Re: Consider buying American!

gfretwell@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> On Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:25:46 -0800, jim beam
> <spamvortex@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> 
>> seems you're not very familiar with the situation yourself - there's no

>> complexity difference between the two.  and as stated by others, there 
>> are many advantages to fwd for normal driving - that's why so many 
>> vehicles use it.
> 
> The main reason companies build FWD cars is simplicity of final
> assembly. The whole drive train comes in on a pallet and can be
> installed in minutes.

what, just like how an f150 chassis is built you mean?


> They also tend to be a commodity item so you can
> have Buicks, Chevy's and Cadilacs all using the same basic units.
> Swapping for another engine trans combo involves minimal changes to
> the rest of the car.

dude, have you looked at the taurus?  that has a body designed for 
front, rear and 4wd options depending on the market it was sold into. 
not just "minimal" changes, ZERO changes.


> 
> BTW anyone on a slippery road is using torque steer. Unfortunately in
> a FWD, once you lose one factor, you lose them all. Your life is
> hanging on the traction of 2 tires, not 4.

rubbish.  2wd is 2wd.  period.  fwd has the weight over the drive wheels 
where it can provide traction.  unlike rwd.


> 
> It is a similar argument to the reliability question. Hondas may run
> longer before they need maintenance but when they do you are not
> fixing them on the side of the road.

so how are you going to fix a chevy electronic ignition module at the 
side of the road?  ford ecu?  chrysler transmission?  you can't even fix 
a serpentine unless you happen to carry special tools.


> They don't "fail safe". In the
> case of the timing belt, there is one skinny piece of rubber between
> running and total destruction of your engine. That was not true in the
> American OHC motors I have owned.

er, do you think a belt change is going to sneak up on you unexpected??? 
  with honda, it's 105k miles between changes.  how much chance you'll 
accidentally miss it???

advantages of belts include much better timing precision and quieter 
operation.  the only disadvantage is not allowing for idiots that can't 
look at their mileage every 7 years.