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The Volkswagon Jetta Commerical "Is It Fast?" (Original Post) AngryAmish Feb 2012 OP
Um, no. I'ts a go-cart with an old van logo on it. They aren't fast by any measure. HopeHoops Feb 2012 #1
Do you have the 4.3 liter V-6? iscooterliberally Feb 2012 #2
2000 Pontiac Montana, 3.4 V-6 - also smokes tires. And it corners well. HopeHoops Feb 2012 #3
Oh that is funny! iscooterliberally Feb 2012 #5
She's got airbags out the wazoo and handles like a race car. She's also a Pontiac. HopeHoops Feb 2012 #8
This message was self-deleted by its author iscooterliberally Feb 2012 #7
This reminds me of when Top Gear had to design a VW ad. kentauros Feb 2012 #4
Kind of a dumb commercial. Gidney N Cloyd Feb 2012 #6
 

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)
1. Um, no. I'ts a go-cart with an old van logo on it. They aren't fast by any measure.
Tue Feb 28, 2012, 04:53 PM
Feb 2012

Okay, okay. They might be faster than a Yugo, but my Pontiac minivan can dust one in a quarter mile without even hitting the redline.

On Edit: (That has to be embarrassing)

iscooterliberally

(2,849 posts)
2. Do you have the 4.3 liter V-6?
Tue Feb 28, 2012, 05:21 PM
Feb 2012

I had an '87 astro van that was fast enough to lose parts taking off the line. That engine was a real workhorse. The only thing bad about it was the crappy gas mileage, and the suspension, and the.... oh hell it was an old piece of shit when I owned it. I paid 1300 bucks for it. I loved surprising people with its speed off the line though. I'm sure a brand new one would be great. I have a Toyota now. It's full of dog hair...

 

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)
3. 2000 Pontiac Montana, 3.4 V-6 - also smokes tires. And it corners well.
Wed Feb 29, 2012, 09:45 AM
Feb 2012

The MAIN reason we decided on it was more practical - it seats eight. But damn can that thing move out. The only road problem is driving on highways that alternate from forest to farm country (we call those PA roads). If it's gusty out, the fields channel the wind and smack it sideways as you exit the protection of the trees. The first few times it was disconcerting, but even my middle daughter has learned hot to deal with driving a sail on wheels.

iscooterliberally

(2,849 posts)
5. Oh that is funny!
Wed Feb 29, 2012, 01:30 PM
Feb 2012

I had a '73 VW Bus when I learned how to drive. I know the 'sail' thing quite well. I drove it across the 7-mile bridge down in the FL Keys on a windy day. That was scary! I got the minivan for the practicle thing too. I have to haul dogs, people and sometimes audio equipment. Stay safe out there.

Response to HopeHoops (Reply #3)

kentauros

(29,414 posts)
4. This reminds me of when Top Gear had to design a VW ad.
Wed Feb 29, 2012, 11:40 AM
Feb 2012

Of course, the campaign was for England, so a completely different market (and fantasy) being sold versus here. As I recall, Jeremy wanted to do an ad that focused on the speed and handling of the car. The professional ad guys that were advising them nixed all of his ideas, because their marketing strategy was to promote the sophistication and style versus what it could do as a sporty car.

The most interesting thing about all of that, is not long after seeing that episode do I see an ad that Jeremy could have had his hand in for VW America. It was all about speed and handling and didn't give a shit about style, grace and status.

Now, while this you've posted ad is ultimately promoting safety, the majority of the vehicle ads for our country seems to promote a fantasy that no American I've ever met would ever consider, much less imagine, attempting. Why bother with an ad that requires a disclaimer of "Closed course / Professional driver / Do not attempt" if your average American driver cannot even conceive of attempting?


Oh, here's the Top Gear clip (it's been mirrored due to YouToob's copyright rules)

Gidney N Cloyd

(19,781 posts)
6. Kind of a dumb commercial.
Wed Feb 29, 2012, 01:31 PM
Feb 2012

The first three salesmen lie to the buyer about the bike/moped/sportscar being 'fast' then when the guy asks the 4th salesman in if the VW is 'safe' we're supposed to assume THIS salesman, with no evidence to the contrary, is telling the truth? The whole set up to that point is that salesmen will lie to you.


Guy asking about bike: "Is it fast?"
Bike Salesman: (Lies; something about 10 speeds)

Guy asking about moped: "Is it fast?"
Moped Salesman: (Lies; something about lightening bolt painted on it)

Guy asking about camaro: "Is it fast?"
Camaro Salesman: (Lies; something about not even being sure it's street legal)

Guy asking about VW: "Is it safe?"
VW Salesman: (Lies?)

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