What 90s Japanese Coupe would you have?

"Seitz" (Seitz) 08/16/2013 at 17:57 • Filed to: 90s, Sports Car, Neutral Nineties

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The 90s produced some of the quirkiest, cutest, and craziest coupes the world had ever seen. But Japan, more than any other country, really battled itself over the crown of the coupes.

(Welcome to Neutral Nineties on Oppositelock! We look at anything 90's; from the SUV's that dominated the suburbs, to the technologies that continue to make their way into the cars of today.)

I've always been regarded by my peers as a man stuck in the 90's. Some say the way I dress, the cars I like, the music I listen to, etc is all very back in the day, you dig? word.

Anyway, a very big portion of the 90s car culture was taken up by Japanese coupes. And rightfully so, because the 90s marked a very big transition for Japanese manufacturers. The power and styling of these cars was a complete 180 from what they were in the 80s. Like what, you ask?

The same company that made this:

Made this 5 years later

Japans time had truly come in the 90s. So much so, that it ignited a Cold War between almost all the manufacturers, racing against each other both on the track and in the streets. The fighting was so intense, in fact, that it's left fallout that no company has recovered from yet.

So pop in your VHS, press rewind, because we're going to watch the fight between the Japanese coupes one last time.

(for purpose of categorization, the choices will be split between 'Sport Compacts' and 'Supercars'. Now, yes, I understand the NSX or RX-7 is not a 'Supercar' by todays standards, but it is much easier to categorize this way)

Honda
in this corner we have Honda, bred out of motorsport and forged in performance since its incarnation, Honda would be the forerunner in the sports compact segment. Indeed, Honda went all out, introducing not 1, but 5 coupes! (Civic Type R, Prelude VTEC, Integra Type R, Del Sol, NSX)

Prelude (Sport Compact)

The Prelude was the technological testing grounds for Honda. 4-Wheel steering? check. i-VTEC? check, ATTS? check. Some models in Japan were even available with an in-dash TV monitor. But don't get the wrong idea, the Prelude still had power to match it's technology and handling capabilities. The 2.2L produced 190hp in US spec, and weighing only 1288kg it was no slouch.

Integra (Sport Compact)

While the Prelude was all technology, the Integra Type R was the opposite. The idea behind the Integra was very Lotus-esc; less weight, less technology, less resistance between the engine and the wheels. More power out of a tiny engine. Even sound deadening was sacrificed on some models. The result? a 1.8L engine that produced over 200hp at RPMs so high that the engine produced its own gravitational field. That, and a 0-60 time of under 6 seconds.

NSX (Supercar)

The NSX certainly was Clever. The only Mid-Engined, RWD supercar to come out of Japan during the 90s boom. The amount of weight-savings that went into the car was psychotic; Titanium connecting rods, exotic materials, Aluminum monocoque, all added up to a car that had almost 300hp, but weighed the same as the Prelude.


Toyota
The beige-makers had their heyday as well. Not wanting to be overtaken by Honda, Toyota updated some of their already furious models from the 80s, including the Supra, Celica, and MR2

MR2 (Sports Compact)

The MR2 was nothing new, even in full swing. A Mid-Engined, RWD compact 2-seater. What was new was the power one could get for the price tag. 220hp, Turbo and a well sorted chassis made this car a very nimble and track happy car.

Celica (Sport Compact)

The Celica was one of those 'in-betweeners' as you could have one with a 170hp option (anywhere besides America) FWD, 4WS and VVTLi. Sounds like a great Prelude fighter. But, should you want more, there always was. A 222hp and later a 252hp AWD, Turbocharged variant was offered in almost every market (Including America this time)

Supra (Supercar)

An update from the already imposing 80s Supra, the Mark IV was just more extreme in every way. 2 turbos this time and nearly 300hp, the 2JZ was capable of just about anything you could throw at it.





Mazda
Mazda, marketing themselves as the purest and most fun of the Japanese bunch, had to do some drastic things in order to keep up with the big boys. This wasn't a problem for Mazda, though, as they have a great history of being generally weird.

