Re: [Paddlewise] Transportation Input Needed

I agree.  I used to SELL cars, and I recall quite well that Volvo made its
reputation for reliability on its "122 S" models, which they stopped making
in 1967? - 1968? -- and rode public gullibility on the memory of that line,
for years.  In my opinion NO European cars come CLOSE in reliability to the
best of the Japanese cars [specifically, the Toyota Camry and, in second
place, the Hondas -- including Acuras], period, and the American cars are
sadly STILL 'way behind the best of the European cars.  (In engineering as
well, but that's still another story.)

[Perhaps an interesting side point:  The REASON Ford has gotten so much
better than it WAS, is that Ford bought a large interest in Mazda and then
brought Mazda production engineers to Dearborn to teach Ford how to build a
car!]

I wish it weren't so, but there it is.  Being an American, I choose to buy
American wherever possible BUT I am NOT willing to "shoot myself in the
foot" in the case of something as important as a car, where reliability is
everything.

By the way, there were 4WD Camrys for a number of years, as well.

[Also the Mazdas from Flat Rock, MI, use NO galvanized sheet metal (at
least, that was the case the last time I checked; and it's not easy finding
this out either from Ford or from Mazda!); my current car, an Acura Integra,
uses sheet metal galvanized on both sides.  When I finally did get an answer
on this from Mazda / Ford, they claimed they don't use it because it's hard
to get paint to adhere to it properly.  That's funny, Honda /Acura has no
such problem; and in any case that doesn't explain why they don't at least
use ONE-sided galvanized!  --  Starting off in the battle against body-rust
thus handicapped, is not IMHO a great idea....]

It is getting harder and harder to get a gear-box even in the better
Japanese cars, however; it's so worthwhile that if you are buying a new car
I would urge you to ORDER one that way if you have to, and also to learn to
drive a stick shift if you don't "know how to" (it takes all of about ten
minutes to learn!).

- Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Chopelas" <pac_at_premier1.net>
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Transportation Input Needed


> I worked as an auto mechanic in the past before and during collage, plus I
have worked as an automotive engineer after collage.  I have owned/still
own: Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, Mazdas, Volvos, Volkswagens, Porches,
Mercedes, Dodge, Chevys, Isuzu (pick-up) and I have close family members
that have owned Subarus and others like these.  It is both my personal and
professional opinion from experience that the finest, most reliable and
economical cars ever built are Honda, Toyota, and Mazda [the real Japanese
built Mazdas, not the fake ones built in the US by Ford].


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************