What Import Cars Do You Actually Like?

[HillbillySailor]

Having always been attracted to older American V-8 powered cars, I have to admit that there are a few imports I actually like. Very damn few, but I like these cars nonetheless. 8)



http://farm1.static.flickr.com/219/463892433_edd1b2015e.jpg?v=0

The first one is the 75-79 Toyota Corolla. This Toyota, and the Honda below, are probably the only older Japanese cars I'd actually like to own. For that matter, these two are probably the only Japanese cars I like period.


http://www.hondanews.com/thumbnails/1975/3/30/429_preview.jpg?1189618649

The second one is the 76-81 Honda Accord. I owned an 81 Accord while I was stationed in Great Lakes, Illinois. I bought it off a guy who was transferring for $150. It was beat to hell, but ran great and got great gas mileage. Much as I tried, I couldn't kill the damn thing. I even took it four wheeling once. I managed to tear off the exhaust in the process, but I was still able to get it home ane reinstall the exhaust. Rust finally killed it and I sold it to a guy for $200 so he could pull the motor and transmission for his Accord.


http://www.chooseyouritem.com/autos/photos/58500/58634-2.1963.Volkswagen.Beetle.jpg

And last but not least, the VW Bug. I owned a 63 Bug that looked just like the one in the photo except mine didn't have a sunroof. That damn thing would go anywhere. One of the first things I did to it was convert it to a 12 volt system and install a 1600 dual port engine. Great little car. Wish I still had it.

So fess up. Any of you hard core gearheads like an import, past or present???

[biginch]

this one is kinda cool.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1318/818646487_16c2caa932.jpg

[squirrel]

I'll always have a soft spot for the volvo 544, since I learned to drive in one.

[HillbillySailor]

LOL! Funny part aside, but isn't that a Merkur?

[biginch]

thought it was a v-dub

[HillbillySailor]

thought it was a v-dub


Whatever it is, I sure as hell wouldn't haul lumber on it! :D

[Scott Liggett]

Having always been attracted to older American V-8 powered cars, I have to admit that there are a few imports I actually like. Very damn few, but I like these cars nonetheless. 8)


http://www.hondanews.com/thumbnails/1975/3/30/429_preview.jpg?1189618649




I had a 77 Accord identical to this one. It was kind of a hand me down from Dad. He always kept a third car around. Originally, my sister and I were sharing a hopped up 73 Coupe de Ville, but after she did a Bo Duke impression, it was wasted. Dad bought this one. It had the Hondamatic, which was a two speed manual valve body trans axle. Compared to Jennys 77 with the 5 speed; it was a slug. Top speed was a measely 110 mph. It had a weak 83 hp, but it got more than 40 mpg on the highway. Amazing compared to anything the Japanese are making now.

I would love to build one of these into a rear drive screamer. Maybe cram a turbo'd nitrous'd ricer motor in it and seriously mess with people.

[HillbillySailor]

Having always been attracted to older American V-8 powered cars, I have to admit that there are a few imports I actually like. Very damn few, but I like these cars nonetheless. 8)


http://www.hondanews.com/thumbnails/1975/3/30/429_preview.jpg?1189618649




I had a 77 Accord identical to this one. It was kind of a hand me down from Dad. He always kept a third car around. Originally, my sister and I were sharing a hopped up 73 Coupe de Ville, but after she did a Bo Duke impression, it was wasted. Dad bought this one. It had the Hondamatic, which was a two speed manual valve body trans axle. Compared to Jennys 77 with the 5 speed; it was a slug. Top speed was a measely 110 mph. It had a weak 83 hp, but it got more than 40 mpg on the highway. Amazing compared to anything the Japanese are making now.

I would love to build one of these into a rear drive screamer. Maybe cram a turbo'd nitrous'd ricer motor in it and seriously mess with people.


I've considered doing something similar with the Corolla if I can find one in fair shape. The Toyota 22R's are a dime a dozen. It should fit in there with no problem. Either that or the Pinto idea I mentioned in another thread. And on another note, I would've like to have seen the Bo Duke impression in the Coupe de Ville!

[Scott Liggett]

I witnessed it from the passenger seat. Measured it. 126 ft 4 inches, then another 22 feet to the next landing from the bounce and 8 feet more to the third. Amazingly, the car drove away and was driven for months afterward until Dad finally got back in it. The whole story is in the Car Abuse thread.

http://www.carjunkieforums.com/index.php?topic=60.15

[HillbillySailor]

ROFLMAO! That's the funniest thing I've read in a while! Frankie must've loved seeing your dad coming into the shop! ;) All I can say is that car was a testament to GM engineering (and Frankie's skills) to put up with the abuse she gave it. Try doing half of that stuff in one of today's cars and see what happens...

