Neglected U.S

[scoobyonline200]

Why is it that some car companies make really nice cars, and most of the time never release them here in the U.S??? Like Nissan with the Skyline, Reanault, Alfa-Romero (I think they used to sell cars here) and many others. Look at Mitsubishi the Lancer was never sold here and now that its here, in my view, its great! Is there some reason as to why they wont sell those cars here?

Some Examples:

MG -- Website Here the ZR is a nice car I think.

RENAULT -- Website i like the Clio V6, and the Escape mini van.

i mean these are a few of them........ or am I the only one complaining?

 

[VIPFREAK]

I've expressed the same questions not just here but one answer I'm always told is that other countries have different laws (e.g. safety and emissions) and that's one reason it makes it harder to import or export cars.

 

[Ottoman]

Safety Regulation, Emission laws, Ending cost of the car, ...not enough interest in the car to be worth the investment of sendin it over the pond...

u can get a nice R34 GTR in the states.. the car costs 45,000 bucks.. by the time it's shipped insured registered modified and passed safety regulations.. the car costs 90,000 dollars... u can buy a MUCH MUCH better car for that kinda coin....

the E36 m3 in the US was 280ish HP it's 321 over here in europe
new E46 M3 is 343 hp here
350Z is almost 300 hp here...
emission laws blow...

oh btw it works the other way too man

we don't have the Acura RSX, or any of the TL's... CTR isn't sold everywhere either...
there's no IS300/200/altezza in most of europe except UK

there's some others but i'm too tired it's 3am i can't think.. it'll come to me later...

 

[Driftster]

Simple case of "the grass is always greener"....We want what we can't have, when we really have access to some nice stuff....Japan doesn't get the Z06....Just think of it this way...Every country and it's car company has a flaship car...That flagship car CAN'T be sent everywhere or it'd just be another "eh" cavalier....

 

[1X83Z]

Scoobyonline, are you out of your mind? We get a lot of great cars that Europe doesn't. Consider:

- Lincoln Aviator
- Pontiac Grand Am 2.2
- Pontiac Sunfire
- Lincoln LS V6
- Chevrolet Impala 3.4
- Jeep Wrangler 2.4
- Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari
- Ford Aerostar
- GMC Savana/Chevrolet Express
- Buick Roadmaster
- Buick Park Avenue
- Buick Skylark
- Saturn L300
- Chevrolet Venture short-wheelbase
- Chrysler Sebring 2.4 sedan

I mean, who would want an Alfa Romeo when you could have all of those?!

new E46 M3 is 343 hp here
350Z is almost 300 hp here...

The new E46 M3 is 333hp here - a negligible horsepower difference. The 350Z in the US makes 287bhp, while in Europe it's just 280 - US has more, but also a negligible difference.

In the end, the reason some foreign manufacturers don't send cars here is brand recognition - why buy something new and weird when you could have a Toyota? It would cost trillions to promote MG, or Renault, or Alfa Romeo; the company wouldn't be profitable for years. Why go through the hassle?

 

[Joey D]

the reason we don't get Renault or Peugots is because they are nothing but crappy french things.

I'm dissappointed we don't get Alfas though. I've always been a fan of there stylin.

 

[Driftster]

M5..it's all exclusivity he's looking for....If you have an Alfa Romeo, even if it's the crappiest one out there, it'll draw more looks than any Saturn...

 

[Joey D]

- Saturn L300

This is an actually good looking Saturn.

 

[VIPFREAK]

- Lincoln Aviator
- Pontiac Grand Am 2.2
- Pontiac Sunfire
- Lincoln LS V6
- Chevrolet Impala 3.4
- Jeep Wrangler 2.4
- Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari
- Ford Aerostar
- GMC Savana/Chevrolet Express
- Buick Roadmaster
- Buick Park Avenue
- Buick Skylark
- Saturn L300
- Chevrolet Venture short-wheelbase
- Chrysler Sebring 2.4 sedan

What? M5power I'm sorry your just kidding right? Are you out of YOUR mind? That was a good joke. If that's considered a nice list of cars I think I'll move to another country then.

The new E46 M3 is 333hp here - a negligible horsepower difference. The 350Z in the US makes 287bhp, while in Europe it's just 280 - US has more, but also a negligible difference.

In the end, the reason some foreign manufacturers don't send cars here is brand recognition - why buy something new and weird when you could have a Toyota? It would cost trillions to promote MG, or Renault, or Alfa Romeo; the company wouldn't be profitable for years. Why go through the hassle?

Ok yeah I suppose I would see it being hard to bring a whole company like those over here (ex. would be Dawoo) but what about cars from existing companies like toyota. Scions is a pretty good example of bringing japanese only toyota cars to the U.S.

 

[Driftster]

What? M5power I'm sorry your just kidding right? Are you out of YOUR mind? That was a good joke. If that's considered a nice list of cars I think I'll move to another country then.

