Mad move,. BMW

["Robert Steele" <Steele@xxxxxxxxx>]

I agree with only 50% of what was said, but I wanted to illuminate the =
price issue.
$3500 in January 1971 is $14,425 in November, 1998, so the post was quite =
correct. (Don, I believe.)  See the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer =
Price Index; I used all urban consumers, but there are others.  http://stat=
s.bls.gov/top20.html
I think $3500 may be too low for a 2002 then and would guess closer to =
$4,000, but the basic point is correct.=20
My 1971 Ford Maverick, totally striped and bottom of the line model which =
I got used in 1979, originally cost $2,200.  That would be $9,068 today.
A bottom of the line Escort is now $12,000 and the bottom of the line =
Contour is $15,000. See  http://kbb.com/

On the other issues I disagree a bit.  I want electric seats, windows and =
doors. ABS, too. Yes, they are nice and maybe even luxurious. but have =
other benefits. =20
Electric seats are far more adjustable.  I can move up a quarter of an =
inch, not the 1 or 2 inch increment in manual seats.  Better driving =
position, especially for long drives or the track is more than just =
luxury.  Also, now that the 3 series finally has memory, multiple drivers =
or with and without helmet positions can be stored.
Electric windows.  With small children, I like being able to control their =
windows.  And, yes, they are great at toll booths in Winter!
Electric doors-- also great with children.  One button on my Clifford =
alarm unlocks all doors and helps me get the kids in.  A real plus.  One =
button locks everything on the way out and also double locks.  That may =
save my car from a thief.
ABS -- when you get four brake pedals and can brake as fast as the ABS =
pumps give me a call!  Until then, I really like my ABS.
Otherwise, I agree.  Like I said, about 50%
Rob
'97 328i and lots of electronics
'94 325i; a few less electronics
'89 Acura Legend;  lots of stuff, too
'84 Toyota Celica GTS;  less stuff, but fun to drive
'71 Ford Maverick; no nothin' not even hear!
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D
Luxury luxury luxury....
>
>Millions of us do not care about luxury.  We don't need heated seats, our =
>arms and fingers work fine; we don't need mechanical assistance opening =
the >windows, sunroof, adjusting the seat, or locking the door.   We don't =
need >ABS, we don't need traction control, we don't need a trip computer =
or GPS. >(What's wrong with maps?)
>
>We just need a great car.


Steele@domain.elided

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