[JoshB]

this one is kinda cool.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1318/818646487_16c2caa932.jpg


lol reminds me of something i once did =)

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w255/jawshb04/chair.jpg

[KeithTurk]

Healey's of any kind.

Datsun 510's cause they are pure bad ass little cars...

VW bug's... buses...

Lotus Cortina's...

Jaguar's ( I'm okay with being the only one that digs them ) I would have said Bentleys if I could afford them..

Hmmm not many Bmw's or Mercede's will ever see my drive way...

Not a huge Ricer fan... but again I've seen some truly wicked ass ricers that deserve our respect...

My Mother in law has an XB Scion... or whatever that square thing is... and I had to work on it yesterday... so I drove it all over for the morning.... Cool ass gig... no kidding... it was almost as good as the van... only it didn't have as much power... ( now that oughta scare you )

K

[dand38s]

Volvo P1800

[ethelkilledfred]

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f329/ethelkilledfred/BlownBBCV8Honda.jpg

[ethelkilledfred]

or my friends LUV from over a decade and a half ago.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f329/ethelkilledfred/DSC00550.jpghttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f329/ethelkilledfred/DSC00551.jpg

[Freiburger]

Bugs, Toyota FJ-40, 45, 55 Land Cruisers, Datsun 240Xs when they have LSX engines, Sunbeam Tigers, Panteras, etc. I can respect any import that actually performs and doesn't look riced out. And to be fair, I don't like American cars that perform but that look riced out.

[Scott Liggett]

ROFLMAO! That's the funniest thing I've read in a while! Frankie must've loved seeing your dad coming into the shop! ;) All I can say is that car was a testament to GM engineering (and Frankie's skills) to put up with the abuse she gave it. Try doing half of that stuff in one of today's cars and see what happens...


Frankie was one of those characters you never forget. Dad never really knew what Jenny did to the car that day. I'm sure he had his suspicions. Mom now knows as I just emailed her a copy of the story. I believe the statute of limitations on abusing Fathers vehicles is 25 years. Should make for a interesting phone conversation between the two of them.

[Scott Liggett]

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f329/ethelkilledfred/BlownBBCV8Honda.jpg


I'll drive this one and put Hybrid decals all over it. ;D

[std]

I'm from Michigan, so you all know what I'm going to say first. Imports have helped ruin the economy of my state and helped cut my wifes income in half over the last couple years. Please buy American.

Now that that is out of the way, the Scion Xb is way cool. I don't know why. It's just a box and they didn't try to dusguise it at all.

I always liked the Porshe 914. I tried to buy one in high school, but the guy crashed it bofore I got the chance. Maybe thats why I like it. The car I never had.

Right now I drive a BMW 528e with 340,000 kilometers on it. The Pontiac dealer my wife works for took it in on a trade and we bought it. I'm totaly impressed with the car. Starts every time. Purrs like a kitten. Gets 30-35 mpg, and I drive like an idiot. It's got it's flaws, but I couldn't ask for a better car.

Again, please buy American. Preferably from my wife. Thank you

[HillbillySailor]

Damn! I didn't even think of the Pantera, the Sunbeam, or theJaguar! I have always been a fan of those three. Also the Porsches. Those are some bad ass little cars. I've since had to modify the "imports I actually like" list. I thought of a few more since last night...


http://rickalva.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/oldyellow.jpeg

In the Datsun catagory, I like the 73-79 Datsun 620 pickup, provided it hasn't been given the "mini-truck" look. My friend had a 77 when I was in high school. It was another one of those vehicles that took all the abuse we could dish at it. Like alot of 70's cars, rust finally killed it.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Mazda-B2000.jpg/800px-Mazda-B2000.jpg

Another one in the small pickup category I like is the 77-82 Ford Courier/ 80-85 (I think) Mazda B Seiries. Just a nice, simple little truck. I hardly see these around anymore. I know both were prone to rust. Any of you West Coast guys and girls see these around often?


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f7/FiestaFestival01.jpg/800px-FiestaFestival01.jpg

I can just imagine the load of shit I'm going to catch for this one, but I actually liked the 78-80 Ford Fiesta. I always thought they were neat little cars. Our neighbor owned a 79 Fiesta Ghia when I was a kid. The car never gave him any problems. I wonder why these cars had such a short run in the US?

