Thread: Random car ramblings: what if Asian car makers made American classics

I love classic car lines and shapes, and am appreciative of the new updates on these classics (new Mustang, new Camaro, new Challenger, etc. -- I'm holding out for the retro Gran Torino, lol)

I hope they sell like hotcakes, so they stay alive. For me, though, I need an SUV for numerous reasons, so I'm not able to buy a retro sedan/coupe.

But another thing that has held me back (especially on the Chrysler products) has been quality concerns. I've known far too many Chrysler owners who have had to have complete tranny or engine rebuilds before 100K miles.

What if somehow (fill in imaginary scenario here) Honda or Toyota or somebody like that produced a classic design/classic plated car. Let's say Honda bought Chrysler, and made a high quality Challenger. Same body, but Honda-level interiors and quality. Would you be more inclined to try one of these new/retro cars? What if it was the Honda Mustang? or Toyota Camaro? Of course, there's also some nationalism that could creep in here -- seeing them as American cars, etc. Let's assume that they are principally built in the US, like the Accords and Camrys.

I used to own Accords before I had to move to an SUV. That was in the 90s. I think if I could drive a sedan, I'd feel much better off with Honda quality behind it.

This is just a random discussion question. No meaning behind it, other than a slow day at work. Also, I saw LittleMT's pics of her Camaro, and I thought "gorgeous car, but I'd never own one" so I asked myself why not. I think my perception of GM quality is one issue.

I understand what you're saying, but I think a lot of what drives the sales of those cars (in addition to the lines and the nostalgia) is the old "Buy American" mentality (despite wherever the cars are actually built). There would be a certain portion of the buying public that would simply never buy a car with a Japanese name....period.

And as cool as good old Detroit muscle is, I prefer the vintage Japanese rides. If Toyota would remake the 2000GT, I'd sell off my own children to get one (if I had any)....... Japanese Sports Cars, Part 2: The Toyota 2000GT

I wonder if there's a correlation between the new retro muscle cars and Leicas and Fujis and the Olympus OM-D?

I've been giving serious thoughts to a 2005 Thunderbird, as a topless, weekend car for trips to wine country ... as I think it combines a classic retro look with a modern ride and up-to-date connivences.

Originally Posted by Gary

I've been giving serious thoughts to a 2005 Thunderbird, as a topless, weekend car for trips to wine country ... as I think it combines a classic retro look with a modern ride and up-to-date connivences.

Oh yeah, there's another great revival car.

If I had more dollars than sense, I'd be driving one of these replicas...... SPECIALTY AUTO-SPORTS INC,Porsche Speedster,Porsche Replica,Porsche Replicas,Porsche Speedster Replica,Porsche 356 replica, Speedster replica,VW Speedster,Speedster,356A replicas,904 GTS

There's always the Miata. Its not a clean copy of any of the old Triumph / MG models, but the resemblance is really strong and they were mechanically sound and drove great - a fine combination... And when did they come out - 1991-92???

-Ray

Originally Posted by Luke

If I had more dollars than sense, I'd be driving one of these replicas...... SPECIALTY AUTO-SPORTS INC,Porsche Speedster,Porsche Replica,Porsche Replicas,Porsche Speedster Replica,Porsche 356 replica, Speedster replica,VW Speedster,Speedster,356A replicas,904 GTS

Yeah... what I like about this 356 replica is that it's not built on an old VW pan - it's a totally new, fully engineered frame with modern Subaru running gear and drive train. You could literally use this car as a daily driver.

Originally Posted by wt21

I love classic car lines and shapes, and am appreciative of the new updates on these classics (new Mustang, new Camaro, new Challenger, etc. -- I'm holding out for the retro Gran Torino, lol)

I hope they sell like hotcakes, so they stay alive. For me, though, I need an SUV for numerous reasons, so I'm not able to buy a retro sedan/coupe.

But another thing that has held me back (especially on the Chrysler products) has been quality concerns. I've known far too many Chrysler owners who have had to have complete tranny or engine rebuilds before 100K miles.

What if somehow (fill in imaginary scenario here) Honda or Toyota or somebody like that produced a classic design/classic plated car. Let's say Honda bought Chrysler, and made a high quality Challenger. Same body, but Honda-level interiors and quality. Would you be more inclined to try one of these new/retro cars? What if it was the Honda Mustang? or Toyota Camaro? Of course, there's also some nationalism that could creep in here -- seeing them as American cars, etc. Let's assume that they are principally built in the US, like the Accords and Camrys.

I used to own Accords before I had to move to an SUV. That was in the 90s. I think if I could drive a sedan, I'd feel much better off with Honda quality behind it.

This is just a random discussion question. No meaning behind it, other than a slow day at work. Also, I saw LittleMT's pics of her Camaro, and I thought "gorgeous car, but I'd never own one" so I asked myself why not. I think my perception of GM quality is one issue.

If I were you, I'd wait a few years and then take another look at Chrysler. Fiat's influence has been totally positive so far (forget what you think you know about Fiat as well). Plus, Chrysler has introduced all-new engines over the past couple of years and quality has been improving noticably already. BTW, Chrysler plans a new Barracuda soon.

Also... there's an old saying that it takes consumers forever to learn something... and then forever to unlearn something. Many Americans kept buying Detroit Iron for years after the products had become absymally bad.... finally turning to Honda, Toyota and, to a lesser extent, Nissan, in the late 80s and 90s. And now, many customers continue to blindly stick with one or two Asian brands even though they are far from perfect and Detroit has improved.

If I were you, I'd try hard to leave my old perceptions about quality behind and look at current data. Honda went through a period in the past ten years where a lot of its transmissions were failing. And look at what's happened to Toyota's reputation after the sudden-acceleration episode. The truth is, no one has a monopoly on quality - or lack of quality - any longer. Does this mean I am down on Honda and Toyota? Not at all. I own a Subaru and my wife has a Hyundai. My previous vehicle was a Ford Ranger and I've owned plenty of domestic and foreign cars over the years. I keep an open mind, look to the companies that make the kinds of vehicles I want... and keep abreast of the latest information on new products, quality and reliability.

Finally, I don't regard Consumer Reports as the last word on quality. Here's a site that provides me with a lot more of what I'm looking for. Perhaps it'll work for you as well:

TrueDelta -- Real Car Owners Driving Real Car Information

I think the quality of American cars has improved a lot since the terrible 70's 80's, and that they are not credited enough with that improvement. I'm not a chauvinist; I've driven Toyotas, Hyundais, and foreign built Geos and Aveos, but my 1996 Ford Ranger did very well by me before I sold it a year ago at 185,000 miles. I put in a new water pump and clutch in the 15 years I had it. That's it. My current Chevy Cobalt seems like a decent enough car -- 40k and nothing but oil changes and routine maintenance.

So, if I could afford more than a Cobalt, I'd jump at the opportunity to whiz around in a Camaro -- or Mustang, or Thunderbird, etc.

But I confess, although I like cars, I'm not really a car guy. The one I want more than any other is a 1957 red and white or blue and white Chevy BelAir. Now THAT'S a car.