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For those who aren't familar with "JDM", it means Japanese domestic market. I'm talking about cars/trucks/suvs/vans that were sold in Japan and not in the United States . . .
For starters, I love the 4WD Mitsubishi Delica vans. These were legit off-road vehicles, but in a van shape. They are about the size of the original Chrysler minivans, came in a couple of different wheelbases, had an optional crazy sunroof/half glass top config, were rather plush inside IMO, plus you could get them with manual transmissions, the 4wd was legit with a lever for the transfer case, 2wd, 4hi, and 4lo with manually locking hubs. Lift kits are abundant, so its easy to stick bigger mud tires under them. Granted they weren't fast, with the 4G63 gas 4 cylinder or a choice of 4 cylinder diesel or turbo-diesel(turbo-diesel is the way to go, as you don't lose power going up the mountain with increased elevation)
Giant Toyota Alphard/Vellfire vans. Their closest competitor would be the Honda Elysion which also isn't sold in North America. They're huge barges that can seat 7 in supreme comfort. Not fun to drive though, driving one is like driving a small bus. The 3.5 V6 lump makes it scoot but it's a thirsty beast; I've heard of a hybrid version that uses the Camry Hybrid drivetrain but I've never seen one.
The Crown and Crown Majesita are very nice cars, I'd take it over the US equivalent, the Camry based Lexus ES350. There is one model of Crown I really love though, just the styling, both in and out is just awesome. Plus it comes with the 1UZ-FE V8. The late 1980's/early 90's Toyota Crown Royal Saloon G V8. Its kind of like the Lexus LS400, but a bit smaller, and more "Brougham", with nice velour interior, thick, plush carpet, more chrome, boxier, more traditional, microwave digital readouts, but no stupid vinyl top. IMO if the Cadillac Seville wanted to go more modern and a bit smaller, this is the car they should have built. Its a great example of that Japanese bubble economy, hell lets build it just because, well why the hell not throw a V8 in it. This was also the first car to have a satellite navigation system installed in it, way back in 1989.
Speaking of that era, I also love the JDM R32 Nissan Skyline. Of course everybody knows about the almighty twin turbo, AWD, HICAS rear wheel steer, top of the line GT-R, which had an under-rated 276hp. That 276hp was a gentleman's agreement between Japanese manufacturers to avoid a horsepower war. Japan is a very strange culture when you look at this "rule"/"gentleman's agreement", because official published hp numbers met the spec, but cars of that 90's era were more than the 276hp agreed upon limit.
Anyways, I always loved the R32 generation Skyline, sedan, coupe, range topping GT-R, next step down GT-S(RWD, single turbo inline six instead of twin turbo, still a very fast car, same brakes, wheels, and tires as the GT-R if you selected the type M option), all of them were great looking, great performing cars.
The Crown and Crown Majesita are very nice cars, I'd take it over the US equivalent, the Camry based Lexus ES350. There is one model of Crown I really love though, just the styling, both in and out is just awesome. Plus it comes with the 1UZ-FE V8. The late 1980's/early 90's Toyota Crown Royal Saloon G V8. Its kind of like the Lexus LS400, but a bit smaller, and more "Brougham", with nice velour interior, thick, plush carpet, more chrome, boxier, more traditional, microwave digital readouts, but no stupid vinyl top. IMO if the Cadillac Seville wanted to go more modern and a bit smaller, this is the car they should have built. Its a great example of that Japanese bubble economy, hell lets build it just because, well why the hell not throw a V8 in it. This was also the first car to have a satellite navigation system installed in it, way back in 1989.
Would you take the Crown over its platform-mate, the Lexus GS?
Would you take the Crown over its platform-mate, the Lexus GS?
1992-1996 Lexus GS, Crown every day of the week. Never did care for the styling on that 1st gen GS/Aristo. Now if you gave me the option of JDM 1st gen Aristo with the 2JZ-GTE twin turbo Supra motor, hell yeah I'd take that every day of the week over a similar year Crown, I think you could only get a Crown with the 2JZ-GE, ie no turbo, like Lexus models in the US. 1997-2004 Lexus GS, 2nd gen, I'd take over a Crown though, the styling is a lot nicer IMO, still wish they had sold the 2nd gen GS with the 2JZ-GTE Supra motor like they did in Japan though.
See I always liked the R32 Skyline the best. Mainly because it was such a revolutionary car in terms of performance and technology. I mean who else was doing a twin turbo inline six with about 300hp, 8000rpm redline, AWD, rear wheel steering, ABS, all of this in 1989. That car was SO ahead of its time in so many areas IMO. Granted the R34 is an improved version, a lot of people like the styling of the R34, but the R32 was the real game changer. Plus just personally, I like the kind of boxy, angular styling of the R32 over the more rounded R34. Plus its a smaller car, lighter than the R34.
06-26-17, 09:35 PM
Your favorite JDM cars/trucks . . .
