Looking for a new JDM weekend car
Discussion
Hi all
10 years ago, I switched from French and Italian cars to Japanese cars. As my daily, I have a 2010 Subaru Forester which makes me perfectly happy. Great car to haul family and goods, or take on a long roadtrip.
As a my weekend cars, I have an RX8 and Alfa GTV cup which was an impulse buy (with the 2 litre 4-pot, only the UK got the cup with a V6). I love the RX8 and the GTV is a project car. Never driven it, so I don't know what I'd be missing, but don't want to invest 'cash' just to sell it afterwards.
Since I bought it (the GTV) 6 months ago, I never stopped thinking about selling it and getting another fun Japanese sportscar to have next to the RX8.
So I was looking at the following cars:
- Mitsubishi FTO V6 or Mivec V6
- Mazda MX6 V6
I know the FTOs can be rustbuckets, don't know much about the MX6. I could also keep the GTV. I like the 'exotic' look the Cup body kit gives them, and the fact it has a nice stance from factory and big brembo brakes up front makes it stand out.
I should mention I do not care about straight line speed. The must fun car I've owned was a Celica T18 with the 7AFE engine. What I do like is a car that looks different and mostly, sounds good and has a nice rev range.
Curious what you guys have to say.
Cheers
T.
10 years ago, I switched from French and Italian cars to Japanese cars. As my daily, I have a 2010 Subaru Forester which makes me perfectly happy. Great car to haul family and goods, or take on a long roadtrip.
As a my weekend cars, I have an RX8 and Alfa GTV cup which was an impulse buy (with the 2 litre 4-pot, only the UK got the cup with a V6). I love the RX8 and the GTV is a project car. Never driven it, so I don't know what I'd be missing, but don't want to invest 'cash' just to sell it afterwards.
Since I bought it (the GTV) 6 months ago, I never stopped thinking about selling it and getting another fun Japanese sportscar to have next to the RX8.
So I was looking at the following cars:
- Mitsubishi FTO V6 or Mivec V6
- Mazda MX6 V6
I know the FTOs can be rustbuckets, don't know much about the MX6. I could also keep the GTV. I like the 'exotic' look the Cup body kit gives them, and the fact it has a nice stance from factory and big brembo brakes up front makes it stand out.
I should mention I do not care about straight line speed. The must fun car I've owned was a Celica T18 with the 7AFE engine. What I do like is a car that looks different and mostly, sounds good and has a nice rev range.
Curious what you guys have to say.
Cheers
T.
What about a JDM Impreza with the twin scroll engine (2003 onwards I think?) - I've got a 2005 and its got a mix of half Subaru rumble and half high revving 4 cylinder (Evo/Honda) - it's quite unique.
It's also 350bhp with just a standard exhaust and tesco 99 fuel so it shifts a bit too.
It's also 350bhp with just a standard exhaust and tesco 99 fuel so it shifts a bit too.
What's your budget? I mean, LFAs sound nice and all, but they're a bit pricey for me ;-)
First up, Honda VTECs, the classic original Integra Type R which not only sounds nice but is rated one of the best handling cars too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210020...
Pricey and potentially rusty, but a definite classic.
Could also look at an Accord Type R, the very common Civics, or a 4th or 5th gen Prelude as cheaper alternatives - the 4th gen Prelude looks and sounds good.
Second option another Mazda, the MX-3 with the world's smallest V6 for sound and interest value
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1224309
Third, if you're not too lanky you could look out a really unique roadster in the form of a Kei, the Suzuki Cappuccino
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1507866
"Recently gone through extensive rust repairs" which may or may not be a good thing.
Three-pot turbo so interesting mechanically.
And of course, I can't mention the Cappuccino without tipping the Honda Beat, with factory ITBs making 100hp/litre from it's nat-asp three pot
Anyway just some ideas, it depends what takes your fancy really. Someone around here I think has an old Suzuki Jimny with a two stroke engine, now that sounds exciting!
Always liked the look of the FTO, especially in black with some nice wheels. I know very little about them though and have only ever seen a handful on the road.
My S2000 would tick your boxes with a nice sound with good revs, the DC2 suggestion would be a cracking car too I've always wanted a JDM version.
Celica 190bhp?
Not sure how much Celica GT4's sell for now but also a good shout.
My S2000 would tick your boxes with a nice sound with good revs, the DC2 suggestion would be a cracking car too I've always wanted a JDM version.
Celica 190bhp?
Not sure how much Celica GT4's sell for now but also a good shout.
Budget definitely needed. Also age requirements, any no nos.
