:D

 

What do others think about this. Yes, some companies own other companies. Such as Infiniti/Nissan, Honda/Acura. But just because this is so, doesn't mean that the 2 lines of cars are the same. People make those comparisons, such as saying, Mazda's are Ford's. I just don't agree with this practice, and I have heard it all too many times.


It is just like saying, Lexus is Toyota. Lexus makes totally different cars than Toyota. It's also like trying to say that Mazda's are Ford's. BY sating this, it would be implying that the 2 are very similar, if not exactly the same. Which, as we all know, Mazda's are not Ford's...Ford OWNS Mazda, that is all.

 

I deffinately didn't mean to make it sound like Mazdas are Fords. I know the RX8 is NOTHING like a ford (hence the reason i want one!). But we do own a Mazda 6 which does have a ford engine in it. So the relationship isn't something that is hidden behind the scenes. They do have a presence. The same thing has stated happening with Saab and GM. Hopefully GM won't ruin those cars.

In any case, sorry if i made it sound like they were the same. it was a quick reply trying to get the point across about the relationship.

 

well, the mazda6's V6 is a mazda-modified version of ford's duretec, (which is an excellent engine in itself) and it's ONLY available in the north american market. the 2.3l inline-four, which is the top jdm-spec engine so far, is mazda's. and mazda developed the chassis and the entire car, not ford. so there really isn't that much ford influence besides ford saving mazda financially in order for mazda to be able to develop the 6 now. so mazda6/atenza is pretty much all mazda's effort 'cept for the V6 in NA, and 'cuz of ford ownership, the platform will later on be stolen/used for other ford applications, not the other way around :D mazda deserves all the credit for it

the tribute is another story. that's a true ford/mazda hybrid. imo ford has done a great job managing all its companies in letting them being quite independent. aston martin, land rover, jaguar, and mazda are all producing great cars of their own characters with little evidence of ford's involvement, unlike gm who's plugging a wrx into saab and calling it a new saab. i hate gm

:D

 

A Malaysian company named Proton now owns 100% of Lotus. It doesn't seem to have hurt the Elise at all, and this company totally supported the movement to bring the Elise to the US. (AFAIK, Proton is not even a car maufacturerr.)

---- Bill

 

Proton IS a car company. See http://www.proton.com/

 

yeah but i bet they're pretty crappy cars :p

 

rx-8 or ??

Thanks, I didn't know. A quote from the website: "December 30, 1996, marked the launch of the Proton PUTRA..." so maybe chinx is right!

---- Bill

 

Proton Putra? Who names these cars? It brings to mind "Putrid." That's almost as bad as the Japanese sports drink, Pocari Sweat. The name sounds good to the Asian ear, but it would never sell in English-speaking countries.

 

Also, be careful. That Proton website tries to load software on your computer when you visit the page. Practice safe computing: Just say No!

 

That's ok. For a while, our company had an Ethernet interface card that plugged into one of the products called the IP Wiz (try saying this 10 times fast). The card wasn't designed or named in the US or by native English speakers.

 

Ozbot87, I'm curious what you decided. I'm currently in the exact same dilemma: TSX vs. RX-8. I know they're two very different cars but, $27K is my max cutoff and I want something fun to drive, reliable, reasonably practicle, good quality and resale. So, any lexus, audi, infinity, bmw is out of my price range. For practicality, I want something I can throw a bicycle into. Anyway, just curious how you resolved this.

 

You can still get an Audi. 1.8T Quattro should be around $27K. If you get the avant, you can throw your bike in the back comfortably. It is not as much fun to drive as the TSX, but very solid and AWD is a big plus.

 

I checked on the a4. Local dealers only get the 1.8 avants in pretty loaded; running about 31-32k. The TSX will be under 26k.

 

The RX-8 will be more fun, hands down.
However, that, I believe is the ONLY advantage it has over the TSX.
Let me give you a few of my thoughts, which are observations made based on fact, and opinion. Advantages of RX-8
1. Styling, cant say it looks better, but youll turn more heads with the 8.
2. Fun to drive. FWD just aint no fun.

TSX advantages
1. Legendary Honda reliability.
2. Fuel mileage.
3. Functionality.
4. Room.
5. Resale value.
6. Fit and Finish.
7. Legendary Honda reliability.