It's bassman97, not 27 sped. Also, when you look at reliability and performance, you don't automatically go w/ what is on TV. You go by cubic inches and the country's philosophy on cars and on building. Germany has the Autobahn so their cars are the most reliable because of the long distances at high speeds. American cars are made for comfort and showing off. Plus, we don't try to cut corners (unlike Chrysler). Japanese/Korean cars are made w/ the good gas mileage in mind and are stuck on I4 and V6 engines mainly and small compact cars. For performance, the Japanese/Korean philosophy of good mileage kills them because they are stuck on I4 or V6 engines (I have yet to see a car, not a truck, from them w/ a V8). In America, performance always appealed to us hence the big-block V8s that made close to 600 hp before gas and insurence killed them. Now, we only got small block V8s that can kill the larger ones sometimes and a few V10s. Germany though, has performance standard thanks to the Autobahn because at 200+ mph, you still have to be manuverable and have stopping power. Plus, you need to have enough power to pass and get up to 200 mph. Look, I'm sick of arguing. All I can say is pick up a Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road and Track, or something else besides Sport Compacts. Just take a look on the other side for the hell of it. If not, fine by me. Just don't pull up to me in your import when I get my license next year. If you still want to argue, let's do it over AIM.