[ADV1]

I've always had a soft spot for Lotus's and Astin Martins... As for Japanese cars... well, the RX7's where always kinda kewl... that's about it...

[JRoberts]

I loved my two Saabs. They were not the new ones (GM), but early '70's. One was a 96. Sort of a lima bean shaped thing and the other was a 95. The 95 was a station wagon. Both had a Ford V-4 engine. These were actually Ford industrial engines used for generators and the like. Not incredibly fast, but reliable and would go anywhere! We rallied the 96 quite a bit and found it a fun car to drive.

I'm with Keith on the Lotus Cortina and Austin Healey. Love both of these.

I would love to have a BMW 2002 tii. Finally, I really have taken to my wife's Jetta. It is a 2001 Wolfsburg w/the 1.8 turbo engine and a 5speed standard tranny. Quick, handles very well. Its a lot of fun on back roads, cruises the interstate very well and gets a steady 33 mpg.

[Woodward_Dreams]

Ford Escort Cosworth

It may be a ford, but it's the european side

[Mr.WFO]

i like more older foreign cars than I like new american cars.

[Eric68]

Nissan 240Z with good old fashioned SBC in it . . . like this one. This guy runs 10.90's NA with a 406 SBC and TH400 tranny.

http://zhome.com/Dec99/strip%5B1%5D.jpg

[VWMMP]

Kinda partial to this one. My VW - Made in America. ;)

http://is.rely.net/2-838-29636-l-HrRcWbwO6D4K4aoUrxdqiA.jpg

[Stoneshrink]

I agree with DF, Tigers, Cobras (the shelby english version) and FJ40s. Although, Thanks to Carroll Shelby for the Tigers; and as far as FJ40s are concerned - they are worthless without a V8 swap.

[OldUsedParts]

I must admit - - the Frontier, RAV 4 and CRV have always done me a good job and held their resale value - - but the 55 chebie makes me happier 8)

[milner351]

I worked for Honda R&D in Ohio for 5 long hard years.

I've been at Ford since September 2000.... it's a much nicer place to work -and I really like the fact that I WANT several of the cars we build - Mustang Bullitt for one, F350 king ranch for another, and the new Flex would make a nice family hauler - the new Taurus is one hell of a sedan for highway cruising.


Now - I thought it would be VERY KEWL to put an American V8 and RWD powertrain into the '98 vintage 2 door Honda Accord - that is a good looking body style.

I'm of Italian descent - and I have a soft spot for Alfa's, Moto Guzzi bikes, and of course the magnum PI Ferrari.

I've swapped engines in a '97 Jag XK8 - and I wouldn't touch another Jag for anything less than $100 an hour cash - the lug nuts are $25! pint of ATF? $28! RE freakingdiculous.
Maybe a late '60's XKE - if I could ever afford one - but you can bet I'd put an american V8 powertrain into it!

The early 240 / 260z are cool, as are the opel cadet and the "poor man's vette" Opel GT.

I would LOVE a diesel mercedes to drive - 35+mpg highway - and luxurious quiet and reliable... tough to argue with.

[dieselgeek]

Any import that comes with a 4G63 engine is fine by me.


That's a Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo, Mitsubishi Galant, Plymouth Laser, Eagle Talon, and many EVOs (among others). Commonly known as a "DSM" the engines in these cars are 8amazing* at making big power...

we took a stock 7-bolt (2nd generation), and without so much as removing a valve cover - just added a bigger turbo, bigger fuel injectors, better fuel supply - we made 455whp on a dynojet. Car ran in the high 11s around 120mph. This engine can be had from junkyards for as little as $125... whether or not you hate imports, it's hard to argue with an engine that can reliably support 4hp per cubic inch on a stock longblock!! (and stock intake, stock exhaust, but NOT a stock clutch! haha)


next favorite import engine is the Toyota 2JZ-GTE. Inline six, 180 cubic inches, same as above can support 5hp per cubic inch on a stock longblock.

It should be noted, there are similarly impressive domestic engines, the ford 2.3 turbo (500hp on stock longblock) and the Chevy's Vortec 4200 inline six (claimed 800+hp on stock longblock).


-scott

[BBR]

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2256000-2256999/2256932_17_full.jpg

I have a strange desire to plonk a BBF in the front of one of these.....

