Used Car Face-Off: Underdog Japanese Sports Coupes From the '90s Edition

"Amoore100" (amoore100) 04/22/2016 at 19:01 • Filed to: Used Car Face-Off, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan

1

31

I don’t believe we’ve ever featured ‘proper’ sports cars here on Used Car Face-Off, so for this Japanese segment, we’re focusing on the little cousins of some of the great Japanese legends. While not necessarily lacking in performance or power, these were the cars that were cast in the shadows of giants such as the Supra, RX7, and GT-R. Which one will you appreciate the most? Here are the options:

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Though it may not be turbocharged and have quite a good many miles (155k) under its belt, this lovely Z32 reportedly had a full overhaul at 105K and, given its pristine condition, seems to have held up well since then. Plenty of new and upgraded bits but considering the age and price, will it be your pick?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

From the oldest car to the newest, this slightly cheaper Mitsu has only 73k miles and is just as clean as the Nissan. However, it has been regarded by many as nothing more than a big boat with its transverse AWD V6 powertrain. Does the somewhat shoddy dealership setting put you off, or does this white pearl shine through?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Ok, I will admit, this one here is a bit of a wild card. The SVX was never that great of a sports car, nor was it very good at being a Subaru and so it was always the awkward child of Japanese sports cars. It still has a great flat-6 AWD platform though and this example has only 53K miles. Will the bargain price for this piece of Subaru history steal your heart?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 19:08

1

Wait, you found an SVX without 200k miles... how?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 19:08

5

Everyone who does not pick the 300zx is wrong

Amoore100 > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch 04/22/2016 at 19:13

0

Black magic.

Amoore100 > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 04/22/2016 at 19:14

1

Other than the fact that it’s a 26 year old Nissan with 150k+ miles and no turbo for $8k, yes.

Bytemite > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 19:15

2

None of these are sports cars.

Sports cars aren’t this fat and fast.

WRXasaurus > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 19:16

1

I had a 94 3000GT SL (non twin turbo, fwd) and I loved it, miss it so badly. I can’t imagine how awesome a twin turbo version would be like so that’s my vote and I’m sticking to it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 19:27

1

Considering the Z and VR4 are both non-turbo’s, I would lean towards the SVX. Now, I have a soft spot for the SVX, since my step dad bought one in 1994. It was a very nice GT car and that flat 6 was just heaven.

Amoore100 > Bytemite 04/22/2016 at 19:35

2

That’s why ‘proper’ is in quotes. These are what popular perception thinks of as sports cars, coupes with spoilers and low-slung body work.

DoYouEvenShift > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 19:37

1

No turbos no care.

Bytemite > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 19:38

1

ooooh I would have put the quotations around sports car, but yeah. I chose the SVX because usable back seat and the H6 engine.

Invinciblejets > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 19:38

1

Besides the price on 300zx it wins IMO.

My bird IS the word > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 20:41

1

my heart says datsun. Abused z cars are the best.

Chargingstar - E92 M3 pilot > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 20:42

1

My vote is a direct correlation to my affinity for the Wangan Midnight manga

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 21:07

1

Buy 2g Eclipse/Talon AWD with 1g engine and beat all of them

Birddog > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 21:10

1

Had to go Subie here. As long as that transmission can hold on long enough to gather the parts needed for a manual swap.

Amoore100 > Birddog 04/22/2016 at 21:17

0

53K miles? I should hope so, unless you drive like an absolute madman...

Amoore100 > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 04/22/2016 at 21:17

0

I guess the 1g engines didn’t have as many crank walk issues?

Amoore100 > My bird IS the word 04/22/2016 at 21:19

0

In all honesty, not gonna disagree. It’s the prettiest and probably the most sporting.

Amoore100 > Invinciblejets 04/22/2016 at 21:19

1

Yeah, the price is a little high for the mileage, age, and spec.

Amoore100 > Bytemite 04/22/2016 at 21:19

0

Haha, going the grand tourer route, I see!

Amoore100 > DoYouEvenShift 04/22/2016 at 21:20

1

BYOT (Bring Your Own Turbo)

Amoore100 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/22/2016 at 21:21

1

Wow, I love personal recollections like that, it really makes me attracted to the SVX more and more...perhaps someday...

Amoore100 > WRXasaurus 04/22/2016 at 21:21

0

Well this is a non-turbo but it’s likely just as great a cruiser as your old one, and it has relatively low mileage.

My bird IS the word > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 21:24

1

I just have good memories with them. my friend is fixing a 280z that was an absolute blast when it was running, my other friend owned an 800$ z31 300zx that just needed a new thermostat (to be driveable, not necissarily legal lol). way way way underappreciated cars. I have always liked the pre-350z bodystyles.

DoYouEvenShift > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 21:33

2

I guess that wouls work too

WRXasaurus > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 21:45

1

I guess I missed that, seemed like a vr4 price but it is the ‘99. They are wonderful cars in my opinion. Only had one issue with it but I only had it for two years. The intake manifold gasket gave up and I don’t remember how much it cost to fix but I was expensive. I really would like another but my WRX is more family friendly and nearly paid off so I think I will have to ignore that want.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Amoore100 04/22/2016 at 22:44

1

nope and 2gs only did for 95 and beginning of 96

Amoore100 > DoYouEvenShift 04/23/2016 at 10:18

0

erm, is that an LS or just a big turbo?

DoYouEvenShift > Amoore100 04/23/2016 at 11:34

1

Both!

Kanaric > Amoore100 04/23/2016 at 12:18

1

The 3000GT and 300ZX are only underdogs here because they are the non-turbos.

That SVX, however, is a true underdog.

The 3000GT (turbo) is typically cheap because they are junk in terms of reliability. The trans can’t even take the stock power. They have downsides in being heavy and not that great handling.

The 300ZX (turbo) is typically cheap because.... well nobody knows why. It’s not on initial D and it’s not on fast and the furious? Otherwise there is nothing wrong with the car other than “ease to work on”. I think it’s just overshadowed by the Siliva and Skyline and the fact that 90s Nissan was a paradise for enthusiast cars. They have been steadily increasing in price so I think the old thought on them is changing.

Considering the 3000GT and 300ZX are non-turbos I would buy none of these cars. I could get a MK3 Supra which would be better than all of these instead. Or import a Soarer for jdm coolness.

Amoore100 > Kanaric 04/23/2016 at 16:36

0

True, but I chose these cars also in part because they are a bit more distanced from their more prestigious rivals. Next time we do a Japanese segment I plan on doing Mk4 Supra v R32 Skyline v RX7 FD, i.e. all the overrated sports cars of the ‘90s ;)