oh Darn it, I wish I had seen this thread before the kid left. I love the airbag/import safer comments.
There are 14 people people currently employed at where I work (collision repair shop). 10 of us drive a truck or similar vehicles, 2 have blazers, one has a small ford that he drives to work only (less than 2 miles), my boss is exclude because he could drive a different vehicle to work for 3 weeks strait (however the only vehicles he owns that could be considered imports are some of his dirtbikes)
We get all makes models and accidents, as in we have no specialty other than collision repair. Not a single person drives an import designed vehicle to work. In the employee lot you will not see a single toyota, volkswagen, nissan, mazda, honda etc etc etc. Why you ask? Well, many of these cars are the very vehicles that we work on at the shop. After seeing how they fair in a wreck, and sometimes the condition of the driver when the stop by, they just aren't as safe. They just do not hold up in a wreck.
I can remember a conversation I had with several of my coworkers and how having worked on many of these imported cars and seeing how they held up. Many refuse to own several brands of vehicles. They are scared of how poor they actually hold up and puting a family member in one. They are built to be economical, and throwaway (just about every car is thats built today).
The safer argument is just not true. I have seen it first hand, and the insurance companies we deal with know it, but people love good gas milage, so there is nothing we can do except repair thin metal & plastic cars whose owners have faith in a crumple zone rather than a car built to last.
Seeing what I have you will not see a current passenger car model out of anything that comes out of japan in my driveway, they just can't the hit, and if you are going to make some lame argument like my driving is poor... I have no tickets ever, & I have never been at fault anytime I have been hit. Its is not my driving I'm worried about its everyone elses.
In regards to the muscle car/import argument that went on here... this kid is what is known as an internet troll. they claim to want a discussion, but they are just trying to get you into an argument where they can call you stupid and piss you off. they get off on it. Several of you bit hook line and sinker and gave the kid stories to take back to his other "forums" and reinforce the behavior.
oh well.
For my personal thoughts on the issue. I love seeing "rice," it doesn't bother me a in the least. Don't misunderstand, I think it is one of the most idiotic car fads to come through. (incase you're reading this trollboy, by rice I mean poorly done, visual mods only, bone stock motor). Anyway back on topic, The reason why I like seeing this stuff is because it means that there is just one more old mopar out there for me to find, because this eminem clone next to me at the light has decided he wants something exactly like everyone else instead of something much more unique, increases in value every year, and is actually legal to modify. Different stroke for different folks.
