Japantastic (56K warning)

[fbc]

^ Presumably to change road height significantly where space is restricted.

[hansvonaxion]

Yeah its on the side of a mountain and I guess they didn't have many options First time I drove it was on a bike and I couldn't find anywhere I could stop to take a picture, this time was in a car and I still couldn't find anywhere to stop in view so the missus took these out the window.

The rainbow bridge from Tokyo to Odaiba also has a spiral at one end but this one is cool cos it hangs off the side of a mountain.

[D-Fence]

so are you really driving a nissan micra?

[hansvonaxion]

Nearly, a Nissan Note.
The Micra is a March?

I wanted to get a Z or RX-8 or MX-5 but they get booked pretty early and it was a short notice trip, plus they're only available from certain places and they're all auto.

Although CVT has amazing potential they suck in the cars I've driven, and this one was strangely jerky when taking off from a stop or low speed.

[tranceporter]

great thread, i can't wait to go to japan.

[Censport]

Originally Posted by hansvonaxion

Check out this "Lexus" Hiace. Lots of chrome. Pimp my plumber.

I like this generation of Toyota Hiace, although I've never driven one. The main thing I like about it is the "forward control" design, where you sit on top of the front wheels. Like the old VW buses, Chevy Corvair Greenbriers and Rampsides. Not the old Hiaces from the early 90's, though (sold as the Previa in the U.S.). Ugly and handled worse than their German and U.S. counterparts of the 60's.

I've seen several tastefully-customized 5th-generation Hiaces. Shame the forward control design keeps them from passing U.S. crash standards.

[MattW]

The Previa was completely different to the HiAce. Remember the old 80's Toyota Van we used to have in America? THAT was a HiAce.

[Censport]

Originally Posted by MattW

The Previa was completely different to the HiAce. Remember the old 80's Toyota Van we used to have in America? THAT was a HiAce.

Ah, thanks for the correction. So many cars, so little memory to keep track of them...

[hansvonaxion]

Yeah its a weird feeling driving a car like that. I took a mates Mitsubishi Delica 4x4 for a spin and hammered it, we were all screaming with fear as I understeered toward oncoming traffic! All's well that ends well.

I didn't know they were outlawed in the states. Japan must have some lax safety standards, some of the Kei cars don't even have a bumper!

[Censport]

I think Japan does, actually. For instance, one of me fellow racers bought a Syliva, and apparently they have lighter windshields than the American-market 240SX, while the 240SX has impact bracing in the doors that the JDM Syvia doesn't, etc. It's probably the higher average speed in the U.S. That, or we have more trial lawyers per capita than Japan.

[prizrak]

Originally Posted by Censport

I think Japan does, actually. For instance, one of me fellow racers bought a Syliva, and apparently they have lighter windshields than the American-market 240SX, while the 240SX has impact bracing in the doors that the JDM Syvia doesn't, etc. It's probably the higher average speed in the U.S. That, or we have more trial lawyers per capita than Japan.

It's the general lack of SUV's If you are not driving one in the states you want as much bracing as possible

[hansvonaxion]

Same in Oz, imported cars need side impact protection and a child seat anchor point to name a couple.

Japan does rank pretty high for road deaths per capita.

[Casey.C]

awesome thread man, thanks for posting all those pics (and to others as well). i find some of these japanese sedans so interesting, like the Toyota Chaser and some of the Skylines that we just dont have or ever see here. The looks that they give the cars, not overly huge wheels like here, but 19" or so but with tires STRETCHED to their limits to fit on them, and right at the edge of the fender, i think it looks stunning.

keep it up, love this thread.

[tranceporter]

only made it to page 12, have to go back and keep looking. this thread is AWESOME. i started bugging out when i saw this



this guy did a nice job on his front grill

[Seasonone]

Originally Posted by Censport

I think Japan does, actually. For instance, one of me fellow racers bought a Syliva, and apparently they have lighter windshields than the American-market 240SX, while the 240SX has impact bracing in the doors that the JDM Syvia doesn't, etc. It's probably the higher average speed in the U.S. That, or we have more trial lawyers per capita than Japan.

Having done a silvia front end (not sylvia sorry, misspelling it is just a pet peeve) I can attest to how much lighter the Japanese front end is. Everything is lighter, the bumper support was thinner and had more holes in it (the bolts don't line up so you're suppose to swap supports, lucky the 2 that go into the frame are the same) the fenders and hood felt lighter lighter too. Since I have a RB and the intake manifold is over the top I had to cut the center supports out, the USDM hood was still nice and stuff even with the supports missing, the japanese hood felt like plastic and if I had the hood open the side without the hood support was an inch or two lower. After doing the swap the front end raised due to the weight change. The USDM model was just much beefier in every way.

A few people have said it has to do with Japan's rules being aimed more toward pedestrian safety rather than high speed slamming into a concrete block. If everything is softer and collapses easy I could see it being true. I have no idea if it's true or not.

[Censport]

Originally Posted by Seasonone

Having done a silvia front end (not sylvia sorry, misspelling it is just a pet peeve)

My apologies. Apparently, I can't Spell HiAce right either.

[hansvonaxion]

I saw this and instantly thought of Top Gear, "Anbitious, but rubbish".




Ice vending machine.




Are you a hero?

[hansvonaxion]

OK thats the Engrish out of the way, heres some random cars.

New Nissan.




Old Nissan.




Makinen lives in Japan?

[hansvonaxion]

Heres some more close parking, a little too close mind you. He's touching the wall.










Man this thing was hideous.






But at least its safe?




And a lone bike for the bikers.

[fbc]

Originally Posted by hansvonaxion

I saw this and instantly thought of Top Gear, "Anbitious, but rubbish".

I think we have a new FinalGear catch-prase - "Anbitious, but rubbish"

Originally Posted by hansvonaxion