Why do people buy Jap/Korean cars?

[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.

[XRated]

Well Hyundai has come along way in the past few years. Our family bought a brand new Sonata back in '97 (yeah I know). It had more features than anything else local with a big warranty etc and was a fair whack cheaper and the salespeople were top notch. It treated us well until we took it for a service somewhere else about five years later and it began stalling, stuttering, general problems - from then on the car was as good as stuffed and eventually mum traded it for a Focus. The build quality and ride is a million miles ahead.

That being said, the new Tiburon and Sonata look pretty darn good. Hell, the Sonata looks like a Honda, and that's a good thing!! They must be doing something right if the Getz is getting so many sales and a lot of awards, good on 'em.

At the end of the day, Korea pumps out cheap cars with big warranty and lots of features but lacking in style and quality. Japan (usually) pumps out quality cars with some style - Honda Accord, Subaru Liberty etc. Whilst Australia pumps out "more" of a product, speaking in sheer size and power but lacks in quality (but they're sure as hell getting there).

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by smoo

Its not hard to see why someone would take a Lexus LS400 over a rip off, poorly built, unreliable Mercedes S Class clone.

You've got to be kidding, right? You do know Mercedes has been making S-Classes for alot longer then Lexus' punitive decade and a half life...

Poorly built, and unreliable? Riiiight.

As for 'rip off,' the same could be said about the glorified Toyota....

They have extremley poor resale. You can pick up an early 90's LS400 for $9,000. Its competitor (W140 Merc 420SE/SEL, later named S420/S420L) will set you back $35,000 - $60,000 depending on km's and such. The most expensive LS400's seem to be around the $17k mark (talking the same vintage, early 1990s, obvioulsy newer models will be dearer).

Just go LS400 shopping and then S420 shopping, and compare. After a decade and a bit, the Lexus' don't look so astonishingly well built at all. And I don't know about you, but I don't think an LS400 or S420 is the type of car to have a hard life where it gets thrashed to pieces all the time...

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Steffo

You've got to be kidding, right? You do know Mercedes has been making S-Classes for alot longer then Lexus' punitive decade and a half life...

Poorly built, and unreliable? Riiiight.

As for 'rip off,' the same could be said about the glorified Toyota....

They have extremley poor resale. You can pick up an early 90's LS400 for $9,000. Its competitor (W140 Merc 420SE/SEL, later named S420/S420L) will set you back $35,000 - $60,000 depending on km's and such. The most expensive LS400's seem to be around the $17k mark (talking the same vintage, early 1990s, obvioulsy newer models will be dearer).

Just go LS400 shopping and then S420 shopping, and compare. After a decade and a bit, the Lexus' don't look so astonishingly well built at all. And I don't know about you, but I don't think an LS400 or S420 is the type of car to have a hard life where it gets thrashed to pieces all the time...

I own an S Class, an old one, a real one. And i do find it an embarssment that the newer stuff isn't a patch on the old, yet I am still associated with it because of the star on my grille. Sorry, but I checked and I meant the LS430. Either way, both versions have shown Toyota was able to stick it up MB, Audi and BMW since 1991 with similar quality with about half the price. Although the first LS400s had a few issues, it can't compete with the W140 Benz, where it took MB nearly 5 years to iron out their 'teething' problems. I know which car I would rather be buying if it was used, only if I had a gun pointed to my head though.

I think you will find that the Lexus, even from the early 1990s have stood the test of time quite well, while MB quality has decline since the W126 - the latest S Class (W220?) proving this. Maybe this new model with the Mazda RX8 front guards (hmm now the Germans are copying the Japs...) will turn Mercedes around towards the good old days, however, times have changed, and they will never be what they once were.

I suppose US consumer reports say it all. Aren't Lexus on the top three spots every year? While MB is a few places from the bottom if I recall Jeremy Clarkson saying on Top Gear.

