Why does everyone I run into always say that Dodge cars or any of the american cars are poorly made as opposed to Japanese cars. I just don't get it. Is it old eliteism? I'd appreciate it if someone could shed some light on this. Did it start somewhere way back? Because personally, I don't see what's so awesome about japanese cars right now..none of them are stocking a lot of power =/. I think the design of the SRT-4 kicks jap car butt. And I'm sure it is just as well made.

 

It's just like with the German and European cars, they feel that their cars are superior because they paid 10 times as much for their overpriced foreign tinker toys, which are usually always in the shop. It's the same thing with the Japanese imports, but with a twist. They hold their noses up in the air because their cars were cheaper and got better gas mileage, some of which even lasted for 150,000+ miles before their frames and bodies fell apart due to rust. Every 80's and older Japanese car that I've seen has at least 20 times as much rust as the same age American car. They all feel special because their cars had to be shipped over from another country as well as giving their money to help support another country's economy instead of their own. And people wonder why the American companies are closing down plants here in favor of the cheaper labor in other countries.[sm=smiley3.gif][sm=smiley5.gif][sm=smiley13.gif]

 

That sounds just about right. But all japanese cars aren't bad. I mean, my dad has had a camry for about 7 years now and it's still fine. Even though, I think it's way overpriced it seems reliable. (But no where near as damn cool as an SRT-4 haha). I think japanese cars are good but, overpriced or underpowered for their price. I also haven't been very impressed with most american cars though, like the mustang..people have had terrible times with mustangs. I guess it's all relative, there are bad cars from every country, and good cars too. But so far, I'm liking dodge the best now haha. =)

Btw what do you think of mazda Roadrunner? I think mazda sucks. They only ever had one good model, the RX-7, and that was not a reliable car, just a good car for racing, ONCE, then it needed to be fixed but, now they even ruined that model. It's the RX-8, which is laughable. Acura blew it too I think. The RSX-S could have been such a better car..if it were turbo. But instead it's 32,000$ base for 200hp and 142lb-ft of torque with a 2.0ltr I-VTEC engine. It'd take like another 4-10,000$ to make it turbo =/. I do like the way it looks but, it's just not enough car for that price. The WRX STi is great but, it's like 55,000$ after tax. WAAAY overpriced. The WRX sedan isn't worth buying. It has almost nothing in common with the STi except looks. Honda has only one good model, which is also, kinda overpriced. The S2000. But it's a bit impractical, being a 2 seater. Nissan has no coupe sports model, well, except that ugly 350z which looks like an infiniti G35, which looks like an Audi Quattro...The SE-R spec-v can't really be modded much so it's not worth the investment. They should have introduced a skyline for north america. Then there's Toyota...is the celica really a sports car? I think the toyota celica is the definition of RICE. It has all the looks and nothing else. Man, 36,000$ for 175hp. That is IMPRESSIVE haha. And get this, it has blue and black plastic interior! only the best from Toyota! =D

And yes, european cars are quite ****ty. BMW's especially, unless you get an M3. But it's not worth the $$$ unless you want to be james bond, and he's no street racer so $^*& james bond. Mercedes is acceptable..but, why so much? lol. I don't want luxury, I want quality and power and that's it. I think that's what dodge stands for. When you buy an SRT-4 it doesn't come equipped with an easy-bake oven, but a turbo boost guage instead. The interior of this car is quite wicked also..I like the viper seats better than the recaro's in the STi. The SRT-4's just like, a raw racecar. (It has all the necessary luxuries though, the leather steering wheel was a nice touch..and the Ram is kinda sexy in my opinion..it's so...avant garde..no? haha.)

All in all, I think it'll take a while, but soon, American cars will be rated #1, I hope. =)

 

The Japanese cars were better from the 90's up. They use to be cheaper than the American cars, but now they are more expensive because of all their hype. The Skyline is here in the US and you've already mentioned it, it's the Infinity G35 Coupe. It' may not be the R32 or R34, but it is the new Skyline. The US cars are great, but there are always the good and the bad in all.

 

I think some of this debate Carkid comes simply from - well, not to open a can of worms - from the fact that we as Americans have a lot of pride in everything we do (heck, we have a World Series yet only play American teams?? haha) anyway... what countries have we fought in wars? Germany? Japan? hmmm... am I sensing something here..? if you talk to people who were involved in these wars you'll see where some of this "Down with Japan" mentality comes from. And to not put too much of a point on it - the American car manufacturers got caught with their pants down and the "foreign" market is taking over (good or bad)...

Bob Lutz, the product czar from Chrysler (now GM) answered it best at a speech he gave at my college:
Q: "What companies do GM fear as the next leaders in the car market" (GM has approx. 20 or % of the market right now)
A: "Toyota... and Honda is coming up"

notice he never mentioned Ford, DaimlerChrysler....

 

J.D. Power recently released it's "quality ratings" and European cars dropped way down the list. DCX came in at just about "average" overall...so much for "bad quality".....[sm=smiley4.gif]

 

true, the infinity g35 is said to be the new skyline, which is a disappointment to a skyline finatic like me, but I have hear rumor in my tuning magazines of 2007 bringing us a skyline from Nissan, somewhat consistant with the skylines from the Japanese division, but compliant with all of the U.S. stupid rules.

 

I would like to see a super charged or turbo charged g35x. Personally I like nissans and the way they look. I love my SRT-4 and drive it way more than my nissans. Everything lasts longer when you take care of it. I had a 98 neon highline sedan. Never had a problem. I read reports that it was a pos and that it doesn't last. Mine did because I took good care of it. Yeah an srt-4 can go 155 mph and higher for others; can any car last long after going that fast alot? Take care of your ish and it will take care of you.

 

German cars on the autobahn regularly exceed 130, 140 and 150 mph and last a looong time. Their owners take exceptional care of them. More care makes for a longer lasting car, regardless of how fast you drive it. True, certain things will wear out faster (like tires), but everybody knows, speed costs money.[sm=smiley4.gif]

 

Aye..