In the market for something a bit different to an Impreza. Was gonna settle for cheap motoring in a 185 GT4 but having seen a few of the rarer Jap Imports, Im coming round!

How do we rate the following?:

Nissan 200sx
Nissan 300ZX
Toyota GT4 (185)
Toyota Supra
Mitsi GTO

I can imagine the Twin Turbo cars will be prohibitively expensive to run but there again I may be suprised, so come on all owners, tell us what ya think ;)

Regards

Rich

depends on your budget?

celica st185 gt4....my mate got one for 3.5k...absolutely fab car for the money. very well built, comfortable, and quick. if i only had 5k to spend on a car, this would be it.

nissan 200sx's? seem to have big engine probs with higher mileages( well, from what ive read on nissan 200 bulletin boards)

supra? dunno, big bhp...rwd...scary:D

gto? barge..looks too american.


how about an r32 gtr? cheap as chips, infinately moddable, and cooler than an ice cube at the north pole..on a cool day:D

Heh

cheers for the reply GTR. Yeh GT4s are dirt cheap, you can land a direct jap import for about £3k in real good nick just now.

R33 - how cheap is cheap as chips??

Rich

Chips are about 90p - but slightly cheaper if you get a supper :D

R32/33s can be got from £12K upwards

Skyline is outta my rpice band. prolly looking to the GT4 or maybe a cheap 300ZX - anyone own a Z?

Rich

What's your budget?

300ZX's give you a lot of power for your ££££, I saw a 100,000km model go for £4000 at auction 18months ago. Expect to pay less now. They are as cheap as 185GT4's in Japan, but seem to carry a 'big car' premium amoungst UK dealers... Apparently gearboxes are weak and turbos have a short life. The upside is that 400bhp is achievable... Also I understand you have to wear a medalian if you buy one of these ;):D

Supra's - Are we talking MVIV's or MKIII, if its the 4 then they are amazy and scary, my friend's will be ready for him with about 470bhp and Race Logic Traction Control in a week or so... I'll get him to scare me some more when its back :) Go for a manual not an auto though -much faster (6 gears vs 4)
3's look a bit dated to me, and I understand the turbo models have gasket problems.

200 SX - Newer shape cars seem quite a bit more 'relaxed' than other cars you suggested, quite a comfortable cruiser rather than a serious performance car IMHO

GTO - Crap, dull to drive - really uninvolving, not as quick as a supra/300zx.

GT4 - Great VFM and much less scary than all the above in British weather ;) thanks to 4wd.

Of the above I'd have the Supra, if it's a MKIV Manual, and a GT4 for when it rains :rolleyes:!

Jon

Sweet

Great reply Jon thanks. Im looking at personally importing so I quite agree, you get a lot of bang for your buck with a Z, but im not sure if its gonna be realistic to insure.

My monies going with the 4 right now, but Im keeping my options open, thanks again.

Richie

Jon, Have to disagree the auto box in the MkIV is superd and can handle a lot more power. it's as good if not better than the manual and much 'nicer' to drive. Also less likely to have been abused.

Richie,

The GTO is a good car - I owned one, don't listen to what people say about them not handling, mine had 4WD and 4WS and handled superbly. Most people seem to get confused with bad handling and dull handling. The GTO is full of driver aids which detracts from the drive, it doesn't make it handle bad just a bit dull. For the type of driving I was doing though it was great. I opted for the manual which was a bit chunky but felt strong. Very quick.

Supra, faster than the GTO and better looking, but 5 mpg less and scary in the wet. Also costs a bit more. Nice interior but a bit plasticy. By far the best looking out of the bunch, needs 18" wheels"!!!!!!!!!!!

300ZX - never driven one.

200SX - I was very surprised how quick and able these were. I love RWD cars much better than AWD. Just as quick as scoob from 50-100. A great tourer, but once you get used to the back comng out (it's not sudden and is very easy to correct in these cars) it's a real hoot to drive. I average 29-30 mpg in mine. Strong gearbox and clutch should you want to mod it. You can pick them up for 4k.

I quite liked 300zx's until I started reading www.300zx.co.uk and read all the money pit horror stories....

MKIV Autos really zap the power, Granted the manual Box isn't the smoothest and is only good for about the same amount of power as the auto, but the extra ratios do make a difference... hmm 180mph ;)

Anyway, GT4's are good cars for the sub £5k price.

Let me know which importer you use... I've very keen to get recommendations.

Thanks,

Jon

Mkiv Supra Twin Turbo is *AWESOME*

165mph standard, 320bhp+, *SUPREME* build quality,
*HEEUUUUGE* tuning potential, internals can take
2bar and 600bhp reliably with the correct set-up.
Handles brilliantly in the wet with Racelogic Traction
Control (which I sell cheap). A true supercar destroyer,
200mph+ potential. Had a customer who picked up a mint P-reg
TT for £8,700 !!!! Cannot recommend this car enough !!!

Only downside with the supra is its weight, making it a real
handful on twisty backroads.


Evo4/5/6 : incredible cars, easy 350bhp for little money,
ultra reliable 400bhp on stock turbo's with rods/pistons/manifold/cams/ecu/fuelling - <about £5,000k>
Downside...lose the brembo brakes in favour of AP and you'll
have one of the best cars on this planet....

Sunny GTir - superb cars, ultra fast, sort the suspension and brakes and youve got a car that will play with evo's and scoob's
for less than £6k !

MR2 Turbo - cheap, fast, need a lot of skill to drive on the limit,
if I had a budget of £3-£4k thats what id buy

300zx's/ GTO - very cheap, value for money option, but id save
up a little more cash and get the supra.


Justin

if I was importing I'd use me. but that's only cos I trust me.

Another worth considering is a Toyota Soarer (Lexus Coupe is the US). They are cheaper than than Supra's and more reliable than 300ZX's... I think they look OK and you certainly get plenty of car for the money.

MattN if you import yourself presumably you know a good source in Japan to find the right car? I'd be interested in finding an agent in Japan who can find me a car, as I'm happy to do the registration stuff at this end...

Id also be interested Matt, Just need a heads up with Importing.

Cheers

Richie

I know a couple of Guys out in Japan. I've spent about 80k with so know they are not about to do a runner.

I'll send you guys a mail with more detail when I get a chance.

my last car was a V8 soarer - you do get a lot of car for your money, cheap too.

get a 1991 or early 92 and it won't need an SVA!!!

Thanks for the Mail Matt, you have a reply...

Can I get an email Matt???

I mailed you :(

Regards

Richie ;)

Circa £3k gets you a good un at the moment, so for the money I think Ill be daft not to.

Probably end up using A & F Imports tbh, if not will be doing it myself.

Let me know if you want any details

Regards Richie

[Edited by RichieC - 2/7/2002 10:07:52 PM]