What are you talking about? Doesn't the temptation of one day, if everything goes to plan having a Chrysler Seabring in your driveway make you want to wave the US flag higher than ever?
:end sarcasm:

 

[The359]

Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, and MG all used to sell cars in America, so there are still plenty examples of all of these running around.

They left because no one in America bought them, and it's not worth the cost of imported the vehicles from Europe if they can't get the sales.

Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, and Renault have expressed interest in returning though.

 

[Victor Vance]

Scoobyonline, are you out of your mind? We get a lot of great cars that Europe doesn't. Consider:

- Lincoln Aviator
- Pontiac Grand Am 2.2
- Pontiac Sunfire
- Lincoln LS V6
- Chevrolet Impala 3.4
- Jeep Wrangler 2.4
- Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari
- Ford Aerostar
- GMC Savana/Chevrolet Express
- Buick Roadmaster
- Buick Park Avenue
- Buick Skylark
- Saturn L300
- Chevrolet Venture short-wheelbase
- Chrysler Sebring 2.4 sedan

I mean, who would want an Alfa Romeo when you could have all of those?!



The new E46 M3 is 333hp here - a negligible horsepower difference. The 350Z in the US makes 287bhp, while in Europe it's just 280 - US has more, but also a negligible difference.

In the end, the reason some foreign manufacturers don't send cars here is brand recognition - why buy something new and weird when you could have a Toyota? It would cost trillions to promote MG, or Renault, or Alfa Romeo; the company wouldn't be profitable for years. Why go through the hassle?

Impaler 3.4? R U nuts the Impala SS is the Impala people want

Don't forget the track-inspired Monte Carlo SS Supercharged
👍

 

[McLaren]

Well, I know the Skyline doesn't match US regulations for the road. There are some things on European an d Japanese cars that would break the law here.

And do not say the steering wheel side as one. The US does not care what side your steering wheels is on. BUt like I said, the US has different regulations now.
I think the Honda NSX doesn't match it. It has something different from Acura's.

 

[Victor Vance]

Uhm... we get the V35 Skyline 👍 But the Z is cheaper faster and lighter...

Nope the U.S. don't care which side the wheel is on, you can custom-order a right-hand-drive Jeep Wrangler...

 

[Driftster]

Uhm... we get the V35 Skyline 👍 But the Z is cheaper faster and lighter...

Nope the U.S. don't care which side the wheel is on, you can custom-order a right-hand-drive Jeep Wrangler...

Actually the US does care which side it's on.....1 RHD vehicle can be registered to one person at any time....They care because we drive on the other side of the road which makes for very bad blindspots when making turns..

 

[Victor Vance]

Well it was a 'Fleet Special' anyway for the U.S. Postal Service, and I think it's easier to reach a mailbox driving on the right side of the road when the wheel's on the right side then leaning over in a left-hand drive car 💡

 

[RacyBacy]

the reason we don't get Renault or Peugots is because they are nothing but crappy french things.

Not true. Maybe the build quality isn't great, but there is a lot more to french cars than you might think.

Renault clio V6 perhaps? Mid engined, rear wheel drive, 255bhp and the weight of a bag of sugar = lots of fun. The hot hatches that they have produced have been amazing and turned in to true classics, the Clio willimas for instance. The new Clio sport 182 is being hailed by some as the best hot hatch of all time. Then there is the classic Peugot 205 gti. Need I say more?

 

[Driftster]

Not true. Maybe the build quality isn't great, but there is a lot more to french cars than you might think.

Renault clio V6 perhaps? Mid engined, rear wheel drive, 255bhp and the weight of a bag of sugar = lots of fun. The hot hatches that they have produced have been amazing and turned in to true classics, the Clio willimas for instance. The new Clio sport 182 is being hailed by some as the best hot hatch of all time. Then there is the classic Peugot 205 gti. Need I say more?

I'm sorry but he is right....Pretty much the only people who would buy a french car right now...Are Bush Voters and people who play Yahtzee 3 times a week. That is also excluding those devulged in the Coffee House Craze...

 

[scoobyonline200]

Scoobyonline, are you out of your mind? We get a lot of great cars that Europe doesn't. Consider:

- Lincoln Aviator
- Pontiac Grand Am 2.2
- Pontiac Sunfire
- Lincoln LS V6
- Chevrolet Impala 3.4
- Jeep Wrangler 2.4
- Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari
- Ford Aerostar
- GMC Savana/Chevrolet Express
- Buick Roadmaster
- Buick Park Avenue
- Buick Skylark
- Saturn L300
- Chevrolet Venture short-wheelbase
- Chrysler Sebring 2.4 sedan

I mean, who would want an Alfa Romeo when you could have all of those?!

nah man (good point by the way) but I was just curious about the subject. I just happen to like some of the cars they make. Oh and I was watching this thing on the Corvette racing team and one of the drivers (i forgot who) said he noticed that when he was driving around in a corvette, it was as if he was driving a Ferrari here in the states, very cool. It was on Speed not so long ago.

 

[Victor Vance]

Not true. Maybe the build quality isn't great, but there is a lot more to french cars than you might think.

