German economics

[expat]

It's pretty obvious what's behind this sudden bout of Kraut honesty (and accuracy).

Brown and/or Lord Fondlebums of Boys have secretly been sounding out the EU with a view to the UK joining the Euro, and the Germans are quite rightly aghast at the prospect.

After all, they have enough on their plate trying to shore up Italy, Spain, Greece etc, without some new bunch of losers weighing them down.

I think you've put your finger on part of it there: they don't want Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal getting keen on this idea of stimulating the economy with credit, because although Britain and France might do it with their own money, the Mediterraneans will want to do it with German money. And there's an election next year.

[Mich the Tester]

Phaetons - top marks

can't fault them, go for the four seater, 5 litre diesel

Milan.

3 litre's enough. I'm more interested in the comfort and the interior than having a tank engine in the front.

[Bagpuss]

French cars never seem to pass muster in Which reports. Pity, I used to fancy Nicole like mad.

Very bad new buy, but often excellent value used.

[DimPrawn]

Good for getting on 1st name terms with the AA man too.

[Mich the Tester]

French cars never seem to pass muster in Which reports. Pity, I used to fancy Nicole like mad.

Neither do Alfas. The C6 is beautiful though, as is the Alfa 166. It's not a rational choice; if I was rational I'd buy the Audi and just get all my fillings reinforced. But I like the combination of comfort AND reasonable speed.

[DimPrawn]

But I like the combination of comfort AND reasonable speed.

BMW

[BrilloPad]

Very bad new buy, but often excellent value used.

Until they go wrong. I got a Peugeot : fine until main dealer messed up a service and I needed a new engine. Which was not installed properly and so leaked oil......

[Mich the Tester]

BMW

Yes, but as I said, the dealers are a***holes and I'm not impressed with their 'expertise'.

The 5 is still a real option, but now it will compete with the VW Phaeton, Citroen C6 and Alfa 166. Decision will follow in good time.

[milanbenes]

seriously,

what about the....

dah dah...

new Passat coupe, it's like the Mercedes CLS

Milan.

[Mich the Tester]

seriously,

what about the....

dah dah...

new Passat coupe, it's like the Mercedes CLS

Milan.

Very nice, but new. I don't buy new cars; I buy them about 2 years old after someone else has financed the first 50% depreciation and had them serviced a few times to sort out any teething problems.