Automotive Guilty Pleasures

[Niku Driver HC]

I would imagine that they would turn out great if they tried. Oh wait, Mclaren did actually have a crack at the Mustang once.
http://www.mustanglab.com/mclaren-m81-mustang/

Pity that they choose one of the least popular eras of the Mustang to try and cut their teeth into the muscle car biz. I bet a Mclaren-tuned GNX and/or Grand Prix would garner more interest. The price tag of the M80 didn't help, granted, but still...

 

[Mark II Blit]

Here's a very guilty pleasure of mine that I have lusted after for quite some time: the Mitsubishi Galant Sports GT.

Introduced in 1994, the Galant Sports came just in time to ride the profitable wave of RV models that were insanely popular in 1990's Japan ("RVブーム") and included a plethora of compact and mid-sized softroaders such as the Impreza Gravel Express and Toyota's Starlet Remix. These cars were usually equipped with a plastic bullbar, spotlights, and roof bars as standard to reflect the kind of active lifestyle that was in vogue at the time.

The Galant Sports, however, was unique in its segment. It was a jacked-up, 3-box executive car, antedating Subaru's Outback SUS by years. The GT was awfully potent, too. Its entire drivetrain was lifted from the Galant VR-4, that is to say a punchy, twin-turbo V6 producing 237 HP transmitted through an AWD system.

It ended up being a bit of an also-ran in its segment. They are expensive to maintain and run, and it's hard to like it for its looks. However, it's a weird period piece with an oddball status, which makes it hard for me to resist. The VR-4 drivetrain is also a wonderfully unexpected twist to such a freakish creation.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

Very interesting; it's like a blend of a RV-esque sedan and actual off-roading capabilities thanks to the VR-4 drivetrain. Although it's a pity that it didn't really succed in setting the segment on fire (not literally of course), I guess that it worked as a prelude of Subaru's Outback in some ways...

Also, I really need to check that Starlet Remix out, now that is the really curious RV-esque JDM car... A small car like the Starlet, trying to look off-road tough. Now ain't that cute?

 

[INEEDNAWZZZ]

For what it's worth, they did offer the Starlet with a 4WD system, but (predictably) it was Japan only. TRD offered a heap of rally parts such as sump and fuel tank guards as well, so they could have some use off road...

...I mean they looked tacky as hell, but they have their fans - including me, as to be expected.

 

[SVX]

Here's a very guilty pleasure of mine that I have lusted after for quite some time: the Mitsubishi Galant Sports GT.

Introduced in 1994, the Galant Sports came just in time to ride the profitable wave of RV models that were insanely popular in 1990's Japan ("RVブーム") and included a plethora of compact and mid-sized softroaders such as the Impreza Gravel Express and Toyota's Starlet Remix. These cars were usually equipped with a plastic bullbar, spotlights, and roof bars as standard to reflect the kind of active lifestyle that was in vogue at the time.

The Galant Sports, however, was unique in its segment. It was a jacked-up, 3-box executive car, antedating Subaru's Outback SUS by years. The GT was awfully potent, too. Its entire drivetrain was lifted from the Galant VR-4, that is to say a punchy, twin-turbo V6 producing 237 HP transmitted through an AWD system.

It ended up being a bit of an also-ran in its segment. They are expensive to maintain and run, and it's hard to like it for its looks. However, it's a weird period piece with an oddball status, which makes it hard for me to resist. The VR-4 drivetrain is also a wonderfully unexpected twist to such a freakish creation.

Friend of mine had an Impreza Gravel Express. Such a wonderfully obscure car.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

Friend of mine had an Impreza Gravel Express. Such a wonderfully obscure car.

I can tell, I had no clue those existed until now. And the name is tacky as all heck, but funny at the same time.

For what it's worth, they did offer the Starlet with a 4WD system, but (predictably) it was Japan only. TRD offered a heap of rally parts such as sump and fuel tank guards as well, so they could have some use off road...

