OPPOPOLL What was the best 90s Japanese sports car?

"472CID" (472CID) 01/13/2014 at 14:43 • Filed to: OPPOPOLL

0

49

In honor of Toyota showing up with a slick future-Supra lets ask which was the best of it's predecessors. Now for this I want to limit it to what I think of as "the 276 club" You know those 90s cars with the gentlemanly agreed upon limit of 276hp. Here are the contenders:

Honda NSX

Mazda RX7 *may not actually make 276hp

Mitsubishi 3000GT/GTO

Nissan 300ZX

Nissan Skyline GT-R R33/34 vintage

Toyota Supra

I'd like to stick between these six, but I'm sure you'll come up Galant VR-4s, MR2s, Stegas, ZZIIs, or SVXs, and hell I wont stop you.

EL_ULY > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:45

0

who are you the Devil?

I can't choose :'(

André - Volvo4Life > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:45

1

Honda NSX. Still hailed today as one of the best Japanese cars of all time. The useful supercar. It changed they way companies saw supercars.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:46

3

99 WRX STi

CKeffer > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:46

0

For me it's the R34 GTR, with the NSX and FD RX7 in a close second.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:47

1

NS(e)X

KB Garage > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:47

1

What was the best? No idea. Which do I like best? Supra.

AeroEagle333 > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:47

1

My vote would go to the NSX, with the Supra coming in a close second. I also REALLY like the Mitsubishi Mirage Cyborg, but it doesn't really belong in this class.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:49

0

Doin' it wrong.

Aaron James > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:49

0

It has to be the NSX. It was the first real daily drivable supercar, and it still looks sweet to this day. I do love the others, especially the 3000 GT VR-4 but those other cars aren't in the same league as the NSX.

CKeffer > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ 01/13/2014 at 14:49

0

Not the 22B?

RacecaR > AeroEagle333 01/13/2014 at 14:50

0

Yay for the Cyborg!

PS9 > EL_ULY 01/13/2014 at 14:50

0

You will choose. Do it. Or else.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:50

0

Only three cars on this list are 2-seaters, and one of those is 'optional' for a 2+2 also.

NSX, RX7, and Z32 300ZX.

The rest are 2+2 Sport Coupe performance cars, and Z32 is big enough to perhaps align more that direction as well. That is not a detriment, just a classification, they are still fantastic cars in their ways.

NSX is mid-engined... RX-7 is light weight with a screaming turbo rotary...

That is a tough choice... and my opinion of which is better, probably flip-flops from day to day...

but NSX might just get the edge by being more reliable... and thus more consistently enjoyable, mile after mile.

MR2 should be in this list, as should Miata. Both are sports cars, but they may not win against NSX's or RX-7's superior firepower/horsepower, but technically the chassis design makes a car a sports car, not the power level. Any car with handling or high power can be considered a performance car. Sports cars are something specific.

SkarTisu > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:51

0

NSX. Hands down. End of story. Next question, please.

Textured Soy Protein > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:51

0

My completely arbitrary ranking of these six vehicles:

1. NSX

2. FD RX-7

3. R34 GT-R

4. Poopra

5. Z32 TT

6. 3000GT VR-4

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > CKeffer 01/13/2014 at 14:52

0

The 22B is amazing and I'd kill to own one. I just say the 99 because its attainable, and I'll be driving one around later this year once I finish building the damn thing.

dogisbadob > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:52

0

Wasn't there a hi-po version of the Expo LRV? :p

CKeffer > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ 01/13/2014 at 14:54

0

Fair enough.

472CID > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/13/2014 at 14:56

0

I think there's a lot of wiggle room in interpretation of a sports car. For me 2+2s can count (not all of them certainly). I'd say a GTR, Supra, or 3000GT are every bit a sports car as a 911 or Evora.

d00mZ > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 14:57

0

Sup guys! What's goin' on in this thre... Oh shit..

Let's see if you guys know this car. ;)

EL_ULY > PS9 01/13/2014 at 14:58

1

well, in my non enthusiast opinion....

(1999) :]

and

I make my own rules, mua ha ha ha haa!

Sn210 > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 15:00

0

I know there's only 2, so it doesn't really count. But I post the R390 whenever I have the opportunity...

CAR_IS_MI > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 15:00

0

Well, I am a bit biased, but I love the 3kGT VR-4.

