Ok ok ok, where are these guys now??? Can they do current car reviews? In under six minutes, they covered three cars objectively as possible without tick-tacky comments like newer reviews; clearly stating which car was the prime choice, while elaborating on each car's prime features.... More modern reviews should be like this.
@Speedstar The full model refresh to FD in the case of the RX-7. The MR2T got a bump to 245hp which made it faster in the quarter than almost everything Japan had at that time.
@Noble Khan from the factory the MR2 was faster than the 300zx, the supra, and the NSX in 0-60 and the 1/4 mile, losing only to the GTR. Sure, modify them and that changes but the fact still remains from the factory it was faster.
@Noble Khan not taking about the USDM model, in Japan they got the 3rd gen 3sgte engine that had 45 more hp than the USDM version. That one beat the other cars in the 0-60 and 1/4 mile. The MR2 was discontinued in the US in 1995 but still existed in Japan and other places until 1998
The collection of sporty every-day drivers peaked in the early 90s - in 1993 you could choose from among the following vehicles - Alfa Romeo Spider-Subaru SVX-Toyota MR2-Laser/Eclipes-Ford Probe-240sx-300zx-RX7 turbo-SupraTurbo-ZR1 Corvette-Dodge Viper-Cadillac Northstar Allante-Mazda Miata-Lincoln MarkVIII-Honda Prelude-Mustang-Acura NSX-Camaro/Firebird-3000gt/Stealth-Honda CRX-Hond Del Sol-Toyota Celica-Lexus SC series ------ and of course the impractical but fun exotics - Jaguar-Lotus Esprit-Ferrari's-Lambo Diablo-Porsche's-BMW 850/840-Mercedes SL series-Vector W8-Bugatti EB110-Aston Martin-McLaren F1-(Pantera's?) Boys, it was heaven and I got to enjoy it. It couldn't last though. What cars have I forgotten?
This was the beginning of the end for real driver's cars. Today's cars have been taken over by electronic assists. It's crazy! Good for safety, but I'm old school. :-)
+tscooter22 I agree. the GTR is computer enhanced. I prefer a car that is excellent without technology... it should be the chassis and the motor providing the magic.
I still feel like the FD was the last. One of the few top tier sports cars without standard ABS, and no traction control at all. Still handled incredibly well, but it was all mechanical magic from the suspension design. You had to know how to handle it to reap its rewards. It doesn't just give you all that it has because you demand it; you have to prove yourself to it. That, is a driver's car to me. Electronic assists go completely against that idea.
Ed Kar i was saying that they are dirt cheap compared to when it was made :)).Still not expensive , i don't think they are much more than 5 grand in decent condition
I've owned a Toyota Celica, 3000GT, Lexus IS300, 370Z, and my favorite is still the 300ZX I owned. Low to the ground, great forward visibility, great handling, modern fighter jet like interior, and open airy feeling with the t-tops removed.
John has always been a consummate professional. Great delivery, enunciation, and vocabulary. He always finds a nice balance between numbers/statistics and commentary describing the experience with the vehicle. I have always appreciated the professionalism and work it takes to produce this show so well. And to keep it up for as long as John and his crew/associates have is all the more impressive. I'm 35 and have watched this program for my entire life, as early as 4 years old.
***** That's just one...and has nothing to do with the old 300zx it has a 4WD system and is more a supercar than a sports car, and the price? is not exactly cheap unless you compare it to a Porsche 911
Short and crisp content without any of the distracting pointless inclusions in today's car reviews. Back in the day they went straight to the point. Time is MONEY!!
I agree! i had the 86 rx7 turbo same body style with that hood scoop all black..it was a beast and it was gorgeous! had the best dash and seats were heavenly to sit in...mine also had no power steering and no antilocks and no airbags!
All three of these machines are beautiful. I put 300zx and MR2 ahead of RX7 in this particular generation as their designs are more modern and timeless, but the later gen RX7 might be one of the most beautiful japanese compact sports cars of all time.
Where did you get that time for an 86 Turbo, must have a been an auto. The 86 5spd turbo was good for Mid 7's to 60 and the non turbo 5spd manuals low to mid 8's.
lfsracer79 I notice you can usually lop off about a half second from most of MW's times.. As I know the MR2 Turbo was capable of 0-60 in as little as 5.9 seconds. Maybe their times are more like what most people will get, rather than best case scenario's best time possible etc. (on a side note, LFS rocks! You try it with Oculus rift yet? Pretty nuts! : )
MW uses actual results. you have to be careful with numbers from sources such as Car and Driver because they reformulate the numbers to standard conditions (55 degrees, 0 degree elevation, 29.9 pressure). The actual numbers they get are NOT what they print.
I was graduating in 1991 and I asked my parents for all three. I didn't care which one as long as it was one of these. Nope I got a Dodge Shelby Charger, Still fun but like I told them 3 years later and thousands of dollars in repairs, we could have saved money if they would have just sprung for one of these beauties! That RX-7 II was a stunning car.
