Best looking Japanese car

[omicron]

The problem with Japanese cars is that too many people ruin them by stapling neon haemorrhoids and chrome bedpans to them, as if replicating thrombosed veins clad in medical supplies is somehow desirable.

[cawimmer430]

1987-1993 Mitsubishi Galant VR4/GTI - looked completely different from your generic 1980s/1990s Japanese car. The design has aged well and still looks great today.




1992-1999 Mitsubishi Pajero Super Exceed - still the most beautiful SUV ever created.

[omicron]

I'll grant you the Galant VR-4, Wims - that's a handsome little compact sedan. Very Datsun 1600-esque. But an early Pajero?

[cawimmer430]

I'll grant you the Galant VR-4, Wims - that's a handsome little compact sedan. Very Datsun 1600-esque. But an early Pajero?

The Pajero is hot. We used to have one with the 99-hp 2.5 turbodiesel engine. Great car.  

And it looks awesome. I especially like it in Super Exceed trim.

[omicron]

Some of the '80s Japanese efforts are particularly striking in that sharp-edged origami-esque sort of way:





The lovely FC RX-7 deserves mention, too.

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[sportyaccordy]

Thread makes me realize how derivative Japanese designs are. Still good looking though

[Northlands]

 My favorite.



I still really like these:

[SVT666]

The Toyota 2000GT would make my list if it weren't for those horrific headlights.

[rohan]

The Pajero is hot. We used to have one with the 99-hp 2.5 turbodiesel engine. Great car. 

And it looks awesome. I especially like it in Super Exceed trim.

Not really.  Just a square boxy suv in fact it's pretty ugly if you want the truth.

[ChrisV]

God damn, that's a fine looking car. Mazda was making some of the best looking cars back then.

Damn, we are in agreement. I LOVE the Cosmo.

[ChrisV]

That's a great looking car.  I want one in a really bad way, but I can't find any that are well...still with us.

Head on down to Washington State. My sister's got 3 of them, and I've seen quite a few running around there as daily drivers.

[shp4man]

Nobody has nominated the stunningly attractive F-10? 

[Vinsanity]

I kinda like the tapered/rounded rear theme from the early 90's; it looked elegant at the time, and still has a little bit of a quirky charm today:





bonus points to both cars for being RWD

[Onslaught]

I still think both those ^^^ cars look good today. But the 929 just had no room inside because of that very same reason.

[2o6]

WHY WAS THIS NOT SOLD HERE!?

[Byteme]

This Miata



1995 Miata M Edition.  I may be getting one.  The 97 in the garage thread fell through

[Vinsanity]

I still think both those ^^^ cars look good today. But the 929 just had no room inside because of that very same reason.

in a way, the 929 and J30 are more elegant than today's premium sedans. but like you said with the 929, the J30 alas had the same problem. RWD + swoopy rear end = cramped back seat.

[Laconian]

Cosmo!!! I love the rear half of that car so much.

[Vinsanity]

this is probably one of, if not my favorite retro design, from any country



it's a much braver approach to retro than the PT Cruiser, et. al., but not as kitschy as the infamous Mitsuokas.

[Onslaught]

This Miata



1995 Miata M Edition.  I may be getting one.  The 97 in the garage thread fell through

Those kick the ass by the way. Do get it.

[Atomic]

my 1990 nissan maxima in a limited edition "sand gray" color with deep maroon seats was my very favorite car to drive.

i love the current mazda miata.

the honda s2000 was a stunning car.

the initial honda prelude really turned me on to honda's back then.

the toyota mr2 is a perennial favorite of mine.

the first ever infiniti q45 is probably my favorite japanese sedan of all time- the interior and exterior both - exquisite!

[Byteme]

Those kick the ass by the way. Do get it.

I'm in the process of negotiating it as we speak.  Hoping to get it for $3,800.  It's cherry with 62,500 miles.  Does need the 60K service though.  I wonder what that costs?

[Laconian]

I'm in the process of negotiating it as we speak.  Hoping to get it for $3,800.  It's cherry with 62,500 miles.  Does need the 60K service though.  I wonder what that costs?

Cost me around a grand. Timing belts, blah!

[hotrodalex]

Yes. A guy in my neighborhood has a race-prepped 240Z like that. Twin turbo, carbon fiber bits all around. It's pretty sweet.

Datsun 510 is on my list as well.

[Byteme]

Cost me around a grand. Timing belts, blah!

Was that parts and labor or just parts?  If I can rebuild a 4.2 L Jaguar engine I think I can do the timing belt on a Miata (I hope anyway).

[r0tor]

what comes first to my mind.....

- FD RX7
- Cosmos
- Angry Eye 240SX
- 22B Impreza STi
- Lance EVO 5
- IS-F
- LFA
- 2000GT

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Yes. A guy in my neighborhood has a race-prepped 240Z like that. Twin turbo, carbon fiber bits all around. It's pretty sweet.

Datsun 510 is on my list as well.

My grandfather had a 510. I learned how to drive in it. When I was in kindergarden I use sit on his lap and steer while he shifted. I remember him selling it fo 50 bucks cuz it was rusting to pieces. I also remember one Halloween some guys turned the car on its side at the train station.

[68_427]

How did I forget the 22b and Evo V?  I really like the P1 to.

[Mustangfan2003]

Amazing that even Toyota even made interesting cars at one time, what the heck happened?

[Cookie Monster]

Amazing that even Toyota even made interesting cars at one time, what the heck happened?

They decided to go from making sporty, legendary cars to becoming a profit machine and the world's largest automaker.

Unfortunately fun cars don't sell well.