Today, October 26, is Horseless Carriage Day, marking the date in 1769 when Samuel Johnson, creator of the first complete English dictionary, supposedly learned of a self-propelled coach. Many presume that it was the Cugnot steam-powered buggy, a three-wheeled chassis with a bench and boiler. As automobiles go, you can’t get much simpler than that. These days we expect a bit more from our cars, but Japan is still great at delivering minimalist machines that are still fulfilling to drive.
What’s the most basic car you’re willing to accept?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How has the landscape for Japanese cars changed in the last 20 years?”
For years Japanese cars struggled to gain respect, but now that they have it, JNCers who have loved these cars for decades feel like things have gotten too expensive. That was the theme in several comments from TheJWT, streetspirit and, we think, Ian G.
Another take is that Japanese brands were once swimming with interesting and diverse products. Now, things have gotten a lot more boring. Taylor C. and daniel lamented the fact that the lineups of once-great marques have gotten quite a bit duller. This weeks winner is Kyuusha Corner, who best encapsulated this notion:
It has gotten significantly worse. What car is actually lust-worthy? What car will become as legendary as the cars of the 20 years prior to the last 20? The only car in the last 20 years that I feel isn’t depressingly bad is the Honda Fit (I haven’t driven a newer Miata, though). The last 20 years has been a depressing downward spiral where cars are getting worse and worse due to manufacturers not innovating around the (frankly anti-consumer, anti-driver) regulations, and everyone trying to build cars around, and compete on, features and tech. Car reviewers rarely shine a light on this problem as they tend to compare current cars among each other. They never compare them with the greats of the past to see if there has been improvement. It’s usually “these 1 or 2 models are the best drivers cars on the market for reasons because they have the best steering feel, best engine, etc.” But, what about the cars that came before? Why is the steering feel worse, and why do we accept that? Why are the engines not as engaging and why do we not call it out?
With the current trajectory in the landscape for Japanese cars, there isn’t a single car I could bring myself to spend money on – and not a single car that stirs the soul, so I don’t anticipate ever buying a new car. If I started a car company, I would want to make cars where we ask questions such as: Does it eagerly dance with it’s driver? How does it feel to interact with the switches and dials? Does it communicate everything to the driver in a way that delights? How few are the pain points when maintaining or repairing it?
Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!