[JRoberts]

Just thought of another import that I wish I still had. It was an early '60 Elva Courier. Handled like a dream, was incredilby fast for 1522 cc's. It was sort of cobbled togehter from the Bristish Motor Corp's parts bin. MG engine, Riley rear end and front suspension, etc, etc. All put into a fairly nice looking fiberglass body. Very low to the ground. I have seen some pictures of a couple of these lately that are being run in vintage races.

[purplecobra]

Lexus SC300 with a turbo 6.0 ls1 for DW and racing at Bonneville. Cars are cheap-running ones can be bought for $1000 . Tommygun, JoeyG and I have talked about this, may do it in the sprng!

[DanStokes]

I have strange tastes in cars - I like 'em ALL! As far as Furrin cars - I'd do an SBF in my RX7, a 240Z would be cool, loved my Mom's Metro, but I was young. Tonya's Jag is BEAUTIFUL. XJS is a pretty car, too, and the v12 is cool, if unreliable. Anything from Italy is cool with me, especially Alfas and Ferraris. The last year the Daytona was sold in the US, I did the emissions cert at the EPA. There was a 26 mile road route that we had to drive back then, and the Ferrari rep threw me the key and said "Hava nica time". I did. Aston Martins (James Bond music in head). So many cars, so little time and money.

Don't worry - I have a MUCH longer list of American iron.

Dan

[BigBlockMopar]

Man.... the only thing this topic is missing is you guys start typing in the Dutch-language, and I would feel I'm on a local (to me) forum again... ::) ;D ;D

[mopower58]

Can't say that I really like any of them, but I have fond memories of riding in the cubby hole of a V-Dub back in the early 60's.

[DanStokes]

Man.... the only thing this topic is missing is you guys start typing in the Dutch-language, and I would feel I'm on a local (to me) forum again... ::) ;D ;D



BBM -
Is English your native tongue? I gotta tell you, your mastery of it is amazing! Most non-native speakers couldn't follow a lot of the crappy English we use here, and you seem to do just fine. I envy anyone who is fully bilingual (although I don't speak it well, I can largely understand both American and English).

Later
Dan

[std]

Man.... the only thing this topic is missing is you guys start typing in the Dutch-language, and I would feel I'm on a local (to me) forum again... ::) ;D ;D



BBM -
Is English your native tongue? I gotta tell you, your mastery of it is amazing! Most non-native speakers couldn't follow a lot of the crappy English we use here, and you seem to do just fine. I envy anyone who is fully bilingual (although I don't speak it well, I can largely understand both American and English).

Later
Dan


I know what you maen Dan. There's this comic strip-Get Fuzzy-and sometimes there's this cat from England. I have to get my English buddy to translate.

[fabricatordave]

ik houd van om het even welke auto die minstens 30 mjles een gallon wordt omdat ik 75 mijlen drijf om unidirectioneel te werken



http://www1.worldlingo.com/en/products_services/worldlingo_translator.html

here figure it out aint the enternet great

[White Monster]

Import? You mean someone brings them over on purpose?
I thought they immigrated of their own accord ...

So much for my attempt at humour. Since working on German cars, I've become a fan of anything by Dr. Porche, Der Bavarian Motor Werks, or Mercedes-Benz. Man, all of these can be hot rodded !!!

[revolutionary]

I'm partial to the Datsun 510 and the Porsche 356 as we had both growing up - but I still think they are cool. I also dig the Datsun 240/260z cars.
http://www.revolutionaryperformance.com/photogallery/lew2.JPG
like this one we brought to little Talladega for a track day then
http://216.110.180.149/240max.JPG
off to NC for the March ECTA event.

[BigBlockMopar]

Dan, thanks for the compliment.
I think I just spend a lot of time on US-forums so I automaticly learn how to (and how not to) 'speak' the language and some of the slang being used.

I'm totally Dutch. Born and raised here in The Netherlands.
Been to the USA only once upto now, but I really want to come over again. I missing out on way too much fun... ;)

FabDave,
Close, but no sigar... ;D

[shaun callaway]

I am with dieselgeek on this one guys. DSM's are just freaking wicked. Twin turbo supra is bad @$$, and the srt4 (dsm on roids).

[Morgan]

Well since you asked. I have always liked the Aston Martin DB5

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff63/1fstcsx/astonmartindb5-frontside.jpg

[VWMMP]

I love my big dodge truck but ---

I kinda hate to admit it but I do like to take the wife's infiniti 4 door (g35x) out every now and then. 290HP All Wheel Drive runs mid 14's has power everything.