Hollywood_North GT

The poor Corvette. Guess our friends in Japan don't think too highly of it: CLICK FOR VIDEO

Tiberius1701

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BC_Shelby @ February 16, 2006, 12:49 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
The poor Corvette. Guess our friends in Japan don't think too highly of it: CLICK FOR VIDEO
[/b][/quote]


Too bad for them-little tiny people who drive on little tiny roads like little tiny cars (Elise, Boxster). Besides these people find entertainment in placing small explosive devices in ther bodily orifices!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img]

mr-mstng

Japanese are quite unique in their tastes. A friend told me of few things that he saw there recently..... [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/nonono.gif[/img]

1999 Black 35th GT

What a joke of a rating system!!!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/nonono.gif[/img]

What are they ranking them by size!?!?!?!

I'm not a GM fan at all but I gotta respect the Vette as one of the all time greatest sports cars ever.

kevinb120

blah who cares what they think.

hi5.0

Couldn't hear audio, but c'mon... the C6 outclasses those cars! Did you notice they ranked the S2000 on top? Reading the "pluses and minuses" regarding their "rating system", the plus for the Corvette was "big torque" - at least they got that right - and yes, the big minus was its size. It was placed in the "sedan class" because (to them) it is a big car. Where would an NSX or a Skyline place? - They aren't exactly small, either. Chalk it up to shameless nationalism and brand-consciousness (the Japanese are big on brand names, esp. luxury items), thus explaining why the German brands are rated pretty highly. BTW, the Z4's good point was its AT?! Where's the sport in that?

ford4v429

Japanese are different...I was in Joetsu a few years ago to startup a machine line we sent over, and I didnt see a single garage anywhere. outside Tokyo, they actually have a automated 'pallet' type parking garage- automatedcarriers stack cars in racks...'capsule' hotels are coffin sized overnight 'quarters' you crawl into(I didnt stay at one!). We rode around in a toyota 'funcargo' car that seated 4 with about 2 feet of headroom even with a relatively tall american driver, yet car was like 4 ft wide...everything over there is about efficiency...funny to think of a vette as 'big' but I bet its litterally twice the width of some cars there. even the lowest models had LCD GPS screens in dash though...

the people there are very 'national' in they like domestic goods- and they got some cool stuff- 3-5 years ahead of us here. Also they do have some really neat looking cars over there too...mostly vans and wagons, but a few coupes/sedans too. took a bunch of pics of cars. heres a couple pics...I wouldnt trade my mustang for one for sure, but they do have more than we see here in the states. too bad Americans didnt have the 'buy domestic' pride that they seem to have over there...I bet theyre probably hurting from chinese stuff over there too now...

Hollywood_North GT

The show is called Best Motoring. They have current and retired JGTC racing drivers test out different cars. If you don't call their opinions expert, then you must have pretty high standards. He called the Vette "dangerous" because of it's [translation] "rubbish handling and suspension."

Still, I don't entirely agree with their assessment. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/nonono.gif[/img]

Vermillion98

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BC_Shelby @ February 16, 2006, 9:36 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
The show is called Best Motoring. They have current and retired JGTC racing drivers test out different cars. If you don't call their opinions expert, then you must have pretty high standards. He called the Vette "dangerous" because of it's [translation] "rubbish handling and suspension."

Still, I don't entirely agree with their assessment. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/nonono.gif[/img]
[/b][/quote]

I wouldn't doubt that there is some expertise to their opinions due to their backgrounds, but their opinions are mostly nationalist and xenophobic.

