Old School vs. New School

In this case, Old School isn't really that old, because I am speaking of the cars that dominated the US import scene in the 90s till this day. The cars I am speaking of are the Japanese Twin Turbos. The Toyota Supra Twin Turbo, Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, and the Mitsubishi 3000GT (GTO) VR4. But now there is a New School and these cars should not be taken lightly, and these cars I am speaking of are the Mitsubishi Evolution, Subaru WRX STI, Nissan 350Z, Mazda RX-8, and yes even the Mitsubishi turboed Dodge Neon SRT-4. The Old School has been around longer, so of course alot of Supras, RX-7s, and etc. are in the 12s, 11s, and 10s street legal. But what's impressive is the number of New School cars that are in the 12s, 11s, and yes some in the 10s, and they haven't even been around in the USA for more than 2 years. I hear less and less about the Old School, and more and more pages of the tuning magazines are being dedicated to the New Class. What do you think as far as just performance (meaning no styling or etc.)? Do you think the New Class is now the king of imports? If not now, 2 years from now, will the New School take out the Old School? Is there a day when the EVO and STI will strike more fear at a drag strip than a Supra or RX-7?

...no stock street japan car runs 10's stock! or even 11's. but i would give my vote to the new skool! more advanced technology. just a quick example: the 300ZX TT runs 14's. 3.0l Twin Turbo. new skool! the 350Z runs 14's with just .5l of more displacement and no turbos! evo and STi are not really drag cars, and i doubt they will ever beat a fixed up drag supra! supras are one of the best drag racing imports!(japanese).

...no stock street japan car runs 10's stock! or even 11's. but i would give my vote to the new skool! more advanced technology. just a quick example: the 300ZX TT runs 14's. 3.0l Twin Turbo. new skool! the 350Z runs 14's with just .5l of more displacement and no turbos! evo and STi are not really drag cars, and i doubt they will ever beat a fixed up drag supra! supras are one of the best drag racing imports!(japanese).

Um who said stock???

Um who said stock???
um, if a car is faster stock, what makes you think it wont be faster after tuned????

um, if a car is faster stock, what makes you think it wont be faster after tuned????

I'm not sure what you are saying? I remember you typed that no stock Japanese car will run 10s, and yeah I know that. I never said any of the cars in my post ran 10s, 11s, or 12s stock. Please re-read the the post carefully, cuz I meant Old School cars are running 10s, 11s, and 12s tuned and so are New School cars, stock was never mentioned

The new school car's are, but I'd still take the Supra anyday over the new ones, unless I am track racing. The Lancer Evo is a sick track car, and would be my choice for that. For power and speed, Supra for sure. I'd take a 300ZX over a Neon SRT-4, it's RWD. I don't care for the RX-8, it's underpowered for compared to what it should have been, I'd take the RX-7 over that. I've heard of too many engine break in and water in the oil problems with the RX-8, the RX-7 is tried and true. I do like the Nissan 350Z, though I wish the compression was lower, which woul dbe good for adding boost. I don't really care for the USDM WRX STi, it's a Forestor motor on boost, and is not built like the JDM counterpart. The added power comes from the 2.5 liter motor, which isn't WRC specs. The JDM motor puts down a little less stock, but better internal mean more power is capable in the long run. If this were the JDM STi motor, I would think different, but we get the USDM STi motor over here, so I don't care for it. Besides, the Evo handles better.

I suppose my top 4 choices would be the Supra, Lancer Evo, 350Z, and 300ZX TT out of all of them. The STi, RX-8, RX-7 and SRT-4 arn't bad cars by any mean, don't get me wrong. However, I just perfer the above ones. Out of those last for, if I had the money to keep it going, I'd choose the RX-7. Still, all over the above cars are very good cars. Maybe I'm just partial the the cars I grew up with, but I perfer the old school.

i love the 300zx and the 350z. although the 350z is a great car, i would lean to get a 300zx tt. the 300zx's design is timeless, well, so is the 350z, but i like the 300zx better. lets put it at that.

other than the z's, i would definitely take old school. the evo, sti, and rx-8 are all four-doors, what the heck. and the srt-4 is fwd, what the heck. i believe that the new "sports cars" are going downhill. they might be getting faster, but c'mon now, four-doors and fwd? good thing the z car stayed with the 2-door rwd layout.