MX-3 (Sports Compact)

The MX-3 was certainly weird. A 1.8L V6? hmm...sounds tasty. And that body? Wow! What Mazda lacked in the ability to design technological advancements in their smallest coupe, they made up for with completely anal attention to mechanical innovation. Hard to pronounce things like "Twin-Trapezoidal Link" suspension and "Variable Resonance Induction System". mmm, yes. It all sounds very interesting, Mazda.

MX-5 (Sports Compact)

This is Jalopnik! I don't even need to explain this car!

RX-7 (Supercar)

The RX-7 is the king of weird! What the hell is a Wankel? and a Twin-Turbo? in 1992, when the FD came out, a lot of these things were very weird, especially from a Japanese maker. The price, however, was the weirdest. Starting at BMW 3-Series money, many people didn't see a reason to buy the 252hp beast, probably because it didn't have 276hp like many of its counterparts until 2002.




Mitsubishi
Mitsu had a few contenders throughout the 90s, but their success seemed to fade over time as they softened their cars up towards the end. They were also being partially run by Chrysler, who I often wonder whether they were cognitive during the 90s

Eclipse (Sports Compact)

It definitely had the looks, the power, and the gimmicks, as this was one of the few out there with AWD available. The Eclipse was, for America, the only thing you could get that was close to the all mighty Lancer Evolution, although this particular version of the Engine was detuned to only 210hp. Still, this was more than rivals had, and combined with the AWD, this car was quite the competition for the Japanese Coupe market.

3000GT (Supercar)

The most technologically advanced of the Japanese 'supercars'. Active and adjustable front AND rear aerodynamics, Adjustable dampers, adjustable exhaust, 4WD AND 4WS (A first in any Jap coupe) and of course, in USA, 320hp on tap, much more than any competitors. I think many of us forget just how awesome the 3000GT was in concept.



Nissan
The most fondly remembered coupes are Nissan's it seems. Perhaps it's their driftability or their technology. But many people today still seek out Nissan's RWD offerings and still more attempt to import Skylines every year.

240SX (Sports Compact)

It's a formula that can't really go wrong. A simple 4 cylinder engine up front, manual in the middle and a very carefully sorted out suspension system. I mean, how many people can honestly say they have Multi-Link suspension? Nissan's work did not go unnoticed as the 240SX is considered one of the finest handling machines out there.

300ZX (supercar)

The 300ZX started off with a bang at its introduction in 1989, but Nissan never really let this thing evolve, or die. It was the first of the Japanese Coupes to feature Twin-Turbo charging, something almost all other Jap Coupes would copy. horsepower was a constant 300, which never improved, and with the asking price of the car somewhere around $50,000, it's probably why you don't see these around anymore.

Skyline GT-R (Supercar)

Godzilla was constantly ahead of the curve. It had everything before it was 'cool'. AWD, Twin-Turbo, Active everything. and everyone knows Straight-6 is best.




Subaru
awh yeah, Mate. I reckon a Subbie would be what ya after! Subaru isn't often remembered as a hardcore, coupe-making group in America. They didn't leave us hanging though.

Impreza 2.5RS (Sport Compact)

While the 2.5RS was not Turbocharged, and only offered 165hp, it does need to be said that this was the only car offered in the 90s that was even remotely affordable that offered sportiness and AWD in the same package. If you wanted that elsewhere, your only other 'cheap' option was the Celica Alltrac, which was not nearly as cheap and ceased production in 1993

Alcyone SVX (Supercar)

Remember when I said Mazda was the weirdest of the bunch? Subaru had a beef with that and released this. 4WD is actually probably the least bizarre feature on this car, as it was powered by a Turbocharged Flat-6, something only Porsche was really allowed to use before. 4WS was an option and it even had weird features like platinum sparkplugs, as apposed to the usual iridium. Perhaps the weirdest thing about the SVX is the decision to sell it as a 4-speed auto ONLY.


So, viewers. What would you have? Me personally, I would have a Mazda RX-7 as my 'Supercar' and an Impreza 2.5RS as my Sport Compact. Why? Because fuck you that's why!

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:02

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MK4 Supra N/A...