Renault clio V6 perhaps? Mid engined, rear wheel drive, 255bhp and the weight of a bag of sugar = lots of fun. The hot hatches that they have produced have been amazing and turned in to true classics, the Clio willimas for instance. The new Clio sport 182 is being hailed by some as the best hot hatch of all time. Then there is the classic Peugot 205 gti. Need I say more?

And I've heard of none of them, except the Clio Sport V6

By the way, who else likes the Impala SS, Roadmaster/Caprice/Cutlass Supreme/Fleetwood and Monte Carlo?

 

[RacyBacy]

I'm sorry but he is right....Pretty much the only people who would buy a french car right now...Are Bush Voters and people who play Yahtzee 3 times a week. That is also excluding those devulged in the Coffee House Craze...

I give respect to car manufacturers where respect is due. I'm not some crazy French Peugot/Renault fan, but I like those models.

And I've heard of none of them, except the Clio Sport V6

Ok, for your information:

Clio V6 Renaultsport site Clio V6 (Nice video of the car on this site too)
Clio 182

The Peugeot 205 rally car looks to be in GT4:

...and so does the older version of the Clio V6:

 

[Victor Vance]

Sweet 👍

Didn't even know GT3/4's version was outdated

 

[1X83Z]

M5..it's all exclusivity he's looking for....If you have an Alfa Romeo, even if it's the crappiest one out there, it'll draw more looks than any Saturn...

Not if you have a normal-looking one like a 164. Remember those? Only people who know their stuff know it's anything special. But Alfa Graduates, yeah, those'll bring the looks.

This is an actually good looking Saturn.

That's what Nissan thought when they gave the 4-cylinder Altima as much power as the 6-cylinder L300. In fact, the L300 V6 is the least-powerful V6 midsize sedan. Performance aside, yeah - the L300 3 with chrome wheels isn't so bad-looking.

What? M5power I'm sorry your just kidding right? Are you out of YOUR mind? That was a good joke. If that's considered a nice list of cars I think I'll move to another country then.

A joke indeed.

Ok yeah I suppose I would see it being hard to bring a whole company like those over here (ex. would be Dawoo) but what about cars from existing companies like toyota. Scions is a pretty good example of bringing japanese only toyota cars to the U.S.

Yeah - there's a case-by-case reason for every vehicle not over here from a company that exists over here.

Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, and Renault have expressed interest in returning though.

The biggest interest was expressed a year ago from MG who said it was very possible for a return by 2008! I haven't heard much about it since then, though.

Actually the US does care which side it's on.....1 RHD vehicle can be registered to one person at any time....

I think it's unbelievably funny how you can just go around making things up and expect us to believe you all the time.

In the mid-1990s, the US Postal Service made a right-hand drive version of the Jeep Cherokee and Subaru Legacy wagon available to rural mail carriers who, like Victor Vance said, have to reach out their windows to put mail in rural mailboxes. Previously (mid-80s), a right-hand drive version of the Toyota Corolla All-Trac wagon was available. If you drive out to the rural part of your state and check out the government vehicle auctions, usually a right-drive Cherokee or two will show up. And of course, there's no idiotic limit on how many right-drive vehicles can be registered to one person at any time.

 

[TsLeng]

But you guys get vipers, corvettes, camaros, mustang, big suvs, big mpvs(suburban), big pick-ups....big everything............I

I'd rather drive a viper using comparatively cheap fuel rather than some diesel alfa in europe.

 

[McLaren]

Vipers are nice. But the BIG *** SUVS can sometimes be a pain.

 

[The359]

The biggest interest was expressed a year ago from MG who said it was very possible for a return by 2008! I haven't heard much about it since then, though.

The only thing I heard about MG-Rover was bringing the SV/SV-R to America, since it already uses a Ford Mustang V8 and wouldn't be that much to import. For the rst of the company though, I think they're too financially strapped to pull such a launch off.

Peugeot and Renault on the other hand have stated launches as early as 2007. Alfa Romeo could come over too, since they have big ties to GM.

 

[1X83Z]

The only thing I heard about MG-Rover was bringing the SV/SV-R to America, since it already uses a Ford Mustang V8 and wouldn't be that much to import. For the rst of the company though, I think they're too financially strapped to pull such a launch off.

Peugeot and Renault on the other hand have stated launches as early as 2007. Alfa Romeo could come over too, since they have big ties to GM.

MG said that their new line with the ZR, ZS, and ZT would work for American tastes - and I agree - but I also agree that they're too strapped to do anything about it.

 

[daan]

What's with all the anti French car sentiment?

From a proud owner of a French car that's nicer looking than yours

 

[The359]

Absolutely nothing wrong with Peugeot. 👍 Renault is pretty decent too. The only French company I'd steer clear of is Citroen, they still have a lot of quality issues.

 

[Famine]

Hey, we pay 1.5 times as much for every new car as you lot do.

Which would you rather have? A Citroen Saxo or a 33% cheaper car?

The359 - Peugeot and Citroen are part of the PSA group. Many cars are identical (106 and Saxo being prime examples)/