3000gt or GTO over any of those cars. Best looking car by far.

Since history tends to happen in cycles, I'd say we have hit another slump... I have to agree that all of the true muscle has been replaced by what the companies consider more refined alternatives. Toyota has no sports cars, Type R is definitely better than a Type S (Honda/Acura), and have you guys seen the all new civic Si. RX-7 is so much more badass than the RX-8. The big contenders are the classic TT cars, that is what gives a Japanese car its muscle. hopefully this trend will end soon enough.

I don't know freak, I like the 300zx design, but I really hate the 350z design. The two main things that bug me, is from the side, the shape of the roof, it bubbles up toward the front, and slants down toward the back. Sorry, not doing it for me. The other part, is the back bumper. It looks like a tall empty space from the back, not attractive in the least in my opinion. I love the Infinity G35 Coupe's design, people say it's the same, but it's not. It's the same basic layout and engine, but with 2 more seats, and they fixed BOTH those things in the G35 design, and the G45's tail lights and rear wing are a hell of a lot more attractive than the 350z.

So in the case of the Nissan Z car, I'd definitely say old school, but for everything else, eh, I'm not going to judge, not much interest, so I'll leave it up to you folks.

another example that came to my mind! whats better? S13 SR20DET, or S15 SR20DET? what about a eclispe 4G63 or a EVO 4G63? newer gets better.

another example that came to my mind! whats better? S13 SR20DET, or S15 SR20DET? what about a eclispe 4G63 or a EVO 4G63? newer gets better.

You missed the point....by narrowing it to those motors.

First, in reference to the Eclispe 4G63...tje older Eclispe 4G63's, the 6-bolt desgin, is better than the newer Eclipse 7-bolt 4G63...in this case, the OLDER Eclispe motor is better than the NEWER Eclispe motor. The 7-bolt tend to get crankwalk...a bad thing...I havn't heard of this problem in the Evo 4G63...but that doesn't mean newr is always better....after all, the 1st gen DSM 4G63 is better than the 2nd gen DSM 4G63...

Now, secondly...newer is not better....Name me the replacement for the Supra....There is none. Is the RX-8 Better than the RX-7? Most of use don't think so. For one, many RX-8 owner seems to have issues with the motor oil getting water in it and becomes a whitish goo as a result...Not good. Second, the power output at the flywheel isn't much improved over the TT RX-7. I'd take the RX-7 any day. For one, the oil issue wasn't there...for 2, it was turbocharged. I don't give a rip idf they "basically got the same power out of the same sized motor but without a turbo, as a N/A motor." Well, good for the engineers. However, you can modify the RX-7 to handle way more power than the RX-8...for one, it was made for boost, unlike the RX-8. Turbo's are what propell these motors into monster power numbers...As for the 300Z-350Z, don't get me wrong, I love the 350Z, but again...the 300ZX TT was built for boost. The 350Z wasn't. In the end, you can throw more boost and get more power out of the 300ZX...and both can handle well. Again, it's the "without boost" agruement with the power, but I like the boost. If you want 400HP out of these motors, that's what you'll need, and the 300ZX is built for this. As for the VR-4 3000GT...that was one heck of a car...and like the Supra...no newer one. Even if they make a new one, much like with Mustangs, the Newer isn't necessarily better. The older mustangs kick the pants out of most newer ones...It would be the same with a new Supra or 3000GT. I don't care if they use "newer techonlogy," that itself won't make it better, and I'd still take the old ones.

If you think newer is always better, good for you. That leave one more Supra or one more 300ZX out there looks for a good home...which means one more for me to consider buying. Those older Japanese Sports Cars would kick the pants out of almost any of the newer ones. You say newer is better, but I'll take a Supra and that stout motor over any of the others any day.

I was trying to say that beofre, for some reason Japanese producers are going toward Honda-like, n/a high compression power applications, but those can only be taken so far, unless you want to go to a machine shop for some serious work, But all the Big Dog's, the 700hp, 800hp imports are the TT ones of the 90s.