I agree, the 2nd gen RX-7 is very overlooked and I prefer its uncluttered sleek design over the later 3 gen cars. Back in late 1987 my then girlfriend's uncle had just bought a new 1988 RX-7 Turbo(in white) and I thought it was a very sharp looking car and with 16" wheels(remember, very few cars sported 16" from the factory back then) it was just stunning to me. Many felt Mazda was trying too hard to make the 7 look like the Porsche 944 Turbo(even wheel designs were similar on the early Turbo 7s compared to the Turbo 944). Any three of these cars with modern wheels and rubber, uprated brake pads, slight tweaking to the exhaust and an ECU remap will still be competitive with performance cars of today.
90s Japanese sports cars were great, though given the price of the Z especially, you can see why people stopped buying them. Don’t understand how the Z wins this one though. It was slightly faster, yes, but it seemed like the RX-7 was the clear winner based on brakes and handling. Was very surprised by the conclusion
I have to give it to the RX7 with the MR2 close. 300ZXs are considered money pits and I remember a time when junk yards were full of them because nobody wanted to mess with a broken turbo engine.
I dont get it the rx7 stopped shorter ran a close 1/4 mile time by .2 seconds steered better and didnt have braking issues like the z but they still picked the z as the winner because it goes faster in a straight line. Murica..
I did a high school co-op placement in 1994 at a Nissan dealership. So I got up close and personal with a few 300Z Turbos (plus N/A 300Zs). Lots of tech for its day. Time-consuming to work on but that dual throttle body intake plenum is still gorgeous.
That 300ZX stood out from all other competitors as it had a breakthrough futuristic design. It still looks futuristic today. The RX8 was a huge let down. It does not look iconic at all it looks like shit... NSX 1st, the Mitsu 3000GT VR4 and the 300ZX neck and neck... Supra 3rd
When most Japanese cars were actually built in Japan. My 2014 Mazda3 was “made in Japan”. I specifically looked at each car’s door jam on the lot to find one built there. Most are made in Mexico these days. Sad.
In the early 2000s I had an RX7 Convertible in black. It wasn't the Turbo but it was such a beautiful car and by that time very few people knew what it was except for enthusiasts. That car was always mistaken for anything from a BMW to an Exotic of some type. It was just as at home in Beverly Hills as it was cruising PCH with the top down enjoying an ocean view...
There are so many vehicles from the 80s an 90s that really didn't give 2 hoots about fuel efficiency, which in my opinion was and is super. From the N/A motors you had in the late 80s the Civic, CRX and Integra b16a. These things were of school boy fantasies, those which were when you first got your licence and were able to drive alone or you could up the anti and drive a Mazda with the 2.5L KL-ZE V6 High Comp motor. There was the off side Mitsubishi FTO/Galant/Emeraude 2.0L V6 Mivec motor with an amazing redline for a factory V6 motor of 8,000rpm. We could move into the more exotic Toyota Soarer of the early 90s either choice of the turbo or V8 version which are equally impressive. Or did you wish to have a peek at the RB's of the late 80's/ early 90's. I'd have to round off and really could not miss a mention of the early 90s Galant Twin turbo V6's or the Early Galant Zr4s, same engine as the Evo1. As you can see there are many Japanese vehicles of the late 80s/early 90s which would no doubt be a pleasure to own and easily beat the more exotic vehicles of the same era, it really comes down to personal preference. Bid you all happy and safe driving :)
Had a 73 Datsun 240Z for about 3 years in the late 90s till some girl hit me in a 67 Mustang and totaled it.. Had a 240Z in th early 2000s and that car handled like a Race Car, but I always wanted a 300ZX too.. I had a friend with one and loved how low you sit with such an excellent view of the road.. Also had an RX7 Convertible after that. It was an 87 with a black exterior and gray interior. THAT car got you Dates!!
One of the best of the 90's for me the superior of all the japanese super gt of that decade. When It came out it tecnologically embarassed the 911 turbo to a point they had to include all of the tech of the 959 on the 993.
4:40 understeer can quickly become oversteer if you lift off the throttle abrutly in a turn [...] master the throttle and you will dice and slice the corner with ease if they just listen
The z 32 was way, way ahead of its time at introduction, perhaps more so than any other car in recent memory. No wonder it was a Car and Driver top 10 car for all the 7 years it was eligible . No soupra ,3000gt or rx can match that record.
After owning all mr2 (4 ) 3sgte,5fse, aw11,1zz 85-01 n supra 85-97 0-60 seem off in this vdo 6.5? 5.8-6.2 might be more correct stock, 1/4 14.4-14.8 @ 98mph I believed but missed those day on the 91
man, North America got jipped on power for the mr2, in Japan they started with 220hp and later models had 240 while if I remember correctly NA spec stayed at 200hp
+Sean Taylor Rx7 owners as well we didn't even get the option for the infini limited run of the car which i believe had 250 horsepower up from the 200.
