Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

Was it built in Mexico..? :pThe VW MK5 is the one VW cheaped out on. They used cheaper materials in the interior. Not 100% sure about components.

I guess it depends what you want in a vehicle. A lot of people don't like Golfs. I like them but a lot of my Canadian counterparts did not.

So you honestly think the design of a 2007 is not better than a 1966 Ford Cortina? Which one would you rather be in a accident? The MK5 has a five star Euro NCAP rating. The Cortina..?:confused:

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

Yes, I think the design and construction quality of the 1966 Cortina I owned was better than that of the 2007 VW I currently own.

The Ford was superior in that after 10 years of use:

- it had no rust perforation in the body work

- the doors were still firmly attached

- all the electrical components worked

- it had superior ventilation due to those clever vents on the dash

None of the above was true for the VW after five years and it was not jackable after three years due to the jacking points having rusted away. Granted the Cortina was in the UK and, if used in Canada, may have rotted like a Volkswagen.

I will concede that I'm not interested in the passive safety features of a vehicle, in that regard I only care that the doors not lock themselves and the seat belt buzzer be capable being disabled.

I don't think the location of the assembly of the vehicle is a significant factor, the door hinges going weak is due to cheap materials, the headlamps not working due to poor design. Similarly, the rear view mirror having fallen off is because the retaining clip isn't sprung strongly enough to withstand the car being used for driving; that's something a design engineer should have considered, not the guy bolting the car together.

All that said, I've had some fun out of the car, "cheaply and nastily made but a laugh" would be a fair summary. I think the semi-automatic is pretty naff but they didn't have a proper manual when I got it. The car has cost an average of $400 a month in servicing which I think is a bit steep but against that the engine and transmission have, touch wood, not failed in any way. The vehicle has only needed towing when crashed (once) and when a wheel come off while driving (three incidents in the life of the car).

It's not a Golf, btw, that would be iconically gay.

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

To be honest i think it has more to do with the design and procurement policies that are in place in head office than the assembly line
I the "domestics" GM's Chrysler and FORD America are focused on short term sales, not on consumer value

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

I have 2007 Rabbit, it runs like a dream. Granted I just bought it almost a year ago now...how time flies, and it has less than 100 000kms on it. You think I am in for trouble?

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

I have a CVT and I must say that I love it. I always had manual in the UK though. After being out on the road all week stirring a 13 speed box it is nice to just let the car drive itself sometimes

As for the Canucks if they drove manuals it would help stop the no reason concertina effect jams on the 400's because they drive to close to the car in front then in a gap floor it then brake really hard when they realise the car in front is only crawling

That photo really is not nice to see on your day off - although Toronto seemed to be behaving itself Tuesday traffic wise - had somebody shot some of the motoring population???

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

Id disagree, it allows you to concentrate on the road ahead, rather than whether you are drifting up into speeding ticket territory.

Thats the main reason I use it anyway, set to 120 in the 100 zones and 100 in the 80 zones.

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

I worked in Automotive as a quality engineer for a time. In that time, about ten years ago. Ford and GMs attitude to supplier quality totally changed, and they no longer allowed nearly as much crap to pass through their doors. The change in the end product and its reliability has been pretty clear.

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

The whole thing depends on which do you prefer and thus rely on your preferences. You could really appreciate more manual than automatic ins't it?

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

And I worked in Procurement in automotive in the 90's. The focus was very much on cost reduction, although @ Ford there was also a very strong focus on rolling out Quality Management systems in the Supplybase - Q1/QS9000 etc. GM in particular in the late 90's went too far on cost reduction to the detriment of quality. The Lopez era it was known after the architect of the strategy.

I can't think of a single automaker whos design and procurement policies would originate from the assembly line. Design comes from design engineers, procurement strategy comes from procurement people in hand with design and manufacturing engineers. Design for assembly and all that.

My perception of quality of the "domestic" automakers in North America, is that Ford is pretty good, GM has come on a lot and Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep is dire. Certainly the two jeeps I had from new were piles of crap. We currently run a Kia, which is OK if a bit flimsy feeling and an older Suzuki, which seems to be standing up well to the climate here so far.;)

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

Mine too. I hear that Fiats involvment with Chrysler is slowly starting to turn that around. My first car was a Fiat Regatta, I hope they have made a lot of progress since then!

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

And, I hasten to add, that perception is not coloured at all by being a former Ford employee.;)

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

The OP is asking what peoples personal preference is as to what is more suited to the canadian driving experience...

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

Yes, that was what I was asking :) Just wanted opinions .

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

The "manual gear" thing seems to be a very British obsession. Years ago I bought one of those Rover SD1s. It was an automatic and my mates suddenly thought I was a poof.....

Re: Manual or Automatic in Canada?
 

Nope, Automatics are a North American thing. Lazy bastards :thumbdown: