"Japanese cars have no soul"

"YSI-what can brown do for you" (ysi-what-can-brown-do-for-you)
08/21/2014 at 19:41 • Filed to: None

Every idiot that watches Top Gear and nothing else. I am not quite sure how a Toyota Camry is any more boring than a Ford Fusion or a Mercedes C250. They are all equally boring!

Just a short thought I had. It will always annoy me when someone says that.

DISCUSSION (53)

thedevilinside > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 19:45

I had never heard of the R382. That is a cool car!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 19:45

Yup

Totally

Kinja'd!!!

Soul-less

YSI-what can brown do for you > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/21/2014 at 19:49

But dude, it lacks the badg- erm, I mean soul of a Audi, or a Alfa.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 19:51

I don't think I'd call a fancy VW soulful.

And Alfa, well, soul hasn't really kept them doing too well financially.

djmt1 > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 19:51

You know who didn't say that though, Top Gear. Who started this myth that Top Gear don't like Japanese cars.

Tohru > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 19:52

"... and that Honda is actually the Japanese word for 'without soul'."

YSI-what can brown do for you > thedevilinside
08/21/2014 at 19:54

It is fantastic! They also sound the bomb too!

nostradimas > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 19:55

I was actually just thinking about that this morning. Making any generalization like that based on region of origin is ignorant, unless that particular region only has one brand with one ideology.

America has the whole Ford vs. Chevy debate, which, until now, meant you had to choose between Pushrod V-8's. So, it was more of personal bias, where performance differences were negligibly across brands in the region.

Nobody is debating English and Italian cars have soul, so let's ignore that.

German cars are just the pinnacle in precision over-engineering, and for that reason alone have "soul."

Then you have Sweden, and Volvo (IMO) has always had a clear identity and their cars have soul (which was reaffirmed to me when I drove a T5 AWD S60 and heard the mechanical noise at WOT, something that was only really rivaled by the G37 in that class of car, whereas the 328i sounds like a barnyard tractor).

But Japan:

(Let's ignore the layman-commutermobiles that are the reason they even have enough money to make anything remotely interesting)

Toyota: Silky smooth engines, reliable power delivery, great handling, and as of recently, polarizing styling.
Nissan: V6's with BRUTAL noises and power delivery, definitely not as smooth or efficient, but totally have a personality (whether you like it or not). Also some of the most famous 4-cyl turbo's in history, and a penchant for pushing the handling boundaries in cars that really have no business going around a track (based on weight alone).

Mazda: GREAT handling, great efficiency, little power, and an affinity for doing things differently. Smiles per dollar ratio is off the charts.

Mitsubishi: We all know what they could do given money, but we could play "What if" with damn near any brand. Apart from the Evo (which is outdated), there's nothing to see here, but history dictates that they had a soul until it crankwalked it's way out of our lives. (lol dsm joke cue the dsm apologists telling me they got 700whp reliably running on a blend of e85 and plutonium with the stock bottom end for $500 in their 1G Talon)

Not even going to get into the Daihatsu's and Suzuki's and whatnot.

Moral of the story: Every automaker (except for Saturn LOL) has a "SOUL," the difference is how often it shows up, and this has a lot to do with how business is going.

YSI-what can brown do for you > djmt1
08/21/2014 at 19:55

I never said Top Gear did, but a lot of people that get most their car info from Top Gear do say that. . .

djmt1 > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 19:58

But why? The last Japanese car they were rude about was the Civic Type R and rightly so.

YSI-what can brown do for you > djmt1
08/21/2014 at 20:02

Don't ask me, I barely watch Top Gear now. Not quite as interesting as before.

My citroen won't start > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 20:06

Kinja'd!!!

I'm quite sure Korean cars have a Soul.

DipodomysDeserti > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 20:08

When has anyone ever said Audi's have soul? Pretty sure Top Gear bashes on German cars for being soulless as well.

YSI-what can brown do for you > DipodomysDeserti
08/21/2014 at 20:10

Twas just an example. Top Gear bashes anything that isn't Italian or British. . . because you know repair bills=soul.

YSI-what can brown do for you > My citroen won't start
08/21/2014 at 20:10

Ba-dum Tsh.

DipodomysDeserti > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 20:13

Pretty sure they named the Toyobaru car of the year, and Clarkson gave it a great review...

YSI-what can brown do for you > DipodomysDeserti
08/21/2014 at 20:15

Once again, I never said Top Gear said it. . . I shall lay it down what I wrote.

Every idiot that watches Top Gear and nothing else

samssun > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/21/2014 at 20:19

None of those cars are in production though. Nissan is the only one making performance-oriented cars, unless you count the BRZ/FRS which of course is silly.

My citroen won't start > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 20:23

My joke was bad and I should feel bad.

Kinja'd!!!

YSI-what can brown do for you > My citroen won't start
08/21/2014 at 20:27

Dude they have Soul and they also have Seoul. Hehehehehe

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 20:28

0-60: 5.9 seconds. That isn't overly boring. It isn't just race cars that aren't boring, Toyota build vehicles that literally travel the world. If any company can be crowned the most boring, GM or Ford could easily take that crown. Chrome isn't cool, it looks cheap as shit.

My citroen won't start > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 20:29

Hahaha I completely forgot about that.

