Date: 29 May 1981 1613-EDT (Friday)
From: "Gregg Podnar"
To: Bob.Sproull at CMU-10A
Subject:  VW / Honda recommendation.
Sender: Not.Logged-in at CMU-10A
Message-Id: <29May81 161308 3@CMU-10A>
Origin:  3,3 at CMU-10A; 29 May 1981 1614-EDT
Remailed-To: Harry.Bovik at CMU-10A
Remailed-From: Bob.Sproull at CMU-10A
Remailed-Date: Thursday, 18 June 1981 1050-EDT
Via:     C390RS40 at CMU-10A; 18 Jun 1981 1051-EDT

I drive a Rabbit as do my roommate, as many friends as I can convince to
buy them, and my brothers.  One bro. works for VW in Cleveland. Both are
excellent mechanics (even if I am their brother).  The diesel is a nice
small four banger which gets probably fewer complaints of cold starting
than did the older Mercedes.  The engineering of VW overall is real
(as opposed to USA auto industry).  And being the highest milage drive
package going, it's hard to beat.  I think the VW diesels are manufactured
only in Germany.

The Honda is the other highly recommended auto (by my elder siblings).
In general, it costs ~1K less than comparable VW.  The designers
at Honda make the most of nice little features (whereas the VW designers
lean toward the reliably functional approach).  The Hondas also seem to
be a very quiet car from the ear of the occupants (although in the
Accord the clock is the only thing to be heard because it's cleverly
mounted at the throat of a megaphone).

If you choose either you probably will be well satisfied.  Note that
VW parts may be just a little easier to get and junkers a bit more plentiful.

				Gregg Podnar   (IUS-VAX)
P.S. I cam give you more biased opinions if you'd like but I think
     my views have been adequately represented.