No more Hondas

[NOBU-SAN]

If the companies are foreign, it seems to me that most of their money will end up over seas. Built here or not. If the Company is American, it will probably end up here. Logic dictates that. I do wish all cars could be made here, but oh well. Very good conversation though. NOBU

[GTStang]

LoL Carnutt don't get testy my friend all is good in the hood of AF. First who works at NDA? Just cause the building is on American soil means nothing and also big daddy Nissan in Japan still has control.

Next Nameplate Engineer.... do you know what that job actually is in charge of..... haha.The real people who make and create the new Mustang and future Mustangs are the guys on TEAM MUSTANG. Go look up the guys on team Mustang the real people behind the new Mustang.


Also american citizen but Vietnamese... come on man that is like saying cause all my grandparents are German I have a BMW/Porsche approach to building cars. We are more a product of our enviroment than genetics.

90's Ford and GM had to consider new EPA standards for next years and future. GM's solution to gas mileage and EPA requirements 6-speeds and skip shift which is only a temporary solution GM admitted when doing it1 another reason the F-bodies died. Sales weren't enough to invest in a new solution. If you say what about Vettes they don't have to play by same rules as Mustangs and Camaros. Ford's solution was long term... mod motor OHC V8's which they were already makin. And look Ford keeps adding to thier long term solution for the next generation Stang. They didn't go to small light TT 6-cylinders and call it a Mustang did they? That would be a philosophy change.

As for the VK45DE into a 240SX.... they don't do that..... Why not? Cause it's not in there philosphy of what makes a sports car or whatver you want to label it. And if Nissan did do that... then yes they would have changed thier philosophy! But they don't do they?

The differences of the companies and thier car building philospohy still exist to this day. Though not as much of a big line as before. I have never spouted Patriotic rhetoric about being American made so it's better and don't support Japanese companies. I could care less about that shit. Maybe you have had to hear people say this stuff to you and that is why you want so vehemently to convince me there is no line of difference but that line is still there.

[NOBU-SAN]

GTStang, I love the sig. I think it's f-ing crazy, but still funny. Well, I agree that if the company is foreign, then the money will more than likely end up there. And vise versa. Imports may be built in America, but many things happen before a car goes to production, and most of them are jobs within the main corporate structure, which is usually Japanese. Again, I've got nothing against the Japanese. One co-worker said"Remember Pearl Harbor?" Yes, asshole, I do. Remember slavery? Should that be held against you? No. Most people in Japan can't be held responsible for that shit. It's like asking for reparations. Not going to happen. I just think that we have too many hard working individuals that can get a piece of the pie if we just stand by our folks.That's all. Oh yeah, never mind the fact that a Stang will eat most Hondas asses, with nary a leftover. Holler

NOBU

[carrrnuttt]

Okay...

What are the plant-workers for Honda, Toyota, and Nissan getting paid in in Ohio, Tennesee, Alabama, Illinois, not to mention the various design studios each company employs in the US...what are they getting paid in? Sea-shells?

Do you know how many billions all those salaries add up to?

Maybe you're referring to profits?

So what's Dodge's "philosophy" now? Considering their "money" goes to Germany?

You didn't answer my analogy about Cadillac VS Lexus. Tell me where the "philosophy" differs there?

Like I said..."Philosophy my ass". They are very large corporations, and no amount of "philosophy" will stop them from making cars that make money for them.

For every "image car" a company has...there is a "profit car" that makes the real money for the company.

Let's take Ford for example...

For every cent of profit they make on a Mustang GT and above (Bullitt, Mach1, Cobra), they make probably 10 cents of equivalent profit on their Escorts, Contours, and Focus. This is just with cars. More on trucks later...

Anyhow, tell me...where the "philosophy" difference there is? I mean, from an aesthetic viewpoint, the Focus and the new Civics are starting to look like virtual clones.

Okay. Let's look at trucks. Probably the best example of "philosophy" or lack thereof in the modern automotive world.

Do you think Nissan will have its Titan, or that Honda will look into building its first-ever line of pick-up trucks if it really had a "philosophy"?

As a matter of fact, their new truck tack is more American than I can think of. It's called "go where the profit lies".

Like I said, don't caught-up in the propaganda man.

BTW, what "philosophy" do you think I'll be buying into if I went and bought an Aussie Ford Falcon XRT-6, with a TT inline-6?

Or what about a 1.3-liter Ford Ka?

Lastly, I wonder how how Ford and Chevy are paying their employees in their various plants in Europe, Asia, Australia, and even Africa?

Ford, Chevy and Dodge has been able to look beyond the borders of this country for a long time now. They see the whole world as one big, giant profit, waiting to happen.

Of course, they won't tell you that. They'll tell you how patriotic they are, and how American they are. About their "philosophies".

Maybe you should read this: http://www.mindfully.org/WTO/UnmadeJun02.htm

I am warning you, that is a VERY long article, though it might help you open your mind.

