Japanese Chat
Japanese Chat
Author
Discussion

Puddenchucker

5,788 posts

247 months

Thursday 16th July 2009
quotequote all
To me, it would make more sense to have a distinct section for each marque (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubisi etc) within the Japanese Chat section.

Dan_1981

18,092 posts

228 months

Thursday 16th July 2009
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I wouldn't be adverse to seeing them merged.

I contribute a bit in the Mazda section but enjoy reading more than contributing in the Jap Chat bit.

Never been in the Honda forum so not sure how busy it is in there.

But could PH really survive without a dedicated MX5 section hehe

Wilburo

391 posts

226 months

Thursday 16th July 2009
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I agree - the Japanese marques should be treated like the Europeans, with a forum for each manufacturer.

I believe that the forums for each manufacturer generally have a better following than the generic forum as all the topics relate to a specific set of models. People won't check Jap Chat often as there isn't always going to be something of interest to an Impreza / RX-7 owner.

AJI

5,180 posts

246 months

Thursday 16th July 2009
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It would make sense if all the japanese models were in the same section.
Then 'jap chat' would be exactly what it says on the tin.

Can't really see any point in there being separeted model sections because then why not simply go to an owners club forum?

ScoobieWRX

4,863 posts

255 months

Thursday 16th July 2009
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I think merging them all is probably a great idea and keeps the whole of JapChat alive. I only ever go into JapChat, i don't think i've ever ventured into either of the others having no interest in Mazda or Honda. At least that way everyone sees what's new, can act accordingly and pick their desired thread.

Splitting individual marques doesn't work for me because as has been said, there are already a multitude of forums all over the WWW for individual jap marques, and i've seen plenty of dedicated forums based just on individual models so merge the whole thing and keep it simple!!

Long Live JapChat!! bow

Wadeski

9,016 posts

242 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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I've always been in favour of re-merging them (same as the yanks) because it creates more buzz and discussion. Without the MX-5 and Honda boys this has become a bit of a Toyota sub-forum and is the worse for it. I come to this forum to listen to differnt opinions and learn from experts with wider experience than my own.

JapChat has always been one of PH's best forums, and I think we need all the support we can get in terms of numbers, both to make the Jap scene in the UK a bit moe PH, and to make PH a bit more appreciative of what japanese cars offer!

Stu R

21,634 posts

244 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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Must say since it got split up my interst in Jap chat has died off somewhat. I'd vote for merging back smile

GravelBen

16,482 posts

259 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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yes Another vote for the merger here, though the MX5 forum does get plenty of traffic on its own.

Wilburo

391 posts

226 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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The MX-5 forum does get enough traffic to warrant it's own existence.

Munter

31,331 posts

270 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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From my point of view I like having the MX5/Eunos/Miata section on it's own. But since it's appeared I've not posted much in Jap Chat.

I think if you merge it back in Jap Chat might turn into the Toyota and MX5 forum. But it would get more "eyes on" when other posts turn up.....

TAS1981

498 posts

234 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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Another vote for merge. I am most interested in the Scooby threads but often drop in on all the chats in there. Interested in reading MX-5 threads and all the other marques really but won't drop into that section if its on its own....

Also points on performance and tuning often apply to all Jap cars rather than particular ones...

Marf

22,907 posts

270 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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I'd rather see the forums merged than any new ones created, I think any further splitting out of Japchat into more marque specific areas would just mean more forums with less traffic each.

Perhaps JapChat could be moved higher up the board and exist under the General Gassing section? that would probably increase traffic to the section overall, as it would be immediately visible when you arrive at the forum.

Red Firecracker

5,346 posts

256 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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My vote is to keep as it is. I have no interest in the Jap Chat forum apart from the MX5 section. I'd possibly not bother to sift through if they were merged.

snotrag

15,624 posts

240 months

Saturday 18th July 2009
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Red Firecracker said:
My vote is to keep as it is. I have no interest in the Jap Chat forum apart from the MX5 section. I'd possibly not bother to sift through if they were merged.
What he said.

Keep our little MX5 Section. Its plenty busy, theres lots of great threads and great info, and we're all rather friendly.

If otheres want, and there is sufficient call for, other specific sections, let them have them.

The argument about their being too many sub thrwads doesnt wash because everyone has the option to choose which sections appear to them on their GG homepage.

Mine shows the MX5 section only under Jap chat. if your not interested just delete it off your favourites.

Long live the MX5 forum!

TotalControl

8,297 posts

227 months

Saturday 18th July 2009
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I reckon the Honda forum should merge with the Jap chat. As said, the MX5 section looks busy enough. It would be better to get all marques under one tag to enable the forum to be nice and busy with lots of members.

Octoposse

2,407 posts

214 months

Saturday 18th July 2009
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I like the mixed marques - I have an Impreza now, but know I'd like a 350Z next year, and enjoy wow-I-didn't-know-that moments re Skylines, Evos, etc, but wouldn't have the time/inclination to search different forums.

Wadeski

9,016 posts

242 months

Saturday 18th July 2009
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If i just want to read MR2 stuff, i'll go to IMOC. PH is great because it covers all marques, and therefore you get many different points of view and diverse knowledge.

peterpeter

6,438 posts

286 months

Saturday 18th July 2009
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Puddenchucker said:
To me, it would make more sense to have a distinct section for each marque (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubisi etc) within the Jap Chat section.
agreed. I think its because its just lumped into one group, that its so quite.

look at the GTR and Subaru owner forums..they have loads of members. Half of the posts are irrelevant to most each marque, so people cant be bothered reading.

Id definitley suggest a Nissan Mitsu Subaru section for a start

havoc

33,311 posts

264 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2009
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I think either merge them all or separate them all by manufacturer.

I personally don't visit JapChat much as I've no great interest in the other Jap marques (nothing against them - I don't visit e.g. French Bred or Yank motors or Ford either...). I suspect that point-of-view is typical.

I'd also suggest that most 'should I get X or Y' threads go in GG...which leaves the mfr-specific sections for either technical queries or for meets.
- The first would suggest we should seperate by manufacturer - I've quite liked having a seperate Honda section personally...would be a shame to lose it.
- The second might be better-suited to one large forum...but then how often do meets happen, and we've the "Events" section anyway...


Out of interest, what's the problem in low-traffic? Just because nothing much has happened in "Honda" this week, doesn't mean the rest of the forum isn't still active...never bothered me, still drop in every day or two...

havoc

33,311 posts

264 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2009
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Gazboy said:
Maybe I just miss an active forum.
I think there's a difference between those who see themselves as Jap-car owners first, petrolheads second, and those who see themselves as petrolheads first. (No dig intended, just that's my observation of your typical single-marque forum member)

...and despite being a serial Honda-owner, I don't much care where my automotive thrills come from, so spend most of my time in GG and in the non-motoring sections. Dip into Honda to answer questions and see what's going on as much as anything...