| Author | Message | ||
| Peter S�derlund /328 GTB -88 (Corsa)
Member Username: Corsa Post Number: 339 Registered: 4-2001 |
Catastrophy. They will destroy the character and build another german car. Oh. BTW. The Germay build quality is a myth. Actually, a lot of of Ferrari owners would never go back to Porsche etc just because of the bad build qualiy on german cars. Ciao Peter | ||
| DGS (Dgs)
Junior Member Username: Dgs Post Number: 195 Registered: 5-2003 |
"Alfa should be coming to US shores in 06 or 07." Alas, the "Alfa" coming to the 'states is the new model, to be based on the GM Epsilon platform -- same as the new Saab. The "Alfa" is supposed to get an "Alfa tuned" version of the generic engine. They'll be sold through GM dealers -- showing that Fiat didn't learn anything from the "Buick/Fiat" dealerships that preceeded (and contributed) to the removal of Fiat from the US market. (Conan the Buick mechanic and aluminum parts don't mix.) What the heck, if Europeans bought the notion of a FWD "Alfa", what do those poor dumb Yanks in their pickup trucks know? Send 'em any old thing. Against competition like the Camry or Integra, the FWD "Alfa" commuter boxes are likely to become a spectacular flop in this market. The purists won't buy FWD GMs as an "Alfa", and the non-purists will go with the ricers. Without bringing back the Alfetta chassis to make a "poor man's" 550, Alfa doesn't have a product that could distinguish itself on this side of the pond. | ||
| rich (Dino2400)
Member Username: Dino2400 Post Number: 400 Registered: 10-2001 |
Fiat taking Lancia out of rally was a bad move for Lancia but I don't see how it hurt Fiat. They went on to be successful themselves. It could also be argued that without Fiat, the Lancia Stratos never would have won in the 70s either since it used the Dino engine. Wait, are you talking about the 80s not the 70s? It's such a confusing history. Unfortunately Lancia had already left the US before the groovy 80s/90s Lancias were produced (and raced). I guess it could be argued that many things Fiat did once taking over Lancia changed Lancia from an "exotic" to just another budget car (a different flavor of a Fiat I guess). But Fiat already owned Ferrari so they didn't need two top end historic marques that would attract basically the same customers. | ||
| Rodney Haas (Icars)
Member Username: Icars Post Number: 361 Registered: 3-2002 |
The technical invoations for late model ALFAs have actually come from LANCIA. The real problem is FIAT took LANCIA out of the rally business. It was simply a bad move. | ||
| James Dunne (Audiguy)
Junior Member Username: Audiguy Post Number: 143 Registered: 6-2003 |
I knew that Alfa was planning a re-entry in a few years but I know of talks about making a Italian premier car consortium consisting of the four marques I mentioned earlier. It is not a done deal but is being strongly considered. I agree that Lancia would be a tough sale in the US. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1650 Registered: 11-2002 |
James, Alfa should be coming to US shores in 06 or 07. They have been planning on it for quite some time, and I feel their cars will be a welcome addition here. Lancia, on the other hand, will be a tough sell. Cheers | ||
| James Dunne (Audiguy)
Junior Member Username: Audiguy Post Number: 141 Registered: 6-2003 |
Fiat's ills--------sorry. | ||
| James Dunne (Audiguy)
Junior Member Username: Audiguy Post Number: 140 Registered: 6-2003 |
I believe that we could see Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Lancia be joined into a totally separate company and Alfa and Lancia re-introduced into the US. There is already a dealer network in place so the intro should be easily done. Do not be surprised to see this happen if Fiat's will are not taken care of. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 2073 Registered: 10-2002 |
Guys once again this is not happening. Ferrari is already in the process of being spun out into an independant Co. The GM/Fiat deal never included Ferrari either. | ||
| gary green (Minuke)
New member Username: Minuke Post Number: 44 Registered: 7-2003 |
Aaron, I agree with you about Lamborghini, the new car's just don't do it for me. I can't put my finger on it, all I know is that I saw one in a restaurant parking lot and didn't do a double take. | ||
| mike montoya (Racer_f50)
New member Username: Racer_f50 Post Number: 15 Registered: 6-2003 |
i agree with Mark Moon on this one. putting Ferrari under German ownership would be total B.S., and i hope to god that Italians protest it. sure, more reliable cars would be a plus, but the whole idea of the company losing its roots makes me wanna cry. and this is from a guy who actually doesn't mind the Murcielago & Gallardo. They're pretty good looking cars if you ask me, but they're not true Lambo style. thanks a bunch Audi for ruining tradition & passion. | ||
