> Sure, *new* cars probably do have a whole load of good stuff in them. But 
> who can afford to buy cars new?

7.5 million new cars were sold in the US in 2004, so presumably some people 
can afford them.  A lot of people get given them by their company, and a lot 
of other people just buy cars that are a few years old (but not decades).

> Well I imagine they give you nice cars while yours is being serviced.

Actually this one was smaller (which I actually preferred) but a lot slower 
than mine.  It was almost brand new though (900 km on the clock IIRC).

> I hired a car once - I forget why - and it didn't have an ignition key. Go 
> figure. (Was really horrible to drive though... I think it was an Astra? 
> Might be wrong.)

I got a VW Passat like that once, also had a digital button instead of a 
handbrake - never got used to it in the week or so I had to drive it.  I'm 
told that my new car automatically shuts off the engine whenever you stop, 
and as soon as you put it in gear the engine starts automatically again. 
Saves up to 8% fuel consumption in city driving apparently.  I will wait 
until I actually drive it before commenting further, although the fuel 
consumption figures are very impressive compared to my existing car 
(especially given it's heavier and has 50% more power!).

> I very much doubt many people can afford to buy one of these things new 
> though...

I see lots of new cars on the road - especially in England where you can 
instantly tell the age by looking at the numbers on the licnese plate.  They 
look like ordinary people driving ordinary cars to me - nothing fancy.

> Or rather, how many people are richer than me?

Based on your posts here, it seems you could be easily in a job earning a 
good salary that would allow you to buy a new car.  You seem much cleverer 
than a lot of people I know who aren't exactly poor.

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