[snypereb]

Parts are so cheap for japenese cars these days you can turn a r32 skyline into a 10second car with five grand

[HOON69]

honestly i'd take a S15 or a new even a mid90's BMW over a BA XR6 (not a xr6t though)
anyday its about 3 things
price
looks
performance

these days little bangers with small engine and turbo'd are doing 10's whilst they are old etc they are out performing ford and they are older cars etc

but euro cars are def nicer then jap cars

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by snypereb

Parts are so cheap for japenese cars these days you can turn a r32 skyline into a 10second car with five grand

then why havent i seen that many 11sec skylines about let alone 10's ,but even if 5000 could get 10's I'd wear a balaclava even if i was just a passenger

[98AUXR6]

I bought a Mazda 3 Maxx Sport for my commuter car because after test driving most other similar cars nothing else came close in terms of drivabiltiy, style and features.

Besides, Mazda is majority owned by FORD!!!!!

[DivHunter]

Originally Posted by nugget378

then why havent i seen that many 11sec skylines about let alone 10's ,but even if 5000 could get 10's I'd wear a balaclava even if i was just a passenger

Because in reality the turbos and internals eat that up before you even start. I would have a 10 sec car if it was that cheap sheesh.

[monaroCountry]

Parts are so cheap for japenese cars these days you can turn a r32 skyline into a 10second car with five grand

Ive said said this in another forum, when someone stated that they could turn their s15 into a 10sec car with minimal mods, 3k? This is ricer mentality!!! Simply turning up the boost, bigger turbos and bigger injectors will not make your nissan a 10sec car, maybe a 13 or a 12 sec car.

Look at the UAS 300zx, thats a ten sec car, however all the mods would cost around 20K. Theres a big difference between a 10 sec bomb and a 10sec road car thats reliable.............

The easiest engines to get more power is actually the local variety i.e. fords I6 turbo and Holdens LS1's, not Japanese hero cars. Also in most cases ford/holden parts are cheaper than imported japanese parts.

[monaroCountry]

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.

Funny you should say that. Ive owned several Toyotas, Nissans, Holdens and Fords. My two most reliable cars have been the Holden and Ford, my toyotas and nissans have spent more time off the road than on it.

My 300zxTT is off the road now with transmission problems. Last weekend my pulsar's rear view mirror has fallen off, this might have been caused by the scorcher 45decC of new years day but thats still no excuse for a rear view mirror falling off. The toyota ive had multiple problems with, from the steering, to trans etc..............its now my relos second car (gave for free).

All my holden's have had a tough life, my VT has over 400K on the dodo. Ive had several things replaced (minor stuff) but so far has been reliable. Even my ford havent had an oil changed for nearly 20k's.

Parts have also been cheaper for the local products (try replacing parts (OEM) for the 300zx and youl know what I mean).

Has my experience turned me off Toyotas and Nissans? NO Id still get a zed, but will not be fooled into thinking that just because a car comes with a certain badge its instantly reliable, and well built......its not. All manufacturers have their lemons.

[Redrum]

My father in law bought my wife a Daewoo Kalos in 2003 to replace her worn out Festiva. He bought that rather than a second hand car as it came with warranty and for 14k on road cd, a/c, power windows, alloys, dual airbags etc. I could write a book on poor design features but not one warranty problem. I bought my XR8 ute BA Mk1 about same time, which I have now sold, and it spent 3 weeks in its first year at the Ford dealer with warranty problems.

I think people buy Korean Cars as they are cheap, come with warranty and possible piece if mind for few years.

Japanese cars, most are made in the states now aren't they.........

[WASP]

Personally I think the Japanese are more than capable of building some of the best performance cars in the world, they just choose to do this on the occasion only, as these cars do not very good economic business cases. They may also conflict with the mass market association of their brand based on safety, reliability and economical. Sure hero cars can be most of those things, but it’s not perceived that way generally.

I’ve only owned a few Japanese cars and was disappointed, both spiritually and technically with most of them with the one exception of my Supra RZ Twin turbo. In Toyota's case this car was a prime example of the manufacture saying 'we can design, manufacture, market and produce a hero car if we want to', but a Celica will do the job nicely thanks and will be purchased by a broader audience.

[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 OzJavelin

"Why do people buy Jap/Korean cars?"

Because Holden Means a Great Deal to Korea!

[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).

[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.