It wasn't the best looker, nor was it the fastest (but it was up there), and it also wasn't the most reliable (also not the least so that's a good thing).

Why I love the VR-4 is because it is so far ahead of its time.

The 3.0l twin turbo V6 sounds okay, that is, until you press the factory "sport" mode button, which electronically opens a higher flowing exhaust, at which point it sounds angry and throaty.

The viscous couplings in the AWD aid the beast as the turbos spool forcing the car forward like cheetah towards its prey.

It does not stop there though. The AWD system also includes 4 wheel steering, making cornering a breeze. But all this is nothing if you cant keep the car on the ground.

To keep it planted, a factory electronic dampening system is used in conjunction with "active aero" which deploys a front air dam and adjust the rear wing angle at speeds over 45mph.

This is why the 3KGT VR-4 is my choice for the best 90's jap sports car.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > CKeffer 01/13/2014 at 15:01

0

Yeah just personal bias.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 15:03

0

Honda Beat. Because fuck your bloated GT cars and expensive gas guzzlers - the best Japanese sports car needs to be small, affordable, and efficient

CKeffer > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/13/2014 at 15:06

1

Bah, AZ1> Beat because gull wing doors

CKeffer > d00mZ 01/13/2014 at 15:07

1

Mitsubishi FTO, cool looking little FWD sports car....that would be eaten alive by all of the ones on the list.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > CKeffer 01/13/2014 at 15:10

0

You speak blasphemy! Take your snail powered wank and go elsewhere. The best kei sports car is powered by unicorn farts!

PRBot II > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 15:11

0

/trolol

d00mZ > CKeffer 01/13/2014 at 15:12

0

Yep. Underrated af too. lol

CKeffer > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/13/2014 at 15:15

0

Lies and slander!!! FI FTW! ....There is only one way to settle this....we must both buy one and have a drag race......as soon as they become legal to buy here.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 15:15

0

You are using your definition of sports car as the definition of what I would classify as a performance car. Any car with additional performance prowess is a performance car... whether it be a sport coupe, sport sedan, or even a sport tuned truck or utility vehicle, compared to the standard variant of each of those respective chassis/body types... more power, better brakes, and better suspension fitted to any type of vehicle.

A sports car is a singular-design purpose, that is no larger than the focused performance goals of the car need the dimensions to be. No compromises for additional practicality beyond that, including no excess wheelbase or chassis length for rear seats.

Those cars are larger and heavier, and each would be shorter in length without their rear seats.

911 would not be any shorter without rear seats. The reduced wheelbase would induce instability. rear seats or no rear seats, a 911, especially older ones, are not overly large. 991 perhaps could argue. I have long said that modern 911s sit on the fence between Sports Car and Sports Coupe.

Evora could theoretically be shorter... then it would just be a current Exige... so perhaps one could argue that Evora edges away slightly from a pure sports car definition.

Camaro is a Sport Coupe, maybe sub-classified as a muscle car. Corvette is a Sports Car... that acts kind of like a muscle car, because it has pretty much the same engine.

Mustang is a Sport Coupe. Ford GT, Shelby Cobra, and Shelby Cobra Daytona are Sports cars.

Dodge Challenger is a Sport Coupe. SRT Viper is a Sports Car with overt muscle-car tendencies. Crossfire and Crossfire SRT might be considered sports cars, but might be arguable that they are too luxury-tuned, creating a compromise that might disqualify it.

One could argue that Porsche 991 has become a Sport Coupe/Grand Touring coupe... but Cayman and Boxster 981 are sports cars.

only as much chassis size and weight as necessary to perform the intended functions, not excess size or weight toward other goals like practicality or bulk-adding luxury.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > CKeffer 01/13/2014 at 15:22

1

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaad

My hovercraft is full of eels > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 15:23

0

That's a no brainer, at least for me.

NSX

TwoFortified > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 15:33

0

The R32 doesn't make the list...because...it started manufacture 4 months before 90's officially started?

The R32 Skyline is my favorite, with the R34 as a VERY VERY close second...Then NSX (Look Honda kids, I do like one!), then the Fairlady...Then the rest of em.

Orange Exige > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/13/2014 at 15:54

0

I really don't think there's any point in looking into the terminology this deeply.

A sports car is a sports car is a sports car.
If you don't think some of these are sports cars, then so be it. Doesn't change much of anything. They're still going to be considered sports cars.

