Well, David, since I work for the financial services arm of Volkswagen of America, I won't agree that you've purchased the best-made car in the world.

No car manufacturer is perfect, and every one (even Toyota--gasp!) has had recalls in recent years.

Volkswagen has taken knocks from Consumer Reports and other trade publications for less-than-stellar reliability. That hurts--especially when I read and hear about the efforts that our people are making to raise the bar. We've done that, but the stigma takes some time to reduce.

That said, I get a new vehicle every few months as part of our employee lease deal. The last Passat that I drove was a dream--I wanted to buy it, but the lease deal (which includes insurance) is too good to pass up. My point is that I've seen the improvements we've made, and still get frustrated when something goes wrong.

Growing up, my family bought Fords. They weren't that different than GMs, but we told everyone that they were. We had problems with them, just like anyone does with cars of every make and model.

Cars are so different than the Fords and Chevys from a decade ago--we owners can't troubleshoot them like we did in the past. They have sophisticated onboard computers, complex braking and suspension systems, and neat extras like DVD players and park assist.

But when a 50 cent piece of plastic breaks and the window falls down, we think that the car is a pile of crap.

Tom--

We didn't consider VW because our impression is that, despite the fac that they're great to drive, they're expensive to fix and they guzzle gas, which VW highly recommends should be Premium.

Premium gas just passed $16 dollars a gallon, I think.

VWs are for lawyers, not writers and teachers.

DM

Suburus are cheap to fix? (I honestly don't know).

VW TDIs (diesels) are great economical vehicles that don't sacrifice power, like hybrids. Diesel costs less, currently, than regular gas and I think you get about 12,000 miles to the gallon (that may be wrong ).

VW diesels are for lawyers, writers, teachers, and anyone who wants great fuel efficiency without worrying about dying when merging onto highway traffic.

Buying cars is right up there with (1) root canal work, (2) immunization shots for your newborn, and (3) an annual exam at the OB/GYN (trust me, male readers). You know it has to happen, but you dread every minute of it.

I agree Eileen. Before I joined VW Credit, I kept my cars running as long as possible, because I wanted to get my money's worth, and I didn't want to go back into a dealership.

Now, the employee lease deal takes all of the negotiation out of the matter for me now, and I like driving a new car every few months.

Saturn had some success with their no-haggle policy, didn't they?

Hey! Can we please talk about the clueless, sabotaging, disloyal, why-is-he-still-working-there finance idiot? (Nothing personal, Tom.)

I don't think he's clueless at all. I think his job is, once the deal is closed, to sell rust-proofing and the long-term warrantee.

I think this little car-is-great vs. car-gonna-break-down thing is like a version of good cop, bad cop. (Good car, bad car.)

There is SO MUCH bullshit in a car deal that this little bit heaped on at the end is barely noticable, the car dealer (or the car corporation) reasons.

Eileen, I don't dread this process quite as much as you. I get a little out of body, and enjoy the dance. It's a form of recreation. I'm not very good at it, but I do find it amusing.

Hey! Can we please talk about the clueless, sabotaging, disloyal, why-is-he-still-working-there finance idiot? (Nothing personal, Tom.)

Whew! I thought you were talking about me, Jane.

You mean we weren't talking about Tom? Good, I thought that was quite ballsy of you Jane.

YIKES! Excuse me while I stroll over to the jobs section of MyRagan and IABC.

Eileen, that's good to know because I use public transportation (no license, no car). On the other hand, public transportation can be . . . ummm . . . inspiration for a story or two. Or hundred.