On 26 Dec 2003 18:05:36 GMT, Robert Cohen <robtcohen RemoveThis @aol.com.spam.no>
wrote:
> re: air bags
>
> well, here is my concern
>
> the volvo is strong though fairly expensive
>
> do the new elantras and other models sold in italy (and/or) germany,
> france
> etal in europe have four air bags (side & front) ?
>
> VW allegedly now has SIX (count 'em) air bags in a vehicle which i saw
> yesterday, and was asking the driver about
>
> but i don't know a jetta from an ole carmen ghia, though it looked to
> me like
> a jetta, and it definitely wasn't a beatle
>
> one of the main reasons for my buying a hyundai or two or three in the
> u.s. is
> the side and front air bags
>
> i've had a sonata, and am owning now an elantra, and an accent
>
> prior to them, i had both an '88 and a '91 or '92 hyundai
>
> shame-on american made cars that don't have side air bags
>
> are they nuts or what?
>
> my cousin was hurt bad in a side collision
>
The Italian website is not very clear, they speak only of 'double' airbag,
so I am not sure. They offer a diesel engine not sold here (consider it,
given the murderous price of gas in Europe) and prices go from E15,500 to
E18,200 for the Elantra. When I passed by Italy in June I was surprised by
the # of Hyundais around, including models not available in the US, like
the Terracan. Check the models here
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.hyundai-auto.it/gamma/index.htm?apModel=1&Page=auto" target="_blank">http://www.hyundai-auto.it/gamma/index.htm?apModel=1&Page=auto</a>
Sorry for the airbag, you'll have to find out yourself. No idea on taxes,
sorry, only that it's a VAT system. As for cars, there aren't only Fiats
as you said, but it's a completely different world, mostly. My humble
suggestion? Don't rush, try to understand hom much and for what you'll
need a car, since in Europe trains are very good and represent a viable
alternative for many trips. When I lived there a few years ago, I was a
lot better off renting a car for those occasions in which I actually
needed it, rather than dealing daily with gas prices, the suicidal drive
style Italians favor, including extremely high speed limits that nobody
cares about (be prepared to be overtaken while traveling at 100 miles on
the highway, and I am not kidding).
There are tons of models you have probably not familiar with, and some are
amazing. Check <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.smart.com/" target="_blank">http://www.smart.com/</a> which, according to the site, will be
available in the US only in 2006. Well,it's ubiquitous there, and it's an
incredibly good vehicle.
All the best for your trip.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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