Mitsuoka : One of the few coach builders left

"Luc - The Acadian Oppo" (luc5) 06/19/2014 at 13:57 • Filed to: None

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Unlike some I actually like Mitsuoka. For those who aren't familiar with Mitsuoka they are a small niche coach builder in Japan. But in saying that they are also the 10th biggest automaker in Japan.

Now hear me out. The reason I like Mitsuoka is I like the concept of taking a tried and true reliable everyday run of the mill car and transforming it into a truly one of a kind looking vehicle. Some may call them ugly, I will simply call them Different.

let's go thru the list of what Mitsuoka currently makes shall we?

The Mitsuoka Viewt:

The Mitsuoka Viewt is simply a rebodied Nissan March (Nissan Versa) all the mechanicals,interior,window regulators,airbags...ect is all Nissan March. The only change is the body work. therefor it will be as safe,as efficient and most importantly as reliable as a Nissan. you get to drive a boring economy car that looks like a classic Jag?...yes please!

The Mitsuoka Himiko:

Is Miata always the answer? Mitsuoka thinks so. Here you see the Himiko which is based on the Miata. Again all the important parts are Mazda other than the elongated chassis and classic looking bodywork.

The Mitsuoka Galue:

Looking for a midsized sedan but wish it has a bit more presence? then this is the car for you let me introduce to you the Mitsuoka Galue. you must be thinking "man that greenhouse looks familiar". well you would be right what you are looking at here is virtually a Nissan Altima. like the other cars I've shown you this one is no different other than body work this is all Nissan Altima.

The Mitsuoka Galue Convertible:

I know what you're thinking "that looks like a mustang". you are right again. the Mitsuoka Galue Convertible is a rebodied Ford Mustang. powered by the 305hp 3.7L V6

The Mitsuoka Orochi:

The Orochi is Mitsuoka's flagship car. This one is designed and built by Mitsuoka and not based off of another car. It is powered by a 3.3L Toyota sourced V6 mated to a 5 speed automatic producing a whopping 233HP. It is also hand built from the ground up.

I actually like this car alot I wish we could buy a car that looks like a supercar but drives like a normal car and not have massive amounts of power. This would be for someone like me who like to stand out but has no interest in speed as you cannot use it 90% of the time. something like this would get reasonable fuel economy and would be comfortable to drive. The only thing I can think of that is close to something like this is the Lotus Evora.

You must be thinking "This guy can't be serious"?

I am 100% serious when I say that I like Mitsuoka and I wish that there was more coach builders to build (entry level) cars that stand out from the crowd.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/19/2014 at 14:10

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The Orochi is ending production soon though, pity...

Boxer_4 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/19/2014 at 14:11

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The Galue III is a Nissan Fuga (Infiniti M35/45). Other than that, this is an interesting article.

RazoE > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/19/2014 at 14:12

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you forgot the one based on the Impreza wagon. Ill try some google-fu

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/19/2014 at 14:12

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I remember reading about that but lets face it the Orochi was very expensive. although I love the Orochi you would have to be crazy to spend over $100000 for one. but if it was in the 50K-60K range then it would be cool.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > RazoE 06/19/2014 at 14:15

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I was only listing the cars currently in production. you talking about this thing? the Impreza Casa-Blanca?

edit: Fuck you Kinja

RazoE > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/19/2014 at 14:17

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Yeah. I also thought the Galue was based on the (equivalent) Infiniti M35/45?

EDIT: Guess the new one is Altima based, the old one is the M.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Boxer_4 06/19/2014 at 14:17

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they no longer produce that one. I was only listing the cars currently in production. but thanks !

Boxer_4 > RazoE 06/19/2014 at 14:18

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The Impreza Casa Blanca (which I'm guessing is the one you're thinking of) was actually an official Subaru product, similar to the Vivio Bistro and the Dias Classic

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > RazoE 06/19/2014 at 14:19

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used to be based on the M45 now it's based on the Altima as the M45 is no longer produced.

RazoE > Boxer_4 06/19/2014 at 14:26

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Whoa....

Boxer_4 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/19/2014 at 14:29

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I didn't realize that they moved to the Altima. However, I believe the picture in your post the Fuga based Galue (which threw me off).

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Boxer_4 06/19/2014 at 14:46

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really? the pics I posted I swear look like an Altima? and according to the specs it has a 2.5L 4cyl and it's FWD

http://www.mitsuoka-motor.com/english/lineup…

Amoore100 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/19/2014 at 14:57

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Well your pics are def of the Fuga based one...see rear three-quarter window...and dat rear door shape :P

Amoore100 > Amoore100 06/19/2014 at 15:00

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ooooooooooor not...did some research, they all look the same :P

Boxer_4 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/19/2014 at 15:00

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You're correct that the new Galue is based off of the Altima. However, the picture in your post is the old Galue.

Unsurprisingly, the Altima and M35/45 have a very similar greenhouse. However, you can tell that the M35/45 based Galue is bigger than the Altima based Galue. The Altima based Galue has a shorter hood. Also the headlight buckets and foglights are different between the two versions (M35/45 version has more pronounced headlight buckets, and two foglights). It's a bit hard to tell, but the chrome rub strip is also mounted higher on the M35/45 based Galue.

M35/45 based Galue (same picture you used)

Altima based Galue

Audi-os, Amigos! > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/19/2014 at 15:01

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It's like the corner panel is from a Bentley, but the front fascia is from a Rolls.

Audi-os, Amigos! > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/19/2014 at 15:01

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huehuehuehehue

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Amoore100 06/19/2014 at 15:08

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shit your right the pics are a fuga based car. Their website makes it confusing as now it's on a Altima 2.5L FWD

below is the fuga and your right the back door and 1/4 windows match perfectly

if you look at the linked website below you will see that it is now an Altima

https://www.mitsuoka-motor.com/english/lineup…

sorry for the confusion

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Boxer_4 06/19/2014 at 15:12

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Yes you are right. we don't have the fuga here so at a quick look it looked like an altima.

when you guys kept saying M45 I was thinking of this one

Nibbles > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/19/2014 at 15:21

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This here gives me ideas

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Amoore100 06/19/2014 at 15:31

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you were right the first time the pick I had posted was of the Galue III which was base off of the Nissan Fuga. I have since updated the picture to the proper Galue IV. to me they all look the same but you were definitely right.

bitpushr > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/20/2014 at 21:34

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The Orochi looks like a Mercedes CLK-GTR that someone left out in the sun for way too long .

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 10/30/2014 at 14:29

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This car is very close to being Ace and Gary's chosen mode of transport.

ACESandEIGHTS > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 10/30/2014 at 14:30

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Wow, Kinja. Suddenly: last summer. Like a time machine.

Disco Volante for your viewing pleasure.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > ACESandEIGHTS 10/30/2014 at 14:33

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It's awesome hopefully today will end up sort of like a "best of Kinja".

FalconHoon > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 10/30/2014 at 14:48

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This guy. He's alright

FalconHoon > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 10/31/2014 at 07:45

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Think of all the engine swaps common for miatas... Now think about if you had some extra room.... Now think ls3 turbo miata chassis Morgan looks....

No I assumed you stopped thinking because you're now suffering from serotonin overload.... Sorry