Ive just purchased a 300zx N/A 90 only has 80k on the motor all the paper work etc, t top's. I love this car I swear I really do think I would rather keep my first car than my best GF to date. I love the 90's even tho I was born 89. This car as a N/A owner is fun as hell to drive burn you tires like no problem, has the pick up and get up and I'm impressed with it. A lot of people saying the N/A's are slow maybe they are but their still awesome to look at and its a sex appeal to it, those lines those wide front fender's. Its a driver's car more as of cruising, never have I raced it I have given it some gas tho but that's all it took. Such a beautifull car design represented with all those other beautiull car's. where are car's like these today in the arm full of a buyer, or atleast a simple but achieavable dream.
Not at all slow, but not sick like the TT. If you don't race, but like to drive, the 5spd N/A is quick and fast enough to enjoy. I even like the extra weight, it makes the car feel more solid and a better long distance cruiser when needed. I've owned a '91 for 20 years. So much fun its been hard to sell it.
30 years later and the 300zx is seen as a pimp mobile, the rx7 is now barely a footnote in history seeing as it's successor is so damn awesome and the MR2 is shown to be a timeless design that more and more people lust after.
I don’t think you know what the definition of a “pimp-mobile” is. Ever see a 70’s Cadillac? A Z32 is nicknamed a pornographer’s car cause Peter North owned one, but that’s about it. VG30’s still have better internal cooling channels than RB’s and can make more power on stock internals, and the Z32 holds numerous sports car records to this day. The FC3S is still super sought after and clean TURBO II’s are going way up in value. They handle like an absolute dream. And your “dreamy” MR2? Yeah... not so much. It’s not considered attractive by most (the AW11 is more sought after than the SW20), it has a tendency to snap-oversteer before a rear subframe redesign mid-cycle, and most people swap out the 3S-GTE for something more robust. But hey, whatever floats your boat.
The mazda debuted 5 years before the new nissan. It wasn't the fastest, but it was the best handling, and braking. And didn't give much up in speed. Did they choose the new pretty face? Seems like it. I was in high school when the Z came out. It was mind blowing. Of course it was the better car. But this comparison showed being 5 years newer didn't make it 5 years better.
300ZX? It's big heavy beast. 3500lbs! The FC is 800(!) lbs lighter. The power can easily be increased and it crushes the ZX. Plus, ever work on a ZX? GOOD LUCK! FC, still the champ decades later.
+lookmom nobrakes 800 lbs is ? That's almost another Geo tacked on. Think about it. The 300ZX basically has to pull another 1/2 car compared to the FC. It's a big wallowy pig. It's not a sports car, it's a couch (+ 3 bedroom bunglow). Who cares if the engine lasts longer, it's a boring car to drive. It handles like shit, drives like shit, brakes like shit. In the words of Top Gear... it's shit.
+TheSnowdolphin Top Gear aren't even reputable car reviewers. They are heavily euro biased and overall lack journalistic integrity. Also the Z32s are anything but shit, if they were they wouldn't be so highly prized as they are today.
+lookmom nobrakes the fc handles so much better and is a lot easier to work on. as the former owner of an 87 t2 i found visibility to be great. never sat in a z32 but i cant see its superior forward visibility (if thats true) being the deciding factor over which car to purchase. the z32's turbo motor isnt exactly known for its reliability either. looking at the engine bay i can tell its a massive pain in the ass to do anything on and if youre taking it somewhere they will charge u a fortune. the rotary is easy as hell to work on and responds great to mods. its very cheap (and easy) to rebuild one but if you dont have the mechanical aptitude or confidence there are specialists who will do it for you for less than what youd pay to get a vg30dett rebuilt. properly maintained the 13bt should last you at the very least 130k miles. my 260whp fc's motor lasted longer than my bolt-on wrx's did... i regret ever selling my fc and now 3 years later after owning faster, nicer, safer cars ive found myself looking for another fc. at the end of the day there is just something incredible about the way a boosted rotary feels. you just cant understand it until you drive one.
3500 pounds is the standard for the Twin Turbo T-Top and all 90-96 300zx Turbos came standard with HICAS :) The Naturally Aspirated came without HICAS and many owners have since removed it from their Turbos.
Read "Nissan 300ZX and 350Z: The Z-Car Story" - a very interesting read if you're into the Z32. My Japanese import Z32 TT 2+2 has HICAS, you'll see it's never given as an option on the twin turbo models as it's always fitted as standard. As "Free Gaming Community" stated some choose to "lock" it with a locking bar as it can feel a little unnatural to drive with but once you're used to it it can make it feel like a much more agile car.
Traded in my '87 944T on a a new 300ZX tt in '92. Great car. I upgraded the intercoolers, intake and exhaust. Excellent car that really reminded me more of my Euro spec 928S than the 944T actually. The 90's had some really great mid priced cars like the RX7, Supra and the ZXtt. Good times !! Currently have an '05 MB CL55 AMG. Looks like I will be trading it in on the upcoming '16 CTS-V coupe. Insane horsepower war going on right now w the automakers !!!
