Interesting cars the Europeans don't have

[Shawn]

^ Yes, there's Acura from Honda which funnily enough was the first of the 3 upscale Japanese marques in North America.

But Acura isn't really up to the fit and finish of Lexus and Infiniti, it's more of an entry-luxury marque. I think Honda has also been talking about selling them in more places, but nothing concrete yet like Infiniti (which I read about in TG mag).

[starfox07]

Originally Posted by static

Is there any other japanese luxury car maker missing in Europe than Infinity? Lexus has been here for some time already.

Acura.

Above poster beat me by seconds! I prefer Acura to Lexus and Infinity, primarily because I think the Lexus and Infinity name's are just pseudo-prestigious facade's covering their econo-car routes (at least until just a few years ago, but the effect has lasted one me) Acura has a more up front approach and there is no attempt to hide the Honda nameplate, in part because its the best one of the whole island. (IMO)

[Elmo187]

Originally Posted by Danny Tran

Watching Top Gear, I often get the impression the North American market get few interesting cars:

Pagani Zonda, Reanult Clio (mid-engined, really bokers one), Ford Focus RS and ST, Holden Monaro, Fiat 500, Alfa Romeos, VW Polo, Ford Mondeo, Suzuki Swift sport (not the fake one, Daewoo Kalos), etc.

However, I often forget the North Americans get some interesting cars the Europeans don't the Honda Integra (Acura RSX), Infiniti G35 sedan and coupé, Acura RDX....

Am I forgetting any?

i could of sworn we got the Pagani Zonda. also, we do, infact, get the Monaro. its called a GTO. Fiat and Alfa are making a return to US soil after over 20 years.

[argatoga]

Originally Posted by MadCow809

and there is nothing particular amazing about american SUVs as well.. apart from the sheer size difference. it will be pretty thirsty as well, which isnt a good thing since our petrol price is well over US $1 per litre.

which is why we resolve to small light jap/euro cars. lots of 1.3/4/6/8 on the road.

Which is why I like SUVs even though I am not an SUV guy, the more people here who drive them means there are more people who will complain about the government imposing high gasoline taxes. Which allows me to drive a gas guzzling V8 sports car relatively cheaply.

[chaos386]

Originally Posted by Danny Tran

Watching Top Gear, I often get the impression the North American market get few interesting cars:

Pagani Zonda, Reanult Clio (mid-engined, really bokers one), Ford Focus RS and ST, Holden Monaro, Fiat 500, Alfa Romeos, VW Polo, Ford Mondeo, Suzuki Swift sport (not the fake one, Daewoo Kalos), etc.

However, I often forget the North Americans get some interesting cars the Europeans don't the Honda Integra (Acura RSX), Infiniti G35 sedan and coupé, Acura RDX....

Am I forgetting any?

Er, North America did get the Monaro, and Europe the Integra.

[Momentum57]

Well they don't have Acura but thats their Honda. Panoz is one that love to see go around the track. A guy has one out here and says its a rocket but I think he was talking it up.

[Hidden_Hunter]

Originally Posted by chaos386

Er, North America did get the Monaro, and Europe the Integra.

and they actually got it as an integra

[Shawn]

I've had two cars so far in my life, one Acura and one Lexus. Acuras generally offer more options than their corresponding Hondas but aren't any better in fit and finish. Lexus on the other hand actually has good fit and finish that comes very close to the Germans.

My problem with Acura is that most of their cars are straight-up Hondas with an Acura badge. Lexus started out like that but over the years they've changed things up. The Lexus GX and ES are the only badge engineered cars in Lexus' current lineup. The rest might share a lot with Toyotas but at least they're not the same car outright.

Compare that with Acura... the RL is the Legend in Europe, the TSX is the Accord, the RSX was the Integra and even the Canada-only Acura EL is just a Civic in drag.

Originally Posted by starfox07

I prefer Acura to Lexus and Infinity, primarily because I think the Lexus and Infinity name's are just pseudo-prestigious facade's covering their econo-car routes (at least until just a few years ago, but the effect has lasted one me) Acura has a more up front approach and there is no attempt to hide the Honda nameplate, in part because its the best one of the whole island. (IMO)

[Elmo187]

Originally Posted by chaos386

Er, North America did get the Monaro, and Europe the Integra.

Europe did get the Integra as a Honda. both the DC2 and DC5 generations.

Originally Posted by Momentum57

Well they don't have Acura but thats their Honda. Panoz is one that love to see go around the track. A guy has one out here and says its a rocket but I think he was talking it up.

oh they're rockets. which one does he have? the Esperante GTLM? that comes with a 420hp supercharged 4.6L Ford Mod engine.

[teeb]

Originally Posted by superchevy

most of our trucks and suvs.

Please note the word 'interesting' in the title

...

Maybe the Scion xB? I don't know if it's any good at all, but I like the look of it.

On that note, Nissan Cube, or the Toyota FJ Cruiser. And n'thing the Mustang.

[Elmo187]

Originally Posted by teeb

On that note, Nissan Cube, or the Toyota FJ Cruiser. And n'thing the Mustang.

we don't have the Nissan Cube either. and i didn't understand the last part.

[teeb]

Originally Posted by Elmo187

we don't have the Nissan Cube either. and i didn't understand the last part.

My bad on the first part.

To n'th something is the same as saying "seconding" or "thirding". So seconding or thirding the nomination for the Mustang, except since I don't want to count how many people have already said the mustang, I just say 'n'thing', as in the maths function 'n' or 'x', meaning a number that we don't know the specific value of.

[Adunaphel]

Holden VE Commodore/ Pontiac G8. The Britons may get it, but the mainland does not.

[Elmo187]

oh yeah! wow, being half awake isn't a cool feeling.

[ahpadt]

Originally Posted by teeb

Please note the word 'interesting' in the title

QFT. We don't want your cars that's bigger than an average hous

[Final Daihatsu]

The Fiat 500 will come to the US in 2010.

[Elmo187]

Originally Posted by Final Daihatsu

The Fiat 500 will come to the US in 2010.

Originally Posted by Elmo187

Fiat and Alfa are making a return to US soil after over 20 years.

[Flynn]

Originally Posted by WannabeSS

^How can the europeans NOT live without a Boss Hog? I mean, EVERYONE needs a V8 cruiser bike ahaha

Hairy men ride them. hairy men.

[Lambos r4ever]

Originally Posted by teeb

My bad on the first part.

To n'th something is the same as saying "seconding" or "thirding". So seconding or thirding the nomination for the Mustang, except since I don't want to count how many people have already said the mustang, I just say 'n'thing', as in the maths function 'n' or 'x', meaning a number that we don't know the specific value of.

lol I can tell you're a teacher by the amount of patience you have in explaining things.

[Elmo187]

Originally Posted by Flynn

Hairy men ride them. hairy men.

stereotypes.....don't you just love them?