Originally Posted By MPierce GOD bless America, and keep running. Possibly they just like American made cars, and can't afford the high end offerings of other countries. I would disagree with 15% better however.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Why do people who aren't right-wing wackjobs buy American automobiles when in 2007 the quality is maybe 15% better than it was in 1987?>> Well, your stats are way off there. The quality of American cars has hugely increased since 1987. In fact Ford surpassed Toyota in 2006 as the quality leader. I've driven new American cars for the past 30 years. I don't think I've had to have a car serviced other than routine maintenance since the early 80's. That includes both warranty service and paid service. Admittedly, I don't keep my cars a long time. I typically trade them in when they have 50-75K miles on them. I think the quality difference between a 2007 Dodge and a 2007 Toyota is so slim that it is almost statistically irrelevant. When you start talking about Mercedes, Beemers, and Lexus that is a whole different ballgame. But I would never buy a car in that price-range because to me a car is primarily transportation, and my Dodge covers the 3 miles to work just as well as a Beemer would. Plus, the Charger is one slippery fast car… even with the High Output V-6 (250 HP) that I have rather than the Hemi.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<And while the furnishings at SS are hardly crap. I think they're quite nice. They are not high end in any way, shape or form.>> They certainly are not high-end compared to the furniture in a Four Seasons, and may not be comparable to many Hiltons, Mariotts and Hyatts. But they are definitely high-end compared to other DVC resorts and even to any Disney Deluxe I've seen (which is all of them other than Grand Floridian). In fact I remember that my #2 disappointment with my room at the Yacht Club was that the furniture just didn't seem to be that great. I never checked for a brand, so I can't tell you what it was. (My #1 disappointment was the room size. Folks who pay that much for a room that small are either idiots or have never seen a DVC One-Bedroom unit.)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<GOD bless America, and keep running. Possibly they just like American made cars, and can't afford the high end offerings of other countries. I would disagree with 15% better however.>> You're right. I was being too generous. Maybe 10%!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Well, your stats are way off there. The quality of American cars has hugely increased since 1987. In fact Ford surpassed Toyota in 2006 as the quality leader.>> I have never owned a Toyota, but I have owned three Fords ... I find that shocking. When I owned my Fords (last one left the family in mid-90s) Quality was Job 2,865. <<I've driven new American cars for the past 30 years. >> My sincere condolences. I wouldn't wish that on even you! <<I don't think I've had to have a car serviced other than routine maintenance since the early 80's. That includes both warranty service and paid service.>> That's truly amazing. Really. If true, that is. Because I owned three Fords, one Pontiac and one Dodge during the 1988-1999 time period and they ALL suffered MAJOR problems from the time they were purchased and cost me a fortune because in those days most warranties lasted either one year or three. Everything from bumpers that wouldn't stop peeling paint (yes, Ford, keeping bumpers from showing yellow plastic on a $25,000 sports car really is asking a lot!) ... to air conditioners that wouldn't cool a care beyond 80 degrees ... to pop-up motors on headlights that constantly died (not covered, of course) ... to my final beloved Dodge, which left the showroom with auto windows that were inoperable and had the motors replaced at least a dozen times in three years but never functioned correctly before I dumped the car.) So, I'm amazed by your claim. <<Admittedly, I don't keep my cars a long time. I typically trade them in when they have 50-75K miles on them.>> I never even made it to 50,000 on one of them ... I think I handed one of to my brother with about 34,000 that may have gone over while he had it. <<I think the quality difference between a 2007 Dodge and a 2007 Toyota is so slim that it is almost statistically irrelevant.>> And our Prez still believes we're getting the evildoers and 30% of Americans are dumb enough to support him ... in other words, I'll take the Toyota every day. I've been burned early and often by every American car manufacturer and they've all lost me for life. <<When you start talking about Mercedes, Beemers, and Lexus that is a whole different ballgame. >> Yep. It's a ballgame I prefer. My 2004 Benz still looks and runs like it just got out of the showroom. My 2007 Honda SUV is close to perfect in every way, which makes me feel guilty about looking at Nissans as I will be doing this weekend. <<But I would never buy a car in that price-range because to me a car is primarily transportation, and my Dodge covers the 3 miles to work just as well as a Beemer would.>> Yeah. By that logic you could ride a mule too!
Originally Posted By mousermerf Wow.. car talk. Anywho, that aside, I think if you spent any time in a SSR studio you'd not enjoy the place. I opened the fold-out bed and couldn't fit between the end of it and the wall. On the other hand, i'd gladly spend a week in a Boardwalk studio. I was quite comfy there for Epcot's 25th. All villas would probably look "wow" to me, as i am just a single-room person who only travels with 1 other person. I have no reason to stay in the larger rooms. I think many others are the same - they've stayed at SSR to check it out, were in a studio, and were not pleased.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip ^^^ I think the issue behind the problem you raise is one that is also frequently discussed by DVC'ers. Namely, what is the better setup in a Studio... a Queen Size bed and a Sleeper sofa or two Full Size beds? To me that depends on how many people you are trying to put into the place. If you are sleeping two, the Queen and Sleeper make more sense. If you are sleeping four the pair of Full beds makes more sense. If I remember correctly, Boardwalk is current using a pair of Full beds in the Studios and SSR is using a Queen bed and a Sleeper Sofa. Is that correct?