I had a Celica GT4 up until a couple of years ago, cracking car (and ssssh dont say it but when reviewed side by side with the Focus RS they were just as good), think they are north of £10k now.
Otherwise you could look at an R33 GTST?
I had a Celica GT4 up until a couple of years ago, cracking car (and ssssh dont say it but when reviewed side by side with the Focus RS they were just as good), think they are north of £10k now.
Otherwise you could look at an R33 GTST?
Thanks for the feedback guys. Funny how all the cars that have been mentioned have been on shortlist I've 'made' the last few years.
Some extra info. I live in Belgium, a country which has become a pain to import a car into from outside the EU and in which 'performance cars' are heavily taxed, until they reach the age of 30.
One such example: a '94 MX6 (so 28 years old) would set me back almost 4000 euro in taxes, a '91 MX6 only 90 euro (yes, the difference is crazy).
An FTO would still be expensive, but would only cost me around 1200 euro in taxes before reaching the age of 30, afterwards, it will also be 90 euro.
Secondly, cars 'on the continent' are expensive. The cheapest S2000 on the market (over here) has an asking price of almost 10 000€, for a RHD car with a broken engine.
I'd like to spend up to 4000€ on the car (so before taxes, plates, mot), so there's little left. I know I should bought a cool JDM car 10 years ago, but there's nothing I can do about that.
Hence, the FTO and MX6 came to mind. Other cars I have considered and that are within my price-range are the MR2 (SW20 and SW30), the Celica T18, T20 and T23. But, if given the choice, I would still prefer the FTO. I like the shape, and like the fact it's a very rare car over here and the fact it has a high revving V6 appeals to me. On paper, it has a lot in common with the GTV I own (body dimension are almost identical; it's a FWD car with a fairly normal front suspension and a more complicated rear set-up), but I just prefer JDM over Italian cars (I've owned alfa's and lancia's in the past, so it's not that I don't like italian cars because I rear some silly article telling me they are rubbish).
Also curious to hear if some would keep the GTV?
Some extra info. I live in Belgium, a country which has become a pain to import a car into from outside the EU and in which 'performance cars' are heavily taxed, until they reach the age of 30.
One such example: a '94 MX6 (so 28 years old) would set me back almost 4000 euro in taxes, a '91 MX6 only 90 euro (yes, the difference is crazy).
An FTO would still be expensive, but would only cost me around 1200 euro in taxes before reaching the age of 30, afterwards, it will also be 90 euro.
Secondly, cars 'on the continent' are expensive. The cheapest S2000 on the market (over here) has an asking price of almost 10 000€, for a RHD car with a broken engine.
I'd like to spend up to 4000€ on the car (so before taxes, plates, mot), so there's little left. I know I should bought a cool JDM car 10 years ago, but there's nothing I can do about that.
Hence, the FTO and MX6 came to mind. Other cars I have considered and that are within my price-range are the MR2 (SW20 and SW30), the Celica T18, T20 and T23. But, if given the choice, I would still prefer the FTO. I like the shape, and like the fact it's a very rare car over here and the fact it has a high revving V6 appeals to me. On paper, it has a lot in common with the GTV I own (body dimension are almost identical; it's a FWD car with a fairly normal front suspension and a more complicated rear set-up), but I just prefer JDM over Italian cars (I've owned alfa's and lancia's in the past, so it's not that I don't like italian cars because I rear some silly article telling me they are rubbish).
Also curious to hear if some would keep the GTV?
Just a small 'update' here. Not much has changed. After looking at a couple of MX6's I decided it was not the car for me. Didn't bother taken them for a testdrive, they just didn't look as special/cool as I was expecting.
Second option was the FTO, but since Brexit, it has become utterly impossible to import one from the UK and importing one from Japan just isn't worth it. The fact that they are almost all affected by rust (in extreme ways) puts me of.
So, at the moment, I'm considering an FN2R Civic. I absolutely adore the FD2R and if prices weren't so insane, I'd consider one (even if they are RHD). Many will tell me to get an EP, but I just don't like the design. The FK2R is to expensive and I don't like turboed cars. This leaves me with the following things to consider:
A should I just keep the RX8 and the GTV Cup
B Should I keep the GTV, sell the RX8 and get the FN2R
C Should I keep the RX8, sell the GTV and get the FN2R
Thanks for the input
Second option was the FTO, but since Brexit, it has become utterly impossible to import one from the UK and importing one from Japan just isn't worth it. The fact that they are almost all affected by rust (in extreme ways) puts me of.
