Show us: the Best Captive Imports

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee) 08/09/2013 at 22:05 • Filed to: show us, dodge, essextee

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The captive import craze of the 80's and 90's was a mixed blessing. On one hand many of the cars we got were just re-badged crap, but on the other we got some pretty cool cars that otherwise wouldn't have been sold here. Show us the cream of the captive import crop.

I really liked the Dodge Stealth. Sure, it didn't offer the same balls-to-the-wall performance of the 3000GT/GTO it was based on, but it was still quick car. I actually prefer the styling of the Stealth (both versions) to the angry, shouting face of the 3000GT. The front end of the Stealth was sleeker and a bit more low-key.

Casper > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/09/2013 at 22:15

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Of the Japanese cars of the early 90's I can for sure say the 3000GT/Stealth were my least favorite. I could never get over the fact that they were defaulted to FWD and that they weighed so much (as high as 3,800 lbs). It just seemed to be short in all departments next to the 300ZX, RX-7, Supra, NSX, etc. In fact of the DSM group I prefer the Eclipse/Talon/Laser. It had the same drive layouts, but was significantly lighter and more flexible in configuration changes.

I don't know if it really qualifies as a "captive import" but I would nominate the Pontiac GTO. It was a good specs car, had the right drive train layout, and really didn't perform bad. Sure, it wasn't very pretty, but it strangely has a similar line to the Stealth.

dogisbadob > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/09/2013 at 22:26

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I LOVE captive imports!

One of my favorites is the Pontiac Vibe GT. Same 2ZZ as the Matrix XRS and Lotus Elise! A Vibe GT will probably be my next car whenever I can afford one (although I'm also considering a P11 G20). Fun fact: the Vibe was sold in Japan, but the Matrix wasn't! The Japanese name of the Vibe was Toyota Voltz, and they were made in Fremont, CA, along with the Vibe, Corolla, and Tacoma. Too bad they never offered a RHD Vibe to postal customers (since they already made it in RHD like I just mentioned).

How about the Geo Prizm and Chevy Prizm and Nova, captive import Corollas. The Corolla is one of the best cars ever since it's Toyota. The Toyota Cavalier is funny.

The 70s Ford Capri and Fiesta. The 90s Australian Capri I like more than I should.

The Saturn Astra (Opel Astra H). Too bad no OPC Redline though.

The Opel Omega/Catera/GTO. Too bad we never got the Steinmetz shit over here though :(

The very first Mercedes sold over here were badged as Studebaker.

dropthatclutch > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/09/2013 at 22:31

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GTO, Solstice/Sky, G8. Pontiac was sooo close. They could have cut the badge engineered G3-6 and brought over the sportier cars from Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden.

but thank The Lord that Chinas influence allowed us to save Buick...

dogisbadob > Casper 08/09/2013 at 22:31

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I agree with you, and also I really really hate transverse V6's and the 3000GT is supposedly a bitch to work on, but the Stealth and 3000GT were packed with tech, though, which is why they were so heavy. AWD, Active aero, adjustable exhaust, adjustable suspension, etc. Over 20 years ago. (However, the active aero was not available on the Stealth)

They should've used the GTO name worldwide though. Fuck the snobs.

Also, I really really like how upset the UAW got when Chrysler wanted to use it as a pace car for the Indy 500. That's classic.

I say the GTO counts because Holden is still largely separate from USDM GM. Same goes for Opel, like the Catera and Astra. I do not consider them to be American cars.

dropthatclutch > dogisbadob 08/09/2013 at 22:34

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All wheel steering too. If I remember correctly.

dogisbadob > dropthatclutch 08/09/2013 at 22:34

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The Solstice and Sky are not captive imports. They were designed and built over here. Even export Opel GT was made in Wilmington, DE.

Nerd-Vol > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/09/2013 at 22:38

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Gotta be the SS, right?

It looks awful snappy in race trim:

dogisbadob > dropthatclutch 08/09/2013 at 22:42

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Yes, they had 4WS, and I think 300ZX's had it too.

dropthatclutch > dogisbadob 08/09/2013 at 22:46

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Yeah I know. I was venting. It was built up from reading the article about a next gen GTO that was in the first stages of development when Pontiac was dropped.

