Latest Volkswagen cars


Whatever Happened to Simplicity?

Those of us who are in classic carthe industry norm. Have we as a society
clubs, regardless of model or make,evolved into such a lazy species that we
decide to become members for any givenare incapable of rolling a window down
number of reasons. Perhaps we owned aor pushing in a lock? If a power window
particular car in our youth that bringsfails, you're looking at a repair that
back fond memories of cruising thewill cost around $400. Maunal seats have
streets on Friday nights. Maybe wegiven way to 8-way adjustable power
remember going to Drive-in movies withseats. Is this really necessary?
our date's head resting on our shoulder.Hand-operated levers work fine for a
Perhaps it was simply the sound of ourfraction of the cost. While we're on the
particular car's engine, which couldsubject of seats, what's up with heated
range from anything to a soft purr or aseats? My solution? Wear a coat.
horsepower-laden monsterous growl as weCruise control is a nice feature to have
rolled down the highway. Perhaps some ofif you travel frequently on desolate
us are too young to have experienced thestretches of Interstate somewhere such
era in which these cars roamed theas the Dakotas or Montana, but it's
earth, but we have nevertheless beenimpractical in heavy traffic, which is
influenced by our elders and appreciateincreasing as each day goes by. I can't
what once was. Whatever the reasons maycount the number of times I've had to
be, there is nothing quite like findinghit the "cancel" button as I gain
others who share these feelings andrapidly on somebody in a Buick Lesabre
enjoy the cameraderie and rewardingwho has been in bifocals since the
experiences that are all part of beingKennedy Administration going fifty miles
in such a group.an hour. I can live without it.
My particular love is old VolkswagenPerhaps the most pretentious feature to
Beetles. I have been a member of theever come along in today's cars is the
Chippewa Valley Volkswagen Club, basedSatellite Navigation System. If you want
in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for over threeto save thousands of dollars, I have
years. We go on many cruises, othersome suggestions. A)If you feel the need
outings, and hold our own show annually.to know what direction you are going, go
During the original Beetle's lifespan,to Wal-Mart and buy a compass for six
which ran from it's infancy in 1938 Nazidollars. B) Look out your window and
Germany up until 2003, when the verynote the location of the sun. Unless you
last "Bug," as it was lovingly called,live on the planet Venus, it rises in
rolled off the assembly line in Puebla,the east and sets in the west. Now look
Mexico, over 21.5 million were produced.at your watch. C) On cloudy days, try
As a result, there are still thousandsreading highway signs. They will tell
of them on roads today, and clubs suchyou whether you're going east, west,
as mine are dedicated to thenorth, or south.
preservation of these unique cars. WeCome to think of it, this works on sunny
also support other clubs throughout thedays as well. D) Go to a gas station or,
states of Wisconsin and Minnesota.more likely in this day and age, a food
The Volkswagen Beetle definedmart, and buy a map. This will cost
simplicity, something that is quiteabout five dollars. If you're lost, ask
lacking in today's cars, regardless ofthe attendant how to get back on track
model. There is no question that certainto wherever you're going. Chances are
items such as airbags and side-impactthat they'll steer you in the right
crumple zones have acomplished much indirection. If he or she can't, find
the way of saving lives,but let's gosomeone who can. Trust me. You don't
back forty years for a few moments.need to rely on a satellite in orbit
Air-conditioning was considered a luxuryhundreds of miles above.
in those days, and only select cars wereNo-frills cars should still be available
equipped with it. Nearly every caras an option for those who share my
manufactured today has air-conditioningsentiment. There are undoubtedly many
as standard equipment. In Wisconsin,Idrivers who have become accustomed to
use it in my 1996 Volkswagen Golf maybethe above-mentioned features. In fact,
ten days out of the year. While someonethere are people who couldn't imagine
in, say, Phoenix or Miami would beg todriving without them, but should they
differ, I pose the following question:ever question why cars of today cost ten
Does somebody in Fairbanks, Alaskatimes as much as those of a few decades
really need it?ago, I have put in my two cent's worth.
Power windows and locks have also becomeOr rather, twenty cents...



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