"If VW or SAAB had come out with these, they'd still be making 'em. Ford didn't even make much of an effort to market these. Strike three."
VW still does, it's called a Jetta and they sell em like java in yuppievilles. The back seat is tiny, but it's got the "image".
2000V6SVT, I'm with you all the way. I had one of the first Jetta GLI's when they came out with them, back in 84. White with the blue interior, bought it new for $10,000, and put 130,000 mile on it before I got rid of it. Not as much engine as my Contour, but actually a little harder edged on the handling... it was just so GERMAN. Loved that car... enjoyed it so much, that 3 years later I bought an 84 Scirocco for my wife (automatic, because her left foot didn't know how to drive... shifting without using the clutch is hard on a manual
). I still regret getting rid of the Scirooco at 75,000... Our daughter (3 years old when we bought it) grew legs when she was 6... started kicking the back seat and screaming about wanting a Station Wagon like the neighbors had. (Traded for a Mercury Grand Marquis De Sade Colony Park Leviathan Wagon... Not real maneuverable, but a hell of a "painless milews" highway car, and the wife liked it.... domestic tranquility and all that.)
But you're right on target with your comment, and you're 100% right about the Jetta being pitched to the Yuppies. I looked at 'em this time around... they're not the bargain they were in 84. Anything with the 6 cylinder is VERY expensive- even used.. They're nice cars- but VW has moved to Audiville. My 84 had all the neat mechanical stuff- but none of the power windows/lock/seats/dingleberries, etc. Don't get me wrong- everything was adjustable, but it was all manual... the only thing power was the engine. No cruise control, no tilt wheel (but with the Recaro's, that fat little steering wheel, and the pedals all perfectly positioned, you didn't need tilt) cloth interior, and a basic AM/FM Cassette. The Scirocco was the same, but it had a sunroof... body colored meatal, with a manual crank. SO german. If VW wanted to, they could put a workingman's Jetta GLI out again- just the VR6, suspension, seats and mechanical bits... they could sell it for 5 to 10 K less than what they're charging. Don't see it happining, though. That's why it's so sad seeing Ford mis-market the Contour into oblivion... it was the best "bang for the buck" going.
