your two most respected automakers

Just curious to see what people view as their own two most respected automakers are. I know most people here are obviously going to pick Ferrari as #1, but what would you put as number #2?

 

Hyundai and KIA.

 

I don't really have just "two" favorites. I am equally impressed and revere such maunfacturers and the men who created them; (Ettore)Bugatti, (Carlo)Abarth, (Vincenzo)Lancia, (Enzo)Ferrari, (Colin Chapman)Lotus, (Ferruccio)Lamborghini, (H.F.S.)Morgan, etc... All of them had strong desires to be the best and they all succeeded.

 

I have to say Daimler Chrysler and Hyundai. For Chrysler, Lee Iacoca is a briliant businessman. He borrowed big bucks from the government when his company was going down the toilet, paid it back and started making some great cars and profit. One example is the '99 Concorde that I bought new. Great lines, extremely comfortable and inexpensive for a car of it's size. It's been gas and oil for 90K miles. I chose this car over a new BMW at the time.

As for Hyundai, they bought their way into the US market with a decent looking, well made car with a warranty that blew all the others out of the water. That is smart marketing in my book.

Profit is all heavily tied to the back-end manufacturer's expenses of a poorly made car.

 

Most passionate about would be Ferrari, but most respected would be Toyota, for their shear unrivaled quality control and the amazing reliability of their vehicles.

 

Honda and Toyota.

A few years ago, Porsche might have been one of the two.

 

Depends on what you respect them for.

For looking like an exotic - Lamborghini & Saleen [at least the S7]

For build quality/reliability - Toyota/Lexus and many close 2nds

For workhorses [heavy-duty trucks] - Ford & Chevy

One thing I really respect Porsche for is their ability to manage the build process. They can accept change orders up to the point the car starts down the assembly line and the factory will custom ANYTHING on the car [for a price].

Ferrari/Maserati will do customization but they lock your build a minimum of 2 months before actual production. I didn't realize until recently, they still make all order changes via fax and hand-entry [at least according to our dealer - we just finished working a Maserati QP order].

 

RUF, for being an independent manufacturer, dedicated to making as close to perfect cars as it gets.
TVR, because they are completely off the chart, and still independent. And do not outsource their engines.

 

Most respected Automaker?


1. Oddly enough Lotus cars. They make the last of the pure sports cars and admitted that they can't make an engine worth a crap so they stuck an ultra reliable toyota motor in it.

2. General Motors. It takes a lot of guts to admit that almost all of your product line is pure ****. In the last five- six years the general has done that and many of the cars have gotten a great deal better, inside and out.

 

BMW. for taking chances with styling and making the best performance sedans and Honda. for making the highest quailty economy cars on the market.

 

Honda and Hyundai.

 

They could try to be a bit more original. I think they are to pcars what Alpina is to BMW.

Now owned by a Russian.

 

kia, toyota.

 

Porsche and Audi

 

Toyota and Hyundai

 

1. Ford. They ushered in the automobile age to the common man, and still cater to him, while at the same time giving us the exciting 60's era of the dominating GT40, that in my mind, effectively put Ferrari out of the road racing business.

2. Hyundai right now, because of their excellent strides in quality. Amazing what they've done in that area in such a quick time. If it wasn't, I'd be saying Lexus. Best built car in the world--ever.

 

Ferrari and Lotus.

The only two big companies to stick to what they wanted to make. Lotus-lightweight racers... Ferrari- V12 grand tourers and cars ahead of their time

 

Saleen - Always was a fan of the his mustangs, and the S7 catapulted him to the top of the supercar world. New S7 is packing 750hp. 0-60 in 2.8 sec!

porsche - Most profitible car company in the world. They must be doing something right.

 

Behind Ferrari, Lexus and Noble.

 

1. Ferrari, just becuase

2. Pagani, I respect Horacio Pagani and his passion for builder autos

 

1. Lotus
2. Ferrari

 

Porsche

and i dont really have a second, theyre all pretty much ties after porsche.

 

Ferrari and Porsche-because they race, although the later has been resting on their laurels a bit too much lately. Pure driving fun...

Honda and Toyota-because they race, and their cars are a lot more affordable. My Accord was the best car I've ever owned. 240K+ miles, with only oil changes and belt replacements. I paid twice as much for my A6 ang got 1/2 the mileage out of it.......

 

Now, my favorite airplane companies are:

Mercedes Benz
http://www.kameludlejning.dk/lemans/filer/Filmklip/Mercedes%20CLK%20flip%20at%20Lemans%201999.mpg

and Porsche.

http://www.kameludlejning.dk/lemans/filer/Filmklip/Porsche%20GT-1.mpg

 

In the Porshe vid, you can see a 333 TWICE!