I was trying to say that beofre, for some reason Japanese producers are going toward Honda-like, n/a high compression power applications, but those can only be taken so far, unless you want to go to a machine shop for some serious work, But all the Big Dog's, the 700hp, 800hp imports are the TT ones of the 90s.

I agree with you, there is a 800WHP RX-8 out there, but they replaced the newer RX-8 engine with the RX-7 engine. I guess they knew there was no way they could make that type of power with the RX-8 engine. Well who knows maybe one day they could make that type of power with RX-8 engine, but that day hasn't arrived yet.

well i consider the RX-7 and RX-8 2 totally different things. the RX-8 is not an exotic car like the RX-7. share similar engines, thats it.
as for the new vs old, i once read in a mag.."if the newer cars cannot beat the old cars, maybe the company doesnt deserve to built cars." i read this in a 5.0 mag where they raced a old mach1 and a new mach1. guess who won! with a smaller engine! the NEW one. and wait until the supra comes back again. wanna bet money itll be faster than the old one? i got my money on the new one. im sure the 1st year wont have boost,(like the 350), but as soon as they come up with some boost, bye bye 2JZ. same for the Skyline. even in the JGTC, they replaced the old loved RB26 with the new VQ35. im telling you..if the car companies want to sell cars, they need to get better and better! anybody agree?

i agree the companies need to get better and better. the performance of cars are getting better, but i think the styling isn't as good as old school. new cars are starting to look really tall. i'm not saying that new cars look bad, i am just saying that old school cars look better. ex. 300zx looks better than 350z---rx-7 looks better than rx-8---evo and sti just look to much like a econo-box to me

But the new 350Z went to a honda-like high compression n/a motor. I'm also asking how anyone can think that all these new n/a cars can hang w/ TT cars... so what, the new Supra will be a 4.0 n/a I6 making 300HP. Where are you gonna go from there.

i can't remember the exact number but i know my 300zx has over 10.0:1 compression. but i think companies are going to higher compression engines because they recognize they can get more horsepower out of it and with the new technologies today, engines are more reliable so they can push the engines more.

But the new 350Z went to a honda-like high compression n/a motor. I'm also asking how anyone can think that all these new n/a cars can hang w/ TT cars... so what, the new Supra will be a 4.0 n/a I6 making 300HP. Where are you gonna go from there.
lets say it comes with a 4.0l 6in-line. 300hp? thats alot already. you can always supercharge it! im guesing itll bump you up to high 300's with just a supercherger! or even TT! some people just like N/A. and not everyone who gets a supra(like a 40 year old lady) is gonna race her supra! so thats why you have a base model one with perhaps a n/a 4.0l 6 in-line, and then for those little rich kids who want a nice fast ride, you have a 4.0l 6i Twin Turbo! and if not, theres always HKS, GReddy or someone who will! and about the looks... i actually see the 300ZX and 350Z as 2 beautiful, different cars! lets say a integra for example! back in the days it was a ugly econobox! real ugly one! then now days, you have a RSX(same thing,diff name) looking so nice! who thinks the integras from the 80's look better than a RSX??

You missed the point, you can't boost an n/a 300HP motor... it makes all that power due to high compression, most likely over 10. In contrast, an FI motor wants to have a Comp Ratio of 8.4, that is the ideal, but close can be good enough. Making power from high compression is the exact opposite of making it from boost. Any of the new High Comp engine would require a rebuild to make them take FI. If we are going into to complete rebuilds we loose the meaningfulness of this comparo because you could rebuild anything to whatever you want, if you have $$$. I'd rather have a RX-7 TT two-seater exotic ANYDAY than a Saturn Door-style BS RX-8.

Nacho Nissan, you are completly missing the points here...