[Creagach]

Originally Posted by pheurton-skeurto

now as for the full size truck market...toyota's titan is a serious competitor.

that would be the NISSAN titan
you're thinking of the tundra

[2strokebloke]

I'm not sure I follow. What exactly was the point of switching from Honda to Ford?
I'd also like to say that FWD isn't really that bad, RWD is harder to "button down" and FWD offers an advantage over RWD around corners, if you know how to use it.
My father owned several Ford Mustangs, they're really not that bad at all(so far as fit & finnish goes), except they're incredibly UGLY(Maybe even uglier than my subaru or renault!) and totally useless in snow & rain.
I didn't like them at all. You also mention that Hondas are apparently "too common, and mostly with young kids" well Mustangs, are too common, among those experiencing a mid life crisis, or entranced with nostalgia for former American made automobiles. Not that anything's wrong with that.

[pheurton-skeurto]

Originally Posted by Creagach

that would be the NISSAN titan
you're thinking of the tundra

sorry about that, i meant nissan...i wasnt thinking about the tundra i just had a brain lapse.

my philosophy is to drive a honda. its the best car that i can buy right now, and i will continue to drive one until i find reason to do differently...or until i start pulling down a few more bones...

[GTStang]

Originally Posted by carrrnuttt

Of course, they won't tell you that. They'll tell you how patriotic they are, and how American they are. About their "philosophies".

Maybe you should read this: http://www.mindfully.org/WTO/UnmadeJun02.htm

I am warning you, that is a VERY long article, though it might help you open your mind.

Carnuut man I read that article and none of it was news to me or something enlightening. I have written more in depth and technical papers on Globilization. If your still linking this patriot blindness is linked to my view that they have different philosophies in car building. Maybe that is why you wanted me to read this.... All companies are dictated by the bottom line wether it's Japanese,German,American... I think your want me to agree to this and I do totally. But think about this.... universely all companies are ruled by the $$$. But even though Casio and Rolex both make watches do you think Rolex is gonna start makin digital watches selling them at $20-$40 dollars? Of course they aren't when to companies sell similiar products they are going to have different philosphies on what will sell more. There you go that's why it is there and still exists.

[vetteguy1]

That guy is right a fast car is a fast car and thats all that matters. i hope the mustang gives you more of what you are looking for
Derek

[Ricochet]

I've been looking for a nice LS1 Z28, preferrably a '95. The Honda shit is getting so boring and I'm tired of pouring all my money into a car that is now only capable of 14's. For $5k - $7k I could be running that or faster, and plenty of money left over to get into 12's. Headers/exhaust on a V8 = 25-40hp, header/exhaust on a 4 banger = 7-10hp.. do the math.

NOBU, you're making a good choice.

[Ace$nyper]

95 would be LT-1 and there so so motors imo LS1 is the real monster. But i really love both so i can't say whats better. sure you can get more outta a big motor but isn't tweaking the living hell outta a tiny lil tourqe less motor so much that it runs with a vette just as sweet? I dunno man its up to you

[Miataracer]

this whole thing could be argued until everyone is blue in the face and ready to go on shooting rampages... it all comes down to buy what you want... no matter import or domestic, 4 cyl, 8 cyl... whatever. its up to YOU

[NOBU-SAN]

2stroke bloke, you're fucking crazy. If fwd is better in the corners, then why do all the worlds best handling cars have rwd or awd? EVO, S2k, NSX, Vette, M3, the list goes on. Shall I mention RX7, or maybe a 911? Point is, FWD sucks. It's for economy, not performance. By buttoning down, I mean take corners with greater ease and control. No, you can't do it easier with FWD.

A Mustang is faster stock than a Civic is with 3-5k dumped into it. Only exception is for DIY'ers. Other than that, forget it. 14 is good for a civ, it's what my Nana can do in a Stang. And, they do fine in the rain. Not snow, but I get less than 2 weeks of snow a YEAR! Sure, I understand the mid-life thing, but that's more with Vettes than Stangs. I don't like the young crowd thing because cops pay more attn. to them. Not because I don't like young folks. Shit, I'm only 25.

Oh yeah, you think it's ugly? When has a Limey ever known beauty? Shit half your women look like they chew on rocks for a living. The other half look like they've been playing tag with the ugly stick again. Never mind the fact you have "Le Car" in your sig. Should perhaps say "Le Gay." Talk about ugly. Sheesh. (Just kidding. I don't hate Brits, they aren't all ugly, they don't all have bad teeth, and I didn't mean a personal attack on you, just looking for a laugh.) Okay, maybe the teeth thing is true.

NOBU

[2strokebloke]

I'm not sure any of your post made sense.
People say RWD handles better, but having owned both RWD and FWD, I'd say for sure that FWD is better, if you know how to use it. It goes around corners without any fuss. And kicks ass on any loose, or wet surface.
I'll only say that RWD is better, when the engine is also in the rear (though it's even trickier then, but it's the "rightest" way to build an automobile)
Also, when the hell did I become british???
Okay, so I spent four days of my life in London - but I don't think that makes me british!

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by Ace$nyper

95 would be LT-1

whoops, that's what I meant. 93-97 = LT-1. As you can see I've been driving Hondas since I was 17..