Reasons why I dont like Asian vehicles and why I own a Land Rover
 

Having enjoyed the first season of Combat Zone and a big fan of other great Military films/Series like Band of Brothers, The Pacific and Wartime documentaries, I'm frequently reminded of the reasons why I dislike Asian vehicles and why I will not ever buy one.

I consider how many battles our soldiers fought in the Asian theater. Japan, North Korea, Vietnam and even China. How many brave soldiers lost their lives or were left behind over there. I consider how many US tax dollars were spent on these wars. Then I look at the tensions threatening worldwide stability right now such as the recent China-Japan dispute over small islands and China over extending its territory borders and the potential for a second Korean war as North Korea builds a mass army, develops nuclear missiles and threatens to attack US and South Korean forces etc.

My conclusion is that I have no interest in supporting these Countries by purchasing their vehicles. I view it as a big slap in the face to all those Soldiers who gave their lives while fighting in those regions. I once herd a saying, something like "one day they will dominate the west" and it would seem as though there is evidence of that when we look at how and where most items are made and where they are shipped from. Most electronics we use today are from Asia and a ever larger market of vehicles come from Asia. Factor in all the hacking cyber attacks originating in those regions and a clear picture becomes visible. But equally subject to interpretation. When I hear the brand name "Toyota" I always think back the the World War 2 Japanese Admiral Soemu Toyoda. And lets not forget about "Mitsubishi" who produced the Mitsubishi A6M ("Zero") which made its name known throughout the US Navy as Zero planes rigged with bombs noise dived until US Naval ships. So no there is no way in hell I could sit inside a Mitsubishi and not feel like a traitor!

Other reasons why I wont buy an Asian vehicle is due to how they look and feel inside and out. I do not doubt their reliability nor their impressive fuel economy and Ive heard many rumors from Honda and Toyota fans about how long those cars last with minimum maintenance. But I cant put enough empasis on the looks and feel. To much cheap plastic and their designs honestly do not appeal to me. and even though they may be reliable I do not feel them as being really utilitarian. Seeing so many on the road today I would feel like a clone with no self identity if I were to buy one myself.

Why I own a Land Rover. Britain probably our most important and culturally significant ally and mother country as it is, Ive always been very fond of the England. Naturally my love of their vehicles grew with it. I like to stand out a bit in the crowd, I like to take the road less traveled. When I choose a vehicle, it has to say something about me and it has to express to my peers my views. So the vehicle has to have significance as well as character and it must stand out in stock form. I also need something thats more than just a show. I look at the BMW X5 and I think what a joke. The X-5 might have been inspired by Land Rover or at least Id like to think. I need something that is very capable in raw form. Engine issues aside, when these vehicles were brand new they had to have been some of the most capable mass produced vehicles in the world. When they age they break down and require maintenance and lots of care but thats fine with me because I dont mind learning along the way. The way I see it, people with reliable cars like Toyota and Honda dont often have to worry about vehicle maintenance and I bet they dont even need a tool set. I see that as a mixed blessing because reliable cars dont encourage nor teach their owners how to do any mechanic work themselves. Instead they just bring them to Jiffy Lube or the dealership to have the mechanics work on them. Break downs set aside, at least with dedicated Land Rover owners, we are equipted with portable tool sets and we are far more likely to figure out the cause of a breakdown and maybe even fix it whereas everyone else would just call a tow truck and send it to the shop and pay $$$$$ for parts and labor. So in my mind no vehicle brand fits this function more than a Land Rover. That is why I own one and that is why I will continue to buy them. One day Id like to have a family of Land Rovers in my yard. All in good shape.

Just my opinion and as such these views do not reflect the views of this forum, its admin or fellow members. And for the record 2 of my siblings are of strong Asian descent so no need to try and bash me as being a Racist. Call it instead - Patriotism!

Im not sure how buying a japanese vehicle is a slap in the face of troops.

Any one of them still on the road was likely produced well after the US essentially neutered the country and made them our b!tch.

As a Soldier I could careless what you buy. If you want to get really technical about it China was our "ally" in theory in WWII so that should be ok then. Japan was our Ally in Operation Iraqi Freedom....