You can't just "or even TT" these newer cars. Even when you thorw the boost one, you can ONLY GO LOW BOOST. THEY ARE MADE FOR N/A. This means a HIGH COMPRESSION RATIO. THIS IS BAD FOR FORCED INDUCTION. The motors can't handle much boost without blowing. The POwer numbers you statement as examples are the MAX POWER you MIGHT GET..and for your info, the greddy TT kit for the 350Z ($6000) puts down about 350WHP...and that's about the max you'll safely get out of the 350Z without blowing the motor. Now, that's just bairly the start with a Supra, and it won't cost much to get there to boot...same goes for the RX-7, that's the start of what they can do. The 300ZX can get into the 400HP's easy...again...350HP is the start of what it can do. You are blindly refusing to see that the playing feild isn't balenced, these older TT cars can SIMPLE HANDLE MORE POWER without blowing the motor...PERIOD.

The RX-7 was AN EXOTIC CAR BECAUSE THE TUNERS WHO BUILD IT MADE IT THAT WAY....THE RX-8 OWES DRIECT LINIAGE TO THE RX-7...IF YOU TELL MAZDA YOU CAN'T COMPARE THE 2, THEY'LL TELL YOU YOU'RE ON CRACK. The older RX-7's weren't conisdered Exotic, it was the last gen...and that earned the rep because the the people who hard grown to love the old Rotary build some builtiful and powerful turbo'd cars. Also, the RX-7 is part of this dissucssion, read the VERY FIRST POST. It is fully relevent to discuss them in this thread and compare them to others. You must remember what this thread is about.

As for the Mach 1, if that's the case, it's a testimest to the tuners skills. I know of several older mustangs that will beat the crap out of almost ANY of the new ones. It's all about the builder, not the age. Any skilled engine builder can take a motor and build it up. But at the limit, I'd feel better with the Older Mach 1...it was more capable of high power...but you want to compare old and new fords...the Old Cobra was massivly detuned from the factory...not much tuning was required to seriously boost the output withouth mods...The new cobra may have power, but if you are seriously tuning and modifying both to the limits, the older one will blow the newer ones doors off...Caroll Shebly new his stuff. Also, if you know anything about FORD's, you'll know the newer Mach 1's can't go more than 80,000 miles before the motot blows on boost (supercharger, turbo, etc)...why...the comperssion is too high...again...this wasn't an issue with the older TT Japanese Big Dogs. Like it or not, the RX-8 was origanally made to be Mazda's RX-7 replacement. There is no New Supra yet, so don't speculate. You are missing the whole point...this thread was about which are better pefromance and mod wise...so the old lady with the N/A Supra is not part of this discussion...or course different people like different cars...but this thread is abotu POWER and PERFORMANCE...do we like the Old School Japanese cars or the new ones...and the fact is, for high power and performance, you can't get the power N/A you can get on Boost...RX-7/RX-8, 300ZX, 350Z, even N/A Supra TT Supra. It holds true...just because it's newer doesn't mean better.

The comment about about the RX-7/RX-8, r u talking to me... I hate the new RX-8, the RX-7 is SOOOOOO much better.

Nacho Nissan, you are completly missing the points here...

You can't just "or even TT" these newer cars. Even when you thorw the boost one, you can ONLY GO LOW BOOST. THEY ARE MADE FOR N/A. This means a HIGH COMPRESSION RATIO. THIS IS BAD FOR FORCED INDUCTION. The motors can't handle much boost without blowing. The POwer numbers you statement as examples are the MAX POWER you MIGHT GET..and for your info, the greddy TT kit for the 350Z ($6000) puts down about 350WHP...and that's about the max you'll safely get out of the 350Z without blowing the motor. Now, that's just bairly the start with a Supra, and it won't cost much to get there to boot...same goes for the RX-7, that's the start of what they can do. The 300ZX can get into the 400HP's easy...again...350HP is the start of what it can do. You are blindly refusing to see that the playing feild isn't balenced, these older TT cars can SIMPLE HANDLE MORE POWER without blowing the motor...PERIOD.

