Japanese sedans

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Omphalos, Jul 4, 2003.

  1. Omphalos

    Omphalos Guest

    There is a lot of talk about BMW, VW and American sedans. Has
    anyone ever considered the Nissan Maxima or the Toyota Camry? These
    two sedans fully loaded and optioned down are cheaper, faster, more
    reliable, better handling and more comfortable and practical than your
    typical VW, BMW, or Brand X American sedan.

    You could buy a fully loaded Camry and have a pile of money left over
    to spend. You would also have a lot more room than your typical VW or
    BMW. The German sedans just do not have any room in them for larger
    people. Fitting 4 or 5 people in them would be a stretch of the
    imagination.

    --
    __________
    ==\ /================================
    ===\ /==You know how dumb the average==
    ====\ /===guy is? Well half of everyone==
    =====\ /======is even dumber than that=====
    ======\/====================================

    http://31337.pl
     
    Omphalos, Jul 4, 2003
    #1
  2. Omphalos

    Lord Biotree Guest

    Yes, you are completely correct.
    If you have enough money to but a BMW or a Benz what does it matter?
    At that level of income money have no meaning.
    It's just an object
    Plus some people may want to look like they are "rich." Yota and Nissan nor
    Honda give off that Image.
    Just some food for thought.
     
    Lord Biotree, Jul 4, 2003
    #2
  3. Ha ha ha :)
     
    Andrew Thomas, Jul 4, 2003
    #3
  4. Omphalos

    Dave C. Guest

    What are you talking about? I've ridden in Bimmers. Other than the 7
    series perhaps, they are microscopically tiny . . . especially if you
    compare them with the average Jap sedan costing many thousands of dollars
    less. -Dave
     
    Dave C., Jul 5, 2003
    #4
  5. Omphalos

    marcel Guest

    actually a bimmer 3 series is smaller then a accord
    but a vw passat is roomier then most jap sedans, but its far from reliable

    marcel
     
    marcel, Jul 5, 2003
    #5
  6. Omphalos

    Martin Guest

    I disagree on VW... I own a 2002 Passat V6 and it is great. Larger than my
    wife's 2000 Altima (even larger than the newer 2002+ Altima's.) The quality
    and finish is 100 times better than the Nissan's and Honda's I've seen. The
    V6 has alright HP, better ride quality, VERY comfortable, and can easily
    seat 5 people. Being 6'1, there is alright head/leg room (not the best...)
    Reliability is a question (had a 1996 Passat that started leaking oil) and
    servicing is costly. The Jetta, on the other hand, I WOULD NOT touch...
     
    Martin, Jul 5, 2003
    #6
  7. Omphalos

    Philip® Guest

    I agree with you, Dave. The 3 series have since the mid '80's been for
    unusually short waisted people and the 5 series only marginally better.
    --

    *Philip

    "Children left running and unattended
    will be towed at owner's expense"
     
    Philip®, Jul 5, 2003
    #7
  8. Omphalos

    Philip® Guest

    How about a Jetta TDI?
    --

    *Philip

    "Children left running and unattended
    will be towed at owner's expense"
     
    Philip®, Jul 5, 2003
    #8
  9. Omphalos

    Nathan Nagel Guest

    I had an '86 535i, and I thought the f'ing thing was HUGE. 5 people
    could fit in it very comfortably. Certainly no space issues up front,
    only thing that was tight was hip room with 3-up in the back.

    nate
     
    Nathan Nagel, Jul 5, 2003
    #9
  10. Omphalos

    Philip® Guest

    NOT in 3 series, that is for sure. 7's were decent but then you're
    talking about a barge anyway.
    --

    *Philip

    "Children left running and unattended
    will be towed at owner's expense"
     
    Philip®, Jul 5, 2003
    #10
  11. Omphalos

    Guest Guest

    I find how much space a car has depends on who you ask, not what height. I
    had a Porsche and I had tall epople who were fine in the front seat (and
    one who even said he wasn't too bad in the back seat but I think that was
    more of a I can bear it kinda thing) and ones who didn't like it. Hell, I
    think the tall friend who could bear the back seat was also trying to egg
    me on to get five in that car (we did it and when it scraped bottom at the
    end of the drive way I kicked them out and said we're taking two cars, I
    wasn't all that happy about sticking that many epople in my car. Four in a
    911 is a squeeze... five is just insane).

    The one tall person I have had in my '84 325e thought it was totally fine
    (he was in the backseat) but haven't really had much of a chance to have
    that many peple in it. I don't think it would fit five comfortabley (you
    could do it but hope taht the three in back are good friends). But I do
    think it would fit four fine.

