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basically, a TSX wagon for the european market, known as the Accord Tourer.
Why don't we get cool wagons like this in the US? Maybe companies will start moving back to mid-size wagons that were "killed" by the SUV, now that gas prices are higher..
Front end is SO much better than the '09 TSX's ugly grille..
love the rear....very aggressive. Looks like it's pissed off.
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2003 Nissan Maxima SE - Majectic Blue 6MT HLSD Meridan Edition, Titanium Editon-Dynoed 206.61whp and 219.54wtq...Stock 17 Degree Timing Advance*Apexi/Berk Short Ram Intake*Cattspeed Y-pipe*Cattman 2.5 B-Pipe*HKS Sport Exhaust*Cattman Ti FSTB*Progress RSB*ES Poly Front Sway Bar Bushings*HKS Grounding kit*Axxtion STS
basically, a TSX wagon for the european market, known as the Accord Tourer.
Why don't we get cool wagons like this in the US? Maybe companies will start moving back to mid-size wagons that were "killed" by the SUV, now that gas prices are higher..
Front end is SO much better than the '09 TSX's ugly grille..
love the rear....very aggressive. Looks like it's pissed off.
I wish car companies would also start bringing back wagons.
euro and japanese markets always get the better looking, better performing vehicles. apparently, we're too good in america to deserve these badass cars!
euro and japanese markets always get the better looking, better performing vehicles. apparently, we're too good in america to deserve these badass cars!
It's been my complaint for years. I just don't get it. America is the biggest market for many manufacturers, yet we have by far the smallest selection. Honda/Acura will go through the trouble of creating an entirely different platform unique to the NA market, yet won't bring over existing overseas models. I've said repeatedly that I would have been ready to buy the last TSX wagon if Honda had simply brought it over here.
GM finally smartened up a bit and started importing overseas models (albiet under different badges). You already spent the money on development, so why not? But then that brings up another complain of mine: manufacturers tend to decontent features when the cars come over. Again, why?
I think one of the issues is the stricter crash/safety standards over here that rule out certain cars and have killed off many cars in the US market.
For example, look at the accord wagon here - I don't believe that it has a 10-mph (or whatever) bumper on the rear, which is REQUIRED for the US market but not for Europe. So the US model would have to add weight and several inches to the back and destroy th smooth look....
That interior is very sharp, not too over done but not too dull either. My next question is AWD? does it have it?
I like the new honda accords, the design is spot on. I rode in a last gen accord not to long ago and I was impressed, the quality of the interior, it just gave a nice warm feeling. No cheap plastic, just sitting in the seats you were held in place and you felt you could drive on and on and on for miles. Closing the doors just gave a sound of quality and it had a good weight too it but not too heavy you had to struggle with it. As far as ride quality goes, it was firm but not "lofty", you feel as you could swerve to miss something on the highway going about 70mph and still have complete control and it was silent no matter what speed or rpm of the engine it was quiet in the car. I am really impressed with Honda Accords, in fact if I were in need of a good everyday car right now, I would probably get the last gen accord with a 4 cylinder.
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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Comp G
|3.5" Intake Bpi/R2C|Ram Air|3.4" Pulley|180* T-stat|Headers|Corvette Brakes|SSC Lowering|KYB|LEDs everywhere|GXP parts|SE Parts|
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MOHFpro90
Thank you Dave. I love you Dave.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigleman
...so i had to get towed out of a ditch last night...
Last edited by DrunkieTheBear; 10-04-2008 at 10:50 PM.
I think one of the issues is the stricter crash/safety standards over here that rule out certain cars and have killed off many cars in the US market.
For example, look at the accord wagon here - I don't believe that it has a 10-mph (or whatever) bumper on the rear, which is REQUIRED for the US market but not for Europe. So the US model would have to add weight and several inches to the back and destroy th smooth look....
Just a theory though....
Dunno...there are other manufacturers that sell wagons/hatchbacks/5-doors (albeit mostly compact), which I'd imagine having an even more difficult time meeting US safety standards.
You're probably right about the looks, but I think it's more because wagons aren't popular here in the first place and/or those automakers would rather sell their compact SUVs/CUVs & minivans.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carrrnuttt
Oh look, I can talk to the n00b any way I want, because I've been here so long, and my name says 'Cool' in it!
Dunno...there are other manufacturers that make wagons/5-doors (albeit compact), which I'd imagine having an even more difficult time meeting US safety standards.
You're probably right about the look, but I think it's more because wagons aren't popular here in the first place and/or those automakers would rather sell their compact SUVs/CUVs here.
Are you referring to the 5mph bumpers, perhaps? From 1971-1983, the standard was that bumpers had to withstand 5mph without impairment to the operation of the vehicle. After MY 1983, that was reduced to 2.5mph due to lobbying efforts to bring the standards in line with European standards. The one big difference is that Europe defines the size (square area) of the bumper. That's one of the reasons why the new MINI front end was changed. But it just shows that a small company like BMW/MINI was able to get it done, but bigger companies can't/won't. Interestingly, some cars such as the last gen Evo was sold here, but not in Canada due to failing bumper regs. Yet Canada has so many other choices there that are not available here.
