Leaving Honda behind
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,370
Likes: 5
From: Vancouver, WA USA
I disagree with all of that. Most people want a "sporty" car, even if its economy. This is exactly why Honda dominated from 1989 to 1997. Their economy cars were eons ahead of their competition with the DOHC VTEC models. Economy cars that blew away their class's in all aspects. Wishbone suspension, ventilated disks, sway bars, big exhausts, performance springs, great interiors (FOR THEIR CLASS).
The DOHC VTECS in the 90's are the Evo's and Sti's of the 2000's.
What does Honda have now in this category... Civic Si's... ug man.. Even $22000 Mazdaspeed 3's have 260 hp and 280 fp/torque. Honda has damn near the same engine it was putting out in 1994 (dohc VTEC models) with performance that barely match's those cars.
Honda let them all catch up
The DOHC VTECS in the 90's are the Evo's and Sti's of the 2000's.
What does Honda have now in this category... Civic Si's... ug man.. Even $22000 Mazdaspeed 3's have 260 hp and 280 fp/torque. Honda has damn near the same engine it was putting out in 1994 (dohc VTEC models) with performance that barely match's those cars.
Honda let them all catch up
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 0
From: Durham
Originally Posted by clutchcargo,Jun 14 2007, 11:55 AM
I have gone from being mad at Honda for not following through with the new sports car (whatever they call it or however they configure it) to being a happy Lexus owner and thankful that they will be build me a reliable super car that my wife will be OK with.
Here is yet another indicator of how Honda is being seen.
My 19 year old son said he would rather have a Prius than the 2004 TL (we already own) to take to college next year.
Here is yet another indicator of how Honda is being seen.
My 19 year old son said he would rather have a Prius than the 2004 TL (we already own) to take to college next year.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 898
Likes: 104
From: Chicago
He is snoozing off the jet lag from the last leg of his trip (from Malmo Sweden to Boston) so I will provide a few points.
On the styling point he does like the alternative look of the Prius.
I don't believe the gas cost weighs heavily here.
My 84 year old father in law has one and my son liked the smooth and quiet driving when he drove it. It is also nimble, unlike our TL with its terrible turning radius.
I would also say his recent trip to China and then meeting us in Europe had impact. He mentioned the crazy level of pollution in Beijing and that their economic development will just lead to more burnt carbon. In Europe the smaller car is the norm so a Prius feels more "appropriate".
Another factor is my wife (and her influence on his thinking) who refers to the TL as a barge and has an affinity for mini cars. She was jonesing for a convertible Smart when we were in Amsterdam.
I will get some more input from him tomorrow.
On the styling point he does like the alternative look of the Prius.
I don't believe the gas cost weighs heavily here.
My 84 year old father in law has one and my son liked the smooth and quiet driving when he drove it. It is also nimble, unlike our TL with its terrible turning radius.
I would also say his recent trip to China and then meeting us in Europe had impact. He mentioned the crazy level of pollution in Beijing and that their economic development will just lead to more burnt carbon. In Europe the smaller car is the norm so a Prius feels more "appropriate".
Another factor is my wife (and her influence on his thinking) who refers to the TL as a barge and has an affinity for mini cars. She was jonesing for a convertible Smart when we were in Amsterdam.
I will get some more input from him tomorrow.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 0
From: Durham
Originally Posted by clutchcargo,Jun 14 2007, 10:03 PM
He is snoozing off the jet lag from the last leg of his trip (from Malmo Sweden to Boston) so I will provide a few points.
On the styling point he does like the alternative look of the Prius.
I don't believe the gas cost weighs heavily here.
My 84 year old father in law has one and my son liked the smooth and quiet driving when he drove it. It is also nimble, unlike our TL with its terrible turning radius.
I would also say his recent trip to China and then meeting us in Europe had impact. He mentioned the crazy level of pollution in Beijing and that their economic development will just lead to more burnt carbon. In Europe the smaller car is the norm so a Prius feels more "appropriate".
Another factor is my wife (and her influence on his thinking) who refers to the TL as a barge and has an affinity for mini cars. She was jonesing for a convertible Smart when we were in Amsterdam.
I will get some more input from him tomorrow.
On the styling point he does like the alternative look of the Prius.
I don't believe the gas cost weighs heavily here.
My 84 year old father in law has one and my son liked the smooth and quiet driving when he drove it. It is also nimble, unlike our TL with its terrible turning radius.
I would also say his recent trip to China and then meeting us in Europe had impact. He mentioned the crazy level of pollution in Beijing and that their economic development will just lead to more burnt carbon. In Europe the smaller car is the norm so a Prius feels more "appropriate".
Another factor is my wife (and her influence on his thinking) who refers to the TL as a barge and has an affinity for mini cars. She was jonesing for a convertible Smart when we were in Amsterdam.
I will get some more input from him tomorrow.
Well I am not even going to look at it as a class issue. More like before I went to college. Good points, but I guess I am just a Honda fan boy. Thanks for the input, your son sounds like he will be successful though
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Like a few have mentioned before, I personally would like to see a sporty/sports car in a price range that the average person can afford, like the s2k. All these manufacturers are building these "super" cars with a "super" price tag and that leaves many of us discouraged and uninterested.
We (the average consumer) have always associated super cars with ferrari, lambo, porsche and have always observed and appreciated from a distance knowing very well that we probably will never own one.
Then came along the wrx/sti, evos and now mazdaspeeds and I know I'm forgetting many others >35k cars. These cars offer enough "fun factor" for most of us and with a few grand in mods will make a lot of these super cars sweat!
Basically my point is that it's all fun and great that toyota, nissan, honda are going to make these super cars but in reality how much do I really care? given the fact that I will never be able to afford one and don't think that I would ever buy one anyway(the mighty dollar has many more priorities to me) and with the option of an sti, evo, s2k, etc. still available in my price range and with mods will be pretty competitive.
sorry for the rant.
We (the average consumer) have always associated super cars with ferrari, lambo, porsche and have always observed and appreciated from a distance knowing very well that we probably will never own one.
Then came along the wrx/sti, evos and now mazdaspeeds and I know I'm forgetting many others >35k cars. These cars offer enough "fun factor" for most of us and with a few grand in mods will make a lot of these super cars sweat!
Basically my point is that it's all fun and great that toyota, nissan, honda are going to make these super cars but in reality how much do I really care? given the fact that I will never be able to afford one and don't think that I would ever buy one anyway(the mighty dollar has many more priorities to me) and with the option of an sti, evo, s2k, etc. still available in my price range and with mods will be pretty competitive.
sorry for the rant.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Red_Ohio_Rocket
Car and Bike Talk
0
Nov 1, 2003 11:38 PM