I'll agree there for guns in which you can easily get aftermarket bodies. I find the plastic body quality of most clones lacking compared to the TM ones (G36 is a good example.. JG < TM < CA). Though there are a few clones for which I've heard good things -like the JG G3-SG1- that I might be tempted to take over a TM one (though in that case G3 bodies aren't exactly rare). I think the clones I'd go for are the ones for which the TM clearly isn't worth the money, like the P90 (gamed my JG at DefCon last nigh.. I love that gun already). Most of the time if I can get a CA equivalent I'd go for that unless I was doing a complete rebuild.

I started out on a TM M16 A2. I have no idea how old it was when I got it but apparently the guy who owns(ed?) Wasaga Paintball owned it before the guy I bought it off of owned it (make sense?).
It lasted reliably for a few years, had a bit of barrel wobble, fell on it and broke the tabs, and then finally the mechbox decided to fall apart. That finalised it. Now the only thing that's original TM on that is the flash hider, the stock, inner barrel and the pistol grip (on its way out too).
I have a TM SIG 552 which is a beast, and a FAMAS which, since being disassembled, has its problems.
Overall though, I'm happy with TM's performance and ability to last.

G&P has:
http://www.airsoftpost.com/preorder-...e-p-30780.html
http://redwolfairsoft.com/redwolf/ai...l?prodID=26472

MPEGs are displacing TM AEGs due to monetary considerations, not performance and reliability considerations. People who claim their MPEG is better then a TM are doing so because they read the muzzle velocity specs on AirsoftGI and made a major incorrect assumption about performance. They have never seen a stock TM AEG shoot.

And no, your JG M4 is not just as reliable as the TM, get real.

Other premium AEG companies offer direct performance competition against TM AEGs (like the new G&P M14s). You can now basically get a seriously upgraded G&P M14 (full TM clone) for less money then an original .98j stock TM M14. It's a no brainer.
Same with Armalites. Are you going to buy a TM M4 or a G&G, G&P or KWA M4? That is also a no brainer.

IMHO, TM still makes the best AUG, G36C, FAMAS, P90 and Thompson. Models like the AK47, G3 and MP5 are a toss up. All TM AEGs are extremely reliable and accurate.

Unless Tokyo Marui opens up a factory outside of Japan, you aren't going to see higher stock muzzle velocity AEGs from them. Competing companies will continue to offer better value alternatives to TM AEGs and over time TM will lose North American market share.

That's free enterprise and it's a good thing for us airsofters.

JG was my first gun due to my budget constraints and was a good project gun. But TM's will always be respected due to their quality and craftsmanship not to mention that it is purely made in Japan which is a rarity these days. China made guns today are really good based on my experience and if you downgrade the mechbox then it might as well last as long as a TM. I would rather use a China made gun on the field with upgraded internals and a TM as a display piece, cause i wouldn't want to ruin an expensive gun.

That was Larry's AEG, it was bought of my excess M16 inventory (bought a batch and decide that long guns were not my kind of rice) it was a stock M16A2 with a bushing upgrade.