What's the Appeal of Underpowered Imports About?
 

From what I have noticed, the following of young people towards cars like, stanced VWs, bagged Hondas etc is MUCH larger than those for cars like V8 Mustangs, Camaros, Corvettes or even powerful imports like Supras and GTRs. And I just can't seem to understand why that is. The build quality of domestics is no where near as bad as it was in the 90s and earlier. Another observation is that the people buying these cars are definitely not concerned with cost. They'll buy a $30k Accord and put a set CCWs or other expensive wheel on there and have a car that is slow as hell. I just don't get what the craze is about.

Here are the types of cars I am referring to. I just can't imagine buying one of these cars over something like a 5.0 Mustang, C6 ZO6, Gen 2 Viper etc.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...s/HondaFit.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...4-1110x725.jpg



-Alex

They get what they can afford and mod it. Some do it tastefully, and are perfectly content with have a nice show quality car that isn't crazy fast.

It has a lot to do with what's popular in the culture at any given time. My generation still lusts after 60's musclecars, and even the tailfins of the 50's.

And it has to do with what the kids saw as they grew through their formative years. Was Dad driving an old hot rod, or a Civic?

And finally, it's got a lot to do with what's affordable. When I was coming up, you could drop by any car lot in the DFW area and find an old muscle car in decent shape for under $2000. Being a kid of 16, and not having much of a job yet, I did what I could, and that meant a steady diet of '69 Camaros, '70 Mustangs, etc, etc, until I had landed a better job, so I could get a nicer ride. Kids now a days are doing exactly the same thing, they just have a vastly different pool of cars to choose from now.

Price difference between a brand new loaded Honda vs a loaded Mustang is pretty big.

Personally I'm not big on the whole stance thing but I can see the reasoning behind it. Some people just don't need or want the speed that a muscle car or sports car delivers, plus insurance costs(in most cases), and features available at the price point

Like if I hadn't wanted a 5.0 for the past 3 years; I would've highly considered a passat, cc, accord, mazda 6, fusion ecoboost, altima, etc due to the features they come with in the low $30k msrp price point

A lot of guys can make those vdubs and Hondas look pretty good. Not my thing though, I like speed. I've always had a thing for muscle/pony cars ever since I was young. The cars you speak of themselves may not be much cheaper than ours but think about all the stuff speed demons break once we start looking for more power? The stance guys just have wheels and suspension on an otherwise stock car.

I see it as the same old "look at me" crap. No different than when I was in high school in the 80s and the idiots would install the biggest camshaft they could, just for the sound, to get people to look. Never mind that they just made their car even slower, just like these huge wheels do. Oh, and you had to have some raspy assed cherry bomb mufflers to go with that too. :grd:

Ive owned Rsx's, Is300's, civics before and the reason for me was making something not quick at all into somethng surprising. Say what you will about Japanese car but the parts are second to none. Ive yet to see a domestic manufacturer have such high quality products.

Apparently these cars are very much pop culture.

I went to Edmunds.com and priced the following cars without actually building up options.

2013 Honda Accord EX-L V6 no Nav $30,860
2013 Scion FRS 10 Series $28,180
2013 Volkswagen CC Sport Plus $33,820

Now these cars are slightly cheaper. Now considering the mods that are done for the most part like coilovers ~$2,000, very nice forged wheels ~$4,500 and tires $1,000, you can see the cost of a powerful domestic is well within reason if not cheaper. Look better driving too :)

Interesting point. What features are these cars coming with, that domestics don't get for $30k?

I'll admit that interior fit and finish is not equal to that of Honda or Toyota but, it certainly isn't bad in comparison. Not from what I can see. I've dated girls with daily driven imports, and for $30k, I did not see what the big deal was with the interiors. I do respect the nice imports such as Evos, Supras, STis, RX7s, Mitsubishi GTOs etc.

-Alex

I was referring to Aftermarket parts as far as fit and finish to me its almost even. Ive had an Evo and it was a fast nimble machine but the interior was better in a KIA LOL! The Rx7 I had was just a bare bones machine made to tackle corners. GTO's and Supras The interiors were just beautiful.

A base mustang gt starts at around $30k. My loaded Optima SX has leather, glass roof, Touch screen Nav, Infinity Sound System, and Heated/Cooled seats. These options on a Mustang start pushing the price closer to $40k.

$10k is a big difference.

^That. But it's pretty much stuff like that giving them an edge, at least compared to the 5.0. Now the v6 you can get fully loaded for similar price point but then you're dealing with the v6 vs v8 bs

Good point. I'd drive a base GT over a loaded V6 all day.

I got my 2012 with the premium package for less than $30k. I'd much rather have a well-appointed, one year older GT vs a brand new Honda Accord. Actually I would never buy a brand new car of any make. I am not thrilled to take that hit of depreciation no matter who builds the car.