One drag test and they gave it to the fat Z. Where was the handling G and track lap time? The 7 was already ahead on brakes, I guess. Just seems like a bit of a one dimensional decider.
😳...RX-7 60mph - 0 braking in 100ft is MIND BLOWING!!!!
That was almost 30 yrs ago.
Very very impressive
Only the viper ACR stops shorter
I said the same thing.
A big mobile home is 80 feet long so from 60 to stop is only about the length of a mobile home plus 20 feet .
These cars still look good even by today's standards.
Cars these days don't even look nice... hardly any character at all. Even 1978 Honda Civic Hatchback looks better than 99% of cars today.
I agree. Maybe if auto companies still made cars like this they’d sell more cars than SUV gas guzzling road hogs. 😂😂
The 300zx is one of my favorite cars ever but that yellow was awful.
Better
Ok ok ok, where are these guys now??? Can they do current car reviews? In under six minutes, they covered three cars objectively as possible without tick-tacky comments like newer reviews; clearly stating which car was the prime choice, while elaborating on each car's prime features.... More modern reviews should be like this.
They still put out new content! Same host! Subscribe!
They're still at it! MotorWeek is legendary
Um....."Retro Review".....
Well, they were on tv, so no time for verbal wank, a la Cockamamie and drivel.
the early 90s was the best time for Japanese muscle..
HotShotVQ35
Mid-90’s. All of these cars were much faster after their mid-model refresh.
Agreed by far the best late 80s early 90s Japanese sports cars will never be duplicated
@Speedstar
The full model refresh to FD in the case of the RX-7. The MR2T got a bump to 245hp which made it faster in the quarter than almost everything Japan had at that time.
@Noble Khan from the factory the MR2 was faster than the 300zx, the supra, and the NSX in 0-60 and the 1/4 mile, losing only to the GTR. Sure, modify them and that changes but the fact still remains from the factory it was faster.
@Noble Khan not taking about the USDM model, in Japan they got the 3rd gen 3sgte engine that had 45 more hp than the USDM version. That one beat the other cars in the 0-60 and 1/4 mile. The MR2 was discontinued in the US in 1995 but still existed in Japan and other places until 1998
Still loving my '92 MR2 turbo. The ol' girl is almost 25 years old, but still sharp and a complement grabber.
Wow, that's truly amazing.. But I'm just a bit curious.. Do you still have it???😳😦😧🤔
Did you just assume it's gender? That's racist.
David Flores On what planet exactly do you get compliments on it looks?
@@Len1977gt I get it all the time. People are shocked when I tell them it's a toyota
F yeah.. I always thought that body looked liked a mini Ferrari
$33,000 in the 90s adjusted to inflation, is $60,000 in 2015
Indeed, imagine how great a Z450 would be fully loaded at $60K with a 450HP TT V6.
That's still not bad at all for the price
I have an FC and 2nd gen mr2
and 4.5million is 2024
The collection of sporty every-day drivers peaked in the early 90s - in 1993 you could choose from among the following vehicles - Alfa Romeo Spider-Subaru SVX-Toyota MR2-Laser/Eclipes-Ford Probe-240sx-300zx-RX7 turbo-SupraTurbo-ZR1 Corvette-Dodge Viper-Cadillac Northstar Allante-Mazda Miata-Lincoln MarkVIII-Honda Prelude-Mustang-Acura NSX-Camaro/Firebird-3000gt/Stealth-Honda CRX-Hond Del Sol-Toyota Celica-Lexus SC series ------ and of course the impractical but fun exotics - Jaguar-Lotus Esprit-Ferrari's-Lambo Diablo-Porsche's-BMW 850/840-Mercedes SL series-Vector W8-Bugatti EB110-Aston Martin-McLaren F1-(Pantera's?)
Boys, it was heaven and I got to enjoy it. It couldn't last though. What cars have I forgotten?
Ford PROBE
Volkswagen Corrado!
This was the beginning of the end for real driver's cars. Today's cars have been taken over by electronic assists. It's crazy! Good for safety, but I'm old school. :-)
+tscooter22 You men GTR
No, I didn't mean the GTR. The GTR's electronics take the driver out of the equation. I'm not a big fan of computerized cars, sorry.
+tscooter22 I agree. the GTR is computer enhanced. I prefer a car that is excellent without technology... it should be the chassis and the motor providing the magic.
I still feel like the FD was the last. One of the few top tier sports cars without standard ABS, and no traction control at all. Still handled incredibly well, but it was all mechanical magic from the suspension design. You had to know how to handle it to reap its rewards. It doesn't just give you all that it has because you demand it; you have to prove yourself to it. That, is a driver's car to me. Electronic assists go completely against that idea.
Luke Pan
:thumbs up:
Are you sure about ABS? I'd bet every FD shipped with it. I don't remember seeing that as an option on my '94 FD. /points left
Where the hell has this segment of the market gone, and how do we get it back?
Stop buying SUV’s , and actually buy these cars when they are offered.
Are coupes dying? Even the new Type R is a sedan whereas Type Rs has always been coupes.
