Is The 2012 Civic Signaling The Decline Of The Japanese Automakers?

Trying to keep prices "low" means compromises, pure and simple. Honda is trying to compete on price, and it's simply not working out.

I finally saw one on the road the other day, used to be one of my top choices with compacts, now I wouldn't consider it anymore. I think the new one is so Ugly! When they start designing their cars to look good again ill ignore whatever consumer says.

Honda continues to disappoint over the last 7 years :( They should stop focusing on Robots and Jets and focus on their cars again... Start with firing their designers and starting from scratch

Usually compromises are done "under the skin" not the skin itself. All car makers do the same thing these days. Especially in the interior. Plastic is usually the nicest where your arms and hands will touch it but less nice where you don't usually notice it down below. Honda, I think simply went a little too far. They may be trying to save on price but Honda, like Hyundai and VW rtc. do build cars in the US. Therefore the cost playing field should be pretty equal, I would guess. Styling should have (within reason) little to do with cost. Also every panel is different from the previous Civic so where is the savings?

The cheap designers are the savings.

They've been on a decline for about a decade. Look at Toyota's lineup, Nissan's (sans the GTR), and Hondas lineups. They all consist of boring lifeless cars. Japanese cars are now about as appealing as american cars were in the 1980's. Japan is the new GM when it comes to substandard vehicles. I'd gladly take a Kia or a Hyundai over any Toyota, Honda, and Nissan (sans the GTR).

You are comparing apples with oranges. You asking about the Civic SI Coupe compared to the Elantra is like me asking; Would you prefer the Honda Fit over the Hyundia Genesis coupe? Enjoy your weak engined econobox!! LOL!!

But back to the subject. I'd take a Genesis coupe over any Honda. I'm sure that you'd rather have a Civic over a Genesis coupe but you'd be in the minority. And you'd also be a fool.

Where did I say that I prefer the Elantra? You're the one who brought up the Elantra you moron. LOL!! And I'm not a fanboy of any brand. Nice try you delusional Toyota CrackPipe Smoker.

1911 and BSBB if anything Fiat is revitalizing Chrysler. Marchionne is a genius. Chrysler and Dodge will thrive and prosper under Fiat. Fiat will also thrive and propser with Chrysler. I certainly see more positives then I see for the Japanes market at the moment. Most o their main stream styling right now is stail. Just look at the new Toyota Camry. It lloks like a blown up Corolla with a front grill that is a rehash of other Jap designs. The interior looks like(at least in the photos) like previous Camry interiors. Also odd is the dash looks like it has a dash cover on it that you buy at pep Boys'.American design, Korean design, Euro design right now are simply better then average Jap design. This includes Nissan, Toyota, Honda. Subaru is a little bit improved.Susuki Kiyashi has a nice interior and frankly more attractive then a Camry or Altima or Accord.I'm sorry but the Japs are going to hell in a hand bag. They need to hire some Italian designers and quick!!

FIAT purchased Chrysler, Not the other way around. I'm not sure where all this FIAT is being controlled by Chrysler crap is coming from. Has to be from an American.

No. Just Honda's decline. Their designs are somehow stuck in the 90s.

Japanese cars in the 90s have much more passion in them at the time. Nowadays, its a battle between being cheap and sophisticated at the same time. If you can get your hands on a low miles 90s high trim japanese car, go for it. Camry, Altima, Accord were the benchmark cars at the time. Hyundais were POS crap back then.