What's odd is that most industrialized, "1st world" countrys are extremely nationalistic toward their domestically produced products, while the US is full of self-hatred. In this way, the attitudes of most Americans, definitely a "1st world" nation, is more like a 3rd world country.

kevinb120

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ford4v429 @ February 16, 2006, 7:12 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
. even the lowest models had LCD GPS screens in dash though...

the people there are very 'national' in they like domestic goods- and they got some cool stuff- 3-5 years ahead of us here. Also they do have some really neat looking cars over there too...mostly vans and wagons, but a few coupes/sedans too. took a bunch of pics of cars. heres a couple pics...I wouldnt trade my mustang for one for sure, but they do have more than we see here in the states. too bad Americans didnt have the 'buy domestic' pride that they seem to have over there...I bet theyre probably hurting from chinese stuff over there too now...
[/b][/quote]


You do realize you can get nav put in a 1984 escort if you want it.

The Japanese also have huge 'ghost tariffs' on American imports, makeing them way too expensive. They do not call it a tariff, but manipulating the yen is the same thing(just like they dont call a recall a 'recall"). This is why I think we should 'level the playing field' and tariff all Japanese import cars(built here or not-more then 50% japanese content) $5000. heck they exportthe vast majority of the parts and materials here so us lowly American workers can simply assemble thier cars, but they get credit for helping the good ol USA..(got to love it when I have Toy customers say HEY THEY MAKE THEM IN THE US-just a lot of stuff is made in taiwan too.) We could fix the deficit, fund biofuel research, and bail out the US industries in no time with no income tax hike....

Airwolf

One things for sure, i'll never buy or drive a foreign car. Doesn't matter if GM, Ford, or Chrysler go bankrupt someday, I love this country, and i love our cars. I'll be driving a domestic for the rest of my life, nothing will change that.

dcpirani

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Airwolf @ February 17, 2006, 12:02 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
One things for sure, i'll never buy or drive a foreign car. Doesn't matter if GM, Ford, or Chrysler go bankrupt someday, I love this country, and i love our cars. I'll be driving a domestic for the rest of my life, nothing will change that.
[/b][/quote]


I couldn't agree more!!! GOD BLESS THE USA!!!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/patriot.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flag2.gif[/img]

Hollywood_North GT

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kevinb120 @ February 17, 2006, 9:02 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
You do realize you can get nav put in a 1984 escort if you want it.

The Japanese also have huge 'ghost tariffs' on American imports, makeing them way too expensive. They do not call it a tariff, but manipulating the yen is the same thing(just like they dont call a recall a 'recall"). This is why I think we should 'level the playing field' and tariff all Japanese import cars(built here or not-more then 50% japanese content) $5000. heck they exportthe vast majority of the parts and materials here so us lowly American workers can simply assemble thier cars, but they get credit for helping the good ol USA..(got to love it when I have Toy customers say HEY THEY MAKE THEM IN THE US-just a lot of stuff is made in taiwan too.) We could fix the deficit, fund biofuel research, and bail out the US industries in no time with no income tax hike....
[/b][/quote]
Well, fraid the genie is already out of the bottle. Current U.S. trade policies - unless radically changed immediately - have all but guaranteed the complete erosion of the American manufacturing industry. In fact, it's so bad that - combined with other problems - it's hard to imagine Ford or GM surviving as anything other than greatly downsized companies.

As if that wasn't enough - of the $2 trillion U.S. deficit owned by foreign nations, most of that is owned by Japan. So don't expect any tariffs on Japanese products anytime soon.

Hollywood_North GT

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dcpirani @ February 17, 2006, 10:47 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I couldn't agree more!!! GOD BLESS THE USA!!!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/patriot.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flag2.gif[/img]
[/b][/quote]
Interesting perspective, given all the other Oriental products you use.

Rampant

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Airwolf @ February 17, 2006, 11:02 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
One things for sure, i'll never buy or drive a foreign car. Doesn't matter if GM, Ford, or Chrysler go bankrupt someday, I love this country, and i love our cars. I'll be driving a domestic for the rest of my life, nothing will change that.
[/b][/quote]

Please define "American". Is a Mazda6 that is built in the same building as the Mustang "less American" because it has Mazda badge? Does it matter that Mazda is, after all, owned by an "American" company? If it is built here, does that make it "American"? Where do most of the parts come from? If the parts aren't "American", how can the car be?