I used to lust over that 300ZX as a kid.
Go buy one!
peter wyatt middleton.
yeah , they are dirt cheap now ;D
Not So Retro Gamer Yea, for a ragged out junker that some kid was driving.
Ed Kar
i was saying that they are dirt cheap compared to when it was made :)).Still not expensive , i don't think they are much more than 5 grand in decent condition
I've owned a Toyota Celica, 3000GT, Lexus IS300, 370Z, and my favorite is still the 300ZX I owned. Low to the ground, great forward visibility, great handling, modern fighter jet like interior, and open airy feeling with the t-tops removed.
John has always been a consummate professional. Great delivery, enunciation, and vocabulary. He always finds a nice balance between numbers/statistics and commentary describing the experience with the vehicle. I have always appreciated the professionalism and work it takes to produce this show so well. And to keep it up for as long as John and his crew/associates have is all the more impressive. I'm 35 and have watched this program for my entire life, as early as 4 years old.
The Turbo II was a Super looking car back then, I was such a fanboy in college... all 3 cars are fantastic looking.
What happened to Japanese cars!!!!
HEY JAPAN!!! THESE ARE THE CARS WE WANT YOU TO PRODUCE!!!!
NOT THE CRAP TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***** That's just one...and has nothing to do with the old 300zx it has a 4WD system and is more a supercar than a sports car, and the price? is not exactly cheap unless you compare it to a Porsche 911
mr2bmw Most people didn't buy them, sadly, and the automakers discontinued them...
+tom11zz884 true. they make a lot more money making cheap reliable economy cars. yeah these cars are amazing but they dont sell nearly as well
+tom11zz884 brz would finish 3rd against these car from 25 years ago.
TheOriginalBRad Yes, but I guess BRZ would sell much better
One of my favorite episodes, not a bad car in the bunch.
I love all of these cars! Shame they don't (or can't) make exciting cars like these today...
I owned a 300ZX and I loved this car. Super fun to drive.
Short and crisp content without any of the distracting pointless inclusions in today's car reviews. Back in the day they went straight to the point. Time is MONEY!!
The RX7 is so beautiful!
Devon Farley replica Porsche 944
Devon Farley truly
I agree! i had the 86 rx7 turbo same body style with that hood scoop all black..it was a beast and it was gorgeous! had the best dash and seats were heavenly to sit in...mine also had no power steering and no antilocks and no airbags!
All three of these machines are beautiful. I put 300zx and MR2 ahead of RX7 in this particular generation as their designs are more modern and timeless, but the later gen RX7 might be one of the most beautiful japanese compact sports cars of all time.
@@skip741x3 I personally think the 300zx had the best, most modern interior.
So cool that you guys have posted your old car reviews, really awesome stuff to watch, thank you!
Those were the days!!!
Red88Rex I wished that still had my Mazda RX-7.
Sad yes, but it's the truth.. Ugh!😦😧😞
Right!!! That red on the FC just pops though
I've owned a 90TT 300ZX for 20 years. They aren't cheap to maintain. But worth it.
Ed Kar Cheaper to maintain than a BMW M3 and faster!
Anyone can buy one but it takes a real owner to keep it running.
I love these retro reviews. Thank you so much for putting these up.
'86 300ZX Turbo 0-60 8.9
'90 300ZX Turbo 0-60 5.7
Quite a jump in performance.
Where did you get that time for an 86 Turbo, must have a been an auto. The 86 5spd turbo was good for Mid 7's to 60 and the non turbo 5spd manuals low to mid 8's.
loaferguy73 MotorWeek just uploaded this video: /watch?v=R1BEBKkul1g
lfsracer79 I notice you can usually lop off about a half second from most of MW's times.. As I know the MR2 Turbo was capable of 0-60 in as little as 5.9 seconds. Maybe their times are more like what most people will get, rather than best case scenario's best time possible etc. (on a side note, LFS rocks! You try it with Oculus rift yet? Pretty nuts! : )
MW uses actual results. you have to be careful with numbers from sources such as Car and Driver because they reformulate the numbers to standard conditions (55 degrees, 0 degree elevation, 29.9 pressure). The actual numbers they get are NOT what they print.
@@lfsracer79 ³3333³
The funny part is the mr2 held its value more than the other two and it was the cheapest of the three at the time.
Big (and somewhat unfortunate) facts
It's like that with many models, I always thought that was interesting
This aged like milk
Those cars are still popular here in Japan
I hope those days come back
I was graduating in 1991 and I asked my parents for all three. I didn't care which one as long as it was one of these. Nope I got a Dodge Shelby Charger, Still fun but like I told them 3 years later and thousands of dollars in repairs, we could have saved money if they would have just sprung for one of these beauties! That RX-7 II was a stunning car.
