JDM classic driving day in Japan: which cars should I drive?

JDM classic driving day in Japan: which cars should I drive?

Author
Discussion

leitmotiv

Original Poster:

137 posts

58 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
Hello.

I'm off to Japan in March on honeymoon and want to take the chance to drive a few cars that I'd not get the chance to drive at home.

I was keen to get into the current GTR but the company I'm looking at has some treasures - for example:

- All generations of GTR
- All generations of Imprezza
- Range of Evos & NSXs
- Range of 370zs etc

The link is here: https://fun2drive-japan.com/fleet/

Reckon I can pick 3. I'm pretty excited. Appreciate your views!


Xcore

1,372 posts

97 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
NSX
R32 skyline
Evo 5/impreza type r

Krikkit

26,998 posts

188 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
I'd be driving stuff you can't really find easily in Europe (or is heinously expensive)... I'd take the Hakosuka replica, the AE86 and probably the RX7 or NSX. Some great cars on there though, shame the EK9 CTR is retired.

Munter

31,326 posts

248 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
I think you have to go for the rare stuff.

My picks would be:
  • KPGC110
  • AE86 TRUENO
  • NSX NA1

PZR

633 posts

192 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
leitmotiv said:
All generations of GTR
If the C10 and C110 are 'replicas' of the KPGC10 and KPGC110, then they haven't got "all generations of GTR".

I'd concentrate on paying to drive the ones that are The Real Thing if I were you.

leitmotiv

Original Poster:

137 posts

58 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
Thanks for your views

I stand corrected on the replicas point




Hammy98

856 posts

99 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
Lucky bugger, I'm heading over in November and looking to do the same. Looking at the R34, NSX and had thought Mk4 Supra.

The more I've thought about it though, the R34 seems perfect for it. I'm planning to do the top tour so the full day one.
I've ruled out the Supra as it doesn't seem like it would be well suited to Togue roads being heavy and a bit more of a GT.

Got 11 months to decide R34 or NSX but no doubt something else will have took my fancy before then.


TommoAE86

2,754 posts

134 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
Wow what a cool company. I'd go for the AE86, RX-7, and then the R33 Skyline.

For you I'd just change the Skyline to whichever generation takes your fancy because no one likes the R33 wink

RSTurboPaul

11,270 posts

265 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
The 964 Turbo could be a rare opportunity, given how expensive they are to buy now.

NSX NA1 would be cool, rare to see them nowadays.

AE86 would be good as it's supposed to be very driftable (although I'm sure you won't be doing a full on Touge-attack-style run in any of them).

I'm not sure the older skylines being replicas would bother me - if they are built up using standard parts to be the same as one that rolled out the factory, the only difference is what the logbook says.

PZR

633 posts

192 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
RSTurboPaul said:
I'm not sure the older skylines being replicas would bother me - if they are built up using standard parts to be the same as one that rolled out the factory, the only difference is what the logbook says.
But they're not. Completely different engine, transmission, differential type/ratio/LSD, steering gear ratio, springing/damping rates, different fuel tanks, even different seats.

Big difference in character.





Andy616

447 posts

142 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
It does look great but I have seen mixed reviews about that company. They are apparently a lot stricter on the driving now because Americans keep crashing their cars. See a recent review here: https://www.reddit.com/r/carporn/comments/ejeg81/s...

I'd be inclined to agree with PZR about the older Skylines (he really knows his stuff). They look good but they will be quite different from the real thing.

Speaking of which, I couldn't belive it when I was walking past Nissan Crossing in Ginza and they had this in the window:



It's the 1969 PGC10 (I'm sure PZR will correct me if I've got that wrong!) on loan from from Nissan's Heritage collection.

InitialDave

12,236 posts

126 months

Tuesday 14th January 2020
quotequote all
Omoshiro Rentacar have a decent selection of cars as well, and are cheaper, but some of their fleet isn't quite showroom condition.

I've driven an R34 GTR and an AE86 in Japan, and both were good experiences, so next I'd be eyeing up that original GTR, maybe an R32, and an NSX.

For your first go:
Munter said:
I think you have to go for the rare stuff.

My picks would be:
  • KPGC110
  • AE86 TRUENO
  • NSX NA1
This guy gets it.

Also, do the (formerly MariCar) street kart tour arount Tokyo, it's a right laugh.

RSTurboPaul

11,270 posts

265 months

Wednesday 15th January 2020
quotequote all
PZR said:
RSTurboPaul said:
I'm not sure the older skylines being replicas would bother me - if they are built up using standard parts to be the same as one that rolled out the factory, the only difference is what the logbook says.
But they're not. Completely different engine, transmission, differential type/ratio/LSD, steering gear ratio, springing/damping rates, different fuel tanks, even different seats.

Big difference in character.
In that case, I agree they won't be similar!

PZR

633 posts

192 months

Wednesday 15th January 2020
quotequote all
Andy616 said:
It does look great but I have seen mixed reviews about that company. They are apparently a lot stricter on the driving now because Americans keep crashing their cars. See a recent review here: https://www.reddit.com/r/carporn/comments/ejeg81/s...

I'd be inclined to agree with PZR about the older Skylines (he really knows his stuff). They look good but they will be quite different from the real thing.

Speaking of which, I couldn't belive it when I was walking past Nissan Crossing in Ginza and they had this in the window:



It's the 1969 PGC10 (I'm sure PZR will correct me if I've got that wrong!) on loan from from Nissan's Heritage collection.
Exactly right. Nissan have been putting a lot of extra focus on the C10-series GT-R and S30-series Z for their 50th anniversary year. PGC10 was released February 1969 and S30-series Z range was released October 1969.

I was walking past the Nissan Ginza Crossing showroom in May 2019 and they had a KPGC10 (released August 1970) on the turntable:



Liamjrhodes

251 posts

148 months

Wednesday 15th January 2020
quotequote all
My personal choice would be the following:

R34
NA1 NSX
RX7

Driving even one of the cars in their fleet in japan would be amazing!

leitmotiv

Original Poster:

137 posts

58 months

Thursday 16th January 2020
quotequote all
Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions, it's really helped. Lots to think about here!

I'll take some photos and report back.

Lazermilk

3,523 posts

88 months

Thursday 16th January 2020
quotequote all
From that list I would go for

R34 Nismo
Z Car S30 RB25
RX-7

Enjoy, great choice of place for honeymoon!

delta0

2,393 posts

113 months

Friday 17th January 2020
quotequote all
Liamjrhodes said:
My personal choice would be the following:

R34
NA1 NSX
RX7

Driving even one of the cars in their fleet in japan would be amazing!
This would be mine also!

Matty322

222 posts

100 months

Saturday 8th February 2020
quotequote all
as a mulitple GTR owner, (32,34, 35) i think you will be disappointed with a bongo stock example.

they are heavy, and not that "quick" - a rental will also TBH be just used by tourists,

not wanting to pop your bubble, as its there to enjoy.

the roads around where you are going, especially if its cherry blossom, will be very busy.

Also make sure you keep your passport with you, at all times, and you have obviously got your international driving licence.

you should also check that your rental includes tolls, (i doubt it, but ask)

any questions, just feel free to message me.

all the best. smile

GravelBen

15,914 posts

237 months

Sunday 9th February 2020
quotequote all
A standard 130hp AE86 probably won't be too exciting if you are on faster roads or aren't allowed to thrash the pants off it, but I guess the most accessible down to earth fun (like an early MX5) if you are on narrow twisty roads.