The RX-7 was AN EXOTIC CAR BECAUSE THE TUNERS WHO BUILD IT MADE IT THAT WAY....THE RX-8 OWES DRIECT LINIAGE TO THE RX-7...IF YOU TELL MAZDA YOU CAN'T COMPARE THE 2, THEY'LL TELL YOU YOU'RE ON CRACK. The older RX-7's weren't conisdered Exotic, it was the last gen...and that earned the rep because the the people who hard grown to love the old Rotary build some builtiful and powerful turbo'd cars. Also, the RX-7 is part of this dissucssion, read the VERY FIRST POST. It is fully relevent to discuss them in this thread and compare them to others. You must remember what this thread is about.

As for the Mach 1, if that's the case, it's a testimest to the tuners skills. I know of several older mustangs that will beat the crap out of almost ANY of the new ones. It's all about the builder, not the age. Any skilled engine builder can take a motor and build it up. But at the limit, I'd feel better with the Older Mach 1...it was more capable of high power...but you want to compare old and new fords...the Old Cobra was massivly detuned from the factory...not much tuning was required to seriously boost the output withouth mods...The new cobra may have power, but if you are seriously tuning and modifying both to the limits, the older one will blow the newer ones doors off...Caroll Shebly new his stuff. Also, if you know anything about FORD's, you'll know the newer Mach 1's can't go more than 80,000 miles before the motot blows on boost (supercharger, turbo, etc)...why...the comperssion is too high...again...this wasn't an issue with the older TT Japanese Big Dogs. Like it or not, the RX-8 was origanally made to be Mazda's RX-7 replacement. There is no New Supra yet, so don't speculate. You are missing the whole point...this thread was about which are better pefromance and mod wise...so the old lady with the N/A Supra is not part of this discussion...or course different people like different cars...but this thread is abotu POWER and PERFORMANCE...do we like the Old School Japanese cars or the new ones...and the fact is, for high power and performance, you can't get the power N/A you can get on Boost...RX-7/RX-8, 300ZX, 350Z, even N/A Supra TT Supra. It holds true...just because it's newer doesn't mean better.
ok,i got your point! but why cant you get mine?? is it soo hard? let me try one more time! the Z32 was introduced in the 1991! did it come with a turbo back then? no. it was a few years later till it came with the VG30DETT! so what makes you think the 350Z wont come with a VQ35DETT in a few years?? you cant compare the VG30DETT wo the VQ35DE. thats my point! you can tho, compare the VG30DE to the VQ35DE. and about mazda, no-one in this world would rather have a RX-8 than a RX-7 because IT IS NOT THE SAME CAR!!!! the RX-8 is a 4-door car! WTF? it doesnt even look as good as the RX-7. maybe it was made to replace the RX-7, but it will never be replaced in no-ones eyes! and yall are also basing your opinions on looks! you just quoted "but this thread is abotu POWER and PERFORMANCE.." some of you are talking about how the 300ZX looks better than a 350Z and that why yall voted for "old skool". until nissan doesnt boost the 350z from the factory, you cant compare them!

the RX-7 is more than just looks... being a two-seater makes it a "true" sports car. Also, it is one of the very FEW cars that have a perfect 50/50 weight ratio, making in one of the best handling cars as well... all around this was a PERFORMANCE car only... now it is replaced by a more comfortable alternative.

I want to know when in the hell did a group of cars that STAYED IN PRODUCTION 'til the turn of the millenium become old school?

Seriously, come up with a new word. Old school is Mikuni carburettors and ANSA exhausts. Old school is fiberglass being the radical material. Old school is 15inch 3piece Panasports on centre lock wheels wrapped in bias-ply Dunlops. Old school is manual steering, Koni shocks, LEAF SPRINGS, and Old school is wringing the most out of a car while spending the least.

It's not ordering parts out of a catalog, it's fabrication, machining, and effort. Old School is a rock solid ride and atrocious wet weather handling. Old school is wicked turbo lag and overrun, and a preference for natural aspiration.

No EFI wearing, computer controlled suspension, active aerodynamic, sequential turbocharger, digital dashboard, tunable muffler, all wheel drive, all wheel steering, ABS machine is old school. You want old school? Go SA22C RX-7 shopping, or 240Z, or Toyota Celica Supra.

God, kids these days. My car doesn't even have fluid shocks and they're calling 3000GT VR-4's old school.

I want to know when in the hell did a group of cars that STAYED IN PRODUCTION 'til the turn of the millenium become old school?