-Alex

They price matched mine to one at another dealer for just under 26k brand new.

base mustangs go for 25-27 all day
premiums 28-30
prem +options 31-36

How about because not everyone wants a mustang. THe car culture is broad and i for one am thankful for it. I kind of want an Rx8. Those cars handle extremely well.

I'm talking MSRP to MSRP comparisons. The same price reduction applies to the imports.

Not just Mustangs. I am talking about compared to higher powered domestics in general. I'd much rather drive a C5Z06, Gen 2 Viper, Mustang GT, 2004 Cobra etc before a Mazda 3 with $4k rims. I just don't see how cars like that are more attractive.

-Alex

Everyone has different taste. Insurance is certainly cheaper on other cars. Thats one reason, not just outright price. Everyone has different taste. Its just not always about the speed.

I just don't see how a car like thishttp://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...6-1110x735.jpg has more appeal to anyone over a car like this http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...s/IMG_0075.jpg

Different strokes to move the world I guess.

-Alex

Id put money on that FRS in the mountains. My appeal of Imports was weight and balance. The mustang is a dangerous fucking car in the mountains. I hate it. I jus dont feel like im connected to it. Im not saying its a bad car but its just way to heavy. I also love the high rpm of a small displacement engine. I took my rx7 up to the mountains and stayed at 8500 rpm most of the time, superb balance and connection just lIke the S2k. Also with an underpowered car you learn real quick about lines and braking. Since you dont have alot of power, learning momentum, grip and entry point is crucial.

I miss my mazdaspeed 3. I waited 7 years for another mustang but now I have one I would almost rather have my ms3 back. Don't get me wrong fwd sucks balls but the feel of driving a car that's light and nimble is more exciting to just drive vs the v8 boat I drive now that's only fun when you push the gas. I hate my mustangs suspension i miss the irs in my old 04 slowbra.

I want a m3 or cts-v. Best of both worlds.

I test drove a Focus ST before buying my GT and I absolutely LOVED the ST. Kinda wish I could have afforded the Focus lol

It's silly the focus is more than a 5.0

That's about what I said when they told me that at the dealership

Cost of ownership is way different.
insurance/gas/maintenance/reliability/build quality/depreciation.

Hondas hold insane value the only car I know that holds better value is a wrangler.

would take either of these cars over a domestic anyday.

http://www.speedhunters.com/wp-conte...-Bunny-FRS.jpg


http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment...-fixedthat-jpg

LOL! Haven't seen a hard top Miata since I sold mine. I don't even put that car on my list of things I've owned, if that tells you anything about it. Mine didn't look like that though, just a hardtop that looked about like the soft top up. That fastback thing above does not flow well at all with the cars lines. And lets face it, one of the coolest things about a Miata is having the top down. Why add weight to an already underpowered car?

And just for reference, mine wasn't that bad of a car when considering the fun to drive aspect. It just literally fell apart sitting in the driveway. Everyday, I'd go out and find another nut or bolt, or piece of the car, laying on the ground in the garage. I've never heard any other horror stories like mine, so I assume I just got a bad one.

And I like the FRS/BRZ cars, don't care for them all stanced out, but I would roll something clean like this -

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/au...oncept-STi.jpg

Wow an FRS and Miata over a domestic?

Here's a list of domestics that would slaughter those girl cars every day of the week.

1. C6ZR1
2. C5ZO6
3. Saleen S7
4. Viper GTS R
5. GT500
6. Shelby Cobra
7. Ford GT
8. Hennessey Venom
9. Boss 302
10. ZL1

What track records do Miatas and FRSs have?

-Alex

MMmmmmm, yes please.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...GrandSport.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...rs/Mustang.jpg

-Alex

If you would, then why'd you buy a Mustang? The FRS and Miata can be had for the same price.

-Alex

have you ever been to auto x or a road course? the cars that are the fastest are miatas. for the money you can't get a better handling car. and why are you comparing those ultra high dollars cars to a sub 20k car. and are we talking straight line or the twistys. and I bought my mustang because I like mustangs. I also like other cars as well. I'm a car guy in general, not a fan boy.

why are you naming 500k+ cars.

The frs/brz is a wonderful car. Yes it's underpowered but the car drives so well. Who cares it's gets beat by Saleen S7 lol

You can't compare that list to a miata or frs. Those aren't even the same class of car. Not only that, the only one that comes close to 30k is the boss and it's still around 15k over.

I had a 2010 MS3 and it was a ball to drive. One of the best handling underpowered cars i drove was a Rx8.

I am aware of what Miatas are capable of. For most of us, we drive on the street way more than on a track. I haven't driven a Miata at all, are they fun on the street?

He said, and I quote "would take either of these cars over a domestic anyday."

Those are plenty of "a domestics" :hidesbehindsofa:

-Alex

Check the prices of used C5ZO6s. They go for mid $20s all day. New Miatas cost that much.

-Alex