If you are going on that line of thought though, yes the Brits shed blood next to American Soldier's in many conflicts but if your Patriotic values are what is driving your purchasing decisions you should be buying American made vehicles, like the Camary.


:D

Triar,

Land Rover is now owned by Tata Motors (an Asian company). Times have changed since WW2.

Pretty sure our first military had to fight the British. With That rationale, Can't even go with American made because split up and fought each other.
Might have to just walk...barefoot of course.
;)

Hi TRIAR, although I appreciate and respect your sentiments regards the middle and far east wars and boycotting their manufactured goods, but FWIW I don't agree with them. I lost family in the world wars both in combat and in Auschwitz and other death camps, however, I believe one must move on and forward but although not forget the past, one has to understand what happened and come to terms with it. Since those days of combat and atrocities I have worked in Saudi, the Yemen and Germany. I was born in late 1945 and therefore not directly involved but I was indoctrinated by older family generations about their past history. I have come to terms and learned to live with the past and it may be the only way of gaining some mental peace and not harbouring bitterness which can be all consuming. Different people see things in different perspectives but it's doesn't mean they are wrong, or indeed one is wrong themselves as times change. I bought a Mitsubishi Pajero a few years ago, albeit an old one, but I never consider the origins and who designed and made it as to me it's a great 4x4.

As far as the US and UK relationship which has been tried, tested and prevailed for a very long time, yes, I agree and say amen to that and may it last for a long time to come.

I also worked for American companies, Aramco, Foster Wheeler, AH Robins but to name a few and also spent time in Dallas, Houston and Richmond including visiting many other cities and states (the tourist bit yeah) but I enjoyed myself in the US both working and visiting but there are a couple of touristy places places I didn't go a bundle on but I won't mention those in case someone on here lives there (diplomacy calling).

I'm pleased you enjoy the Landrovers and they have great heritage all over the world and I have been a fan since I owned my first Series 2 in the 1970's. I have owned many cars from many parts of the world some American, many British, one or two German and the odd Japanese. I also have owned Ducati's, Norton's, Triumph, BSA, AJS, Yamaha's, Suzuki and now I run a Honda sports bike. I can't honestly fault too many of them in their era's and context but the Honda has to be amongst the best.

You look a relatively youngish guy TRIAR but as one ages one then mollifies their outlook and the dislikes, anger and hatred dissipates which I hope will happen to many because it jades ones outlook and affects their lives. Some never change and often harden their outlook and become embittered about things they have absolutely no control over which is very sad. Life is too short for harbouring prejudices and regrets.

Offroad, you reminded me that I still harbor a pretty strong dislike for the Zener diode and lucus electronics on the bikes...

Most "American made" automobiles:

http://www.thestreet.mobi/story/1196...s-of-2013.html

LMAO.
Let's see....Land Rover, started in the nation that burned Washington, DC. DII introduced by BMW.
Ignoring the post WWI actions by England, France and the US that set the stage for WWII, Korea and Vietnam, the US lost more soldiers in the European theater in WWII than they lost in the Pacific theater, Korea and Vietnam combined.

I used to laugh at my mom for refusing to buy Japanese for so long, but she knew people who died at Pearl Harbor so I could sort of understand. But my dad, career Navy starting before WWII, who narrowly missed the attack on Pearl Harbor (he likely would have died) and had a brother who died there, got over it and moved on and didn't have any conflicts buying Japanese cars.

And no, I don't think you're racist. It's just a very superficial knowledge of history.

I'm in the military and am apparently supporting the Nazi's by owning a VW GTI. Now that I think about it, so's my 04 Rover since BMW owned them that year...CRAP!

Yep, traitor!! Better check your rubber on your feet, prolly commie lover, too.
;)

Like I said it just an opinion of mine. I myself would feel strange about buying an Asian vehicle because I cant just look at a symbol ant not associate it with history.... most people get into a Mitsubishi and probably have no clue that the same company once produced the Zero fighter plain... and I'm happy some Vets moved on, but sadly the dead cannot speak and not all surviving Vets moved on as easily. Some went through bloody hell and it ****ed their entire lives up. Some still fight the war in their dreams and wake up screaming. But to each his own.

I'm very aware of the fight for independence but I'm also aware of our ancestry. Grant we are a mixed mash but theres no doubt that many of us have English ancestry. Our constitution was inspired by a similar document already in existence in England and we speak not American but "English" or a form of it anyways. We have more ties with England than not. Our flags share the same colors.

