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Subject: Re: ugh
Name:
 Sledge
Date: 1/15/2002 7:20:57 PM (GMT-7)
IP Address: 66.188.32.143
In Reply to: Re: ugh posted by
ludicrous
Message:
Definition of quality - according to Consumer Reports the Civic receives the highest mark while the Focus gets the lowest. For a $17k car, that's too much a distance to traverse IMHO. Being in the auto industry, I can tell you many stories of how Japanese co's go the extra mile and the Americans will sacrifice quality for a cent here or there. I think this attitude is starting to rub off on German co's. Have you seen the interior of the Mercedes ML430 SUV? Ick.
Umm, back to the topic. I don't know about a "frowning" front fascia. I always thought it had a more serious or determined (if a car could have those qualities) look. As for the taillights, the 4-dr has those, and they look OK - not the most interesting design feature and not the worst. I have a 2-dr which wraps the metal over the top. The lights have a triangular look. I think the 2-dr also has a more pronounced crease going down the upper flanks and ends up wrapping around above the taillights into the trunklid. Very classy detail IMHO. I don't think the rear end sags any although it is relatively lower than other cars. It improves rear visibility and bucks the trend of a high trunk line giving the car a wedge-like pseudo-sporty look. Honda is definitely moving the Civic sedan/coupe away from the sporty end of the spectrum, while the Si hatch is moving towards it (a shame the Si wasn't available from the get go, or I'd have a different car sitting under my carport). I think this is on purpose so that they target their markets better. People looking for a simple sedan get what they want and people who want a more high strung machine get the Si. Each product looks the part its owners want it to play.
As for the Accord, I prefer the 2-dr's styling (although the car should be lowered about an inch), but the 4-dr looks alright - nothing special.
My next machine (in 9 years  ) will probably be a Honda, VW or Subaru. The only problem with the Vdub or Subie is that the versions I want usually have a turbo attached. Every person I've known with a turbo engine always has trouble with that part. Having to fork out extra cash for premium gas isn't pleasant either. Although, maybe by then improved hybrids or hydrogen fuel cell cars will be on sale so I'll have to rethink everything
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