I’m not a Mopar guy…or a Ford guy…or even an American guy when it comes to cars. I can practically justify any car for merits and disregard one for it’s downfalls. At least that’s what I claim, but the truth is I’ve owned quite a few Mopars, plenty of GM products, two Fords and that’s all. So, in the spirit of proving to myself that I can be more cosmopolitan than I really am, here is my Top 11 list of Japanese imports. The only criteria that I used: The vehicle must have been available for sale in the United States…because if it wasn’t, half of the list would be Nissan Skyline. Here goes…
11. 1988-1989 Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo
If there is one type of car from Japan that has gained acceptance in most automotive circles, it’s the four-wheel drive rally racer. Yes, Audi did it first, but Japan mastered it. The Celica All-Trac Turbo is an early version of the idea: light, pressurized four-cylinder, manual trans, minimal gear and a rally history. Most people go for the newer Celica GT-Fours but for me, I prefer the 88-89 cars…mostly because my mother had one and I’d be reliving the days of beating that car into oblivion.
10. Subaru Impreza 2.5RS
It wasn’t the WRX but it was close (Editor’s note: Close? If the WRX was a speed boat, this thing was a tug!). The 2.5RS was Subaru’s last attempt at appeasing Americans before caving in and giving us what we really wanted with the WRX and STi models. It was also a coupe, and looked like the one that Colin McRae beat on during rally racing that was on Speedvision. Swapping in STi running gear is straightforward and Subaru has a great aftermarket to pull parts from.
9. Mitsubishi Starion ESI-r/Chrysler Conquest TSI
That shape. It looked like a Dodge Daytona that was shooting ‘roids. The five-spoke wheels looked great. It’s 1980’s Japan at it’s finest. Rear-wheel drive, a turbo, the first appearance of the 4G63 2.0L four (better known in the Lancer Evolution), and the 2.6L Hemi-headed four cylinder that had been a Mitsu staple for a few years. The wide body kit looks the best, especially with the wide wheel package.
8. Datsun 620
This is the only small truck I would ever own. Period. My stepdad had one when I was growing up, and other than the odd purple color, it was about as perfect as I could think of: lowered with the engine and transmission out of a 240Z. Light, nimble, useful…yes, please.
7. Mitsubishi (Plymouth) Sapporo/Dodge Challenger
Oh, yeah…I expect hate mail for this one. RWD, 2.6L four, and manual transmissions in a light package. V8s fit (Aussies have shoved pretty much everything into them), and they are suspension upgrades away from rally racing. Plus, if you bring one into a Mopar show, someone’s gonna have an aneurysm.
Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo (Z32)
Nissan’s Z-cars have been the top-tier in the U.S. since their introduction in the early 1970s, but for me, if I had to have one, it’d be the early 1990’s 300ZX Twin Turbo. 300hp and a 0-60 of about five seconds stock is damned impressive for a car that’s pushing twenty-six years old.
4. Toyota Supra (A70)
Blame Gran Turismo for this one, because that’s where I fell in love with this body style. I never did like the 1993-up Supras…sure, they were fast, but they looked goofy as all hell…it looked like a half-inflated balloon with a wing. To me, the 1986-1992 Supra looks a thousand times better. I don’t care if it’s slower, I’d rather be seen in this first.
3. Subaru Impreza WRX STi
If it’s got to be something modern, this is it. Autocross one day, then go mudding the next. Very few cars are as versatile as the newer Subarus, and far fewer will put a bigger grin on your face.
2. Lexus GS400 (S160)
“Something Wicked This Way Comes”. While I wouldn’t exactly use that line for a 1997 Lexus, I have to admit that the GS400 was an interest of mine. They had a quiet V8 burble stock, and that burble went to snotty with a change of mufflers. And the interiors were sweet, too. Save your 2JZ arguments, I could care less. I want the V8.
1. Mitsubishi 3000GT/Dodge Stealth
Finally, and certainly not least, the DSM partnership’s Superbeast. A 3.0L twin-turbo V6 making 320hp in it’s ultimate form, hooked to a six-speed manual and driven through all four wheels. A purposeful 2+2 interior that was driver-centric with good sight lines and the ability to hold onto damn near any surface tested. It’s very, very hard to pass these up.
So, other than yelling at me for a post about Japanese cars (get over it), what do you think? Anything I missed?
