The new wave of Japanese exotics.

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Which of the new Japanese "exotics" do you think is the King?

  • Mazda RX-8 (FR--1.3L Rot. 247hp)

    Votes: 14 19.7%

  • Nissan 350Z (FR--3.5L V6 287hp)

    Votes: 27 38.0%

  • Honda S2000 (FR--2.0L I4 240hp)

    Votes: 11 15.5%

  • Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII (AWD--2.0L Turbo I4 271hp)

    Votes: 13 18.3%

  • Subaru Impreza WRX (AWD--2.0L Turbo B4 227hp)

    Votes: 6 8.5%
  • Total voters
    71
12sec. Civic

12sec. Civic

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Now that there appears to be a new Japanese heyday similar to the one in the early 90's. I want to ask you guys which ones stick out in your mind.


The new Japanese "exotics" are:

Mazda RX-8 (250hp)

Nissan 350Z (290hp)

Honda S2000 (240hp)

Mitsubishi Evo 8 (270hp)

Subaru Impreza WRX (230hp)


These cars are all fairly close in performance. I am having trouble deciding which ones are better than the others.

BTW: I went to the Mitsu dealer here in Calgary. As some of you may know, Mitsu is brand new to Canada. Since the first Mitsu dealer opened here about 3 months ago, I am not sure when or if they'll be getting the new EVO. Does anyone happen to know if Canada will even be getting them?
 
Honda S2000

I'm almost positive it's the fastest in a straight line, and in the corners.
 
Im pretty sure the evo 8 is quite a bit faster in a straight line. Possibly the 350z also.

Out of all of those I would definately take the s2000 though.
 
Canada will not get the EVO until late 03, early 04 at best.

Btw, Canadian prices for the WRX STi are starting at over 50 000$, the EVO somewhere in the 40 000$...

Out of the cars you mentioned, the RX8 is pure crap, the S2000 isn't powerful enough, the WRX lacks HP, so i'd go with the EVO, if you can spare me a set of red EVO VII taillights.
 
Originally posted by advanR
Im pretty sure the evo 8 is quite a bit faster in a straight line. Possibly the 350z also.

Out of all of those I would definately take the s2000 though.
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Yeah. I just searched for their 1/4 mile times, and what I found was a 13.8 for the S2000, 13.9 for the 350Z, and a 13.5 for the Evo 8. These were all from different sites/magazines, though, so...

My vote still stands. Stook all the way!:p
 
I just did a search also. Found the same number you got for the evo, havent found the others yet. I will check the back of a R&T issue later. I swear the s2000 was in the 14s.
 
S2000 is low 14s for sure, i don't know where you got those numbers, Josh. :odd:
 
I've found 14.4 for the S2000 at one place, R&T has 14.1...

The RX8 is the slowest (and ugliest) of the bunch...
 
I saw 13.8 in some link HRT_Maloo posted on another thread. I've always seen 13.8-13.9. Well, that was until I just did a search a second ago, and found crap from 13.8 to 14.8.:odd:
 
That's why I hate all magazines. They should not be allowed to post any kind of times unless they have drivers that know wtf they're doing. I know some little kids who could probably turn faster times than some of these magazine editors.
 
I really don't know what to think of the RX-8 yet.


The Honda S2000:
I know that ALOT of research and developement was put into the S2000. They have spent alot of money tweaking both the chassis and engine of that car, and its not a parts bin special. But a serious sports car. Everyone should respect the S2000.


The Nissan 350Z:
The 350Z is the most powerful and apparently handles like a dream. I always have quality concerns with Nissan. And I really dont prefer an engine that is also in just about every other Nissan/Infiniti vehicle. I am not sure if Nissan put forward a tremendous effort for the 350Z because they are running on a tight budget these past few years. I heard they're doing very well now. The chassis is very sophisticated with the engine behind the front wheels. But this is also true of the S2000. many a magazine editor have said that Nissan sure does know how to make a well rounded engine. Its got gobs of torque, and a very powerful top end as well. Some say it feels like a small V8 at low end, and like a twin turbo porsche at top end. Thats what I like to hear.


The Mazda RX-8:
I am guessing that the RX-8, being NA, will divert all of the torque lovers negative attention away from the S2000. People have always complained about the S2000 not having enough torque, but apparently after driving the RX-8, the S2000 feels like a Camaro SS. A 1.3L Rotary would still be very fun to drive around a track, and I'm sure it handles very well. I would probably like the RX-8 10 times more if it was a true 2+2. From what I can tell, this is a very high quality car. It is probably the closest competition for the S2000.


The Mitsu Evo 8:
From what I understand, this car is made cheap. Off of a cheap chassis and everything is very plasticky and poorly made. I would hate to drive this thing because its weight distribution is 60/40 with 60% of the weight being over the front wheels. Thats not what I like to see in a sports car. The engine is also apparently quite crude. The turbo is made of iron!? and the shifer is not nearly as crisp as it should be. I am sure this car is based on the principle of the old muscle cars. "Put the biggest(most powerful) engine in the cheapest, lightest car".

The WRX:
Apparently some people see this car as very cheap feeling. Its engine lacks low end grunt and the shifter is, again, not as crisp. I have heard that the AWD system in the WRX is WAY more sophisticated than the USDM Evo's AWD. The WRX also has a much better weight distribution. Its the least powerful, but the STi will be along soon enough. If the STi is everything people say about it. It is definitely my favourite.