Originally Posted By mousermerf I had a sleeper in both. The SSR one got pulled out because i was traveling with a friend rather then my signifgant other. The boardwalk one was never pulled out. I think beyond the bed, the Boardwalk room was significantly larger. Also, you mentioned BW not having food - i always thought of the bakery, the pizza window, and hot dog cart to function as a well themed foodcourt. I can get sandwiches/salads from the bakery, pizza and such from the window, and of course hot dogs and fries and such from the kart. Also, any of the restaurants allow take-out.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip It is hard to comment on your experience since I did not have it. I'm sure that you are honestly telling me your impression of the two resorts. On the other hand, Deb Will's excellent web site gives the following data: Boardwalk Studio 359 square feet 1 Bedroom 712 square feet Saratoga Springs Studio 355 square feet 1 Bedroom 714 square feet It is hard to imagine how a difference of 4 square feet would result in the impression that SSR was significantly smaller. I'm not saying that your impression was wrong. I've never stayed in a SSR studio so I can’t comment from personal experience. It just seems rather odd to me that 4 square feet would make much of a difference in perceived size.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip By the way... I have no ax to grind here. I own considerably more Boardwalk points than Saratoga Springs points, so I have no hidden agendas. I just honestly feel that the Saratoga Springs rooms are superior to the Boardwalk rooms. That is my opinion. Opinions are like belly buttons. Everybody has one. I'm not saying that mine is necessarily better than yours. It is just different.
Originally Posted By Fe Maiden We recently spent a week in a 2BR at SSR in October. The past few trips we've talked about staying at a few of the other DVC resorts but we haven't managed to pry ourselves away from SSR yet. <<We dined at the Turf Club twice and were very pleased with the quality of the food. Apparently many other people were too. Although we made reservations the first evening, the second time we dined there it was spur of the moment without reservations... we had to wait over an hour for a table. I have never seen a DVC resort restaurant that popular before... if you want to eat there, get reservations.>> We ate there for lunch and it was very good. The crabcakes and grilled ribeye sandwich were both winners.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <But I would never buy a car in that price-range because to me a car is primarily transportation, and my Dodge covers the 3 miles to work just as well as a Beemer would.< the deal is the price difference isn't as great as it once was - price out Caddy's for instance, then drive a Beemer and compare prices - outside of the 7 series or a M series, to me still more car for the money - especially value at trade in time.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <On the other hand, Deb Will's excellent web site gives the following data: Boardwalk Studio 359 square feet 1 Bedroom 712 square feet Saratoga Springs Studio 355 square feet 1 Bedroom 714 square feet < if you want room - come to OKW while Studio's I believe are listed at 376 - the 1 bedroom is a whopping 1016 sq ft - about the size of my first house in Chicago 30 years ago.
Originally Posted By MPierce << Wow.. car talk. << I love it, don't you. >> Well, your stats are way off there. The quality of American cars has hugely increased since 1987. In fact Ford surpassed Toyota in 2006 as the quality leader. << I read several articles on this. I was really surprised about Ford being on top. but that's what they said. Also I'm sure for people that follow the car surveys they will see a vast improvement in dependability of all American made cars. That would also be Buick being right up there with Lexus. However some folks will say those studies are made up. >> I've driven new American cars for the past 30 years. I don't think I've had to have a car serviced other than routine maintenance since the early 80's. << Same here with 40+ years of driving I have had very few issues with my cars. The only car I ever had that left me stranded was my 1971 Toyota. >> And our Prez still believes we're getting the evildoers and 30% of Americans are dumb enough to support him ... in other words, I'll take the Toyota every day. << I would love to respond to this however anytime I make a political statement I either get Admin. or it just goes away. Actually the last two I made were directed at you, and I think you would have enjoyed them had you been allowed to read them. I think some moderator hates me just because I'm a right wing red-neck. Even though I had a bad experience with my Toyota I still think they make a fine car. >> Yeah. By that logic you could ride a mule too! << I prefer a Jenny over an Ass, much more dependable. >> have no ax to grind here. I own considerably more Boardwalk points than Saratoga Springs points, so I have no hidden agendas. I just honestly feel that the Saratoga Springs rooms are superior to the Boardwalk rooms. << That's what it really boils down to, personal preference.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I read several articles on this. I was really surprised about Ford being on top. but that's what they said. Also I'm sure for people that follow the car surveys they will see a vast improvement in dependability of all American made cars. That would also be Buick being right up there with Lexus. However some folks will say those studies are made up. < I'd be one of those -- very cautious of sudden turnarounds like that - especially when the materials inside many of those cars is still cheap crapola to me
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <>> I've driven new American cars for the past 30 years. I don't think I've had to have a car serviced other than routine maintenance since the early 80's. << Same here with 40+ years of driving I have had very few issues with my cars. The only car I ever had that left me stranded was my 1971 Toyota. < been driving 37 years and my experience differs - I have logged out previosuly the nightmares - as I have owned over 40 cars in that timeframe - well between what my wife drives and I and 'toys'. I had some real pieces of friday afternoon built horse dung...and they all came from GM or Ford. ( and one Nissan was back in the late 80's that was lousy ) - My wife likes Jeep products and we've had limited issues with them...that I will say. I have one GM product left- and it sits in the garage mainly - except for nice days and car shows - my 69 Camaro...it is what it is, not a picture of quality to put on a pedestal, a picture of a misbegotten youthful obsession with muscle cars.... the one arena the foreign products just can't duplicate.....they make 'em as fast and faster, and better quality...but a muscle car is an attitude...more than a finished product.
