crazy americans
Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:00 pm
Have been away in the US for a bit and would like to report that they are all up in arms because their fuel is about to nudge through the $3 per galon (US). I visited a Ford dealer while over there to nose round a proper Mustang V8 and told the guy how much fuel was at home and he needed to sit down afterwards. He moaned at $3 per galon as he said it was making life more expensive for him though sympathised with out plight here.<br>
<br>
Decided that US cars are worse than I thought too. We hired a Chysler Sebring convertable which over here comes with a creamy smooth V6 and a nice auto box. Our one was US spec with a massive 2.4 litre 4 pumping out an alleged 150bhp! When mated to a power sapping slush box I can report it had no performance whatsoever. The finish was dreadful, the roof made terrible noise at speed, it drank fuel, handled terribly and was metallic Gold.<br>
<br>
Worst thing was filling with fuel. Our local "gas station" had 5 different grades of unleaded fuel! Anything from regular to hyper premium super rocket mix. Their octane system makes no sense either regular was lsisted at 86 and the rocket fuel was 91. Something to do with altitude?<br>
<br>
Anyway avoid driving in the US or buying a US car as if you didn't already know. Just have to pity our friends who drive a Focus and ended up hiring a Focus over there too, apprantly it's also slow, hopeless, badly made and handles badly too.<br>
<br>
Mark
<p></p><i></i>
<br>
Decided that US cars are worse than I thought too. We hired a Chysler Sebring convertable which over here comes with a creamy smooth V6 and a nice auto box. Our one was US spec with a massive 2.4 litre 4 pumping out an alleged 150bhp! When mated to a power sapping slush box I can report it had no performance whatsoever. The finish was dreadful, the roof made terrible noise at speed, it drank fuel, handled terribly and was metallic Gold.<br>
<br>
Worst thing was filling with fuel. Our local "gas station" had 5 different grades of unleaded fuel! Anything from regular to hyper premium super rocket mix. Their octane system makes no sense either regular was lsisted at 86 and the rocket fuel was 91. Something to do with altitude?<br>
<br>
Anyway avoid driving in the US or buying a US car as if you didn't already know. Just have to pity our friends who drive a Focus and ended up hiring a Focus over there too, apprantly it's also slow, hopeless, badly made and handles badly too.<br>
<br>
Mark
<p></p><i></i>