Affordable Japanese classic cars you can enjoy

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
Well in the last few weeks I have touched on Swedish cars and affordable classic BMW.’s that young and old alike could enjoy for not much money. While I have tried my best to keep the thread on course with its intended topic it has been a challenge and I’m surprised that one of those threads is still featuring on page one,
Today I thought we could look at Japanese cars or models based on Japanese designs.
Unfortunately many Japanese sports cars have already appreciated a lot including cars like the following:
1. Toyota 2000GT
2. Honda NSX
3. Mk3 and MK Supra
4. Datsun 240z, 260z, 280z and ZX and the Z 32 300zx
5. Mitsubishi 3000gt
6. Mazda RX7, and Cosmo
7. Nissan Skylines and GTR, 180SX and Silvia
I’m sure there is more but any way what I want to focus on are some potential Japanese enthusiast cars that are still reasonably priced world wide. I guess you could probably still find a reasonable 280zx or NA 300zx for Ok money in the US but here in Australia any nice one with low Kay’s is pushing up towards 30k, so with that in view I thought I would start off with a few options and then everyone could chip in with their thoughts.
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
This Isuzu has similarities in styling to a Fiat Dino which I spotted on a Japanese auction site for 17k delivered to Australia for example. Here is another look at it courtesy Hubnut:
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
My next one that some of you could relate to is the 3rd generation Honda Prelude. A very well engineered design with mechanical 4WS and delicate steering and great handling. Honda make very good engines that are economical yet produce good performance and build quality is excellent. Heres a video from another English car content maker - Brown car guy.
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
And although early versions of this car - The Subaru SVX did suffer transmissions failures - later years ( 1996) people fitted transmissions coolers and this helped the car. They are quite complex so caution advised.
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
And as a Hubnut classic a 1990 Mitsubishi Magna ( as it is called in Australia- probably a Sigma or Galant elsewhere) is an interesting buy especially in top spec or Elante sports
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
This Z31 Nissan 300zx Californian update is a good buy if you can still find one for under 20k with low k’s and full service history
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
Surely, Miata is a classic by now?
MA Miata is for sure but here they are going up and priced around the same as a 2008 MC Miata or MX 5 as we call them here. Which generation do you like and in what colour. I still like the original MA 1990 in red or French blue but I cannot fit in them;
 

BlueB

Legend
MA Miata is for sure but here they are going up and priced around the same as a 2008 MC Miata or MX 5 as we call them here. Which generation do you like and in what colour. I still like the original MA 1990 in red or French blue but I cannot fit in them;
Yup, the original one in red. My friend has one, I barely fit in it.
Around here they are still the cheapest of the roadsters (SLK, Z3, Boxter, etc.)
 
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michael valek

Hall of Fame
And although early versions of this car - The Subaru SVX did suffer transmissions failures - later years ( 1996) people fitted transmissions coolers and this helped the car. They are quite complex so caution advised.
I nearly bought one of these. Thank goodness I didn’t. Expensive money pit with strange windows. Impreza turbo on the other hand was awesome. Mitsubishi lancer evo rally monster was just an enormous accident waiting to happen every time you drove it.
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
I nearly bought one of these. Thank goodness I didn’t. Expensive money pit with strange windows. Impreza turbo on the other hand was awesome. Mitsubishi lancer evo rally monster was just an enormous accident waiting to happen every time you drove it.
Widow maker - is a term I have heard being used along with the 350Z but I think they might become the value buy amongst the Z car range;
 

Turbo-87

G.O.A.T.
The Honda S2000 is great. I have owned one for 6 years. It handles better than my 2014 Corvette by far. If you haven't driven one, you need to. 9000rpm and VTEC is intoxicating. 240hp in a 2600lb car is fun as heck.
20200505-210128.jpg
 
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Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
What does any car be it a Swedish or German, Japanese or from anywhere, have to consider and accept?
Sorry, I don’t understand what you are asking. All I can say is that I enjoy cars and like to have discussions on what people can buy that they can afford and buy outright with their cash at various price points and still have a bit of fun and maybe some of them will have special interest value in the future.
Being able to buy cheaper cars for cash can be a smart choice for those who want to avoid debt and be free.
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
I enjoy my legs more than my car, but it takes too long to get anywhere. I need one of those 900-second cities.
 

Big_Dangerous

Talk Tennis Guru
I always wanted an old school Toyota Supra to modify it like The original Fast and the Furious movie, just so I could pull up to a Ferrari and be like what's the retail on one of those? Then destroy him off the line :-D

 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
You do know that all paper money is virtual as it's not tied to something like silver or gold?
Yes however the big difference between CBCD and cash is that CBCD is programmable from the central bank whereas cash is an anonymous medium of exchange between people.
 
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Bartelby

Bionic Poster
Yes however the big difference between CBCD and cash is that CBCD is programmable from the central bank whereas cash is an anonymous medium of exchange between people.

It's at best a partly anonymous medium of exchange. And there is always a third person in the exchange: the Governor of the Reserve Bank who guarantees its validity.

Your money also goes into banks, companies, superannuation, investments, and into houses. None of this is anonymous. All of it is tracked and tax paid on it as it circulates.

