90s Japanese supercar appreciation thread

[Jim Nazium]

Remember these?

Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
Mazda RX-7 Turbo
Toyota Supra Turbo
Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4

I wanted one of these really bad back in the day but couldn't afford it. Now it's really hard to find one that hasn't been abused and/or heavily modified.

Anybody used to have one, or still have one? Let's see pics.

[L-A]

There are a few Skylines (R32 and R34) driving around here. These cars look (and sound) like angry monsters even when they aren't moving.

[Selta]

I like the 300ZX and the 3000GT VR-4s. I'm actually thinking about finding a VR-4 to tool around in.
The drag racing team I was involved with is building a 3000GT VR-4 up:


NW3S Racing - 3000GT Drag Racecar
But, at heart, I'm an American Muscle fan.

[Unrepresented]

Good list. I'd like to swing back a couple years earlier to add a couple of my favorites. Maybe technically not up to the hp levels of your favorites, but awesome styling and definitely fun to drive by their contemporary standards.

Mitsubishi Starion Widebody (ESi-R)



... and both the mk1 and mk2 Toyota mr2. Love the styling on both, although obviously you can see the very different decades their styling pays homage to.

[tastybasslines]

I had a girlfriend who had a RX-7 Turbo and that was FAST. I remember being pushed into the back of the seat from the torque.

[Horny Toad]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

... and both the mk1 and mk2 Toyota mr2. Love the styling on both, although obviously you can see the very different decades their styling pays homage to.

My sister had a 1st and 2nd gen MR2. Man did that thing have some great handling!

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by Horny Toad

My sister had a 1st and 2nd gen MR2. Man did that thing have some great handling!

I would own one if not for a couple dealbreakers:

1) I am 6'5" tall. I barely can fit in one.

2) No room for gear. Mid-engine, two seater, pocket rockets do not provide much love for the gigging bassist.

It's one I have to love from a distance.

[Horny Toad]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

I would own one if not for a couple dealbreakers:

1) I am 6'5" tall. I barely can fit in one.

2) No room for gear. Mid-engine, two seater, pocket rockets do not provide much love for the gigging bassist.

It's one I have to love from a distance.

You ain't kiddin'. They had NO usable storage.

[burk48237]

I think you certainly have to include the Accura NSX in this discussion. It still may be the best pure handling sports car evermade. The skid pad numbers were actually over 1 on one test I saw. Grippy expensive tires and a suspension tunned for that specific rubber.

[L-A]

Originally Posted by burk48237

I think you certainly have to include the Accura NSX in this discussion. It still may be the best pure handling sports car evermade. The skid pad numbers were actually over 1 on one test I saw. Grippy expensive tires and a suspension tunned for that specific rubber.

And a cassette player 'til the end

It was an impressive car, to say the least.

[buzzbass]

What, no Skylines ?

[Jim Nazium]

I forgot about the NSX! And the Skyline (although in my defense, those weren't available in the USA in the early 90s, when the others were). Both great cars.

[Joe Gress]

I remember our tour bus being passed by a R34 while I was touring Japan with the youth symphony. It shook the whole bus and the sound was incredible.

I've definitely always wanted either an R33 or an R34. Simply monstrous cars, and very aggressive looking. The back taillights still remain a thing of classic beauty.

[Selta]

I know this is supposed to be about the 90s cars, but man, see those Skylines reminds me of the GT-R. I would love to have a GT-R...

[Porkbun]

I considered all of these cars and more before deciding to go for an american C4 Corvette as a daily driver. Perhaps this thread will be able to change my mind! Every time I see one of them I think "hmm Perhaps I should try and find a ______"

IMO
Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo- Could not get over the rear end. Love, love love the front and everything about it, but I thought the back looked weird and the gas mileage wasnt very good (For a Daily driver)

Mazda RX-7 Turbo- Both the FC's and FD's I loved from watching Initial D. Theres a place nearby that specializes in RX-7's, but I was worried about the rotary engines. It appears that rebuilding the engines was part of the maintenance and its expensive and required the whole engine to be taken apart. Because of this I passed on a FC RX-7 with 55k miles in great condition and professionally twin turboed

Toyota Supra Turbo- Hard to find lower mileage, unmolested examples. High demand after these because of how easy it is to squeeze out more performance drives the prices up

Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4- Reliability issues. I knew someone who had one of these back in the day and it was a rare occasion when she didnt have to have her car towed home

NSX- Im too poar

[iamlowsound]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

I know this is supposed to be about the 90s cars, but man, see those Skylines reminds me of the GT-R. I would love to have a GT-R...

The new GT-R is perhaps the most insane car ever built. One of the fastest cars the Top Gear has tested and it is also one the the cheapest. As for me, I would love an RX-7, I almost bought one a few years ago, but I didn't have then money for insurance at the time.

lowsound

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by Porkbun

Toyota Supra Turbo- Hard to find lower mileage, unmolested examples. High demand after these because of how easy it is to squeeze out more performance drives the prices up

The bottom end of these was supposed to be able to tolerate some 600-700hp stock.

The 90's Eclipses were supposed to be really cheap to coax more hp out of.

[Porkbun]

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

The new GT-R is perhaps the most insane car ever built. One of the fastest cars the Top Gear has tested and it is also one the the cheapest. As for me, I would love an RX-7, I almost bought one a few years ago, but I didn't have then money for insurance at the time.

lowsound

Im still amazed that cars as heavy as the Veyron and the GTR can get to 60 so quickly and perform so well. Deserves the nickname Godzilla!

After I decided not to get an RX-7, I saw one in person for the 4th time ever. Its a good thing nobody near by was selling one when I checked because I wouldve bought one on the spot. RX-7's are dangerous! I slept on it and came to my senses. The design looks like It couldve been made a few years ago. Im sure if Mazda updated the lights they could market and sell them with the curent lineup

The bottom end of these was supposed to be able to tolerate some 600-700hp stock.

Ive read about and seen videos of no turbo 300ZX's that had 500HP with a few cheap modifications. Seems like just about every japanese sportscar from the 90's was pretty easy to tweak to get a lot more horsepower!

[Selta]

The 300ZXs are fun, for sure. I have a few friends that have them. They're fun to work on, too. One of them has his over 500bhp, though I wouldn't call it "cheap" - I think total he has about another $12k into it to get it there.

[L-A]

Originally Posted by buzzbass

What, no Skylines ?

Well, no. At least, not until you READ THE VERY FIRST REPLY IN THIS THREAD.