Dude, American made cars period are not all that impressive. They tend to have problems before 30,000 miles, especially fords..."piece of shit" I use to own a 2003 Ford focus and that car was shit awful. Damn thing, i had to replace the trans at 48,000 miles and the alternator not to long after, plus the ignition and breaks were coming apart. I traded that bitch in for a nice Suzuki, that is one hell of a car and is great on gas not to mention its fast.
God damn it, my parents are ruining my chances of an awesome ride!
- Thread starter viclioce
- Start date
BUY IT! Surely if you explain to your parents how much you really want this car, and how upset you will be if they let this opportunity pass you by...and the fact that you have the money for it if they will let you access it. Maybe its just a trust issue that they think if you have it you will go out joy riding in it before you have your licence. If so, they need to earn your trust so you need to talk to them and honestly tell them you will do the right thing. Ask them what they want you to do to prove to them that you are responsible enough to have this car.
Chrissy_Lynn87
New member
How many old piece of crap American cars do you still see driving around? TONS of them. You dont see nearly as many old Hondas and Nissans driving around as you do old Caprices, F150s, Silverados, Camaros, and mustangs.
Say what you want about the fit and finish of American cars, but they have their strengths. If you think overseas carmakers have truly superior quality then you may well be mistaken. Really the line between domestic and import is starting to blur lot. Mercedes and Chrysler are the same company. A lot of Japanese companies have their cars built in the US due to government tax breaks for them. So next time you slam american cars, double-check where your Honda was manufactured. And not to mention a lot of American cars have foreign motors (especially smaller ones, but Ford's Duratec motors and GM's in-house motors are really excellent designs for the most part) and a lot of foreign cars have american motors. It's a global world and our products are reflecting that.
Unfortunately, domestic companies dont get the same tax breaks and have many plants in other countries like Mexico which I believe has a negative affect on their quality, not to mention Union scam artistry. The 80s was just a bad decade for cars in general, though.
When I look at my Camaro, I can see all the corners GM cut, and I see all the places where GM decided to cheap out at the expense of the buying public. But the American smallblock V8 is one of the most reliable, versatile, impressive motors ever designed. The Japanese have only caught up (IMO) in relatively recent years with advances such as variable valve timing and things like dual over head cam motors. (V-TEC basically) Ford puts DOHC V8's in their new mustangs, GM still uses a pushrod motor design but they've taken the old smallblock chevy to lengths never before seen. The new Corvette Z06 is an insane accomplishment.
My point basically is this, American car companies have let me down and the world down with their inability to adapt and their clumsy beaurocratic decision-making processes. They're handicapped from the top down, and then at hte bottom they're being held by the balls by the auto worker's unions. But American ingenuity is still alive and well if you know where to look for it, and American cars DO have their strengths. The Japanese cut corners too, but don't be surprised if that Japanese car you just bought was made in the USA.
Say what you want about the fit and finish of American cars, but they have their strengths. If you think overseas carmakers have truly superior quality then you may well be mistaken. Really the line between domestic and import is starting to blur lot. Mercedes and Chrysler are the same company. A lot of Japanese companies have their cars built in the US due to government tax breaks for them. So next time you slam american cars, double-check where your Honda was manufactured. And not to mention a lot of American cars have foreign motors (especially smaller ones, but Ford's Duratec motors and GM's in-house motors are really excellent designs for the most part) and a lot of foreign cars have american motors. It's a global world and our products are reflecting that.
Unfortunately, domestic companies dont get the same tax breaks and have many plants in other countries like Mexico which I believe has a negative affect on their quality, not to mention Union scam artistry. The 80s was just a bad decade for cars in general, though.
When I look at my Camaro, I can see all the corners GM cut, and I see all the places where GM decided to cheap out at the expense of the buying public. But the American smallblock V8 is one of the most reliable, versatile, impressive motors ever designed. The Japanese have only caught up (IMO) in relatively recent years with advances such as variable valve timing and things like dual over head cam motors. (V-TEC basically) Ford puts DOHC V8's in their new mustangs, GM still uses a pushrod motor design but they've taken the old smallblock chevy to lengths never before seen. The new Corvette Z06 is an insane accomplishment.
My point basically is this, American car companies have let me down and the world down with their inability to adapt and their clumsy beaurocratic decision-making processes. They're handicapped from the top down, and then at hte bottom they're being held by the balls by the auto worker's unions. But American ingenuity is still alive and well if you know where to look for it, and American cars DO have their strengths. The Japanese cut corners too, but don't be surprised if that Japanese car you just bought was made in the USA.
OK DB, just a couple things. First, a couple reasons, IMO, why you don't see as many older imports on the streets as domestics.
