Re: About new car when no new Alfa avai

["IDLEMAN, CHRIS x330" <BREEZE/BPOST/CIDLEMAN%Breeze-Eastern@domain.elided>]

I have driven both the Opel Omega and Cadillac Catera.

While the European-market Opel Omega is a comfortable, competent tourer
with decent handling to begin with, it is IMHO not up to the level of an
Alfa.  It has an acceptable power and an unremarkable Teutonic ride ...
generally a "nice" package with no really "exceptional" qualities to
appeal to driving enthusiasts.  People who favor crisp handling and a
high-revving screamer would be lulled to boredom by the Opel.  Now (and
with all due respect to the engineers at GM), get the Cadillac folks
involved and apply the "American focus group" mentality -- the
respectable taut European ride is replaced by a softer American-style
ride, the engine is saddled with a slushbox, and the car is overloaded
with power accessories.  You get the picture -- the Cadillac Catera is
not the car for someone who wishes that Alfa was still selling cars in
the US.  Sorry for the reality lesson.

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