Slagging off American cars is just clarkson style ignorance and biggotry. They are designed for their environment and cost the best part of bugger all, (unless of course you buy one in the UK).

The engines do not put out much power per litre relative to European engines because they are often simpler, often still push rod engines. This does however mean they are less stressed, relaxing to drive and last almost forever, way beyond the lifecycle of a stressed rev happy Euro or Jap engine.

The suspension is softer because the roads have greater variation in quality, with level crossings, ramps and the like. They don't need cars that handle really well, theeir roads are designed not to have the sharp corners and fast turns of European roads, and they drive in a more civilised laid back style anyway.

What they are is very comfortable - for travelling around a vast country, well insulated from the elements - for a country with exreme weather variations and usually a fair bit of power for pulling away from lights on fast roads, contrary to belief the yanks do not drive at 55MPH, most of the time their speeds are higher than in the UK.

American cars make sense in America, they don't in say the UK. But then again, drive a hard riding VAG car in the US and see how pointless and ot of place that feels over there. The only bad issue for the US car is biuld quality, but as this is a Skoda website it would be hypocritical to slag off a car for being built badly...

"Level" crossings US style are one of the best arguments I've ever encountered for good dampers.

Slagging off American cars is just clarkson style ignorance and biggotry. They are designed for their environment and cost the best part of bugger all, (unless of course you buy one in the UK).

The engines do not put out much power per litre relative to European engines because they are often simpler, often still push rod engines. This does however mean they are less stressed, relaxing to drive and last almost forever, way beyond the lifecycle of a stressed rev happy Euro or Jap engine.

The suspension is softer because the roads have greater variation in quality, with level crossings, ramps and the like. They don't need cars that handle really well, theeir roads are designed not to have the sharp corners and fast turns of European roads, and they drive in a more civilised laid back style anyway.

What they are is very comfortable - for travelling around a vast country, well insulated from the elements - for a country with exreme weather variations and usually a fair bit of power for pulling away from lights on fast roads, contrary to belief the yanks do not drive at 55MPH, most of the time their speeds are higher than in the UK.

American cars make sense in America, they don't in say the UK. But then again, drive a hard riding VAG car in the US and see how pointless and ot of place that feels over there. The only bad issue for the US car is biuld quality, but as this is a Skoda website it would be hypocritical to slag off a car for being built badly...

So explain to me why US versions of VW and Audi products have such poor power outputs compare to EURO versions ?

So explain to me why US versions of VW and Audi products have such poor power outputs compare to EURO versions ?

I'm guessing that would be the lower stress / longer life argument...

The sound of a Deltic.............here

you sir are a legend:thumbup:

deltics ROCK!

as for american cars being crap, they aint. just built to suit a different market is all!

guy in Hamilton near me cruising about in a champagne gold 69 dodge chrger 440R/T with a white vynal roof.

I spent 30 mins one day followin him about with the windows down and the stereo off in the felicia.

I have to say the german precision built m60 v8 in my 7 series is bloody bland compared to even a rover v8(incidentally a buik design...and the original mr buick was scottish;) )

So explain to me why US versions of VW and Audi products have such poor power outputs compare to EURO versions ?

the phrase "regular gas" is the issue here- anything from 88-93 RON. so it cant get as much bang per explosion.

funnily enough, my wee m20 6pot (1960's design) in the BMW happily ran on 91 RON for 3k miles in eastern europe. it doesnt have a knock sensor, so those clever germans made it put out 129bhp on a base map for 91 RON

Reminds me of one warm evening, I was going into Glasgow from my mum's place, running about 50, stereo on, when a group of Harleys passed me doing maybe 55. I put the stereo off, and sped up to hold station behind them.

Reminds me of one warm evening, I was going into Glasgow from my mum's place, running about 50, stereo on, when a group of Harleys passed me doing maybe 55. I put the stereo off, and sped up to hold station behind them.

the harleys do have a grand sound from their vtwins, iirc its down to the cams having different durations? 282/312 stick in my mind for some reason

the harleys do have a grand sound from their vtwins, iirc its down to the cams having different durations? 282/312 stick in my mind for some reason

Dunno about that, but I've been told that they frequently have illegally loud silencers fitted, and 282 to 312 is about the difference between idle revs and the red line on one isn't it?

Dunno about that, but I've been told that they frequently have illegally loud silencers fitted, and 282 to 312 is about the difference between idle revs and the red line on one isn't it?

Ever seen harleys on a race track? as exciting as watching a bunch of cows goin in to be milked, except they're less maneuverable (sp?who cares:rofl: )

I'm guessing that would be the lower stress / longer life argument...

Nope its because of the crap fuel in the US and the ridiculously small restrictive Cats / exhausts, as well as other stupid emission controls which don't actually work to reduce emissions.

Ever seen harleys on a race track? as exciting as watching a bunch of cows goin in to be milked, except they're less maneuverable (sp?who cares:rofl: )

I'd not flame them for being slow on a track; some of the best racing I've ever seen was in the Scottish 2CV championship.

I'd not flame them for being slow on a track; some of the best racing I've ever seen was in the Scottish 2CV championship.

not flaming them for being slow, just the fact the footplates prohibited "spirited" cornering:rofl:

contrary to belief the yanks do not drive at 55MPH, most of the time their speeds are higher than in the UK.

I'd have to disagree with this comment to be honest, I spend quite a lot of time in the states, and the standard of driving is far higher than the UK, most of them actualy ridgidly obey the speed limits, especially on motorways, unlike the UK, where most (including myself) ridgidly disobey them

Not here in LA/Orange County where I'm temporarily living. 45 means 55-60, 55 means up to 70+ and so on. Hang about and you get shunted. However definately more polite, courteous and generally display a better standard of driving than in the Uk.

The reason for the faster speeds isn't speeding though, it's just that the urban roads generally have higher speed limits, instead of constant 30-40 MPH, here they are posted at 45-55-60 instead.

American cars are built to a price --Build quality good -- Quality of materials , not quite so good.

If you sold the Octavia in the USA it would have to sell at about