I just figured I would put this out there for conversation 
Which countries do you think are best? Which are worst? Remember that I'm only asking for opinion. Feel free to defend your opinion... just remember that everyone doesn't have to share it! Base your opinions on whatever criteria you choose. I look for a well rounded offering, with a bit of a focus on sporty performance. You don't have to use just the countries I have listed. I know there are other countries that make cars... These are just the ones I find significant.
1. Japan
2. Germany
3. USA
4. Korea
5. Sweden
6. France
7. Italy
8. UK
Japan: Has a wide variety of cars, with many innovative features. Japan has produced some of the most efficient vehicles. The amount of creativity in design is on par with the Americans and Italians in some cases. The Japanese have produced some of the most reliable and affordable cars to date. Finally, in terms of performance, Japanese sportscars such as those produced by Honda (ITR, NSX, Prelude), Toyota (Supra), Nissan (Skyline), Subaru (STi), and Mazda (RX-7, MX-5) have pushed the limits of small engine technology. Motors built to tight tolerances, making significant power per liter. Japanese luxury cars are also quite sophistocated. Perhaps Japanese cars aren't the most refined cars compared to German and Italian cars, or the cheapest to repair (like US cars) but I feel they have the best overall selection.
Germany: Germany has always been seen as one of the best sources of find automobiles. You see plenty of old VWs, Audis, BMWs, and Mercedes still on the road today. Really, the only thing that puts German cars below Japanese cars on my list is the expense. German cars are generally on the expensive side to both purchase and maintain. You may get what you pay for, but you certainly DO pay for it! German cars may provide some of the greatest luxury availible, but at a significant price.
3. USA: I'm not much of a Domestic fan at all... I feel that the US manufacturers have abandoned the car crowd to cater to the truck crowd... and I'm NOT a truck person! The US companies seem to be trying to break into the sport compact arena, and they are doing a good job of it. With cars such as Dodge's SRT-4, Chevy's Cobalt SS, and Ford's... well, let's face it, even the best Focus sucks ass!
The American luxury offerings are extensive, and decent while new. However, the market value of 5-year-old Cadillacs and Lincolns goes to show how well they hold up over the years. American cars offer a decent selection, but I feel they are still behind compared to Japanese and German standards. Many American cars are overpriced as well, considering this.
Korea: Well... Hyundai Hyundai owns Kia, and Daewoo is no longer availible in the US... so Hyundai. I'm actually a big fan of Hyundai. To me, Hyundai is what Honda was 10-15 years ago. Their cars are reliable, affordable, and diverse. The Tiburon is a little pathetic as their only sporty offering, but still decent. The new XG350 looks as sleek as any European luxury sedan. With a V6 engine making a little under 200hp, it's not a beast... Still, for the price it's a decent offering. I think Hyundai has a lot of promise. Kia doesn't do much for me, but I think they'll make a nice low end once Hyundai becomes a more expensive and refined brand. http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/soon/azera.asp The Hyundai Azera is set to be competition for REAL luxury cars!
Sweden: Basically, I have the same opinion of Swedish cars as I do German cars. My only beef with Swedish cars is that there really are no low-end cars! You just can't buy a cheapie Swedish car! They pretty much begin with mid-level and work up. That's why they're so low on the list.
France: Prejudices aside, French cars don't do much for me. Mainly because we can't get anything good here! France makes some decent cars, and in the European tuner market French cars are revered. Peugeot and Renault make some great cars, but we don't see them here. Therefore, I can't very well put them too high on the list!
Italy: I know some of the worlds finest cars come from Italy... Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc... However, the Italian lower end (like Fiat's Punto) is pretty pathetic. Plus, we only see the uber-expensive high end here in the US! I have respect for the high end cars, though the styling is usually a little pretentious, and the prices are astronomical.
England/UK: England makes crap cars. Nuff said. Anyone can hand build a Rolls Royce for $400,000. To make one last without lots of expensive repairs should be a part of that insane price! Jaguar is one of the only worthwhile Brittish brands, and the lower models are just technically just rebadged Fords. The Brittish high end isn't worth the price, with a reputation for reliability that makes American cars look immortal. The low end cars are usually nothing but poorly pieced together shells over other imported parts (Sterling, low end Jag, etc...) The UK gets placed at the bottom of my heap!
So that's my breakdown. I'm not asking everyone to do that (that there took me a half hour to write! ) but adding more than a simple list or, "I like Hondas!" will make for much more interesting and informative reading!
