it isn't perfect and nothing as complex as cars or electronics can be. Japan, Inc effectively made a national decision to build good quality products and has been fabulously successful in cars, cameras, electronics, etc. In many cases the bar for them was set pretty low, so it wasn't some miracle, IMHO. The US didn't compete well for a whole bunch of reasons. That's all water over the dam.

When it comes to cars it's a bit different for us car guys versus average car buyers. We tend to be more discerning (or just plain picky) about a variety of things--seats, steering, handling, engine performance... the list goes on. And we set the bar kinda high. We are a minority.

Japanese cars are fine, in terms of doing what the vast majority of people want/need them to do. I often rent them and while I don't particularly like them, to most people think they are fine--as evidenced by their success in the market.

Are American cars just as good? It depends on the car and what you're looking for, but in general, I think they are. If maintained properly domestics work just fine for a long time. Whether the seats, steering, ride and handling, fit and finish works for you is an individual preference. It really is whatever floats your boat.

One thing I notice is the odometers in taxis and (especially) car service limos. It's not uncommon for a cab (often a Ford Crown Vic), or a car service Lincoln Town Car to be working perfectly well with 250K-plus miles on the clock. They have obviously been carefully maintained and the car works just fine.

The mainstream American and Japanese cars are not rides all us Saab guys may like, but they are still good cars. And remember, lots of people think our treasured Saabs are not all that great.

• US automaker sales results Sept., dtech, Fri, 2 Oct 2009 12:06:03
  • GM seems to be doing fine now regarding product..., Alex, Sat, 3 Oct 2009 12:07:20
    • Re: GM seems to be doing fine now regarding product..., Justin VanAbrahams , Tue, 6 Oct 2009 21:49:12
      • Caprice and the police, Noel, Wed, 7 Oct 2009 08:03:36
    • Long time GM driver, but no current cars I would buy., MI-Roger , Sat, 3 Oct 2009 15:25:28
      • Ouch!, CY, Mon, 5 Oct 2009 09:32:24
        • I can remember when Buicks were cool......, MI-Roger , Tue, 6 Oct 2009 07:30:14
      • Buick, Railhead , Sun, 4 Oct 2009 02:18:38
    • Somewhat agree, but withholding judgement., Noel, Sat, 3 Oct 2009 14:35:56
  • This is a great thread. Japan makes good stuff but, Noel, Sat, 3 Oct 2009 05:56:48 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Maybe, nwas, Fri, 2 Oct 2009 14:26:09
    • Re: Maybe, sam96CS , Fri, 2 Oct 2009 15:25:50
    • Can we give this whole Deming / Japan love fest a rest?, AeroBaron, Fri, 2 Oct 2009 14:52:31
      • You missed the point, nwas, Sat, 3 Oct 2009 00:04:04
      • True that, Craig, Fri, 2 Oct 2009 16:06:08
        • Re: True that, TML , Fri, 2 Oct 2009 21:54:19
        • Re: True that, EGD , Fri, 2 Oct 2009 18:01:42
          • Yeah, "one price" was Saturn's original sales tactic,, Bill Homer , Fri, 2 Oct 2009 18:46:49
            • Coming from the factory..., CY, Mon, 5 Oct 2009 12:55:13
            • Re: Yeah, "one price" was Saturn's original sales tactic,, EGD , Sat, 3 Oct 2009 06:41:12
              • I don't believe that you can bypass the dealers,, Bill Homer , Mon, 5 Oct 2009 08:55:04
      • Times are a changin', CWilson, Fri, 2 Oct 2009 15:59:50
        • Re: Times are a changin', Justin VanAbrahams , Fri, 2 Oct 2009 23:52:40
          • And I should note..., CWilson, Sat, 3 Oct 2009 09:07:07
          • Long term reliability and durability., CWilson, Sat, 3 Oct 2009 06:25:18
            • The Koreans are gettin good at making boring appliances, Alex, Sat, 3 Oct 2009 12:16:06
              • Yep. Hyundais aren't bad at all., Noel, Sun, 4 Oct 2009 08:46:41
            • Re: Long term reliability and durability., dtech, Sat, 3 Oct 2009 07:51:36
        • Re: Times are a changin', sclifford, Fri, 2 Oct 2009 16:25:29
          • Toyota is definitely coasting on their reputation..., Alex, Sat, 3 Oct 2009 12:11:54
          • Reputation takes time to change, Tim, Fri, 2 Oct 2009 20:57:33

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