And, what about the Mexican-built, Mazda-chassis Fusion -- is that an "American" car?

As far as Chrysler is concerned, does it matter that it is actually owned by a German company? Would it still classify as being "American"?

I am all for patriotism, but not at the expense of common sense.

Hollywood_North GT

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rampant @ February 18, 2006, 1:56 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Please define "American". Is a Mazda6 that is built in the same building as the Mustang "less American" because it has Mazda badge? Does it matter that Mazda is, after all, owned by an "American" company? If it is built here, does that make it "American"? Where do most of the parts come from? If the parts aren't "American", how can the car be?

And, what about the Mexican-built, Mazda-chassis Fusion -- is that an "American" car?

As far as Chrysler is concerned, does it matter that it is actually owned by a German company? Would it still classify as being "American"?

I am all for patriotism, but not at the expense of common sense.
[/b][/quote]
I think the best way to determine whether or not a car is "American," is to "follow the money." Or more precisely, the profits. Where do the profits ultimately go?

Evil_Capri

That looked like a C5 'Vette, not C6.

Tiberius1701

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BC_Shelby @ February 18, 2006, 6:18 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I think the best way to determine whether or not a car is "American," is to "follow the money." Or more precisely, the profits. Where do the profits ultimately go?
[/b][/quote]


Bra-F'n-Vo!!! Well said!!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumb.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumb.gif[/img]
Toyota, Nissan and Honda say that "We build them here", but the bulk of the cash feeds the home market. And I love when anyone starts off on accusing Americans of being "protectionist". I think we need to start being more protective of our market!

Rampant

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BC_Shelby @ February 18, 2006, 5:18 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I think the best way to determine whether or not a car is "American," is to "follow the money." Or more precisely, the profits. Where do the profits ultimately go?
[/b][/quote]

Interesting way of looking at it. Does that make Chrylser a German company then? And where does that leave brands such as Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Vauxhaul, and Holden?

Here is another interesting question: which helps out America more: 200,000 jobs to build cars where the profits go to to foreign held company, or a U.S. company who gets profits from outside-border production?
(banefit workers vs. benefit shareholders)

I contend there is no such thing as a nationality to an auto maker these days. It is a global enterprise through and through.

Hollywood_North GT

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rampant @ February 18, 2006, 10:24 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Interesting way of looking at it. Does that make Chrylser a German company then?
[/b][/quote]
Yes, it does, unequivocally.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rampant @ February 18, 2006, 10:24 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
And where does that leave brands such as Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Vauxhaul, and Holden?
[/b][/quote]
Again, follow the money trail and you have your answer.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rampant @ February 18, 2006, 10:24 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Here is another interesting question: which helps out America more: 200,000 jobs to build cars where the profits go to to foreign held company, or a U.S. company who gets profits from outside-border production?
(banefit workers vs. benefit shareholders)
[/b][/quote]
That depends upon how you define "America," and whether you define "helping" as long-term growth, or short term consumerism. The answer is more complex than you think. The 200,000 jobs created by Hondoyota here in North America are good for the workers who work there; good for consumers who purchase them; and good for the local economy...but devastating for the larger American manufacturing industry as a whole.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rampant @ February 18, 2006, 10:24 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I contend there is no such thing as a nationality to an auto maker these days. It is a global enterprise through and through.
[/b][/quote]
I agree. But having said that, much of the fault for our declining auto industry is our own. Blaming the Japanese for doing so well here is like blaming a lion for being a good hunter. We need to reinvent our manufacturing processes: fire the lazy, good-for-nothing UAW workers who get way too much money to do way too little work and whine about their jobs anyway; cut the salaries of the execs to the levels Japanese execs get; improve quality; pressure our government into ensuring that nations like Japan and China practice equanimous trade policies (because we are at a SEVERE disadvantage here); and start being innovators in technology, design and marketing once again (like we used to be). Playing "catch-up" like we are all the time is the same as playing a zero-sum game.