If the import era cameback?

[TheDivaDanielle]

i don't really think imports died, but you just grew up.

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[Static_LV]

I can only speak for myself here, but I am pretty sure that didn't happen

 

[Khyber]

i don't really think imports died, but you just grew up.

this

 

[MikeD1]

Bluebeastsrt, not sure how old you are but I remember when little GLHS Omni and Chargers came out ............

I owned an Omni GLHS, it was a wicked fun car to drive It was light & you could just chuck it into a corner without worrying about ending up in the weeds.

 

[wildcatgoal]

The problem is cars like the WRX and the EVO are so expensive, new, that the people who drive the tuner culture either cannot afford them outright or cannot afford to modify them tastefully. That coupled with the hard fact that the cars are so good off the lot that tuning them requires more than a CAI and exhaust. Nowadays, there's zero point to putting a CAI on any car without a tune and even then you're paying, what, $600 for maybe 30HP and better throttle response. So the entry level step went from being pretty cheap (even if not really effective) to $600. $600 for 30-40 HP for high school and recent college grades paying off $50K in student loans is a hard move to make.

 

[Genxer]

I owned an Omni GLHS, it was a wicked fun car to drive It was light & you could just chuck it into a corner without worrying about ending up in the weeds.

I remember test driving a Shelby Charger (sacreligious name right?) back in the day. Stiff clutch and spot on handling. I really liked the car.

 

[Genxer]

Back in the early to mid eighties I worked for a VW dealer and got to drive my share of cars. I fell in love with the little '84 GTi. It was so nimble and fun to drive. I would daily one now in a heartbeat. The Scirocco wasn't bad but it was a bit heavier and more "luxurious". I had a Jetta, nice all around car.

I remember really liking the 280Z, balanced handling compared to other cars of the time. I drove a Civic and CRX for a while and I have an Accord now. The CRX was the most fun of all the Hondas I had.

Imports were so different than the American cars back then. They were simple, lightweight and cheap. It seems like the lines have blurred moreso now. The imports have gotten bigger in many cases, and American cars have trimmed down. We are all more alike than some would like to admit. Park your Taurus next to an Optima and take a look. Not at all like parking an 80s Crown Vic next to a 3rd gen Accord.

 

[Surtur]

i miss the 80s/90s imports....hits me right in the nostalgia every time.

if i could find a supra for a good price id be all over it.

 

[bluebeastsrt]

Bluebeastsrt, not sure how old you are but I remember when little GLHS Omni and Chargers came out and then a lesser known CSX and they were quick cars for the day. My poor ass had an 86 EXP, which was nothing to brag about. Pontiac had a Sunbird Turbo that some mag called "an IROC killer". I'm dating myself....back then a Corvette had less HP than what a V6 Mustang or Camaro have today! LOL! Much faster cars today. Still fun to see "giant killers" come on the scene from time to time. Syclone truck, Buick GN, etc. really rattled cages and pissed off the Corvette crowd.

Im old enough to remember test driving all the cars you mentioned and pissing off the saleman when they said take it easy and don't spin the tires. Me and the first wife bought a Plymouth laser turbo for her first new car when she got out of college. Wicked little car for its time. Had a whopping 190hp.

 

[GT P-TREE]

I would like to see the 3000GT VR-4 come back, I always liked those and never had one. Would be great to see a TT-V6 again making about 450hp, some aluminum to keep the weight down, and an engine bay that doesn't require the entire engine being removed to change a belt.

Yes, see my sig, I'm a fan of the VR-4. If you go into it knowing what it is, big comfortable Grand Tourer, you'll have a blast in it. Highway cruising it was so comfortable.

 

[Stormtrooper5.0]

i don't really think imports died, but you just grew up.

Thats true...the import scene didnt really die off but its not what it used to be. Back then there were a variety of nice imports from every make. Civics, integs, 300zx, 240s, 3000gt, celica, mr2, s2k, evos, imprezas, eclipse, mx6s, miatas, preludes and of course the elites: rx7, supra, nsx. I would have loved having any of those back in the day. I think if the brz/frs twins had more power (260hp+) or if they simply sold STi or trd trims of it, thatd be a good start.

 

[Sick03L]

Bluebeastsrt, not sure how old you are but I remember when little GLHS Omni and Chargers came out and then a lesser known CSX and they were quick cars for the day. My poor ass had an 86 EXP, which was nothing to brag about. Pontiac had a Sunbird Turbo that some mag called "an IROC killer". I'm dating myself....back then a Corvette had less HP than what a V6 Mustang or Camaro have today! LOL! Much faster cars today. Still fun to see "giant killers" come on the scene from time to time. Syclone truck, Buick GN, etc. really rattled cages and pissed off the Corvette crowd.

Ahhh the fact I just had flashbacks dates myself lol. Those were the good ole days!!!!

 

[SpeedLu]

Thats true...the import scene didnt really die off but its not what it used to be. Back then there were a variety of nice imports from every make. Civics, integs, 300zx, 240s, 3000gt, celica, mr2, s2k, evos, imprezas, eclipse, mx6s, miatas, preludes and of course the elites: rx7, supra, nsx. I would have loved having any of those back in the day. I think if the brz/frs twins had more power (260hp+) or if they simply sold STi or trd trims of it, thatd be a good start.

The nostalgia just hit me like a sack of potatoes.

 

[Volstang]

When I was a teen, I always wanted an RX7 or a 280Z. I test drove those cars to death. Could never afford one. Then, my Dad's buddy bought an 86 Mustang GT conv and let me drive it. Been hooked ever since! Joined the Navy and a buddy I served with had an 87 LX 5.0. I went out after my first deployment and bought a 91 LX 5.0 and have never looked back. Had several Fox bodies since then. I like anything fast, but always preferred a Mustang. Looking forward to picking up an S550 later this year. This site has been a wealth of information that has helped me zero in on exactly what I want.

 

[Joe_Stang]

What I'd really love to see is cars like the neon SRT-4 or the Cobalt SS turbo make the rounds again. Price them so a younger first time buyer can afford them.

Yes those were good times. A lot of competition going on in those years.

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