And if you stop and think about it, it makes no sense. The overseas divisions of some manufacturers (Ford of Europe comes to mind) make profits while the NA divisions are losing money. You'd think that would be an obvious clue to the execs to sell overseas models here.
Sales of station wagons in the United States and Canada remained strong until 1984, when the Chrysler Corporation introduced the first minivans, derived from the K platform, which, ironically, also was the platform for the Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries station wagon models which the minivan would soon eclipse.
The ripple effect of the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo led to the demise of the station wagon where CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) legislation dethroned the rear wheel drive layout for efficient front wheel drive vehicles. Station wagons were the victims of Detroit's downsizing trend after 1976, and vehicle choice was limited to SUVs like the Chevrolet Suburban and van conversions (GMC Vandura) which filled the void of station wagon sales, but had much worse fuel efficiency. This, indeed, led to the station wagon's demise.
The emergence and popularity of SUVs which closely approximate the traditional wagon bodystyle was a further blow. After struggling sales, the last full-size wagons (the Chevrolet Caprice and the Buick Roadmaster) in American production were discontinued in 1996, but, in 2005 the Dodge Magnum was launched, although it is more similar in size to the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable wagons than the larger Roadmaster and Caprice.
Since then, smaller wagons have been sold in the U.S. as less expensive alternatives to SUVs and minivans. Domestic wagons also remained in the Ford, Mercury, and Saturn lines until 2004 when the bodies began a phase-out, replaced by car-based crossover SUVs and minivans designed to look like station wagons.
no market for them here...mazda cancelled the 6 wagon...if you want a wagon gonna hafta go a little higher like subaru,volvo or audi.....
The euro Accord = the Acura TSX. Are you saying Subaru, Volvo, and Audi are "higher" than Acura? (this wagon in the US would be the TSX wagon, I would assume, if it ever got here)
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveVQ
That interior is very sharp, not too over done but not too dull either. My next question is AWD? does it have it?
Doubt it. AWD isn't very popular in Europe (aside from Audi) since it reduces fuel economy...and fuel there is WAY more expensive than it is here. Note also this Accord/TSX wagon in europe is 3 engines: a couple 4-cylinders and a small diesel....no V6.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveVQ
I like the new honda accords, the design is spot on. I rode in a last gen accord not to long ago and I was impressed, the quality of the interior, it just gave a nice warm feeling. No cheap plastic, just sitting in the seats you were held in place and you felt you could drive on and on and on for miles. Closing the doors just gave a sound of quality and it had a good weight too it but not too heavy you had to struggle with it. As far as ride quality goes, it was firm but not "lofty", you feel as you could swerve to miss something on the highway going about 70mph and still have complete control and it was silent no matter what speed or rpm of the engine it was quiet in the car. I am really impressed with Honda Accords, in fact if I were in need of a good everyday car right now, I would probably get the last gen accord with a 4 cylinder.
Even my '92 Accord coupe was like that. Handled great....FAR better than my maxima stock for stock (it was a smaller car too)
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoolMax
:I think it's more because wagons aren't popular here in the first place and/or those automakers would rather sell their compact SUVs/CUVs & minivans.
yeah, how are those SUV sales going these days
If there was a good mid-size wagon out there for under 30k, we would have bought it over the 4Runner, no doubt about it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigEL
Are you referring to the 5mph bumpers, perhaps? From 1971-1983, the standard was that bumpers had to withstand 5mph without impairment to the operation of the vehicle. After MY 1983, that was reduced to 2.5mph due to lobbying efforts to bring the standards in line with European standards. The one big difference is that Europe defines the size (square area) of the bumper. That's one of the reasons why the new MINI front end was changed. But it just shows that a small company like BMW/MINI was able to get it done, but bigger companies can't/won't. Interestingly, some cars such as the last gen Evo was sold here, but not in Canada due to failing bumper regs. Yet Canada has so many other choices there that are not available here.
And if you stop and think about it, it makes no sense. The overseas divisions of some manufacturers (Ford of Europe comes to mind) make profits while the NA divisions are losing money. You'd think that would be an obvious clue to the execs to sell overseas models here.
Yeah, but that's misleading. It was talking about those HUGE wagons in the 70s-80s (Roadmaster, Caprice, etc) that were based on other full-size V8 RWD sedans that guzzled gas. These days a midsize sport wagon is alot different
__________________ Sold: 2000 Maxima SE - PR Intake - Frankencar CB - Truax SFCs - Wilwoods - Eibachs - Blehm LTB - Cattman Ypipe
Stillen RSB - RSTB - FSTB - ES Bushes - G wheels - Raxles - Mach1 lip - Illuminas - and plenty more
Those Honda Fits are really nice, got to drive one of those. They are pretty perky for a 4 cylinder. Honda has been hitting it on the mark every car they make, something the US manufactures don't know how to do. The moment the Fit came out they had a big following, I go out to auto-x and there is a local club around here and about 10 honda fits show up, 2 of which are turboed and are very very fast. Another car I would give my maxima for, I loved the s2000 too. I think my next car is going to be with honda as far as daily driving goes.
