SuzukaTim

Apples to oranges my friend when comparing to Japanese cars . But I can see how nostalgia can play a role in the love for those cars.

paS2K

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SuzukaTim
I would just like to share a few things.

S2KRAY

I work for a stationery company and our owners are wonderful caring people who are fanatics on quality of work, work ethic and reward the people who practice these concepts and get rid of the ones who dont. Our business has tripled in the last year. Point made.

Javelin360

I wasn't refering to the quality of my Javelin. Anyone who has owned one of these cars knows they were not at the top end of the scale. I was more or less wondering about products from the late 80s to present

PokS2k, you are correct about AMC sourcing a lot of parts. I've owned 3 Javelins and 1 AMX. The composition of the componets could vary from year to year. AMC made thier own engines and some auto trannies plus used the Chrysler 904 and 727s. Somewhere around 71-72 AMC quit using thier trannies and swithed and used only Chrysler 904s and 727s. They continued to cast thier own blocks until Chrysler bought them out. They used GM ignition systems, steering colums, steering boxes and alternators. Ford starters and front suspension parts, Chrysler AC units and Carter Carbs. Oddly they made thier own High Performance rearends that are very bullet proof.

I know loads more on this stuff but you all are probably bored out of your minds and falling asleep as you read this.

My wife fondly refers to me as "That Deviant AMC Guy"

Slows2k

Javelin360, I have heard a few horror stories of AMC model 20's stripping keyways on the bolt on axle hubs. Didn't sound too fun. (My roomate has a 72 wild plum Javelin SST) I Have to give Honda credit, They build an excelent product. If they didn't, I would be working on something else for living. AHM has introduced more vehicles in the past 4 years than they ever have, So I am not surprised with the recent rash of service bulletins. They still have relatively few probs. I would have to say the build quality in a Ohio built Accord is damn close to identical to my Japanese built S.
All auto makers tend to do thing that I just don't understand. Such as Ford electrical connectors that usually break when trying to unplug them, Riveted in window regulators, And very strange engine control diagnostics such as EEC-IV. GM doesn't seem to build anything that doesn't use some 30 year old switch gear, the interior plastic always seems Cheap. BMW and MB insist on using bolts to hold the wheels on the car, Could they think of something that could be more service unfriendy?
I could continue to rant, But I think it all boils down to what company designs the car not who builds it.

Triple-H

Javelin360, As a decade plus member of BMW CCA I can say with confidence that if you are really thinking about a Z4, the last thing you should worry about is the quality of the product coming out of the South Carolina plant. Don't waste your time, it is completely deserving of the German marque!

I would worry more about how it looks and the price you pay for "performance", but that is a separate subject.