Seriously, come up with a new word. Old school is Mikuni carburettors and ANSA exhausts. Old school is fiberglass being the radical material. Old school is 15inch 3piece Panasports on centre lock wheels wrapped in bias-ply Dunlops. Old school is manual steering, Koni shocks, LEAF SPRINGS, and Old school is wringing the most out of a car while spending the least.

It's not ordering parts out of a catalog, it's fabrication, machining, and effort. Old School is a rock solid ride and atrocious wet weather handling. Old school is wicked turbo lag and overrun, and a preference for natural aspiration.

No EFI wearing, computer controlled suspension, active aerodynamic, sequential turbocharger, digital dashboard, tunable muffler, all wheel drive, all wheel steering, ABS machine is old school. You want old school? Go SA22C RX-7 shopping, or 240Z, or Toyota Celica Supra.

God, kids these days. My car doesn't even have fluid shocks and they're calling 3000GT VR-4's old school.
sorry mr smartie! our knowledge might not be all the way up there with you! but for us.. a car that has not been produced for 8 years is old skool! what else can it be called? and your car is just prehistoric! the comparison is between the last generation and the one before that! yes..kids these days...and also..mods these days...they already forgot when they entered the forums for 1st time not knowing sh!t! :uhoh: sorry again mr!

:grinno: sheesh, old people...



:p j/k keeper, lol

The comment about about the RX-7/RX-8, r u talking to me... I hate the new RX-8, the RX-7 is SOOOOOO much better.

No, my comment was to Nacho Nissan. Even though some people claim no connection between the RX-8 and RX-7, there is one to Mazda. It was Mazda's replacement, whether we like it or not. Just like the 300ZX was replaced by the 350Z. Now he might claim we "can't compare them" because oneis N/A and one is boosted. That's just BS...Mazda replaced the RX-7 with the RX-8, and Nissan the 300ZX TT with the 350Z. Do I like it, do most of us like this? No...but the fact remains these are the replacement cars. That being said, that is a prefectly good reason to compare them. Me, I'll take the RX-7 and 300ZX. BTW....the last gen 300ZX TT was 90-96 Nacho Nissan.

Nacho Nissan, I didn't "grasp your point" becuase it keeps changing. First it was New School is better, always. Then it's, well, even trough new school isn't boosted, they are still better, then just add boost!!!! "Maybe even a TT!!" Then it changes to "you can't compare old and new school!!! or..."They are different, 2, 4 doors, etc..no boost, etc."

The point is, this thread is "old school vs new school." Buy the very nature of the thread topic...WE ARE SUPPOSED TO COMPARE THEM. Now, why don't I "grasp your point?" It's because you don't have one, your opinion changes with each post, depending on what others have said, disproved and said etc. Your point keeps changing each post based on what others say. Why should I respect and "grasp" a point that flexs like rubber?

BTW...Layla's Keeper...I agree with you on the "true" old school japanase cars and the meaning of old school. I wouldn't call a Supra old school just becasue it hasn't been in production for 8 years...the 1st gen RX-7, early Supra's, Corrilla AE86, 240Z...those ARE the true old school cars. All this calling the 93-96 RX-7, the 90-96 300ZX, the last gen Supra...those arn't old school. Those are great cars that were cut from the prodcution line-up. They'll be old school someday, not yet. Heck, the NA Supra motor is still produced and sold new....as a Lexus IS 300 motor...gee....some "old school" when you can go buy a car with the same N/A motor new off a lot today. Just because production ceeses doesn't make it old school. Old school is when it's old enough the technolgy differs significantly, i.e...fuel injection vs carberators, Early Supra Corrillas versus last gen Supras, 1st gen RX-7 vs last gen, etc...

