So what is the greatest JDM Supercar of the 90's?

[Chiketkd]

Motortrend July '93 Supercar Shootout: http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/m...article01.html

Let's discuss. No off topic rants please... (yes Shadow, we know your '99 T/A is fastar!!!)

-Chike

P.S. One more note, let's only discuss JDM supercars cars that made it to the showrooms on US shores. No Skyline GT-R's, Silvias, Soarers, etc.

[Landshark]

i've always liked the Supra - came damn close to buying a mint, unmolested '95 TT a few years back......but it was just a little more than i wanted to spend.

[shelfy]

no nissan skyline?

[Earthworm]

Those results seem to strongly favor the Supra.

Here's an interesting question - How many of these cars are still in production?

[Chiketkd]

Originally posted by Earthworm
Here's an interesting question - How many of these cars are still in production?

Only the NSX in piddling numbers (~200 per year).

However, the new 350Z is a hot seller, the RX-8 has taken up (to some extent) where the RX-7 left off. Subaru and Mitsu have shifted their sports car focus to the WRX/STI and the EVO...

-Chike

[GreenMarine]

I say the RX-7 TT.... That thing is an AWESOME Track car!!!

Good question. I say NSX, for a few reasons. First I'll talk about the other cars:

Alright: mazda Rx7TT. Incredible car. Absolutely mind numbing... big power, tiny package, no weight. It will basically kill any of these other cars on a road course. Downsides? Engines like to go 'boom'! So that sucks.

Mitsu3000GT: Eh...it's alright, but it's so big, heavy, etc. Plus I've never been impressed with mitsu reliablity or build quality.

300ZX: Admittedly a sweet car, but kinda porky and over developed, too many things can go wrong with them, way too complicated in general. Extremely extremely hard to find a turbo model in good shape, and the interior's had issues for most years of production.

Supra TT: Bling bling. You want hp? Here it is. But it's also pretty heavy, and lacks the lightweight/nimbleness of the RX7. Also a bit played out, though I do give it credit.

Subaru SVX: A rolling work of hypocrisy, which is why I love/hate it (hypocritical there too!). incredibly silky smooth 230hp flat six and no manual transmission...... sporty italian exterior, junk wheel bearings. (then) the world's most complex transmission, but nobody designed the freakin' visors to stay up.

Now the NSX; well, even the first ones are still stunning, with it's glass to glass canopy, the engine is a real redline screamer, incredibly balanced handling, build quality that withstands the years quite well, and fairly reliable. All in all, no real weak spots like all the others. I love the NSX.

- Jim

[Chiketkd]

Originally posted by BoondockSVX
Subaru SVX: A rolling work of hypocrisy, which is why I love/hate it (hypocritical there too!). incredibly silky smooth 230hp flat six and no manual transmission...... sporty italian exterior, junk wheel bearings. (then) the world's most complex transmission, but nobody designed the freakin' visors to stay up.

I like your comments and think you've nailed most of the cars right on the nose!

I also must agree that the SVX is a rolling contradiction in many ways... The exterior styling is mouth watering, but then they stuck the 80's fake headlight and weird looking directional wheels??? What happened to the sweet rims on the prototype?

My favorite JDM supercar is the 300ZX TT. It just strikes that perfect balance of track car and grand tourer. Kind of like a poor man's Porsche. After having owned a '90 300ZX TT with 120K miles I can say that the electronic gadgetry can go awry, but I didn't have to fix/replace a single one on my car. Only oil changes and tires the whole time I owned the car...

-Chike

[HighwayUFO]

Here is my breakdown.

RX-7 TT-- The engines are very finicky, yet very ingenious. Who'd a thunk that a little gear driven triangle could make a car move. The person who said the internal combustion engine hasn't really changed at all since the first one was built was wrong. Slightly overpriced yet worth every penny, assuming you have the extra change to keep fixing it.

3K GT TT-- Mitsubishi was really onto something with this car. AWD and two turbos. What could you want in a car. LESS WEIGHT. These cars are beasts, once they are in motion, they are quick as hell. However, the parts and prices to fix them are highly priced and hard to come by, especially if you have two turbos. Sleek looking car, just wish they would have made more convertibles.

300ZX TT-- One of the greatest things Nissan gave to the US market. Very quick. The only downside is the little things that keep breaking in the car.

Supra TT-- Too much horsepower will never come from the mouth on any owner/driver. Nice styling with the exception of the ugly wheels that impair the ability to see the slotted and drilled rotors that you just put on there. Only downside, everyone who owns one is putting down insane HP numbers. 1000 WHP and you are running 9's, yet this little Honda Civic with a third of your horsepower kept up with you??? As Boondock said before, a bit overrated.

SVX-- Love it or hate it, it will be sure to turn heads. Too good for its time, yes. This car is chock full of little imperfections that would annoy most owners, but a select group of people consider it a unique style. Needed a manual tranny is my only complaint.

NSX-- This car has been annihilating the competition in JGTC for years now, and despite all the road blocks that the rulemakers threw into its path, it still prevails. Styling is very sexy for a Honda. Scrap the S2000 and bring back the NSX to the mainstream market. If Honda had failed at every other car it made except the NSX, people would still rave about the quality and reliability of this car.

Final Verdict--
For the speed freaks, go with the Supra.
For those who like unique, get the SVX.
For those looking for Power and agility in one great little package, go no further than the RX-7
And for those looking for their money's worth in buying a good all around sports car, sit yourself into an NSX.


Sorry Mits and Nissan, in the 90's there just wasn't a radar blip for you in my opinion. Nissan needed the Skyline here in America, and it didn't happen.

And yes, I know I gave Honda credit, but let me point out that my screen name solely "attacks" civics. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE!!1!!

Keith

[NikFu S.]

The NSX is the one Honda I tip my bandana to.

My vote goes to the GTO however. Heavy or not, it's fun to drive, very stylish, and awd which I can't live without.

[b3lha]

Blasphemy! Lets have some more votes for the SVX.

[mikecg]

You forgot the Skyline. Which gets my vote.

Originally posted by mikecg
You forgot the Skyline. Which gets my vote.

From Chike's original post:

"P.S. One more note, let's only discuss JDM supercars cars that made it to the showrooms on US shores. No Skyline GT-R's, Silvias, Soarers, etc"

[Ron Mummert]

You might also include the Lexus SC300/400 (also known as the Soarer elsewhere). I'd consider it the closest rival to the SVX in terms of desired marketplace capture - Luxury cruiser with lots of toys. No funny windows though.

Ron.

[Phast SVX]

theres nothing like 800 ponies of stock bottem end 2j. Hands down the most over engineered and potent car in a straight line on the list.

phil

p.s. a 300hp civic dosnt have a chance against a 1000rwhp supra. Not saying a 300hp civic isnt fast(built some b20 and gsr turbo's) but hands down not a race.