I think all the Mitsu/Mopars are good choices, WRX undeniable. But I think your Celica shoice pretty lame. Not that Celica’s shouldn’t be on the list, but the first and second Gen version of it were awesome, and of course, so was the later Supra, a regular guys supercar for sure… I do love the early Datsun mini trucks (why the hell did they have to change the name to the lame, Jap compliant Nissan?) They are the most iconic of all mini trucks, for sure, and your idea of powertrain is great. I’ve built and owned a V8 Chevy LUV, and V8 Corrier, and now have finally made it to mini truck nirvanna, my ’80 Plymouth Arrow with a 360, 904, 8.75 combo in it. But I’d have one of those Datsuns in a New York minute…
Acura NSX! After all these years, I still have a hard time comprehending that Honda made such an awesome car. Especially when you look at everything else they were making at the time. A Civic, Accord.. and Acura had the Integra and Legend, and..wasn’t that it? All boring cars, then comes along this low, sleek, mid engined NSX. I remember all the magazines in the day always pitting it against corvettes, porsches, vipers, ferraris, and the thing could hold it’s own. A friggin HONDA.
90’s Mazda RX7. That thing has to be on any top ten list of good looking cars that goes by the “Only one classic Ferrari allowed” rule. Especially when the rear spoiler is left off. If the car wasn’t going to be my daily driver, and I had another weekend car already, I could see myself keeping the rotary in it. I’ve never worked on a rotary, so it’d be a learning experience. If I had to dd it, though, well, sorry triangle fans, it’d prolly get a LS swap.
Lastly, and I think this comes from spending too much time over at Jalopnik, a…*coughs* a… hold on, gotta force myself.. a Miata. Not gonna argue this one, you just either know why and agree, or you know why, don’t care, and disagree.
NSX would’ve been #12. There’s a Miata with an LS in Prescott, AZ that had me thinking about one for a minute, but I can’t sit in the car without re-drilling the seat location. I’m not an RX7 fan, though I will give the 90’s version it’s due.
I don’t know why but the Toyota Cressida (predecessor to the Lexus LS400 and indeed the whole Lexus lineup) has always interested me. Came close to convincing my parents that it would make a good car with the 7GME I6, RWD, and 4drs… Instead I got a Ford Tempo sitting next to it on the lot.
I agree that that generation of Supra looks way better than the later (your description is spot on for what has been going through my head), though it is heavier. And if you want the later gen Supra, just hopup the the SC300/400. Then again, this is coming from the guy who thinks Mk VII when you say Fox-Body instead of Mustang.
A few others to consider:
Toyota Supra — Mark II (A60; 1981–1986)
Mazdaspeed6
3rd Gen RX-7 (1991-2002)
early Datsun 240Z and 260Z
AE-86 Corolla
3TC-powered Corollas of the early ’80’s
Nissan GT-R (not exactly affordable, but ya gotta respect Godzilla)
Honda S2000
Very solid picks. I’ve driven the Mazdaspeed6, it’s interesting for a FWD family car. Very punchy. The GT-R is just violence with a soundtrack by Dyson.
The MS6 is actually AWD — it can send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels. I’ve got one. 🙂
91-93 Nissan NX2000? Nobody ever remembers these little gems, but holy hell did they handle like they were on rails! It would fit nicely in the open spot on the above list. (there’s only 10 cars listed dude!)
D’oh! That’s what I get for writing stories while half out of it…sleep isn’t my friend right now! NX2000? I’ll take your word on handling, but we had one of those Easter eggs in my autoshop class in HS and I’ve never hated a little car so much…made the electronics of the Imperial look user-friendly.
Lol! It happens man, no worries. Never had to work on an NX2000, a friend had one when it was still relatively new, let me take it out a couple times. I never thought much of them before that, especially not in the looks department. Changed my mind the first time I took an on ramp at 60+mph with no drama whatsoever. It was an absolute blast to drive.
HAVE TO PASS
The only thing with the 3000gt’s was their weight. I mean they were almost 4000lbs!
We all forgot the Acura Integra – Series DB6-DB9, DC1-DC2, DC4 (1994–2001) — with a chip, those suckers revved to 7500-8000 rpm.
Others to ponder:
Lexus IS-F
early Maximas
Early 90s Sentra SE-R (kinda like the boxy 3 series Bimmers but with FWD)
Later iterations of “mister two” (Toyota MR2)
Honda Prelude — Gen 2,3,5 and maybe 4
I’ll stop now…
I didn’t forget the Integra. My high school parking lot was filled with them, driven by obnoxious little shits who thought they were God’s gift to the automotive kingdom. Those, and ’98-ish Civic Si.
IS-F…good call.
I’m a bit older than you, so “those people” were driving 3rd gen F-bodies & “boxy” 3-series Bimmers in ’82-’85. Adding to the aggravation was that I drove a white 4 door Citation. Rally wheels & V-6 notwithstanding, it was still an ’80 Citation. Shit cars like that one teach you how to make the most out of what you’ve got & make you really appreciate it when you finally get a car that you “want.”
Bryan,
This is the rally car i’m the mechanic and crew chief for. Enjoy! https://www.facebook.com/peakcityrally
Yes, you forgot your man card. Japanese bullcrap
Talk about a misnomer.
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