Ultimately my place is England but I have a very real respect for the soldiers and I try to feel for them. I try to imagine what it would have been like and I ponder how they feel/think today. Yes the world has changed, in my eyes not for the better. Land Rover and Mini both icons and a piece of British history were auctioned off over seas - you can say that England is selling away her heritage. So I will live not for today but for what was once mighty. Some people even in 2014 still prefer an old Discovery 1! In a sense I can understand their rational there. Disco 1 was British I believe.

Who knows pretty soon maybe England will sell its flag to..... and soon American will sell its constitution in favor of more restrictive laws..... least thats how it would seem we are heading. Sometimes old is better. Case in point with the outgoing Defender.

Was not trying to start trouble, just felt like venting a bit and praising LR rather than complaining haha.

"...............we speak not American but "English" or a form of it anyways."...;);)

TRIAR, at least your mind and brain are active on varied subjects and are given to lateral thinking, just imagine how many 'couch potatoes' in this world who never have an original thought and opinion and are just passive whilst life passes them by every day. Never consider anything is unapproachable or too sensitive for debate otherwise one's flair, reason and stimulus will become nullified. One's character, intellect, standards, morals and behaviour are defined by their opinions and powers of reason which is what defines the person. Without ideas, opinions, morals and lateral thinking we would be back reminiscent of the Neanderthals or following an autocracy/dictatorship like the Nazis etc. Keep the 'ole brain cells exercised it's great stuff to read. :)

Hi Dusty, I vividly remember the Zener diodes and the Lucas electronics which were revolutionary in their day, BUT, the source of so many problems on my Norton 650SS, Commando and Triumph Bonneville to the extent I often dreaded going too far at one point. I recollect, although we are talking some years ago now :eek: that they formed part of the rectifier circuits on the bikes. Thankfully modern electrics (apart from Ducati :rolleyes:) are far more reliable. :)

I still run that stupid set up on a Bonnie but have nixed it on the BSA.

Do you use a PC? Those things mainstreamed and standardized by IBM, the company that provided technology that aided the Nazi's to exterminate millions, and powered by semiconductors made in Asian countries. Or use a smart phone DVD or Blu Ray player that have semiconductors in them?

The British did have some good things, that's why Japan based much of their Navy on the British Royal Navy and used the British attack on Taranto as a model for the attack on Pearl Harbor. It could be argued if the British hadn't attacked Taranto, Japan wouldn't have considered the attack on Pearl as feasible.
And of course The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was in part modeled on British (and other western nation's colonizations) in Asia and was considered the equivalent of the Monroe Doctrine and the Roosevelt Corollary.

Seriously, if you want to personally boycott things from companies/countries that contributed to the death of US veterans then you need to move to some place like Lancaster, PA and join the Amish. But that might not even work, if you want to honor veterans.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._the_Bonus.jpg

I honestly believe you are spot on Antichrist, it's nigh impossible to buy anything technology related that wasn't made, assembled or full of components/sub assemblies from Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, India, Pakistan etc. mainly because of the global economy and cheaper labour. This also applies to many things like furniture, clothing and fakes of all kinds etc. As has been announced that even Landrover, who are now owned by Tata which is Indian, will move production there in the nearish future - c'est la vie, it's 'deja vue' once again similarly for many old established companies. As has been said, the British Union Jack will be up for sale soon. :rolleyes:

PS. If you look at the various Landrover ECU's you won't be surprised where they are made - you are limited to only two guesses.

Things from the Philippines are probably ok since that's where the US was the country that sent the army and killed as many as 200,000 Filipinos.
I have a book about it with a lot of first person accounts by US Soldiers. It's "interesting" to say the least.

Our Constitution is already more restrictive...it's how we justify big Government. When we cross the line to being too restrictive or Socialist is a matter of opinion, but I digress.

BLUF, Competition spurs innovation. If everyone buys US because it's US, than home team companies have little incentive to improve and I will not pay more for inferior products that encourage lazyness. I have no problem paying more for more, hence I will avoid PROC-produced crap if I can help it...not because of ideology, but because it's crap, and crap won't get my blood bought freedom to buy.