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'70s and '80s Japanese Cars: Too Practical For Collectors?

67 messages,  Last post on Feb 06, 2012 at 6:06 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota, Classic Cars

Messages Page 7 of 7

#58 of 67 Re: Article In NY Times Online...(fintail)[Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [Mr_Shiftright] [omarman] [kyfdx] [omarman] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 06, 2012 (11:53 am)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 06, 2012 11:33 am)
I really don't think anyone in America much cares about *most* 70s or 80s japanese cars *( I mean "cares" in the heartfelt CHECKBOOK way! )and because of that there will be no rush to save them; however, there are a *few* that will continue to attract the "entry-level" hobbyist, certainly.
 
Aside from those mentioned, there are the little Honda 600 coupes--they are just too weird to resist.
 
My observation over the years has been that odd, or homely, or cheaply made, foreign cars do much better back in their home country, and should really be sent there for preservation---even if it requires LHD to RHD conversion.

#59 of 67 Re: Article In NY Times Online...(fintail)[Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [Mr_Shiftright] [omarman] [kyfdx] [omarman] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] by fintail

Feb 06, 2012 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 06, 2012 11:53 am)
There are several old Japanese cars that I like, but none I am searching for - but admittedly, one old car is enough for me.
 
I agree about sending cars home - they tend to be worth more at home too. What mint fintails bring in Europe is insane compared to here, which is why many have been shipped back. Same with many British cars.

#60 of 67 Re: Article In NY Times Online...(fintail)[Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [Mr_Shiftright] [omarman] [kyfdx] [omarman] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 06, 2012 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 06, 2012 12:46 pm)
Shippin' them home is the only decent thing to do, because many of these somewhat unloved, or under-appreciated foreign cars are just going to rot here.

#61 of 67 Re: Article In NY Times Online...(fintail)[Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [Mr_Shiftright] [omarman] [kyfdx] [omarman] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] by hpmctorque

Feb 06, 2012 (2:42 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 06, 2012 1:32 pm)
I'd be happy to send my '88 300ZX back to Japan if a Japanese citizen were willing to pay me something more than its value in my zip code, and pay the freight and associated expenses.
 
Maybe I should have sent my '87 E30 to Germany instead of selling it locally. That thought didn't occur to me.

#62 of 67 Re: Article In NY Times Online...(fintail)[Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [Mr_Shiftright] [omarman] [kyfdx] [omarman] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] by fintail

Feb 06, 2012 (2:43 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Feb 06, 2012 2:42 pm)
Those aren't quite to the old point yet. I know in Germany, an E30 is just another used car.

#63 of 67 Re: Article In NY Times Online...(fintail)[Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [Mr_Shiftright] [omarman] [kyfdx] [omarman] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] by fintail

Feb 06, 2012 (2:43 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 06, 2012 1:32 pm)
I agree. All sides win - buyer, seller, and the car itself.

#64 of 67 Re: Article In NY Times Online...(fintail)[Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [Mr_Shiftright] [omarman] [kyfdx] [omarman] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [fintail] by hpmctorque

Feb 06, 2012 (3:33 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 06, 2012 2:43 pm)
Yeah, and the fact that it had the 2.7 ETA engine (only 121 hp, but good torque) made it less desireable than the higher revving, higher hp 2.5. On the plus side, it was a very well maintained, accident free and never abused 2-door, with leatherette and sunroof. Nice car, really. For my use, I rather liked the driving characteristics of the ETA.
 
Too bad I don't live next to andre. Maybe he would have rented me some space to park it next to his mastodons.

#65 of 67 Re: Article In NY Times Online...(fintail)[Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [Mr_Shiftright] [omarman] [kyfdx] [omarman] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [fintail] [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 06, 2012 (5:40 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Feb 06, 2012 3:33 pm)
Is it true they are renaming his property lot Jurassic Park?

#66 of 67 Re: Article In NY Times Online...(fintail)[Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [Mr_Shiftright] [omarman] [kyfdx] [omarman] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [fintail] [Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] [fintail] [hpmctorque] by fintail

Feb 06, 2012 (6:06 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Feb 06, 2012 3:33 pm)
The only E30 that will get real demand is the M3. The rest, nice used cars. Another issue with sending them home is that they have to be worth more than the shipping costs. Even a nice E30 doesn't leave much wiggle room after transport costs.

Messages Page 7 of 7

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