What AMT's drive:

[Ms Tree]

Ah, Federalization.  What a royal PIA.  We had brought over 4 cars over a period of a few years.  The company we used was a good company. "Was" being the operative word.  The 16 valve was the last car we imported.  By then (1989) the gray market was in full swing and there were tons of companies out there doing work.  Most of them were schisters.  Apparently our guy crossed to the dark side.  The 16 valve came with a Cat and O2 sensor from the factory (very rare).  The company we used cut out the good Cat and butchered in a crappy one (we did not realize it til it failed).  He put wood broom handles painted black in the door for reinforcement (did not realize it till I had to go in one of the doors to fix a window regulator a few years later.  The bumper reinforcements were were embarrassing.  I have never touched a welder in my life and I would bet money I could do a better job.  He butchered the wiring harness under the dash to put the buzzers. in.
 
After that the dollar started to fall and it became less attractive to buy over seas.  I wish the regulations were not as strict here in the US.  The weak dollar aside, there are some sweet cars over seas that are not offered here.  There are diesels offered in nearly every model.  There are a ton of models that are not even offered here in the states.  You can order them with just the options you want instead of having to buy them bundled. 

 

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

I do not think most Americans realize how much diesel technology has improved. 
 
They can make diesel engines now that run as quiet as gasoline engines.
 
How do natural gas burning engines compare in range and power (as in energy potential by cylinder volume per engine cycle)?
 
I used to have a 93 RX-7. That has a rotary engine in it. It had low torque but once those turbos spooled up it would launch the car.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-7
The FD RX-7 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year. When Playboy first reviewed the FD RX-7 in 1993, they tested it in the same issue as the [then] new Dodge Viper. In that issue, Playboy declared the RX-7 to be the better of the two cars. It went on to win Playboy's Car of the Year for 1993. The FD RX-7 also made Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 1993 through 1995, for every year in which it was sold state-side. June 2007Road & Track proclaimed "The ace in Mazda's sleeve is the RX-7, a car once touted as the purest, most exhilarating sports car in the world."[citation needed] After its introduction in 1991, it won the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference Car of the Year award in Japan.
 
No black plates though.

 

[MCI transplant]

I do not think most Americans realize how much diesel technology has improved. 
 
They can make diesel engines now that run as quiet as gasoline engines.
 
How do natural gas burning engines compare in range and power (as in energy potential by cylinder volume per engine cycle)?
 
I used to have a 93 RX-7. That has a rotary engine in it. It had low torque but once those turbos spooled up it would launch the car.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-7
The FD RX-7 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year. When Playboy first reviewed the FD RX-7 in 1993, they tested it in the same issue as the [then] new Dodge Viper. In that issue, Playboy declared the RX-7 to be the better of the two cars. It went on to win Playboy's Car of the Year for 1993. The FD RX-7 also made Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 1993 through 1995, for every year in which it was sold state-side. June 2007Road & Track proclaimed "The ace in Mazda's sleeve is the RX-7, a car once touted as the purest, most exhilarating sports car in the world."[citation needed] After its introduction in 1991, it won the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference Car of the Year award in Japan.
 
No black plates though.

The main drawback to the Winkel rotory engine was that it liked the gas, And had a problem with the apex seals, which I don't think they ever really got fixed. On the plus side, they had fewer parts to go bad. were smaller, lighter, and had a better H.P. to pound ratio. and were fast!

 

[Ms Tree]

The main drawback to the Winkel rotory engine was that it liked the gas, And had a problem with the apex seals, which I don't think they ever really got fixed. On the plus side, they had fewer parts to go bad. were smaller, lighter, and had a better H.P. to pound ratio. and were fast!

 
I also thought they liked oil as well.  
 
The diesel tech is insane.  If I remember it correctly the new diesel Mercedes are running about 30,000 PSI at the fuel rail using piezoelectric injectors.  I was picked up in one a year ago and when he nailed it getting on the freeway I thought we were in a gasser.  He told me we were in the new diesel and I thought he was pulling my leg.  When he dropped me off I had to look at the tail gate.  Also hear a bit of the diesel clatter but very very muted.  Nothing like my 1977 diesel that you could hear a block away.  
 
I was watching Fifth Gear and they were testing a Volvo Diesel Hybrid.  Not sure if it will hit the US market or not.  

 

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

The main drawback to the Winkel rotory engine was that it liked the gas, And had a problem with the apex seals, which I don't think they ever really got fixed. On the plus side, they had fewer parts to go bad. were smaller, lighter, and had a better H.P. to pound ratio. and were fast!

All true. 

 

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

 
I also thought they liked oil as well.  
 
The diesel tech is insane.  If I remember it correctly the new diesel Mercedes are running about 30,000 PSI at the fuel rail using piezoelectric injectors.  I was picked up in one a year ago and when he nailed it getting on the freeway I thought we were in a gasser.  He told me we were in the new diesel and I thought he was pulling my leg.  When he dropped me off I had to look at the tail gate.  Also hear a bit of the diesel clatter but very very muted.  Nothing like my 1977 diesel that you could hear a block away.  
 
I was watching Fifth Gear and they were testing a Volvo Diesel Hybrid.  Not sure if it will hit the US market or not.  

They do use oil. It is by design.
 
I doubt a Volvo Diesel would sell well here in America.
 
I do not think a Volvo would sell well here in America.
 
They have fallen out of favor.
 
Don't know why. I have heard they make a quality vehicle. 

 

[Ms Tree]

Mrs Tree had a 1999 Volvo T5.  Drove great.  Handled well for FWD.  Very comfy.   Good cruiser.  We bought it certified 7/100,000.  When it hit 100,001 the chit just started hitting the fan.  It blew a O2 sensor up and apparently there are two of them.  I was told the bad one took out the other one and some other component whos identity eludes me at the moment.  Cost me about $700.  As I recall Volvo was the only place that had the computer software to program the bit that the O2 sensors took out.  Various components started to fail and I just called it quits.  The interior started to fall a part as well.  The coverings on the door panels started to delaminate from the backer boards.  Not a huge fan of Volvo.
 
I was cruising Ebay and saw a 95 Mercedes E300 diesel for sale.  Only 61k miles.  It was at a dealer in Dallas.  Single owner.  White over gray (Mrs favorite color combo).  We have had it for about 5 or 6 years now and other than a wiring harness replacement (known issue with that car) it has not given us any problems.

 

[La Li Lu Le Lo]

I always liked BMW.
 
I can say when I look at multi user company vehicles the Fords tend to hold up better than the Chevrolets. I have no preference for either brand, just an observation. 
 
I am going to miss the Firebird and Trans-Am. RIP Pontiac.

 

[MCI transplant]

Here's a car I owned in 1969. A 1955 Willys Bermuda, which was the last year they made an car here in the U.S. Although it was made in south America for quit a while after that. It had a Contenental flat head six engine. Mine had three on the tree, with a mechanical overdrive.  http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/1955-willys-bermuda-1.jpg 

 

[MCI transplant]

Here's a car I owned in 1969. A 1955 Willys Bermuda, which was the last year they made an car here in the U.S. Although it was made in south America for quit a while after that. It had a Contenental flat head six engine. Mine had three on the tree, with a mechanical overdrive.  http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/1955-willys-bermuda-1.jpg 

if I could go back and redo the past, I would still own that car. My Kid Sister graduated from High School, and needed a car to go to our local Collage. I was single, and just got a " good paying" job with TWA as a A&P. So------- You guessed it! Within a year, a drunk hit her, and totaled it! I think we all have had cars that we wished we had kept!