In this case, Old School isn't really that old, because I am speaking of the cars that dominated the US import scene in the 90s till this day. The cars I am speaking of are the Japanese Twin Turbos. The Toyota Supra Twin Turbo, Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, and the Mitsubishi 3000GT (GTO) VR4. But now there is a New School and these cars should not be taken lightly, and these cars I am speaking of are the Mitsubishi Evolution, Subaru WRX STI, Nissan 350Z, Mazda RX-8, and yes even the Mitsubishi turboed Dodge Neon SRT-4. The Old School has been around longer, so of course alot of Supras, RX-7s, and etc. are in the 12s, 11s, and 10s street legal. But what's impressive is the number of New School cars that are in the 12s, 11s, and yes some in the 10s, and they haven't even been around in the USA for more than 2 years. I hear less and less about the Old School, and more and more pages of the tuning magazines are being dedicated to the New Class. What do you think as far as just performance (meaning no styling or etc.)? Do you think the New Class is now the king of imports? If not now, 2 years from now, will the New School take out the Old School? Is there a day when the EVO and STI will strike more fear at a drag strip than a Supra or RX-7?

i thought he made it pretty clear what "old school" and "new school was" if you dont like this thread then make your own, we're debating about the old cars, and their new replacments

God, kids these days. My car doesn't even have fluid shocks and they're calling 3000GT VR-4's old school.


You consider the late 70s and 80s old school?

Nah, mate. Old school is the 60s and 70s! The 80s are best remember as something that didnt happen.

You consider the late 70s and 80s old school?

Nah, mate. Old school is the 60s and 70s! The 80s are best remember as something that didnt happen.

:rofl:

But this isn't the issue being debated, the thread starter defined old school for the purposes of this thread, so if you want to be part of this discussion you accept the parameters he set up!

the last gen 300ZX TT was 90-96 Nacho Nissan.
...i dont think so!

I don't get why when someone asks for an opinion of one or the other, there are always people that come in here to get all technical about everything. Like it makes them feel good that they can come in and talk like they know better than everyone else and we are in a need to hear what they have to say. Oh well. :biggrin:

Usually the term applied is "Contemporary Classic".

Don't get me wrong, I like many of the cars outlined in this thread. What concerns me is a growing disregard for motoring heritage; the assumption that only the cutting edge is worthwhile, the belief that advanced technology is the only answer to the performance question.

Maybe it's because we don't live in an era that celebrates the triumphs of man and machine. Maybe it's because today's drivers aren't mythic figures. Maybe it's because of the cold, sterile, laboratory and marketing approach to design. I don't know. But fuck it, modern cars are SOULLESS.

Yes, I'm aware of the fact that a Honda Odyssey is faster through the slalom than a Jaguar E-Type. Aware of the fact that an SRT-4 runs an equal 1/4mile to a Hemi Road Runner. Aware of the fact that modern cars are going faster more efficiently with better reliability than ever before.

But when you sit in them, they just plain don't talk to you the way a true classic does. There's this intangible quality missing to the way they drive. They took away the 911's floor hinged pedals and the Saab's sloped nose and hatchback so that they could sell more cars. Triumph, Austin-Healey, Marcos, MG, and Jensen all fell by the wayside. Morgan left the U.S.

Morgan, the Malvern Link stalwarts who've produced the EXACT SAME CAR since 1935 and still maintain a 3 year waiting list for the beloved V8 powered anachronism.

I've driven Panteras and 308's, I've hot lapped Mini Coopers S's (real Alec Issigonis designed Mini Coopers) and I've pushed ZR-1 Corvettes and Z32 300ZX's to their limits. I know the classics and the contemporaries alike. I'll say it loud and clear, I have NEVER enjoyed pushing a modern to it's limits the way I've enjoyed a true old school classic.

Previous generation is a good view of these cars. And of the previous generation of Japanese sports cars the FD3S is by far one of the most interesting. Nimble chassis, attractive lines, and good resale value. Spotty reliability though. Of all of them, it's most likely to become a classic as days go by because it's so unique amongst its peers. Instead of technical wizardry and electronic gizmos, the RX-7 used a classic sports car approach that would've made the late Colin Chapman proud.

It's a car I could see an unmolested example becoming a collectable as time goes on. However, considering that in Japan they were producing them as recent as 2000, I'd say that it's got a long way to go before it's a classic.

And, by the way Nacho Nissan, I was a motorsports journalist before I was posting on this site. Don't presume that I learned my knowledge here.

