[jembr325]

Eyes,

Did you read my comments at all or did your eyes turn red when you saw "American"? Haha

Thats why I've always bought foreign cars -- because I'm a nut for a car that can blend good handling with good performance, quality design and construction, and a well appointed interrior at a decent price point. Its the whole package. But I do have respect for American racing history.


Just to play devils advocate here:

You have to understand what the intent of the car was when it was designed -- Americans have been big on straight-line performance. Thus, you have to respect american muscle for what it was designed to do... throw you in the back of your seat. There were some glorious days in the 70s in Detroit. However, they have also made some great race cars... for example the Ford GT 40 (Ford won the Lemans Series from 1966 - 1969). You also have to appreciate the Shelby Cobra -- still one one of the best handling race cars. Finally there is the 'vette -- the latest z06 posted faster lap times at Nurburgring than the NSX, one of two Nissan GTRs, Mercedes CLK 63 AMG, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, and Porsche 996 GT2 (see their website).

The problem is they dont make good well rounded production sports cars that are relatively affordable (under 35k), handle well, and are reliable (but Honda really didnt get a cost effective pure sports car until the S2K -- prior it was the NSX). However, I suspect this will change now that they are hiring many of the great engineers behind the Japanese and German brands.

But if we are going to just walk out on the field and point our fingers at American cars... lets at least give them a chance... after all we live in America. How about that ugly looking wicked stepchild made by Dodge -- yes I know we all cringe when we pull up to those punks. But, who do you think would make it around the track faster -- a stock Dodge Neon RT-4 or a stock Civic SI (similar price bracket)?

I love Hondas, but you'd probably loose your money betting on the stock Civic SI in this instance. Don't get me wrong -- I wouldnt buy one personally, but I know several who have these... and they were neck and neck with my lightly tuned 350z for $10 grand less.

So I suppose that its just different strokes for different folks -- so dont hate on your boy here, who will always be a foreign car lover, when he pulls up next to you in his new z06 (which he garages next to his tuned s2k) and for fun he lets his foot hit the petal so that all 505 horses give you a healthy growl -- thats just my way of saying hi. =)