But don't worry. We still have Buick. Sorry, I'm bitter about it and had a rough week at work.

dogisbadob > dropthatclutch 08/09/2013 at 23:03

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hahaha it's OK man. Hopefully next week will be better for you!

dropthatclutch > dogisbadob 08/09/2013 at 23:04

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Thanks buddy. It will. The funding application I have been working on is due Monday at 4pm. Poppin bottles at 4:01.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/09/2013 at 23:42

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I actually agree.

Stealth's crosshair grille, longer quarter window profile line, blacked out roof, and corner-wrap tail lights... even RT's small spoiler behind the rear glass, rather than at the back of the hatch lid... 3000GT's differences from Stealth made Stealth the better looking car to me.

I liked the Eagle Talon much more than the Eclipse, as well.

As a former Ford Probe GT owner, I also liked that much more than it's MX6 sibling, too.

Milky > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/09/2013 at 23:54

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Do the Lexus SC300/400 count? Rebadged 2nd gen Toyota Soarer with either a 2JZ or a Lexus V8 under the hood. Also the same chassis as the Supra.

JasonStern911 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/10/2013 at 00:32

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What do you mean the Stealth doesn't have the same balls to the wall performance as the GTO? They have the exact same motor and chassis.

JasonStern911 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/10/2013 at 00:35

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Because HEMI. 2.6L, 4 cylinder HEMI. But, still, hemispherical combustion chambers.

cuts_off_prius > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/10/2013 at 00:41

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Saturn Astra - A rebadged Opel Astra and it was a Euro (hot?) hatch in America besides the Golf and Mini.

Casper > dogisbadob 08/10/2013 at 01:23

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Too bad most of the tech made the car worse. The active aero did little more than add weight, as did the exhaust. The suspension worked as well as the 300ZXs, but was still problematic when it got older. Pretty much all the good tech, and even some of the bad tech (AWS/HICAS) were in the 300ZXs. It was a bit too early for the AWD tech without the active power transfer technologies or lighter materials, so that was only mediocre.

Remember, the best Japanese cars of the time were actually the less "techy" designs. The FD3 was about as stripped as they come and the MKIV and NSX didn't have too many more toys. The more tech you find on the car, the farther down the list it was, that's why some of the most common "upgrades" to the 3000GT and 300ZX were actually delete kits for most of these features.

Casper > dogisbadob 08/10/2013 at 01:24

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The Z32s had all wheel steering (HICAS) as well as the adjustable suspension and such.

Giles007 > dropthatclutch 08/10/2013 at 01:26

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I totally agree with you! Even Ford and Dodge could have had performance brands instead of rebadging. I mean, why not at the very least make one brand's versions faster?

Giles007 > JasonStern911 08/10/2013 at 01:28

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Really? So it's more of a real Hemi than the newer ones? That's great!

Giles007 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/10/2013 at 01:31

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The Merkur brought over as a Ford. No wait, it was the other way around. Weird, eh? And by weird I mean incredibly stupid.

feather-throttle-not-hair > JasonStern911 08/10/2013 at 03:42

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Yeah I was under the impression the top versions of both cars were identical and that it was the base models differed. The crappiest stealth had like 170 something hp.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > JasonStern911 08/10/2013 at 07:22

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The top-of-the-range versions were identical but most Stealths you'll ever see are going to have FWD and a 160hp SOHC V6. No versions of the Stealth recieved the GTO's active aerodynamics, though, so the GTO had a slight edge.

doodon2whls > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/10/2013 at 09:11

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No love for the Chrysler Conquest TSi ? I always wanted one of these back in the day...

doodon2whls > doodon2whls 08/10/2013 at 09:14

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Another ad from the good old days...

KCfrnch > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/28/2013 at 16:01

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I'm confused.....isn't the Dodge Stealth the same exact car as the 3000gt with different badging? In fact, theres one sitting on the car lot I work at right now that is the TT awd/awsteering I'm pretty sure......

KCfrnch > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/28/2013 at 16:04

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And the AWD Eclipse trio (Talon, Laser, Eclipse) were a pretty badass option for the time.....

TwinTurbosOfJustice > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/28/2013 at 16:25

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I hate to say it but the Active Aero wasn't really helpful, in fact it added weight. I hate to make a fuss but I wouldn't say the Stealths were any lesser in any measure