Are there anymore Japanese sports cars in the US?

tc328 · 02-02-2016, 11:44 AM

Seems like no such thing anymore, Im not talking about NSX or the Toyota supercar but what happen to the fun Japanese sports cars like Honda Prelude, Supra, Nissan 240s, s2000, etc.

Only subura keeps their wrx every year.

Can you name a japanese sports car/sedan ($35k-$50k) you will buy?

rsr552 · 02-02-2016, 12:03 PM

Nissan 370Z is still there.

FriskyDingo · 02-02-2016, 12:12 PM

The 370Z is a pretty fun little car. It's dated, and a little rough around the edges, but it delivers on the fun-to-drive front. Rides like shit, though.

Red Bread · 02-02-2016, 12:19 PM

Below your price point, the ND Miata is excellent and the BRZ is pretty good, with a terrible interior.

Blksnowflake · 02-02-2016, 12:23 PM

BRZ, thats about it.

I still have a soft spot for the STI even though it is also rather frozen in time.

semclane · 02-02-2016, 12:24 PM

They are still being sold - In addition to the Nissan 370Z, if you are not fixated on spending $35K-$40K then the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Scion (Toyota) FR-S, and Subaru BRZ are worth a look as well as the Hyundai (Korean) Genesis Coupe R-Spec.

335m · 02-02-2016, 12:24 PM

I own a nissan 370z and would not recommend it.

Not a good dd due to the obvious (too stiff, cheap interior, horrible trunk capacity, 2 seater)

Not a good weekend toy due to the price/performance ratio, you could have a used Porsche or another fun roadster for the same price.

mike@Vossen · 02-02-2016, 12:55 PM

The FRS/BRZ is as good as a sports car as it gets. The low driving position for one is just rare to most cars sold today. Obviously some will always point to 200hp, but the car is not about being a 0-60 winner. Its hard to find a better driving car at any price.

Outside of that, the Z as mentioned and thats about it....

overcoil · 02-02-2016, 01:11 PM

No one likes the Lexus IS or RC ? I'd purchase a 3-series before the Lexus but the Lexus seem like a nice sports car.

335m · 02-02-2016, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

No one likes the Lexus IS or RC ? I'd purchase a 3-series before the Lexus but the Lexus seem like a nice sports car.

The new RC's look real sporty but they only come in AT and the price point just doesn't really make them worth it considering the performance.

EternalVendetta · 02-02-2016, 03:14 PM

The Miata is the only one that I considered before getting an M235i. With Lexus the new corporate grille design was a deal-killer.

Aatish · 02-02-2016, 06:02 PM

Might get some hate for this, but the Civic Si is actually really fun to drive, and it's a Civic so it's also practical.

Comes with a stick, a LSD, and has peak output at redline (7000rpm). And it's cheap.

kprocivic · 02-02-2016, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aatish

Might get some hate for this, but the Civic Si is actually really fun to drive, and it's a Civic so it's also practical.

Rev happy engine, stick shift, sport seats, (relatively) fast, and cheap.

coming from a si owner of 4 generations relative is a strong word.

Fundguy1 · 02-02-2016, 06:06 PM

Civic is NOT, not a sports car.
LFA, NSX, GTR, that's about it. Wrx, ISF, and Evo for sporty cars. Rest have sporty looks but no real sports car characteristics.

Aatish · 02-02-2016, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kprocivic

coming from a si owner of 4 generations relative is a strong word.

I mean, compared to the other cars you associate with the word "Civic"...

It'll smoke a new Corolla. I can say that with confidence :b

Fundguy1 · 02-02-2016, 06:10 PM

Sports car for the most part is 2 seats, 2 doors, rwd, low, wide, huge power to weight ratio vs it's contemporaries, impractical, great handling.
Corvette, viper, ford GT, etc. Mustang, camaro, pony cars. Hellcat, muscle car.
Contemporaries means other cars built the same year, not same class of car. Sadly, only BMW sports car is the I8 at the moment.

Shredicus · 02-02-2016, 06:12 PM

I'd expect some fun stuff out of Korea with Hyundai's "N" brand being massively expanded and headed up by Albert Biermann(heart and soul of ///M for many years).

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/06/h...ance-division/

http://brand.hyundai.com/en/challenge/n/n.do

eluded · 02-02-2016, 06:39 PM

Sti

Civic r (300 hp when it shows)

Golf gti/r

Red Bread · 02-02-2016, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eluded

Sti

Civic r (300 hp when it shows)

Golf gti/r

Did VW move?

kprocivic · 02-02-2016, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eluded

Sti

Civic r (300 hp when it shows)

Golf gti/r

we don't get the r here in the states.

eluded · 02-02-2016, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kprocivic

we don't get the r here in the states.

Don't ruin my hope

bodega_cat · 02-02-2016, 07:07 PM

I was asking this very question before I made the move to the 135. I was giving the Evo X a HARD look because I always wanted one, and those things are just amazing to drive. But the interior is complete crap.

However, 2016 is the last year for the EVO. Sad times ahead.

Don't forget the civic type r is coming to the states. Supposedly ~300hp ~300ftlbs from a turbo 2.0 liter, AND might be awd. Looks like honda is stepping in where the EVO left off.

