What is the ultimate jap car?
Discussion
Ultimate in what sense? The Yamaha OX99-11 is pretty amazing IMHO. So is the Jiotto Caspita. Then there are the various GT1 cars - Nissan R390, Toyota GT1 etc. The GT-R Skylines, Mitsu Lancer Evos, Subaru Impreza WRX STis et al are all incredible machines too. In different ways entirely, the earlier Jap sportscars are also impressive for laying the groundwork for what has followed: Honda S500/S600/S800, Toyota 2000 GT, Nissan 240Z and predecessors. Somewhere in between I guess lies the Nissan 300ZX (1989- version), which must rate highly as a really complete and competent all-rounder, with looks to match. Personally, I'd plump for the OX99-11 though, it's pretty wicked & whimsical.
Ciao
Zak
Ciao
Zak
Suitably tweaked of courseOK guys & gals,In MY opinion,the most Important Jap perf car is..................................................................The......................................................MR2 series..........Why?
OK,not a super car in the truest sense.
For most ppl who always wanted a truly sporty looking & performing car(with great potential for tuning)& thought it out of their reach.But also a serious car in its own right for the more advanced sports driver.Makes an entry level sporter available to most folk.
Its got a lot of 'big' car characteristics:
Mid engined,
good power to weight
sounds like a sports car
'Proper'handling
(of its time)good looking,low,2-seater.
flippy headlights(big in the '80s-90's on super cars)
Light wieght,innovative use of materials.
Turbo & N/A versions.etc etc etc.
I hope this doesnt sound patronising to existing MR2 owners,its meant as my scribbled homage to a great car,that opened the door for many people,there are other cars in this bracket,such as the MX5 & MGB but none that have,IMO,taken it this far.
OK,not a super car in the truest sense.
For most ppl who always wanted a truly sporty looking & performing car(with great potential for tuning)& thought it out of their reach.But also a serious car in its own right for the more advanced sports driver.Makes an entry level sporter available to most folk.
Its got a lot of 'big' car characteristics:
Mid engined,
good power to weight
sounds like a sports car
'Proper'handling
(of its time)good looking,low,2-seater.
flippy headlights(big in the '80s-90's on super cars)
Light wieght,innovative use of materials.
Turbo & N/A versions.etc etc etc.
I hope this doesnt sound patronising to existing MR2 owners,its meant as my scribbled homage to a great car,that opened the door for many people,there are other cars in this bracket,such as the MX5 & MGB but none that have,IMO,taken it this far.
It has to be the NSX because its a Honda!!!!!Reliable.I must also add my Prelude Type S its a super car,good power to weight 1110kg, 220 bhp.out of the box.(No 4wheel drive lump hanging under the car or 4 doors).Very good round the bends (atts) and fast on the straight bits.Not many in the UK. about 20.
NSX has gotta be in the top-3. NSX-R as a limited edition...anything that can knock the 911s off the evo eCOTY top-spot has got to be worthy of respect. 
GTRs? Too technology-reliant - turbos, 4wd, electronic this, that, and everything else. Sure, it makes it an absolute tour-de-force, point-to-point, but what's happened to driver skill, to finesse???
Woody - sorry, but the Prelude Type-S only ever had 197bhp in standard tune...the jap-spec ones only ever had more due to the 100-RON fuel. Still a very capable car, and the 4ws has to be driven to be believed.
I'd like to propose the Integra, though (yeah, obviously, what else???).
VERY affordable, VERY focused, superlative drivers-car for involvement, poise, feedback...perfect driving position, fantastic 'box, one of the best 4-pot sounds ever (OK, Scooby owners will disagree!
), 104bhp/tonne from a N/A engine which still refuses to burst. Yet day-to-day practical too - I've fitted 4 spare rims/tyres, 4 other tyres, toolbox, jack, 2 overnight bags and a passenger in it...and then driven 200miles averaging over 30mpg. In short, it doesn't have any notable weaknesses...so even though most of the more expensive stuff will be quicker, is that what ULTIMATE means???
GTRs? Too technology-reliant - turbos, 4wd, electronic this, that, and everything else. Sure, it makes it an absolute tour-de-force, point-to-point, but what's happened to driver skill, to finesse???
Woody - sorry, but the Prelude Type-S only ever had 197bhp in standard tune...the jap-spec ones only ever had more due to the 100-RON fuel. Still a very capable car, and the 4ws has to be driven to be believed.
I'd like to propose the Integra, though (yeah, obviously, what else???).
VERY affordable, VERY focused, superlative drivers-car for involvement, poise, feedback...perfect driving position, fantastic 'box, one of the best 4-pot sounds ever (OK, Scooby owners will disagree!
), 104bhp/tonne from a N/A engine which still refuses to burst. Yet day-to-day practical too - I've fitted 4 spare rims/tyres, 4 other tyres, toolbox, jack, 2 overnight bags and a passenger in it...and then driven 200miles averaging over 30mpg. In short, it doesn't have any notable weaknesses...so even though most of the more expensive stuff will be quicker, is that what ULTIMATE means???havoc said:
In short, it doesn't have any notable weaknesses...
well just the one anyway.... something to do with some unnecessary poles going into the hubs at the front wheels.. oh, and some missing at the other end...
'tis a very good car mind.
had forgotten about the R390...
not really much of a looker though, IMO.
Gazboy said:
Well Pwig just wrote 1000 words with a picture!
Got any stats to entertain us with the Jonny!
If it pleases sir, www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/id/?id=11616
;-)
Ciao
Zak
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