[Paxton]

My wife drives a Mazda6, and before that had a Lexus IS200. When I met her, she drove a Toyota Corolla, similar to my first car, a Toyota Corolla. I have had a good run out of a Japanese car, and my Corolla has had every learner in my family, since I was bought the car in 1993. A total of 5 learners, one (yes one) clutch, and no serious accidents (touch wood). It has had two females, three males, my Wife's first manual drive, and a thrashing from me.

Her IS200 was given to her by her father. It was 125,000 Kms old when I got rid of it. It never missed a beat. The Mazda6 was picked over a Subaru Liberty. I liked the Subaru, however it wasn't what I wanted in a car - I didn't want a sports car for her. It is four months old, and hasn't skipped a beat.

My Territory on the other hand is a POS compared to even the Corolla (yes, the Corolla was built in Australia). I have had the Territory off the road for two weeks in total. Arguably, it has done 37,000 Kms in a year, mainly long, high speed drives. The Mazda is a better quality car, finished better, and although the two cars are different, my Territory is an inferior car to drive. The only thing going for the Territory is the free petrol, and the fact that it towes the boat.

[stiddy]

Up until last night/ this morning i was considering trading my car (AU XR6 series 1)in for an AU XR8 series 2...
but ive decided that when its time to trade up, which will be very soon.. im going to go for a 90-93 model Nissan 300zx twin turbo..
Why? because i love this type of car.. thats that... thats my reason.. i just want one..

[melbzetec]

I agree that the Japanese haven't led style, but they have made the Europeans, and soon hopefully the Americans honest.

The Honda NSX frightened the ИИИИ out of the European supercar manufacturers, because until then everyone believed that a supercar simply had to be quirky, badly built and unreliable. Honda proved them wrong at their first attempt

Ford GM Chrysler all claimed they couldn't meet emission standards in the 70's and the japanese showed them how (Honda even built a cylinder head, put it straight onto a Dodge engine, and beat emission standards that Dodge said couldn't be achieved)

Look at the American market this year. Ford and GM are bleeding. If they had their way they would still be churning out shoddy bloody agricultural cars to an unsuspecting public. Instead, Toyota and Honda are creaming them because they are building cars people want.

Toyota is just boring if you ask me, but Honda is bloody ingenious and has coninuously bought sophisticated technology to the average punter. Think iVTEC.

Yeah, the Japanese are not the style masters, but if it wasn't for them, Ford and GM would still be churning out the same old crap. It's called competition

[zetec]

Originally Posted by melbzetec

I agree that the Japanese haven't led style, but they have made the Europeans, and soon hopefully the Americans honest.

The Honda NSX frightened the ИИИИ out of the European supercar manufacturers, because until then everyone believed that a supercar simply had to be quirky, badly built and unreliable. Honda proved them wrong at their first attempt

Ford GM Chrysler all claimed they couldn't meet emission standards in the 70's and the japanese showed them how (Honda even built a cylinder head, put it straight onto a Dodge engine, and beat emission standards that Dodge said couldn't be achieved)

Look at the American market this year. Ford and GM are bleeding. If they had their way they would still be churning out shoddy bloody agricultural cars to an unsuspecting public. Instead, Toyota and Honda are creaming them because they are building cars people want.

Toyota is just boring if you ask me, but Honda is bloody ingenious and has coninuously bought sophisticated technology to the average punter. Think iVTEC.

Yeah, the Japanese are not the style masters, but if it wasn't for them, Ford and GM would still be churning out the same old crap. It's called competition

I detect a hint of Honda bias there Stephen!!

If Honda hand't smoked half of Nimbin's weed supply when they murdered brilliant cult cars like the Civic and CRX by spitting out the bum wipes that currently exist (or no longer exist in the CRX's case) then they'd still have a market share in this country. Were it not for the Accord Euro they'd have probably had nothing to offer the Australian public worth paying money for. They seem to have only been saved by the rather quirky and unloved S2000's engine/reputation, their build quality and that amazing Accord Euro. Now the Odyssey has come and also seems to be a decent thing and things look to be on track again but it seemd to be a big fall from grace given the owned the world with Civic and CRX in the early 90's, everyone had a Civic.

