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I'm tired of the constant import vs. domestic bickering that goes on in this forum. Really, enough is enough. I've explained my point of view on the nationalities of cars numerous times and a good lot of you have agreed with it, so what I'm going to do is this. I'm going to lay out the ground rules (based solely on my seasoned opinion) and anyone that disagrees can find themselves a new forum.

IMPORT CARS VS. DOMESTIC CARS. WHOSE ARE BETTER?

The answer: NEITHER.

It makes absolutely no difference where the car comes from! One country does not make better cars than the next. There is no East vs. West competition. When was the last time you owned a car made by a car company called America? Or Japan? Or Germany?

You haven't. Why? Because cars are made by manufacturers, not countries - not even by East or West hemispheres. Disregard where the manufacturers originated bearing in mind that in today's day and age, a car company does not conduct its business in one country at all. In fact, they employ people and source parts from every corner of the world. Cars aren't even exclusively designed in one country anymore. These days, a car is the culmination of ideas that have come from many different people of many different nationalities. These people comprise a manufacturer.

That said, it'd make much more sense to compare manufacturers rather than countries. Honda vs. Ford, Ford vs. GM, Chrysler vs. BMW. In such a way, you can compare different manufacturers' designs and point out the benefits one has over the other. If you think in such a way, you're on the right track.

But you still don't know how to compare cars in the way that an educated automotive enthusiast should.

This is because car manufacturers have different cars built for different purposes. For instance, Nissan have Sentras, Versas and Altimas. They also have 370Zs and GT-Rs. Chevrolet have Cobalts, Aveos and Impalas. In the same way, they also have Camaros and Corvettes.

It is foolish to compare two cars made for different purposes to one another using the same criteria - especially when you're talking speed.

A Camaro isn't to be compared to a Cobalt because a Camaro is developed for spirited driving from the ground up whereas the Cobalt is not. Identically, a 370Z isn't to be compared to a Sentra for the same reason. One is a sports car, one isn't.

If you can't compare a Camaro to a Cobalt, why would you compare one to a Sentra? Why would you compare a 370Z to a Cobalt? You shouldn't because it doesn't make sense.

This changes when the cars have been modified. Let's say you're comparing a Camaro to a modified Sentra with 500 horsepower. Then does it make sense to say a Sentra is a better car? NO! Because the Sentra isn't just a Sentra anymore, it's whatever you've made it into. Now, compare parts. Engine, suspension, running gear. When you've got a modified car and you've changed any of this, you shouldn't consider it the same car anymore because it isn't the same car. It's an entirely different car altogether.

Let's apply this rule in a test scenario.

Comparison:

Mustang GT vs. Civic

Winner: MUSTANG. It's a sports car, the Civic isn't.

Comparison:

Modified Mustang GT vs. Modified Civic

Winner: DEPENDS ON THE PARTS.

If the Civic has undergone a rear wheel drive conversion, has reworked suspension geometry, better brakes and a turbocharger and proves to be faster than the Mustang despite its own upgrades, does that mean that a modified Civic is better than a modified Mustang? NO! They're just platforms at that point, you can only compare builds.

Does everyone understand? I really don't want to have to deal with another family feud.

I am in agreement with this. All the old-timer members know that I respect cars of all types. I just don't respect the hype that some of them have.

However, I will not tolerate non-instigated personal attacks on other members. It's in the guild's front page that we don't do that s**t.

Oh, and for chrissake, be nicer to one another.

A Civic is cheaper than a Mustang in all cases and can be modified to be better than one. Any car can be modified to be better than anything you want it to be. But after you do that, it's a kit car, not a Civic.

Yes but a Mustang can be modified in the same way and because it started life as a sports car, it's that much closer to being what you want it to be before you start modding. Still, like I said, it's more expensive, but it's for a reason... Just like an S2000 is more expensive than a Civic, or a Cobalt.

I was only mocking and using terms the recently unbanned person used to attack another member. And... if being on GD is such a dis' and so lame for someone to be in, why'd the guy get all butt-hurt when he got a taste of what he did to another member, then go all QQ and beg to be let back in?* rolleyes

Regardless, thanks for keeping me around. I really am a decent person, honest! wink

(* I do recognize that I'm not being the bigger man by just letting it go... but really, WHY DID HE? Everyone who's been around knows that my journalistic integrity, and the responsibility of any member of society in general, has to bring hypocrisy to light.)

What about the honda civic typeR? or the Civic mugen RR

In the same respects, and I do say this with respect, I could say the same about the v6 mustang... it isnt a sports car... but the v8 saleen, cobra, rousche is.

The post was a joke, because us vets remember how Sixspeed and I would always go at it over the Mustang. I like and respect it a lot more than he does! So when I saw him say something like that, I had to give him a little ribbing. wink