View attachment 427129

View attachment 427130
...I mean they looked tacky as hell, but they have their fans - including me, as to be expected.

Well, I'm not entirely surprised that you would like to own such a car, considering the fact that you were once a Starlet owner yourself...

But yes, with a few parts, I can envision one of those being rather useful as an off-road car. Not a full 4x4, but a bit more Subaru Outback, which isn't a bad idea in my eyes. And well, most RV-esque JDM cars were incredibly tacky, it has to be said. They weren't the most subtle cars, design wise...

 

[MiniM00S3]

Underglow neon (don't kill me :@)

I think it looks awesome when done right, but unfortunately the ricers like it too >:\

 

[Mark II Blit]

Friend of mine had an Impreza Gravel Express. Such a wonderfully obscure car.

Easily another guilty pleasure of mine and definitely one of the funkiest cars of the RV craze. Its charming but awkward looks really belie its performance roots. I would own one in a heartbeat, but alas, you NZers get to have all the fun!

So active! So sporty! So 90s!

 

[SVX]

Easily another guilty pleasure of mine and definitely one of the funkiest cars of the RV craze. Its charming but awkward looks really belie its performance roots. I would own one in a heartbeat, but alas, you NZers get to have all the fun!

So active! So sporty! So 90s!

Just out of curiosity I decided to see if there were actually any for sale here, and as a matter of fact there is! Sadly missing the front nudge bar, but funnily enough, there's one of those for sale too...

 

[Mark II Blit]

Just out of curiosity I decided to see if there were actually any for sale here, and as a matter of fact there is! Sadly missing the front nudge bar, but funnily enough, there's one of those for sale too...

Would buy even though it's the (if I'm not mistaken) less powerful automatic. Sure, you'd have to acquire the nudge bar and preferably the rear-mounted spare separately for a few extra dollars, but it's still awfully cheap for such a competent, wonderfully quirky car.

 

[Aesthetics]

Don't kill me.

The only thing preventing me from liking it fully is that it isn't RWD.

 

[TexRex]

Ugly on a profound level--particularly with the Landau--but still...

 

[homeforsummer]

For what it's worth, they did offer the Starlet with a 4WD system, but (predictably) it was Japan only. TRD offered a heap of rally parts such as sump and fuel tank guards as well, so they could have some use off road...

I didn't know such a thing existed, but I'm quite pleased I now do. There's something quite appealing about small cars with all-wheel drive - I think it's the affordability factor, combined with the fact that light weight and good traction should make them pretty useful in snow.

While we're on the subject, I'd throw a bunch of other all-wheel drive superminis onto the "guilty pleasure" pile - the Subaru Justy, Suzuki Ignis and Swift 4x4s, Daihatsu Sirion Rally 4, Panda 4x4, any all-wheel drive kei car...

Underglow neon

There's something quite nostalgic about it, certainly. I think the problem at the time wasn't so much the glow, as what the glow was emanating from...

Don't kill me.

Quite like these too. I'm under no illusions about its crapness, but I just quite like the way they look. Call it unfamiliarity.

 

[INEEDNAWZZZ]

I didn't know such a thing existed, but I'm quite pleased I now do. There's something quite appealing about small cars with all-wheel drive - I think it's the affordability factor, combined with the fact that light weight and good traction should make them pretty useful in snow.

Should point out that the Starlet Remix wasn't the only 4WD model; the regular looking version was available and is identical to the cars we got over here. Barring the badging, the only way you could tell was from the larger trim around the handbrake, presumably to fit the transfer case. People have imported a few to UK, although they command fairly high prices. And sure enough, most people just stuff Glanza engines in them the moment they arrive off the boat. Sounds brilliant for sure, but an unmolested one would be an interesting little daily hack as well.

While we're on the subject, I'd throw a bunch of other all-wheel drive superminis onto the "guilty pleasure" pile - the Subaru Justy, Suzuki Ignis and Swift 4x4s, Daihatsu Sirion Rally 4, Panda 4x4, any all-wheel drive kei car...

