A flatbed truck is never a good sign. However, when it's picking up a $250,000 sedan you have to wonder, "Is that just an owner trying to keep his exotic sedan's miles down?" Well, the miles were low on this test vehicle -- just 2,400. But the front, driver's-side wheel bearing decided to disintegrate anyway, ending my 48-hour period with the Arnage on a sour note. I'd like to say the car was supreme before the wheel started vibrating like a paint mixer, but momma taught me not to lie...
The basic structure of this vehicle dates back to the Clinton era, and despite VW/Audi's best efforts it still feels like a...how to put this... quaint design. Sure, the seat leather is top notch and VW even retrofitted a navigation system, yet low-end power is meager (it's a twin-turbo, 6.75-liter V8 with lots 'o lag) and handling can best be described as "relaxed" (think 1970s Cadillac). Theoretically people don't buy the Arnage for drag racing or slalom testing, but when a far superior Bentley is available for $80,000 less (Flying Spur) it truly boggles my mind that anyone would buy this vehicle. I will admit that plenty of people did double takes as I wafted up PCH and through Malibu. Still, I can get that same effect from several other cars that cost less and deliver more (including a flatbed-free weekend...). A reworked Arnage is on Bentley's horizon, and not a moment too soon.
By rsholland
on July 26, 2006
02:30 PM
Hmmm... Anybody up for a photo caption contest?
By scott65
on July 26, 2006
05:01 PM
That's crazy. I'd be pissed if my sub 20 grand car needed a tow with that many miles, but a car that costs more than a house?? Man. If those are really hand-built I wonder how a wheel bearing can get messed up that early.
By billt9
on July 30, 2006
12:19 PM
Why is "hand-built" suppose to be a good thing?
Hand built is human imprecision, human tiredness, human lack of alertness as the work day goes on, human grogginess right after lunch , human error near 5:00pm, human error near 9:00am.
I have a much stronger preference for precision robotic assembly lines. Toyotas aren't reliable because they're all human hand built.
By firstwagon
on August 2, 2006
12:11 PM
That comes down whether it handbuilt by craftsmen or handbuilt by union assembly line workers.
A machine can make another machine, copy after copy, each as perfect (or imperfect) as the original.
A craftman can make a work of art, something that is special and has character. Toyotas have about as much character as my fridge, both work perfectly but who would ever dream about owning one?