It seems odd, when things happen that dominated a few news cycles, how it can change perceptions on things that have nothing to do with whatever happened that got so much press. For example, the Volkswagen Golf (which was back to being a Rabbit again here in the states and now is a Golf again) always was in my view a fairly weird name for I car. That said, the name is certainly not one that conjures up anything that timely or controversial, or at least it didn’t. But now, thanks to the whole Tiger Wood fiasco, when you say or see the word Golf isn’t there at least a chunk of the population who’s mind will drift to an Escalade hitting a tree, and a golfer with more money than Moses having (allegedly) multiple affairs? It’s just one of those odd cultural nomenclature collisions that comes out of nowhere.
As for the car, so far I think the new Golf is the best VW I’ve ever driven. The Inline Five is smooth and spunky, the 5-speed manual is perfectly geared and has precise feel and action, and the chassis is tight and well-integrated. Even the seats are superb with excellent lateral support and all this for a little over $18K. Very cool little car; loaded with features and imbued with an atmosphere of excellent build quality. Achtung, Baby!