I think a kei car is next on my bucket list. Sure, spare parts are a bit tricky, but as long as you find a good one (which, given its niche type of owner over here, wouldn't be too hard) you'd probably do alright. They just go for a bit much is all. Copens are relatively inexpensive though, and are by far the easiest to get a hold of.

I did consider a Justy as my first car, but it was snubbed before I had a chance to look at it. Apparently the ratio of Swift to Justy was something like 25:1, so it would've been a nice oddball choice. Sirion Rally 4s seem tempting, but they supposedly aren't quite as good as they would seem on paper. They did offer the regular, no-frills Sirion over here with 4WD (amazingly) though, and people say they're hard to beat as a cheap winter runabout.

 

[homeforsummer]

And sure enough, most people just stuff Glanza engines in them the moment they arrive off the boat.

I've just spent the last hour or so in a Wiki/internet hole looking into, among other things, Glanzas. They're dirt cheap in Japan at the moment, to the point I suspect you could actually import a pristine one for similar money to what people are asking for them in the UK. Which brings me onto...

I think a kei car is next on my bucket list. Sure, spare parts are a bit tricky, but as long as you find a good one (which, given its niche type of owner over here, wouldn't be too hard) you'd probably do alright. They just go for a bit much is all. Copens are relatively inexpensive though, and are by far the easiest to get a hold of.

Again, it's surprising what's available in Japan. I regularly browse a site called Tradecarview for weird and wonderful Japanese domestic stuff. Went through a stage a year or two ago - and to be honest, a stage that hasn't really stopped - of wanting something like a Daihatsu Naked or Suzuki Lapin, which can be found for well under a grand.

I've not fully researched import costs - I'd estimate it'd add a couple of grand at least to ship, IVA, VAT and all the other stuff - but you'd end up with something rather interesting, cheapish to run, and there'll always be at least one other person in the country loony enough to snap it up if you got bored.

That's the man maths, anyway...

They did offer the regular, no-frills Sirion over here with 4WD (amazingly) though, and people say they're hard to beat as a cheap winter runabout.

Daihatsu has always been a bit weird and wonderful, which I love them for. YRV Turbo, anyone? It's a pity the financial crisis back in 07/08 and exchange rate fluctuations put paid to their presence in the UK. I'd love a go in the new Copen.

 

[INEEDNAWZZZ]

A YRV Turbo is something I've considered for a while. Its a turbo granny-spec hatchback with some silly decals, Altezza lights and a Subaru style bonnet scoop all there from the factory. Most are bright yellow as well. Its so ridiculously uncool that it warps back around into being ironically cool.

Daihatsu did officially import 100 Mira Avanzatos in to the UK back in around 1997 or 1998. 20 went off for motorsport prep and entered into a one-make series whereas the other 80 went to customers. They put the European-spec front bumper on as well as doing all of the mandatory stuff to get it legal for UK roads, so that saves some hassle of waiting around and jumping through red tape months in advance. They tend to change hands pretty frequently, not for any major issue I suspect, but more just because of developing tastes, etc.

Japanese auction sites have become mightily more interesting to me, as I now have the sort of funds where I could properly go for something interesting. The site's name escapes me, but I came across an EP80-chassis 4WD Starlet for $700, which translates into pounds as 'not a whole lot'. It was rammed full of stupidly rare options as well (factory seat doilies being the most notable one) and despite being graded as the lowest possible condition, it was unbelievably clean.

I may have to look into it a bit further in the future. Might just get something insane like a Nissan S-Cargo, which is another guilty pleasure of mine:

 

[Niku Driver HC]

Well, a loaded Starlet, with 4WD and most factory optional equipment for 700 bucks? Yup, that's an incredible bargain deal alright, especially if it's as clean as you say it is. Nevermind the low-grade condition, if in Japan most worn-out cars can still look brand new, their idea of "low-grade" is probably a B+ in our neck of the woods...

