Cars that were completely ruined for the American market

". ." (xllx) 08/12/2013 at 11:33 • Filed to: oppositelock, show us

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Cars coming to America from other parts of the world often need to be changed in some manner, either due to homologation requirements, or due to what the manufacturer believes are the local customers' expectations. Some of those "adjustments" have proven absolutely disastrous for the car in question, ruining the looks, handling or even engines.

Show us cars that received the worst treatments during their transition to the American market.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > . . 08/12/2013 at 11:42

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Anything that ever had to have those terrible-looking Federal bumpers. Also, as a honourable mention, the S50-powered BMWs, since they were dramatically down in power compared to the EEC area model.

dogisbadob > . . 08/12/2013 at 11:43

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The Opel Vectra/Saturn L-series

The Holden RWD cars

Scion xB (second-gen)

Toyota Corolla wagon (instead we got the fattened up Matrix) and Camry wagon (instead we got the bulked up Venza)

All the Japanese minivans

Chevy Venture (made more narrow in order to be sold in Europe)

desertdog5051 > . . 08/12/2013 at 11:46

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Anything with American bumpers.

Chairman Kaga > . . 08/12/2013 at 11:56

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The looks of basically all Giugaro designs from the 70s and 80s were mangled by bumpers, fairings and other nefarious reconfigurations.

The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin > . . 08/12/2013 at 12:03

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BMW E36 M3. Everyone else got a proper 282hp Motorsport/M-Division engine, complete with 6 throttle bodies, high RPM limit, and so on. North American buyers got a bored-out 325i engine that was good for 240hp.

Yes, the US-market M3 is still a fantastic car, and brilliant to drive (I've driven several). However, when/if the time comes to buy an M3, I would probably look for an E46 instead, because the idea that my car could be better but was purposely watered-down, would gnaw at me when I tried to fall asleep every night.

GhostZ > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 08/12/2013 at 12:08

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The 280z feels your pain.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > GhostZ 08/12/2013 at 12:08

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Gee.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > desertdog5051 08/12/2013 at 12:14

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THIS!!!

The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin > GhostZ 08/12/2013 at 12:15

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It was a painful, awkward part of the Z-Car's adolescence...

duurtlang > . . 08/12/2013 at 12:18

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1980s BMWs. Take these E28 5-series for example. The US version has the horrible diving board bumpers with the indicators looking like an afterthought. This modification completely ruins the front of the car.

GhostZ > . . 08/12/2013 at 12:21

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The first few years(1989-1991) of the 240SX were horrible. SOHC KA24, no limited slip diff, no standard ABS, the 180SX body, and a wheezy 140HP.

It got much better by the time the S14 rolled around, since the DOHC KA24DE is actually pretty good, though it has never been the tuning giant that the SR20DET is.

Next, the late-90s Si/Type R:

The EK "Type R". The JDM one had a dedicated monocoque, close-ratio transmission, 185 HP, removal of tons of weight (and famously, no sound deadening) Limited-slip differental, and Recaro seats.

We got a few "Si VTEC" decals, 160HP, a slightly better suspension, and not much else.

feather-throttle-not-hair > . . 08/12/2013 at 12:59

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feather-throttle-not-hair > The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin 08/12/2013 at 13:06

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Weirdly, this one never bothered me. I think it's because BMW didn't try and charge nearly as much for it. It was something like the equivelant of $14,000 cheaper, which was more in 1993 dollars.

I think i'm only not okay with watered down versions if there isn't some substantial gain to be had elsewhere.

(also got that 14K number for here if you're curious)

. . > feather-throttle-not-hair 08/12/2013 at 13:24

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The MGB received plastic bumpers in all markets, not only in the USA.

The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin > feather-throttle-not-hair 08/12/2013 at 13:26

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Yeah, when you factor in the price difference, it does put things into slightly different perspective, since part of the E36 M3's appeal was that is was such a screaming bargain when it arrived on our shores. Still, the irrational side of my brain (which is much larger in car enthusiasts, as we all know) would be continually plagued by thoughts of what I could have had, if only BMW had chosen to give it to us.

pdthedeuce > . . 08/12/2013 at 13:30

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. . > pdthedeuce 08/12/2013 at 13:34

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Blimey. Now that you've reminded me of this I regret asking this question.

pdthedeuce > . . 08/12/2013 at 13:38

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hurts, doesn't it...I think I need to lie down.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > . . 08/12/2013 at 14:17

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The correct answer is everything. Even domestic cars.

feather-throttle-not-hair > . . 08/12/2013 at 14:38

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I'm just guessing here, but i'm thinking the black plastic bumpers, despite being for all markets, were originally created to deal with U.S. laws.

If i'm right, it means that the American Market actually succeeded at ruining the car for the rest of the world as well.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > . . 08/15/2013 at 16:36

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You could park another car on that hideous bumper.

. . > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder 08/15/2013 at 16:39

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Isn't that the case with most American bumpers though? ;)

syrgrad91 > duurtlang 08/28/2013 at 15:37

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Don't forget the sorry ass excuse for headlights too! I know several owners of E28's and the first mods they do are the headlights and the Euro bumper conversion :)

Aaron Short - PROUD OF LEYLAND > feather-throttle-not-hair 08/28/2013 at 22:05

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The MGB recived those bumpers to abide by american laws, but mg decided we might follow and it would be cheaper to just put the same bumpers on every car.

The ride height was also raised to make sure the headlights where high enough for the usa....