Rank Japanese Sports Cars
08-19-2003, 05:36 PM
#42
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Sorry, it's against my nature to ignore price, but I'll try...
1 - NSX (but if I did price, man would it plummet)
2 - S2000 (the one that is there with or without price)
Must ignore price, must ignore ...
3 - Miata
Sorry, I tried
4 - MR2-Spyder
5 - RX8
6 - 350Z (too heavy, too bathtubby)
Next group I like, but really wouldn't seriously consider buying...
7 - RX-7 last gen (would have made the list, but I like cars that last)
8 - MR2 original (love it, but too old now)
9 - MR2 turbo
10 - Supra TT
11 - 300 ZX
12 - RX-7, 1st gen (in many ways, it set the table for the rest)
VR4, Evo, STi just don't do it for me
1 - NSX (but if I did price, man would it plummet)
2 - S2000 (the one that is there with or without price)
Must ignore price, must ignore ...
3 - Miata
Sorry, I tried
4 - MR2-Spyder
5 - RX8
6 - 350Z (too heavy, too bathtubby)
Next group I like, but really wouldn't seriously consider buying...
7 - RX-7 last gen (would have made the list, but I like cars that last)
8 - MR2 original (love it, but too old now)
9 - MR2 turbo
10 - Supra TT
11 - 300 ZX
12 - RX-7, 1st gen (in many ways, it set the table for the rest)
VR4, Evo, STi just don't do it for me
08-20-2003, 01:52 PM
#45
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1) RX-7 3rd gen
Reason? Back in 1992 when this car released, ran 13.5-13.9 1/4, .98 on the skidpad (unequaled at the time), 60-0 in 110 feet (2nd best EVER tested at the time). Timeless looks and Still after all these years in the super stock catagory of the SCCA competing with cars like the Z06, 911 Turbo, M3, etc. Even 10 years later it puts better stock #'s than most cars and has amazing aftermarket potential.
Negatives: Maintenance costs
2) 300ZX tt
Reason? the -Z- was the first mass produced Japanese sporscar, the 300Z was the first true affordable Japanese Supercar. Exotic looks and 300 HP made a very impressive machine.
Negatives: Very heavy, un-inspiring handling, poor brakes and you
find them whoring every street corner.
3) NSX
Reason:
exotic looks, great handling and made a mark by proving that a Japanese Exotic car could sell.
Negatives: Performance for the money sucks.
4) SUPRA TT
Reason:
Awesome engine, bullet proof design, great looking profile. tested
60-0 in 109 feet back in the mid 90's for a motor trend record.
Negatives: Fat pig, boring front end, ugly tail lights.
5) Miata
The miata gave rise to alot of cars that would not be on the road today otherwise. Super fun to drive, cheap price and gave you the feeling that its the best handling car in the world, while being nearly bullet proof.
6) S2000
sharp looks, better than average performance and a fit/finish that isn't easily matched in japanese cars. having the 3rd best hp/liter of any n/a car and the best hp/liter of any n/a piston engine is pretty impressive.
Negatives: No torque, still a 4 banger, expensive for what you get.
7) RX-8
spectacular looks from the front end. Exceptional handling and put in the most practicle package you can get while still being fun to drive. Smoothest engine on the planet.
Negatives: Low end torque lacks, looks awkward from the side. Just like the s2000 will never throw you back in your seat.
8) 350Z.
Reason:
Great engine, n/a 280 HP, torque is excellent. fit/finish is beautiful, equal acceleration performance to the twin turbo 300Z in n/a form.
Negatives: Pretty heavy car, awkward looking from some angles.
9)3000GT VR4.
I cant think of anything nice to say about it. Maybe it was the first AWD Japanese sportscar with serious HP, but then again this makes other fat pigs like the supra and 300Z look like Jenny craig successtories.
10) MR-2 Spyder:
Pretty boring car, looks like kermit the frog on steriods. has ugly 1980's style japanese interior. I prefer the 2nd gen mr2 (great car).
11) STI/EVO.
These are great cars, but I dont put economy cars in the same class as these other cars, even if they are parading around with some serious hardware under the hood.
Reason? Back in 1992 when this car released, ran 13.5-13.9 1/4, .98 on the skidpad (unequaled at the time), 60-0 in 110 feet (2nd best EVER tested at the time). Timeless looks and Still after all these years in the super stock catagory of the SCCA competing with cars like the Z06, 911 Turbo, M3, etc. Even 10 years later it puts better stock #'s than most cars and has amazing aftermarket potential.
Negatives: Maintenance costs
2) 300ZX tt
Reason? the -Z- was the first mass produced Japanese sporscar, the 300Z was the first true affordable Japanese Supercar. Exotic looks and 300 HP made a very impressive machine.
Negatives: Very heavy, un-inspiring handling, poor brakes and you
find them whoring every street corner.
3) NSX
Reason:
exotic looks, great handling and made a mark by proving that a Japanese Exotic car could sell.
Negatives: Performance for the money sucks.
4) SUPRA TT
Reason:
Awesome engine, bullet proof design, great looking profile. tested
60-0 in 109 feet back in the mid 90's for a motor trend record.
Negatives: Fat pig, boring front end, ugly tail lights.
5) Miata
The miata gave rise to alot of cars that would not be on the road today otherwise. Super fun to drive, cheap price and gave you the feeling that its the best handling car in the world, while being nearly bullet proof.
6) S2000
sharp looks, better than average performance and a fit/finish that isn't easily matched in japanese cars. having the 3rd best hp/liter of any n/a car and the best hp/liter of any n/a piston engine is pretty impressive.
Negatives: No torque, still a 4 banger, expensive for what you get.
7) RX-8
spectacular looks from the front end. Exceptional handling and put in the most practicle package you can get while still being fun to drive. Smoothest engine on the planet.
Negatives: Low end torque lacks, looks awkward from the side. Just like the s2000 will never throw you back in your seat.
8) 350Z.
Reason:
Great engine, n/a 280 HP, torque is excellent. fit/finish is beautiful, equal acceleration performance to the twin turbo 300Z in n/a form.
Negatives: Pretty heavy car, awkward looking from some angles.
9)3000GT VR4.
I cant think of anything nice to say about it. Maybe it was the first AWD Japanese sportscar with serious HP, but then again this makes other fat pigs like the supra and 300Z look like Jenny craig successtories.
10) MR-2 Spyder:
Pretty boring car, looks like kermit the frog on steriods. has ugly 1980's style japanese interior. I prefer the 2nd gen mr2 (great car).
11) STI/EVO.
These are great cars, but I dont put economy cars in the same class as these other cars, even if they are parading around with some serious hardware under the hood.
08-20-2003, 06:23 PM
#47
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FCGuy, very nice reply.
Yes, you would be happy with either but personally I think the Miata is a better car for learning to drive a RWD sports car. It's fun, it's forgiving and you'll miss it when it's gone.
If you want info on roll bars so you can track it there are some good choices out there. I had a Kirk 5 point bar with added cross braces in mine and it saved me when I was rear ended by a speeding car traveling at least 55 to 60 mph faster than I was. No need to second guess yourself about the choice. While they're different, they're both the best.
Yes, you would be happy with either but personally I think the Miata is a better car for learning to drive a RWD sports car. It's fun, it's forgiving and you'll miss it when it's gone.
If you want info on roll bars so you can track it there are some good choices out there. I had a Kirk 5 point bar with added cross braces in mine and it saved me when I was rear ended by a speeding car traveling at least 55 to 60 mph faster than I was. No need to second guess yourself about the choice. While they're different, they're both the best.
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