    Alice

    --
    The root cause of problems is simple overpopulation. People just aren't
    worth very much any more, and they know it. Makes 'em testy. ...Bev
    |\ _,,,---,,_ Tigress
    /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ http://havoc.gtf.gatech.edu/tigress
    |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-'
    '---''(_/--' `-'\_) Cat by Felix Lee.
     
    Guest, Jul 5, 2003
    #11
  12. Omphalos

    Philip® Guest

    For me, it's about driving posture. I do not drive with the seat angled
    back and arms stretched out. That posture allows for long waisted
    people to fit into a 3 series. From trucking, I prefer the sit up,
    touring car posture .... which the low roofed 3 series especially with
    sun roof do not accomodate without my scalp rubbing the roof.
    --

    *Philip

    "Children left running and unattended
    will be towed at owner's expense"
     
    Philip®, Jul 5, 2003
    #12
  13. Omphalos

    John Burns Guest

    The Bimmers I was referring to were an '84 318i, an '84 533i(?) and
    Agreed, but I'm 10.5 stone and 5'6" :) Most attractive thing about the
    E30 is how small it is. I always thought the E36/46 were a bit big.

    It's really noticeable that the current sports seats are too wide, the
    sports seats on the E30 and 635 were perfect for me.
     
    John Burns, Jul 5, 2003
    #13
  14. I agree. If you're fat, it's kinda hard to squeeze your arse into a BMW :).
     
    Andrew Thomas, Jul 5, 2003
    #14
  15. Omphalos

    John Carrier Guest

    I think the Honda and Toyota offerings represent the best values in the
    market. But your statement that the Japanese are faster (sometimes, not
    usually), better handling (not in my humble experience and I've driven most
    of them) and more comfortable (Can't STAND my mother's Camry, my old Accord
    was okay, but not great) is just plain WRONG.

    My 5 series isn't perfect. The cupholders suck. There's a lack of interior
    storage places and the trunk is a bit small. The climate control works well
    but is relatively unsophisticated. And the audio system is surpassed by
    most Japanese offerings.

    BMW has the best seats and driving position in the business. In terms of
    vehicle dynamics, which create the driving experience, it is unexceeded by
    anything with 4 doors.

    R / John
     
    John Carrier, Jul 5, 2003
    #15
  16. Omphalos

    ma_twain Guest

    Correct - Toyota now has the SE model Camrys. The Accord and Maxima
    already had somewhat decent handling.


    The may be for the older cars. The 1980s Volvos have more usable space
    on the inside than the current models. I test drove a 2002 BMW 3 series
    wagon, a station wagon, not a two seater sports coupe, and my 8 year son
    barely fit in the back seat due to lack of legroom.
     
    ma_twain, Jul 5, 2003
    #16
  17. Omphalos

    Philip® Guest

    The problem with Japanese cars is similar to Japanese food. Park it and
    an hour later, you feel like driving it again.
    --

    Philip

    "If a long train of abuses, prevarications, and artifices, all tending
    the same way, make the design visible to the people . tis not to be
    wondered that they should then rouse themselves."
    - John Locke (1632-1704)
     
    Philip®, Jul 5, 2003
    #17
  18. Omphalos

    Jimmy G Guest

    I OWN a Maxima. I bought it for the exact reasons that you mentioned. I'l
    GLADLY go into additional debt just to get rid of the thing.

    Customer support is DISMAL. Nissan simply doesn't care about its owners.

    Our '03 225i handles IMMEASURABLY better.

    The New '04 MAxima interior looks as if it were designed by Mattell. CHEAP
    PLASTIC.

    You simply can't compare teh actual driving experience of these cars.
     
    Jimmy G, Jul 5, 2003
    #18
  19. Omphalos

    Ricardo Guest

    Well, we're about the same weight, that could explain it. :) (And
    "stones" and "ounces" are the most illogical units around, because
    they utilize bases 14 and 16 respectively. Feet and inches make more
    sense because they are dozenally based. But 12lbs in a st and 12oz
    in a lb would make far more sense. But then, what was ever logical
    about much of the imperial system?)
    Ahh, the 6 series. Yes, I'd forgotten about those. Never been in one
    mind, as far as I can remember, but I'd be kinda surprised if they
    didn't offer sufficient room up front.
     
    Ricardo, Jul 5, 2003
    #19
  20. Omphalos

    Nathan Nagel Guest

    AFAIR they were very similar to the E28s...

    nate
     
    Nathan Nagel, Jul 5, 2003
    #20
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