Budget Jap performance coupes (RWD)

[300bhp/ton]

Not so much a whats best, but what's liked more. If you had say £3-5k'ish to spend and didn't want a fwd hot hatch.

I'm sure I've missed some coupes out, some on purpose others through ignorance - apology in advance

But remember, a PH poll can have only 10 options.........

Idea behind this is, a car that 'could' be a daily if needed, or a hobby car. Rear wheel drivers only too keep it simple and avoid the hatch based coupe crossover point where the car could be a hot hatchback or a coupe depending on how you view it.

Striking or good looking is all part of it too as well as speed and performance and the ability to easily and cost effectively mod for more extreme performance if wanted. And fun of driving.


200SX s13


200SX s14/s14a


MR2 Turbo MKII


Skyline GTS-T R32


Skyline GTS-T R33


300ZX TT z32


RX-7 FD


Supra Turbo MK III


JZZ30 Soarer 2.5

[CurvaParabolica]

I've always had a soft spot for R33s; Soarer would be a close second. Alas I have no experience of either but out of your list, that's what I prefer

ETA: Saying that the Supra Mk III I like as well, but only because it was one of the first cars with a bit of clout that you could buy in the original Gran Turismo game

Edited by CurvaParabolica on Tuesday 10th May 08:42

[edo]

RX8!!

[LuS1fer]

I have sort of lusted over some of those cars at various points in my life. Now the only one that has stood the test of time is the RX7 which still looks fantastic. On a more realistic level, I always did like the Dino-inspired MR2 but unlike the "Ferrari", it does look passe and I would probably look for the later MR2.

[3000GT ANT]

Aesthetics alone it has to be 300ZX, although if i'm correct these are all automatics!? so i'd probably go for MR2.

[300bhp/ton]

edo said:

RX8!!

I do quite agree with that. Although I deliberately left it off the list as it only has limited tuning ability if you want something to run 13's (or better) at the 1/4 mile. All of the others could easily be tweaked to get significant HP gains and actually make them rather rapid machines.

It's for this reason that I also didn't include the n/a MK IV Supra (TT variant is over budget).

[STW2010]

As much as I like them, the 300zx hasn't aged very well at all. The choices for me were the RX7 and the Supra. I opted for the Supra, however having owned an RX8 in the past I would love to have a go in an RX7.

That was a tough decision OP!

[soad]

Rx7 voted for. do like supra too- still looks good

[Twincam16]

I'd add another to that list - Mitsubishi Starion Turbo.

[cptsideways]

Might be slightly biassed on this one They are all slightly older cars so take some minor looking after, which is the bit that would make my decision, TBH I'd like to own one of each!

I'm wafting about in a minty mint original unbastardised JZZ30 Soarer at the moment & it's lovely, it was my recent gem purchase of the year so far. Wags it tail everywhere in the wet or will waft along in silence or pick its skirt up & fly. Soon to be off on Euro trip so before we go I'll have to "fix" the original cruise control speed limit!!

My gem of an find, only done 400km since imported in 2007, been garaged since then.

[300bhp/ton]

Twincam16 said:

I'd add another to that list - Mitsubishi Starion Turbo.

I was, but there where none in the classifieds, so I wondered if its maybe a little too old and rare to pass the 'could be a daily driver' for most people.

[ikarl]

3000GT ANT said:

Aesthetics alone it has to be 300ZX, although if i'm correct these are all automatics!? so i'd probably go for MR2.

Nope I had a manual TT and it was a SWB - very rare, and fast car indeed

but my vote goes to the MR2 Turbo - had 4 now and absolutely love them, my opinion is that the design is almost ageless - mine still looks amazing and makes me smile every time I see her

[aeropilot]

Supra turbo for me.

[300bhp/ton]

Not much love for the Skylines then? In fact none at all for the R32.

I've not been in these, what are they like as drivers and performance cars compared to the rest?

[renrut]

Get a better photo of the S14a, its defintiely one of the lookers there, the others being RX7 and Supra, time hasn't been kind to the others although the S13 ain't bad.

[MarJay]

I don't know how any Skyline could be considered 'budget'... Even the bum basic ones command decent money.

For me it has to be the Mr2 Turbo. The RX7 does appeal, but they are worse than the Skyline for price, but you do get a fantastic car for the money to be fair.

[STW2010]

For the Skylines, it's only the R34 that appeals to me. A mate of mine had one, and it was a very special car

[Harji]

The RX-7 still looks awesome.

[M5 Russ]

Twincam16 said:

I'd add another to that list - Mitsubishi Starion Turbo.

+1 for that. I absolutely love the wide body Starions and hav owned a few - see the profile

[300bhp/ton]

doogz said:

I think even though the 2.5T 2WD Skyline is a decent enough car in it's own right, people look at them as "not being the GTR"

VTR rules. It's a lesser model, therefore, even though it's decent, it gets overlooked

I did wonder that.