Silly people. They must think that the Japanese-made ones are better quality than US-made ones.

There are real differences, one can measure, of course. They are:

US-made and -sold Honda Accords are substantially larger and more powerful than Japanese/European models of Accords (in fact, Acura TL, V6 280 HP, sold in the US is based on the US-made Accord, while Acura TSX, V4 200 HP, is based on the Japanese/European model Accord).

As for Honda Accord (US) vs. Hyundai Sonata (US):
The Accord has fairly agile handling, and the ride is steady and compliant. The cabin is roomy, and controls are intuitive. A telescoping steering column facilitates an ideal driving position. The Accord is quiet, though less so than the Toyota Camry because of some road noise. The automatic shifts very smoothly and responsively. The four-cylinder engine is smoother than many V6s. Side and curtain air bags are standard. The V6 model is very quick and relatively fuel-efficient. V6 models also get standard stability control for 2006. The hybrid version is even quicker and gets 25 mpg overall. Crash-test results are impressive.
Now the Sonata:With a thorough 2006 redesign, the Sonata attempts to compete with the refined Toyota Camry and Honda Accord but at a lower cost. Built in Alabama, it features new, more powerful four- and six-cylinder engines and increased interior room. Comprehensive safety gear, including stability control and side-curtain air bags, is standard. First impressions indicate that handling is secure but not sporty. The ride is firmer than the previous model’s. The 235-hp V6 is refined, but not as punchy as expected, while the 162-hp four-cylinder engine seems civilized and competitive.The final verdict is that Hyundai is getting competitive, but is not quite yet first-in-class like Honda and Toyota.

When my wife and I were starting out, our top choice in sedans was Honda Accord. Now that we have some gum money, we prefer Lexus and Infiniti.

Did you ever check the price of used Korean cars here? I’d love to take home a Korean used car but Canada’s import website says no dice…….

It’s not having the choice, or having the playing field tilted so the winner is pre-determined, that bothers me about Korean mercantilism.

I also agree with Marmot here… if you’re going to pay for a foreign car in Korea, why a Honda? Perhaps they were purchased elsewhere and brought here when someone moved back?

What I don’t get, however, is Marmot’s interest and seemingly vast knowledge about automobiles, especially when none of it will help him on a written driving test should he ever actually decide to take one for the first time in his life.

Or more like the urban myth that USFK personnel are running amok committing tens of thousands of crimes. Urban myths are dangerous weapons that can be pointed at anyone.

“Are you saying that the Hondas on the road here are because of people importing themselves from the US or Japan?”

That’s easy to tell. If the steering wheel is on the right side, then it was imported from Japan which I doubt happens that much.

I think you missed the point of my question. It seemed to me that the original writer was suggesting that the Hondas in Seoul were brought into the country by their owners from the US and Japan.

JYCE wrote:
I hate to be pro Japan on this issue. Most of 1.5 or 2nd Gen Korean Americans usually drives Japanese cars. Just check out the Korean American church parking lot on one Sunday morning. 75% of the cars are Japanese. I always drove Japanese cars. I drove Honda Accord for 12 years before the engine start to over heat. Now, I drive Camry and my wife drive Isuzu Trooper.

No, no, no! It’s a lie! Everyone knows that every Korean hates Japan with fiery hot passion. You made this up.

Um, more seriously. How is that pro-Japan? 1.5 and 2nd generation KAs don’t want to seem like their country bumpkin cousins (which is anyone in Seoul or the rest of Korea) so they drive good-quality and nice-looking Japanese cars.

I love my Kia, but when I get back to the States, I’m buying an Acura again, or maybe a Lexus. Depending on what I’m doing.

rowan wrote:
As for them having too many problems to be worth keeping, i haven’t found that.

Me, neither.

getting work done on cars is actually quite cheap here. the mechanics are pretty useless, but the parts and labour are so cheap it doesn’t matter.

A lot of mechanics are barely worth what you pay them (which isn’t much to begin with). But there are some top-notch ones out there, and the trick is to stick with one once you find him.

they just start replacing parts til the problem is fixed.

Yeah, but isn’t that true with modern cars in general? Full of low-cost parts rather than expensive systems. Pull out what’s wrong and replace it. If Dr. Hwang succeeds, humans will be the same.

I have never broken down (i have had minor problems but nothing that has stopped me) and both my cars have done well over 100k.

I had someone at a Kia Q-Service place fix a part that had been recalled on my power steering system (Kia recalls almost anything that tends to go wrong), and a few hours later my car had no power steering because the guy had forgotten to put a plug or something back in and all the fluid drained. The mechanic, his supervisor, and the owner/manager of the facility each called me and apologized over and over.

Richardson wrote:
Better quality Korean cars in the U.S.?

Yes - the U.S. has higher standards, I’m guessing do to higher speed limits (and what people actually drive most often). It’s not a myth, the cars are different, and you can’t import a regular Korean (domestic) car to the U.S.

Are those quality-related standards or are they something else? Safety standards, I would imagine, might be higher in the U.S. for seatbelts for example.

Also, places like California require extra smog equipment that even vehicles sold in other states must have in order to be brought permanently into California. Could it be that this is the nature of the stricter requirements?

Does anyone know for sure what these stricter requirements are for Korean cars sold in the U.S. that supposedly make them better than their Korea-market siblings?

Yes - the U.S. has higher standards, I’m guessing do to higher speed limits (and what people actually drive most often). It’s not a myth, the cars are different, and you can’t import a regular Korean (domestic) car to the U.S.