I only take exception to your use of the words "rice burner" and "jap" after
I had stated specifically how ignorant that sounds. I do not care that you
drive American cars; I have owned several that I enjoyed just as much as my
Japanese cars. I am sure that my TR250 will give me just as much enjoyment,
even though it won't be as good as my Toyota's are. No 60's car can compare
with a car of today. Different era's altogether.
I apologize for calling you a bigot. That was uncalled for. It is a word
thrown around all too commonly anymore, and I used that as I crutch in a
moment of anger and fatigue. However, I do believe that your use of the
words "rice burner" and "jap" are just as insulting as if you had used
"nigger" or "spic". It is meant to deride.
But I do know what I am talking about when it comes to the big 3. The
competition they got in the 70's and 80's woke up their sorry butts. What
happened in this country is that we decided that Lee Iacocca was the epitome
of patriotism for bashing the bad, bad Japanese. Do you want to know
something? Lee was talking out of both sides of his mouth. When he said "Buy
American" Chrysler had a working relationship with (gasp) Mitsubishi! And if
you look at the Chryslers of the 80's, I'll bet there are a lot of stickers
on the parts written in English and Japanese. We equivocated buying
Chryslers (or American cars in general) with being patriotic. My Toyota
Camry is built here, in the US. It has more US content than a lot of
"American" cars.
Does this mean that I think if you don't drive a Toyota I think you're an
idiot? No! I personally like them, just as some like Tauruses, Chevy
Pickups, and little LBCs. All I'm saying is: cut out the derogatory remarks.
They are uncalled for. It's funny that I don't hear "limey" cars, "kraut"
cars, "wop" cars, or the like (have I offended most of you yet?). Why?
Because we like those cars! Who doesn't like LBCs, or Mercedes Benz, or a
Ferrari? But if it is a Japanese car, they are immediately referred to as
"jap" cars, or "rice burners". Oh, by the way, the Japanese motorcycle
companies helped save Harley-Davidson, because they didn't want to see such
a classic bike go away. So much for wanting to bury the competition...
Now for some sacrilege. I like Miatas!!! In fact, I drove one on our
anniversary (my wife is a cheap date; we test-drove a BMW Z3 and a Miata),
and that contributed heavily to my wife allowing me (I admit it, I am in
fear of her!) to buy the 250. The Miata was fun to drive, but I didn't want
to spend $22K for one. So I began looking for something else. And I came
upon the 250. A lot cheaper (initially, but since I have joined the list and
have been reading, I'm not so sure anymore!!!), a lot more work, but once
I'm done, I will have done it. I think that is what drives most of us to buy
them.
Sorry for the long post. Most of you are probably gone by now, but I wanted
to make sure that you understood my position. I had originally replied to
bollen@ibm.net off-list, but since he replied on-list, I wanted to be sure
that you all didn't think I was some weird duck or something. Maybe it is
too late...
Bryan
bdstinocher@sewsus.com
502-782-7397 xt. 2284
68 TR 250 CD 5853 L
----Original Message-----
From: Bollen [SMTP:bollen@ibm.net]
Sent: Saturday, October 10, 1998 8:16 AM
To: Stinocher, Bryan D.
Cc: triumphs
Subject: Re: True or False/ japanese cars
Stinocher, Bryan D. wrote:
>
> Good one. Your ignorance shines thru again.
>
> Call Detroit. Maybe they have a Gremlin for bigots like you!
> Bryan
> bdstinocher@sewsus.com
> 502-782-7397 xt. 2284
> 68 TR 250 CD 5853 L
>
> Bryan, I fail to see why my original message (see below) qualifies
me as a "BIGOT".. I own British cars, a Ford Probe( I have owned Zephyrs,
Mustangs, LTD, lincolns) as well as the 300z. I just completed an 1800 mile
trip and it is as big a pain in the neck as you! Interstingly, in Canada I
met a fellow Z owner who commiserated with me when I told him I was driving
back to DE that day. I think "bigots" are people who favorably compare a 93
Honda with a 70 Triumph for reliability. How many 70s era Accords or Civics
do you see around? When I drove English cars back in the UK in the late 50s
I never once broke down, I have however broken down three times in my
Ford(Mazda) Probe.Just reporting personal experiences, sorry you had to find
it neccessary to be insulting.
Stu
74 TR6 80 TR8 1990 Probe GT Nissan 300ZX --
> > ----Original Message-----
> >
> I bought my first rice burner this year, the top of the
line 300ZX
> ,a 94
> model with 45K on the clock. I am selling it becasuse it
is the
> biggest
> ergonomic disaster of any car I have ever owned.I am
currently 800
> miles
> from home on vacation in it, and my wife and I have aching
necks and
> backs which we never experienced in the TR6 or TR8.I had
to buy a
> new
> clutch shortly after purchase. The washers squirted every
time I
> braked.
> When its below 60 degrees it howls like a banshee until
something
> warms
> up.The Dealer can't figure it out.The Bose radio goes on
ande off,
> would
> be $800 to fix.Please don't tell me how good Jap cars are.
> Stu
> 74 TR6 80 TR8
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