I agree, the 2nd gen RX-7 is very overlooked and I prefer its uncluttered sleek design over the later 3 gen cars. Back in late 1987 my then girlfriend's uncle had just bought a new 1988 RX-7 Turbo(in white) and I thought it was a very sharp looking car and with 16" wheels(remember, very few cars sported 16" from the factory back then) it was just stunning to me. Many felt Mazda was trying too hard to make the 7 look like the Porsche 944 Turbo(even wheel designs were similar on the early Turbo 7s compared to the Turbo 944). Any three of these cars with modern wheels and rubber, uprated brake pads, slight tweaking to the exhaust and an ECU remap will still be competitive with performance cars of today.
Damn rich kids.
Did you ever end up getting one of these? I'm happy to say that I have my dream FC Turbo II.
Still is. I daily one I bought last year. Looks like the one in the video.
90s Japanese sports cars were great, though given the price of the Z especially, you can see why people stopped buying them. Don’t understand how the Z wins this one though. It was slightly faster, yes, but it seemed like the RX-7 was the clear winner based on brakes and handling. Was very surprised by the conclusion
Price per HP, it should've been the RX-7?
Been waiting for this. Thank you Motorweek.
60-0 in 100 ft was awesome back then! It's still awesome today too.
3 of the most attractive sports cars of the 90s. I love the Z soooo much
Would love to have any of these.
I have to give it to the RX7 with the MR2 close. 300ZXs are considered money pits and I remember a time when junk yards were full of them because nobody wanted to mess with a broken turbo engine.
Brings me back to Gran Turismo 1.
MR2 ftw!
FC is the best looking in here.
As a 19 year old in 1990, I would have given a pinkie finger for any of these 3 cars. Absolutely beautiful.....all of them.
Thanks for sharing, I would still like an MR2
a bone stock 1990 300zx with a 1/4 mile trap speed of 100 mph is pretty impressive stuff, aside from exotics what else was doing that in 1990?
Trans am turbo, corvette, nsx, 3000 gt vr4, m5, quite a few really
@@DankSi only the nsx and 3000gt were, the nsx is much more expensive and the 3000gt was awd
Loved all of these - esp the RX7.
I dont get it the rx7 stopped shorter ran a close 1/4 mile time by .2 seconds steered better and didnt have braking issues like the z but they still picked the z as the winner because it goes faster in a straight line. Murica..
I did a high school co-op placement in 1994 at a Nissan dealership. So I got up close and personal with a few 300Z Turbos (plus N/A 300Zs). Lots of tech for its day. Time-consuming to work on but that dual throttle body intake plenum is still gorgeous.
That 300ZX stood out from all other competitors as it had a breakthrough futuristic design. It still looks futuristic today. The RX8 was a huge let down. It does not look iconic at all it looks like shit... NSX 1st, the Mitsu 3000GT VR4 and the 300ZX neck and neck... Supra 3rd
Love me some 90's Japanese turbo cars, it would be nice to see the FD RX7 here, the FC RX7 and MR2 are out of their league against the Z32 300ZX TT.
Love the early 90s!
I remember my 1990 300 ZX (N/A) taking it to Laguna Seca every weekend years ago and regrettably sold it
so crazy Sacred Trinity of pure accesible technical sportiness
When most Japanese cars were actually built in Japan. My 2014 Mazda3 was “made in Japan”. I specifically looked at each car’s door jam on the lot to find one built there. Most are made in Mexico these days. Sad.
That 300zx was the only import car ive always like since 1993
MR2 driver braked late 4:55 Not sure how many feet that would cut off the overall braking distance.
Do you have a video on the Subaru SVX?
All three of these cars are still awesome today.
Timeless beauty also goes by the name 300ZX.
300HP in that Nissan 300zx turbo was a lot of power in it's time.
In the early 2000s I had an RX7 Convertible in black. It wasn't the Turbo but it was such a beautiful car and by that time very few people knew what it was except for enthusiasts. That car was always mistaken for anything from a BMW to an Exotic of some type. It was just as at home in Beverly Hills as it was cruising PCH with the top down enjoying an ocean view...
There are so many vehicles from the 80s an 90s that really didn't give 2 hoots about fuel efficiency, which in my opinion was and is super. From the N/A motors you had in the late 80s the Civic, CRX and Integra b16a. These things were of school boy fantasies, those which were when you first got your licence and were able to drive alone or you could up the anti and drive a Mazda with the 2.5L KL-ZE V6 High Comp motor. There was the off side Mitsubishi FTO/Galant/Emeraude 2.0L V6 Mivec motor with an amazing redline for a factory V6 motor of 8,000rpm. We could move into the more exotic Toyota Soarer of the early 90s either choice of the turbo or V8 version which are equally impressive. Or did you wish to have a peek at the RB's of the late 80's/ early 90's. I'd have to round off and really could not miss a mention of the early 90s Galant Twin turbo V6's or the Early Galant Zr4s, same engine as the Evo1. As you can see there are many Japanese vehicles of the late 80s/early 90s which would no doubt be a pleasure to own and easily beat the more exotic vehicles of the same era, it really comes down to personal preference. Bid you all happy and safe driving :)
Had a 73 Datsun 240Z for about 3 years in the late 90s till some girl hit me in a 67 Mustang and totaled it.. Had a 240Z in th early 2000s and that car handled like a Race Car, but I always wanted a 300ZX too.. I had a friend with one and loved how low you sit with such an excellent view of the road.. Also had an RX7 Convertible after that. It was an 87 with a black exterior and gray interior. THAT car got you Dates!!