So, at the moment, I'm considering an FN2R Civic. I absolutely adore the FD2R and if prices weren't so insane, I'd consider one (even if they are RHD). Many will tell me to get an EP, but I just don't like the design. The FK2R is to expensive and I don't like turboed cars. This leaves me with the following things to consider:
A should I just keep the RX8 and the GTV Cup
B Should I keep the GTV, sell the RX8 and get the FN2R
C Should I keep the RX8, sell the GTV and get the FN2R
Thanks for the input
If it's running properly, I doubt you'll get anything as good a drive for as little money as an RX-8, so I'd keep that.
I imagine the turbo FF FK2 would be a good counterpart to the n/a FR RX-8.
thomasrs50 said:
I my search for an FN2 (which - apparently - have become quite rare in Belgium) I came across an FK2. Wow, what a car 
. I loved everything about it, altough it might be too fast to enjoy properly. It truely felt like a car that has to be tracked.
If only there was a good racetrack somewhere in Belgium... . I loved everything about it, altough it might be too fast to enjoy properly. It truely felt like a car that has to be tracked. I imagine the turbo FF FK2 would be a good counterpart to the n/a FR RX-8.
samoht said:
If it's running properly, I doubt you'll get anything as good a drive for as little money as an RX-8, so I'd keep that.
It does run great. Rx8's are fetching around 6500-9000 euro for a good one in Belgium (NOT talking PZ, R3, they are far more expensive on the continent). The FK2 I looked at was a lot more expensive, but what a car...Had my FN2 for about 8 years now, it won't handle like the RX8 but it will do 35mpg and the engines are bullet proof if you keep an eye on the oil.
They are good fun but as I'm finding out the hard way at 14 years old and 97k miles suspension components will need replacing. So any that have vague steering/ handling then that is the likely cause.
They are good fun but as I'm finding out the hard way at 14 years old and 97k miles suspension components will need replacing. So any that have vague steering/ handling then that is the likely cause.
Bumping my old thread (sorry). Nothing has really changed. I still have the RX8 (w/o any problems) and am still working on the GTV. I hope the Alfa will be back on the road before winter. It needed A LOT more work than I initially thought, but didn't want to sell an unfinished car.
In the mean car, everything Japanese has become even more expensive. Went to look at an FTO, but it was a total rustbucket and the dealer that was selling the car wouldn't budge. Really liked how it looked tough.
I also considered getting a 'fast' Subaru (WRX), but the only WRX within my price-range (w/o having to sell the RX8 or GTV) is the hatchback.
So, we'll see if anything interesting pops up. The more you dive into it, the more you come across cars that are interesting (Mitsubishi Galant, old Honda Accord, Honda Prelude...)
In the mean car, everything Japanese has become even more expensive. Went to look at an FTO, but it was a total rustbucket and the dealer that was selling the car wouldn't budge. Really liked how it looked tough.
I also considered getting a 'fast' Subaru (WRX), but the only WRX within my price-range (w/o having to sell the RX8 or GTV) is the hatchback.
So, we'll see if anything interesting pops up. The more you dive into it, the more you come across cars that are interesting (Mitsubishi Galant, old Honda Accord, Honda Prelude...)
thomasrs50 said:
Bumping my old thread (sorry). Nothing has really changed. I still have the RX8 (w/o any problems) and am still working on the GTV. I hope the Alfa will be back on the road before winter. It needed A LOT more work than I initially thought, but didn't want to sell an unfinished car.
In the mean car, everything Japanese has become even more expensive. Went to look at an FTO, but it was a total rustbucket and the dealer that was selling the car wouldn't budge. Really liked how it looked tough.
I also considered getting a 'fast' Subaru (WRX), but the only WRX within my price-range (w/o having to sell the RX8 or GTV) is the hatchback.
So, we'll see if anything interesting pops up. The more you dive into it, the more you come across cars that are interesting (Mitsubishi Galant, old Honda Accord, Honda Prelude...)
Have you driven an FTO? I'm old enough to remember when they were new cars, and whilst I like the look of them they really weren't that special to drive (in my opinion of course). In the mean car, everything Japanese has become even more expensive. Went to look at an FTO, but it was a total rustbucket and the dealer that was selling the car wouldn't budge. Really liked how it looked tough.
I also considered getting a 'fast' Subaru (WRX), but the only WRX within my price-range (w/o having to sell the RX8 or GTV) is the hatchback.
So, we'll see if anything interesting pops up. The more you dive into it, the more you come across cars that are interesting (Mitsubishi Galant, old Honda Accord, Honda Prelude...)
I've always had an interest in a Galant VR4 but they are extremely rare, think i've only ever seen one in person. Always liked the Accord Type R too.
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