i think everyone realises it, they just love the simplicity of being able to fix it themself and if you can't, you just throw a wedge of cash at someone else to fix it - when it comes back you normally have either more power or new shiney bits

The trouble with more modern cars is they are all starting to look the same and as for jap crap, i'm a firm believer in don't knock it till you've tried it and there's a couple of jap motors i could be tempted by !