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Path: utzoo!watmath!watcgl!dmmartindale
From: dmmartindale@watcgl.UUCP (Dave Martindale)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: turn signals
Message-ID: <2138@watcgl.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 17-Feb-84 13:58:29 EST
Article-I.D.: watcgl.2138
Posted: Fri Feb 17 13:58:29 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 18-Feb-84 02:24:59 EST
References: <593@sbcs.UUCP>
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 34

I was always under the impression that American cars didn't use amber
turn signals because it was a bit more expensive to install another lens
and bulb and the wiring to go to it.  When was the last time an American
manufacturer installed a major piece of safety equipment without some law
forcing them to?  European manufacturers seem much more concerned with
function and safety than American ones, and have been for a long time.
The Japanese manufacturers also seem better in this respect.

However, the American manufacturers have recently seemed to have caught on
that good design (instead of styling) might actually sell some cars.
So give them a chance.

Next time you (or anyone out there) goes shopping for a car, make a list
of features that you consider important, and consider it a serious
omission if a particular car is missing one or more.

A suggested list of absolutely-must-have features:

	day/night mirror
	rear-window defogger
	3-point seatbelts

And very-important features:

	sensitive steering with very little play (probably means
		only rack-and-pinion)
	amber turn signals
	rear wiper/washer (if hatchback)
	remote control driver's mirror
	full-sized spare tire

I could think of more with time.  If more people refused to buy cars which
lacked important design features (and thought about what features were
important), manufacturers would be more inclined to build cars that way!