We have 4 door coupes now for god's sake. The terminology really doesn't matter that much.

Orange Exige > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 15:59

0

Ah man, what a fantastic lineup of cars... How did the world manage to exist with such a number of incredible sports cars coming out of Japan at any one given moment??

I'd just like to say that the 90s RX7 is still a stunner - on the rare occasion I see one in the flesh I can't help but stare. Granted, I'd probably stare at any of these (except the 300ZX - freakin hideous) if I saw them in person, but the RX-7 is something else...

To answer the poll, I'd say three-way tie between the NSX, RX-7, and Supra.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Orange Exige 01/13/2014 at 16:23

0

When vocabulary means nothing... nobody can tell what other people are trying to convey.

and I have lambasted the oxymoron that is "4-door coupe" many times.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 16:26

0

I just want to point out a HUGEEEE fact here.

Out of those six cars you listed:

Three of them depreciated in value horribly (3000GT, 300ZX, and the FD RX7 [for the most part])

Three of them held their value like no tomorrow (Supra, Skyline, and NSX)

Anyone else think that is just crazy? These were cars that were considered rivals in their day, but yet you can get a 300ZX for less than 10k and you can't even buy a Supra (mk4) without pushing 20k....

Personally, I think it's because people are idiots and pay that much for them. A Supra is not worth 30k+ nowadays. 20k is pushing it. Same goes for the NSX. Skylines are obviously a different story but meh.

SRSvictor > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 16:26

0

Legnum VR-4. 2.5l twin turbo V6,AYC and also wagon. :)

472CID > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 01/13/2014 at 16:30

0

I think Supras are far more scarce than 3kGTs and 300ZXs, there's also the F&F tax.

NSXs cost about twice as much as most of these car in their day. ($90k vs 40k if I recall correctly)

Orange Exige > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/13/2014 at 16:39

0

Dude, I too hate the fact that some companies have the nerve to call their four-door vehicles "coupes", but what are we gonna do? They're not going to change anytime soon.

I'm not saying vocab means nothing, but we all understand when somebody speaks of "sports cars". Once you get down to more nitty-gritty classifications like you mentioned, they become more specific and maybe even more easily classified since they're usually better defined, but looking too deeply into the term "sports car" is not going to help anyone.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 17:07

0

If we were throwing in F&F tax then why isn't the Eclipse, RX7, and VW Jettas going up in price too? LOL

I understand "rare", but I don't think you've looked for a Supra lately. Last time I looked non-turbos were going for 20k (which aren't that rare) and the TTs were going for ~35k+. It's not rarity, it's just the name. People want to say "I own a Supra, her dur dur."

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Orange Exige 01/13/2014 at 17:28

0

You can call things whatever you want... but sometimes it is erroneous.

And errors in description or classification brings confusion.

Nissan can call a FWD automatic Maxima a "4-door sports car", but that doesn't make it a sports car like some 2-seat RWD Nissan Z cars are.

Calling them both sports cars dilutes the meaning of the term, and then when I refer to a sports cars in general, people think I am talking about vehicles that I am not really talking about, because I NEVER call a FWD Maxima a sports car, regardless of what Nissan or anyone else says.

Without some realistic expectations of precision, perception becomes confusion.

Robert > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 18:10

0

I personally fawn over an RX7, but really want to drive an MR2. If Mazda brings a new rotary-powered car, I want it mid-engined. I want a mid engine rotary damnit.

Back to the poll: RX-7, hands down.

Mr2 Second place vote

Orange Exige > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/13/2014 at 18:31

0

I wouldn't call any Maximas sports cars either.

There's literally nothing we can do about manufacturer's naming conventions.

You, me, and all the other Jalops here know what a damn sports car is. That's what matters. You're still looking way too deeply into this matter. It's really not a big deal.

Robert > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 01/13/2014 at 18:46

0

I agree. There's also a huuuge price jump between the mid 80's second gen rx-7 and the 90's third gen rx-7. RX-7 FDs cost at least 5k for a rolling shell. upwards of 25k for DD, 2nd gens are around 5-8k for a very well maintained and beautiful car, and maybe 2-3 for a somewhat manageable runner. It's absurd.

JR1 > 472CID 01/13/2014 at 20:00

0

NSX because Arton Senna

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > 472CID 01/23/2014 at 21:12

0

Supra, hands down. Nothing comes close IMO (although I love every car up there).