Originally posted by Bob Parmenter
Matthew, one of the reasons you see more go-fast, and doll-up goodies for the Japanese based cars, as compared to the U.S. ones, is that there is a thriving market across the Pacific (meaning more than just Japan) for them. Tuner cars are BIG in Japan, and the more industrialized countries south of them. If I had to guess, I'd say that a big majority of the performance technology comes from there, and at least half of the glitzy stuff.
I have looked up the manufacturers of some of the junk being sold. Even for the mods for an American car, most are from Japan. I can even see tuning a Jap car, if you are in Japan. What I don't understand is why the fad crossed the Pacific. I know why they got a foothold here years back, but is the cheap price tag all that drives this? I had an opportunity to buy a Jap car, a Toyota. I chose the Saturn instead. I have had more trouble out of my Saturn in the 11 months I've had it than my grandfather ever had out of his Toyotas, or my Aunt ever had out of her Hondas. They are still more reliable than American cars, but I don't like how all of our business is leaving. I will still buy American, with the exception of sports cars, which I may then go foreign, probably Porsche, or S2000. I just wonder if these Rice enthusiasts will ever decide to go American? I think the problem is bigger than just the folks who tune rice, its the existance of rice in this country at all. I hope I find some people sympathetic to my views here, as the rice lovers seem to be taking over.