Which countries do you think are best? Which are worst? Remember that I'm only asking for opinion. Feel free to defend your opinion... just remember that everyone doesn't have to share it! Base your opinions on whatever criteria you choose. I look for a well rounded offering, with a bit of a focus on sporty performance. You don't have to use just the countries I have listed. I know there are other countries that make cars... These are just the ones I find significant.1. Japan
2. Germany
3. USA
4. Korea
5. Sweden
6. France
7. Italy
8. UK
Japan: Has a wide variety of cars, with many innovative features. Japan has produced some of the most efficient vehicles. The amount of creativity in design is on par with the Americans and Italians in some cases. The Japanese have produced some of the most reliable and affordable cars to date. Finally, in terms of performance, Japanese sportscars such as those produced by Honda (ITR, NSX, Prelude), Toyota (Supra), Nissan (Skyline), Subaru (STi), and Mazda (RX-7, MX-5) have pushed the limits of small engine technology. Motors built to tight tolerances, making significant power per liter. Japanese luxury cars are also quite sophistocated. Perhaps Japanese cars aren't the most refined cars compared to German and Italian cars, or the cheapest to repair (like US cars) but I feel they have the best overall selection.
Germany: Germany has always been seen as one of the best sources of find automobiles. You see plenty of old VWs, Audis, BMWs, and Mercedes still on the road today. Really, the only thing that puts German cars below Japanese cars on my list is the expense. German cars are generally on the expensive side to both purchase and maintain. You may get what you pay for, but you certainly DO pay for it! German cars may provide some of the greatest luxury availible, but at a significant price.
3. USA: I'm not much of a Domestic fan at all... I feel that the US manufacturers have abandoned the car crowd to cater to the truck crowd... and I'm NOT a truck person! The US companies seem to be trying to break into the sport compact arena, and they are doing a good job of it. With cars such as Dodge's SRT-4, Chevy's Cobalt SS, and Ford's... well, let's face it, even the best Focus sucks ass!
The American luxury offerings are extensive, and decent while new. However, the market value of 5-year-old Cadillacs and Lincolns goes to show how well they hold up over the years. American cars offer a decent selection, but I feel they are still behind compared to Japanese and German standards. Many American cars are overpriced as well, considering this.Korea: Well... Hyundai
Hyundai owns Kia, and Daewoo is no longer availible in the US... so Hyundai. I'm actually a big fan of Hyundai. To me, Hyundai is what Honda was 10-15 years ago. Their cars are reliable, affordable, and diverse. The Tiburon is a little pathetic as their only sporty offering, but still decent. The new XG350 looks as sleek as any European luxury sedan. With a V6 engine making a little under 200hp, it's not a beast... Still, for the price it's a decent offering. I think Hyundai has a lot of promise. Kia doesn't do much for me, but I think they'll make a nice low end once Hyundai becomes a more expensive and refined brand. http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/soon/azera.asp The Hyundai Azera is set to be competition for REAL luxury cars!Sweden: Basically, I have the same opinion of Swedish cars as I do German cars. My only beef with Swedish cars is that there really are no low-end cars! You just can't buy a cheapie Swedish car! They pretty much begin with mid-level and work up. That's why they're so low on the list.
France: Prejudices aside, French cars don't do much for me. Mainly because we can't get anything good here! France makes some decent cars, and in the European tuner market French cars are revered. Peugeot and Renault make some great cars, but we don't see them here. Therefore, I can't very well put them too high on the list!
Italy: I know some of the worlds finest cars come from Italy... Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc... However, the Italian lower end (like Fiat's Punto) is pretty pathetic. Plus, we only see the uber-expensive high end here in the US! I have respect for the high end cars, though the styling is usually a little pretentious, and the prices are astronomical.
England/UK: England makes crap cars. Nuff said. Anyone can hand build a Rolls Royce for $400,000. To make one last without lots of expensive repairs should be a part of that insane price! Jaguar is one of the only worthwhile Brittish brands, and the lower models are just technically just rebadged Fords. The Brittish high end isn't worth the price, with a reputation for reliability that makes American cars look immortal. The low end cars are usually nothing but poorly pieced together shells over other imported parts (Sterling, low end Jag, etc...) The UK gets placed at the bottom of my heap!
So that's my breakdown. I'm not asking everyone to do that (that there took me a half hour to write!
) but adding more than a simple list or, "I like Hondas!" will make for much more interesting and informative reading!
)
and the other day on RT46, i saw a brand new imported Peugeot 407... it was just amazingly beautiful. i was reading up on it online, and it rivals most luxury sedans... (well, the executive model) and it has vents pointing in the glovebox to keep your drinks cold.... i want A/C in my glovebox now.. lol... i put USA #4 because well, they're not as reliable, but some cars are pretty decent.. and Italy 5 because well, exotics are really expensive.. and i've only seen 1 alfa romeo and a FIAT.. and boy, although old models, were very nicely kept 
)
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