Why do people buy Jap/Korean cars?

[OzJavelin]

Hot on the heels of "Why do people buy Holdens?" .. "Why do people buy Jap/Korean cars?". I'm getting tired of listening to people argue Ford/Holden so I thought I'd try to direct the "anger" to where it deserves.

Don't get me wrong, I agree that Jap manufacturers are great at building things to high quality and Koreans are great at building things to a cheap price. As a gross generalisation (is there anything better! ) neither of them can build anything with style or presence. They just regurgitate the ideas of others (European/American) .. albeit usually mechanically better (Japanese only!).

To me this '61 Toyopet will ALWAYS typify Japanses cars; shameless copies of some elses junk (in this case some Pommy POS)


In my reality [the warm, comfortable place where I live], this is the equivalent American-based, V8 of the same era:


It might be a a big, agricultural, fuel guzzling tank .. but it's got style .. and 45 years after it's manufacture it's still worth something.

[OzJavelin]

Sorry .. should have put a Galaxie in there .. not an Impala!

[zetec]

Anything with a Sportivo badge is begginf for a chrous of thousands to die laughing at it too. They don't get style or design too well and have little to no understanding of sports. Excluding the God cars built by Nissan until recently, companies like Honda and Toyota have been sniffing too many 100 RON petrol fumes for too long.

[Dave_au]

Because the japanese cars are built right (in most cases) first time round, and because their very reliable. As for presence, disagree there, the whole modern day small/medium car was revolutionised by Japan, same with the 4wds, the Skylines turbo RB was probably the best turbocharged engine ever, likewise the Attesa awd system.

As for Style, where does rice come from?

Australia is Toyota country, style and presense is a personal choice. So what if Toyotas don't appeal to the car enthusists, which make up an immaterial portion of the entire market place anyway. How many years has Toyota been without a hero car? How long has Honda's hero car, the NSX been non existant?

You don't need "performance cars" to sell. All you need is something safe, reliable and well built the first time around. Like it or not, Corrolla and Camry sell.

[zetec]

Originally Posted by Dave_au

As for presence, disagree there, the whole modern day small/medium car was revolutionised by Japan,

For the Nissans I agree - hence my statement above.

As for modern day small/medium cars, Corollas are rubbish, Pulsars ar a joke, Lancers are even worse and the Civic doesn't even rate a mention on the scale of worth wasting reath over. Mazda 3 is about the only half decent Japanese/Asian hatch worth buying (and I'd happily own one) simply because it's based ona a Euro chassis that already had inbuilt chuckability from the C1 platform of the new Focus.

Midsize is another story, however Ford's Mondeo is a very decent drive and owns the competition pretty much everywhere such as NZ and Europe. Mazda 5, Liberty and Accord Euro are all top notch. I mistakely left these mid sizers out, was more referring to hatches that the Japanese and Koreans just don't understand.

[MAGPIE]

Do people buy cars based on what country they are manufactured in _

Well I sure as hell don't, when I purchase a car I get the car that best suits my needs/wants at that time in my life.

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Do people buy cars based on what country they are manufactured in _

Well I sure as hell don't, when I purchase a car I get the car that best suits my needs/wants at that time in my life.

Hell I sure wish I had the money you have, because I sure have the need/want to have the car in your signature lol.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by zetec

For the Nissans I agree - hence my statement above.

As for modern day small/medium cars, Corollas are rubbish, Pulsars ar a joke, Lancers are even worse and the Civic doesn't even rate a mention on the scale of worth wasting reath over. Mazda 3 is about the only half decent Japanese/Asian hatch worth buying (and I'd happily own one) simply because it's based ona a Euro chassis that already had inbuilt chuckability from the C1 platform of the new Focus.

Midsize is another story, however Ford's Mondeo is a very decent drive and owns the competition pretty much everywhere such as NZ and Europe. Mazda 5, Liberty and Accord Euro are all top notch. I mistakely left these mid sizers out, was more referring to hatches that the Japanese and Koreans just don't understand.

And this is the biggest load of dribble I've read on these forums in long time, there is more to life than Focus you know, you might want to get out more :

Please tell us why

Corollas are rubbish
Pulsars are a joke
Lancers are even worse and the
Civic doesn't even rate a mention on the scale

while your at it tell me why Ford's Mondeo owns the competition pretty much everywhere such as NZ.

[SSBUB]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

And this is the biggest load of dribble I've read on these forums in long time, there is more to life than Focus you know, you might want to get out more :

Please tell us why

Corollas are rubbish
Pulsars are a joke
Lancers are even worse and the
Civic doesn't even rate a mention on the scale

while your at it tell me why Ford's Mondeo owns the competition pretty much everywhere such as NZ.

I agree
And if Corolla is the worlds biggest seller of vehicle they must be doing something right...us enthusiasts make up such a minority of vehicle purchases

[EBII Fairmont]

Originally Posted by zetec

For the Nissans I agree - hence my statement above.

