What does Japan think?

[Wylde]

Aren't some of the parts manufactured at this end at all? I thought it had to have a high percentage of North American made in order to disqualify the import duty. I think you are wrong to a point, I do believe parts are shipped from there to here but I also believe some parts are also made here.

 

[Flexia]

I think how it goes it the molds are made here, then shipped there to casting and the parts shipped back for assembly. I really don't know for fact it just seem to make since cause the way things go are just screwy

 

[63_Fairlane]

Actually a lot of the sub components for Euro and Japanese cars are made in the U.S. by Japanese/Euro/U.S conglomerates. Most of the automotive suppliers are multinational companies with operations all over the world. I worked for a company that produced airbags for Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chrysler, Volkswagen, and GM. The only real difference between the materials in a Ford or GM versus a Honda or Toyota is the specifications. The same suppliers make the parts on the same machines using the same types of plastics and manufacturing practices. So what's the difference?? The dimensions and surface finish of the Japanese and Euro parts are more tightly controlled. Thats it!! That is all that separates a Taurus or Buick from an Accord or Camry

Of course, the company in question decided to go move their production facility to Mexico. Do you know what the most ironic thing about it was? The only customers who raised heck about it were Honda and Toyota. They wanted the plant to stay in the U.S. They were scared that their quality would suffer. GM and Ford were made a few waves but accepted it as a cost cutting measure. I don't think Chrysler cared.

 

[Reimann]

A Japanese student I went to college with told me once that Mustangs were well thought of in Japan. If you are curious, here is Ford's Japanese website. http://www.ford.co.jp As an anime fan I have noticed that usually the wealthier people are shown driving Corvettes, Jaguars, and BMWs.

 

[The Brahma Bull]

Well they sell Mustangs in Japan..so there has to be some sorta demand for them. Although it doesnt look like they change ANYTHING on the car.

Japan+Mustang

 

[SkylineGTR]

So what's the difference?? The dimensions and surface finish of the Japanese and Euro parts are more tightly controlled. Thats it!! That is all that separates a Taurus or Buick from an Accord or Camry

And so that nobody downplays the importance of this "little" detail, that makes a big difference. Tolerance margins are many times the thing that separate quality products from crap.

 

[63_Fairlane]

And so that nobody downplays the importance of this "little" detail, that makes a big difference. Tolerance margins are many times the thing that separate quality products from crap.

What he said!!!

 

[vrpirata]

No, I think the STI and EVO get 20 MPG +.

No, actually the Corvette gets better mpg:

Corvette Coupe Manual (350Hp): 19-28mpg
Corvette Z06 Manual (405Hp): 19-28mpg
Mustang Cobra (390Hp): 17-24mpg

Subaru WRX Sti (300Hp): 18-24mpg
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo (271Hp): 18-26mpg

Notice that even though the Cobra produces more power and is heavier, it has about the same mpg as the Sti.

 

[ryanrule]

the stang costs 3 million yen lol.

 

[QCStang]

Food for thought:

Best selling domestic in Japan - Suzuki....

 

[BelueLX]

GT Convertable costs this many... 5,209,220

 

[GT5oh]

No, I think the STI and EVO get 20 MPG +.

Spanky, check out the Jan.04 issue of Hot Rod with their article on the Mustang Cobra vs. the WRX STi cover story. You'll see within, even though it makes similar performance numbers as the Cobra the reality of turbo charging means more fuel to go with all that extra air, hence it basically negates the fuel economy of a smaller engine.

Cobra rated: 16 city/22 hwy mpg, actual as tested: 17.05 mpg
WRX STi rated: 18 city/24 hwy mpg, actual as tested: 16.59 mpg

The Supercharged V8 actually got better mpg than the Turbo Boxer-4!


Dont get me wrong the STi and EVO are awesome vehicles but fuel economy ain't a selling point!

 

[holler]

Well they sell Mustangs in Japan..so there has to be some sorta demand for them. Although it doesnt look like they change ANYTHING on the car.

Japan+Mustang

actually i am noticing quite a few cosmetic differences on that Japanese Red GT

99-01 Cobra Rear Tail-lights (so that's where they went, ha)

and check out these cool accessories i have never seen:

 

[85GTKid]

Heh i find it funny that you all say the japs will hate the 2005 when at my college i have a japanese exchange student who has the 2005 Mustang as his wallpaper and refers to it as "way cool".

 

[holler]

Heh i find it funny that you all say the japs will hate the 2005 when at my college i have a japanese exchange student who has the 2005 Mustang as his wallpaper and refers to it as "way cool".

yeah, mustangs are imports to them.

 

[Reimann]

The side mirror is cool, the floor mat looks like it has extra padding right where mine is wearing out but that luggage rack is just plain wrong!!!

 

[ThRippeR]

Is it just me, or does that hood scoop look functional?

 

[5iveL173r]

Ok, heres my two cents. Japanese cars are muc smaller to navigate the tiny streets in the smaller towns. They do in fact sell mustangs. Unfortunately only V6's. I'm sure wealthy people there who are muscle car fans have Mustangs. No, the Japanese don't consider our stuff inferior. The Japanese government persuades the Japanese to buy Japanese products, to remain as loyal as possible. This stimulates their economy. They are an EXPORT only economy for the most part. American cars have CRAZY mark ups. By the way, talking 'Kiss Me''Kiss Me''Kiss Me''Kiss Me' about import OR domestics. Don't be ignorant. Don't get me wrong, I love the 5.0's (I own one) but I'm also down with imports too. My friend has a boosted civic that's gonna run 12's, and it's super clean, very plain and good loking. A JUN Supra with 800 HP is just as impressive as a Dodge Viper. And yes, they don't make Skyline GTR's, but they well again soon. The lineage splits. The Skyline is the Infiniti G35 (Nissan Skyline V35 in Japan) and the GTR will be a seperate car in the near future.

 

[falchulk]

5iveL173r, no offense but here's my take on you: late teens to early 20's right? I have never seen a good looking civic. I agree with he supra comment though.

 

[ThRippeR]

There is nothing wrong with Civic's. They are good cars. They will never be what a Musclecar is though, and a musclecar will never be what they are. Regardless of the speed, we are comparing two completely different things here. It's about the heritage and design, not just the statistics. Sure I may be able to get an Escort to do 200+ on the salt flats, but a Ferrari is a Ferrari. Civics, Integra's, Eclipse's, etc. caught on with a young market hard and all the mommy's and daddy's bought them for their kiddos because of there Honda name and marketing. The kiddo's liked em for their sporty/toy like appearance and knew the better that these cars were actually fast. Then the cult following developed into something much bigger. So musclecar fans...just deal with it.

Import fans, you have to deal with the fact the Musclecar has a lineage much deeper. Musclecars run in the veins. Jarring performance in your garage was born out of the musclecar, so respect it. Musclecars are attitude.

The point of this post was not at all about mine is bigger than yours though. Its just about the attitude that Japan takes towards a car like this. I was really looking for feedback from people who really know first hand from either experience in Japan, personal knowledge, etc. I guess I already know the answer though. If I pulled up in a blacked out 2005 Mustang fully muscled out, it would be felt.