A new thread...maybe?

We speak often of such Japanese cars as the Honda and occasionally of the
Nissans,
but I have never read much about the lesser (in popularity) models such as
the
Subaru, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Suzuki, etc., not to mention the apparently
defunct Daiwoo
and the Hyundais and Kias (Korean).

I have driven and been a passenger in a few of them, and brief comments on
them.

Subaru - the only one I have experience with was a rental two door in Hawaii
(Maui).
It was a semi-beater from a cheapo rental agency, but it got us up the road
to Hana,
surely one of the western world's crappiest roads (they even have a t-shirt
there
stating "I survived the road to Hana!") It was fair to drive, but I
wouldn't think twice
about owning one. This was in the early 80s, and maybe they've changed a
lot since.

Mitsubishi - here again, my experience is very old (about 20 years) and the
particular
car I rode in was a real beater, noisy, rattly and so on, so I can't say how
a new or recent
Mitsu operates.

Suzuki Samurai - again, about 16 years ago, when my daughter was going to
get her first
car, we drove a Samurai for five minutes and both of us realized it was the
most uncomfortable,
noisy, ill-fitting and ill-conceived car we'd ever been in. a total
washout.

KIA - We rode in a Kia minibus in Costa Rica, and though it was a little
rough around the edges,
nowhere near a Sienna or Odyssey in quality, it was not bad as I recall.

Hyundai - I've ridden in a small Accent which was unimpressive, but since
have rented an Elantra,
and drove it for a week, thinking "Camry-clone" all the while. If I wanted
a car similar to the Camry,
I'd be looking first at an Elantra, or maybe upgrading to a Sonata. They
seem to be long-lived, too.

Now, I'd be interested in reading comments from the ng members! Thanks.

On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 14:09:18 -0800, mack wrote:
[color=blue]
> We speak often of such Japanese cars as the Honda and occasionally of the
> Nissans,
> but I have never read much about the lesser (in popularity) models such as
> the
> Subaru, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Suzuki, etc., not to mention the apparently
> defunct Daiwoo[/color]

Still in operation, just not here. I actually saw a 'Pontiac Le Mans' the
other day, and said to myself, "One of THOSE is still running?!?!?!"

[color=blue]
> and the Hyundais and Kias (Korean).
>
> I have driven and been a passenger in a few of them, and brief comments on
> them.
>
> Subaru - the only one I have experience with was a rental two door in Hawaii
> (Maui).
> It was a semi-beater from a cheapo rental agency, but it got us up the road
> to Hana,
> surely one of the western world's crappiest roads (they even have a t-shirt
> there
> stating "I survived the road to Hana!") It was fair to drive, but I
> wouldn't think twice
> about owning one. This was in the early 80s, and maybe they've changed a
> lot since.[/color]

You've come a long way baby!
The Subarus are pretty decent cars, and when you consider every one of
them has AWD, so much the better. I was considering buying a used Suby
Legacy Outback instead of the Scion....maybe I should have.

If (WHEN) my AWD Grand Voyager gives up, I'll be looking for a Suby
[color=blue]
>
> Mitsubishi - here again, my experience is very old (about 20 years) and
> the particular
> car I rode in was a real beater, noisy, rattly and so on, so I can't say
> how a new or recent
> Mitsu operates.[/color]

There is a reason why Mitsu's North American Operations are hurting. The
only decent thing they have is the Lancer Evo, and I wouldn't recommend
one to anyone in this group...with the exception of the Supra owners...

But then again, I ALWAYS wanted a 3000GT, right from the first time I saw
one in '88!
[color=blue]
>
> Suzuki Samurai - again, about 16 years ago, when my daughter was going
> to get her first
> car, we drove a Samurai for five minutes and both of us realized it was
> the most uncomfortable,
> noisy, ill-fitting and ill-conceived car we'd ever been in. a total
> washout.[/color]

Wonky car, supposed to be a Jeep clone. Great for off road!
[color=blue]
>
> KIA - We rode in a Kia minibus in Costa Rica, and though it was a little
> rough around the edges,
> nowhere near a Sienna or Odyssey in quality, it was not bad as I recall.[/color]

The Toy dealer I worked at also sold Kias. Two weeks after one went out
the door, they'd order a cylinder head for it (I exaggerate, but not by
much!!!)

The Rio Cinqo is a decent little car, they remind me a LOT of my old
Corollas from years past.

Honest to God, the only reason I didn't buy one was the fact it's called
KIA.


[color=blue]
>
> Hyundai - I've ridden in a small Accent which was unimpressive, but
> since have rented an Elantra,
> and drove it for a week, thinking "Camry-clone" all the while. If I
> wanted a car similar to the Camry,
> I'd be looking first at an Elantra, or maybe upgrading to a Sonata. They
> seem to be long-lived, too.[/color]

Never had the 'pleasure' to drive a Hyundai. I remember the horror stories
from the 80's.

Oh, wait! Take that back. In Canada I drove a Pony (a quirky, underpowered
car along the lines of a Corolla Hatch, but a bit more toward a
wagon...but not much.) not *too* bad, when you considered a Corolla was
$11000 US and a Pony was $6,000 CANADIAN!

They also made another, larger car based on the Pony's mechanicals, and I
mean, really. The same track width on a wider vehicle. Going around
corners was an experience, and brought on feelings of Sea-Sickness!
(Oh, yeah..the Stellar, and the Excel. They were simnilar. I drove the
Stellar)

[url]http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3165/is_n1_v24/ai_6188630[/url]

for a look at the Pony, go here:

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Pony[/url]

Here's a brief look at a Stellar:

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Stellar[/url]

And here's a run-down of some stuff we don't often see here..there's even
a Mahindra!

[url]http://www.ajovalo.net/Historia/Ei-Suomi6.htm[/url]
[color=blue]
>
> Now, I'd be interested in reading comments from the ng members! Thanks.[/color]