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Japanese cars are probably more reliable than others, but you pay a BIG price for that reliability: they're BORING. In my opinion, there's nothing more dull and appliance-like than something like a Toyota Camry (or closer to home, Mrs. Pebble's Mitsubishi Outlander). If you're willing to pay that price, fine--I wouldn't be caught dead in one unless it was a super-rare model. Until then, I'll buy domestic.
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What's "domestic" Pebble?
ISTR that you're from the US -- in which case fair enough -- but there is no such thing as domestic here in the UK -- they're all foreign.
That said, from what I've seen of the US products that have made their way to these shores, most of them are unbelievably tedious, and badly-made into the bargain (thinking Chryslers here in the main). Probably reliable, but then that's because most of them have Japanese or German engines in them lol.
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Here's what I don't get: why would anyone in the UK want, say, a Volvo, BMW, VW, etc. when a little scouring around could get you a superior Cold War leftover--Trabant, Dacia, Moskvich, Lada, Wartburg, Yugo. The Western European manufacturers have dropped the ball, if you ask me.
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oops--too late to edit! I meant to add that the Western manufacturers are approaching the Japanese in terms of dullness, which takes away a lot of points in my eyes. Russian and Eastern European cars never had this problem--if I could get a Wartburg here in Vegas, I'd grab it!
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Possibly because most of the East European cars really were unreliable -- and cast-offs of old Western European designs to boot. Seems to me that a Lada is no more interesting than a Daewoo Nexia -- both are much the same thing, the Daewoo scoring due to it actually being fairly well made and more modern. One thing is for certain -- the Fiat 124 was no less boring in its day than the Vauxhall Astra!
In any case, I fail to see how a Dodge Avenger is any more interesting than a VW Passat or Toyota Camry. It's badly-made, more expensive than a Kia Magentis despite the latter being a far superior car, poor to drive etc. Yes the sheet metal is distinctive, but that's hardly anything to write home about -- one for the magpies methinks.
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>>but you pay a BIG price for that reliability: they're BORING<<
How is say a Honda or Toyota more boring than a European brand.
You will be telling me next that Japanese cars do not have any "soul".
Sorry pebble but there is some tosh talked on here at times.
If you look at it from a design or engineering perspective then much more effort goes into designing some Jap cars at the moment, Civic - not to everyone's taste but hardly boring, Subarus - all 4 wheel drive, again hardly boring, Accords - all round multi link suspension with i-vtec engines - or is excitement in your life defined by the number of times you break down ?
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It always amuses me when people refer to Japanese cars as 'boring'. All of the following (and these are only a few that came to mind in about 20 secs) are dreadfully boring aren't they?
Mitsubishi 3000GT
Mazda RX9
Nissan Skyline
Toyota Supra
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
Subaru Imprezza
If not breaking down on the hard-shoulder awaiting the AA man is 'boring' then I can live with that. Also maybe it's a bit 'boring' not getting those dealership phone calls along the lines: "Can I speak to Mr Snowman please, we've just noticed that in servicing your car that part XXXXXX needs replacing and it will cost you some ridiculous amount of money that we have dreamed up (and doubled) to fix.
And dreadfully boring not having to fight and curse trying to fix a Japanese car. Look under the bonnet of the average Japanese car and yes it's very boring to work on, everything is logically and sensibly laid out.
I like boring.
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In reply to jase1's post
Boring and predictable...let's all slate American cars again, it's so easy. Parts available forever, and here's a comparison price-wise... water pump for a 91 Camaro, £64. Headlight bulb for a Mercedes, £82 trade. Reliability/build quality.... took mine in for an Mot 3rd year on the trot, not even an advisory. Handling....anyone watch Top Gear last Sunday? New Cadillac holds the record for the fastest saloon car round the Nurburgring. Never need a cambelt, it's a proper chain driven engine. 108k miles and uses no oil. Japanese cars reliable? Maybe, don't know, never had one. I would consider buying one though, as I'm not biased against the Japanese.....
Edited by rtj70 on 14/11/2008 at 22:48
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My first post to be edited...cheers rtj70, I'm honoured! :-)
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captainchaos:
Where did I say that all US cars are boring? I was talking about the, frankly, rubbish low-end Chryslers and Dodges that have made their way to the UK. I can't comment on the imported ones.
Things like the Neon, Avenger, Sebring, Caliber etc. These cars *are* every bit as "boring" as the most tedious of Japanese, European or Korean cars, and there is no point in trying to argue otherwise. They are also badly-built -- look at any review. Would that stop me buying one? No! Cars like that are generally very cheap second-hand, and if the engines are reliable (and there is no reason to suggest otherwise seeing as the petrols are made for Chrysler by Hyundai in Korea, and the diesels by VW in Brazil) I'd have one used without hesitation.
Mentioning the high-end sports cars is pointless -- any company can build a car that goes fast around a track. *I* could build a car that goes around a track fast, given the right tools and a load of off-the-shelf parts. Means nothing whatsoever.
After all, is it not the low-end shopping carts that are referred to as dull by everyone else?
Edited by jase1 on 15/11/2008 at 14:56
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"Mazda RX9"
Is that out yet..?!
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They either meant and RX8 or even an RX7 I think.
Not sure if the Skyline mentioned is a reference to the new Nissan GT-R which looks to be very well built and a bargain for what it is.
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I think the Skyline and GT-R are the same vehicle, and have been through various incarnations (like the Toyota Corolla, which bears little resemblance to the original, one of which I inherited in the 70's from an aunt who brought it back from South Africa - it wasn't terribly exciting to drive, but seemed virtually indestructible). The GT-R is far from boring to drive, I believe, and has one of those almost infinitely tunable engines that the Japanese seem to specialise in (600hp is possible, I gather).
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The new Nissan GT-R is no longer referenced as a Skyline and just GT-R. That was my point. I think they should have kept the Skyline name as it was/is so well known. But they dropped that. A variant of the car with four doors will appear as an Infinity.
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>>have been through various incarnations (like the Toyota Corolla, which bears little resemblance to the original, <<
I get a little frustrated when I read and listen to statements similar to the above - mainly because it is so obvious and applies to just about every car on the road.
3 series, A4, Astra, Golf, Beetle, Mercedes C Class - they are all completely different cars form the original and from the model before.
It is usually used by us Brits to put a little bit of UK negativity on the good fortune of a particular car.
One of the best selling cars of all time is the Golf we say - oh yes but it is not really the same car you know so the fact that lots of people continue to keep buying it in what ever version, that does not really make it a big selling car - oh no.
Don't ya just love us.
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