THE BORE

General => The Superdeep Borehole => Topic started by: Bebpo on December 01, 2016, 06:51:35 PM

Title: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Bebpo on December 01, 2016, 06:51:35 PM
Just for kicks I was googling around at what best Japanese sports cars or roadsters there are in America under like 80k.  I remember back when I was kid you'd have stuff like the NSX there to compete against the Dodge Viper category.

But every list I found was nothing but American and a few European cars.  The only Japanese cars making the lists were like a 100k+ Skyline GT-R. 

Now this is partly being a very big lover of Japanese aesthetics at heart, but I love Japanese cars and have always used Japanese cars and would one day like to get another Japanese car.  But it seems like if you're looking for something a little nicer than a boring sedan, there's just no Japanese cars in the 40k-100k range anymore.  What happened? 

I am kinda interested in trying out the Shelby GT350 Mustang (55k new) in a few years when it's cheaper used, but going from nothing but Japanese cars to a Ford Shelby just isn't that appealing :(  I like aesthetically small and sleek cars.  There's some great looking European cars.  Lots actually, but those are $$$$$$$$$$ and it seems like the low/mid-range sports cars have completely been taken over by American cars which makes me kinda sad :|   
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Samson Manhug on December 01, 2016, 07:01:15 PM
Lexus RC F
Nissan 370Z
Nissan GTR

Coming soon:

Toyota Supra
Lexus LC  :hyper
Acura Precision (maybe)

Also when you were shopping for your S2000 did you drive a Suburu BRZ? Everyone I have ever met that owns one loves it.
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Bebpo on December 01, 2016, 07:21:51 PM
I did not.  I'll google it.  My first car was a Subaru Impreza RS2.5 2001.  Awesome car and very sporty even for being in the 20k price point.  I used to take it off-road and get that Sega Rally feel on.  Also was very light on maintenance.  Subaru's seem well built.
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Madrun Badrun on December 01, 2016, 07:28:08 PM
car ownership :piss2
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Bebpo on December 01, 2016, 07:51:56 PM
Kinda tough when there's no public transportation or bike paths in your city...

If I lived in Europe or Japan I'd be happy with no car.  Even NYC or SF probably.  I definitely prefer trains to driving, I beat a ton of DS games on train rides when I lived in Japan.  But that's not happening in So Cal and I'm not moving anytime soon, so gotta have a car, might as well have a fun one that makes you enjoy being behind the wheel.
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: zomgee on December 01, 2016, 07:52:38 PM
Subaru still makes the Sti at the low end of that.
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Rufus on December 01, 2016, 07:58:47 PM
Does it have to be Japanese?
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Madrun Badrun on December 01, 2016, 07:59:40 PM
An American car with a JRPG mural would just look stupid. 
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Samson Manhug on December 01, 2016, 08:06:09 PM
Does it have to be Japanese?

Look at his avatar (I think—mine are off)
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Madrun Badrun on December 01, 2016, 08:07:03 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/mJDYDBR.png)
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Bebpo on December 01, 2016, 08:13:20 PM
Does it have to be Japanese?

I mean I'm open to get any car (plus I'm not looking to buy any car for like 4-5 years, I'm just curious at what's on the market now and surprised by the lack of Japanese sports cars which is why I made this thread), but if I had a preference it would be:

1.  Japanese made
2.  European made
3.  American made

Does it have to be Japanese?

Look at his avatar (I think—mine are off)

I don't have an avatar right now.  Between them at the moment until I can find a good non-anime/game one.
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Boogie on December 01, 2016, 09:31:51 PM
Lexus RC F
Nissan 370Z
Nissan GTR


Lexus RCF styling  :yuck

And the 370z and GTR are getting a little old in the tooth.  They need an update/refresh, imo.
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: brawndolicious on December 01, 2016, 09:47:42 PM
Lexus RC F
Nissan 370Z
Nissan GTR

Coming soon:

Toyota Supra
Lexus LC  :hyper
Acura Precision (maybe)

Also when you were shopping for your S2000 did you drive a Suburu BRZ? Everyone I have ever met that owns one loves it.

The current 370Z doesn't seem worth the cost premium and they haven't updated it in so long. The Lexus has a fugly grill and kinda ridiculous price. Compared to what you listed, I'm going to assume the Hyundai Genesis coupe is a good competitor even though I've never driven one.

The BRZ/FRS/GT86 or whatever is supposed to be a hoot but it doesn't really fit in the power hound category as the other stuff. Probably the closest thing to his S2000 tho.
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: bork on December 01, 2016, 10:34:29 PM
The Honda Civic Type-R is finally coming out in the States soon.
(http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/16/39/980x490/landscape-1475155149-01-civic-type-r-prototype-front-3-4.jpg)
(http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2016-Honda-Civic-Type-R-210-876x535.jpg)

Also I don't know if this is still happening, but I read that they were going to be scrapping the CR-Z Hybrid "sports car" and changing it to an actual full-on gasoline sports car with either the 2017 or 2018 models.

Edit: It's going to be the 2018 model. (http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2018-honda-cr-z-rendered-may-ditch-hybrid-for-new-turbo-news)

(http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2018-Honda-CR-Z-artists-rendering-1011-876x535.jpg)
Quote
Expected to be marginally bigger than the current CR-Z, the new model will borrow design cues from the new NSX and the Civic Type R. Under the hood will be a detuned version of the Type R's turbocharged, 2.0-liter VTEC four-cylinder pumping out more than 280 horsepower. In fact, it looks as if the CR-Z will be positioned and marketed as a high-performance coupe version of the next-generation U.S. Civic, which means it may be called the Civic CR-Z.
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: T-Short on December 02, 2016, 04:45:02 AM
That new CR-Z concept looks good. I'll vouch for the BRZ since I've owned one for a year now, hehe.  :heartbeat
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Rufus on December 02, 2016, 04:51:42 AM
You can blame a lot of that on safety regulations. Pedestrians > cars that are shaped like doorstops.
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: bork on December 02, 2016, 07:44:55 AM
Rumor: Honda to Celebrate Its 70th Anniversary with New S2000 Roadster (http://blog.caranddriver.com/rumor-honda-to-celebrate-its-70th-anniversary-with-new-s2000-roadster/)

(http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Honda-S2000-Holiday-Auto.jpg)
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: Samson Manhug on December 02, 2016, 10:03:31 AM
Oh lawd. I hope they make a hard top, though. I just can't get down with convertibles.
Title: Re: Is it just me or has the Japanese sports car market died?
Post by: bork on December 02, 2016, 11:10:42 AM
Holy shit...the Prelude is coming back, too. Honda going nuts in 2018?

(http://tophondacars.com/wp-content/uploads/2018-Honda-Prelude-ext-3.j45.png)