BTW, My dad can't fit in the WRX or the S2000. Hes a 6'5" 280lb'er. But he does fit perfectly in the 350Z!


If I had the money, I would buy a 350Z. Its my current dream vehicle.
 
^^^ Yes, the 350 is my dream vehicle as well.
And regarding your comments on the engine; it is the best V6 in the world

The Evo VI had the same interior as the base Lancer. For a car nearly 3 times the amount of the base model, the interior is bad. I cant comment on the VIII but I think it will be the same. From the tests Ive read of the Evo VII, it sounds as though the VIII would be a ripper, not from you say though :confused:

Why wasnt the WRX STi included?
 
Originally posted by HRT_Maloo
Yes, Aussies Wheels magazine has recorded a 14.9 for the S2000 :lol:
The worst magazine Ive read for testing times.
Click to expand...

Yeah - because they test with the driver and a passenger in the car and half a tank of gas. If you're running a low torque engine another 110 kg of weight in the car's going to hurt your times, but it's going to be more representative of real world running, which is what Wheels is about.
 
Well the RX-8 is a sports sedan. Not a true sports car. Thus it is not a 2 seater or a 2+2, it's a 4 seater with 4 doors.

In Car and Driver, it beat the G35 and SVT Mustang in a comparo.

Exotic? Not really. The engine is. The car looks great. Some exotic designing.

There will probably be either a turbo RX-8 or a new RX-7 coming soon(next 2-3 years, possibly sooner), so the RX-8 as is isn't meant to beat other cars at the track. It's meant to be fun to drive, and you can take 4 people in comfort and space.
 
Originally posted by vat_man
Yeah - because they test with the driver and a passenger in the car and half a tank of gas. If you're running a low torque engine another 110 kg of weight in the car's going to hurt your times, but it's going to be more representative of real world running, which is what Wheels is about.
Click to expand...

I got nuts about it at first cause all the times where off by 1,2 sec.
Then I realised they test their cars like what vat_man said.

Mine'll be the JDM EVO cause I don't get the US version here.
 
Same toss up here, I dreamed about having a S2000 since the day it came out. While I was looking for a new car, I also test drove that and the 350Z. Both cars are dreams to drive. I believe though that the 350z runs the Quarte Mile in 14.1 seconds if I remeber correctly. The reason I say this because I was looking at the SRT-4 at the time and it ran the quarter mile .1 seconds less then the 350z and these were factory specs. It maybe different because I am going by factory specs too.
 
I can assure that the SRT-4 is not going to hold up on the track. Its just not possible. Dodge may have made a FWD that accelerates in a straight line well. But FWD will never compare to RWD or even AWD as far as handling goes.
 
Originally posted by miata13B
I know it would not hold up on the track. Wrong Wheel Drive.
Click to expand...

Oh, but i've got a video clip of a certain, Japanese domestic market only, FWD 4 door sedan that hangs with an FD RX7 for about 3/4s of a lap around the Tsukuba racetrack... *cough*
r.gif
*cough*
 
Originally posted by miata13B
what FWD 4 door sedan? must be a honda with the type-R insignia right?
Click to expand...

Integra Type-R it is. I'm trying to remember where i found the vid, but i think it was on Kazaa. It's a 10mb file...

With a good chassis, FWD's still got loads of potential... Look at the old (and new) BTCC cars. FWD for the most part, and it wasn't uncommon to see a Peugeot 406 or a Honda Accord embarass a BMW.
 
I personally think the 350Z. It has a rich and nice history. When they brought it back it wasnt a REDESIGN, they made a new one that was just as good if not better than the previous models. Thats one of the reasons I like Nissan, they are innovative and keep evolving their vehicles and turning good ones as well. A nice balance between luxury and performance IMO :)...
 
Mazda RX-8 (250hp)
Beautiful design. Well, not really, but it sure is refreshing. As is the rotary. If you really need 4 seats in a coupe, I guess this is your best shot. Otherwise, it's like the ML55: Kind of an odd combination of parts, eh?

Nissan 350Z (290hp)
It's got the looks and performance of a great Z. However, I can't get past the fact that Nissan is pimping out that same 3.5L V6 to every damned model except the Sentra. It feels more like a truck engine to me. Even Chevy's 427 felt more racy. The total lack of anything special either inside or under the hood (spec's aside) make this a miss for me. Shame...I like the face....

Honda S2000 (240hp)
A track car in street's clothing. That engine is a peach. Everything the VQ35 is not; it practically defines motorsport. Heavy body bogs it down a bit, but this should be a prime candidate for a "Type R" edition. An S2000-R would be up there with the NSX as helping to define Asian sports cars.

Mitsubishi Evo 8 (270hp)
It's here, and I'm thankful for that. I have yet to even sit inside this one, but I have the feeling it will be much like my own WRX, if just a bit faster in a straight line. Mitsubishi really missed hitting a home run this time. They should not have been afraid to jack up the price (having included the AYC, etc.). Word has it that dealers are charging and extra US$10,000 to US$20,000. I hope the boycott works, because it's not worth that price.

Subaru Impreza WRX (230hp)
If you include the Evo, then you should include the WRX STi. I've said much about the WRX, which I like and own, but I think the STi could be a real monster on US soil. I can't think of anything at that price that can touch it. Tactility has never been a Subaru strong point, and the combination of that and US market demands may leave the feel out of this one, but that would be the only black mark on an otherwise perfect car.

IMO, of course.
 

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