RE: Turning Japanese: PH Blog
Discussion
The original Gran Turismo game played a huge part in developing my love for '90s Jap cars. The first time I ever heard about the likes of Type-R Hondas was in this game. So many other cars I had no clue existed and ended up learning about. Did anyone else religiously read the info tabs on the model pages?
iloveboost said:
I drove a standard Supra Turbo and they are a bit disappointing. In todays world filled with 200+hp hatches and 300+hp saloons I think you really need a nicely modded one to 'get' what they are capable of.
Yes, but one thing to consider is the power to weight ratio of some of these models.....if you're winding up a turbo charged engine up beyond 300BHP coupled with the light weight, especially compared to the saloons and hatches of today.....vast difference.Albeit tuned and modded, but you have nigh on 20 year old cars outstripping and out handling some of top of the range saloon and hatchback cars produced in the last 5 years.
The safety and emissions regs have dictated this....but imagine where cars would be now without them....and yes, I'm being hugely nostalgic! Having said that, the new Impreza gets my pulse going....especially if Litchfield or (by some miracle) prodrive got hold of it!
crispyshark said:
iloveboost said:
I drove a standard Supra Turbo and they are a bit disappointing. In todays world filled with 200+hp hatches and 300+hp saloons I think you really need a nicely modded one to 'get' what they are capable of.
Albeit tuned and modded, but you have nigh on 20 year old cars outstripping and out handling some of top of the range saloon and hatchback cars produced in the last 5 years.And when it came to the corners I left him for dead, having a 650kg lighter car with a 50/50 weight distribution.
90s performance cars were great.
Great article and thread.
It's amazing there's been no mention of MK2 MR2's so far from what i can see. Which is probably one of the reasons why these gems remain bargain bucket. I think they are severely underrated by people who've never owned them, and so overlooked by many.
On hot days like today, i wish i had my NA t-bar back with me. But since i've had my turbo, I don't think i could genuinely go back to that linear, sometimes lazy engine.
Eventually, i'll just have to plum for a turbo t-bar.
At least until i can afford an RX-7!
Does anybody else think the cars being talked about here will genuinely be appreciating assets one day? I do. Look after those cars people.
It's amazing there's been no mention of MK2 MR2's so far from what i can see. Which is probably one of the reasons why these gems remain bargain bucket. I think they are severely underrated by people who've never owned them, and so overlooked by many.
On hot days like today, i wish i had my NA t-bar back with me. But since i've had my turbo, I don't think i could genuinely go back to that linear, sometimes lazy engine.
Eventually, i'll just have to plum for a turbo t-bar.
At least until i can afford an RX-7!
Does anybody else think the cars being talked about here will genuinely be appreciating assets one day? I do. Look after those cars people.
danjama said:
Great article and thread.
It's amazing there's been no mention of MK2 MR2's so far from what i can see. Which is probably one of the reasons why these gems remain bargain bucket. I think they are severely underrated by people who've never owned them, and so overlooked by many.
I totally agree, I have had 2 of these, this one being my favourite.It's amazing there's been no mention of MK2 MR2's so far from what i can see. Which is probably one of the reasons why these gems remain bargain bucket. I think they are severely underrated by people who've never owned them, and so overlooked by many.
paulyv said:
Seems nobody has posted a proud picture of Japanese steel for several posts.
Oh, go on then! Edited by paulyv on Wednesday 23 July 17:50
Not the car's permanent alloys...
Taken with a potato by danjama, on FlickrAnd my old t-bar...I do miss it.
IMG_2987 by danjama, on FlickrSpeedracer329 said:
I totally agree, I have had 2 of these, this one being my favourite.
That is very nice. I'm thinking of getting an Autopista spoiler for mine. Have you had any other 90's Jap cars to compare to?I've been in a couple of R33 Skylines and a Bugeye Impreza and classic Impreza, but none of these felt as special as a turbo mr2 to me.
SaqibCTR said:
The original Gran Turismo game played a huge part in developing my love for '90s Jap cars. The first time I ever heard about the likes of Type-R Hondas was in this game. So many other cars I had no clue existed and ended up learning about. Did anyone else religiously read the info tabs on the model pages?
yep. thats why the game did so well. it was the first one to do proper mods without lairy kits and paint jobs (unless racecar) I too read the huge speal about each car. zeppelin101 said:
No mention of the Silvia?
I'd love an S15, but it offers nothing above what my 180SX has, which is one of the most beguiling and wonderful cars I've owned I think. Very characterful, I love the driving position and it can be bonkers fast round a track one minute and lock-stops hooligan the next.
I'm on my 3rd. I think this one is a keeper.
