Compare/Contrase Revision!!

Once again I saw it necessary to completely start over again...

Everyone needs an escape sometimes.  Some people meditate; others listen to music, read a book, play sports, or even skydive.  For many, there is no better way than to hop in their car and just ride.  Often times, this type of person is sincerely interested in their vehicle’s power and performance.  Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and BMW all make viable options for any car enthusiast; however, not everyone has the money to afford those cars.  For the budget-conscious enthusiast that wants luxury, reliability, safety, performance, or a good balance of all these aspects, Audi and Subaru each make more economy-friendly options in the S4 and WRX models.  Though both vehicles share many of the same characteristics, the Subaru WRX is the clear choice for the budget-conscious consumer because it provides everything at a much more affordable price.

            Ever since their beginning in 1910, Audi has been recognized as a symbol of great stature.  They have the ability and resources to produce automotive excellence in all of their vehicles (Auto QHD).  Known for their performance and safety, every model in their lineup of cars is engineered with the highest attention to detail and perfection.  The Audi S4 is no exception.  Created to be the ultimate mix of performance, handling, luxury, and safety, the S4 has brought pure inspiration and joy to car enthusiasts all over the world ever since its conception in 1991.  Between 2000 and 2002, the S4 was powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine that produced 250 horsepower (Internet Autoguide).  After a 2 year hiatus in production, Audi then revised the S4 to have a V-8 engine that produced 340 horsepower (Internet Autoguide).  No matter the source of power, Audi is able to give the S4 superior drivability under any road conditions. The S4’s greatest strength is its superb German engineering; however, it does come at a cost.  At their best, Audi’s are known for their luxurious styling and more refined aura; but they have also built a reputation for costly scheduled maintenance plans, repairs, and replacement parts (Audi Chats). 

When Subaru first began operations in 1917, they did not even produce cars.  Instead, their main focus was on aircraft and scooter engines.  Since then, Subaru has developed into a full-fledged automobile manufacturer (Subaru Global).  Originally, the Japanese automaker prided themselves in the safety and reliability of their vehicles, which was unparalleled at the time. Focus on producing performance-oriented vehicles like the WRX wasn’t a main consideration.   It wasn’t until 2002 that Subaru released the WRX, which was engineered in order to compete with cars like the Audi S4.  Since its beginning, the WRX has possibly been one of Subaru’s most successful and popular vehicles.  Powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the WRX boasts anywhere from 227 to 265 horsepower, depending on the year (Auto Channel).  By combining ultimate performance, handling, safety, and reliability all in a single and complete package, the WRX continues to be a car enthusiast favorite. 

Although the Audi S4 has the significant horsepower advantage over the WRX, both vehicles are comparably fast.  This is because of the power to weight ratio in each car.  The Audi has historically been heavier than the Subaru, however, the WRX is able to accelerate just as fast as the S4 and change direction even faster.  Because the WRX is lighter, it holds the clear advantage in the areas of acceleration and handling (Inside Line).  Although the Subaru is lighter than the Audi, it does not compromise safety.  While both vehicles hold five-star safety ratings, the WRX is able to provide this at a much cheaper price (IIHS).  That is not the extent of the WRX’s advantages however.  The Subaru is not known for being as luxurious or refined as the Audi, but the Japanese manufacturer is able to produce extremely safe and reliable cars (Consumer Reports).  Reliability and repairs have been a reoccurring problem with Audi, subjecting owners to high maintenance and repair costs.  Since the WRX does not carry the same price tag as the S4, it is able to cater to a much broader audience.

 Everyone needs a break once and a while, and for those that turn to driving for this escape, the Audi S4 and Subaru WRX are excellent options.  Both provide performance and high levels of safety – all at a reasonable price.  Each car has its advantages, but because of its ease of maintenance, reliability, and ability to provide all of this in a complete package, the Subaru WRX has become the preferred choice of vehicle for car enthusiasts (Associated Content). 

Works Cited

"Audi Cars." Auto QHD. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.autoqhd.com/Top Cars/Audi Cars.html>.

"2001 Audi S4 Specifications - View New Audi S4 2001 Specs & Data at InternetAutoGuide.com." New Cars & Research | Used Cars For Sale, Classifieds, & Auto Sales. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.internetautoguide.com/car-specifications/09-int/2001/audi/s4/index.html>.