Dusty Ventures > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 20:39

I absolutely agree with you, Japanese cars can have every bit as much soul as cars from any other country.

That said, I've spent a good amount of time driving both a Camry and a Fusion, and as much as I hate to say it, the Camry was beige. The Fusion looked better, felt more pleasant inside, and while certainly not a sports car it did feel better balanced and more connected when I started making it do things commuter cars aren't supposed to do. It would grip and go around the corner when the Camry would squeal and plow.

All that said I will say the slushbox in the Camry was definitely better than the one in the Fusion.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Dusty Ventures
08/21/2014 at 20:43

I mean that could be down to the tires they put on them. I have driven a Camry, and honestly. It isn't THAT bad as everyone makes them out to be. It felt like driving any of the other cars my dad has bought, besides his Merc, but only cause of dat V8.

Dusty Ventures > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 20:49

I thought of that and checked the tires. Same tires, similar tread wear.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Dusty Ventures
08/21/2014 at 20:51

Well then, maybe Ford put time into the handling aspect of the car! Either that, or you are lying to me!!!

Dusty Ventures > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 20:55

As a co-driver I'm only allowed to lie to my driver and direct class competitors

YSI-what can brown do for you > Dusty Ventures
08/21/2014 at 21:01

Lie to your driver?

Dusty Ventures > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 21:10

Absolutely!

"No, that smell isn't something to be concerned about, just keep pushing!"

"It's ok, that slide didn't cost us much time. Just forget about it."

"I think you're getting faster."

(Said to a rookie driver who expected to be top 3 in 2WD his first time out in a shit car) "Yes, I promise to tell you to push and take more speed into the corners. Yes I trust your driving."

YSI-what can brown do for you > Dusty Ventures
08/21/2014 at 21:13

Basically, you are just making sure they concentrate on driving. As we all know anyone that races has a one track mind "what was that, oh well he said it was nothing. . ."

YSI-what can brown do for you > Tohru
08/21/2014 at 21:23

This video is FANTASTIC.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/21/2014 at 21:24

I would say Audi makes some of the most boring cars. Not a big fan of German cars, besides Porsche. I love dem.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 21:31

surely even the most boring of accountants has as much soul as the feistiest of cocktail waitresses.

Kinja'd!!!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 21:33

They are boring, but then there is the RS6 Avant.

Kinja'd!!!

Then there is Chevy's attempt at making something luxurious. Plastic chrome.

Kinja'd!!!

I am a truck person. All of GM's trucks make my stomach turn. They can't not put chrome on it.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/21/2014 at 22:13

RS wagons don't count. Oh and the TTRS, cause inline 5.

The worst part is, that GM puts it on their performance cars too. Sorry but chrome rims on a ZR1 are a must go!

YSI-what can brown do for you > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
08/21/2014 at 22:23

Kinja'd!!!

Yo!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 22:25

Once GM recalled their recall, I made a vow to not purchase anything GM post-2000, more so because of their chrome addiction. Chrome to GM is what cocaine is to Rick James.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 23:09

I might paint my MR2 in that livery.

Margatroid > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/21/2014 at 23:26

Kinja'd!!!

No soul?

Dusty Ventures > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/22/2014 at 01:02

Precisely. I tell them the lies they need to hear

DipodomysDeserti > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/22/2014 at 09:37

I quoted your "Top Gear bashes anything that isn't Italian or British" with that response, not your original post. Clearly that's not true. Jeremy Clarkson also raves about the XC90 which is also not Italian or British.

YSI-what can brown do for you > DipodomysDeserti
08/22/2014 at 10:51

It is also another European car.

Kawaii-Gon Jinn > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/22/2014 at 10:53

forget it. People take Clarkson's opinions as gospel, even if he's wrong.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Kawaii-Gon Jinn
08/22/2014 at 10:59

I actually like listening to Clarkson's opinion. He exaggerates a lot of things and that makes it fun to listen to!

Kawaii-Gon Jinn > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/22/2014 at 11:11

that's the point. it's all exaggeration for entertainment. there was a time when people thought Stephen Colbert was an actual conservative talking head; there are lots of people who can't separate the two sides of Top Gear: the car talk and the entertainment talk.

I've thought for a while that the TG guys should morph into a travelogue like No Reservations: three slightly potty-mouthed opinionated Englishmen amusing viewers with their cloistered English view of the developing world and pissing off locals.

DipodomysDeserti > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/22/2014 at 11:21

With a Japanese engine...

Sorry, I read your "Top Gear bashes everything that's not Italian or British" as Top Gear bashes everything things that's not Italian or British, rather than Top Gear bashes everything that's not Italian, British, Swedish, German, or a Japanese sports cars...

YSI-what can brown do for you > DipodomysDeserti
08/22/2014 at 11:25

I thought Top Gear bashed Germans cars as well? Cause that's what you said. I guess they don't now.

DipodomysDeserti > YSI-what can brown do for you
08/22/2014 at 11:44

They do, I was referring to your quote and responding sarcastically. We better end this, as it seems you're losing focus.

YSI-what can brown do for you > DipodomysDeserti
08/22/2014 at 11:47

This become off focus when you took my light hearted comment about repair bills and took at as a serious argument. . .

But bro they love the Volvo, that means they don't just like British cars.