Ahh, der Fatherland... home of Bratwurst & Bier.

The thing that sticks with me the most is how much I prefer european-styled autos to their north american bretheren. A legacy of small streets has evolved smaller cars, without the american additude that small cars have to be cheap, powerless, or uncomfortable. Cars like the VW Lupo, Smart forTwo, and Renault Twingo are great examples. I was a little disturbed this trip to see so many asian imports - especially Hyundai/Kia, but with their price points, I guess that's inevitable!

I also got to see a little more of the 'car culture', as my German father-in-law is quite a driver (in his second Audi A3). Magazines send out special isssues, with page after page of every model available, with complete engine, accessory & pricing information. Reviews for cars come not just when new, but after years of hard use. And any driving school instructor will tell you, you won't get a license there if you don't drive fast & close.

Anyway, back to the world of 8-passenger SUVs and 60 MPH speed limits... =(

 

yeah you had healthier foods over there too, well lot more flavor

 

The Europeans really have an appreciation for the car as art and care about making even the most pedestrian cars somewhat fun to drive and solidly built. Something that is unfortunately lost on Asian and American manufacturers (with a few exceptions of course)

The Camry is a good, reliable car but it has NO soul. You'd never see anything as resolutely dull as a Camry come out of Europe.

I could see Europeans appreciating the xB and xA to some extent though. The Yaris is pretty popular there, probably due to the fact it was designed by a Greek and much of it was engineered in France.

 

Did you take any pictures that you can show us? German countryside - German Girls

 

Beermaids with those tight-fitting medieval style bustiers, perhaps.

 

Ouuuuuuutstanding Bustiers are wonderful..

 

Sorry leather cravers (Biznox, Stu_Gotti) - I didn't hit Bavaria, the only part of Germany where anyone wears lederhosen, green feathered caps, or looks like the St. Paulie girl.

As soon as I get the photos sorted out & touched up, I'll be happy to pop up a few from the areas we visited.