father-in-law. He cleans his engine after any long-distance drive with a toothbrush. Of course he is German.

Matt

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