Honda Civic EX Coupe vs Nissan SE-R Spec V vs Acura RSX (base)

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by Joseph1082

I honestly would imagine that the differences in quality/integrity i.e. longevity in mass-produced motor vehicles in the same bracket (low, 10K, 20K, 30K) are negligable. How much stronger, higher quality, better can one company manufacture simple metalic components than another for relativly the same cost (cheap!). If we wanted to pay 200K-300K for a normal family sedan, I'm sure the car company could build you one out of titanium and space-shuttle materials, and it would litterally last forever. I think any car that lasts longer than other has been treated better. Sports cars don't have stastics of reliability, but look how they are driven. If one was to drive a sports car in the same manner as my grandma in her econobox, I'm sure it would last just as long. All of the Honda racers I know blow parts just like the rest of us, they don't have some "super-car" that never breaks and lasts 100K-200K miles.
sorry for long post.

very good point

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by Joseph1082

I honestly would imagine that the differences in quality/integrity i.e. longevity in mass-produced motor vehicles in the same bracket (low, 10K, 20K, 30K) are negligable. How much stronger, higher quality, better can one company manufacture simple metalic components than another for relativly the same cost (cheap!). If we wanted to pay 200K-300K for a normal family sedan, I'm sure the car company could build you one out of titanium and space-shuttle materials, and it would litterally last forever. I think any car that lasts longer than other has been treated better. Sports cars don't have stastics of reliability, but look how they are driven. If one was to drive a sports car in the same manner as my grandma in her econobox, I'm sure it would last just as long. All of the Honda racers I know blow parts just like the rest of us, they don't have some "super-car" that never breaks and lasts 100K-200K miles.
sorry for long post.

The way a car is driven and maintained is in the high majority of cases the determining factor as to how long the car and its mechanicals will last / remain in good running order. I'm with you on that.

But to say the difference in quality / integrity in mass produced motor vehicles is negligible isn't correct, imo. The gap between best and worse may have narrowed over the past decade but it still very much exists. Comparable cars may be sold around the same price level, but parts are sourced from all over the globe and are put together in different factories, by different workforces with a varying level of skill / best practice. Certain companies have greater resources and capabilities, (whether technological or human) than others, push the boundaries, and adhere to greater engineering standards to begin with (can anyone say Honda?). Why does it cost Honda a fraction of what it costs rival makers to develop a comparable new car? Resources & capabilities. This is evident in the end-product.

[Joseph1082]

But from your point, i would imagine that GM, being the lagest corporation in the world, stastically larger than many nations, would have the most resources available at its disposal. I would guess differences in part quality etc could be existant due to materials use, R&D, workforce skill, etc... but i still have to imagine that all the big companies have generally the same standards.

[crayzayjay]

GM may be the largest automotive corporation in the world but it isnt the most profitable and has phenomenal pension deficits. And having resources isnt enough, they must be deployed in the right way.

And standards will always differ, certain car companies put their cars and components through more stringent tests before selling them to the public, which is why you end up with certain cars constantly making the top of reliability surveys and others occupying the bottom.

[jdmcivic04]

i would go with the 2000 civic si, just because the new one doesnt look all that great and civics do last a very long time. MEXSIR, i would stay away from vdubs just because the company spends much money on making the car nice and expensive looking instead of reliable. because of this, very many golfs and jettas have very many problems. Neutrino, no one will know how long the srt4 lasts for about another 4 or 5 years when it wont get out of the shop. seriously though...

[crayzayjay]

Vdub spends too much money making the car nice and expensive looking instead of reliable?

Funny, i thrash my Golf and it hasnt skipped a beat, neither did my neighbour's before he sold it... oh and our passat is faultless too...

[jdmcivic04]

alright crazayjay, i may be wrong but my buddy has a 2000 2.0 golf which is constantly in the shop from a pressure plate that was cracked in 3 places after only 45,000 miles, to a control arm falling off (randomly). also i have another friend with a brand new 2003 1.8t gti and after 7,000 he destroyed his 1st and 2nd gear synchros, but not being his fault because aparently volkswagen knew that this was defective, just didnt bother to tell anybody about it, funny huh? next, the same friend, while his gti was in the shop got a new jetta to drive and its passenger side door would not open, windows did not roll down, and passanger seat would not scoot back OR forth at all. next, neighbor had a brand new turbo beetle with a sunroof that just did not work since the day he picked it up from the dealership. just thought i would give you some background info.

[Neutrino]

jdm don't forget that jay is in England while you are in the US. The WV quality standards might be higher in Europe

[crayzayjay]

heh.... i guess the US got the short end of the stick.... chins up!