4th Apr 2007, 00:36
Post above mine:
Don't be ridiculous. How can domestics not compare to the technology of Japanese cars?
Find out which car manufacturers invented what then get back and say something like that.
Japanese are good at copying, NOT INVENTING!
4th Apr 2007, 05:15
00:36 Yeah, I'm sure when Honda invented vtec (variable valve timing) which is now the standard for any car manufacturer worth a damn, they were copying domestic automakers.
The same year Honda revolutionized this type of engine, and were building the still coveted CRX, Ford and Chevy were giving us junk like the Escort and the Cavalier, and Dodge was just trying to stay in existence.
Honda and the other couple of top imports are at least 15 years ahead of the domestics technologically speaking, which is why Ford needed help from Toyota to make its hybrid vehicles.
I'm an American, but not gullible enough to believe that Americans invented everything, like history tells us.
Ford and GM have been playing follow the leader when it comes to technology advances ever since Honda and Toyota came into existence.
4th Apr 2007, 08:09
18:41 Yeah, the domestics are cheaply made. Always have been, and that's why they have the reputation of being unreliable; they are.
This is the direct cause of their sorry state of affairs today, losing billions while the imports clean up. If you build junk, as the Big 3 have done, and there are no other companies in existence to compete with you, people will have to buy your junk by default. When other companies finally come along, (Toyota/Honda) and they build quality cars, and you (Big 3) continue to build junk, eventually people will stop buying from you out of habit and begin to buy the higher quality automobile.
And that is exactly what has happened to the Big 3. They have been outclassed by the imports, people know this, and are buying the imports. That can't be argued, numbers don't lie. GM and Ford lose sales faster and faster, while the imports gain more and more.
You can gloat if you like about GM still selling the most autos, but get your shots in while you can, because that's not going to last very much longer. They're losing ground faster and faster, and Toyota is confidently on its way to the well-deserved #1 spot. It won't be long.
4th Apr 2007, 08:30
The nice thing is that manufacturers examine others technology. The new upcoming 2008 Viper will have VTEC at 600 hp. I had a VTEC in my Acura TL 260 HP. Great engine horrible tansmissions...
4th Apr 2007, 09:10
Every sentence of 18:41's post is riddled with inaccuracies. Heck, he doesn't even know that the subject of this review is the Camry.
Then it gets even funnier. The Buick LaCrosse TAKES JOBS away from Americans, unlike the Camry, Accord, Sonata, Legacy, Civic, etc.
As for his claim that American manufacturers lead the way, remember that the US manufacturers essentially created the SUV market, vehicles SPECIFICALLY designed to avoid gas guzzler taxes and SAFETY requirements that ALL cars must adhere to.
4th Apr 2007, 11:04
File this one under "American myths".
Salespeople at car dealerships get huge discounts on the cars they sell, so it is illogical for them to drive anything, but what their dealership sells.
Good thing those cars' owners feel pride in their cars as the manufacturers certainly did not.
4th Apr 2007, 11:45
American car companies don't cut corners? That is the funniest thing I have ever heard in my life. Have you ever been inside a brand new Honda Accord? I don't think you have. They are built in Ohio so the Ohioans must build crap, right? NO! The Accord is still a very well built car and aged at five years old now, it is now a target for domestic men and women who love Canadian and Mexican built cars, but love apple pie.
Just you guys wait until the new Accord comes out next year. There will be a sudden silence from you all because your Impalas and your Fusions will be blown back another decade.
I heard some guy saying how Honda can only get 240 horses out of a V6 and GM did it with the inline six except with 275 horses. I do not think that is something to be proud of since the GM engine is said to be unrefined and not up to standards, while Honda's V6 is silky smooth and sets quality standards.
To add to the guy who was lusting over some guys '99 Impala at the Toyota dealer; I would have to say that on some saleries such as sales they cannot afford a very expensive car and many salesman are going between jobs.
I had a friend who worked at Honda who bought his '97 Escort before he was employed with them. He had other things to think about at first with his life than to get into debt with a new car... lets just say that he bought a '00 Honda Cr-V after continuous problems with the Ford.
Sorry to hurt your guys life long pledge to GM or Ford, but the Wall Street Journal said that sales for them were down for March. SORRY.
4th Apr 2007, 13:55
Do you know of anything else besides VTec?
Remember Vtec is only an enhancement to an engine. So who invented engines to begin with? It wasn't the Japanese.
ABS, Crumble-zones, Airbags, All wheel drive... need I go on?... wasn't all Americans, BUT IT SURE WASN'T Japanese.
4th Apr 2007, 17:09
To 5.15.
Get your facts straight. Variable valve timing has been in use for decades. A rudimentary system was employed by J.I. Case Co back in the twenties on farm tractors. This early system has been adopted into diesel engines that run generator sets to transport trucks.
Honda invented variable valve timing, "Hogwash"! The only thing Honda invented was bogus odometers that record more mileage than actually driven, something Honda should be ashamed of!
4th Apr 2007, 20:51
Seriously, check history.
Variable valve timing wasn't invented by Honda or any other Japanese.
5th Apr 2007, 02:25
To 4th Apr 2007, 05:15.
I don't see how GM is playing catch-up to Toyota or Honda technology wise. If anything the Japanese are playing catch up to Europe and America.
5th Apr 2007, 07:23
Yup, just more evidence that American automakers are building stuff no one wants or cares about.
Putting spinners on a car and it being seen in a P Diddy video only goes so far.
Real money is in building quality vehicles people want.
5th Apr 2007, 08:14
Another domestic owner is going crazy on here. Lets see, the odometers on the Odyssey and a few other Honda's have an odometer than reads 3.75% more than it should! OH MY GOSH! Well I am up in arms now and will by a Volga or a Yugo. My point is that my 2007 Accord does not have this problem nor does my 1994 Accord or 97 for that matter. Please lay the cow down in the pasture and stop commenting. I mean you don't even own a Honda so you just sit on here and banging your head on your desk looking for more ways to expose Honda. Why don't you expose them for being stolen all the time? I can at least agree with that statement. GET REAL!
3rd Apr 2007, 20:51
13:01...my comments pertaining to Japanese cars were that yes I feel 8 or more years ago that they were better mechanically than the new Japanese models I have owned up until recently. I had new Accords during the 90's and especially my new Legend at the time which had absolutely no warranty work done. I cannot say that since. I am meticulous with maintenance and still had issues. There should have been absolutely no reason for my switching to domestics it was prompted by my newer import models issues since... It will take a lot to get me back. Its nice having fuel efficient vehicles, but only if I was not spending very heavily on the repairs especially drivetrains and brake issues.