To me, nothing is as sexy as an uncorked straight-6 engine noise....except and uncorked H-6 engine

case in point in this video

www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Uqa8MFSXZHM

Blondude > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:03

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Japans time had truly come in the 90s. So much so, that it ignited a Cold War between almost all the manufacturers, racing against each other both on the track and in the streets.

Huh, kinda like America in the 60s. Okay, now back to reading.

123456 > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:05

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Impreza 22B

RMudkips > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:05

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Can I just say a rotary Suzuki Cappuccino?

HammerheadFistpunch > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:08

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wow writeup. Thats a lot of words and things.

nsx, supra, or 240sx for me. cliche I know, but they are just so great they deserve all the accolades.

Blondude > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:10

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Sport Compact: Miata

Supercar: R32 Skyline GT-R (Yes, I know it came out in 89! Stop badgering me!)

Dailygaraged > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:12

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Been on the hunt for a perfect 2.5rs, not my absolute favorite(I do love it but any skyline is hard to beat on the Want Meter) of them all but affordable, awd and so on.. Awesome list btw!

I used to fantasize about the RX-7 until I saw one at a local dealership, I was horribly crushed when I figured out I would never fit in one... Those things are tiny! Same for lotus :(

GhostZ > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:13

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FYI, the 300ZX was sold in huge numbers in the US, and I still see them all the time.

It also bumped up, unofficially, in power as time went on. By the time it was out, it was supposed to be somewhere around 320-330HP, but (again because of the 276PS agreement) it was never publicized. The JDM versions did have more power than the USDM ones too, I think, due to revised emissions tech.

Seitz > Dailygaraged 08/16/2013 at 18:13

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The 2.5RS has some kind of charm to it, doesn't it?

Seitz > GhostZ 08/16/2013 at 18:15

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I should have looked that up before typing, but that's not sensationalism, maaaan!

GhostZ > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:15

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In true Gawker fashion!

Seitz > Blondude 08/16/2013 at 18:16

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the R33 was my favorite, it looks like a plain car on supersteroids

Seitz > GhostZ 08/16/2013 at 18:17

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Gawker, are you reading this? I'm perfect for you!

AddMustard > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:17

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240SX has a turbo you say? Some do, now, but certainly not stock!

Makoyouidiot > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:21

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I would have had a Lexus SC400. *flamesuit on

Eric Siedlecki > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:23

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The same company that made this:

I don't like what you're implying about the B12 Sentra.

Also, my choice would be Autozam AZ-1 (inspired by RMudkips choice).

This one is mine....on GT5.

Dailygaraged > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:34

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2dr awd, rally fogs, skyline-esque front headlights (might just be me, I see similarities). Love it.

Seitz > Makoyouidiot 08/16/2013 at 18:38

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It's just a bit more luxurious than the Supra, I think they're nice

Seitz > Dailygaraged 08/16/2013 at 18:39

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I like the idea of taking those old, 1994 Corollas and just thrashing them. Boring-looking boxes from the 90s are just the best stunt cars.

skrom > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:46

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Nice write up. The 2.5RS would have to be my choice for the sport compact although the Integra Type R is a close second. As for the supercar the RX-7 gets my vote due to the rotary engine. Also the SVX only came with an automatic not a manual.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:48

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No love for the mx6?

I like how they look

Leadbull > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:49

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Sport Compact: W20 MR2 Turbo (pre-'93 hardtop)

Supercar: R33.

I'd DD the supercar, though. Deal with it.

Kurisu95 > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:51

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RX-7

Seitz > skrom 08/16/2013 at 18:52

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Thanks for that, I knew that, Typed manual on accident

Seitz > Eric Siedlecki 08/16/2013 at 18:53

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ooooooooh, that Purple.