All they need to do is get rid of the disgraceful rubbush Civic and build one worth being seen within 100m of (yet to be convinced with that new one coming), bury the S2000 and build a real sports car and shoot the bloke who designed the new Integra. Honda are a motorbike and Engine building company who seemed to momentarily lose the knack for packaging them into what people want and it's a shame, because they could have jointly owned everyone with Toyota had the Civic stayed popular. I'll admit though that cars like Accord Euro, Odyssey and to some extent the Integra (sparing the shocking dumpy looks) get me far more excited than any bodykitted supercharged Camry ever could. I'd buy a Honda before I bought a Toyota.

At the end of the day there is no perfect manufacturer, each has their own flaws and each has their own incredible strengths. Heck even BMW is struiggling with its own identity and frustratingly pushing stuff like iDrive that gets constantly bagged... I still am waiting for one to get it all right. I'm just hoping it isn't Toyota, they seem to be the closest. They just need to get rid of the Fisher Price designers and hire some real talent and they'll be absolutely unstoppable. Honda appears to be a real threat to Toyota I reckon, more than many others... but they seem a way off from becoming a major threat. I reckon between Honda, Toyota and Subaru most of the best cars on the planet could be built. Toyota reliability, Honda engineering/engines and Subaru AWD and weight saving. Mmmm Toyondaru. Has a nice ring to it py:

[EL_futuraistic]

I think there are a lot of reasons. Japenese cars are have a lot better build quality (most of the time) but the European marks take it a step above the Japenese. Korean made cars are not the best made vehicles. Anyone who has driven a hyundai with 100,000kms on the clock will know..... however the newer models are getting better and as most people have said Hyundai will soon be able to match it with their Big Jap Rivals.

Majority of car buyers choose on look,features,color and what they can get for their $$$.

For the Record.......When i sold the EL, I bought a Nissan X-Trail because for the price i couldnt find a falcon that suited my "Wants and Needs"

[oneredED]

I'd have to say THE most reliable car i've ever owned was JAP, a toyota hilux. At 20+ years old, it was driven without oil (for a few hours at a time) frequently, it rarely saw under ~5krpm for the last 2 years of it's life, and it was jumped, crashed and smashed until we gave up. Unbreakable. It was torn apart to make a buggy (still in running order), but was left to die after a lack of effort on my part... I've have also seen old datsuns, and toyota corolla's take poundings that not many other cars would have a hope of taking.

For that reason alone, I would happily drive around in a 1980's jap small car for a runabout, I believe they're more reliable and far cheaper to run than their domestic equivalents...

[red_hotxr6]

Maybe because thejap/koreans build alot of smaller cars that are 1 cheaper and2 more fuel efficient.I dont know about south of the border but i certainly dont see a lot of done up hyundai,s. :

[melbzetec]

[QUOTE=zetec]I detect a hint of Honda bias there Stephen!!QUOTE]

Was it that obvious?? Sprung!!

Yeh Civic used to be a beauty. King of the hot sport compacts in the US. VTEC etc. Current model is a dog. But take a look at the new Honda Civic hatch released in the UK. Whoa! And there is a new one coming here soon (not UK model)( It's OK Matt. Public Knowledge)

And you're right. Honda is primarily an engine builder (In fact the world's largest) and bloody good at it. Would love to see a Honda V8! But the styling has been hit and miss. Often a case of the engineers getting the upper hand over the designers I think

And I do feel uncomfortable mentioning Honda in the same breath as Toyota. Two very different beasts

[GTP 320]

Don't mind the Honda's and Mazda's their quality seems to be pretty good.
Cheers John

[buickman]

Originally Posted by GTP 320

Don't mind the Honda's and Mazda's their quality seems to be pretty good.
Cheers John

There my pick out of late model small cars for Quality finish. My wifes 2002 SP Mazda & friends 2005 Honda Euro have a higher quality finish than my AU Ghia.
But since no small cars are made in Australia your choices are Europe or Asia for small type cars. Plus my wife always had Mazdas & finds them to her likes for reliabity as well.

[zetec]

If I could own one Japanese non Turbo car, it would be a series 1 Integra Type R without a doubt.