Used Car Face-Off: 90's Japanese Semi-Luxo Sedans Edition

"Amoore100" (amoore100)
09/18/2015 at 20:57 • Filed to: Used Car Face-Off, Mitsubishi Diamante, Infiniti J30, Mazda 929

Japan returns this week for Used Car Face-Off, this time featuring three semi luxury sedans from lesser known manufacturers. At the time, Infiniti was only a fledgling brand, although the car we have today was arguably one of the turning points in Infiniti history. In addition, we have two V6s from Mazda and Mitsubishi to stand up against the luxo-Infiniti. Which is best? Here are the options:

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At $1700, this big Mitsu is FWD but has only 11oK miles on it....it also happens to be the newest of today’s fleet, having been born in ‘98. Besides that, this car is a bit anonymous but clean and reliable (I think) nonetheless...

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Moving back a few years here we have a pristine cherry red Infiniti J30. As you may know, these were RWD V6s that put Infiniti on the map. At 150K miles and $400 more than the Mitsu, will this car’s more prestigious badge and better driving habits lend it the win?

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Finally we come to my personal favorite. The Mazda 929 was one of the prettiest cars on the market at its release in 1991 and its lines certainly have aged incredibly well. Intended to be sold under the prestigious Amati (U.S.) and fini (JDM) brands, it never took off completely, leaving this big RWD V6 beast a rare sight. Its 179K miles is higher than the other two but will it steal your heart as it has mine?

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DISCUSSION (44)

Nibby > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 20:58

sweet altima bro

jkm7680 > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 20:59

In my area, those only come with dirty rims, cracked and greasy beige leather seats and one odd seat cover.

Amoore100 > Nibby
09/18/2015 at 21:02

Nice Galant and 626 too...

Amoore100 > jkm7680
09/18/2015 at 21:03

Which one? All of them?

carcrasher88 > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 21:04

Mazda, for sure.

Also, weren’t the 90’s Diamantes built in Australia for the US market?

Party-vi > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 21:09

The Diamante was the flagship sedan for Mitsubishi, for what it’s worth. My parents had one for almost a decade and it was fantastic. Smooth and torquey engine, quiet inside, awesome frameless windows, and one of the nicest back seats I’ve been in. A fantastic car. My parents gave it to my sister (fuckers), and they had it until about 250,000 miles.

Alex B > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 21:13

The 626 is probably the best out of this group....

Amoore100 > Alex B
09/18/2015 at 21:13

929...

jkm7680 > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 21:14

Literally all three of them.

Except I haven’t seen a Diamante in years......

I think I knew a guy called Diamante.....

Alex B > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 21:16

Snap. Sorry... it’s Friday and it’s been a long week at school haha

Amoore100 > Alex B
09/18/2015 at 21:17

I know that feeling...same over here :)

Amoore100 > jkm7680
09/18/2015 at 21:18

Really? For me it’s the 929 that I haven’t seen in...ever...

Amoore100 > carcrasher88
09/18/2015 at 21:19

I believe so, since it was the Magna family sedan/wagon for the Aussies...

Amoore100 > Party-vi
09/18/2015 at 21:20

Awesome. Never heard much of anything about the Diamante previously, so it’s interesting to hear about personal experiences...

Bytemite > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 21:20

The real question is...why even consider these when there is a perfectly good Lexus LS400 for the same low price?

It is an infinitely better car than any of these 3. An all aluminum V8 that is STILL the benchmark in smoothness and this was back in 1989...just let that sink in.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 21:23

I want to say the Infiniti but I hate that back..

I’d go Mazda because I love the look and rarity factor. I never see them anymore

Alex B > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 21:24

The sad part is that this week was only a 4 day week and yet it was still long and stressful. I had my first quiz in Spanish, and my first test in Honors Modern World History. Still waiting for the Spanish grade, but I did get a 95 on the test so I’m pretty happy. It’ll be nice to relax this weekend.

dogisbadob > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 21:24

I used to have a J30, and you can get the HICAS in the 93-94 J30t (mine didn’t have it), but that engine bay is IMPOSSIBLE to work on.

My choice would be the 929

Party-vi > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 21:25

Also, self-leveling headlights.

Dunnik > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 21:49

An old 929 with no rust? We have a winner.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Alex B
09/18/2015 at 21:53

I hated world history so much.

I hated learning stuff that had no photographic or video proof. Its hard for me to believe.

I love US history, specifically WWI and Vietnam because there is so much evidence and details about it....

Its bad for me since my two easiest classes right now are my AP classes....

Alex B > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/18/2015 at 22:03

This is modern world history though so it starts around the enlightenment, and there is proof of that in the modern world today.

I don’t know which history I’m taking next year yet... I’ll look into US history.

What AP classes are you taking?

jkm7680 > Amoore100
09/18/2015 at 22:18

The last 626 I saw was very broken. I don’t even remember the last 929 I saw.

Amoore100 > Bytemite
09/19/2015 at 00:46

Yeah, that’s very true...and they can go a million miles without a problem...but then if you wanted to be unique, you could go with one of these...especially the Mazda...

Amoore100 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/19/2015 at 00:48

Totally agree. That was basically my same thought process. And just avoid the fancy Galant. And get the sexy Mazda.

Amoore100 > Dunnik
09/19/2015 at 00:50

That’s the West Coast for ya.

Amoore100 > Party-vi
09/19/2015 at 00:52

Also quite interesting...on this generation?

Amoore100 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/19/2015 at 00:55

I have one super hard AP (Chem), two meh APs (Calc AB and APUSH) and two easy ones (Lang and Chinese) so I can see how that would be the case...

Amoore100 > dogisbadob
09/19/2015 at 00:57

It is so pretty...

Kinja'd!!!

I generally don’t like “jelly bean” shaped cars but this may be the only exception...

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Amoore100
09/19/2015 at 11:56

You’re insane for AP Chem... I’m in honors chem and struggling.

AP Gov and Econ are fun though. Does help that my econ teacher is one of the top 5 in the US.. My gov teacher is one of the top 10

Amoore100 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/19/2015 at 12:02

Cool! Is that part of an official list or something? Also, I kind of had to take AP this year because unfortunately we don’t offer Honors at my school...

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Amoore100
09/19/2015 at 13:18

Oh gosh . we have three levels: regular honors and AP

Both those teachers have some of the highest passage rates which ranked them

Oh and I know your smart already because you drive a Volvo wagon!

Amoore100 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
09/20/2015 at 00:43

Well, let’s just say some of our teachers have slightly lower passage rates than that (ahem, Physics...)

And hey, you’re pretty bright as well with your Volvo hatch!

Party-vi > Amoore100
09/20/2015 at 21:56

Yep. Not sure about the previous gen, but that generation had auto-level headlights. Also, stability control and YAW control.

Amoore100 > Party-vi
09/20/2015 at 23:19

I find it a bit difficult to believe that all that and more came on such a generic (but handsome IMO) Mitsu sedan but I don’t doubt it because 90’s Japanese technology...

Party-vi > Amoore100
09/21/2015 at 08:09

They cut a lot of stuff from the US Diamante from the JDM version, like the first direct-injection V6, laser/camera lane keeping and distance following, satellite navigation, and a heads-up display.