5.0

m4a1mustang · 09-19-2011, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Maybe a Subaru WRX?

No, only homos with maglites buy those

But largely I agree. Even the RX-8 has been hanging on despite crummy sales. Japanese cars in general are not selling as well anymore, and I think the reason why is Hyundai/Kia.

I think it's more than just that. I think for the last 5 years or so the Japanese have been resting on their laurels.

At one point they were so far ahead of the American and Korean makes in terms of quality and value in the "cars for normal people" space.

But in that time you've had Ford come out of no where and offer incredible value and quality in all of its cars, beating most of the Japanese makes in all of the media comparisons. Hyundai has been doing the same and they are standing behind their product offering impressive warranties and cars that people really want to drive. Kia is peeking it's head into the game as well offering some pretty nice product.

Meanwhile, you've got Honda and Toyota still offering the same boring Civic/Accord/Corolla/Camry that they have for years. At one point they were the best but not any more. You get way more value and equal or better quality with a Ford/Hyundai or even some GM cars these days.

Great for the consumer.

The only Japanese standout for me is Nissan. They're far more exciting than Honda/Toyota and have done a much better job of improving with the times, IMO. But even they are not impervious to this market, and you can tell from their talk out of corporate that they are trying to push for a more "eco friendly" oriented line. A car like the Z doesn't make sense for them anymore, unless it's reborn as a weak "every man's electric sports car."

shadoquad · 09-19-2011, 09:11 AM

Wow, a lot to catch up on lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I used to be turned off to the American makes but:

1) I actually like the styling of the Mustang I agree - es muy bueno

2) It outperforms my 370Z in absolutely every way possible. I think they handle dead even, but otherwise I agree

3) As far as driving a car no one else has... I guess that's a personal thing. Personally I feel like if you are concerned with being "unique" there are some other issues that probably need to be addressed... in your head... ya know? XCLUSIVVVVVV

There is a reason the Mustang is wildly popular. It's a successful formula that's been around before the Z. It's a part of Americana.

Bottom line is we all have choices. You want a Z? Get a Z. You want a Mustang? Get a Mustang. This is America, god damnit, and we can do whatever the **** we want!

The only thing I dislike is fanboy hatred. I am a car guy first and a Mustang/Z fan second. I don't hate on cars because that's just lame. This is so true. Even if a car outperforms another, you can appreciate both. Nobody's gonna tell me that a GTI will beat a Z around a race track, but I love the style and the driving feel of that car!

added the comments in bold up there

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Subaru is seriously considering killing the wrx. Even if it doesn't get killed, it will stagnate excessively since there is no longer any competition. Besides, it's not rwd, which kinda kills it as a "true" sports car

The rumor is that they're "killing it" in order to make a new one. The FR-86 project will come out soon, with Scooby adding their entry. But I doubt the Impreza performance trims will die. They're selling like hotcakes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I think it's more than just that. I think for the last 5 years or so the Japanese have been resting on their laurels.

At one point they were so far ahead of the American and Korean makes in terms of quality and value in the "cars for normal people" space.

But in that time you've had Ford come out of no where and offer incredible value and quality in all of its cars, beating most of the Japanese makes in all of the media comparisons. Hyundai has been doing the same and they are standing behind their product offering impressive warranties and cars that people really want to drive. Kia is peeking it's head into the game as well offering some pretty nice product.

Meanwhile, you've got Honda and Toyota still offering the same boring Civic/Accord/Corolla/Camry that they have for years. At one point they were the best but not any more. You get way more value and equal or better quality with a Ford/Hyundai or even some GM cars these days.

Great for the consumer.

The only Japanese standout for me is Nissan. They're far more exciting than Honda/Toyota and have done a much better job of improving with the times, IMO. But even they are not impervious to this market, and you can tell from their talk out of corporate that they are trying to push for a more "eco friendly" oriented line. A car like the Z doesn't make sense for them anymore, unless it's reborn as a weak "every man's electric sports car."

I agree with much of this. It comes down to bang/buck. A decade ago, American cars were way behind the curve on this. Japanese makes were cheaper, better performing, and had more modern styling. GM and Ford have worked hard to catch up. The Vette became the Bang/Buck performance car. If you could live with a crap interior, you could beat a Porsche for half the money. Now the new Mustang is serious bang/buck.

But don't underestimate the Korean makes. The Hyundai warranty made them stick out, and the Genesis and GenCoupe are a very real alternative to euro/us alternatives. They and Kia are making waves in the affordable market.

m4a1mustang · 09-19-2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Wow, a lot to catch up on lol

added the comments in bold up there

The rumor is that they're "killing it" in order to make a new one. The FR-86 project will come out soon, with Scooby adding their entry. But I doubt the Impreza performance trims will die. They're selling like hotcakes.

I agree with much of this. It comes down to bang/buck. A decade ago, American cars were way behind the curve on this. Japanese makes were cheaper, better performing, and had more modern styling. GM and Ford have worked hard to catch up. The Vette became the Bang/Buck performance car. If you could live with a crap interior, you could beat a Porsche for half the money. Now the new Mustang is serious bang/buck.

But don't underestimate the Korean makes. The Hyundai warranty made them stick out, and the Genesis and GenCoupe are a very real alternative to euro/us alternatives. They and Kia are making waves in the affordable market.

Yep, the Koreans are making large strides. The quality is there, the performance appears to be there, they are just working hard to shed that Korean car stigma. Which IMO will happen within the next 5-10 years.