Originally Posted By MPierce ^^^ I almost got one of those, a ss396. I ended up with Mach1 a 428 Cobra-Jet. That was a great car. Different people have different experiences, as well as opinions.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 << Wow.. car talk. << <<I love it, don't you.>> Second only to stalking mid-level Disney managers! >> Well, your stats are way off there. The quality of American cars has hugely increased since 1987. In fact Ford surpassed Toyota in 2006 as the quality leader. << <<I read several articles on this. I was really surprised about Ford being on top. but that's what they said.>> C'mon. You're smarter than that! You know you can't believe everything you read. <<Also I'm sure for people that follow the car surveys they will see a vast improvement in dependability of all American made cars. That would also be Buick being right up there with Lexus. However some folks will say those studies are made up.>> I could see the Buick quality because they have been rated highly for years now. I would never buy one, myself. But I'm not sure I'd buy a Lexus either. Not quality issues, more about they don't really appeal to me. >> I've driven new American cars for the past 30 years. I don't think I've had to have a car serviced other than routine maintenance since the early 80's. << <<Same here with 40+ years of driving I have had very few issues with my cars. The only car I ever had that left me stranded was my 1971 Toyota.>> A few very lucky spirits here. because not only has that not been my experience, or that of friends and family, but anecdotally from what I've heard for decades, most people have had experiences far closer to mine. >> And our Prez still believes we're getting the evildoers and 30% of Americans are dumb enough to support him ... in other words, I'll take the Toyota every day. << <<I would love to respond to this however anytime I make a political statement I either get Admin. or it just goes away.>> Hmm ... you mean like the way our Prez made our most basic constitutional right disappear and then bullied the media (except the Al-Jazeera of the USA, FOX, which would have ignored it anyway) into soft-pedaling it if not outright ignoring it? <<Actually the last two I made were directed at you, and I think you would have enjoyed them had you been allowed to read them.>> I enjoy most of your posts, MPierce. I wouldn't read them or respond if I didn't. Besides, you make a good minion. <<I think some moderator hates me just because I'm a right wing red-neck.>> That's terrible. Even right wing rednecks should have rights. >> have no ax to grind here. I own considerably more Boardwalk points than Saratoga Springs points, so I have no hidden agendas. I just honestly feel that the Saratoga Springs rooms are superior to the Boardwalk rooms. << <<That's what it really boils down to, personal preference. >> Having stayed at both SS and BWV in the past year, I found them very comparable. I enjoyed them both. I had a one bedroom at the BW, where I got the sofa and it was very comfortable. And I had a studio at SS where I had the bed and was quite happy. They were both well-maintained for the most part and nicely appointed, but with what I would say are mid-level at best furnishings. I enjoy the BW area more, but I find SS to be a much more relaxing experience and wouldn't hesitate to stay again ... and considering how they always have availability, I'm sure I will!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Hmm ... you mean like the way our Prez made our most basic constitutional right disappear and then bullied the media (except the Al-Jazeera of the USA, FOX, which would have ignored it anyway) into soft-pedaling it if not outright ignoring it? << Are you referring to the wire tapping without a court order?
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I could see the Buick quality because they have been rated highly for years now. I would never buy one, myself. But I'm not sure I'd buy a Lexus either. Not quality issues, more about they don't really appeal to me. << I understand that point of view completely. >> Second only to stalking mid-level Disney managers! << It's a difficult tehnique to fully learn, but I am trying. It does seem to be quite fun! >> That's terrible. Even right wing rednecks should have rights << Some would disagree. >> C'mon. You're smarter than that! You know you can't believe everything you read. << You mean someone would print a lie on the internet! >> I enjoy most of your posts, MPierce. I wouldn't read them or respond if I didn't. Besides, you make a good minion. << I am trying hard Master!