Seitz > Leadbull 08/16/2013 at 18:55

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as I mentioned in the writeup, these are 'supercars'

in 1993, the RX-7 was just bellow Ferrari levels, in retrospect, it wasn't that crazy of a car. It's just easier to call them Supercars instead of "higher than average performance sports cars at the time"

I wouldn't blame anyone for a second for DDing these, they were all produced in reasonably high numbers and are all fairly reliable, EXCEPT THAT DAMNED 3000GT

Seitz > feather-throttle-not-hair 08/16/2013 at 18:56

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I tried to keep each company down to 3 cars, looking back, the MX-6 would have been more suitable than the MX-5 in this article.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 18:59

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Naw, the mx5 is classic, the mx6? Not so much. I said they're good looking in accordance with the old saying "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all"

So that was all I said about the mx6.

Seitz > feather-throttle-not-hair 08/16/2013 at 19:00

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the MX-6 fits the profile of "Sports Compact" better than the MX-5. The MX-5 doesn't directly compete with most of the other cars i mentioned as it's only a convertible. The MX-6 had hints of being batshit crazy

feather-throttle-not-hair > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 19:03

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Mazda just had too much fun stuff going on in the 90's.

Sigh... I miss that decade sometimes.

Wrong wheel drive, best wheel drive > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 19:24

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6th generation celica GT-4!!!! Because 4 lights, 4 wheel drive and fun! :D plus we never got that here.... must be dirt cheap there right? .... RIGHT?!?! or maybe an early evo.... but that's not a coupe... RX7... mmh

Dailygaraged > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 20:04

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A friend has had two 90's corollas, when he was done he dropped them off for scrap ha good times on camping trips

Dailygaraged > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 20:06

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I've been tempted plenty of times with a cheap SVX as well

SpeedSix > Seitz 08/16/2013 at 21:10

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Eunos Cosmo

Engine Options:
13B-RE Rotary - Twin-Turbo Twin-Rotor Engine ~ 235 hp
20B-REW Rotary - Twin-Turbo Triple-Rotor Engine ~320 hp

Car Control System:
Touchscreen Color Multifunction System (Climate,TV,GPS, etc.)

Also, production figures were much lower than most of the other high-end Japanese coupes because export plans were cancelled as Mazda's luxury brands never got off the ground.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Seitz 08/20/2013 at 09:37

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I always liked the early 90s Acura Legend. I wish they hadn't given up on the coupe segment.

OtizzleStarBai > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 08/20/2013 at 10:38

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I agree... the CL was a decent car.. but the first gen (I owned a 3.0CL) really couldn't get closer to a Gussied up accord coupe than that...

Then the 2nd gen came about and itw as just too big/heavy for its power... to the front wheels.

1st gen TSX came and went with no coupe option.

They killed the RSX...

ILX, another freakin sedan just released.. no civic coupe based option on the horizon let alone an Accord coupe based option.

Ef' you Acura/Honda. keep ur bloated japanese buicks... call me when you pull your heads outta ur asses and build us what we want again.

OtizzleStarBai > Seitz 08/20/2013 at 10:39

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I'll take a Prelude, and an NSX please. (Lude for DD duty, NSX for weekend duty) :)

Dsscats > Seitz 06/27/2015 at 02:52

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I’d really love an R33 GTR. A buddy has one that’s just absolutely stunning that I’ve been lusting over today.

john > Seitz 07/17/2015 at 04:25

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i all ready own one

Probenja > Seitz 12/15/2015 at 07:33

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Toyota Sera because butterfly doors:

BenLikesCars > feather-throttle-not-hair 03/27/2016 at 05:03

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The MX-6 is hot.

It shared platforms with the Ford Probe.

There were two generations of MX-6! Both were cool.

BenLikesCars > Makoyouidiot 03/27/2016 at 05:05

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Why flamesuit? Because it’s a FREAKING HOT CAR?

BenLikesCars > Probenja 03/27/2016 at 05:09

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Good choice.

Pretty lady needs to eat.

BenLikesCars > Seitz 03/27/2016 at 05:22

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The MX3 was such a neat car. It almost looks like it should have been rwd.

Ideally, your write-up could have included the Nissan NX2000.

feather-throttle-not-hair > BenLikesCars 03/27/2016 at 13:12

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Yeah, I kind of like the old turbo ones mechanically, and they’re much better looking than the probe of their era.

However, the second gen was a truly beautiful car. I'm not in love with the engine or FWD, but I'd probably take a nice v6 manual as a daily driver.