As for modern day small/medium cars, Corollas are rubbish

Don't knock a corolla. My sis has a 1987 corolla. These cars are dogs. Thay can take more c@*p than a ford. I have seen ones abused so much and they are still better than an EA.

Why do people buy fords. Not like they are the greatest cars made in the world. At the endo of the day, it comes down to presence. There are so many manufacturers and niche markets which exist. It is obvious that majority of people here prefer fords over any other brand.

Also I would consider Toyota as one of the best car manufacturers in the world. The reason for this is their engineering is of such a high standard, and from what history shows they were the first to create a twin cam engine, and really revolutionised the industry.

As I said earlier, people buy certain cars, because that car has something which they find appealing, whether it be a dawoo or ferrari. It comes down to, who has the money for one of those machines.

Bill

[MethodX]

Toyota was first to create a twin cam engine?
noooooooo.

The Europeans were doing it in the 1920's and 30's

Yanks had turbo engines in 1961.

[Gammaboy]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Toyota was first to create a twin cam engine?
yaright.

The Europeans were doing it in the 1930's and 40's

Yanks had turbo engines in 1961.

If we want to go back further, Bugatti had a 16 valve, twin cam 4cyl in about 1913, and Daimler I believe experimented with a turbocharged engine in a fighter in 1918. So there.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by EBII Fairmont

Also I would consider Toyota as one of the best car manufacturers in the world. The reason for this is their engineering is of such a high standard, and from what history shows they were the first to create a twin cam engine, and really revolutionised the industry.

Bill

Don't like being picky... but they weren't the first with DOHC!

The first DOHC engines were 2-valve designs from companies like Fiat (1912), Peugeot (1913), Alfa Romeo (6C- 1925, 512 - 1940), Maserati (Tipo 26, 1926), and Bugatti (Type 51, 1931). Most Ferraris used 2-valve DOHC engines as well.

When DOHC technology was introduced in mainstream vehicles, it was common for the technology to be heavily advertised. Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo can be credited with placing mass produced twin cam (DOHC) engines in coupés, sedans, convertibles, and station wagons beginning in the mid 1960s. Later, in the mid-1980s Honda products featured "DOHC" plaques, and automakers often used "DOHC" as the engine's name. Most early mainstream DOHCs were 4-cylinder engines as well: Ford's first DOHC motor was the Lotus-reworked Kent (1962), and General Motors' first was the 1975 Cosworth-tweaked 2300, though by comparison, Toyota debuted two production DOHC engines in 1967: the inline-4 9R engine (Corona 1600GT) and the Yamaha-designed straight-6 3M engine (2000GT).

[EBII Fairmont]

Originally Posted by charliewool

Don't like being picky... but they weren't the first with DOHC!

The first DOHC engines were 2-valve designs from companies like Fiat (1912), Peugeot (1913), Alfa Romeo (6C- 1925, 512 - 1940), Maserati (Tipo 26, 1926), and Bugatti (Type 51, 1931). Most Ferraris used 2-valve DOHC engines as well.

When DOHC technology was introduced in mainstream vehicles, it was common for the technology to be heavily advertised. Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo can be credited with placing mass produced twin cam (DOHC) engines in coupés, sedans, convertibles, and station wagons beginning in the mid 1960s. Later, in the mid-1980s Honda products featured "DOHC" plaques, and automakers often used "DOHC" as the engine's name. Most early mainstream DOHCs were 4-cylinder engines as well: Ford's first DOHC motor was the Lotus-reworked Kent (1962), and General Motors' first was the 1975 Cosworth-tweaked 2300, though by comparison, Toyota debuted two production DOHC engines in 1967: the inline-4 9R engine (Corona 1600GT) and the Yamaha-designed straight-6 3M engine (2000GT).

Ok, so what I had read about toyota being the first manufacturer to create the twin cam engine and revolutionising the car industry was a load of c@&p. Why do people put the wrong info on the net?

[gozza]

umm who really gives a toss..
why does anybody do anything? is it just me or are these questions stupid...obviously people think what they think and nobody can get into the mind of someone else

[MITCHAY]

Like Jap cars, hate Korean cars with a passion. Jap cars have HEAPS of aftermarket parts available and there is plenty of decent cars out there. Not talking about the show with no go, I'm talking pure performance.

I seen an R33 Skyline yesterday which was absolutly boosted to hell and there is no doubt it would make short work of MOST (note: I didn't say all) V8s around.

[Windsor220]

After driving a few falcons im happy to drive a japanese vehicle as a daily driver now. I can truly appreciate proper build quality and not have niggling problems all the time. My laser might be slow but fuel consumption and reliabilty make up for it. When it comes to performance, turbo jap cars are ideal for the street and could embarrass a lot of the cars on here. Dont get me wrong i still love my V8s and plan on building a EB V8 next year for the strip.