 

[ViscousTraction]

Forgot about one of my guiltiest automotive pleasures, but the CW thread reminded me.
The 1st gen Neon.

Along with the sedan.

 

[homeforsummer]

Daihatsu did officially import 100 Mira Avanzatos in to the UK back in around 1997 or 1998. 20 went off for motorsport prep and entered into a one-make series whereas the other 80 went to customers.

I have a friend who owned one for a while, and still regrets selling it. Crazy little thing.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

The Neon R/T 5MT coupes can be found for as little as 1500$ in California.. While they do have couple more creature comforts, they're still light and probably quite fun to drive.

 

[SVX]

All this talk about kei cars got me looking for some, and I'm so glad I did now:

1998 Mira Turbo.

Mod list (yes, a mod list of all things:

Link 3 computer ( with 5bar mod )
Upgraded turbo and injectors
Front mounted intercooler
NOS ( 2 bottles included )
Paddle clutch
Heavy duty springs
Improved exhaust system including manifold

All yours for $5,900 ono.

Which brings me on to another guilty pleasure: tri spokes. No matter if they're OEM, aftermarket or totally tasteless I have a complete soft spot for them.

 

[Legro]

Which brings me on to another guilty pleasure: tri spokes. No matter if they're OEM, aftermarket or totally tasteless I have a complete soft spot for them.

I must say I do like 3-spokes, but how well they look to me is more or less car based. I couldn't imagine myself owning an 900-onwards Saab or a Range Rover Classic without ending up with a set of some type of 3-spokes, but some other cars would look absolutely ridiculous with them.

 

[Wiegert]

Something I've never been too sure about are the 3-spoke OEM alloys you could get on the Mk 6 Escort Finesse. Great-looking on their own. But on a late Escort they seemed to be a bit of an odd fit.

I guess it did help freshen it up somewhat as the platform was getting long in the tooth by that point. Even after the Focus has already superceded it, right up until 2000.

 

[homeforsummer]

Something I've never been too sure about are the 3-spoke OEM alloys you could get on the Mk 6 Escort Finesse. Great-looking on there own. But on a late Escort they seemed to be a bit of an odd fit.

I always quite liked those alloys. They weren't exclusive to the Finesse either - I believe they started off on the Si (which sat below the GTi, which sat below the RS2000), and migrated down the range so they could flog a few last Escorts before the Focus arrived.

 

[Liquid]

Ever since GT1, I've had rather a soft spot for the first gen Mazda Demio. Always thought it's a handsome little chap and if it's a Mazda, probably a tidy package all-round to drive.

A few minor aesthetic changes:

Yes. Yes indeed. Even with those tiny shopping trolley wheels.

 

[Danny]

The older Lexus LSesesses, models:

&

I've always had a major and weird soft spot for Lexus, even the earlier ones that were hopelessly outclassed by the Germans and made into social anthrax by Alan Partridge. I'd have one in a heartbeat if it wouldn't put me into abject poverty.

 

[Adamgp]

Nissan Xterra (especially the 1st gen):

 

[INEEDNAWZZZ]

Ever since GT1, I've had rather a soft spot for the first gen Mazda Demio. Always thought it's a handsome little chap and if it's a Mazda, probably a tidy package all-round to drive.

I like the ones with the completely pointless faux bull bar and rear reflector strips.

 

[Legro]

Yes, original dealer/manufacturer/importer rear window stickers. There's just something about stopping behind some 80s or 90s hatch or saloon, and being able to read the line they used to advertise that car or in some cases even where it was originally sold.

 

[ilikewaffles11]

All this talk about kei cars got me looking for some, and I'm so glad I did now:

1998 Mira Turbo.

Mod list (yes, a mod list of all things:



All yours for $5,900 ono.

Which brings me on to another guilty pleasure: tri spokes. No matter if they're OEM, aftermarket or totally tasteless I have a complete soft spot for them.

You forgot one

SO 90s