Head-to-Head-to-Head Showdown: JDM Wagons Edition

"carcrasher88" (carcrasher88) 10/20/2015 at 21:08 • Filed to: Head-to-Head-to-Head Showdown, Subaru Legacy, Nissan Stagea, Mitsubishi Legnum, Comparison, Goo-Net, Japan, Wagons

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It’s a well known fact that the common Opponaut is a big wagon fan. So, I’ve hand picked three wagons from Japan for every one to look over and pick as their favorite of the three.

The first Head-to-Head-to-Head Showdown brings these three JDM wagons, all three equipped with a manual transmission.

First is this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . The Blitzen was based on the 2.0GT B4, which with a 5-speed manual transmission, has 280hp and 300 lb-ft of torque under the hood, a unique grille, red paint color, sport suspension, and bumpers.

This specific one is listed with 52,000km (or about 32,311 miles) on the odometer, and is listed at US$12,190.

Next up is the only one in this trio that ISN’T AWD. It’s a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Now, the engine is listed as a 3.5L, so it’s a VQ35DE with 268 hp. The page says it’s a 350S, but that never existed on the M35 Stagea, so it’s actually a 350RX.

It’s also a manual transmission model (6-speed) and is RWD, sharing mechanicals with the Nissan Skyline V35, aka Infiniti G35.

Now, if you’ve heard of the Stagea before, it’s likely from the various Skyline front clip swaps that have been done, plus the ones with R35 noses on them.

But this one is different. Autech took the Stagea and turned it into what you see here, the Axis.

It featured not only the agressive bodykit, chrome grille, and flared fenders, along with a set of lightweight 18-inch wheels, though this is the updated 2004, which has a different grille and front bumper compared to the one introduced in 2003.

This one has the highest mileage of the three, with 84,000km (or about 52,195 miles) on it, and the lowest price: US$9,920.

Finally, we have the oldest of the three, and possibly the most exciting: a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Under the hood, a 2.5L 6A13TT twin-turbo V6 with 276hp and 271 lb-ft of torque.

Like the Legacy, it’s got AWD and like the above wagons, a manual transmission. Specifically a 5-speed.

Being the wagon version of the legendary Galant VR-4, it should have most of the same legendary performance that the sedan does.

Although it’s the oldest of the three, it’s actually the lowest mileage of them, with only 24,000km (14,913 miles)!

Of course, with the low mileage, you’d also expect to pay more. And with this one, that’s the case, though not THAT much.

It’s listed for US$13,550. Just over a grand more than the Legacy.

So, now comes the big question. Which one here is the best?

The Legacy Blitzen with the most power but middle-of-the-road mileage and price compared to the two?

The Stagea with the lowest power and highest mileage but the lowest price?

Or the most expensive of the three, the Legnum, with power in the middle of the two and the lowest mileage?

The choice is yours...

Dusty Ventures > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 21:13

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Gib

PowderHound > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 21:15

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Subaru.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 21:15

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YES

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 21:18

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I’ll take the Subaru and and the Mitsubishi.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 21:19

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DD the Legnum

Track the Blitzen

Burn the Stagea.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 21:20

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Subie for me plz

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 21:20

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I really like the Mitsu, but I imagine a transverse TT V6 is a service nightmare.

Dsscats > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 21:21

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Dis.

Amoore100 > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 21:35

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Lol, this seems a bit similar to a regular feature I do on Fridays... still, no offense taken, I’m totally ok with having multiple car buying series here on Oppo so I can participate as well :D

I’d probably DD the Subie, Track the Nissan, and Rally the Mitsu. No burning because Japanese stick shift wagons = too awesome to burn.

Nauraushaun > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 21:37

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Stag because DRFTWGN

Needs more sunroofs though

dogisbadob > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 22:14

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I’d take the Nissan

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 22:19

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Subaru hands down.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 22:48

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Stag for days. Though I’d prefer an older 260RS.

The 350RX at least has the same drivetain as a 350Z. So heaps of upgrade options.

The subie would be the next option but I’m really not a fan of the Blitzen styling. I’d go a regular GT Wagon

The Leggy is a close 3rd. Difficulty in getting parts and a weak gearbox is what throws me off though.

chaozbandit > carcrasher88 10/20/2015 at 22:55

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Doesn’t have the awesome glass roof, but I want it still.

Fumes > carcrasher88 03/04/2018 at 18:15

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Nissan by a country mile! And it is a 350s NOT a 350RX. These are a rare Autech

rwd manual model. Upgrades as per 350Z etc

RickSkylineBNR32 > carcrasher88 12/31/2019 at 07:46

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The Stagea is indeed a rare Autech AXIS 350S model not a 350RX. The differences being the body kit , but mainly the rare 6 speed transmission in the 350S. They were only made for 9 months during the 8 model year run during 2003 and 2004.