__________________
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Comp G
|3.5" Intake Bpi/R2C|Ram Air|3.4" Pulley|180* T-stat|Headers|Corvette Brakes|SSC Lowering|KYB|LEDs everywhere|GXP parts|SE Parts|
Want a Plug and Play Harness for your Emanage Ult/Blue? CLICK HERE!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MOHFpro90
Thank you Dave. I love you Dave.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigleman
...so i had to get towed out of a ditch last night...
i can understand when the market was strong and demand for cars were higher that most companies wouldn't risk profits on cars overseas. now that most companies are struggling for steady sales, with the small exception of toyota, why they wouldn't look into importing some of the cars from foreign markets. what's the worse that could happen to them, no sales? won't be any worse then most car manufactures are already doing.
That interior is very sharp, not too over done but not too dull either. My next question is AWD? does it have it?
Doubt it. AWD isn't very popular in Europe (aside from Audi) since it reduces fuel economy...and fuel there is WAY more expensive than it is here. Note also this Accord/TSX wagon in europe is 3 engines: a couple 4-cylinders and a small diesel....no V6.
now that most companies are struggling for steady sales, with the small exception of toyota,
Spoken a bit prematurely...
Quote:
Further proof that no automaker is immune to effects of the sales downturn in the U.S. comes as Toyota has just announced 0% financing on 11 of its models, including the hugely popular Camry and Corolla and a slew of SUVs and trucks. Last month, incentive-averse Toyota posted a drop in sales of over 30% compared to a year ago and the rest of the year isn't expected to look much better.
nice find. very cool. Rear lights seem Odyssey inspired. And it is indeed cool to see a 6-speed tranny in there... Blame the average North American consumer for the fall of the manual tranny here...
i can understand when the market was strong and demand for cars were higher that most companies wouldn't risk profits on cars overseas. now that most companies are struggling for steady sales, with the small exception of toyota, why they wouldn't look into importing some of the cars from foreign markets. what's the worse that could happen to them, no sales? won't be any worse then most car manufactures are already doing.
Some are....just take a look at Saturn. The new Astra and Aura are both rebadged Opels (GM's Europe brand), and they'll probably do very well in the US market, since they even look "Euro" IMO..
But then you have the flipside, like the Pontiac GTO - a rebadged Holden Monaro from GM's Australian division. Fast car, great engine...but the bland styling really killed its sales.
__________________ Sold: 2000 Maxima SE - PR Intake - Frankencar CB - Truax SFCs - Wilwoods - Eibachs - Blehm LTB - Cattman Ypipe
Stillen RSB - RSTB - FSTB - ES Bushes - G wheels - Raxles - Mach1 lip - Illuminas - and plenty more
Would be better with a V6... but I do really like the styling of the car, inside and out. I'd drive it.
true, but they've been saying the same thing for the TSX sedan for years, and it's been doing just fine from what I can tell. 204hp for a 4-banger isn't bad...and gets alot more mpg than most V6s...
__________________ Sold: 2000 Maxima SE - PR Intake - Frankencar CB - Truax SFCs - Wilwoods - Eibachs - Blehm LTB - Cattman Ypipe
Stillen RSB - RSTB - FSTB - ES Bushes - G wheels - Raxles - Mach1 lip - Illuminas - and plenty more
Remember when the US started with the 4(crewcab) door pick up trucks?Out in south and central america,those 4 door trucks roamed for years before they hit the market here.I ALWAYS wondered why US didnt have such style of trucks here,i mean,they work damn good for the construction side.Anyone seen a ALL WHEEL drive COROLLA?Why that car never hit the us market?And since yall talking bout the ACCORD,why didnt we get the ACCORD type R?U know,the one that looks like the 1st gen TSX.
Yeah,i ive seen the All-trac camry.Heres a pic of the Corolla.
one of the guys I work with drives one of those. He's had it since new and it has around 300,000 miles on it. He claims that it has only been to "the shop" one time other than regular maintenance
__________________ Sold: 2000 Maxima SE - PR Intake - Frankencar CB - Truax SFCs - Wilwoods - Eibachs - Blehm LTB - Cattman Ypipe
Stillen RSB - RSTB - FSTB - ES Bushes - G wheels - Raxles - Mach1 lip - Illuminas - and plenty more
I manage to talk on my phone, eat mcdonalds, smoke a cig, drink a soda, etc just fine while driving my MT maxima or Jeep.....
I can too but uncle sam sez I gotta use a handsfree device... one bluetooth headset later I am surprised how well I can operate a manual car and talk at the same time.
true, but they've been saying the same thing for the TSX sedan for years, and it's been doing just fine from what I can tell. 204hp for a 4-banger isn't bad...and gets alot more mpg than most V6s...
Eh. The TSX is ok and it's fun top-end but it would be a lot more fun with a V6 IMO. Maybe I am just spoiled by the VQ but it would be hard for me to step down in tq.
I wish car companies would also start bringing back wagons.
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