Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
Think back to the original "early '70's Honda 600 later called the Civic", the Toyota Corolla and Datsun (before the days of Nissan)...
Back then, I couldn't "unfold" to get out of a Honda 600, the Corolla's dash literally disintegrated in the California desert sun and the seats in the Datsun were "steel tractor seat frames, covered with cheap foam and imitation Naugahyde that peeled off the cotton backing, usually before the car's 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty expired....
Those "great Japanese imports that turned the domestic auto industry on its collective head" were CRAP when they first came to the US. They were too small, built for the Japanese market and the primary reason they "estabilished a foothold here was cost. CHEAP, usually $1000 or more less than a Vega or a Pinto or Maverick. But, it wasn't until after they established a "cheap alternative to the junk built in Detroit" did they start improving.....
Imagine what the YUGO would have been had it improved the product, changed its name from Datsun to Nissan and increased the price to equal the Escort or Vega.....
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OK... I have personally have owned 2 Japanese cars. First was a Honda 2 seat sports car made for the Japanese market. I owned it on Okinawa when stationed there. It NEVER ran. Sold and replaced it with a Datsun Sunny. It did run unless it was raining; hence the name Sunny. Had to borrow a car to get my missus to the base hospital for the birth of our #2 kiddo as it was raining when we went. Nothing against Japanese vehicles but I do remember when "Made in Japan" was sort of a joke.
And speaking of a Vega; owned a Vega wagon for 9 years when stationed overseas with the govt. as a civilian. Put less than 5K miles on the thing in that time. It was pulled out of ship's hold coming back to the States and dropped (obviously) as the suspension was messed up and it rattled badly. Might still be driving that 72 Vega wagon if not for that mishap. Not sure what its tow rating was though...