| Marvin Balagot (Mdb69)
Junior Member Username: Mdb69 Post Number: 71 Registered: 4-2002 |
I agree with you about the newer Lambo Aaron. I grew up wanting a Countach. It looked like it was flying while still parked. The newer ones styling just doesnt have the "passion" that the older ones do. Sure Murci is a much better car, but the Countach meens exotic car to me. | ||
| Mark (Study)
Member Username: Study Post Number: 571 Registered: 10-2001 |
"I think they've already screwed up lamborghini. The first 2 new cars don't really scream italian exotic to me" The new Lambos are cool, but could have been better. I don't think the 550 or new 460 really scream italian exotic to me either. Looks like MB's new car. New cars all being German... we are in for some tough times.  | ||
| Aaron Williams (Aawil)
Member Username: Aawil Post Number: 253 Registered: 8-2002 |
I think they've already screwed up lamborghini. The first 2 new cars don't really scream italian exotic to me.I know many won't agree but I'am I alone here? I wouldn't argue that the quality and reliability would be better because it seems they've made great strides there. And it seems ferrari's road cars could use a little better reliablity. I think it's kind of funny ferrari street cars seem less reliable then there F1 cars. In contrast, Toyota and Honda seem to build the most reliable street cars but haven't been able to build reliable F1 engines. Although the intended purpose of honda and toyota's street cars aren't the same as most ferrari's. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2755 Registered: 2-2001 |
Mark, Audi is already part of VW | ||
| Andy mathieson (Andy)
New member Username: Andy Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2003 |
VW are a smart company. They wouldn't screw up Ferrari. A few purists might moan because their cars didn't need a new clutch every two weeks but they would keep or enhance the Ferrari flair. They have a good record with other brands, Audi high quaaity & now a Le mans winner, SEAT (Spain) now a stylish small hot car in Europe, Skoda upgraded from Eastern European joke to high quality medal winner, Bentley rescued from being exhorbitantly dreary to it's old place as a Le Mans winner plus the awsome new Continental. I don't think you need worry about a diesel engined Golf with Ferrari badge. As for Bugatti well it has been a style challenge and a financial basket case for years. I would look forward to what Ferrari would do for VW. A microbus with a V12 screaming under the floor would be good. Oh and I don't own a VW. | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 1975 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>At last, a Ferrari with German engineering and reliability.<< Would that really be a bad thing? A VolksFerrari..the Peoples Exotic...!! ;-) | ||
| Mark (Study)
Member Username: Study Post Number: 566 Registered: 10-2001 |
Look what it would do to the sport Top 3 F1 teams (BMW, MB, and Ferrari) all German Isn't Audi looking into that also? | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Junior Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 177 Registered: 4-2002 |
I just can't see that happening. I certainly hope not as I agree with William's assessment. The Scuderia is a national treasure and I think national pride would cause an absolute outcry similar to the 60s when Henry Ford tried to buy the company. I would predict that if anyone else bought the company it would be another Italian firm. I certainly hope so. | ||
| Aaron Williams (Aawil)
Member Username: Aawil Post Number: 252 Registered: 8-2002 |
I hope not. German designs are to cold and sterile for me. They may have inproved the build quality of lambos but both new cars are hideous.But that's just my opinion and is subjective to my own tastes. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2730 Registered: 9-2001 |
That sounds great to me ! Maybe the new Ferrari models will then show the innovations the new Lambos and Audis have. Hopefully...lets all keep our fingers crossed that this deal goes through. At last, a Ferrari with German engineering and reliability. I think I'll now sit back and just cry from the joy this news has brought. BooHoo | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2754 Registered: 2-2001 |
I just read in the Brit car mag EVO about VW's desire to buy Ferrari-Maserati. I dont like this idea cus VW owns Audi & Audi has influenced Lambo design. Thats fine as long as they offer engineering help but they should have kept their hands off the design. What would VW do with Ferrari AND Lambo ? 2 direct competitors. Who would win in a battle for resources ? Sounds like a bad idea to me |