My previous:
The RX-7 I had was awesome to drive when it worked. The problem was in the 6 months I had it, it had an engine rebuild followed by any number of other gremlins in every other part of the car. I think I managed about 500 miles in it that weren't running in miles...
Interestingly there was a small buyers' guide for the S13 200SX in today's Autocar.I'd love an S15, but it offers nothing above what my 180SX has, which is one of the most beguiling and wonderful cars I've owned I think. Very characterful, I love the driving position and it can be bonkers fast round a track one minute and lock-stops hooligan the next.
I'm on my 3rd. I think this one is a keeper.
My previous:
The RX-7 I had was awesome to drive when it worked. The problem was in the 6 months I had it, it had an engine rebuild followed by any number of other gremlins in every other part of the car. I think I managed about 500 miles in it that weren't running in miles...
Not many cars of that age and price range come with a statement of intent like a factory fit diff cooler!
danjama said:
Speedracer329 said:
I totally agree, I have had 2 of these, this one being my favourite.
That is very nice. I'm thinking of getting an Autopista spoiler for mine. Have you had any other 90's Jap cars to compare to?I've been in a couple of R33 Skylines and a Bugeye Impreza and classic Impreza, but none of these felt as special as a turbo mr2 to me.
I may as well post pictures of the white Rev3 & the 3000GT now to complete the set of my 90's Jap cars.
TREMAiNE said:
I loved this ever since I first saw you post a pic of it!
How comes you got rid? Love the gold alloys!
Thanks I do have a thing for Red/Gold so will be painting my Sparco's gold too when money allows. Pics soon How comes you got rid? Love the gold alloys!
I literally sold it to move on to a turbo. Otherwise it was a brilliant car, very clean and rust free.
Speedracer329 said:
Thanks, well as well as this black Rev2 I had a white Rev3 which was converted to a V6, the black RX7 I posted a picture of on page 1, & a Mitsubishi 3000GT. All apart from the 3000GT were modified, & I liked all of them, but the black car was my favourite, it was fantastic,felt really special & well put together, I would have another in a heartbeat were I a lot younger. I have thought about a Supra & a Skyline but I hated the interior of both, so I have just bought a MR2 mark 3 Roadster. Because I always had big power cars in the past I dismissed the Roadster as being a bit weedy, but the handling is something else, very grin inducing.
I may as well post pictures of the white Rev3 & the 3000GT now to complete the set of my 90's Jap cars.
Your white Rev 3 looked great. I must admit i'm curious about the MK3. It gets so much praise and is talked about in the same discussions as Elise's and VX's. Must be something to it. Think i'll check a few vids on youtube and see what the fuss is all about. I may as well post pictures of the white Rev3 & the 3000GT now to complete the set of my 90's Jap cars.
The RX-7 is my idea of a perfect FR sports car. The engine is low and set well back, the whole car is built as low and light as possible, but still packs enough power for 160mph. The short wheelbase makes the cornering attitude responsive to throttle and brake, yet the balance, the double-wishbone suspension and good damping make it responsive rather than having a mind of its own.
What's special is that it always responds in proportion to your inputs - it doesn't damp them like most cars, but nor does it over-react or snap away from you. The complicated sequential turbos mean that the throttle response is consistent across most of the rev range, making it intuitive to 'feel' how the car will respond to your right foot. There's no traction or stability control, instead it keeps the driver in the loop.
My best moment so far came after I missed my braking point for the first corner at Snetterton. As I optimistically trail-braked into the corner on patchy damp tarmac, the FD just slipped into a mild braking drift of about ten degrees, sliding in to the apex all ready to power through. The only downside is that it only comes alive when pushed, it's not that special just to tool around in. But the more you ask of it, the more you get; the super-smooth engine relishing more revs, the chassis lapping up high speeds on challenging roads.
And well, just look at it...
What's special is that it always responds in proportion to your inputs - it doesn't damp them like most cars, but nor does it over-react or snap away from you. The complicated sequential turbos mean that the throttle response is consistent across most of the rev range, making it intuitive to 'feel' how the car will respond to your right foot. There's no traction or stability control, instead it keeps the driver in the loop.
My best moment so far came after I missed my braking point for the first corner at Snetterton. As I optimistically trail-braked into the corner on patchy damp tarmac, the FD just slipped into a mild braking drift of about ten degrees, sliding in to the apex all ready to power through. The only downside is that it only comes alive when pushed, it's not that special just to tool around in. But the more you ask of it, the more you get; the super-smooth engine relishing more revs, the chassis lapping up high speeds on challenging roads.
And well, just look at it...
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