That 300Z is a beautiful car
I love my 91 MR2 Trubo :)
One of the best of the 90's for me the superior of all the japanese super gt of that decade. When It came out it tecnologically embarassed the 911 turbo to a point they had to include all of the tech of the 959 on the 993.
My friend just recently bought a 1990 300ZX non turbo. It is still a fun car!
How's the car looking today?
@@Sideswipe1135 He sold it for a Twin turbo 300zx, loves the car.
I love rx7s. How I miss those rotaries
Can't hear ya John over all of that tire screeching and pounding pistons..oh and revving rotors!
Esse carro tem no jogo grand turismo 4 sensacional esse canal é nota dez 👏👏🇱🇷🇱🇷🇧🇷
Muito da hora 👍👍👍🇧🇷🇧🇷
I had a 89 RX7 and a 88 300zx… the Mazdas hands down was the better handling. I always wanted a Turbo RX7…. Now they are going for insane money
I miss these cars!
Man that brand new FC is beautiful
4:40 understeer can quickly become oversteer
if you lift off the throttle abrutly in a turn
[...]
master the throttle and you will dice and slice the corner with ease
if they just listen
The z 32 was way, way ahead of its time at introduction, perhaps more so than any other car in recent memory. No wonder it was a Car and Driver top 10 car for all the 7 years it was eligible . No soupra ,3000gt or rx can match that record.
After owning all mr2 (4 ) 3sgte,5fse, aw11,1zz 85-01 n supra 85-97 0-60 seem off in this vdo 6.5? 5.8-6.2 might be more correct stock, 1/4 14.4-14.8 @ 98mph I believed but missed those day on the 91
man, North America got jipped on power for the mr2, in Japan they started with 220hp and later models had 240 while if I remember correctly NA spec stayed at 200hp
+Sean Taylor Rx7 owners as well we didn't even get the option for the infini limited run of the car which i believe had 250 horsepower up from the 200.
+Sean Taylor na was 178bhp max. but ur right gen 2 nd 3 turbos had 240bhp and would beat the others in a race
***** 3rd gen mr2 was a girly little roadster with 138hp, only 2nd gen had 240hp
@@TheKrist420 Beams engine made 200hp. The ultimate Na SW20.
Do you guys have a video of the Mitsibishi Galant VR4?
We're is the snap oversteer
Comparing the 300zx to these other two aren't even fair..
Rev1/2 5.6 secs lows 14's rev3+ 5.2 sec high 13's.
Ive just purchased a 300zx N/A 90 only has 80k on the motor all the paper work etc, t top's. I love this car I swear I really do think I would rather keep my first car than my best GF to date. I love the 90's even tho I was born 89. This car as a N/A owner is fun as hell to drive burn you tires like no problem, has the pick up and get up and I'm impressed with it. A lot of people saying the N/A's are slow maybe they are but their still awesome to look at and its a sex appeal to it, those lines those wide front fender's. Its a driver's car more as of cruising, never have I raced it I have given it some gas tho but that's all it took. Such a beautifull car design represented with all those other beautiull car's. where are car's like these today in the arm full of a buyer, or atleast a simple but achieavable dream.
Not at all slow, but not sick like the TT. If you don't race, but like to drive, the 5spd N/A is quick and fast enough to enjoy. I even like the extra weight, it makes the car feel more solid and a better long distance cruiser when needed. I've owned a '91 for 20 years. So much fun its been hard to sell it.
Wish I could’ve grown up around these times. Times are so shitty now along with the cars
love that RX-7!!!!!!!!
All these cars in mint condition could sell for the same price they sold for in 1990.
That's the nicest Mazda ever made!
When was a line up cars this awesome ? Only in the far past! Shame japan doesn't make anything close to the affordable cars anymore
awesome video & awesome cars! =)
30 years later and the 300zx is seen as a pimp mobile, the rx7 is now barely a footnote in history seeing as it's successor is so damn awesome and the MR2 is shown to be a timeless design that more and more people lust after.
hectorae86 and the 3.0 twin turbo makes only 100 more hp in the Infiniti Q60s
I don’t think you know what the definition of a “pimp-mobile” is. Ever see a 70’s Cadillac? A Z32 is nicknamed a pornographer’s car cause Peter North owned one, but that’s about it. VG30’s still have better internal cooling channels than RB’s and can make more power on stock internals, and the Z32 holds numerous sports car records to this day.
The FC3S is still super sought after and clean TURBO II’s are going way up in value. They handle like an absolute dream.
And your “dreamy” MR2? Yeah... not so much. It’s not considered attractive by most (the AW11 is more sought after than the SW20), it has a tendency to snap-oversteer before a rear subframe redesign mid-cycle, and most people swap out the 3S-GTE for something more robust.