As for korean cars well thats another story.

[Polyal]

Australia is Toyota country?.....not quite but I see what you are getting at.

I said it a while ago, Hyundai will be huge. Have you seen the new Santa Fe (SP?). Thats a good looking thing.

If you want to pay out a nation, go for the chinese, there is some dodgey stuff going on over there!

[Dave_au]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Australia is Toyota country?.....not quite

Consistant number one sales in total say otherwise!

[LTDHO]

I wouldn't put Korean and Jap in same basket.

Jap has quality.
Korean is cheap and nasty.

[Dave_au]

Korea is where Japan was 25 years ago. They will become very good, and the world needs to watch out. The Excel gave the japanese a massive shock, hence the introduction of the larger small categories of the Jazz, Yaris/Starlet etc.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Dave_au

Consistant number one sales in total say otherwise!

HAHAHA

Are you a journalist? Only quoting the bits that suit? I knew what you meant, toyota have the right car at the right time at the right price.

People are not buiying Corrola's particularly because they have an undying want.

As for Japanese cars there is not to much you can say against them. And FFS every manufacturer as its issues.

[Deadman]

Every manufacturer makes good and crap cars.

Some of the most incredible cars in the world have come from Japan over the last decade. Some of the most sh*t cars have to.

Same here, same everywhere.

[4.9 EF Futura]

You're looking at the world through an enthusiasts set of eyes. You need to look at something from the perspective of a person who needs nothing more than a mode of transport and whose selection criteria porbably doesnt go beyond transmission type, air conditioning and colour.

My mother makes a fine example. She has a short drive to work each day and goes to see friends on the weekend. She lives alone and works in a hospital - with no need to carry materials to/from work. She knows very little about cars and pretty much follows the book that came with the car regarding service requirements.

Her choice in vehicle is made in korea. It has never let her down. Sure - the plastic panels on the door trim feel like eggshells. The interior trim is tacky. But it gets her to lunch on a sunday afternoon and she likes the colour. It costs about 50% of a similar sized car which is considered to have "style".

What is an extra 50kw/bunch of options/exterior styling/presence going to add to my mother's motoring experience? Very little.

Is it just me or is this all fairly straightforward?

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Is it just me or is this all fairly straightforward?

You have hit the nail on the head....

and IMO the vast majority of the population are like your mother & that is not to say it's a bad thing, we are all just different.

[FGX-351]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

You're looking at the world through an enthusiasts set of eyes. You need to look at something from the perspective of a person who needs nothing more than a mode of transport and whose selection criteria porbably doesnt go beyond transmission type, air conditioning and colour.

My mother makes a fine example. She has a short drive to work each day and goes to see friends on the weekend. She lives alone and works in a hospital - with no need to carry materials to/from work. She knows very little about cars and pretty much follows the book that came with the car regarding service requirements.

Her choice in vehicle is made in korea. It has never let her down. Sure - the plastic panels on the door trim feel like eggshells. The interior trim is tacky. But it gets her to lunch on a sunday afternoon and she likes the colour. It costs about 50% of a similar sized car which is considered to have "style".

What is an extra 50kw/bunch of options/exterior styling/presence going to add to my mother's motoring experience? Very little.

Is it just me or is this all fairly straightforward?

is it a matiz?

[buickman]

What your comparing are older Jap & US cars were the U.S cars of those years where class.

I think now days the Japs make a nicer type of passanger car than the U.S.The Hondas are one of the best selling cars in the U.S.

I'am into the american cars of the 50's-70's love the styles of that period.

Nowdays execpting the SUV's only cars like Mustang, corvette, some Chrysler passanger cars & the Viper are really the only cars worth owning made in the US.
Why Ford & G.M over there are in trouble because Ford make to many Sables, Tuarus's & G.M sell the horribile Cobalt ( mostly to Alamo hire cars ) & Malibu's . As for Korean cars Kiaaaaaa says it all POS.

[SpoolMan]

Cheap motoring Hyundai $13k to $15k drive away 5 years warranty, even if you drove it for 5 years sold it for $4k or $5k you haven't done to badly for a brand new car, with no ongoing repair bills...
I am lucky i don't have to drive one..... but my wife loves hers, purchased new... Hyundai 2002 5 door hatch, a/c, mags, spoiler, CD, Auto $17,500 drive away...

[Yellow Fire]

My family has had cars of all makes over the last 30 years or so. Fords, Holdens & a fair chunk of the Japanese & German brands. So far we've had 2 lemons: one Ford & one Holden.

In my opinion the roles have been reversed from the 60s example you used. The US are making poor quality boring FWD cars (and still losing money) while the Japanese are making interesting cars.

[DivHunter]

Cuase it has a fully sic turbo mate :voldar02:

Well ok it's the stock turbo but still and my good friends with the flashing lights don't look twice at it, even when I had a foot long crack in the windscreen :