1) They are, and as far as I know, always have been pricey compared to a domestic vehicle. Even fifteen years old, Honda and Toyota cars, in decent condition, are at the top of the price range.
2) They rust out quick. I don't know if you have rust problems where you are, but up here in Saskatchewan rust is a major issue. The cars will quite often fall apart structurally or bodywise before the drivetrain fails.
As for engine technology, I will have to partly disagree with you. The Japanese were building most engines with OHC since the late seventies or early eighties. I know of at least a couple high-end cars, from the early eighties, that only came with DOHC. VVT, though, I know next to nothing about.
But, thing is, we're talking about an older domestic vehicle that could be had for $400. I'd take it.
1) They are, and as far as I know, always have been pricey compared to a domestic vehicle. Even fifteen years old, Honda and Toyota cars, in decent condition, are at the top of the price range.
2) They rust out quick. I don't know if you have rust problems where you are, but up here in Saskatchewan rust is a major issue. The cars will quite often fall apart structurally or bodywise before the drivetrain fails.
As for engine technology, I will have to partly disagree with you. The Japanese were building most engines with OHC since the late seventies or early eighties. I know of at least a couple high-end cars, from the early eighties, that only came with DOHC. VVT, though, I know next to nothing about.
But, thing is, we're talking about an older domestic vehicle that could be had for $400. I'd take it.
Well decent, you are going to have to keep in mind that any wiring problem in that car is going to take a month to fix. Buddie of mine had one, it was nice when is wasn't possesed. Electronics are great till age makes them open up to the enviroment.
I don't think you would swap out the trans for anything, but if you did, swap to a 200 or 700 R4. You should be fine with a 200, but most people try to stay away from them as they are the weaker of the two.
Also, didn't I say something like this would come along? Take it, its easer to make money and get something better when you have something to start with. You should be able to work something out with your friend. Hell, maby traid him 8 of those dinosurs you have clogging up your room for it. :tongue:
I don't think you would swap out the trans for anything, but if you did, swap to a 200 or 700 R4. You should be fine with a 200, but most people try to stay away from them as they are the weaker of the two.
Also, didn't I say something like this would come along? Take it, its easer to make money and get something better when you have something to start with. You should be able to work something out with your friend. Hell, maby traid him 8 of those dinosurs you have clogging up your room for it. :tongue:
That I was also aware of, but being in Georgia, it's not something I've ever experienced firsthand. However, to me, it'd be a big incentive to go American.
BUt that's me.
And for the record, my next car iwll probably be a Honda anyway. I just dont think the Japanese have any big picture advantage over the US, they just have a different approach. I'm a big fan of Honda and their corporate racing culture, but when push comes to shove, I'd rather have a 'Vette Z06 than an NSX.
BUt that's me.
And for the record, my next car iwll probably be a Honda anyway. I just dont think the Japanese have any big picture advantage over the US, they just have a different approach. I'm a big fan of Honda and their corporate racing culture, but when push comes to shove, I'd rather have a 'Vette Z06 than an NSX.
tabluvr2001
New member
That makes absolutely no sense. You can't get a license until you have a permit, and practice driving, then take the driving test (which you WILL NOT pass without practical experience driving).
You need to say Mom "WTF?!" then knock her on her ass.
You need to say Mom "WTF?!" then knock her on her ass.
HAHA! randomness
New member
Whoa... i do have to say that I have seen and I know for fact that Jap cars do last a long time especially Hondas without any problems. I wanted a Honda but they are just too high in price, so I stuck with my Suzuki which is just as good. People just don't put as much effort in putting together an american made car anymore versus a foreign car. Thats why if i had gotten another car, it would be either VW, Honda, suzuki, Mazda, or Hianda.
I wasn't really downing older american made cars because i know the older late cars were more muscle cars back then versus the new american made cars that you see break down everyday. My hate is mainly on Fords though because those new cars suck so much and is not worth any of the money.
As for the starter of the thread, you may be getting your moneys worth cause its an older car.. but dude! Its a PIMP MOBILE!...lmao :thumbsup:
I wasn't really downing older american made cars because i know the older late cars were more muscle cars back then versus the new american made cars that you see break down everyday. My hate is mainly on Fords though because those new cars suck so much and is not worth any of the money.
As for the starter of the thread, you may be getting your moneys worth cause its an older car.. but dude! Its a PIMP MOBILE!...lmao :thumbsup:
stewiegriffin
New member
The "newer" GM cars I'm guessing you're talking about is the horrors they put out in the late 80's and 90's, then yeah, GM went on a shit streak with alot of models. They were also trying to cut costs while competing with an arising Japanese influx whose designs were simple and inexpensive no frills that were selling the most (see : Camry, Civic, etc.) GM didn't have the money to revamp their production lines, make a model worthy of competition, and subsequently quality and sales were sub-par.
