[Leica] Lost Faith in Leica

[Frank.Dernie at btinternet.com (Frank Dernie)]

I had a tour of the Jag factory a few years ago - I don't recall 
whether it was before or after Ford. The most impressive part was the 
interior trimming. The wood then was a very thin veneer bonded to a 
magnesium diecasting. This was said to be more stable in a car subject 
to big swings in heat and humidity and be the best way to avoid 
splinters in accidents. The quality of the XJ parts was WAY better than 
the newer models, it was an area where they were seeking cost 
reduction. I must say that I fancy a current XJ myself. As low weight 
is not a current fashion "must have" the trendy brands have all become 
enormously heavy (it is cheaper). Only the new XJ and Audi A8 are still 
well engineered in this crucial respect.
cheers
Frank

On 18 Sep, 2004, at 03:12, Jeffery Smith wrote:

> That was sort of my point. While Volvos were seen as high priced cars
> that lasted a long time, other less expensive cars were made that last 
> a
> long time. So the Volvos lose some of that market share.
>
> One of the professors at Dillard University bought a jag, and when I
> took a ride in it, I was appalled. Instead of the rich, orange wood on
> the dashboard that I remembered from the 1960's, it had wood-colored
> contact paper on the dashboard. I think that might have been cheaper,
> but I could be wrong.
>
> Jeffery Smith
> New Orleans, LA
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: lug-bounces+jls=runbox.com@leica-users.org
> [mailto:lug-bounces+jls=runbox.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of John
> Collier
> Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 8:45 PM
> To: Leica Users Group
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Lost Faith in Leica
>
> Remember when cars used to be praised if they made 100 000 miles (160
> 000 km). Now we moan if they falter at twice that.
>
> Remember when cars needed valve grinds every 50 000 miles (80 000 km)
> or less? I haven't done a valve grind on a modern car in years.**
>
> Remember when you got a tune up every 5 000 to 10 000 miles (you do the
> math)? Heck on my Volvo, I change the plugs every 50 000 miles and that
> is it!
>
> I could go on but it is plan fact that ALL cars are far more reliable
> and durable than any car was 25 years ago.
>
> I am a European car specialist and to suggest that Ford made Jag worse
> is ridiculous. Hell Jags have improved beyond measure and now are a
> byword for reliability. A future, I can assure you, simply
> inconceivable to a mechanic in the seventies and eighties.
>
> John Collier
>
> ** Still doing older Jags though :-)
>
> On Sep 17, 2004, at 5:45 PM, Jeffery Smith wrote:
>
>>
>> Remember when a Volvo would last 11 years and American cars were
>> designed to fall apart after 5? Well, Japanese cars now last 15 years,
>> and American cars are still designed to fall apart after 5. So
> American
>> and Swedish cars are not in as much demand. Jaguars fall apart after 5
>> (Ford helped that along).
>
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