02-02-2016, 11:44 AM	#1
tc328 Lieutenant 375 Rep 530 Posts Drives: 328 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: bstny iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 3 [0.00]	Are there anymore Japanese sports cars in the US? Seems like no such thing anymore, Im not talking about NSX or the Toyota supercar but what happen to the fun Japanese sports cars like Honda Prelude, Supra, Nissan 240s, s2000, etc. Only subura keeps their wrx every year. Can you name a japanese sports car/sedan ($35k-$50k) you will buy?
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02-02-2016, 12:03 PM	#2
rsr552 First Lieutenant 24 Rep 387 Posts Drives: e90 m3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Texas iTrader: (2)	Nissan 370Z is still there.
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02-02-2016, 12:12 PM	#3
FriskyDingo Rather Ambivalent 384 Rep 755 Posts Drives: Spiritedly Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Trapped In My Mind iTrader: (0)	The 370Z is a pretty fun little car. It's dated, and a little rough around the edges, but it delivers on the fun-to-drive front. Rides like shit, though.
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02-02-2016, 12:19 PM	#4
Red Bread Major General 4459 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Below your price point, the ND Miata is excellent and the BRZ is pretty good, with a terrible interior.
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02-02-2016, 12:23 PM	#5
Blksnowflake Mlightened 1851 Rep 2,242 Posts Drives: Yaz M3 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: TX iTrader: (1)	BRZ, thats about it. I still have a soft spot for the STI even though it is also rather frozen in time. Last edited by Blksnowflake; 02-02-2016 at 12:37 PM..
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02-02-2016, 12:24 PM	#6
semclane Private 33 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i - Dinan Suspension Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Pleasanton, CA iTrader: (0)	They are still being sold - In addition to the Nissan 370Z, if you are not fixated on spending $35K-$40K then the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Scion (Toyota) FR-S, and Subaru BRZ are worth a look as well as the Hyundai (Korean) Genesis Coupe R-Spec.
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02-02-2016, 12:24 PM	#7
335m Major 134 Rep 1,166 Posts Drives: 08 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Austin Texas iTrader: (1)	I own a nissan 370z and would not recommend it. Not a good dd due to the obvious (too stiff, cheap interior, horrible trunk capacity, 2 seater) Not a good weekend toy due to the price/performance ratio, you could have a used Porsche or another fun roadster for the same price. __________________ 2008 e92 M3: Gintani Sport w/ Topspeed Catless X-Pipe, KW-V3
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02-02-2016, 12:55 PM	#8
mike@Vossen 326 Rep 896 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Miami \| Atlanta iTrader: (0)	The FRS/BRZ is as good as a sports car as it gets. The low driving position for one is just rare to most cars sold today. Obviously some will always point to 200hp, but the car is not about being a 0-60 winner. Its hard to find a better driving car at any price. Outside of that, the Z as mentioned and thats about it....
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02-02-2016, 01:11 PM	#9
overcoil Major General 3140 Rep 5,583 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	No one likes the Lexus IS or RC ? I'd purchase a 3-series before the Lexus but the Lexus seem like a nice sports car.
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02-02-2016, 03:14 PM	#11
EternalVendetta Private First Class 62 Rep 150 Posts Drives: '16 M235i 6MT / '19 Model 3 SR Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	The Miata is the only one that I considered before getting an M235i. With Lexus the new corporate grille design was a deal-killer. __________________ 2016 M235i \| Estoril Blue \| Coral Red \| 6MT Tech \| Cold Weather \| Driver Assistance \| HK M Perf. Gear Shift Knob, Parking Brake, Pedals, Carbon Interior M Perf. Black Grilles \| CF Mirror Caps, Rear Spoiler, Rear Diffuser \| Lightweight Front Lip Spoiler \| M Perf. Exhaust
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02-02-2016, 06:02 PM	#12
Aatish Lofty 3477 Rep 849 Posts Drives: i4 M50, 991.2 C2, RRS Diesel Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: ORD <> ATX iTrader: (0)	Might get some hate for this, but the Civic Si is actually really fun to drive, and it's a Civic so it's also practical. Comes with a stick, a LSD, and has peak output at redline (7000rpm). And it's cheap.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2016, 06:06 PM	#14
Fundguy1 Major General 2045 Rep 8,339 Posts Drives: 335 e93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando, fl iTrader: (0)	Civic is NOT, not a sports car. LFA, NSX, GTR, that's about it. Wrx, ISF, and Evo for sporty cars. Rest have sporty looks but no real sports car characteristics.
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02-02-2016, 06:10 PM	#16
Fundguy1 Major General 2045 Rep 8,339 Posts Drives: 335 e93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando, fl iTrader: (0)	Sports car for the most part is 2 seats, 2 doors, rwd, low, wide, huge power to weight ratio vs it's contemporaries, impractical, great handling. Corvette, viper, ford GT, etc. Mustang, camaro, pony cars. Hellcat, muscle car. Contemporaries means other cars built the same year, not same class of car. Sadly, only BMW sports car is the I8 at the moment.
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02-02-2016, 06:12 PM	#17
Shredicus Major 538 Rep 1,122 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (12)	I'd expect some fun stuff out of Korea with Hyundai's "N" brand being massively expanded and headed up by Albert Biermann(heart and soul of ///M for many years). http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/06/h...ance-division/ http://brand.hyundai.com/en/challenge/n/n.do
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02-02-2016, 06:39 PM	#18
eluded 2JZ-GTE 3182 Rep 4,158 Posts Drives: 340 6MT, 50e, others Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sofia iTrader: (0)	Sti Civic r (300 hp when it shows) Golf gti/r __________________ A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
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02-02-2016, 07:07 PM	#22
bodega_cat Lieutenant 156 Rep 438 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: In the moutains iTrader: (1)	I was asking this very question before I made the move to the 135. I was giving the Evo X a HARD look because I always wanted one, and those things are just amazing to drive. But the interior is complete crap. However, 2016 is the last year for the EVO. Sad times ahead. Don't forget the civic type r is coming to the states. Supposedly ~300hp ~300ftlbs from a turbo 2.0 liter, AND might be awd. Looks like honda is stepping in where the EVO left off. Last edited by bodega_cat; 02-02-2016 at 07:46 PM..
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