Now with the lay-offs came major upgrades and most GM's that roll out are actually extremely well made for the most part. I thought the Cobalt, for instance, was going to be a spectacular shit show. Turns out it's actually well made because it's simple simple simple.
All in all, Japan doesn't have some "ancient chinese secret" to making cars that last long and sell well, they just had the market saturation and income to grow as a company, where as most American counter-parts were cutting budgets to be able to grow in the future.
But whatever to all this nonsense, I want a V-dub next time. Naz.....German engineering at it's best.
To OP : Just like girls, theres 1000's and 1000's of used fish in the sea. This one might have huge knockers, but I bet she won't shave down there. (Terrible analogy for cool car, shitty parts)
Now with the lay-offs came major upgrades and most GM's that roll out are actually extremely well made for the most part. I thought the Cobalt, for instance, was going to be a spectacular shit show. Turns out it's actually well made because it's simple simple simple.
All in all, Japan doesn't have some "ancient chinese secret" to making cars that last long and sell well, they just had the market saturation and income to grow as a company, where as most American counter-parts were cutting budgets to be able to grow in the future.
But whatever to all this nonsense, I want a V-dub next time. Naz.....German engineering at it's best.
To OP : Just like girls, theres 1000's and 1000's of used fish in the sea. This one might have huge knockers, but I bet she won't shave down there. (Terrible analogy for cool car, shitty parts)
AWESOME NEWS UPDATE!
My Dad said that if I get a job, he will buy me a used car. I'll have to pay him back for some of it though.
Hello, used Lexus LS400...
I have a permit. I feel confident about my driving abilities, the one time I drove I took to it like a fish in water.
I think the amount of preliminary skill you learn from video games is underrated. My mom told me about how it was when she first drove and I didn't have half the problems she had.
My Dad said that if I get a job, he will buy me a used car. I'll have to pay him back for some of it though.
Hello, used Lexus LS400...
I have a permit. I feel confident about my driving abilities, the one time I drove I took to it like a fish in water.
I think the amount of preliminary skill you learn from video games is underrated. My mom told me about how it was when she first drove and I didn't have half the problems she had.
[ Bambina ]
New member
Well then, good luck on finding that job... :thumbsup:
[email protected]
New member
No kidding! Shortly after I got my license, I started playing alot of GT2 on PS2, and I am sure my driving skills improved from that game. A year later I got in a chase (I was the one being chased, not by the cops, though), and I very nearly pulled off a high speed corner, without having ever tried it before. It's where a two-lane highway intersects with a four-lane highway; it has a slight angle, and I was turning the easier way. I had the car sliding, going about 100 kilometers an hour, was just about to hook up and keep going, and the back outside tire came off the bead. Literally, it was perfect, and if that tire wouldn't have come off, I would have finished it.
As for first time driving skill, it depends on the person. I know a few people, guys and girls, who were both ways; instant "pro", or just plain sucked.
As for first time driving skill, it depends on the person. I know a few people, guys and girls, who were both ways; instant "pro", or just plain sucked.
BlahPaDaDoPii
New member
Video games DO NOT prepare you for driving in the real world. Anyone that thinks they do is a fool and an idiot. Plain and simple. You get behind the wheel with that mindset and you will kill someone.
Hey, I didn't expect anything, so either the game helped, or I just improved my actual driving skills quite quickly.
Uber, I'm thinking more along the lines of (like I said I played) Gran Turismo, which is a straight out track racing game. Mostly, I was thinking it helped with stunting or high speed cornering, which is more extreme than normal driving. Also, I live in a small town and drive many rural roads. I do not endager anyone else when I am stunting or such. (My above story was a single incident where there was a small chance of involving other traffic. Thankfully, nothing happened.)
I will add that no video game can prepare you for normal city-type driving. That has to be learned from experience. Just knowing at all times what is around you, and how to move around other vehicles in real life.
Uber, I'm thinking more along the lines of (like I said I played) Gran Turismo, which is a straight out track racing game. Mostly, I was thinking it helped with stunting or high speed cornering, which is more extreme than normal driving. Also, I live in a small town and drive many rural roads. I do not endager anyone else when I am stunting or such. (My above story was a single incident where there was a small chance of involving other traffic. Thankfully, nothing happened.)
I will add that no video game can prepare you for normal city-type driving. That has to be learned from experience. Just knowing at all times what is around you, and how to move around other vehicles in real life.