"2004 Audi S4 Specifications - View New Audi S4 2004 Specs & Data at InternetAutoGuide.com." New Cars & Research | Used Cars For Sale, Classifieds, & Auto Sales. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.internetautoguide.com/car-specifications/09-int/2004/audi/s4/index.html>.

"Are Used Audi's Reliable?" Audi Chats - Repairs, Maintenances, Mods and Blow Ups! Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://audichats.blogspot.com/2009/11/are-used-audi-reliable_21.html>.

"From ConsumerReports.org on Yahoo! Autos." New Car Pictures, Prices and Reviews - Yahoo! Autos. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://autos.yahoo.com/consumerreports/article/best_and_worst_used_cars.html>.

Top 10 Most Popular Tuner Cars, Page 2 of 4." Associated Content - Associatedcontent.com. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2591581/top_10_most_popular_tuner_cars_pg2.html?cat=27>.

"SUBARU | History." SUBARU GLOBAL. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <http://www.subaru-global.com/history.html>.

"Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan (2002)." Car Comparisons, New Car Buyers Guide, Used Car Buyers Guide - Premium Content on The Auto Channel. Web. 17 Oct. 2010. <http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/2002/russ0113.html>.

“Full Test: 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX." Inside Line: News, Road Tests, Auto Shows, Car Photos and Videos. Web. 17 Oct. 2010. <http://www.insideline.com/subaru/impreza-wrx/2002/full-test-2002-subaru-impreza-wrx.html>.

"IIHS-HLDI: Subaru Impreza." IIHS-HLDI: Crash Testing & Highway Safety. Web. 17 Oct. 2010. <http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=349>.

Cause/Effect Essay (using original Essay 2 topic)

I still need to implement quotes...

Money is defined as a medium that can be exchanged for goods and services. Power is defined as the possession of control, authority, or influence over others. Money and power each has its own distinct meaning; however, they are closely associated with each other. People are perceived to have of money because they are powerful just as they perceived to be powerful because they have money. The relationship between the two works both ways. Money creates power just as power creates wealth. There is no shortage of high profile examples that support the idea that money creates power. Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Bono name just a few high profile people that had wealth and attained power because of their wealth. Conversely, Mohandas Gandhi and Barrack Obama demonstrate that money can be obtained through the development of power. There is an unspoken notion that money and power go hand-in-hand which is often times true, because one can be used as a stronghold to gain the other.

Today, Warren Buffett is thought to be one of the most successful investors in history. In 2009, Forbes ranked him as the second richest person in the world with a net worth of $37 billion (“Forbes”). Needless to say, he is extremely wealthy. He is also thought to be rather powerful. Despite the fact that Buffet has never run for a position in office, the U.S. government sought his help regarding financial decisions during the economic recession in the late 2000’s. Obviously, with the success he received from his investments, he was perceived to be a reputable source of help when it came to the U.S. economy’s well-being. Although Buffett never had any actual government authority, his wealth pinpointed him as a powerful individual. In 2003, California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger even named him as senior economic advisor (“AllBusiness”). As can be seen, his money served as a catalyst for his power and influence, even though that may not have been his original intention.

The money-power relationship works both ways, however. While Warren Buffett is a prime example of how money was translated into power, Mohandas Gandhi is a key example of how power was translated into money. Over the course of his lifetime, Gandhi did many things to be recognized as a leader, visionary, and very powerful individual. He pioneered in the way of civil disobedience and non-violence, gaining huge amounts of respect from everyone he came in contact with (“Harley Hahn”). He was able to persuade and guide public response without the influence of wealth. He gained his power through his words and actions, not through his money. In fact, the power and respect that he earned by means of his virtuous lifestyle later translated into money – even though he chose not to use it for his own satisfaction (“Breakthrough Institute”). Although money and power are normally very closely associated, Gandhi was able to demonstrate that wealth is not necessary in order to be powerful or influential.

From the examples presented, it is obvious that money and power have a very close association. In Warren Buffett’s case, his wealth and actions fabricated his ability to be influential and powerful. In Gandhi’s case, his actions and public influence eventually produced wealth, even though he chose not to use it for himself. In essence, money and power create a repetitive cycle; if one is obtained, it acts as a stronghold to gain the other. So in fact, the public affiliation that the two have today really isn’t far off from reality.