Discussion
Thought some of you might like to see this.. some interesting comments 
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The facts of the matter are that a Japanese car can be made fast, indecently fast or even out-of-your-mind fast and they'll still be reliable ol' busses, one way or another as we all probably know
The hurtful truth is that in many cases they may well be far faster than an Italian car, especially the older ones and especially the ones that were never billed as being 'supercars' (like mine).
The real clincher for me tho' and I hope most people in this neck of the PistonHeads woods is down to just one factor, one that's more prevalent in the Lamborghini coppice of this n-o-t-w as well, if you don't mind me saying so.
That factor is the matter of a driving experience that's all about
INTENSITY
and not even the sharpest or fastest of Subarus, not even a tech'd to the throat Skyline, not even a Supra with more power than a couple of nuclear power stations can approach it...
Somebody once told me that if I ever got to drive a Countach I was to be sure and NOT put the hammer down, as it would be too frightening a thing to do... So the first time I drove one ('officially' and not as a favour for a friend in bad, bad weather) a while later, it was the ex-press car black 'n' black 5000S (as driven by Vicky Bodily-Harm a few weeks later as it happens), that's exactly what I did...
my teeth still vibrate with just the memory of that moment.
The hurtful truth is that in many cases they may well be far faster than an Italian car, especially the older ones and especially the ones that were never billed as being 'supercars' (like mine).
The real clincher for me tho' and I hope most people in this neck of the PistonHeads woods is down to just one factor, one that's more prevalent in the Lamborghini coppice of this n-o-t-w as well, if you don't mind me saying so.
That factor is the matter of a driving experience that's all about
INTENSITY
and not even the sharpest or fastest of Subarus, not even a tech'd to the throat Skyline, not even a Supra with more power than a couple of nuclear power stations can approach it...
Somebody once told me that if I ever got to drive a Countach I was to be sure and NOT put the hammer down, as it would be too frightening a thing to do... So the first time I drove one ('officially' and not as a favour for a friend in bad, bad weather) a while later, it was the ex-press car black 'n' black 5000S (as driven by Vicky Bodily-Harm a few weeks later as it happens), that's exactly what I did...
my teeth still vibrate with just the memory of that moment.
Edited by XXVIII on Wednesday 4th July 16:53
What an incredible turn around in perception the Jap car industry has had. Growing up I couldnt have thought of a less desirable car then a Datsun and to be having a discussion on the relative desirability of one against a Ferrari would have been unthinkable, to be honest I think it still is.
The reasoning as far as I can work out is not which you would rather have but the constraint of what can be afforded, undoubtebly the Japs give the best return for your money in terms of performance/cost and I am sure their are serious enthusiasts that spend a lot of time and money on modifying their cars to attain big BHP figures but the vast majoriety of rice racers that I see are kids caught in the same US inspired fashion trap that has seen the explosion of SUV's in this country.
There is no comparison between any Jap car and a Ferrari/Lambo in terms of desirability, if the question is simply which is quicker,then that is a different question to which would you rather have?
To put it in a nutshell If I could afford the 360 I wouldnt want to save 30K and have a quicker skyline.
The reasoning as far as I can work out is not which you would rather have but the constraint of what can be afforded, undoubtebly the Japs give the best return for your money in terms of performance/cost and I am sure their are serious enthusiasts that spend a lot of time and money on modifying their cars to attain big BHP figures but the vast majoriety of rice racers that I see are kids caught in the same US inspired fashion trap that has seen the explosion of SUV's in this country.
There is no comparison between any Jap car and a Ferrari/Lambo in terms of desirability, if the question is simply which is quicker,then that is a different question to which would you rather have?
To put it in a nutshell If I could afford the 360 I wouldnt want to save 30K and have a quicker skyline.
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