That and the fact that a significant percentage of them have the crap driven out of them daily!
To your issues, I understand and you are right, but consider this: the Japanese realized a long time ago that the only way to ensure consistent quality was to standardize the product. So the Honda Accord comes in three or maybe four flavors, with only two different engines. Colors will vary but the list of options will be static. No individuality allowed, your EX will be exactly the same as the next guy's EX and so on. Also you may notice Honda is consistently lagging behind the rest of the industry in most new technology adoption. A year and sometimes two years is what goes by before the new features (like in BMW or Audi) will show up on the Accord features list. Oh! and no Honda is going to be at the top of the HP list in any category they compete in, that includes motorcycles and outboard engines.
The CR rating has absolutely nothing to do with modified EB engines that went tits up. The rating is based on items shared between all the models like gear box, drive line vibration,, sync, etc. Didn't Ford stop selling the GT350 because of fire issues? The EB was never recalled or halted.
There you go. Real world. Thing is, if you have an overwhelming favorable review, that speaks volumes because many times people only get on and write when they have a complaint. When I was shopping for a small SUV I looked at the Honda Element, but the Jeep Cherokee seemed like a lot of vehicle for the money. That is, until I read review after review of all the troubles people were having. The Honda people had nothing but good things to say about their Element. 130k later with the Honda, not one issue.
OK. I have to vent about this.