But hey, whatever floats your boat.
John Davis was not afraid to critque JDM legends.
The mazda debuted 5 years before the new nissan. It wasn't the fastest, but it was the best handling, and braking. And didn't give much up in speed. Did they choose the new pretty face? Seems like it. I was in high school when the Z came out. It was mind blowing. Of course it was the better car. But this comparison showed being 5 years newer didn't make it 5 years better.
but which is most reliable?
all of these vs the NSX!!
300ZX? It's big heavy beast. 3500lbs! The FC is 800(!) lbs lighter. The power can easily be increased and it crushes the ZX. Plus, ever work on a ZX? GOOD LUCK! FC, still the champ decades later.
So the fc is lighter, and? The zx has great forward visibility and it's v6 is gonna last miles longer than that fc's rotary.
+lookmom nobrakes 800 lbs is ? That's almost another Geo tacked on. Think about it. The 300ZX basically has to pull another 1/2 car compared to the FC. It's a big wallowy pig. It's not a sports car, it's a couch (+ 3 bedroom bunglow). Who cares if the engine lasts longer, it's a boring car to drive. It handles like shit, drives like shit, brakes like shit. In the words of Top Gear... it's shit.
+TheSnowdolphin Top Gear aren't even reputable car reviewers. They are heavily euro biased and overall lack journalistic integrity. Also the Z32s are anything but shit, if they were they wouldn't be so highly prized as they are today.
+lookmom nobrakes the fc handles so much better and is a lot easier to work on. as the former owner of an 87 t2 i found visibility to be great. never sat in a z32 but i cant see its superior forward visibility (if thats true) being the deciding factor over which car to purchase. the z32's turbo motor isnt exactly known for its reliability either. looking at the engine bay i can tell its a massive pain in the ass to do anything on and if youre taking it somewhere they will charge u a fortune. the rotary is easy as hell to work on and responds great to mods. its very cheap (and easy) to rebuild one but if you dont have the mechanical aptitude or confidence there are specialists who will do it for you for less than what youd pay to get a vg30dett rebuilt. properly maintained the 13bt should last you at the very least 130k miles. my 260whp fc's motor lasted longer than my bolt-on wrx's did... i regret ever selling my fc and now 3 years later after owning faster, nicer, safer cars ive found myself looking for another fc.
at the end of the day there is just something incredible about the way a boosted rotary feels. you just cant understand it until you drive one.
+TheSnowdolphin have you ever driven a 300zx? hahahaha
MR2s were so cool.
No one got the 300ZX with Hicas and 3500 lbs is ridiculous
Pretty easy to tell who's faster in the salom and shorter more technical courses
3500 pounds is the standard for the Twin Turbo T-Top and all 90-96 300zx Turbos came standard with HICAS :) The Naturally Aspirated came without HICAS and many owners have since removed it from their Turbos.
Free Gaming Community Was referring to the Japanese spec models
With terrible emission regulations USDM never gets any proper imports
Japanese spec Twin Turbos all have HICAS as well.
CB56 Source?
Read "Nissan 300ZX and 350Z: The Z-Car Story" - a very interesting read if you're into the Z32. My Japanese import Z32 TT 2+2 has HICAS, you'll see it's never given as an option on the twin turbo models as it's always fitted as standard. As "Free Gaming Community" stated some choose to "lock" it with a locking bar as it can feel a little unnatural to drive with but once you're used to it it can make it feel like a much more agile car.
the Nissan 300ZX z32 is still considered by most people to be one of the best sports cars Nissan has ever engineered next to the skyline
Dayqwan Henderson says who?
Did he say Mazda or Mars bar?
".... the BEARABLE RX7 turbo......"
LMAO
El frente de la mantarraya ....sigue siendo el mejor ...ya pasaron treinta años ...y su atractivo no se vuelve viejo ....
that nissan has a twin turbo and does that mazda have a rotary engine ? the mr2 is just fucken cool in my book even tho i dont fit inside it :(
Traded in my '87 944T on a a new 300ZX tt in '92. Great car. I upgraded the intercoolers, intake and exhaust. Excellent car that really reminded me more of my Euro spec 928S than the 944T actually. The 90's had some really great mid priced cars like the RX7, Supra and the ZXtt. Good times !! Currently have an '05 MB CL55 AMG. Looks like I will be trading it in on the upcoming '16 CTS-V coupe. Insane horsepower war going on right now w the automakers !!!
So how did that zx compare to your Porsche in terms of quality/reliability
woooo look at that FC
Hell yea. Great review.
nissan 300zx TT best as always : )
If only nissan gave us the sr20det in the s13.
Love, love, LOVE the Toyota MR-2!! …..It’s time for a new, electric one!!
Ew
One drag test and they gave it to the fat Z. Where was the handling G and track lap time? The 7 was already ahead on brakes, I guess. Just seems like a bit of a one dimensional decider.