And if you take out more than 10k you get reported, so unless you hide all your money under a bed then it is not a fully anonymous medium of exchange by any means.
 

chrischris

G.O.A.T.
What Do you think car designers all are subordonate to and have to pay attention to?
Sorry, I don’t understand what you are asking. All I can say is that I enjoy cars and like to have discussions on what people can buy that they can afford and buy outright with their cash at various price points and still have a bit of fun and maybe some of them will have special interest value in the future.
Being able to buy cheaper cars for cash can be a smart choice for those who want to avoid debt and be debt free
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
What Do you think car designers all are subordonate to and have to pay attention to?
Well right now they are being forced to comply with a lot of government overreach and dictates particularly in countries like Australia and the UK which may or may not be beneficial or feasible to the consumer. In Africa for example you can still buy a Peugeot 504 brand new at a very affordable price.
In markets like Australia many new cars are very expensive and people therefore have to borrow lots of money from the bank at rising interest rates and the thing is that you are borrowing money for an item that will depreciate in value.
On the other hand, if you can hunt down a reliable used car for under 10k and pay cash, then you don’t have the burden on debt hanging over your head, you won’t lose much money and with the cars we are talking about here, you may make some money.
As far as digging further into government compliances, taxes and industry protection some things can be good, some not so good. For example the implementation of safety standards is obviously good for the motorist. At the same time as companies invest in better technologies that make cars comfortable, more powerful, with better handling and economy and still being able to market their cars at an affordable price and still make a profit, then that’s a win for everyone.
However if government legislation is such that cars become so expensive that they are out of reach for most people or have technologies that make ownership and maintenance too expensive, then people won’t buy and many will have to subscribe to a car or be in debt for years and I don’t think that’s a good idea. Furthermore if the legislation is such that there are nefarious implications to owning a new car such as complete governance over your car, that you paid for, then many people will not want that level of control in their lives. Most people want to be left alone.
With my posts here we are discussing how various used cars bought cheaply can offer freedom, fun and reliability. If you are going to borrow money for a car you are probably better off buying an appreciating classic thereby protecting yourself against inflation. You are probably also better off borrowing money for a house to live in, or to rent out, and on that note for many people who are living in expensive houses in say California with a lot of debt, you could free yourself by selling up and moving to a cheaper state that still have a high quality of life and live free. Worth a thought,
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
It's at best a partly anonymous medium of exchange. And there is always a third person in the exchange: the Governor of the Reserve Bank who guarantees its validity.

Your money also goes into banks, companies, superannuation, investments, and into houses. None of this is anonymous. All of it is tracked and tax paid on it as it circulates.

And if you take out more than 10k you get reported, so unless you hide all your money under a bed then it is not a fully anonymous medium of exchange by any means.
If cash is taken out of the system and the government of the day issues digital currency, digital identity, social credit, then your freedom is over. Here is a video worth watching
 
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Bartelby

Bionic Poster
If cash is taken out of the system and the government of the day issues digital currency, digital identity, social credit, then your freedom is over. Watch this video

This is not a video against digital currency. It's a video asserting that the government could program your expenditures using this tool.

I'm not confident that these tools will not be misused, but paranoia-filled speculation is just fuelling the anti-government mania that gets us nowhere.
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
This is not a video against digital currency. It's a video asserting that the government could program your expenditures using this tool.

I'm not confident that these tools will not be misused, but paranoia-filled speculation is just fuelling the anti-government mania that gets us nowhere.
I think the video explains why CBDC is a terrible idea for personal freedom, however others may wish to comment;
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
Getting back to the topic we have this Isuzu impulse turbo which in Australia was marketed as the Holden Piazza turbo - they are still
Affordable
 

chrischris

G.O.A.T.
Well right now they are being forced to comply with a lot of government overreach and dictates particularly in countries like Australia and the UK which may or may not be beneficial or feasible to the consumer. In Africa for example you can still buy a Peugeot 504 brand new at a very affordable price.
In markets like Australia many new cars are very expensive and people therefore have to borrow lots of money from the bank at rising interest rates and the thing is that you are borrowing money for an item that will depreciate in value.
On the other hand, if you can hunt down a reliable used car for under 10k and pay cash, then you don’t have the burden on debt hanging over your head, you won’t lose much money and with the cars we are talking about here, you may make some money.
As far as digging further into government compliances, taxes and industry protection some things can be good, some not so good. For example the implementation of safety standards is obviously good for the motorist. At the same time as companies invest in better technologies that make cars comfortable, more powerful, with better handling and economy and still being able to market their cars at an affordable price and still make a profit, then that’s a win for everyone.
However if government legislation is such that cars become so expensive that they are out of reach for most people or have technologies that make ownership and maintenance too expensive, then people won’t buy and many will have to subscribe to a car or be in debt for years and I don’t think that’s a good idea. Furthermore if the legislation is such that there are nefarious implications to owning a new car such as complete governance over your car, that you paid for, then many people will not want that level of control in their lives. Most people want to be left alone.
With my posts here we are discussing how various used cars bought cheaply can offer freedom, fun and reliability. If you are going to borrow money for a car you are probably better off buying an appreciating classic thereby protecting yourself against inflation. You are probably also better off borrowing money for a house to live in, or to rent out, and on that note for many people who are living in expensive houses in say California with a lot of debt, you

could free yourself by selling up and moving to a cheaper state that still have a high quality of life and live free. Worth a thought,

Find your perspective telling the tale.
It seems you are in a constantly state of being divorced from the reality we all live in. Including what car designers had and have to consider.
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
Find your perspective telling the tale.
It seems you are in a constantly state of being divorced from the reality we all live in. Including what car designers had and have to consider.
You asked me question, I gave you a detailed answer, sorry you don’t like it.
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
This Nissan NX coupe from the 90’s with the targa roof and great 4 cylinder motor is a fun car for not much money,
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
And you can still find old user cars like the NX Coupe in immaculate condition with low Kay’s. They still need to have a full service history so rather than be serviced on miles you need to service the cars on time.
 
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