And, by the way Nacho Nissan, I was a motorsports journalist before I was posting on this site. Don't presume that I learned my knowledge here.
well yeah, but you werent born knowing were you? :rolleyes:

Layla's Keeper there is one very simple answer, in order to sell more and more cars they have been turned from an item of passion, into an every day appliance that is as easy to use as possible. There about as easy to get passionate about as a washing machine.

Aware of the fact that modern cars are going faster more efficiently with better reliability than ever before.


I kind of see what your saying but you said it yourself the modern cars are going faster more efficiently with better reliability than ever before, what more do you want, you say soul, I say you can't please everybody. Cars are getting better and that's not a bad thing, to me it's a good thing. Perhaps some things are taken away from a car that had been part of the car for years, such the Corvette pop up head lights, but if it's for the better of the car then I see nothing wrong with going faster more efficiently with better reliability than ever before.

Well as Layla said its true modern cars often lack the personalities of the ond ones.

That is the result of economics, most cars nowadays are designed by the Accounting and Marketing departments, engineering is just something they push around.


Back then a lot more cars were actually designed by engineers, however we all know what happened to most of those companies.....

however we all know what happened to most of those companies.....

They were bought by Honda, who sold them to BMW who sold them to bunch of english blokes with dreams and a few quid.

They were bought by Honda, who sold them to BMW who sold them to bunch of english blokes with dreams and a few quid.
And a sizeable garden shed ;)

They were bought by Honda, who sold them to BMW who sold them to bunch of english blokes with dreams and a few quid.


something along those lines





:biggrin:

...i dont think so!

Are you on something?? The Z32, Fairlady Z, 90-96 300ZX...whatever name you wish to call it, those had a Twin Turbo model. If you don't think so, then you are just plain thinking wrong....call up Nissan and ask them if you don't believe me, or go and look at one yourself. The bottom line is Fact....the Z32 300ZX (90-96 in the US, was made a few years longer in Japan) came with an option for a TT model, period. Yes, there was a naturally asperiated trim model, but the 300ZX also came with a Twin Turbo model. Don't you ever read anything like Sport Compact Car? Go to car shows? See or Driven one? Looked at used cars? That's plain fact, the 300ZX TT came as a Twin Turbo stock, it was a model option. The USDM 2+2 300ZX never came with the TT option, only the 2 seater. If you don't believe me, then do the research, or ask this board...because that is the plain cold hard simple truth.

The 2+2 300zx came with a twin turbo option in Japan at least.

The 2+2 300zx came with a twin turbo option in Japan at least.

Well, that would of been nice if Nissan USA had thought about that here....the US ones never did....of course, the US cut the 300ZX in 96 too and Japan kept it until around 99 or so.

As a reply to the first post, I dont think that these new cars are dominating the import scene. When you say import that tunes me in to all cars made outside of America. Your completely skipping what Europe has to offer and the results are better than these new Jap. Imports. Im not saying they are no good cause they can run circles around most cars, but they arent dominating the import scene. :grinno:

I think it is just that as common slang, "import" usually refers to something from the Far East, while more expensive/luxurious European cars are actually refered to by name.

HiMoe is the Founder of Mansour Engineering Ltd. He founded the company in 1978, and has extensive experience in mechanical system design, temperature control system design, industrial facilities design and field analysis of mechanical systems. His experience includes new and retrofit design, facility engineering in hospital design, office buildings, high-rise buildings and special projects. His field experience with construction support and commissioning services has given him a comprehensive and practical approach to the solution of design problems. click here to go to Mansour Engineering (http://www.mansour.ca)http://www.mansour.ca

i have been accepted at osgoode and ottawa --- i want to go to a school that is committed to feminist legal theory and practice...anyone wanna weigh in on what they know about either of the big Os?

um, if a car is faster stock, what makes you think it wont be faster after tuned????

Because some cars are more highly tuned from the factory and leave less on the table. An r34 skyline is rated at under 300hp in stock form, but when built can easily reach 4 digits. An STI makes over 300, but when tuned the r34 would dominate the scooby.

I vote Old School.
Love the RX-7.